At the A1 level, 'शेव करना' is a basic vocabulary word used to describe a daily morning routine. Learners should focus on the simple present and present continuous tenses. You are introduced to it as a compound verb where 'Shev' (shave) is the object of 'karna' (to do). You should learn to say 'I shave' (Main shev karta hoon) and 'He is shaving' (Vah shev kar raha hai). The focus is on recognizing the English root and attaching the correct Hindi verb ending. At this stage, don't worry too much about complex grammar; just treat it as a single action unit. It is one of the easiest verbs for English speakers to start with because the main noun is familiar.
At the A2 level, you begin to use 'शेव करना' in more varied contexts, such as describing your schedule or asking others about their habits. You should start using the past tense correctly, noting that it requires the 'ne' particle: 'मैंने शेव किया' (I shaved). You will also learn to use it with frequency adverbs like 'roz' (daily) or 'kabhi-kabhi' (sometimes). You might also learn the word for razor (rezar) or blade. The emphasis is on building short, functional sentences that allow you to navigate a morning conversation or a visit to a very basic barber shop. You should also be able to form simple negative sentences like 'I did not shave today'.
At the B1 level, you should be comfortable with the modal versions of this verb. For example, 'Mujhe shev karna hai' (I have to shave) or 'Kya main yahan shev kar sakta hoon?' (Can I shave here?). You start to understand the nuances of the compound verb system. You might also begin to differentiate between 'shev karna' and 'daadhi banana'. Your sentences become more descriptive, perhaps mentioning the tools used: 'Main cream ke saath shev karta hoon' (I shave with cream). You are also expected to handle the future tense properly and understand basic imperatives when giving instructions to a barber.
At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'शेव करना' with full grammatical accuracy, including the causative form 'shev karvana' (to have someone shave you). You can discuss the social implications of shaving, such as professional appearance or personal style. You should be able to use the verb in conditional sentences: 'Agar main shev nahin karoonga, to main thaka hua lagoonga' (If I don't shave, I will look tired). Your vocabulary expands to include related terms like 'jalan' (irritation/burn) or 'chikni twacha' (smooth skin). You can also understand and use the verb in passive constructions or more complex narrative tenses.
At the C1 level, you use 'शेव करना' fluently in abstract and nuanced discussions. You can talk about the history of grooming, the shift from traditional 'hajamat' to modern 'shev', and the impact of advertising on male grooming habits in India. You understand the register differences between 'shev karna', 'daadhi banana', and 'hajamat banana' and can switch between them based on your audience. You are comfortable using the verb in metaphorical senses if they arise and can handle complex grammatical structures like 'shev karte hue' (while shaving) as a participial phrase in a larger sentence. You can also critique the environmental impact of disposable razors using this vocabulary.
At the C2 level, your mastery of 'शेव करना' is indistinguishable from a native speaker. You can use the word in literary contexts, understand its use in puns or wordplay, and discuss the deep cultural and religious roots of hair removal in India (like Mundan ceremonies) compared to the modern act of shaving. You can effortlessly conjugate the verb in any rare or archaic tense and understand the subtle social cues associated with the word in different regional dialects of Hindi. You are also capable of discussing the technical aspects of shaving products and dermatological concerns with sophisticated vocabulary, integrating 'शेव करना' into a broad and deep linguistic framework.

शेव करना in 30 Sekunden

  • A common Hindi compound verb meaning 'to shave', borrowed from English.
  • Used mainly for facial hair but applicable to body hair as well.
  • Combines the noun 'Shev' with the auxiliary verb 'karna'.
  • Essential for discussing morning routines and personal grooming in India.

The Hindi verb शेव करना (Shev karnā) is a fascinating example of how modern Hindi integrates English loanwords to describe daily routines. While traditional Hindi has terms like 'हजामत बनाना' (hajāmat banānā) or 'दाढ़ी बनाना' (dāṛhī banānā), the phrase 'शेव करना' has become the most ubiquitous term in urban India, across television advertisements, and among the youth. It literally translates to 'to do shave'. This compound verb structure is typical in Hindi, where a noun or an English verb base is paired with the helper verb 'करना' (to do) to create a functional action word. In the context of Indian society, shaving is not just a grooming habit; it is often tied to professional standards, religious rituals, and personal hygiene. For an English speaker, this word is exceptionally easy to remember because the root 'Shev' is phonetically identical to 'Shave'. However, the grammatical application requires understanding how 'karnā' conjugates across different tenses and moods.

Daily Routine
In most urban Indian households, 'शेव करना' is the standard way to describe the act of removing facial hair in the morning before heading to the office or college. It is used transitively, often implying the beard even if the word 'beard' (daadhi) is omitted.
Professional Context
In corporate India, being 'clean-shaven' is often synonymous with being 'professional'. Therefore, you will hear managers or HR policies mentioning the importance of 'नियमित रूप से शेव करना' (shaving regularly).

क्या आपने आज सुबह शेव किया? (Did you shave this morning?)

