कथा
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'.
Examples
3 of 5दादी हमें हर रात एक पुरानी कथा सुनाती हैं।
Grandmother tells us an old story every night.
इस प्राचीन कथा का मुख्य उद्देश्य नैतिकता का प्रसार करना है।
The main objective of this ancient narrative is to spread morality.
अरे, अपनी पूरी प्रेम कथा तो सुनाओ!
Hey, at least tell us your whole love story!
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of 'Katha' as 'Cat-ha'. Imagine a wise old Cat wearing a Hat, sitting by a fire and telling a traditional Story to kittens.
Quick Quiz
मेरी दादी ने मुझे एक पुरानी _______ सुनाई।
Correct!
The correct answer is: कथा
Examples
दादी हमें हर रात एक पुरानी कथा सुनाती हैं।
everydayGrandmother tells us an old story every night.
इस प्राचीन कथा का मुख्य उद्देश्य नैतिकता का प्रसार करना है।
formalThe main objective of this ancient narrative is to spread morality.
अरे, अपनी पूरी प्रेम कथा तो सुनाओ!
informalHey, at least tell us your whole love story!
साहित्यिक दृष्टिकोण से इस कथा की संरचना अत्यंत जटिल है।
academicFrom a literary perspective, the structure of this narrative is extremely complex.
यह कंपनी की सफलता की एक प्रेरणादायक कथा है।
businessThis is an inspiring story of the company's success.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
राम कथा
The story of Lord Ram (often implies a long, grand narrative)
सत्यनारायण की कथा
A common Hindu religious ritual involving storytelling
लंबी चौड़ी कथा
A long and detailed story
Often Confused With
Kahani is the general word for any story (informal/casual), while Katha is more formal, traditional, or religious.
Usage Notes
Use 'Katha' when referring to epics, religious recitations, or formal literary plots. For daily chat about movies or small incidents, 'Kahani' or 'Kissa' is preferred.
Common Mistakes
Learners often treat 'Katha' as masculine because it ends in 'a', but it is a feminine noun. Also, avoid using it for short news reports.
Memory Tip
Think of 'Katha' as 'Cat-ha'. Imagine a wise old Cat wearing a Hat, sitting by a fire and telling a traditional Story to kittens.
Word Origin
Derived from the Sanskrit root 'kath', which means to tell, narrate, or report.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In India, a 'Katha' is often a community event where a priest or storyteller (Kathavachak) recites religious scriptures to an audience.
Quick Quiz
मेरी दादी ने मुझे एक पुरानी _______ सुनाई।
Correct!
The correct answer is: कथा
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
More literature words
लेखक
A1A 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
A1A 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
A1A '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
A1A 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
A1A '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
A1Shastra 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
A1A 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.
किस्सा
A1A '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.
दास्तान
A1A 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
A1A 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.
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