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पोथी

A2 noun #9,000 más común 8 min de lectura

पोथी

pothi Top 9,000

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos पोथी en 30 segundos

Explicación पोथी in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should recognize 'पोथी' (pothi) as a special word for 'book'. While you might primarily learn 'किताब' (kitab) first, knowing 'pothi' helps you understand stories about grandmothers or temples. Think of it as a 'special old book'. In simple sentences, it behaves just like 'kitab'. It is feminine, so you say 'मेरी पोथी' (my book). You will mostly see it in very simple cultural contexts or children's stories where characters are reading old scriptures. Focus on the physical idea of an old, thick book. Don't worry about the deep philosophical meanings yet; just remember it's a feminine noun for a traditional book.

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At the A2 level, you begin to distinguish between different types of books. You should use 'पोथी' when referring to religious texts or traditional manuscripts. This level requires you to use the plural form 'पोथियाँ' (pothiyān) and ensure that your adjectives match the feminine gender, such as 'पुरानी पोथी' (old book). You might encounter this word in simple folk tales or when learning about Indian traditions. You should also be able to understand the basic difference: 'pustak' is for school, 'kitab' is for reading for fun, and 'pothi' is for something ancient or holy. You can start using it in sentences like 'He is reading a holy pothi.'

At the B1 level, you should be familiar with the cultural weight of 'पोथी'. You will encounter it in intermediate literature and more detailed cultural discussions. You should understand the famous Kabir couplet 'Pothi padhi padhi jag mua...', which uses 'pothi' to symbolize bookish knowledge that lacks spiritual insight. At this level, you should also recognize the compound 'पोथी-पत्रा' (pothi-patra) used to describe a priest's or astrologer's tools. You can use 'pothi' metaphorically to describe a long list of things. Your grammar should be precise, correctly handling the oblique plural form 'पोथियों' (pothiyon) when followed by postpositions like 'में' or 'से'.

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At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'पोथी' in its nuanced, sometimes ironic, contexts. You can use it to describe a bulky record or a long, boring document in a slightly sarcastic way. You should also understand its historical context—how 'pothis' were originally palm-leaf manuscripts. In discussions about Hindi literature (Sahitya), you will use this word to refer to pre-modern texts. You should be able to compare 'pothi' with 'granth' and 'pandulipi' accurately. Your vocabulary should include phrases like 'ज्ञान की पोथी' and you should be able to explain the philosophical implications of 'pothi' in Bhakti poetry.

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At the C1 level, 'पोथी' becomes a tool for sophisticated expression. You can use it to discuss the sociology of knowledge in India—how 'pothi' represents traditional authority. You should be comfortable reading classical Hindi texts where 'pothi' is the standard term for a volume. You can analyze the evolution of the word from Sanskrit 'pustika' and its role in various Indian dialects. You should be able to use the word in academic writing about Indian manuscripts. At this level, you understand the subtle registers—when 'pothi' sounds respectful and when it sounds archaic or dismissive of 'old-fashioned' thinking.

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At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of 'पोथी'. You can appreciate its use in complex metaphors, puns, and high-level literary critiques. You understand the specific physical characteristics of different types of 'pothis' (like those from Rajasthan vs. those from South India) and can discuss them in Hindi. You can use the word to evoke a specific historical atmosphere in creative writing. You are familiar with the entire word family and can discuss the etymological links between 'pothi', 'pustak', and related terms in other Indo-Aryan languages. You can also interpret the word's role in the 'oral vs. written' tradition debates in Indian philosophy.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

पोथी en 30 segundos

पोथी means a traditional or religious book.
It is a feminine noun, so use 'meri' and 'purani'.
It is often used for manuscripts and sacred texts.
The word carries a sense of heritage and ancient wisdom.

The Hindi word पोथी (pothī) is a fascinating noun that carries a weight of tradition, history, and spiritual depth. While the modern word for 'book' in Hindi is typically 'किताब' (kitāb) or 'पुस्तक' (pustak), pothī specifically refers to a traditional, often religious or ancient, manuscript or book. It evokes images of yellowed pages, palm-leaf manuscripts, or hand-bound scriptures kept in temples or ancestral homes. In a linguistic sense, it is a feminine noun that descends from the Sanskrit 'pustikā'. For an English speaker, think of it not just as a 'book', but as a 'tome' or a 'sacred volume'. It is rarely used for a modern paperback novel or a school textbook; instead, it is reserved for texts that hold cultural or spiritual significance.