Beyond facial hair, 'शेव करना' is also used in medical contexts, such as when a nurse needs to clear an area of body hair before a surgical procedure. In such cases, the term remains clinical yet accessible. Interestingly, the transition from the traditional 'ustara' (straight razor) to modern multi-blade razors has solidified the use of the English-derived 'शेव' over older Persian-influenced terms. When you visit a local 'Nai' (barber) in a city like Delhi or Mumbai, asking him to 'शेव कर दो' (Please shave me) is the most natural way to communicate, whereas 'हजामत' might sound slightly dated or overly formal in a modern salon setting.

मैंने कल अपनी दाढ़ी शेव की। (I shaved my beard yesterday.)

Gender Nuance
While predominantly used by men for facial hair, women also use 'शेव करना' when referring to shaving legs or underarms, though other terms like 'waxing' or 'hair removal' are also common in those contexts.

Using शेव करना correctly involves mastering the conjugation of the auxiliary verb 'करना'. Because 'करना' is an irregular verb in some tenses, learners must pay close attention to the gender and number of the subject in present and continuous tenses, and the object in past tenses. In Hindi, 'shev' acts as a noun that is being 'done'. Therefore, if you are performing the action yourself, you are the 'doer' (karta). If you are describing the process, you might use different aspects. Let's look at the various ways this word manifests in daily speech, from simple commands to complex hypothetical scenarios.

Present Continuous
Used for actions happening right now. For example: 'वह बाथरूम में शेव कर रहा है' (He is shaving in the bathroom). Here, 'कर रहा है' changes based on the subject's gender (raha hai for male, rahi hai for female).

पापा अभी शेव कर रहे हैं, उन्हें परेशान मत करो। (Dad is shaving right now, don't disturb him.)

When giving instructions or advice, the imperative form is used. In a barbershop, you might say 'कृपया मेरी शेव कर दीजिए' (Please shave me). Note the use of the polite 'kijiye' or 'kijiye' ending. If you are talking to a friend, you might simply say 'शेव कर लो' (Go ahead and shave). The addition of 'lo' (from lena - to take) adds a sense of personal benefit or completion to the action, which is a common feature of Hindi compound verbs.

Future Intentions
To express a plan: 'मैं कल सुबह शेव करूँगा' (I will shave tomorrow morning). The 'ga/gi/ge' endings attach to the root 'kar'.

अगर तुम शेव नहीं करोगे, तो तुम इंटरव्यू में अच्छे नहीं लगोगे। (If you don't shave, you won't look good in the interview.)

At the B2 level, you should also be comfortable using the causative form. If you are not shaving yourself but having someone else do it for you (like at a barber), you use 'शेव करवाना' (Shev karvānā). This subtle shift from 'karnā' to 'karvānā' is crucial for accurate communication in India where service-based grooming is very common.

The Negative Form
To say you didn't do it: 'मैंने आज शेव नहीं किया' (I didn't shave today). The 'nahin' usually sits right before the verb 'karna'.

If you spend a day in an Indian city, you will encounter शेव करना in a variety of settings. The most common place is undoubtedly the local barbershop, known as a 'Saloona' or 'Nai ki dukan'. Here, the word is part of the rhythmic soundscape of the morning rush. You'll hear customers asking about the price of a shave: 'शेव करने के कितने पैसे हैं?' (How much for a shave?). The barber might respond by asking if you want a 'foam shave' or a 'cream shave', further integrating English terminology into the Hindi sentence structure.

भाई साहब, जरा अच्छी तरह से शेव कर देना, मुझे एक शादी में जाना है। (Brother, please shave me well, I have to go to a wedding.)

Television and digital advertisements are another major source. Brands like Gillette, Old Spice, and Bombay Shaving Company use 'शेव करना' in their slogans to appeal to the modern Indian man. These ads often emphasize the 'smoothness' (chiknahat) or 'comfort' (aaram) of the shave. You might see a tagline like 'बेहतरीन शेव करने के लिए हमारा रेज़र आज़माएँ' (Try our razor for a superior shave). This has normalized the term even in rural areas where television reach is high.

In Cinema and Media
Bollywood movies often feature scenes in barbershops or morning routines. A character might be told, 'तुम जंगली लग रहे हो, जाओ शेव कर लो' (You look like a wild man, go shave). This reinforces the social perception of shaving as a mark of civilization or order.

In a medical or sports context, you might hear a coach tell a swimmer, 'बेहतर प्रदर्शन के लिए पैर शेव करना ज़रूरी है' (Shaving legs is necessary for better performance). Or in a hospital, a ward boy might say, 'ऑपरेशन से पहले इस हिस्से को शेव करना होगा' (This part will have to be shaved before the operation). This shows the versatility of the term across different domains of life in India.

क्या आपने कभी उस्तरे से शेव करवाया है? (Have you ever had a shave with a straight razor?)

Even though शेव करना seems straightforward, English speakers often fall into several grammatical traps when translating their thoughts into Hindi. The most common error is treating 'शेव' as a verb itself without the auxiliary 'करना'. In English, 'shave' is both a noun and a verb. In Hindi, 'शेव' is strictly a noun, and you must 'do' it. Saying 'मैं शेव रहा हूँ' is incorrect; it must be 'मैं शेव कर रहा हूँ'. This is a fundamental rule for all English loanword verbs in Hindi.

