नीला कपड़ा
blue cloth
Use this phrase to describe any blue fabric or garment in everyday shopping and descriptive situations.
In 15 Seconds
- Literally means 'blue cloth' or 'blue fabric'.
- Used for shopping, laundry, or describing garments.
- Combines the masculine color 'neela' with the noun 'kapda'.
Meaning
This phrase literally means 'blue cloth' or 'blue fabric.' It is a basic way to describe any textile, garment, or piece of material that is blue in color.
Key Examples
3 of 6At a fabric market
क्या आपके पास नीला कपड़ा है?
Do you have blue cloth?
Giving instructions to a tailor
इस नीले कपड़े से एक कुर्ता बनाइए।
Make a kurta from this blue cloth.
Doing laundry with a friend
अरे, वह नीला कपड़ा मेरा है!
Hey, that blue cloth is mine!
Cultural Background
India was the historical home of Indigo dye, known as 'Neel.' The color blue is also spiritually significant, as Lord Krishna is traditionally depicted with blue skin to represent the infinite nature of the cosmos. Today, blue is most culturally visible as the color of the Indian national cricket team.
The 'A' to 'E' Rule
If you say 'on the blue cloth,' it becomes 'neele kapde par.' The 'a' changes to 'e' because of the preposition!
Not for Moods
Never use 'neela' to say you are sad. Hindi speakers will think you are physically turning blue or bruised!
In 15 Seconds
- Literally means 'blue cloth' or 'blue fabric'.
- Used for shopping, laundry, or describing garments.
- Combines the masculine color 'neela' with the noun 'kapda'.
What It Means
Imagine you are walking through a vibrant market in Delhi. You see a roll of fabric the color of a clear sky. That is नीला कपड़ा (neela kapda). It is the most direct way to say 'blue cloth' in Hindi. It is a simple combination of the adjective नीला (blue) and the noun कपड़ा (cloth). For a beginner, this is a foundational phrase because it teaches you how to pair colors with objects. It is not just about a rag; it can refer to a piece of clothing, a tablecloth, or raw fabric at a tailor's shop.
How To Use It
Using this phrase is like building with blocks. You put the color first and the object second. Since कपड़ा is a masculine noun in Hindi, the adjective नीला ends in 'a'. If you want to talk about multiple blue clothes, the phrase changes slightly to नीले कपड़े (neele kapde). If you are at a shop, you might say, "Mujhe neela kapda dikhaiye" (Show me the blue cloth). Just remember, if you use a preposition like 'on' or 'in,' the neela might shift to neele even if it is just one cloth. It sounds tricky, but you will get the hang of it!
When To Use It
You will use this most often when shopping or describing things. If you are at a fabric store (a 'kapda bazaar'), this is your go-to phrase. It is also useful when you are doing laundry with a roommate and need to identify which pile belongs to you. "That blue cloth is mine!" is a classic line. You can also use it when describing someone's outfit if you forget the specific word for 'shirt' or 'tunic.' It is a great safety net phrase.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this to describe the sky or the ocean. Even though they are blue, they are not made of fabric! Also, avoid using it if you are feeling sad. In English, we say we 'feel blue,' but in Hindi, नीला does not mean sad. If you tell someone "Main neela hoon," they will think you have literally turned blue like a Smurf! For sadness, use the word उदास (udaas). Also, if the item is a specific garment like a 'saree,' use neeli saari instead of just 'cloth.'
Cultural Background
Blue has a massive history in India. The word 'Indigo' actually comes from the word 'India.' For centuries, India was the world’s primary source of natural blue dye (called 'Neel'). Because of this, blue fabric has deep roots in Indian trade and even political history. In a more modern sense, blue is the color of the Indian national cricket team. When the 'Men in Blue' play, you will see नीला कपड़ा everywhere in the form of jerseys and flags. It is a color of pride and history.
