A1 noun Neutral

किस्सा

kissa /kɪs.sɑː/

A 'kissa' refers to a story, anecdote, or a short narrative about a specific event. It is often used to describe real-life incidents told in a storytelling manner or a brief tale with a moral or entertaining point.

Examples

3 of 5
1

दादी ने हमें बचपन का एक मज़ेदार किस्सा सुनाया।

Grandmother told us a funny story from her childhood.

2

इस ऐतिहासिक किस्से का प्रमाण प्राचीन अभिलेखों में मिलता है।

Evidence of this historical anecdote is found in ancient records.

3

अरे, वह तो पुराना किस्सा है, उसे अब भूल जाओ।

Oh, that's an old story, forget about it now.

Word Family

Noun
किस्सा
Verb
किस्सागोई करना
Adjective
किस्सागो
Related
किस्सागोई
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Memory Tip

Think of the phrase 'Kiss-a-story'. You 'kiss' (Kissa) a story goodbye once you finish telling the anecdote.

Quick Quiz

मेरे दादाजी ने अपनी जवानी का एक बहुत पुराना ______ सुनाया।

Correct!

The correct answer is: किस्सा

Examples

1

दादी ने हमें बचपन का एक मज़ेदार किस्सा सुनाया।

everyday

Grandmother told us a funny story from her childhood.

2

इस ऐतिहासिक किस्से का प्रमाण प्राचीन अभिलेखों में मिलता है।

formal

Evidence of this historical anecdote is found in ancient records.

3

अरे, वह तो पुराना किस्सा है, उसे अब भूल जाओ।

informal

Oh, that's an old story, forget about it now.

4

साहित्यिक आलोचना में इस प्रसिद्ध किस्से का विश्लेषण किया गया है।

academic

This famous narrative has been analyzed in literary criticism.

5

कंपनी की शुरुआत का यह किस्सा हमारे लिए प्रेरणादायक है।

business

This story of the company's beginning is inspiring for us.

Word Family

Noun
किस्सा
Verb
किस्सागोई करना
Adjective
किस्सागो
Related
किस्सागोई

Common Collocations

किस्सा सुनाना to tell a story/anecdote
पुराना किस्सा an old story
दिलचस्प किस्सा an interesting anecdote
किस्सा खत्म करना to end a matter/story
झूठा किस्सा a false story

Common Phrases

किस्सा तमाम करना

to finish someone off or to settle a matter once and for all

किस्सा कोताह

in short / to make a long story short

किस्सा खत्म

the matter is over

Often Confused With

किस्सा vs किस्म

'Kism' means type or variety, whereas 'Kissa' means a story or anecdote.

किस्सा vs किस्मत

'Kismat' means luck or fate, which sounds similar but has no relation to storytelling.

📝

Usage Notes

While 'Kahani' is the general word for story, 'Kissa' often implies a specific incident or a short anecdote that might be true or legendary.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often treat 'Kissa' as a feminine noun because it ends in 'a', but it is a masculine noun. Use 'बड़ा किस्सा' (big story) instead of 'बड़ी किस्सा'.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the phrase 'Kiss-a-story'. You 'kiss' (Kissa) a story goodbye once you finish telling the anecdote.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Arabic word 'qissa', meaning a tale or narrative.

Grammar Patterns

Masculine noun Plural: किस्से (kisse) Oblique plural: किस्सों (kisson)
🌍

Cultural Context

Kissa-goi is a traditional art of oral storytelling in South Asia, particularly associated with Urdu and Hindi literary traditions.

Quick Quiz

मेरे दादाजी ने अपनी जवानी का एक बहुत पुराना ______ सुनाया।

Correct!

The correct answer is: किस्सा

More literature words

लेखक

A1

A person who writes books, stories, or articles, typically as a profession. It can refer to a writer in general or specifically to a male writer, as opposed to a 'lekhika' (female writer).

साहित्यकार

A1

A person who creates literary works such as novels, poetry, or essays. The term specifically refers to someone who contributes to the field of literature (Sahitya) and is often used as a respectful title for an author.

नज्म

A1

A 'Nazm' is a type of Urdu or Hindi poem that is written with a specific theme or subject in mind. Unlike a ghazal, where each couplet can stand alone, the verses in a nazm are logically connected and tell a continuous story or express a single idea.

शायर

A1

A शायर (shayar) is a poet, particularly one who composes poetry in the Urdu or Hindi ghazal tradition. The term implies someone who expresses deep emotions, philosophical thoughts, or romantic sentiments through rhythmic verses.

ग्रंथ

A1

A 'granth' refers to a large, significant, or classical book, often of a religious or scholarly nature. While 'pustak' is a general word for book, 'granth' implies a work of great volume, importance, or historical value.

शास्त्र

A1

Shastra refers to a sacred scripture, treatise, or a systematic body of knowledge in a specific field. It is commonly used to describe classical Indian texts that provide rules, logic, and ethical guidelines for disciplines like law, art, or science.

कहानी

A1

A kahānī is a narrative or story, which can be real or imaginary, told to entertain, educate, or preserve memories. It is a fundamental unit of literature and oral tradition, ranging from simple anecdotes to complex written works.

दास्तान

A1

A long, detailed story or narrative, often focusing on adventures, romance, or significant life events. It implies a sense of history or a series of interconnected occurrences rather than a simple short story.

आख्यान

A1

A narrative, legendary story, or a long account of past events. It is typically used in literature to describe mythological or historical tales that convey a moral or lesson.

कथा

A1

A 'katha' refers to a story, tale, or narrative, often implying a traditional, religious, or moral account. In modern Hindi, it is used for literary plots or any structured retelling of events, though it carries a more formal or classical tone than 'kahani'.

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