The 'Ne' Particle Confusion
In the past tense, learners often forget to use the 'ne' particle with the subject. Since 'karna' is transitive, you must say 'मैंने शेव किया' (I shaved). Beginners often say 'मैं शेव किया', which is grammatically broken and immediately marks you as a non-native speaker.

गलत: मैं आज सुबह शेव किया
सही: मैंने आज सुबह शेव किया

Another mistake involves the agreement of the verb in the past tense when an object is specified. If you say 'मैंने अपनी दाढ़ी शेव की', the verb 'ki' is feminine because 'daadhi' (beard) is feminine. If you just say 'मैंने शेव किया', the verb defaults to masculine singular because 'shev' is treated as a masculine noun. Mixing these up—like saying 'मैंने दाढ़ी शेव किया'—sounds slightly off to a native ear, though the meaning is still clear.

Overusing 'शेव'
Sometimes learners use 'शेव करना' for trimming a beard. In Hindi, 'trim करना' (trim karnā) or 'कांट-छांट करना' is more specific. If you only want to shorten the hair but not remove it completely, don't use 'शेव करना'.

Finally, watch out for the pronunciation of the 'sh' sound. Some regional Indian accents might pronounce it as 's', making it sound like 'sev'. While understood, the standard pronunciation is the soft 'sh' as in 'shoe'. As a B2 learner, aiming for the standard 'sh' sound in 'शेव' will help you sound more polished and educated in your Hindi speech.

While शेव करना is extremely common, Hindi offers a rich palette of alternatives depending on the formality of the situation and the specific type of grooming being performed. Understanding these nuances will elevate your Hindi from functional to fluent. The most important distinction is between the modern loanword and the traditional Sanskrit or Persian-based terms. Each carries a different 'flavor' or 'register' of speech.

दाढ़ी बनाना (Dāṛhī Banānā)
Literally 'to make/fix the beard'. This is the most natural alternative to 'शेव करना'. It is used by millions across North India and feels slightly more 'Hindi' than the English loanword. It is perfectly acceptable in both formal and informal settings.
हजामत बनाना (Hajāmat Banānā)
Derived from Persian, this term is slightly more traditional. You might find it used in literature, old movies, or by older generations. It covers the entire process of grooming, including haircuts and shaving.

क्या आप हजामत के लिए तैयार हैं? (Are you ready for a shave/grooming?)

For more specific actions, Hindi uses specific verbs. If you are just 'trimming' your beard to maintain a certain length, you would use ट्रिम करना (Trim karnā). If you are 'cleaning up' the edges of your beard, you might use साफ करना (Sāf karnā). In religious contexts, where the entire head is shaved (a common practice for infants or during mourning), the word मुंडन करना (Muṇḍan karnā) is used. Using 'शेव करना' for a religious head-shaving ceremony would be considered culturally inappropriate or at least very odd.

क्षौर कर्म (Kshaur Karma)
This is a highly formal, Sanskritized term used in Vedic texts or very formal traditional ceremonies. You will likely never use this in conversation, but you might see it in a book about Indian traditions.

Lastly, consider the verb सफाचट करना (Safācaṭ karnā). This is a more colloquial, almost slang-like way of saying to shave everything off completely, leaving the skin perfectly smooth. It's often used jokingly among friends: 'अरे! तुमने तो सब सफाचट कर दिया!' (Hey! You shaved it all off completely!).

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

Before the British influence, Indians used the word 'Kshaur' or 'Hajamat'. The adoption of 'Shev' happened alongside the introduction of safety razors in the early 20th century, which were marketed using English terminology.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /ʃeɪv kəɾ.nɑː/
US /ʃeɪv kəɾ.nɑː/
Stress is on the first syllable 'Shev' and the first syllable of 'karna'.
Reimt sich auf
सेव (Sev - Apple/Snack) देव (Dev - God) भेव (Bhev - Fear/Secret) रेव (Rev - a type of coin/slang) मरना (Marna - to die) डरना (Darna - to fear) भरना (Bharna - to fill) करना (Karna - to do)
Häufige Fehler
  • Pronouncing 'Shev' as 'Sev' (with an 's' sound instead of 'sh').
  • Over-emphasizing the 'v' sound; in Hindi, it often leans slightly towards a 'w' sound.
  • Failing to flap the 'r' in 'karna'.
  • Shortening the final 'aa' vowel in 'karna'.
  • Merging 'Shev' and 'karna' into one word without a slight pause.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Easy to read as 'Shev' is a familiar English sound written in Devanagari.

Schreiben 3/5

Requires knowledge of 'karna' conjugations and 'ne' particle rules.

Sprechen 2/5

Very easy to pronounce for English speakers.

