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साफ करना

A1 verb #700 am häufigsten 9 Min. Lesezeit

साफ करना

To clean; to make free of dirt or impurities.

saaf karna Top 700

At the A1 level, 'saaf karna' is one of the first compound verbs you learn. You use it to describe basic daily chores and personal hygiene. You should be able to use it in the imperative form to ask someone to clean something (e.g., 'Please clean this') and in the simple present tense to describe your routine. The focus is on physical objects like a table, a room, or hands. You will learn it alongside nouns for household items. The grammar is kept simple, mostly focusing on the present tense and basic requests. You might not yet master the 'ne' rule in the past tense, but you should recognize the verb when you hear it.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'saaf karna' in the past and future tenses. This is where you introduce the 'ne' rule (e.g., 'Maine saaf kiya'). You can now describe what you cleaned yesterday or what you will clean tomorrow. You also start to use it with modal verbs like 'can' (sakna) and 'want' (chahna). You might use it to talk about cleaning a car, a bicycle, or a garden. You begin to distinguish between 'saaf karna' and 'dhona' (to wash). You can follow multi-step instructions involving cleaning and can ask simple questions about where cleaning supplies are kept.

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By B1, you are comfortable using 'saaf karna' in more complex sentence structures, such as conditional sentences ('If it is dirty, I will clean it'). You start to use the word in social and work contexts, such as asking a colleague to help clean a shared space or discussing hygiene standards in a restaurant. You understand the difference between 'saaf karna' and 'safai karna' (the general activity). You also begin to encounter the word in news reports about environmental cleaning (like cleaning a river or a park). Your vocabulary expands to include related nouns like 'gandagi' (dirt) and 'swachhta' (cleanliness).

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At the B2 level, you use 'saaf karna' metaphorically. You can talk about 'clearing' a misunderstanding or 'cleaning up' a system. You are aware of the idiomatic uses, such as 'haath saaf karna' (to steal or to practice). You can participate in debates about environmental policies or urban planning where 'safai' is a key topic. You understand the nuances of register—choosing 'swachh karna' for a formal presentation and 'saaf karna' for a casual conversation. You can also use the passive voice ('The room was cleaned') and other advanced grammatical structures involving this verb.

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At C1, your use of 'saaf karna' is nuanced and culturally grounded. You can use it in literary or academic contexts, perhaps discussing the 'purification' of a language or a political party. You understand the historical and religious connotations of 'purity' (shuddhata) versus 'cleanliness' (safai). You can follow complex legal or technical documents that use the word in the context of 'clearing' titles or 'cleaning' data. You can use the verb to express subtle shades of meaning, such as the difference between 'cleaning' and 'sanitizing' in a medical or scientific context.

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At the C2 level, you have near-native mastery. You can use 'saaf karna' in wordplay, puns, and sophisticated metaphors. You understand its use in classical poetry or high-level political rhetoric. You can discuss the philosophical implications of 'cleaning' the mind or soul in Indian philosophy (like the concept of 'Chitta-shuddhi'). You are fully aware of regional variations in pronunciation and usage. You can switch effortlessly between the most colloquial slang and the most formal Sanskritized versions of the verb depending on the audience. You can write essays or give speeches where 'safai' is used as a metaphor for social reform.

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साफ करना in 30 Sekunden

Saaf karna means 'to clean' and is a basic A1 Hindi verb used daily.
It is a compound verb combining 'saaf' (clean) and 'karna' (to do).
In the past tense, you must use the 'ne' particle with the subject.
It can be used literally (cleaning a room) or metaphorically (clearing a debt).

The Hindi verb साफ करना (saaf karna) is a foundational compound verb that every learner must master at the A1 level. At its most literal level, it translates to 'to clean' or 'to make something free of dirt.' However, its usage in Hindi is remarkably versatile, spanning from the physical act of scrubbing a floor to the metaphorical act of clearing a debt or even 'cleaning out' a plate of food. The word consists of two parts: the adjective साफ (saaf), meaning 'clean' or 'clear,' and the helper verb करना (karna), meaning 'to do.' Together, they literally mean 'to do clean.'

