B2 morphology 3분 분량

Expressing Approximation: करीब

Use `करीब` before any number to turn a precise fact into a casual estimate.

The Rule in 30 Seconds

  • Means 'approximately' or 'about' with numbers.
  • Place it directly BEFORE the number.
  • Use for time, money, distance, and quantity.
  • Interchangeable with 'लगभग' in most contexts.

Quick Reference

Category Hindi Pattern English Meaning Example
Time करीब + Time Around [Time] करीब तीन बजे (Around 3:00)
Money करीब + Amount About [Amount] करीब पाँच सौ रुपये (About ₹500)
Distance करीब + Distance Nearly [Distance] करीब दो मील (Nearly 2 miles)
People करीब + Number Approximately [Number] करीब बीस छात्र (Approx 20 students)
Duration करीब + Hours/Mins About [Duration] करीब एक घंटा (About 1 hour)
Weight करीब + Weight Roughly [Weight] करीब दस किलो (Roughly 10 kg)

주요 예문

3 / 8
1

Karīb sau log pārṭī mẽ āe the.

About a hundred people came to the party.

2

Mujhe vahā̃ pahũcne mẽ karīb ek ghanṭā lagegā.

It will take me about one hour to reach there.

3

Yah fon karīb das hazār rupaye kā hai.

This phone is around ten thousand rupees.

🎯

The 'ish' Factor

Think of `करीब` as adding "-ish" to English numbers. Five-ish? `करीब पाँच`. 10 o'clock-ish? `करीब दस बजे`.

⚠️

Don't be Post-Positional

Hindi loves putting words *after* nouns, but `करीब` (for numbers) is a rebel. It goes *before*. `करीब एक हफ्ता`, not `एक हफ्ता करीब`.

The Rule in 30 Seconds

  • Means 'approximately' or 'about' with numbers.
  • Place it directly BEFORE the number.
  • Use for time, money, distance, and quantity.
  • Interchangeable with 'लगभग' in most contexts.

Overview

Ever tried to guess how many jellybeans are in a jar? Or told a friend you'd be there in "five minutes" when you really meant ten? That's where करीब comes in. It's your go-to word for "approximately," "about," or "nearly." It saves you when you don't know the exact number or when precision just doesn't matter. In Hindi, being slightly vague is often more natural than being hyper-precise. It's the linguistic equivalent of a shrug and a smile.

How This Grammar Works

करीब is an indeclinable word (it doesn't change form). While it can mean physically "close" or "near" (like "close to my heart"), in this specific context of approximation, it acts like a modifier for numbers and quantities. It tells the listener, "Hey, don't hold me to this exact figure, but it's in this ballpark."

Formation Pattern

  1. 1The pattern is beautifully simple. You usually place करीब right before the number or quantity you are estimating. Think of it as a label you stick on the front of a package.
  2. 2Identify the number/quantity (e.g., दस मिनट - 10 minutes).
  3. 3Place करीब immediately before it.
  4. 4Result: करीब दस मिनट (About 10 minutes).
  5. 5Structure: Subject + Other stuff + करीब + Number/Quantity + Verb

When To Use It

Use करीब whenever you want to express an estimation. It works for:

  • Time: करीब दो बजे (Around 2 o'clock).
  • Distance: करीब पांच किलोमीटर (About 5 kilometers).
  • Money: करीब सौ रुपये (About 100 rupees).
  • People/Quantity: करीब पचास लोग (About 50 people).

It's perfect for storytelling, casual plans, or complaining about how expensive vegetables are this week.

When Not To Use It

Avoid करीब when precision is legally or logically required. Don't use it for:

  • Math equations: दो और दो करीब चार होते हैं sounds ridiculous (Two and two are approximately four).
  • Exact schedules: If a train leaves at exactly 10:00 AM, don't say करीब 10 बजे unless you are making a joke about delays.
  • Specific dates: Birthdays aren't usually "approximate."