Hören 2/5

Easily recognizable in conversation.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

करना (to do) बाल (hair) मुँह (face) सुबह (morning) नहीं (no/not)

Als Nächstes lernen

नहाना (to bathe) तैयार होना (to get ready) कपड़े पहनना (to wear clothes) कंघी करना (to comb) ब्रश करना (to brush)

Fortgeschritten

सौंदर्य प्रसाधन (cosmetics) त्वचा विज्ञान (dermatology) संस्कार (rituals) अपरिहार्य (inevitable/essential) परिष्कृत (refined/polished)

Wichtige Grammatik

Compound Verbs with 'Karna'

Always use 'karna' with English nouns like 'Drive karna', 'Cook karna', 'Shev karna'.

Ne Particle in Past Tense

Maine shev kiya (Active voice, past perfective).

Causative Verbs (Prerathak Kriya)

Shev karna (to shave) -> Shev karvana (to have someone shave you).

Gerunds with 'Ke Liye'

Shev karne ke liye (for shaving).

Honorific Plurals

Pitaji shev kar rahe hain (Using plural verb for respect).

Beispiele nach Niveau

1

मैं रोज़ शेव करता हूँ।

I shave every day.

Simple present tense with 'karta hoon' for a male speaker.

2

वह शेव कर रहा है।

He is shaving.

Present continuous tense 'kar raha hai'.

3

क्या आप शेव करते हैं?

Do you shave?

Interrogative simple present.

4

पापा शेव कर रहे हैं।

Dad is shaving.

Honorific present continuous (though 'rahe hain' is plural, it's used for respect).

5

मुझे शेव करना है।

I have to shave.

Infinitive + 'hai' to express necessity.

6

यहाँ शेव मत करो।

Don't shave here.

Negative imperative.

7

वह कल शेव करेगा।

He will shave tomorrow.

Simple future tense.

8

मेरे पास शेव करने के लिए क्रीम नहीं है।

I don't have cream for shaving.

Oblique infinitive 'karne ke liye' meaning 'for doing'.

1

मैंने आज सुबह शेव किया।

I shaved this morning.

Past tense with 'ne' particle and masculine singular 'kiya'.

2

क्या तुमने शेव कर लिया?

Did you finish shaving?

Compound verb 'kar lena' in the past tense.

3

वह बहुत जल्दी शेव करता है।

He shaves very quickly.

Adverb 'jaldi' modifying the verb.

4

मैंने कल शेव नहीं किया था।

I hadn't shaved yesterday.

Past perfect negative.

5

शेव करना आसान है।

Shaving is easy.

Infinitive used as a noun (subject).

6

वह हफ्ते में तीन बार शेव करता है।

He shaves three times a week.

Frequency expression.

7

क्या मुझे शेव करना चाहिए?

Should I shave?

Use of 'chahiye' for advice/suggestion.

8

उसने अपनी दाढ़ी शेव की।

He shaved his beard.

Verb 'ki' agrees with feminine 'daadhi'.

1

अगर तुम शेव करोगे, तो तुम छोटे लगोगे।

If you shave, you will look younger.

First conditional sentence.

2

मैं बिना शीशे के शेव नहीं कर सकता।

I cannot shave without a mirror.

Modal verb 'sakta' for ability.

3

वह शेव करते समय गाना गाता है।

He sings while shaving.

Simultaneous action using 'karte samay'.

4

शायद उसने आज शेव नहीं किया है।

Perhaps he hasn't shaved today.

Presumptive perfect tense.

5

शेव करने के बाद फिटकरी लगाना अच्छा होता है।

It is good to apply alum after shaving.

Gerundial phrase 'karne ke baad'.

6

जल्दी शेव करो, हमें देर हो रही है।

Shave quickly, we are getting late.

Imperative for urgency.

7

उसे शेव करना पसंद नहीं है।

He doesn't like to shave.

Dative subject construction with 'pasand'.

8

क्या आप मुझे शेव करना सिखा सकते हैं?

Can you teach me how to shave?

Double infinitive construction.

1

इंटरव्यू के लिए आपको अच्छी तरह से शेव करना चाहिए।

You should shave well for the interview.

Formal advice using 'chahiye'.

2

मैंने नाई से शेव करवाया।

I got a shave from the barber.

Causative verb 'karvaya'.

3

बिना क्रीम के शेव करने से त्वचा छिल सकती है।

Shaving without cream can scrape the skin.

Potentiality with 'sakti hai'.

4

जब मैं छोटा था, तो मैं रोज़ शेव नहीं करता था।

When I was young, I didn't use to shave every day.

Habitual past tense.

5

शेव करना केवल एक ज़रूरत नहीं, बल्कि एक कला है।

Shaving is not just a necessity, but an art.

Correlative conjunction 'keval... balki'.

6

अगर उसने शेव किया होता, तो वह पहचाना नहीं जाता।

If he had shaved, he wouldn't have been recognized.

Past conditional (Irrealis).

7

वह अपनी शेव करने की किट हमेशा साथ रखता है।

He always keeps his shaving kit with him.

Adjectival phrase 'shev karne ki'.

8

जल्दबाजी में शेव करने से कट लग सकता है।

Shaving in a hurry can result in a cut.

Abstract noun 'jaldbaazi' as a context.