Register: Traditional and Literary. It is used in religious contexts or when discussing old literature.

पंडित जी अपनी पुरानी पोथी पढ़ रहे हैं। (The priest is reading his old traditional book.)

The usage of pothī is deeply embedded in the Indian consciousness through the poetry of the Bhakti movement. Most famously, the poet Kabir used the term to critique superficial learning. When you use this word today, you are often referencing a specific kind of knowledge—one that is heritage-bound. It is also used metaphorically to describe a long, tedious list or a bulky record, such as 'शिकायतों की पोथी' (a tome of complaints). Understanding this word requires moving beyond a simple translation and embracing the cultural texture of Indian manuscript traditions.

Connotation: Respectful, archaic, and sometimes used to imply 'dry' academic or religious knowledge that lacks practical wisdom.

दादी माँ हर सुबह अपनी पोथी खोलकर बैठती हैं। (Grandmother sits down every morning opening her sacred book.)

Historically, a pothī was composed of long, narrow leaves (often palm leaves or handmade paper) tied together with a string through a hole in the center. This physical form is what originally defined the word. Even though modern books have a different shape, the word persists for anything that feels traditional or 'old-school'. In modern Hindi, you might hear it in a sarcastic sense if someone is carrying too many papers: 'यह क्या पोथी लेकर घूम रहे हो?' (What is this tome you are carrying around?). This versatility makes it a rich word for learners to master.

Using पोथी correctly involves understanding its grammatical gender and its specific collocative power. As a feminine noun ending in 'ī', it follows the standard pattern for feminine nouns in Hindi. For example, possessive pronouns must match its gender: मेरी पोथी (my book), आपकी पोथी (your book). When pluralized, it becomes पोथियाँ (pothiyān). In sentences, it often acts as the direct object of verbs like 'पढ़ना' (to read), 'खोलना' (to open), or 'लिखना' (to write).

Grammar Rule: पोथी is feminine. Adjectives must agree: 'पुरानी पोथी' (old book), not 'पुराना पोथी'.

उसने अलमारी से एक धूल भरी पोथी निकाली। (He took out a dust-covered traditional book from the cupboard.)

In more advanced usage, pothī appears in complex sentence structures involving postpositions. For instance, 'पोथी में' (in the book) or 'पोथी के लिए' (for the book). Because it carries a literary tone, it is frequently paired with formal verbs. You wouldn't just 'read' a pothī; you might 'वाचन करना' (recite/read formally) it. It is also common to see it in the context of 'ज्ञान की पोथी' (the book of knowledge), where it serves as a metaphor for the sum of someone's learning.

क्या आपने पूर्वजों की वह पोथी देखी है? (Have you seen that traditional book of our ancestors?)

Furthermore, pothī is used in the phrase 'पोथी-पत्रा' (pothī-patrā), which refers to the collective items used by an astrologer or a priest—books, almanacs, and papers. This compound word is very common in colloquial Hindi when referring to someone's professional tools or their 'bag of tricks'. If you want to sound like a native speaker, using pothī to describe a bulky, traditional manuscript will instantly elevate your Hindi from 'textbook learner' to 'culturally aware'.

The word पोथी is not something you will hear in a modern business meeting in Mumbai or a tech hub in Bangalore. However, it is ubiquitous in other specific spheres of Indian life. The most common place is in religious settings. If you visit a temple in Varanasi or a Gurudwara, or if you attend a traditional Hindu wedding, the priest will likely refer to his liturgical texts as pothī. It is a word that commands a certain level of reverence in these spaces.

Cultural Context: Religious ceremonies, traditional storytelling (Katha), and classical music circles.

कथावाचक ने पोथी से एक श्लोक सुनाया। (The storyteller recited a verse from the traditional book.)

Another significant arena where you will encounter this word is in Hindi literature and folk songs. Because of Kabir's famous couplet, almost every Hindi-speaking child learns the word pothī at a young age. It is used to represent the concept of 'rote learning' or 'bookish knowledge' versus 'true experience'. In rural areas, older people still use pothī to refer to any thick book, especially one that looks old or has been passed down through generations. It carries a sense of nostalgia that 'किताब' simply cannot match.

