तोहफ़ा
तोहफ़ा در ۳۰ ثانیه
- तोहफ़ा (tohfā) means gift or present in Hindi.
- It is a masculine noun of Persian/Arabic origin.
- It is used in casual, romantic, and poetic contexts.
- Commonly paired with the verbs 'dena' (give) and 'milna' (receive).
The word तोहफ़ा (tohfā) is a quintessential Hindi-Urdu noun that translates primarily to 'gift' or 'present' in English. However, its resonance in the Hindi language goes far beyond a simple exchange of goods. Derived from the Arabic root 'tuhfa', it entered Hindi via Persian influence, bringing with it a sense of elegance, refinement, and emotional depth. When a speaker uses 'तोहफ़ा', they are often highlighting the sentiment behind the gesture rather than the monetary value of the object itself. It is a word that thrives in the realms of love, friendship, gratitude, and celebration. In the social fabric of India, giving a tohfā is a key way to maintain relationships, known as 'lihaz' or 'muraat'. Whether it is a small trinket brought back from a journey or an expensive piece of jewelry for a wedding, the word encapsulates the act of voluntary giving without the expectation of payment.
- Emotional Register
- While 'उपहार' (upahār) is its formal Sanskrit-derived synonym often used in official contexts or news, 'तोहफ़ा' is the heart's choice. It is the word you find in Bollywood lyrics and romantic poetry. It suggests a personal touch.
- Social Contexts
- It is used during festivals like Diwali, Eid, and Christmas, but also for personal milestones like birthdays (janamdin) and anniversaries (saalgira). It can also be used metaphorically, such as calling a child a 'gift from God' (khuda ka tohfā).
यह तोहफ़ा मेरी तरफ़ से आपके लिए एक छोटी सी यादगिरी है। (This gift is a small souvenir for you from my side.)
In modern usage, 'तोहफ़ा' has maintained its popularity despite the influx of the English word 'gift'. You will hear it in shops, in homes, and in high literature. It carries a certain 'nazaakat' (delicacy) that makes it appropriate for expressing deep appreciation. For instance, if someone helps you immensely, you might say their help was a 'tohfā' to you. It is also common in the plural form 'तोहफ़े' (tohfe) when referring to multiple items. Understanding this word requires understanding the Indian concept of 'mehmaan-nawaazi' (hospitality), where giving a gift to a guest is considered a mark of high character. The word is masculine in gender, which affects the adjectives and verbs associated with it. For example, one says 'achha tohfā' (good gift) and not 'achhi tohfā'.
दोस्ती से बड़ा कोई तोहफ़ा नहीं होता। (There is no gift greater than friendship.)
Furthermore, the word is often paired with the verb 'देना' (dena - to give) or 'मिलना' (milna - to receive). When you say 'मुझे एक तोहफ़ा मिला' (mujhe ek tohfā mila), you are saying 'I received a gift.' The nuances of the word also extend to 'saugāt' (सौगात), which is a more poetic or rare gift, often a souvenir from a specific place. However, 'तोहफ़ा' remains the most versatile and widely understood term across all dialects of Hindi and Hindustani. It bridges the gap between the extremely formal and the overly casual, making it a safe and beautiful choice for any learner of the language. In the digital age, even an 'e-gift card' is often referred to as a 'digital tohfā' in marketing campaigns, showing the word's adaptability to modern technology and commerce.
Using तोहफ़ा (tohfā) correctly involves understanding its grammatical properties as a masculine noun. In Hindi, nouns dictate the form of the adjectives and verbs that surround them. Since 'तोहफ़ा' is masculine, any adjective describing it must end in the masculine form. For instance, 'beautiful gift' becomes 'सुंदर तोहफ़ा' (sundar tohfā) or 'प्यारा तोहफ़ा' (pyaara tohfā). If you are using the plural form 'तोहफ़े' (tohfe), the adjectives also shift to the masculine plural form, such as 'प्यारे तोहफ़े' (pyaare tohfe). This consistency is vital for sounding natural to native speakers.
- Subject-Verb Agreement
- If 'tohfā' is the subject, the verb must be masculine. Example: 'तोहफ़ा मेज़ पर रखा है' (The gift is placed on the table). Here, 'rakha' is the masculine singular form of the verb 'rakhna' (to keep/place).