1

आजकल के युवा शेव करने के बजाय दाढ़ी रखना पसंद करते हैं।

Nowadays, young people prefer keeping a beard instead of shaving.

Contrastive phrase 'ke bajaay'.

2

सभ्य दिखने के लिए शेव करना एक सामाजिक मापदंड बन गया है।

Shaving has become a social benchmark for looking civilized.

Complex noun phrase as subject.

3

भले ही वह थक गया था, फिर भी उसने शेव किया।

Even though he was tired, he still shaved.

Concessive clause 'bhale hi... phir bhi'.

4

इस रेज़र से शेव करना बहुत आरामदायक है।

Shaving with this razor is very comfortable.

Instrumental case with 'se'.

5

धार्मिक कारणों से सिर शेव करना एक पुरानी परंपरा है।

Shaving the head for religious reasons is an old tradition.

Contextual shift to head shaving.

6

उसने इतनी सफ़ाई से शेव किया कि एक भी बाल नहीं बचा।

He shaved so cleanly that not a single hair remained.

Adverbial clause of result.

7

शेव करने की प्रक्रिया में त्वचा की देखभाल भी शामिल है।

Skin care is also included in the process of shaving.

Passive-leaning construction with 'shamil hai'.

8

बिना पानी के शेव करना त्वचा के लिए हानिकारक हो सकता है।

Shaving without water can be harmful to the skin.

Adjective 'haanikarak' with the infinitive.

1

आधुनिकता की दौड़ में हमने शेव करने के पारंपरिक तरीकों को भुला दिया है।

In the race of modernity, we have forgotten traditional methods of shaving.

Metaphorical context.

2

शेव करना केवल बाहरी रूप को बदलना नहीं, बल्कि एक मानसिक तैयारी भी है।

Shaving is not just about changing outward appearance, but also a mental preparation.

Philosophical usage.

3

विज्ञापनों ने शेव करने को पुरुषत्व का एक अनिवार्य हिस्सा बना दिया है।

Advertisements have made shaving an essential part of masculinity.

Causative impact of an abstract subject.

4

उसकी शेव करने की शैली उसके व्यक्तित्व को दर्शाती है।

His style of shaving reflects his personality.

Possessive phrase with gerund.

5

युद्ध के मैदान में भी सैनिक शेव करना नहीं भूलते थे।

Even on the battlefield, soldiers did not forget to shave.

Historical narrative context.

6

संवेदनशील त्वचा वालों के लिए शेव करना किसी चुनौती से कम नहीं।

For those with sensitive skin, shaving is nothing less than a challenge.

Comparative idiom 'se kam nahin'.

7

क्या तकनीक के आने से शेव करने का अनुभव वास्तव में बदला है?

Has the experience of shaving really changed with the advent of technology?

Complex interrogative with abstract nouns.

8

उस्तरे की धार पर चलकर शेव करना एक जोखिम भरा काम है।

Shaving while walking on the edge of a razor (metaphorically: performing a risky task) is dangerous.

Idiomatic usage.

Synonyme

दाढ़ी बनाना हजामत बनाना क्षौर कर्म साफ करना मुंडन करना ट्रिम करना सफाचट करना बाल काटना

Gegenteile

दाढ़ी बढ़ाना बाल उगना अनगढ़ छोड़ना पालना

Häufige Kollokationen

क्लीन शेव
शेविंग क्रीम
शेविंग किट
स्मूद शेव
आफ्टर शेव
रोज़ाना शेव करना
उस्तरे से शेव
इलेक्ट्रिक शेवर
शेव करते समय
बिना शेव के

Häufige Phrasen

शेव कर लो

— A simple suggestion or command to someone to shave.

तुम्हारी दाढ़ी बढ़ गई है, शेव कर लो।

शेव बनाना

— A variation of 'shev karna', though slightly less common than 'daadhi banana'.

मैं शेव बना रहा हूँ।

शेव बिगड़ना

— To mess up the shave, perhaps by cutting oneself or leaving patches.

जल्दबाजी में मेरी शेव बिगड़ गई।

गहरी शेव

— A close shave.

मुझे एक गहरी शेव चाहिए।

शेव छोड़ना

— To skip shaving for a day or more.

मैंने आज शेव छोड़ दी।

शेव का सामान

— Shaving supplies/tools.

बाज़ार से शेव का सामान ले आना।

उल्टी शेव

— Shaving against the grain.

उल्टी शेव करने से दाने हो जाते हैं।

हल्की शेव

— A light shave or just a quick touch-up.

बस एक हल्की शेव कर दो।

शेव की दुकान

— A colloquial way to refer to a barber shop.

वो शेव की दुकान पर गया है।

शेव का साबुन

— Shaving soap.

पुराने लोग शेव का साबुन इस्तेमाल करते थे।

Wird oft verwechselt mit

शेव करना vs सेव करना (Save karna)

English 'Save' (money/file). Pronunciation is similar but context is totally different.

शेव करना vs काटना (Kaatna)

Means 'to cut'. Used for hair on the head but sounds violent or accidental for shaving.

