A1 verb Neutral #12 most common

देखना

dekhna /d̪eːkʰ.nɑː/

To perceive something through sight or to deliberately direct your attention toward an object, person, or event. It functions as a versatile verb meaning to see, to watch, to look at, to observe, or to check something for verification.

Examples

3 of 5
1

मैं रोज़ शाम को टीवी देखता हूँ।

I watch TV every evening.

2

कृपया संलग्न रिपोर्ट को एक बार देखें।

Please look at the attached report once.

3

अरे, इधर देखो!

Hey, look here!

Word Family

Noun
दिखावा
Verb
देखना
Adverb
देखते-देखते
Adjective
दर्शनीय
Related
दृश्य
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Memory Tip

Imagine standing on a 'Deck' of a ship to 'Dekh-na' (look at) the ocean waves.

Quick Quiz

क्या तुमने कल रात का मैच ______?

Correct!

The correct answer is: देखा

Examples

1

मैं रोज़ शाम को टीवी देखता हूँ।

everyday

I watch TV every evening.

2

कृपया संलग्न रिपोर्ट को एक बार देखें।

formal

Please look at the attached report once.

3

अरे, इधर देखो!

informal

Hey, look here!

4

वैज्ञानिक सूक्ष्मदर्शी से कीटाणुओं को देखते हैं।

academic

Scientists observe germs through a microscope.

5

हमें इस निवेश के जोखिमों को देखना होगा।

business

We will have to look at the risks of this investment.

Word Family

Noun
दिखावा
Verb
देखना
Adverb
देखते-देखते
Adjective
दर्शनीय
Related
दृश्य

Common Collocations

फिल्म देखना To watch a movie
सपना देखना To see a dream
राह देखना To wait for someone
तमाशा देखना To watch a spectacle/drama
आयना देखना To look in the mirror

Common Phrases

देख के!

Watch out!

देख लेंगे

We'll see (handle it)

देखते ही देखते

In the blink of an eye

Often Confused With

देखना vs दिखना

Dekhna is active (to look/watch), while Dikhna is passive (to be visible/to appear).

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Usage Notes

It is a transitive verb that requires the ergative marker 'ne' with the subject in perfective (past) tenses, such as 'maine dekha' (I saw).

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Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'dekhna' when they mean 'dikhna' (e.g., saying 'I am looking good' as 'Main achha dekh raha hoon' instead of 'Main achha dikh raha hoon').

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Memory Tip

Imagine standing on a 'Deck' of a ship to 'Dekh-na' (look at) the ocean waves.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Old Indo-Aryan root 'drś' (to see) via Prakrit 'dekkha'.

Grammar Patterns

Transitive verb (Sakarman Kriya) Past tense: 'Subject + ne' construction Conjugates based on the object in past tense
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Cultural Context

In many Indian contexts, 'raah dekhna' (watching the path) is a common poetic way to express waiting for a loved one.

Quick Quiz

क्या तुमने कल रात का मैच ______?

Correct!

The correct answer is: देखा

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