पोथी पढ़ि पढ़ि जग मुआ, पंडित भया न कोइ। (Reading books, the world died, yet no one became a scholar.)

Lastly, you might hear pothī in legal or administrative contexts in smaller towns when referring to ancient land records or registers. These 'bahi-khata' (account books) are sometimes colloquially called pothī because of their size and traditional binding. So, while it's not a word for daily errands, it is a word for the 'soul' of Indian tradition. If you are reading a Hindi novel set in a village, or watching a mythological TV show, pothī will be a recurring part of the vocabulary.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with पोथी is using it too broadly. Because it translates to 'book', beginners often try to use it for everything from a comic book to a laptop manual. This sounds very strange to a native speaker. It would be like an English speaker calling a comic book a 'sacred tome'. Always remember the 'tradition' filter: if the book isn't old, religious, or manuscript-like, 'किताब' or 'पुस्तक' is a better choice.

Mistake 1: Using 'pothi' for modern school books. Correct: 'ये मेरी स्कूल की किताबें हैं।'

Incorrect: मैं अपनी गणित की पोथी भूल गया। (I forgot my math tome.)

Another common error is gender agreement. Many learners assume all inanimate objects are masculine, but pothī is strictly feminine. Using masculine adjectives like 'बड़ा' (big) or 'मेरा' (my) with pothī is a grammatical giveaway that you are a beginner. It must always be 'बड़ी पोथी' and 'मेरी पोथी'. Also, be careful with the plural form. The plural is 'पोथियाँ' (pothiyān), following the rule for feminine nouns ending in 'ī'.

Correct: पुस्तकालय में कई प्राचीन पोथियाँ हैं। (There are many ancient traditional books in the library.)

Finally, learners sometimes confuse pothī with 'ग्रंथ' (granth). While they are similar, a 'granth' is usually a very large, formal, and authoritative scripture (like the Guru Granth Sahib), whereas a pothī can be smaller or more personal. Think of 'granth' as a 'Great Work' and pothī as a 'Traditional Volume'. Using pothī for a massive, multi-volume scripture might sometimes undersell its importance, although in many contexts they are used interchangeably.

To truly master पोथी, you must see where it sits in the family of Hindi words for 'book'. Each word has a different flavor and level of formality. 'किताब' (kitāb) is the most common, derived from Arabic, and used for almost any book. 'पुस्तक' (pustak) is the formal, Sanskrit-derived word used in schools and official contexts. Pothī sits in the 'traditional/manuscript' niche.

Comparison: किताब vs पुस्तक vs पोथी: किताब is everyday. पुस्तक is academic. पोथी is traditional/religious.

यह एक साधारण किताब नहीं, बल्कि एक पवित्र पोथी है। (This is not an ordinary book, but a holy traditional volume.)

Another alternative is 'ग्रंथ' (granth). This word is even more formal than pothī and is almost always reserved for major religious scriptures or magnum opuses. If pothī is a 'tome', 'granth' is a 'canon'. Then there is 'पाण्डुलिपि' (pāṇḍulipi), which specifically means 'manuscript' in a technical or historical sense. If you are in a museum, you will see 'पाण्डुलिपि', but a priest at home will call his copy of that same text a pothī.

Synonyms: ग्रंथ (Granth), पुस्तक (Pustak), किताब (Kitāb), गुटका (Gutkā - small prayer book).

उसने अपनी पोथी में सारे मंत्र लिखे थे। (He had written all the mantras in his traditional book.)

In summary, choosing pothī over its alternatives is a stylistic choice. It signals that you are talking about something with 'roots'. It is also useful to know 'पत्रा' (patrā), which refers to an almanac or loose papers. Together, 'पोथी-पत्रा' covers the entire range of traditional documents. By understanding these nuances, you can navigate Hindi conversations with much more precision and cultural empathy.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

In ancient India, pothis were made of 'Tadpatra' (palm leaves) or 'Bhojpatra' (birch bark). They were not bound like modern books but were long strips tied with a string.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /ˈpoʊ.θiː/

US /ˈpoʊ.θi/

The stress is on the first syllable 'po-'.