Physical Cleaning: This is the most common use. It applies to cleaning rooms, clothes, cars, or any physical object. For example, 'I am cleaning the table' becomes 'Main mez saaf kar raha hoon.'
Clarification and Transparency: It is used when someone wants to 'clear the air' or make a situation transparent. In a professional context, one might 'saaf karna' their position on a policy.
The 'Emptying' Context: In informal Hindi, if you 'saaf' a plate of food, it means you ate everything. If a thief 'saaf' a house, it means they stole everything.

क्या तुमने अपना कमरा साफ किया? (Did you clean your room?)

A common household question using the past tense.

In Indian culture, the concept of 'safai' (cleaning) is deeply tied to festivals like Diwali, where cleaning the home is a ritualistic preparation for welcoming prosperity. Therefore, 'saaf karna' is not just a chore; it is often seen as a transformative act. You will hear this word in every household, restaurant, and marketplace across India. Whether a waiter is wiping a table or a mother is instructing a child, this verb is the heartbeat of daily maintenance.

गाड़ी को अच्छे से साफ करना। (Clean the car properly.)

Furthermore, the verb is used in administrative and political discourse. The 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' (Clean India Mission) has made the root word 'Swachh' (a formal synonym for saaf) very popular, but in everyday speech, people still prefer 'saaf karna.' It implies a sense of duty and hygiene. When you go to a shop and the glass is dusty, you might say, 'Isko saaf kijiye' (Please clean this). It is a polite yet direct way to request hygiene.

Metaphorical Use: 'Rasta saaf karna' means to clear the way, often used when removing obstacles for someone's success.

Using साफ करना correctly requires an understanding of Hindi's verb conjugation patterns, especially since it is a compound verb. The 'karna' part changes based on tense, gender, and number, while 'saaf' remains static. This section will guide you through the various grammatical landscapes where this verb thrives.

Present Continuous: Action in Progress

When you are currently in the middle of cleaning, you use the auxiliary verbs 'raha hoon', 'rahi hoon', 'rahe hain', etc. This is perfect for answering the question 'What are you doing?'

मैं रसोई साफ कर रहा हूँ। (I am cleaning the kitchen.)

The Past Tense and the 'Ne' Rule

This is where most English speakers struggle. Since 'saaf karna' is transitive (it takes an object), the subject must take the postposition 'ne' in the perfective past tense. The verb then agrees with the object, not the subject.

Masculine Object: उसने अपना कमरा (room - masc) साफ किया। (He/She cleaned his/her room.)
Feminine Object: उसने अपनी साइकिल (cycle - fem) साफ की। (He/She cleaned his/her cycle.)

Imperatives: Giving Orders or Requests

Depending on who you are talking to, the ending of 'karna' changes. This is vital for social etiquette in India.

Formal (Aap): कृपया यहाँ साफ कीजिए (Kripya yahan saaf kijiye) - Please clean here.
Neutral (Tum): मेज़ साफ करो (Mez saaf karo) - Clean the table.
Intimate (Tu): इसे साफ कर (Ise saaf kar) - Clean this.

हमें प्रदूषण साफ करना चाहिए। (We should clean up the pollution.)

Using 'chahiye' for obligation.

When using 'saaf karna' with modal verbs like 'can' (sakna), it remains in its base form. 'Main yeh saaf kar sakta hoon' (I can clean this). This structure is very similar to English and is usually easy for beginners to grasp. Remember that the object always comes before the verb in Hindi (Subject-Object-Verb order).

If you walk through the streets of Delhi, Mumbai, or any Hindi-speaking region, साफ करना is an auditory constant. It is heard in various registers, from the grit of a construction site to the sterile environment of a hospital. Understanding these contexts helps you move beyond dictionary definitions into real-world fluency.