क्या आपको मेरा तोहफ़ा पसंद आया? (Did you like my gift?)
One of the most common sentence patterns involves the construction 'X को Y तोहफ़ा देना' (To give a gift Y to person X). Notice the use of the postposition 'को' (ko) after the recipient. For example, 'मैंने अपनी माँ को एक तोहफ़ा दिया' (I gave a gift to my mother). Here, 'diya' is the past tense masculine singular form of 'dena', agreeing with 'tohfā'. If you gave multiple gifts, it would be 'मैंने अपनी माँ को कई तोहफ़े दिए' (I gave many gifts to my mother), where 'diye' agrees with the plural 'tohfe'.
वह हर साल मुझे जन्मदिन पर एक अनोखा तोहफ़ा भेजता है। (He sends me a unique gift every year on my birthday.)
Another important aspect is the use of 'तोहफ़ा' in passive or descriptive sentences. You might say 'यह प्रकृति का तोहफ़ा है' (This is a gift of nature). The word 'ka' (of) agrees with 'tohfā'. If the word were feminine, we would use 'ki'. This word is also frequently used with 'लाया' (laaya - brought). 'मैं आपके लिए एक तोहफ़ा लाया हूँ' (I have brought a gift for you). For a female speaker, it would be 'मैं आपके लिए एक तोहफ़ा लाई हूँ', but the 'tohfā' itself remains masculine. Learning these permutations allows you to express generosity and gratitude fluently in various social settings, from formal dinners to casual hangouts with friends.
The word तोहफ़ा (tohfā) is ubiquitous in Hindi-speaking environments, spanning from the most mundane daily interactions to the heights of artistic expression. If you walk into a gift shop in Delhi or Mumbai, you might see signs that say 'उपहार' (upahār), but the customers and shopkeepers will almost certainly use 'तोहफ़ा' in conversation. It is the language of the street and the home. You will hear parents telling their children, 'अगर तुम अच्छे अंक लाओगे, तो मैं तुम्हें एक तोहफ़ा दूँगा' (If you get good marks, I will give you a gift). This conversational frequency makes it one of the most practical words to master for a B1 level learner.
- In Cinema and Music
- Bollywood is perhaps the greatest propagator of this word. Countless songs use 'tohfā' to describe love or a lover. Famous movies like 'Tohfaa' (1984) have centered their entire plot around the concept of self-sacrifice as a gift. Songs often use the word to rhyme with 'bewafa' (unfaithful) or 'khuda' (God), creating a poetic resonance.
फिल्मों में अक्सर नायक नायिका को तोहफ़ा देकर अपने प्यार का इज़हार करता है। (In films, the hero often expresses his love by giving a gift to the heroine.)
In religious and spiritual contexts, 'तोहफ़ा' is used to describe divine blessings. During Eid celebrations, the exchange of 'Eidi' (money given as a gift) is often described using the broader term 'tohfā'. Similarly, during Diwali, the tradition of exchanging sweets and dry fruits is referred to as 'tohfay dena'. In literature, especially in 'Shayari' (Urdu poetry), 'tohfā' is a metaphor for the pain of heartbreak or the joy of a glance from the beloved. For example, a poet might say that the scars of love are a 'tohfā' from the beloved. This metaphorical usage is common in high-level Hindi and Urdu discussions.
ईद के मौके पर बच्चों को बड़ों से तोहफ़े मिलते हैं। (On the occasion of Eid, children receive gifts from their elders.)
You will also encounter 'तोहफ़ा' in news headlines, especially when foreign dignitaries exchange gifts during state visits. However, in very formal Sanskritized Hindi news, 'उपहार' might take precedence. In the corporate world, 'corporate gifts' are often called 'corporate tohfay'. Even on social media, influencers might talk about a 'giveaway' as a 'tohfā' for their followers. This ubiquity across different media and social strata ensures that once you learn 'तोहफ़ा', you will start hearing it everywhere, from a grandmother's story to a high-energy dance track.