Rima con

गोभी (gobhi) लोभी (lobhi) धोबी (dhobi) कोठी (kothi) चोटी (choti) रोटी (roti) मोती (moti) गोती (goti)

Errores comunes

Pronouncing 'th' as a hard English 't' (like 'potty').
Aspirating the 'p' too much.
Shortening the final 'i' sound.
Pronouncing 'o' as 'aw' (like 'pothy' rhyming with 'mothy').
Using a retroflex 'th' instead of a dental one.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

Easy to recognize due to its distinct shape and common usage in literature.

Escritura 3/5

Requires remembering the feminine plural ending 'ियाँ'.

Expresión oral 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward but requires dental 'th'.

Escucha 2/5

Commonly heard in religious or traditional storytelling contexts.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

किताब (kitab) पढ़ना (padhna) पुरानी (purani) मंदिर (mandir) पंडित (pandit)

Aprende después

ग्रंथ (granth) शास्त्र (shastra) पाण्डुलिपि (pandulipi) अध्यात्म (adhyatma) संस्कृति (sanskriti)

Avanzado

वाचन (vachan) लिप्यंतरण (lipyantaran) टीका (teeka - commentary) भाष्य (bhashya)

Gramática que debes saber

Feminine nouns ending in 'ī' change to 'iyān' in plural.

पोथी -> पोथियाँ

Possessive pronouns must match the noun's gender.

मेरी पोथी (F), मेरा घर (M)

Adjectives ending in 'ā' change to 'ī' for feminine nouns.

पुरानी पोथी (from पुराना)

The oblique plural form uses 'iyon'.

इन पोथियों में (In these books)

Verbs in perfect tense agree with the object if no 'ne' is present or if it's a transitive verb with 'ne'.

उसने पोथी पढ़ी। (He read the book.)

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Ejemplos por nivel

यह एक पोथी है।

This is a traditional book.

Simple subject-verb-object.

मेरी पोथी कहाँ है?

Where is my traditional book?

Feminine possessive 'मेरी'.

वह एक पुरानी पोथी है।

That is an old traditional book.

Feminine adjective 'पुरानी'.

पोथी मेज़ पर है।

The book is on the table.

Use of postposition 'पर'.

यह पोथी अच्छी है।

This book is good.

Feminine adjective 'अच्छी'.

क्या यह आपकी पोथी है?

Is this your traditional book?

Interrogative sentence.

मैं पोथी पढ़ता हूँ।

I read the traditional book.

Present simple tense.

पोथी छोटी है।

The traditional book is small.

Feminine adjective 'छोटी'.

पंडित जी पोथी पढ़ रहे हैं।

The priest is reading the traditional book.

Present continuous tense.

दादी के पास एक पवित्र पोथी है।

Grandmother has a holy traditional book.

Use of 'के पास' for possession.

इन पोथियों को मत छुओ।

Do not touch these traditional books.

Oblique plural 'पोथियों'.

उसने अलमारी से पोथी निकाली।

He took out the traditional book from the cupboard.

Past tense 'निकाली' (feminine agreement).

क्या आपने यह पोथी पढ़ी है?

Have you read this traditional book?

Present perfect tense.

यह पोथी बहुत भारी है।

This traditional book is very heavy.

Feminine adjective 'भारी'.

मंदिर में कई पोथियाँ रखी हैं।

Many traditional books are kept in the temple.

Plural form 'पोथियाँ'.

लाल कपड़े में पोथी बंधी है।

The traditional book is tied in a red cloth.

Passive-like structure.

कबीर ने कहा कि केवल पोथी पढ़ने से कोई विद्वान नहीं बनता।

Kabir said that one does not become a scholar just by reading books.

Complex sentence with 'कि'.

उसने अपनी शिकायतों की पोथी खोल दी।

He opened his 'tome' of complaints.

Metaphorical usage.

ज्योतिष ने अपना पोथी-पत्रा समेटा।

The astrologer packed up his books and papers.

Compound word 'पोथी-पत्रा'.

इस पोथी में पुराने मंत्र लिखे हैं।

Old mantras are written in this traditional book.

Locative case 'पोथी में'.

गाँव के लोग इस पोथी की पूजा करते हैं।

The villagers worship this traditional book.

Genitive 'पोथी की'.

यह पोथी हाथ से लिखी गई है।

This traditional book was written by hand.

Passive voice.

पुरानी पोथियों को संभालकर रखना चाहिए।

Old traditional books should be kept carefully.

Modal 'चाहिए'.