1. At Home (The Domestic Sphere)

This is the primary domain of the word. You will hear parents telling children to clean their hands before dinner ('Haath saaf karo') or discussing the weekly deep cleaning of the house. In many Indian households, domestic help (often called 'didis' or 'bhaiyas') are given instructions using this verb.

दीदी, आज जाले साफ कर देना। (Didi, please clean the cobwebs today.)

2. In Restaurants and Cafes

If you find a table that hasn't been cleared, you would call the waiter. Using 'saaf karna' here is standard. You might also hear the kitchen staff shouting to 'saaf' the dishes or the counter during a busy shift.

Customer to Waiter: 'Bhaiya, yeh table thoda saaf kar dijiye.' (Brother, please clean this table a bit.)

3. Professional and Technical Contexts

In a garage, a mechanic might talk about 'engine saaf karna' (cleaning the engine). In a computer repair shop, they might talk about 'virus saaf karna' (cleaning/removing a virus) or 'memory saaf karna' (clearing memory). It transitions seamlessly from physical dirt to digital clutter.

4. Slang and Idiomatic Usage

In Bollywood movies or street slang, 'haath saaf karna' is a very common idiom. While literally 'to clean hands,' it actually means to steal something or to practice a skill until it is perfect. If a pickpocket steals a wallet, witnesses might say, 'Usne batuye par apna haath saaf kar liya.'

चोर ने पूरी दुकान साफ कर दी। (The thief cleaned out the whole shop.)

A common way to describe a robbery.

Even though साफ करना seems straightforward, English speakers often fall into specific traps due to the differences in how Hindi handles verbs and hygiene concepts. Avoiding these five common errors will make your Hindi sound much more natural.

1. Confusing 'Saaf Karna' with 'Dhona': In English, we 'clean' the dishes or 'clean' our clothes. In Hindi, if water is involved, we usually use धोना (dhona - to wash). Saying 'kapde saaf karna' is understood but 'kapde dhona' is what a native speaker would say. Use 'saaf karna' for dry cleaning or general tidying.
2. Forgetting the 'Ne' in Past Tense: Many learners say 'Main saaf kiya' (I cleaned). This is grammatically incorrect. You must say 'Maine saaf kiya'. The 'ne' is non-negotiable for transitive verbs in the past.
3. Overusing it for 'Tidying Up': If you are just organizing books or putting things in their place, the verb सजाना (sajana - to arrange/decorate) or ठीक करना (theek karna - to fix/set right) might be more appropriate. 'Saaf karna' specifically implies the removal of dirt.

Another mistake is the confusion between साफ करना (saaf karna) and सफाई करना (safai karna). While they are often interchangeable, 'safai karna' is more like 'to do the cleaning' (the general activity), whereas 'saaf karna' is 'to clean [something specific].' If you are doing the general house chores, say 'Main safai kar rahi hoon.' If you are cleaning a specific window, say 'Main khidki saaf kar rahi hoon.'

Incorrect: मैं पानी से फर्श साफ किया।
Correct: मैंने पानी से फर्श साफ किया।

Lastly, be careful with the pronunciation of 'saaf.' The 'f' sound (फ़) is a Persian influence. Some regional dialects might pronounce it as 'saap' (like the word for snake), but in standard Hindi, the 'f' sound is preferred. Using the 'p' sound can lead to confusion or make you sound less educated in formal settings.

To truly master Hindi, you need to know when to use साफ करना and when to opt for a more specific or formal alternative. Hindi has a rich vocabulary for hygiene, influenced by Sanskrit, Persian, and local dialects.