One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with तोहफ़ा (tohfā) is related to its gender. Many English speakers assume that abstract or common objects might be feminine, but 'तोहफ़ा' is strictly masculine. This means you must say 'मेरा तोहफ़ा' (mera tohfā) and not 'मेरी तोहफ़ा' (meri tohfā). Using the wrong gender is a dead giveaway that you are not a native speaker and can sometimes lead to confusion in more complex sentence structures. Always remember: masculine singular is 'tohfā', masculine plural is 'tohfe', and the oblique singular (with postpositions) is also 'tohfe'.
- Confusion with 'Upahār'
- Learners often ask when to use 'उपहार' versus 'तोहफ़ा'. While they mean the same thing, 'उपहार' is more formal and Sanskrit-based. Using 'उपहार' in a casual romantic setting might sound a bit stiff or robotic. 'तोहफ़ा' is much more natural for everyday life and emotional expression.
गलत: यह एक अच्छी तोहफ़ा है। (Incorrect: This is a good gift - using feminine 'achhi')
सही: यह एक अच्छा तोहफ़ा है। (Correct: This is a good gift - using masculine 'achha')
Another common error is the mispronunciation of the 'f' sound. In standard Hindi and Urdu, the 'फ़' (fa) is a labiodental fricative, like the English 'f'. However, many native speakers in certain regions might pronounce it as a 'ph' (प) sound, making it 'toh-pa'. While understood, 'tohfā' with the 'f' sound is the standard and more sophisticated pronunciation. Learners should also be careful with the 'h' sound in the middle; it shouldn't be silent like the English 'honor', but lightly voiced, similar to 'toh-faa'.
गलत: मुझे दौड़ने के लिए तोहफ़ा मिला। (Incorrect: I got a gift for running - should be 'inaam')
Lastly, watch out for the pluralization. Some learners try to add 's' or other English plural markers. In Hindi, 'तोहफ़ा' changes its ending to 'e' to become 'तोहफ़े' (tohfe). Using 'tohfās' or 'tohfay' in a Hindi sentence is incorrect. Additionally, when using a postposition like 'के लिए' (for), the singular 'तोहफ़ा' must change to 'तोहफ़े'. For example, 'इस तोहफ़े के लिए शुक्रिया' (Thank you for this gift). Forgetting this 'oblique case' transformation is a very common mistake for intermediate students.
While तोहफ़ा (tohfā) is the most common word for 'gift', Hindi is a rich language with several synonyms that carry different shades of meaning. Choosing the right one depends on the context, the relationship between the giver and the receiver, and the level of formality you wish to convey. Understanding these nuances will elevate your Hindi from basic to sophisticated.
- उपहार (Upahār)
- This is the direct Sanskrit synonym. It is used in formal writing, invitations (e.g., 'उपहार स्वीकार्य नहीं हैं' - gifts are not accepted), and news broadcasts. It feels more 'proper' but less 'warm' than 'tohfā'.
- भेंट (Bhent)
- This word specifically refers to a gift given to a superior, an elder, or a deity. It also means 'meeting'. When you give a 'bhent', there is an element of respect or offering involved.
- सौगात (Saugāt)
- This Persian-origin word usually refers to a souvenir or a specialty gift from a particular place. If you bring tea from Darjeeling for a friend, it is a 'saugāt'. It implies something rare or characteristic of a location.
बनारस की साड़ियाँ वहाँ की एक मशहूर सौगात हैं। (Banaras sarees are a famous specialty gift from there.)
There is also 'नज़राना' (nazrāna), which is a very formal or poetic term for a gift or tribute given to a person of high status, like a king or a spiritual leader. In modern times, it's rarely used except in historical dramas or classical poetry. On the other hand, 'इनाम' (inām) refers to a prize or reward. While a gift is given out of affection, an 'inām' is earned through merit or luck. Using 'tohfā' when you mean 'inām' (like winning a lottery) would be a semantic error.
मंदिर में भक्त भगवान को भेंट चढ़ाते हैं। (In the temple, devotees offer gifts/offerings to God.)
Finally, the English word 'Gift' itself is very common in urban India. You will often hear people say 'मैंने उसे एक गिफ्ट दिया' (I gave him a gift). While this is perfectly acceptable in 'Hinglish', using 'तोहफ़ा' adds a layer of cultural richness and linguistic authenticity to your speech. It shows that you are making an effort to engage with the deeper vocabulary of the language. In summary, use 'tohfā' for most personal situations, 'upahār' for formal ones, 'saugāt' for souvenirs, and 'bhent' for respectful offerings.