Common Mistakes

  • The "Post-position" Trap: Hindi uses postpositions (after the noun), but करीब for approximation comes *before* the number. Don't say दस मिनट करीब. Say करीब दस मिनट.
  • Confusing Meanings: Don't mix up करीब (approximate) with के करीब (physically near/close to). घर के करीब means "near the house." करीब सौ घर means "about 100 houses." That little के changes everything.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

Hindi has a buffet of approximation words:

  • लगभग (Lagbhag): The textbook twin. It's slightly more formal. You'll see this in news reports. करीब is more conversational.
  • तक़रीबन (Taqreeban): The Urdu cousin. Very stylish, means the same thing. Use it if you want to sound poetic or sophisticated.
  • आस-पास (Aas-paas): Literally "around" or "vicinity." Used more for time ranges or location. दो बजे के आस-पास (Around 2 o'clock).

Quick FAQ

Q. Can I use करीब for future events?

A. Absolutely. "I'll be there in about 10 minutes" is a classic lie we all tell.

Q. Does करीब change for gender?

A. Nope! It stays करीब whether you're counting boys, girls, or samosas.

Q. Is करीब formal or informal?

A. It fits everywhere. From the vegetable market to the boardroom, it's safe to use.

Reference Table

Category Hindi Pattern English Meaning Example
Time करीब + Time Around [Time] करीब तीन बजे (Around 3:00)
Money करीब + Amount About [Amount] करीब पाँच सौ रुपये (About ₹500)
Distance करीब + Distance Nearly [Distance] करीब दो मील (Nearly 2 miles)
People करीब + Number Approximately [Number] करीब बीस छात्र (Approx 20 students)
Duration करीब + Hours/Mins About [Duration] करीब एक घंटा (About 1 hour)
Weight करीब + Weight Roughly [Weight] करीब दस किलो (Roughly 10 kg)
🎯

The 'ish' Factor

Think of `करीब` as adding "-ish" to English numbers. Five-ish? `करीब पाँच`. 10 o'clock-ish? `करीब दस बजे`.

⚠️

Don't be Post-Positional

Hindi loves putting words *after* nouns, but `करीब` (for numbers) is a rebel. It goes *before*. `करीब एक हफ्ता`, not `एक हफ्ता करीब`.

💬

Indian Standard Time

In India, time is often viewed as flexible. If someone says they will reach in `करीब 10 मिनट`, expect 20. It's not a lie; it's optimism!

💡

Spelling Check

You might see it written as `क़रीब` with a dot (nuqta) under the 'q'. This is the precise Urdu spelling, but `करीब` is perfectly fine for everyday Hindi.

예시

8
#1 करीब सौ लोग पार्टी में आए थे।

Karīb sau log pārṭī mẽ āe the.

Focus: करीब

About a hundred people came to the party.

Standard usage with a count.

#2 मुझे वहाँ पहुँचने में करीब एक घंटा लगेगा।

Mujhe vahā̃ pahũcne mẽ karīb ek ghanṭā lagegā.

Focus: करीब

It will take me about one hour to reach there.

Used with duration.

#3 यह फोन करीब दस हज़ार रुपये का है।

Yah fon karīb das hazār rupaye kā hai.

Focus: करीब

This phone is around ten thousand rupees.

Used with price/cost.

#4 X वह आए थे दो बजे करीब। -> ✓ वह करीब दो बजे आए थे।

Vah karīb do baje āe the.

Focus: करीब

He came around two o'clock.

Correction: Placement matters. Before the time, not after.

#5 X मेरे पास करीब आओ। (Wrong context) -> ✓ मेरे करीब आओ।

Mere karīb āo.

Focus: करीब

Come close to me.

Correction: Here 'karīb' means proximity, not approximation. No number used.

#6 स्टेशन यहाँ से करीब है।

Sṭeshan yahā̃ se karīb hai.

Focus: करीब

The station is near from here.

Edge case: Using 'karīb' as 'nearby' (adjective) instead of 'approximately'.

#7 तक़रीबन पाँच साल हो गए।

Taqrīban pā̃c sāl ho gae.

Focus: तक़रीबन

It has been approximately five years.

Advanced: Using the Urdu synonym 'taqrīban'.

#8 वहाँ करीब-करीब सब कुछ खत्म हो गया था।

Vahā̃ karīb-karīb sab kuch khatm ho gayā thā.

Focus: करीब-करीब

Just about everything was finished there.

Advanced: Reduplication 'karīb-karīb' for emphasis (almost everything).