स्वच्छ करना (Swachh Karna): This is the formal, Sanskritized version of 'saaf karna.' You will see this on government posters, in textbooks, and in formal speeches. It sounds very 'proper.'
Example: शहर को स्वच्छ करना हमारा कर्तव्य है। (It is our duty to clean the city.)
धोना (Dhona): As mentioned before, this means 'to wash' with water. Use this for hands, clothes, and dishes.
Example: बर्तन धो लो। (Wash the dishes.)
झाड़ना (Jhaadna): This means 'to dust' or 'to shake off dirt.' If you are cleaning a rug by hitting it or dusting a shelf with a cloth, this is the verb.
Example: अलमारी झाड़ दो। (Dust the cupboard.)
निर्मल करना (Nirmal Karna): A poetic and spiritual word meaning 'to make pure.' Often used for the heart, soul, or holy rivers.
Example: मन को निर्मल करना चाहिए। (One should purify the mind.)

In a professional setting, you might also encounter परिशोधन (parishodhan), which means 'refining' or 'purification' in a technical sense (like oil or data). However, for 95% of your daily interactions, 'saaf karna' will be your best friend. It is simple, understood by everyone from a toddler to a professor, and fits almost every 'cleaning' scenario.

How Formal Is It?

Formell

"कृपया इस क्षेत्र को स्वच्छ रखें।"

Neutral

"क्या आप यह मेज़ साफ कर सकते हैं?"

Informell

"अपना कमरा साफ कर ले यार।"

Child friendly

"चलो, अपने खिलौने साफ करते हैं!"

Umgangssprache

"उसने तो पूरी प्लेट साफ कर दी!"

Wusstest du?

The word 'saaf' is used in many languages across the Middle East and South Asia, including Urdu, Punjabi, and even some dialects of Arabic (with different nuances). In Hindi, it has almost entirely replaced the Sanskrit 'shuddh' for everyday physical cleaning.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /sɑːf kəɾ.nɑː/

US /sɑf kər.nɑ/

Stress is primarily on the first syllable of 'saaf' and the first syllable of 'karna'.

Reimt sich auf

Maaf karna (to forgive) Insaaf karna (to do justice) Kaaf (the letter Qaf) Baaf (steam - regional) Khaaf (fear - Urdu) Laaf (boasting - rare) Naaf (navel) Taaf (warmth - rare)

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing 'saaf' as 'saap' (like snake).
Using a hard English 'r' instead of the Hindi flap.
Making the 'f' sound like a 'p' (common in some regional dialects).
Shortening the long 'aa' in 'saaf'.
Not aspirating the 'k' in 'karna' slightly.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 1/5

The characters are simple and the word is very common in texts.

Schreiben 2/5

Requires remembering the 'f' (फ़) dot (nukta) and compound verb structure.

Sprechen 2/5

The 'f' sound can be tricky for some, and the 'ne' rule in past tense is a hurdle.

Hören 1/5

Easily recognizable even in fast speech.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

करना (to do) घर (house) हाथ (hand) पानी (water) नहीं (no)

Als Nächstes lernen

धोना (to wash) गंदा (dirty) कूड़ा (garbage) झाड़ू (broom) बर्तन (dishes)

Fortgeschritten

प्रदूषण (pollution) शुद्धिकरण (purification) पारदर्शिता (transparency) निवारण (prevention/removal)

Wichtige Grammatik

Transitive Verb 'Ne' Rule

Maine (Subject + ne) kamra saaf kiya.

Compound Verb Agreement

Maine khidki (fem) saaf ki (verb agrees with object).

Imperative Mood

Saaf kijiye (Formal), Saaf karo (Informal).

Infinitive as Noun

Sफाई करना अच्छी आदत है (Cleaning is a good habit).

Future Tense Conjugation

Main kal saaf karoonga (masc) / karoongi (fem).

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Beispiele nach Niveau

मेज़ साफ करो।

Clean the table.

Imperative (Tum form).

मैं हाथ साफ कर रहा हूँ।

I am cleaning (my) hands.

Present Continuous.

क्या यह साफ है?

Is this clean?

Simple question with adjective 'saaf'.

अपना कमरा साफ करो।

Clean your room.

Imperative with possessive pronoun.

वह गाड़ी साफ करता है।

He cleans the car.

Simple Present.