Common Variations
You can easily swap the color to expand your vocabulary. Try लाल कपड़ा (lal kapda) for red cloth or पीला कपड़ा (pila kapda) for yellow. If you want to be fancy about the shade of blue, you can say आसमानी कपड़ा (aasmani kapda) for sky-blue cloth or गहरा नीला कपड़ा (gehra neela kapda) for dark blue. If you are talking about the material, you might say सूती कपड़ा (sooti kapda) for cotton cloth.
Usage Notes
The phrase is highly versatile and neutral. The main thing to watch for is adjective-noun agreement and the change to 'neele' in the oblique case or plural.
The 'A' to 'E' Rule
If you say 'on the blue cloth,' it becomes 'neele kapde par.' The 'a' changes to 'e' because of the preposition!
Not for Moods
Never use 'neela' to say you are sad. Hindi speakers will think you are physically turning blue or bruised!
Indigo Roots
The word for Indigo in Hindi is 'Neel.' It's the same root as 'Neela.' India was the world's first indigo exporter!
Examples
6क्या आपके पास नीला कपड़ा है?
Do you have blue cloth?
A standard way to ask a shopkeeper for a specific color.
इस नीले कपड़े से एक कुर्ता बनाइए।
Make a kurta from this blue cloth.
Notice how 'neela' becomes 'neele' when followed by a prepositional context.
अरे, वह नीला कपड़ा मेरा है!
Hey, that blue cloth is mine!
Used informally to claim an item of clothing.
आज मैं नीला कपड़ा पहनूँगा।
I will wear blue clothes today.
In casual speech, 'kapda' can sometimes refer to an outfit generally.
तुम्हारे पास सिर्फ नीला कपड़ा ही क्यों है?
Why do you only have blue clothes?
Teasing someone who always wears the same color.
मेरा नीला कपड़ा खो गया है, वह बहुत कीमती था।
My blue cloth is lost; it was very precious.
Expressing attachment to a specific piece of fabric.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct form of the adjective for the masculine noun 'kapda'.
मुझे ___ कपड़ा पसंद है।
Since 'kapda' is a masculine singular noun, the adjective must end in 'a'.
How do you say 'blue clothes' (plural)?
यहाँ बहुत सारे ___ हैं।
In the plural form, both the adjective and the noun change their endings to 'e'.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 'Neela Kapda'
Talking to a roommate about laundry.
Mera neela kapda kahan hai?
Asking a shopkeeper for fabric.
Neela kapda dikhaiye.
Discussing textile exports in a meeting.
Hum neela kapda niryat karte hain.
Where to use 'Neela Kapda'
At the Tailor
Choosing fabric for a suit.
Laundry Day
Sorting blue items from whites.
Shopping Mall
Looking for a specific shirt color.
Describing a Person
Identifying someone in a blue outfit.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it can mean any blue fabric, from a high-end silk roll to a simple cleaning rag. Context determines the quality.
You can use the word हल्का (halka) meaning light. So, हल्का नीला कपड़ा (halka neela kapda).
It is masculine. That is why we use neela (ending in 'a') instead of neeli.
Yes, if you don't know the word for shirt (kameez), you can point and say neela kapda. It's understood as 'the blue garment'.
The plural is नीले कपड़े (neele kapde), meaning 'blue clothes'.
It is neutral. You can use it with a street vendor or in a high-end fashion boutique without any issues.
You can say गहरा नीला कपड़ा (gehra neela kapda), where gehra means deep or dark.
He was likely using the 'oblique case' because he followed it with a preposition like 'ka' (of) or 'se' (from).
Yes! If the object is feminine, like a saree, it becomes नीली (neeli). For example: नीली साड़ी.
Yes, in the plural form कपड़े (kapde), it is the standard word for 'clothes' or 'outfit'.
Related Phrases
लाल कपड़ा
red cloth
सूती कपड़ा
cotton cloth
नया कपड़ा
new cloth
कपड़ों की दुकान
clothing shop
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