उसने पोथी के पन्ने पलटे।

He turned the pages of the traditional book.

Masculine plural agreement for 'पन्ने'.

बिना समझे पोथी रटना व्यर्थ है।

Rote learning a book without understanding is useless.

Gerundial use 'रटना'.

पुस्तकालय के उस कोने में दुर्लभ पोथियाँ सुरक्षित हैं।

Rare traditional books are preserved in that corner of the library.

Adjective 'दुर्लभ' (rare).

विद्वान ने पोथी का प्रमाण दिया।

The scholar gave proof from the traditional book.

Use of 'प्रमाण' (proof).

यह पोथी हमारे वंश का इतिहास बताती है।

This traditional book tells the history of our lineage.

Feminine verb 'बताती'.

उसने ज्ञान की पोथी को जीवन का आधार बनाया।

He made the book of knowledge the foundation of his life.

Abstract usage.

पुरानी पोथियों में छिपे रहस्यों को ढूँढना मुश्किल है।

It is difficult to find the secrets hidden in old traditional books.

Complex phrase 'छिपे रहस्यों'.

पंडित जी ने पोथी खोलकर मुहूर्त निकाला।

The priest opened the book and found an auspicious time.

Conjunctive participle 'खोलकर'.

साहित्यिक चर्चा में इस पोथी का ज़िक्र बार-बार आता है।

This traditional book is mentioned repeatedly in literary discussions.

Use of 'ज़िक्र' (mention).

मध्यकालीन भारत में पोथियों का संकलन एक महान कार्य था।

In medieval India, the compilation of traditional books was a great task.

Abstract noun 'संकलन'.

उसकी बातों में पोथी-ज्ञान अधिक था, अनुभव कम।

In his talk, there was more bookish knowledge and less experience.

Compound 'पोथी-ज्ञान'.

इस पोथी की भाषा अत्यंत क्लिष्ट और गूढ़ है।

The language of this traditional book is extremely complex and profound.

Advanced adjectives 'क्लिष्ट', 'गूढ़'.

उसने पोथियों के ढेर में अपना बचपन बिताया।

He spent his childhood in a pile of traditional books.

Metaphorical imagery.

पाण्डुलिपियों और पोथियों का संरक्षण हमारी सांस्कृतिक ज़िम्मेदारी है।

The preservation of manuscripts and traditional books is our cultural responsibility.

Formal vocabulary 'संरक्षण', 'ज़िम्मेदारी'.

इस पोथी के हर पृष्ठ पर कलात्मक चित्रकारी की गई है।

Artistic painting has been done on every page of this traditional book.

Adjective 'कलात्मक'.

वह पोथी लेकर शास्त्रार्थ करने निकल पड़ा।

He set out to engage in a philosophical debate carrying his book.

Traditional term 'शास्त्रार्थ' (debate).

पोथी की प्रासंगिकता आज के युग में भी बनी हुई है।

The relevance of the traditional book remains even in today's era.

Noun 'प्रासंगिकता' (relevance).

पोथी की जीर्ण-शीर्ण अवस्था उसके प्राचीन होने का प्रमाण थी।

The dilapidated state of the traditional book was proof of its antiquity.

Compound adjective 'जीर्ण-शीर्ण'.

उसने पोथी की व्याख्या करते हुए नए आयाम स्थापित किए।

While explaining the traditional book, he established new dimensions.

Present participle 'करते हुए'.

यह पोथी केवल कागज़ का पुलिंदा नहीं, बल्कि चेतना का पुंज है।

This traditional book is not just a bundle of paper, but a cluster of consciousness.

Philosophical contrast.

इतिहासकारों ने इस पोथी के कालखंड पर गहन शोध किया है।

Historians have conducted intensive research on the time period of this traditional book.

Formal phrase 'गहन शोध' (deep research).

पोथी की लिपि को समझना किसी चुनौती से कम नहीं है।

Deciphering the script of the traditional book is nothing less than a challenge.

Comparative structure 'से कम नहीं'.

उसने अपनी पूरी विद्वत्ता उस एक पोथी में उड़ेल दी।

He poured his entire scholarship into that one traditional book.

Metaphorical verb 'उड़ेल दी'.

पोथी के आवरण पर सोने की नक्काशी की गई थी।

Gold engraving was done on the cover of the traditional book.

Noun 'नक्काशी' (engraving).