जूते साफ करो।

Clean the shoes.

Imperative.

यहाँ साफ कीजिए।

Please clean here.

Formal Imperative (Aap form).

माँ घर साफ करती है।

Mother cleans the house.

Simple Present (Feminine subject).

मैंने कल अपना कमरा साफ किया।

I cleaned my room yesterday.

Past Tense with 'ne'.

क्या तुमने कपड़े साफ किए?

Did you clean the clothes?

Past Tense question.

मैं शाम को रसोई साफ करूँगा।

I will clean the kitchen in the evening.

Future Tense.

वह खिड़की साफ कर रही थी।

She was cleaning the window.

Past Continuous.

हमें रोज़ सफाई करनी चाहिए।

We should clean every day.

Use of 'chahiye' (should).

क्या आप यह मेज़ साफ कर सकते हैं?

Can you clean this table?

Modal verb 'sakna' (can).

उसने चश्मा साफ किया।

He/She cleaned the glasses.

Past Tense with 'ne'.

चलो, मिलकर घर साफ करते हैं।

Come on, let's clean the house together.

Suggestive 'chalo' + present tense.

अगर मेहमान आएँगे, तो मैं घर साफ करूँगा।

If guests come, I will clean the house.

Conditional sentence.

उसने सारा खाना साफ कर दिया।

He finished (cleaned out) all the food.

Compound verb 'saaf kar dena' for completion.

नदी को साफ करना बहुत ज़रूरी है।

It is very important to clean the river.

Infinitive as a subject.

क्या आपने अपना कंप्यूटर साफ किया?

Did you clean (the files on) your computer?

Metaphorical use for digital cleaning.

वह बचपन से ही अपना सामान साफ रखता है।

He has kept his things clean since childhood.

Present perfect state.

हमें प्रदूषण को साफ करने के तरीके ढूँढने होंगे।

We will have to find ways to clean up pollution.

Infinitive + 'ke liye' structure.

उसने अपनी गलती साफ करने की कोशिश की।

He tried to clear up (explain) his mistake.

Metaphorical use for 'clearing' a mistake.

सफाई करने के बाद घर अच्छा लगता है।

The house feels good after cleaning.

Gerund 'safai karne' + 'ke baad'.

पुलिस ने इलाके को साफ कर दिया है।

The police have cleared the area.

Present Perfect with compound verb.

उसने अपनी छवि साफ करने के लिए बहुत मेहनत की।

He worked hard to clear his image/reputation.

Abstract noun 'chhavi' (image).

भ्रष्टाचार को जड़ से साफ करना होगा।

Corruption must be cleaned out from the roots.

Passive-like obligation.

चोर ने तिजोरी साफ कर दी।

The thief cleaned out the safe.

Idiomatic use for stealing.

डाटा को साफ करने में काफी समय लगा।

It took a lot of time to clean the data.

Technical context.

उसने अपनी अलमारी के पुराने कपड़े साफ किए।

She cleared out the old clothes from her cupboard.

Specific use for 'clearing out'.

सरकार को कचरा साफ करने की नई नीति बनानी चाहिए।

The government should make a new policy for cleaning waste.

Complex sentence with obligation.

उसने हाथ साफ करने के लिए रुमाल माँगा।

He asked for a handkerchief to clean his hands.

Infinitive of purpose.

लेखक ने अपनी भाषा को अनावश्यक शब्दों से साफ किया।

The author cleaned his language of unnecessary words.

Literary/Stylistic use.

राजनीति को साफ करना एक लंबी प्रक्रिया है।

Cleaning up politics is a long process.

Abstract social commentary.

उसने अपनी अंतरात्मा को साफ करने के लिए प्रायश्चित किया।

He repented to cleanse his conscience.

Spiritual/Moral context.

वैज्ञानिकों ने हवा से ज़हरीली गैसों को साफ करने की तकनीक विकसित की।

Scientists developed technology to clean toxic gases from the air.

Scientific context.