چقدر رسمی است؟
نکته جالب
Despite being an 'imported' word, 'तोहफ़ा' is so deeply embedded in Hindi that many native speakers are unaware of its foreign roots. It is one of the few words that sounds equally natural in a high-society Urdu gathering and a rural Hindi village.
راهنمای تلفظ
- Pronouncing 'f' as 'ph' (p-h as in 'pot'), making it 'toh-pa'.
- Silent 'h', making it 'to-fa'.
- Using a hard English 't' instead of the soft Hindi dental 't'.
سطح دشواری
Easy to recognize in text, often appears in titles and captions.
Requires remembering the 'f' dot (nukta) and plural 'tohfe' correctly.
Phonetically simple once the 'f' sound is mastered.
Distinctive sound, easy to pick out in songs and dialogue.
بعداً چه یاد بگیریم؟
پیشنیازها
بعداً یاد بگیرید
پیشرفته
گرامر لازم
Masculine nouns ending in 'ā' change to 'e' in the plural.
तोहफ़ा (singular) -> तोहफ़े (plural)
Masculine nouns change 'ā' to 'e' before postpositions (Oblique case).
तोहफ़ा + के लिए = तोहफ़े के लिए
Verb agreement with masculine objects in perfective tense.
मैंने तोहफ़ा दिया (I gave a gift - 'diya' is masculine).
Adjective agreement with masculine nouns.
बड़ा तोहफ़ा (Big gift), बड़े तोहफ़े (Big gifts).
Use of 'ko' for the recipient of a gift.
दोस्त को तोहफ़ा दो। (Give the gift to the friend.)
مثالها بر اساس سطح
यह एक तोहफ़ा है।
This is a gift.
Basic 'Subject + Predicate' structure with masculine singular noun.
मेरे पास एक तोहफ़ा है।
I have a gift.
Use of 'ke paas' for possession.
यह तोहफ़ा छोटा है।
This gift is small.
Adjective 'chhota' agrees with masculine singular 'tohfā'.
वह तोहफ़ा बड़ा है।
That gift is big.
Adjective 'bada' agrees with masculine singular 'tohfā'.
तोहफ़ा कहाँ है?
Where is the gift?
Interrogative sentence with masculine singular subject.
यह मेरा तोहफ़ा है।
This is my gift.
Possessive 'mera' agrees with masculine singular 'tohfā'.
शुक्रिया, यह अच्छा तोहफ़ा है।
Thanks, this is a good gift.
Adjective 'achha' agrees with masculine singular 'tohfā'.
एक तोहफ़ा दो।
Give a gift.
Imperative sentence using the base verb form.
मैं आपके लिए एक तोहफ़ा लाया हूँ।
I have brought a gift for you.
Present perfect tense; 'laaya' agrees with masculine singular 'tohfā'.
उसने मुझे एक सुंदर तोहफ़ा दिया।
He/She gave me a beautiful gift.
Simple past tense; 'diya' agrees with 'tohfā'.
हम बाज़ार से तोहफ़े खरीद रहे हैं।
We are buying gifts from the market.
Present continuous tense with masculine plural 'tohfe'.
क्या आपने मेरा तोहफ़ा देखा?
Did you see my gift?
Perfective aspect in a question.
मेरे पास दो तोहफ़े हैं।
I have two gifts.
Pluralization from 'tohfā' to 'tohfe'.
यह तोहफ़ा बहुत महँगा है।
This gift is very expensive.
Adjective 'mahanga' (expensive) in masculine singular form.
माँ को यह तोहफ़ा पसंद आएगा।
Mother will like this gift.
Future tense with 'pasand aana' construction.
कल मेरा जन्मदिन था, मुझे कई तोहफ़े मिले।
Yesterday was my birthday, I got many gifts.
Past tense; 'mile' agrees with plural 'tohfe'.
इस तोहफ़े के अंदर क्या है?
What is inside this gift?
Oblique case: 'tohfā' becomes 'tohfe' before postposition 'ke andar'.