셀프 테스트

Choose the correct placement for the approximation word.

मुम्बई जाने में ___ (5 hours) लगते हैं।

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: करीब पाँच घंटे

`करीब` generally comes *before* the quantity or number it modifies.

Select the best word for 'approximately' in this context.

टिकट की कीमत ___ दो सौ रुपये है।

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: करीब

`के पास` means 'near/with', `दूर` means 'far'. For amounts/prices, use `करीब`.

Complete the sentence logically.

अभी ___ 4 बजे हैं, चलो चाय पीते हैं।

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: करीब

`बिल्कुल` (exactly) implies precision, but `करीब` (about) fits natural casual speech better here, though context matters. In this lesson context, we practice `करीब`.

🎉 점수: /3

시각 학습 자료

Approximation Showdown

करीब (Karīb)
Common & Casual Everyday use
करीब 10 दिन About 10 days
लगभग (Lagbhag)
Formal / Standard Textbook / News
लगभग 10 दिन Approximately 10 days
के आस-पास (Ke aas-paas)
Vicinity / Range Around a point
10 तारीख के आस-पास Around the 10th

Using 'Karīb' Correctly

1

Are you talking about a number or amount?

YES ↓
NO
Check if you mean 'physically near' (Use 'Ke paas' or 'Ke karīb')
2

Do you know the EXACT number?

YES ↓
NO
Use 'करीब' before the number!
3

Does exactness matter (like math)?

YES ↓
NO
You can still use 'करीब' to be casual.
4

Result

YES ↓
NO
Don't use 'करीब'. Be precise.

Common Contexts

🍳

Cooking

  • • करीब एक चम्मच
  • • करीब 20 मिनट पकाएं
✈️

Travel

  • • करीब 2 घंटे की देरी
  • • करीब 500 मील
🛍️

Shopping

  • • करीब हजार रुपये
  • • करीब दो किलो
🎂

Age

  • • करीब 30 साल
  • • करीब बुढ़ापा (Near old age)

자주 묻는 질문

21 질문

It literally means 'near' or 'close'. When used with space, it means physical proximity. When used with numbers, it means 'close to that number'.

Yes, लगभग (lagbhag) is 100% a synonym. करीब feels a bit more spoken/Urdu-influenced, while लगभग feels a bit more Hindi/Sanskrit-based.

Yes! करीब-करीब means 'almost completely' or 'just about'. E.g., काम करीब-करीब हो गया (The work is just about done).

Only if you mean physical location. घर के करीब (Near the house). For numbers, NO के. Just करीब दस.

Yes. वह करीब बीस साल का है (He is about 20 years old).

You can say करीब पाँच बजे. You can also say पाँच बजे के आस-पास.

Not at all. It's very neutral. It just shows you aren't sure of the exact figure.

Sure. करीब दो (About two). It implies you aren't sure if it was 1, 2, or 3.

Definitely. करीब एक करोड़ (About one crore). Big numbers are rarely exact anyway!

Yes. करीब पाँच किलो (About 5 kg).

In casual speech, people sometimes slip up, but grammatically it belongs *before* the number for approximation.

तक़रीबन is the Urdu equivalent. It sounds a bit more formal or poetic to some ears, but it means the same thing.

Yes. हम करीब चार बजे पहुँचेंगे (We will arrive around 4 o'clock).

शायद means 'maybe' (probability). करीब means 'approximately' (quantity). शायद वह आएगा (Maybe he will come) vs करीब दस लोग (About 10 people).

Not really slang, but sometimes people just use the English word 'around' or 'almost' in Hinglish sentences.

Yes, करीब दस किलोमीटर (About 10 km).

No. करीब is an adverb/particle here. It never changes form. करीब एक घंटा (m), करीब एक रात (f).

It's rare but possible. वहाँ करीब दस लोग भी नहीं थे (There weren't even about 10 people there).

Then simply drop the करीब. दस बजे means exactly 10 o'clock.

Yes, but लगभग is often preferred in formal Hindi documents. करीब is fine for stories, dialogue, and general text.

Yes, meaning 'nearly died' or 'almost died'. It shows an action that almost happened.

도움이 되었나요?
이전
Emphatic Negation
다음
Expressing Completed Actions Using V-

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