उसने अपनी बैलेंस शीट को साफ करने के लिए पुराने कर्ज़ चुकाए।

He paid off old debts to clean his balance sheet.

Financial/Business context.

इतिहास की किताबों को झूठ से साफ करना ज़रूरी है।

It is necessary to clean history books of lies.

Ideological context.

उसने अपनी बातों से सारा भ्रम साफ कर दिया।

He cleared all the confusion with his words.

Abstract 'bhram' (confusion).

न्यायालय ने उसे सभी आरोपों से साफ कर दिया।

The court cleared him of all charges.

Legal context (Exoneration).

इस दार्शनिक ग्रंथ का उद्देश्य मन के दर्पण को साफ करना है।

The purpose of this philosophical text is to clean the mirror of the mind.

Highly metaphorical/Philosophical.

उसने अपनी विरासत को कलंक से साफ करने का संकल्प लिया।

He vowed to clean his legacy of the stain (of scandal).

Poetic/Formal register.

क्या हम कभी इस धरती को पूरी तरह से साफ कर पाएंगे?

Will we ever be able to completely clean this earth?

Existential question.

उसकी आवाज़ ने वातावरण के तनाव को साफ कर दिया।

Her voice cleared the tension in the atmosphere.

Sensory metaphor.

प्रशासन ने अवैध निर्माणों को साफ करने का अभियान चलाया।

The administration launched a campaign to clear illegal constructions.

Administrative jargon.

उसने अपनी यादों की धूल साफ की और फिर से लिखना शुरू किया।

He dusted off his memories and started writing again.

Literary metaphor.

इस शोध ने विषय से जुड़ी कई गलतफहमियों को साफ किया है।

This research has cleared many misunderstandings related to the subject.

Academic context.

उसने अपने प्रतिद्वंद्वी का रास्ता साफ कर दिया।

He cleared the way for his rival (unintentionally or through defeat).

Strategic metaphor.

Häufige Kollokationen

कमरा साफ करना

हाथ साफ करना

मेज़ साफ करना

गाड़ी साफ करना

दिमाग साफ करना

रास्ता साफ करना

बर्तन साफ करना

दाँत साफ करना

जूते साफ करना

आईना साफ करना

Häufige Phrasen

सफाई अभियान

साफ-सुथरा

साफ मना करना

साफ दिल का

साफ दिखना

साफ आवाज़

साफ पानी

साफ नीयत

साफ सुथरी छवि

मैदान साफ करना

Wird oft verwechselt mit

साफ करना vs धोना (Dhona)

Dhona is for washing with water; Saaf karna is for general cleaning.

साफ करना vs सजाना (Sajana)

Sajana is for decorating/arranging; Saaf karna is for removing dirt.

साफ करना vs साफ (Saaf - Adjective)

Saaf is the state (clean); Saaf karna is the action (to clean).

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"हाथ साफ करना"

To steal something or to practice a skill.

उसने मेरे बटुए पर हाथ साफ कर दिया।

Informal

"मैदान साफ होना"

To have no obstacles or competition left.

अब रास्ता और मैदान दोनों साफ हैं।

Neutral

"पत्ता साफ करना"

To remove someone from a position or competition.

मंत्री ने अपने प्रतिद्वंद्वी का पत्ता साफ कर दिया।

Slang/Informal

"साफ बच निकलना"

To escape cleanly without getting caught.

चोर पुलिस की आँखों के सामने से साफ बच निकला।

Neutral

"दूध का दूध और पानी का पानी करना"

To clear the truth from falsehood (to do justice).

अदालत ने दूध का दूध और पानी का पानी कर दिया।

Formal/Idiomatic

"साफ-साफ कहना"

To speak frankly and clearly.

जो भी बात है, साफ-साफ कहो।

Neutral

"दामन साफ होना"

To be innocent or free of blame.

उसका दामन बिल्कुल साफ है।

Literary

"सफाचट करना"

To finish something completely (usually food).