इस पोथी का प्रत्येक शब्द मंत्रमुग्ध कर देने वाला है।

Every word of this traditional book is mesmerizing.

Compound verb 'मंत्रमुग्ध कर देना'.

Colocaciones comunes

धार्मिक पोथी

पुरानी पोथी

पोथी-पत्रा

ज्ञान की पोथी

पोथी पढ़ना

पोथी खोलना

हस्तलिखित पोथी

पोथी का ज्ञान

पवित्र पोथी

शिकायतों की पोथी

Frases Comunes

पोथी-पत्रा समेटना

— To pack up one's things and leave, often used for priests or scholars.

काम खत्म होते ही उसने अपना पोथी-पत्रा समेटा।

पोथी बांचना

— To read or recite a traditional book aloud.

पंडित जी कथा की पोथी बांच रहे हैं।

पोथी में लिखा होना

— To be written in a traditional or authoritative source.

यह तो पोथी में भी लिखा है।

पुरानी पोथियाँ खंगालना

— To search through old records or books for information.

उसने सच जानने के लिए पुरानी पोथियाँ खंगालीं।

पोथी का कीड़ा

— A bookworm (though 'kitab ka kida' is more common, this is used for traditional texts).

वह दिन भर पोथी का कीड़ा बना रहता है।

पोथी-पत्रा देखना

— To consult an almanac or traditional records.

शादी की तारीख के लिए पोथी-पत्रा देखना होगा।

नई पोथी

— A new volume (rarely used, usually implies a new edition of a traditional text).

यह इस शास्त्र की नई पोथी है।

पोथी बंद करना

— To finish reading or to stop a discussion.

अब अपनी पोथी बंद करो और सो जाओ।

मोटी पोथी

— A thick, bulky traditional book.

वह एक मोटी पोथी लेकर आया।

धूल भरी पोथी

— A dusty, neglected old book.

उसे लाइब्रेरी में एक धूल भरी पोथी मिली।

Se confunde a menudo con

पोथी vs कोठी (kothi)

Kothi means a large house or mansion. The only difference is the first consonant.

पोथी vs पोती (poti)

Poti means granddaughter. Be careful with the 'th' vs 't' sound.

पोथी vs पोता (pota)

Pota means grandson. Similar spelling but different gender and meaning.

Modismos y expresiones

"पोथी पढ़ि पढ़ि जग मुआ"

— People died reading books but didn't gain true wisdom.

कबीर का दोहा है - पोथी पढ़ि पढ़ि जग मुआ...

Literary/Philosophical

"अपनी पोथी खोलना"

— To start telling one's long story or list of troubles.

जब भी मिलो, वह अपनी दुखों की पोथी खोल देता है।

Informal

"पोथी-पत्रा लेकर बैठना"

— To sit down with a lot of documents or preparation.

वह सुबह से अपना पोथी-पत्रा लेकर बैठा है।

Neutral

"पोथी का ज्ञान होना"

— To have only theoretical or bookish knowledge.

उसे व्यावहारिक समझ नहीं है, बस पोथी का ज्ञान है।

Critical

"पोथी में समाना"

— To be completely contained within a text.

पूरा ब्रह्मांड इस छोटी सी पोथी में समाया है।

Poetic

"पोथी उलट देना"

— To change the subject or to finish a chapter of life.

उसने पुरानी बातों की पोथी उलट दी।

Metaphorical

"पंडित की पोथी"

— Something that is very difficult to understand for a layman.

यह गणित मेरे लिए पंडित की पोथी जैसा है।

Colloquial

"पोथी-पुरान"

— Old traditional stories and scriptures (often used dismissively).

छोड़ो ये पोथी-पुरान की बातें, आज की सोचो।

Informal

"पोथी का पन्ना"

— A small part of a larger tradition or story.

यह घटना तो इतिहास की पोथी का एक पन्ना मात्र है।

Literary

"पोथी बांचने वाला"

— Someone who just recites without understanding.

वह विद्वान नहीं, केवल पोथी बांचने वाला है।

Critical

Fácil de confundir

पोथी vs किताब

Both mean book.

Kitab is general/modern/Arabic-origin; Pothi is traditional/religious/Sanskrit-origin.

मैं किताब पढ़ रहा हूँ (General). मैं रामायण की पोथी पढ़ रहा हूँ (Specific/Traditional).