शेव करना vs साफ करना (Saaf karna)

Means 'to clean'. Can be used for shaving but usually implies cleaning a surface.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"उस्तरे की धार पर चलना"

— To walk on a razor's edge; to be in a very risky or precarious situation.

यह प्रोजेक्ट पूरा करना उस्तरे की धार पर चलने जैसा है।

Literary
"मुफ्त की हजामत"

— To get something done for free, often implying taking advantage of someone.

वह हमेशा दूसरों से मुफ्त की हजामत कराता है।

Colloquial
"बाल की खाल निकालना"

— To split hairs; to be overly critical or pedantic about small details.

हर बात में बाल की खाल निकालना उसकी आदत है।

Common
"सफाचट मैदान"

— Metaphorical use for a clean-shaven face or a completely empty space.

उसने शेव क्या की, चेहरा सफाचट मैदान हो गया।

Humorous
"चिकना घड़ा"

— Literally 'a smooth pot', used for someone who is shameless or unaffected by criticism (related to the 'smoothness' of a shave).

उसे कितना भी समझाओ, वह तो चिकना घड़ा है।

Common
"दाढ़ी-मूंछ का सवाल"

— A matter of honor or prestige (since facial hair symbolizes honor in many Indian cultures).

यह हमारी दाढ़ी-मूंछ का सवाल है, हम हार नहीं सकते।

Cultural
"हजामत बनाना (Slang)"

— To trick someone or to beat someone up.

पुलिस ने चोर की अच्छी हजामत बनाई।

Slang
"बाल भी बाँका न होना"

— To not be harmed in the slightest.

इतने बड़े एक्सीडेंट में भी उसका बाल भी बाँका नहीं हुआ।

Common
"सिर मुंडाते ही ओले पड़ना"

— To face trouble right at the start of an endeavor (literally: hailstones falling as soon as the head is shaved).

नया बिजनेस शुरू किया और मंदी आ गई—सिर मुंडाते ही ओले पड़ गए।

Proverb
"दाढ़ी जारना"

— To insult someone's honor (very traditional/rare).

उसने भरी सभा में उसकी दाढ़ी जार दी।

Archaic

Leicht verwechselbar

शेव करना vs बाल काटना

Both involve hair removal.

Bal kaatna is for haircuts; Shev karna is specifically for shaving skin close.

मैं बाल कटवाने गया था, शेव करने नहीं।

शेव करना vs ट्रिम करना

Both involve grooming facial hair.

Trim karna leaves some hair length; Shev karna removes it to the skin.

उसने शेव नहीं किया, बस ट्रिम किया।

शेव करना vs उखाड़ना

Both remove hair.

Ukhaadna means to pluck from the root; Shev karna cuts at the surface.

बाल शेव करो, उखाड़ो मत!

शेव करना vs बनाना

Used in 'daadhi banana'.

Banana is a general verb 'to make'; Shev karna is specific to shaving.

खाना बनाना और शेव करना अलग बातें हैं।

शेव करना vs धोना

Both are morning bathroom activities.

Dhona means to wash; Shev karna is to shave.

चेहरा धोने के बाद शेव करो।

Satzmuster

A1

मैं [Time] शेव करता हूँ।

मैं सुबह शेव करता हूँ।

A2

क्या आपने [Object] शेव किया?

क्या आपने दाढ़ी शेव की?

B1

[Subject] को शेव करना [Adjective] लगता है।

मुझे शेव करना मुश्किल लगता है।

B2

अगर [Condition], तो मैं शेव करूँगा।

अगर क्रीम मिलेगी, तो मैं शेव करूँगा।

C1

शेव करने के बावजूद [Contrast].

शेव करने के बावजूद उसके चेहरे पर बाल दिख रहे थे।

C2

[Abstract Concept] की वजह से शेव करना [Result].

आधुनिक जीवनशैली की वजह से शेव करना एक बोझ बन गया है।

B1

बिना [Tool] के शेव करना मुश्किल है।

बिना रेज़र के शेव करना मुश्किल है।

A2

वह [Place] में शेव कर रहा है।

वह बाथरूम में शेव कर रहा है।

Wortfamilie

Substantive

शेव (Shev - The shave itself)
शेवर (Shevar - Shaver/Razor)
हजामत (Hajamat - Grooming)
दाढ़ी (Daadhi - Beard)

Verben

शेव करवाना (Shev karvana - To have someone shave you)
शेव हो जाना (Shev ho jana - To be shaved)
दाढ़ी बनाना (Daadhi banana - To shave/make a beard)

Adjektive

क्लीन-शेवन (Clean-shaven - Borrowed adjective)
बिना-शेव (Unshaven)
शेव-शुदा (Shaved - Persian style suffix)

Verwandt

रेज़र (Razor)
ब्लेड (Blade)
फोम (Foam)
क्रीम (Cream)
शीशा (Mirror)

So verwendest du es

frequency

Extremely high in urban India; medium in rural areas where 'daadhi banana' is preferred.

Häufige Fehler
  • मैं शेव रहा हूँ। मैं शेव कर रहा हूँ।

    You cannot omit the auxiliary verb 'karna'. 'Shev' is not a verb in Hindi; it's a noun that you 'do'.