मैंने उसे जन्मदिन पर एक कीमती तोहफ़ा भेजा।
I sent him/her a valuable gift on their birthday.
Transitive verb 'bhejna' in past tense.
तोहफ़ा देना और लेना दोनों ही खुशी की बात है।
Giving and receiving a gift are both matters of joy.
Using verbs as gerunds/nouns in a sentence.
क्या आप यह तोहफ़ा स्वीकार करेंगे?
Will you accept this gift?
Formal future tense with 'swikar karna'.
वह हमेशा अनोखे तोहफ़े चुनता है।
He always chooses unique gifts.
Present habitual tense with masculine plural object.
बिना किसी कारण के तोहफ़ा देना सबसे अच्छा होता है।
Giving a gift without any reason is the best.
Complex sentence with postpositional phrase 'ke bina'.
इस छोटे से तोहफ़े को मेरी तरफ़ से रख लीजिए।
Please keep this small gift from my side.
Polite imperative with oblique case 'tohfe'.
मुझे वह तोहफ़ा अभी तक याद है।
I still remember that gift.
Use of 'yaad' for memory with masculine singular subject.
सच्चा तोहफ़ा वह है जो दिल से दिया जाए।
A true gift is one that is given from the heart.
Relative-correlative sentence structure (jo... woh).
त्योहारों पर तोहफ़ों का लेन-देन एक पुरानी परंपरा है।
The exchange of gifts during festivals is an old tradition.
Plural oblique form 'tohfōn' with postposition 'ka'.
सिर्फ़ तोहफ़ा देना ही काफ़ी नहीं है, भावना भी ज़रूरी है।
Just giving a gift is not enough; sentiment is also important.
Use of 'hi kaafi nahi' for emphasis.
अगर आप मुझे यह तोहफ़ा न देते, तो भी मैं खुश रहता।
Even if you hadn't given me this gift, I would have been happy.
Conditional sentence (agar... toh).
बच्चों के लिए सबसे बड़ा तोहफ़ा माता-पिता का समय है।
The biggest gift for children is their parents' time.
Metaphorical use of 'tohfā'.
शादी में मिले तोहफ़ों को खोलना बहुत मज़ेदार होता है।
Opening gifts received at a wedding is very fun.
Compound verb 'milna' used as an adjective.
उसने अपनी मेहनत को ही अपना सबसे बड़ा तोहफ़ा माना।
He considered his hard work itself to be his biggest gift.
Abstract usage with 'maanna' (to consider).
तोहफ़ा देने की कला हर किसी को नहीं आती।
Not everyone knows the art of gift-giving.
Possessive 'ki' agreeing with feminine 'kala' (art).
यह रचना साहित्य प्रेमियों के लिए एक बेशकीमती तोहफ़ा है।
This composition is an invaluable gift for literature lovers.
Advanced vocabulary 'beshkeemti' (invaluable).
विदेशी मेहमानों को भारतीय संस्कृति का तोहफ़ा भेंट किया गया।
A gift representing Indian culture was presented to the foreign guests.
Passive voice construction 'bhent kiya gaya'.
कभी-कभी खामोशी भी एक बेहतरीन तोहफ़ा साबित हो सकती है।
Sometimes silence too can prove to be an excellent gift.
Abstract metaphorical usage with 'saabit hona'.
उसने अपने अतीत को भुलाकर खुद को एक नया तोहफ़ा दिया।
By forgetting his past, he gave himself a new gift.
Reflexive 'khud ko' and participial phrase 'bhulakar'.
प्रकृति के इन अनमोल तोहफ़ों को सहेजना हमारा कर्तव्य है।
It is our duty to preserve these priceless gifts of nature.
Plural oblique 'tohfōn' with 'unmol' (priceless).
ग़ालिब की शायरी उर्दू ज़ुबान के लिए एक अज़ीम तोहफ़ा है।
Ghalib's poetry is a great gift to the Urdu language.
Use of Persian adjective 'azeem' (great/grand).
तोहफ़े की अहमियत उसकी कीमत से नहीं, मंशा से होती है।
The importance of a gift is not by its price, but by its intention.
Contrastive sentence structure using 'nahi... balki' implied.
राजनीतिक गलियारों में तोहफ़ों का आदान-प्रदान अक्सर चर्चा का विषय रहता है।
The exchange of gifts in political circles is often a subject of discussion.