पोथी vs पुस्तक

Both are Sanskrit-derived words for book.

Pustak is the standard formal word for any book; Pothi implies an old or manuscript-style book.

यह स्कूल की पुस्तक है। यह मंदिर की पोथी है।

पोथी vs ग्रंथ

Both refer to religious or traditional books.

Granth is a more prestigious, large-scale holy book (like a Bible); Pothi can be any traditional volume.

गुरु ग्रंथ साहिब एक महान ग्रंथ है।

पोथी vs पत्रा

Often used together as 'pothi-patra'.

Patra refers to loose sheets or an almanac; Pothi is a bound volume.

पंडित जी ने पत्रा देखा।

पोथी vs पाण्डुलिपि

Both can refer to old writings.

Pandulipi is the technical word for 'manuscript'; Pothi is a more common, everyday word for the same thing in a religious context.

यह 15वीं सदी की पाण्डुलिपि है।

Patrones de oraciones

यह [Adj] पोथी है।

यह पुरानी पोथी है।

[Subject] [Adj] पोथी पढ़ रहा/रही है।

सीता धार्मिक पोथी पढ़ रही है।

बिना [Verb-ing] पोथी पढ़ना [Adj] है।

बिना समझे पोथी पढ़ना बेकार है।

इस पोथी में [Noun] का वर्णन है।

इस पोथी में योग का वर्णन है।

[Noun] की पोथी [Verb] का माध्यम है।

ज्ञान की पोथी मोक्ष का माध्यम है।

पोथियों के [Noun] से [Noun] का पता चलता है।

पोथियों के अध्ययन से इतिहास का पता चलता है।

यद्यपि पोथी [Adj] है, तथापि [Clause]।

यद्यपि पोथी पुरानी है, तथापि इसके शब्द आज भी प्रासंगिक हैं।

पोथी की [Noun] [Verb] को दर्शाती है।

पोथी की लिपि प्राचीन सभ्यता को दर्शाती है।

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

पोथी (pothi - book)

पुस्तिका (pustika - booklet)

पुस्तक (pustak - book)

Relacionado

पत्रा (patra)

ग्रंथ (granth)

लेख (lekh)

पन्ना (panna)

स्याही (syahi)

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Common in religious and literary contexts, rare in modern daily life.

Errores comunes

मेरा पोथी → मेरी पोथी
Pothi is feminine, so it requires the feminine possessive pronoun 'meri'.
एक बड़ा पोथी → एक बड़ी पोथी
Adjectives must agree with the feminine gender of 'pothi'.
स्कूल की पोथी → स्कूल की किताब/पुस्तक
Pothi is for traditional/religious books, not modern school textbooks.
पोथियाँ (without nasalization) → पोथियाँ
The 'yan' ending in feminine plurals always needs the chandrabindu (nasal sound).
Using 'pothi' for a newspaper. → अखबार (Akhbar)
A newspaper is not a bound traditional volume, so 'pothi' is inappropriate.

Consejos

Respect the Text

In India, a 'pothi' is often kept in a clean place, sometimes wrapped in red or yellow silk. Never touch it with dirty hands or place it on the floor.

Pronunciation Key

The 'th' in 'pothi' is dental (soft), like the 'th' in 'think', but with the tongue touching the teeth. Don't make it a hard 't'.

Gender Agreement

Always remember 'pothi' is feminine. A common mistake is saying 'mera pothi'. It must be 'meri pothi'.

Context Matters

Use 'kitab' for modern books and 'pothi' for anything that looks like it belongs in a temple or an old library.

Metaphorical Use

You can use 'pothi' to describe a long, boring list of something to add a bit of flavor to your Hindi.

Kabir's Couplet

Memorizing 'Pothi padhi padhi jag mua' is a great way to impress native speakers and understand the word's depth.

Granth vs Pothi

Use 'Granth' for very important, large scriptures and 'Pothi' for smaller or more personal traditional volumes.

Palm Leaves

Remember that 'pothi' originally referred to palm-leaf manuscripts, which explains its horizontal shape in old illustrations.

Astrology Context

If you visit an astrologer, they might ask to see your 'janm-pothi' (birth record/horoscope).