  • मैंने दाढ़ी शेव किया। मैंने दाढ़ी शेव की।

    Since 'daadhi' (beard) is feminine, the verb 'karna' must agree with it in the past tense, becoming 'ki'.

  • वह शेव काट रहा है। वह शेव कर रहा है।

    Using 'kaatna' (to cut) is incorrect for the act of shaving. Use 'karna' or 'banana'.

  • मैं शेव किया। मैंने शेव किया।

    The transitive verb 'karna' requires the ergative 'ne' particle with the subject in the perfective aspect.

  • मुझे शेव करना पसंद हूँ। मुझे शेव करना पसंद है।

    In 'Mujhe' constructions, the final verb should be 'hai', not 'hoon', as it agrees with the action of shaving.

Tipps

Master the 'Ne' Particle

Always use 'मैंने' (Maine) instead of 'मैं' (Main) when talking about a shave you completed in the past. This is the most common error for learners.

Learn the Kit

Pair 'शेव करना' with nouns like 'फोम' (foam), 'क्रीम' (cream), and 'आफ्टर-शेव' to expand your conversational range.

Barber Etiquette

In India, going for a shave is a social activity. Using 'भैया, शेव कर दो' is a friendly and standard way to start the process.

The 'Sh' Sound

Avoid the common regional mistake of saying 'Sev'. Keep the 'sh' as in 'shampoo' to sound more standard.

Compound Verb Logic

Remember that 'Shev' is the noun and 'karna' is the verb. This logic applies to hundreds of other Hindi verbs borrowed from English.

Ad Context

Watch Indian TV commercials for razors. They provide excellent examples of how 'शेव करना' is used in persuasive and modern speech.

Agreement Matters

If you include the word 'daadhi', make sure your verb ends in 'ki' or 'karti' (feminine). If not, keep it 'kiya' or 'karta' (masculine).

Professionalism

Use the term 'क्लीन-शेव' (clean-shave) as an adjective to describe a professional look in office settings.

Cuts and Burns

Learn the phrase 'कट लग गया' (got a cut) and 'जलन हो रही है' (it's burning) for practical use during or after shaving.

Metaphorical Use

Understand that 'hajaamat banana' can be slang for 'to beat someone up' in movies, so context is king!

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of a 'Chef' (sounds like Shev) who has to 'Do' (Karna) a clean job with his knife, just like you 'Do a Shave' with a razor.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a giant English 'S' shaped like a razor, cutting through the word 'Karna'. This links the English sound 'Sh' to the Hindi action.

Word Web

Face Razor Mirror Morning Cream Barber Clean Routine

Herausforderung

Try to narrate your entire morning routine in Hindi, ensuring you use 'शेव करना' or 'शेव करवाया' correctly in the past tense.

Wortherkunft

The word 'शेव' (Shev) is a direct loanword from the English 'shave'. The word 'करना' (karnā) is a native Hindi verb originating from the Sanskrit root 'कृ' (kṛ), meaning 'to do' or 'to make'.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: The English 'shave' comes from Old English 'sceafan', meaning to scrape or shave. The Hindi 'karna' has always meant the act of performing an action.

Indo-European (English component) + Indo-Aryan (Hindi component).

Kultureller Kontext

Be aware that for Sikhs, asking about shaving can be sensitive as they maintain unshorn hair as a tenet of faith.

In the West, shaving is largely a personal choice or a corporate standard. In India, it carries additional religious and superstitious layers.

The 'Gillette' advertisements in India featuring Bollywood stars like Arjun Kapoor. The movie 'Barfi!', where grooming plays a role in the character's appearance. Traditional folk songs that mention the 'Nai' (barber) and his skill with the razor.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Morning Routine

  • मैं शेव कर रहा हूँ।
  • क्या तुमने शेव किया?
  • जल्दी शेव करो।
  • क्रीम खत्म हो गई है।

At the Barber

  • मेरी शेव कर दो।
  • कितने पैसे हुए?
  • ज़रा धीरे शेव करना।
  • फिटकरी लगा दो।

Job Interview Prep

  • साफ-सुथरा दिखना ज़रूरी है।
  • शेव करना मत भूलना।
  • क्या मैं क्लीन-शेव लग रहा हूँ?
  • अच्छे रेज़र का प्रयोग करें।

Religious Ceremony

  • आज मुंडन है।
  • पूरा सिर शेव करना होगा।
  • यह एक पवित्र रस्म है।
  • नाई को बुलाओ।

Medical Preparation

  • नर्स शेव करेगी।
  • संक्रमण से बचने के लिए शेव ज़रूरी है।
  • क्या यहाँ शेव करना होगा?
  • सावधानी से शेव करें।

Gesprächseinstiege

"क्या आप रोज़ शेव करते हैं या दाढ़ी रखते हैं?"

"आपको कौन सा रेज़र शेव करने के लिए सबसे अच्छा लगता है?"

"क्या आपने कभी नाई की दुकान पर शेव करवाया है?"