Formal academic/journalistic register.
उनकी आवाज़ में जो कशिश है, वह खुदा का दिया हुआ एक नायब तोहफ़ा है।
The attraction in their voice is a rare gift bestowed by God.
Highly literary vocabulary 'kashish' and 'nayab'.
इतिहास गवाह है कि कभी-कभी तोहफ़े भी कूटनीति का एक घातक हथियार रहे हैं।
History is witness that sometimes gifts have also been a lethal weapon of diplomacy.
Complex historical and political discourse.
उपभोक्तावाद के इस दौर में तोहफ़ों का असली अर्थ कहीं खो गया है।
In this era of consumerism, the true meaning of gifts has been lost somewhere.
Sociological commentary using 'upbhoktawaad' (consumerism).
उसकी मुस्कुराहट मेरे जीवन के सूखे रेगिस्तान में एक ओएसिस जैसा तोहफ़ा थी।
Her smile was a gift like an oasis in the dry desert of my life.
Advanced metaphor and poetic imagery.
लेखक ने अपनी पुस्तक के माध्यम से समाज को एक वैचारिक तोहफ़ा प्रदान किया है।
The author has provided an intellectual/ideological gift to society through his book.
Formal register using 'vaicharik' and 'pradaan karna'.
तोहफ़ों की यह नुमाइश रिश्तों की गहराई को नहीं माप सकती।
This display of gifts cannot measure the depth of relationships.
Abstract philosophical statement.
क्या हम वाकई तोहफ़ा देते हैं, या यह सिर्फ एक सामाजिक लेन-देन का हिस्सा है?
Do we really give a gift, or is it just part of a social transaction?
Rhetorical question in a formal debate style.
कलाकार के लिए उसकी कला ही दुनिया को दिया जाने वाला सबसे बड़ा तोहफ़ा है।
For an artist, their art itself is the greatest gift given to the world.
Passive participle 'diya jaane wala'.
ترکیبهای رایج
عبارات رایج
— To give as a gift. Used to specify the mode of giving.
उसने मुझे अपनी पुरानी कार तोहफ़े में दे दी।
— A gift from God. Often used for children or sudden good luck.
यह बच्चा हमारे लिए खुदा का तोहफ़ा है।
— A shower of gifts. Used when someone receives many gifts at once.
जीत के बाद उस पर तोहफ़ों की बौछार हो गई।
— A gift in name only. Used for something trivial or symbolic.
यह तो बस नाम का तोहफ़ा है, असली चीज़ तो आपका प्यार है।
— A gift that is too grand for the giver's status (rare/idiomatic).
गरीब आदमी का यह कीमती तोहफ़ा 'छोटा मुँह बड़ी बात' जैसा था।
— A special gift. Often used in formal or poetic Urdu-Hindi.
आज मैं आपके लिए एक तोहफ़ा-ए-खास लाया हूँ।
— A gift given without being asked for.
बिना माँगे मिला तोहफ़ा सबसे प्यारा होता है।
اغلب اشتباه گرفته میشود با
An 'inām' is a prize won; a 'tohfā' is a gift given freely.
A 'rishwat' is a bribe; a 'tohfā' given to an official can sometimes be confused with this.
A 'bakhsheesh' is a tip for service; a 'tohfā' is for personal affection.
اصطلاحات و عبارات
— Something obtained for free, often implying it shouldn't be criticized.
मुफ़्त के तोहफ़े के दांत नहीं देखे जाते। (Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.)
Colloquial— To do something harmful under the guise of kindness.
उसकी मीठी बातें तोहफ़े में ज़हर देने जैसी हैं।
Literary— A second chance at life or a very significant positive event.
बीमारी से ठीक होना उसके लिए ज़िन्दगी का तोहफ़ा था।
Emotional— The gift of time, often considered the most precious thing.
व्यस्त दुनिया में वक्त का तोहफ़ा ही सबसे बड़ा है।
Philosophical— An awakening or a realization.
यह सच मेरे लिए खुली आँखों का तोहफ़ा था।
Poetic— A gift given with deep sincerity.