Practice Plurals

Practice saying 'pothiyān' and 'pothiyon' to get comfortable with the feminine plural rules in Hindi.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of a 'POet' writing a 'THIck' old book. PO-THI. It's the 'Poet's Thick' book.

Asociación visual

Visualize an old Indian priest in a saffron robe, sitting under a banyan tree, carefully unfolding a long, yellowed manuscript tied with a red string.

Word Web

Manuscript Religion Tradition Kabir Priest Ancient Knowledge Scripture

Desafío

Try to use 'pothi' in a sentence today when talking about something old or traditional you own, even if it's not a book, just to practice the gender agreement.

Origen de la palabra

Derived from the Sanskrit word 'pustikā', which is the diminutive form of 'pustaka' (book). The transition from 'pustikā' to 'pothi' happened through Prakrit and Apabhramsha stages of Indo-Aryan languages.

Significado original: A small book or manuscript, often made of leaves.

Indo-Aryan

Contexto cultural

Always handle a 'pothi' (especially a religious one) with respect; never touch it with your feet or take it into a bathroom.

English speakers might relate 'pothi' to terms like 'tome', 'codex', or 'scripture', though 'pothi' is more common in daily religious life than 'codex' is in English.

Kabir's 'Pothi padhi padhi jag mua' couplet. The 'Adi Granth' being referred to as a sacred Pothi. Premchand's stories where village priests carry their pothis.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Religious Ceremony

पोथी का पाठ
पोथी पर फूल चढ़ाना
पवित्र पोथी
पोथी बांचना

Astrology

पोथी-पत्रा देखना
जन्म-पोथी
ग्रहों की पोथी
पुरानी पोथी खंगालना

Literature Class

मध्यकालीन पोथियाँ
हस्तलिखित पोथी
पोथी की लिपि
कबीर की पोथी

Family Heritage

पूर्वजों की पोथी
वंश की पोथी
पुरानी यादों की पोथी
धूल भरी पोथी

Metaphorical Rant

शिकायतों की पोथी
दुखों की पोथी
बातों की पोथी
लंबी-चौड़ी पोथी

Inicios de conversación

"क्या आपके घर में कोई पुरानी पोथी है?"

"पंडित जी कौन सी पोथी पढ़ रहे हैं?"

"क्या आपने कभी कोई हस्तलिखित पोथी देखी है?"

"इस पोथी में क्या लिखा है?"

"क्या आपको लगता है कि पोथी-ज्ञान पर्याप्त है?"

Temas para diario

अगर आपको अपने जीवन पर एक पोथी लिखनी हो, तो उसका नाम क्या होगा?

किसी ऐसी पुरानी पोथी के बारे में लिखें जिसे आपने किसी मंदिर या म्यूजियम में देखा हो।

कबीर के 'पोथी पढ़ि पढ़ि जग मुआ' दोहे पर अपने विचार विस्तार से लिखें।

क्या आज के डिजिटल युग में पोथियों का कोई महत्व बचा है? तर्क दें।

एक कहानी लिखें जिसमें एक रहस्यमयी पोथी मुख्य भूमिका में हो।

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

While very common in Hindu contexts, it can be used for any traditional or religious manuscript in India, including Sikh or Jain texts. It refers more to the *style* and *tradition* of the book than the specific religion.

Generally, no. 'Pothi' strongly implies a physical, traditional object. Calling an e-book a 'pothi' would sound very ironic or sarcastic.

'Pustak' is the standard, formal word for any book (like a textbook). 'Pothi' is specifically for traditional, religious, or ancient-looking books.

It is a feminine noun. You should always use feminine adjectives and verbs with it (e.g., 'achhi pothi', 'pothi rakhi hai').

The plural is 'पोथियाँ' (pothiyān). For example: 'यहाँ बहुत सी पोथियाँ हैं' (There are many traditional books here).

Kabir didn't criticize the books themselves, but the act of reading them without gaining actual love or wisdom ('Prem'). He used 'pothi' as a symbol of 'empty' academic learning.

Only if you want to sound poetic or old-fashioned. Usually, a diary is called 'डायरी' or 'दैनिकी'.

It literally means 'books and papers'. Idiomatically, it refers to the entire set of tools/records a traditional scholar or priest carries.

Yes, especially in period dramas, movies about village life, or when characters are quoting famous poets like Kabir.

It's common in religious households or when talking about history, but you won't hear it much in a modern office or shopping mall.

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