"शेव करने के बाद आप कौन सा लोशन लगाते हैं?"

"क्या आपको लगता है कि ऑफिस के लिए शेव करना ज़रूरी है?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

अपने सुबह के रूटीन के बारे में लिखें और बताएं कि आप शेव कब करते हैं।

पहली बार जब आपने शेव किया था, उस अनुभव के बारे में विस्तार से लिखें।

भारत में दाढ़ी रखने और शेव करने के सामाजिक अंतर पर अपने विचार लिखें।

क्या आपको लगता है कि भविष्य में लोग शेव करना छोड़ देंगे? क्यों?

एक नाई और ग्राहक के बीच शेव करने को लेकर होने वाली बातचीत का संवाद लिखें।

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

It is neutral and widely used in both professional and casual urban settings. In very formal traditional Hindi, 'दाढ़ी बनाना' might be preferred.

Yes, women use 'शेव करना' for shaving legs or arms, though 'waxing' is a more common topic of conversation in that context.

You can say: 'शेव करते समय मेरा हाथ कट गया' or 'मुझे कट लग गया'.

It is called a 'रेज़र' (razor), 'ब्लेड' (blade), or 'उस्तरा' (traditional straight razor).

Yes, in Hindi, you cannot use 'Shev' as a verb alone. It must be paired with 'karna' or another auxiliary like 'karvana'.

If you just say 'मैंने शेव किया', it is masculine. If you say 'मैंने दाढ़ी शेव की', it is feminine because 'daadhi' is feminine.

The opposite is 'दाढ़ी बढ़ाना' (to grow a beard).

Yes, the pronunciation is identical to the English 'shave'.

Use it when a barber is shaving you. 'मैंने नाई से शेव करवाया' (I had the barber shave me).

Technically yes, but 'मुंडन करना' is the culturally specific term for a ritual head-shave.

Teste dich selbst 190 Fragen

writing

Write a sentence in Hindi: 'I shave my beard every morning.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate to Hindi: 'He is shaving in the bathroom.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a question: 'Did you shave today?'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use 'Shev karvana' in a sentence.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence using 'chahiye' (should) and 'Shev karna'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'I will shave tomorrow before the party.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Describe your shaving routine in 3 sentences.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a warning: 'Don't shave in a hurry, you might get a cut.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'Shaving is important for a professional look.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a short dialogue between a barber and a customer about a shave.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'I don't like to shave on Sundays.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use 'Shev karte samay' in a sentence.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'Where is your shaving kit?'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write about the importance of 'Mundan' in one sentence.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'The razor is very sharp.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'I forgot to shave today.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write: 'He shaves every other day.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'My skin is sensitive after shaving.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'Do you prefer shaving or keeping a beard?'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a creative slogan for a shaving cream.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say 'I am shaving' in Hindi.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say 'I shaved yesterday' in Hindi.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Ask a barber to shave you politely.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Tell your friend to shave because he looks messy.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Explain that you have sensitive skin and need to shave carefully.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say 'I don't have shaving cream' in Hindi.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Ask 'Where can I buy a razor?'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say 'I will shave after taking a bath.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Explain the causative: 'I got a shave at the salon.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say 'Shaving every day is not good for my skin.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Ask 'Do you use an electric shaver?'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say 'He looks better after shaving.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Ask 'How much does a shave cost here?'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say 'Don't disturb him, he is shaving.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say 'I need to shave before the meeting.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Describe a ritual head-shave (Mundan) briefly.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say 'I cut myself while shaving.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say 'I don't like the smell of this aftershave.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say 'He forgot to shave his neck.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Ask 'Is it necessary to shave for this job?'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and write: 'मैंने आज सुबह शेव किया।' (Audio simulation)

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

What did the speaker forget? 'मैं शेविंग क्रीम लाना भूल गया।' (Audio simulation)

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Who is shaving? 'पापा बाथरूम में शेव कर रहे हैं।' (Audio simulation)

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Is the shave finished? 'उसने अभी तक शेव नहीं किया है।' (Audio simulation)

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Where is he going? 'वह नाई के पास शेव करवाने गया है।' (Audio simulation)

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen for the tool: 'मुझे एक नया रेज़र चाहिए।' (Audio simulation)

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and identify the tense: 'मैं कल शेव करूँगा।' (Audio simulation)

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

What is the problem? 'शेव करते समय कट लग गया।' (Audio simulation)

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and translate: 'क्या आपने शेव कर लिया?' (Audio simulation)

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

What is the recommendation? 'शेव के बाद फिटकरी लगाओ।' (Audio simulation)

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and write the negative: 'मैंने कल शेव नहीं किया था।' (Audio simulation)

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Who is being talked about? 'वह लड़का रोज़ शेव करता है।' (Audio simulation)

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

What is the action? 'हजामत बनाना एक कला है।' (Audio simulation)

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen for the object: 'उसने अपनी दाढ़ी शेव की।' (Audio simulation)

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Is it easy? 'बिना शीशे के शेव करना मुश्किल है।' (Audio simulation)

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:

/ 190 correct

Perfect score!

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