बच्चों ने सारा केक सफाचट कर दिया।

Slang

"रास्ता साफ करना"

To remove hurdles for someone.

पिता ने बेटे की सफलता का रास्ता साफ किया।

Neutral

"आँखें साफ करना"

To see things clearly (often after being deluded).

इस घटना ने मेरी आँखें साफ कर दीं।

Neutral

Leicht verwechselbar

साफ करना vs साफ (Saaf)

Learners use it as a verb alone.

Saaf is an adjective (clean). You need 'karna' to make it a verb.

Ghar saaf hai (House is clean) vs Maine ghar saaf kiya (I cleaned the house).

साफ करना vs सफाई (Safai)

Both relate to cleaning.

Safai is the noun (cleanliness/cleaning). Saaf karna is the verb.

Safai achhi hai (Cleaning is good) vs Saaf karo (Clean it).

साफ करना vs साँप (Saanp)

Similar pronunciation.

Saanp means snake. Saaf means clean. Watch the 'n' and 'f/p' sounds.

Wahan saanp hai (There is a snake) vs Wahan saaf hai (It is clean there).

साफ करना vs माफ (Maaf)

Rhyming words.

Maaf means forgiven. Saaf means clean.

Mujhe maaf karo (Forgive me) vs Ise saaf karo (Clean this).

साफ करना vs खास (Khaas)

Similar ending sound.

Khaas means special. Saaf means clean.

Yeh khaas hai (This is special) vs Yeh saaf hai (This is clean).

Satzmuster

[Object] saaf karo.

Mez saaf karo.

Main [Object] saaf kar raha hoon.

Main hath saaf kar raha hoon.

Maine [Object] saaf kiya.

Maine kamra saaf kiya.

Mujhe [Object] saaf karna hai.

Mujhe ghar saaf karna hai.

[Object] saaf karna chahiye.

Hawa saaf karni chahiye.

Agar [Condition], toh main saaf karoonga.

Agar ganda hai, toh main saaf karoonga.

[Abstract Noun] ko saaf karna zaroori hai.

Chhavi ko saaf karna zaroori hai.

[Metaphor] ko saaf karne ka sankalp.

Atma ko saaf karne ka sankalp.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

Verben

Adjektive

Verwandt

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Extremely high; used multiple times daily in almost every household.

Häufige Fehler

Main kamra saaf kiya. → Maine kamra saaf kiya.
Missing the 'ne' postposition for the past tense of a transitive verb.
Main kapde saaf kar raha hoon. → Main kapde dho raha hoon.
Using 'saaf karna' for laundry instead of 'dhona' (to wash).
Saaf karo hath. → Hath saaf karo.
Incorrect word order. The object must come before the verb.
Maine khidki saaf kiya. → Maine khidki saaf ki.
The verb must agree with the feminine object 'khidki' in the past tense.
Mujhe saaf karna hai kamra. → Mujhe kamra saaf karna hai.
Again, word order. The infinitive 'saaf karna' should follow the object.

Tipps

Agreement Rule

In the past tense, the verb agrees with the object. 'Maine mez (fem) saaf ki' but 'Maine kamra (masc) saaf kiya'.

Double it up

Use 'saaf-suthra' to describe a place that is sparkling clean. It sounds very natural.

Diwali Context

If you are in India during October/November, you will hear 'safai' and 'saaf karna' constantly due to festival preparations.

The Nukta

The dot under 'f' is called a nukta. It changes the sound from 'p' to 'f'. Always look for it!

Hand Cleaning

Be careful with 'haath saaf karna'. If you say it in a market, people might think you are talking about a thief!

Politeness

When asking a house help to clean, always use 'kijiye' or 'kar dena' to be respectful.

Foodie Talk

If you loved a meal and ate it all, say 'Maine plate saaf kar di!' to show you enjoyed it.

Compound Verbs

Remember that 'saaf' and 'karna' are two words but act as one unit. Don't separate them with other words usually.

