A1 verb Neutral #10 most common

बोलना

bolna /boːl.nɑː/

Bolna is the primary Hindi verb meaning to speak, talk, or utter sounds. It is used to describe the physical act of vocalizing, the ability to communicate in a specific language, or the delivery of specific information like the truth or lies.

Examples

3 of 5
1

मैं रोज़ हिंदी बोलता हूँ।

I speak Hindi every day.

2

कृपया मंच पर आकर कुछ बोलिए।

Please come to the stage and speak something.

3

तू क्या बोल रहा है?

What are you saying?

Word Family

Noun
बोली
Verb
बोलना
Adjective
बोलता
Related
बोल
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Memory Tip

The word 'Bol' sounds a bit like 'Bellow' or a 'Bowl' echoing. Imagine someone speaking into a large bowl to make their voice louder.

Quick Quiz

हमेशा ____ बोलना चाहिए।

Correct!

The correct answer is: सच

Examples

1

मैं रोज़ हिंदी बोलता हूँ।

everyday

I speak Hindi every day.

2

कृपया मंच पर आकर कुछ बोलिए।

formal

Please come to the stage and speak something.

3

तू क्या बोल रहा है?

informal

What are you saying?

4

इस शोध पत्र में लेखक स्पष्ट रूप से बोलते हैं।

academic

The author speaks clearly in this research paper.

5

हमें क्लाइंट के सामने सोच-समझकर बोलना चाहिए।

business

We should speak carefully in front of the client.

Word Family

Noun
बोली
Verb
बोलना
Adjective
बोलता
Related
बोल

Common Collocations

सच बोलना to tell the truth
झूठ बोलना to tell a lie
धीरे बोलना to speak slowly/quietly
ज़ोर से बोलना to speak loudly
साफ़ बोलना to speak clearly

Common Phrases

बोलती बंद होना

to be speechless (literally: speech being stopped)

मुँह खोलना

to speak up or reveal a secret

बोलबाला होना

to have a dominant influence or say

Often Confused With

बोलना vs कहना (Kehna)

Bolna emphasizes the act of speaking/vocalizing, while Kehna focuses more on the content or message being said.

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Usage Notes

Bolna is used for languages (e.g., 'I speak Hindi') and for the physical capacity to talk. In the past tense, it is one of the few transitive verbs that often does not take the 'ne' (ने) particle in common usage (e.g., 'Main bola' instead of 'Maine bola'), though 'Maine bola' is also frequently heard.

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Common Mistakes

Beginners often confuse it with 'Batana' (to tell/inform). Remember: you 'speak' (bolna) a language, but you 'tell' (batana) a story.

💡

Memory Tip

The word 'Bol' sounds a bit like 'Bellow' or a 'Bowl' echoing. Imagine someone speaking into a large bowl to make their voice louder.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Sanskrit root 'boll', which refers to speaking or uttering.

Grammar Patterns

Root: बोल (bol) Past tense: बोला (bola), बोली (boli), बोले (bole) Does not typically require the ergative marker 'ne' in the perfective aspect.
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Cultural Context

In many Indian households, speaking softly to elders is a sign of 'lihaaz' (respect/modesty).

Quick Quiz

हमेशा ____ बोलना चाहिए।

Correct!

The correct answer is: सच

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