बिस्तर लगाना
to make the bed
Literally: Bed (बिस्तर) + To apply/fix/set (लगाना)
Use `बिस्तर लगाना` whenever you need to prepare or tidy a place to sleep.
In 15 Seconds
- Used for preparing a bed or mattress for sleep.
- Combines 'bed' with the multi-purpose verb 'to set'.
- Essential for daily chores and hosting guests at home.
Meaning
This phrase is all about getting your bed ready for sleep. It covers everything from spreading the sheets to fluffing the pillows so you can dive in.
Key Examples
3 of 6A mother speaking to her child at night
चलो बेटा, अब बिस्तर लगा दो।
Come on son, make the bed now.
Preparing for a guest's arrival
मेहमानों के लिए बाहर वाले कमरे में बिस्तर लगाओ।
Make the bed in the outer room for the guests.
Asking a hotel housekeeper
क्या आप मेरा बिस्तर लगा सकते हैं?
Can you please make my bed?
Cultural Background
In India, the concept of a 'bed' can be quite fluid. In traditional homes, mattresses might be rolled up during the day to save space. Therefore, 'making the bed' often involves a literal setup of the sleeping area every single night, making this phrase a core part of the evening routine.
The 'Lagana' Secret
The verb `लगाना` is used for almost everything in Hindi—applying cream, planting trees, or even parking a car. Think of it as 'putting something in its proper place'.
Don't confuse with 'Banana'
Avoid saying `बिस्तर बनाना` (Bistar Banana). While it sounds like 'make the bed', in Hindi it sounds like you are literally manufacturing the furniture from wood!
In 15 Seconds
- Used for preparing a bed or mattress for sleep.
- Combines 'bed' with the multi-purpose verb 'to set'.
- Essential for daily chores and hosting guests at home.
What It Means
बिस्तर लगाना is the standard way to say "to make the bed." In Hindi, the word लगाना is a versatile verb. It means to fix, apply, or set something in place. When you combine it with बिस्तर, you are describing the act of preparing a sleep space. It is not just about tidying up in the morning. It often refers to the evening ritual of laying out the mattress or sheets.
How To Use It
You use this phrase like any other transitive verb. The person doing the action comes first. Then comes बिस्तर, followed by the conjugated form of लगाना. For example, if you are telling someone to do it, you say बिस्तर लगाओ. If you are doing it yourself, you say मैं बिस्तर लगा रहा हूँ. It is simple, direct, and very common in daily life.
When To Use It
Use this when you are getting ready for bed at night. It is also perfect when a guest arrives at your home. You might ask your sibling to help you set up an extra mattress. It works when you are talking to hotel staff too. Basically, anytime a flat surface needs to become a cozy sleeping spot, this is your phrase.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this if you are physically building a bed frame. That would be बिस्तर बनाना. Also, do not use it if you are just buying a new bed. If you are specifically talking about spreading a sheet, चादर बिछाना is more precise. However, बिस्तर लगाना is a safe bet for the general process. Avoid using it for "making" a bed in the sense of manufacturing it.
Cultural Background
In many Indian households, space is used flexibly. Some families use 'charpais' (traditional rope beds) or roll-out floor mattresses. Because beds aren't always "static" furniture, the act of लगाना (setting up) is a daily ritual. It signifies the transition from a living space to a sleeping space. Offering to बिस्तर लगाना for a guest is a sign of warm hospitality. It shows you care about their comfort and rest.
Common Variations
You will often hear बिस्तर बिछाना. This literally means "to spread the bed." It is almost identical in meaning but focuses more on the action of spreading the sheets. Another variation is बिस्तर ठीक करना. This is used when the bed is already there but just needs to be tidied up. Use बिस्तर लगाना for the full setup, and you will sound like a local.
Usage Notes
This is a very safe, neutral phrase. It doesn't carry any hidden slang meanings. Just remember to conjugate the verb `लगाना` based on the tense and the subject.
The 'Lagana' Secret
The verb `लगाना` is used for almost everything in Hindi—applying cream, planting trees, or even parking a car. Think of it as 'putting something in its proper place'.
Don't confuse with 'Banana'
Avoid saying `बिस्तर बनाना` (Bistar Banana). While it sounds like 'make the bed', in Hindi it sounds like you are literally manufacturing the furniture from wood!
The Feet Rule
In Indian culture, beds are for sleeping, not for sitting with shoes on. When you `बिस्तर लगाना`, ensure the area is clean as a sign of respect for the space.
Examples
6चलो बेटा, अब बिस्तर लगा दो।
Come on son, make the bed now.
A common household command using the imperative form.
मेहमानों के लिए बाहर वाले कमरे में बिस्तर लगाओ।
Make the bed in the outer room for the guests.
Shows hospitality and preparation for visitors.
क्या आप मेरा बिस्तर लगा सकते हैं?
Can you please make my bed?
A polite request in a professional service environment.
आज मेरी बारी नहीं है, बिस्तर तुम लगाना!
It's not my turn today, you make the bed!
Playful banter between friends or roommates.
मैं इतना थका हूँ कि बस बिस्तर लगाना चाहता हूँ।
I am so tired that I just want to make the bed (and sleep).
Expressing exhaustion and the desire for rest.
हमने टेंट तो लगा लिया, पर बिस्तर लगाना भूल गए!
We set up the tent, but forgot to make the beds!
A lighthearted moment during an activity.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct form of the verb to complete the sentence.
रात हो गई है, चलो ___ लगाओ।
In the context of night (रात), 'बिस्तर लगाना' (making the bed) is the most logical activity.
Complete the sentence to tell someone to make the bed politely.
कृपया मेहमान के लिए ___ लगा दीजिये।
When hosting a guest (मेहमान), you would set up a bed (बिस्तर) for them.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 'बिस्तर लगाना'
Used with siblings or close friends.
बिस्तर लगा ले यार।
Standard usage for family and daily life.
मैंने बिस्तर लगा दिया है।
Polite request to elders or staff.
कृपया बिस्तर लगा दीजिये।
When to use 'बिस्तर लगाना'
Before Sleeping
Preparing your own bed at night.
Hosting Guests
Setting up a guest room or extra mattress.
Morning Chores
Tidying up the sheets after waking up.
Hotels
Asking housekeeping to prep the room.
Frequently Asked Questions
11 questionsIt can include tidying, but it primarily means preparing the bed for sleep by laying out sheets and pillows. For just cleaning, you might use बिस्तर साफ़ करना.
Yes! If you are setting up a sleeping bag while camping, you can still say बिस्तर लगाना to describe the setup.
It is neutral. You can use it with your mother, your roommate, or a hotel manager without changing the phrase itself, just the verb ending.
बिछाना (Bichana) specifically means to spread something flat, like a sheet. लगाना (Lagana) is more general and covers the whole process of setting up the bed.
You would say मैं बिस्तर लगा रहा हूँ (masculine) or मैं बिस्तर लगा रही हूँ (feminine).
Absolutely. Any surface you prepare for sleeping becomes a बिस्तर in that context.
There isn't a single opposite phrase, but you could say बिस्तर समेटना (Bistar Sametna), which means to fold or pack away the bedding.
It is used in both! It has Persian roots and is the standard word for bed/bedding across North India and Pakistan.
Yes, you can say कुत्ते का बिस्तर लगा दो to mean 'set up the dog's bed'.
Yes, though in the morning it usually means tidying up the mess from the night before so the room looks neat.
If it just needs a quick straighten, बिस्तर ठीक करना (fixing the bed) might be more accurate, but लगाना is still understood.
Related Phrases
चादर बिछाना
तकिया रखना
बिस्तर समेटना
सोने जाना
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