Verb Endings

Listen for 'raha', 'tha', or 'ga' at the end of 'karna' to know the timing of the cleaning.

Abstract Use

Try using it for 'clearing doubts' (shak saaf karna) to sound like a more advanced speaker.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'Saaf' as 'Soft' soap. You use 'Soft' soap to 'Saaf' (clean) things. 'Karna' is just 'to do'. So, 'Saaf Karna' is 'Soft soap doing'.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a giant white cloth wiping away a black smudge from a mirror until it is 'saaf' (clear).

Word Web

Hygiene Water Broom Soap Clear Pure Honest Transparent

Herausforderung

Try to find three things in your room right now that need to be 'saaf' and say 'Mujhe [object] saaf karna hai' out loud.

Wortherkunft

The word 'saaf' comes from the Persian word 'sāf' (صاف), which means pure, clear, or bright. It entered Hindi through the long period of Persian influence in North India. The verb 'karna' is a native Indo-Aryan word derived from the Sanskrit root 'kṛ' (to do).

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: Pure, unadulterated, or transparent.

Indo-Iranian (Persian) + Indo-Aryan (Hindi).

Kultureller Kontext

Be mindful when asking others to clean; use polite forms like 'kijiye' to avoid sounding like a harsh boss.

English speakers often use 'clean' for everything. In Hindi, remember to use 'dhona' for things involving water (like laundry).

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (National Campaign) Bollywood song 'Saaf Dil' references Gandhian philosophy on cleanliness

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

At Home

कमरा साफ करो
फर्श साफ करो
हाथ साफ करो
जाले साफ करो

In a Restaurant

मेज़ साफ कर दो
बर्तन साफ हैं?
हाथ साफ करने के लिए पानी
प्लेट साफ कीजिए

In a Garage

गाड़ी साफ करना
इंजन साफ करना
काँच साफ कर दो
टायर साफ करो

At School

बोर्ड साफ करो
डेस्क साफ रखो
मैदान साफ करना
बस्ता साफ करो

Digital/Work

ईमेल साफ करना
फाइलें साफ करना
डेस्कटॉप साफ करना
डाटा साफ करना

Gesprächseinstiege

"क्या आपने आज अपना कमरा साफ किया?"

"दिवाली पर आप घर कैसे साफ करते हैं?"

"क्या आपको सफाई करना पसंद है?"

"शहर को साफ रखने के लिए हमें क्या करना चाहिए?"

"क्या यह होटल साफ है?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

आज मैंने अपने घर का कौन सा हिस्सा साफ किया और मुझे कैसा लगा?

सफाई हमारे स्वास्थ्य के लिए क्यों ज़रूरी है? विस्तार से लिखें।

अगर आपको पूरे शहर को साफ करना हो, तो आप कहाँ से शुरू करेंगे?

एक ऐसी घटना के बारे में लिखें जब आपने किसी की गलतफहमी साफ की।

क्या आपको लगता है कि 'साफ मन' होना 'साफ घर' होने से ज़्यादा ज़रूरी है?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Technically yes, but 'dhona' is much more common for clothes. Use 'saaf karna' if you are dry cleaning or just removing a specific spot.

It is neutral. You can use it anywhere. For very formal settings, use 'swachh karna'.

'Saaf karna' usually targets a specific object (clean the table), while 'safai karna' refers to the general task of cleaning (I am doing the cleaning today).

You must say 'Maine saaf kiya'. Don't forget the 'ne'!

Yes, in the idiom 'haath saaf karna', it means to steal or pickpocket.

In the present tense, yes: 'Main saaf kar rahi hoon'. In the past tense, it depends on the object, not the woman.

The most direct opposite is 'ganda karna' (to make dirty).

You can say 'Shahar ko saaf rakho' or more formally 'Shahar ko swachh rakhein'.

Yes, 'virus saaf karna' is commonly used in technical slang.

In standard Hindi, yes. In some villages, people might say 'saap', but 'saaf' is the correct version.

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