यह कोई महँगा सामान नहीं, बस मेरे दिल का तोहफ़ा है।
Romantic— To receive pain or betrayal from someone loved.
मुझे वफ़ा के बदले तोहफ़े में दर्द मिला।
Poetic/Song Lyrics— Giving someone grief or sadness as a 'parting gift'.
जाते-जाते उसने मुझे बस आँसुओं का तोहफ़ा दिया।
Melodramatic— Something that seems good but is meant to harm (like a Trojan Horse).
उसकी मदद पर भरोसा मत करो, यह दुश्मन का तोहफ़ा हो सकता है।
Cautionaryبهراحتی اشتباه گرفته میشود
They mean the same thing.
Upahār is Sanskrit-based and formal; Tohfā is Persian-based and common/poetic.
सरकारी समारोह में उपहार दिए गए, लेकिन घर पर हमने तोहफ़े बाँटे।
Both involve giving.
Bhent implies respect or an offering to a superior/deity.
मैंने गुरुजी के चरणों में भेंट रखी।
Both are gifts.
Saugāt is specifically a souvenir or specialty from a place.
वह आगरा से पेठे की सौगात लाया।
Both are received objects.
Inām is earned; Tohfā is given out of love.
जीतने पर इनाम मिला, जन्मदिन पर तोहफ़ा।
Both are gifts.
Nazrāna is a very high-status tribute or poetic offering.
शायर ने अपनी नज़्म का नज़राना पेश किया।
الگوهای جملهسازی
यह [Noun] है।
यह तोहफ़ा है।
मेरे पास [Noun] है।
मेरे पास एक तोहफ़ा है।
मैंने [Person] को [Noun] दिया।
मैंने माँ को तोहफ़ा दिया।
[Noun] के लिए शुक्रिया।
तोहफ़े के लिए शुक्रिया।
अगर [Condition], तो मैं [Noun] देता।
अगर मैं आता, तो मैं तोहफ़ा देता।
[Noun] की अहमियत [Noun] से है।
तोहफ़े की अहमियत प्यार से है।
[Noun] भेंट किया गया।
तोहफ़ा भेंट किया गया।
[Noun] कूटनीति का हिस्सा है।
तोहफ़ा कूटनीति का हिस्सा है।
خانواده کلمه
اسمها
فعلها
صفتها
مرتبط
نحوه استفاده
Extremely common in spoken and written Hindi.
-
मेरी तोहफ़ा (Meri tohfā)
→
मेरा तोहफ़ा (Mera tohfā)
Tohfā is masculine, so it requires the masculine possessive 'mera'.
-
तोहफ़ा के लिए (Tohfā ke liye)
→
तोहफ़े के लिए (Tohfe ke liye)
The word must change to the oblique form 'tohfe' before a postposition.
-
बहुत तोहफ़ा (Bahut tohfā)
→
बहुत तोहफ़े (Bahut tohfe)
When referring to 'many gifts', you must use the plural form 'tohfe'.
-
तोहफ़ा मिला (Tohfā mila - for a prize)
→
इनाम मिला (Inām mila)
Use 'inām' for prizes won in competitions; 'tohfā' is for personal gifts.
-
सुंदर तोहफ़ा (Sundar tohfā - for feminine subjects)
→
सुंदर तोहफ़ा (remains masculine)
Even if a woman gives or receives the gift, the word 'tohfā' itself remains masculine.
نکات
Gender Agreement
Always remember 'tohfā' is masculine. This is the most common error. Practice saying 'achha tohfā' (good gift) until it feels natural.
Polite Refusal
In India, if someone offers you a 'tohfā', it's polite to initially say 'इसकी क्या ज़रूरत थी?' (What was the need for this?) before accepting it with thanks.
Use Synonyms
Try using 'saugāt' when you bring something back from a trip. It shows a higher level of vocabulary and cultural understanding.
The Nukta
The dot under 'फ़' means it's an 'f' sound, not a 'ph' sound. Try to keep it crisp like the English 'f' in 'fan'.
Oblique Case
Whenever a postposition follows 'tohfā', change it to 'tohfe'. Example: 'तोहफ़े का रंग' (the color of the gift).
Gifting Etiquette
When attending an Indian wedding, money given as a 'tohfā' is usually an odd amount like 101, 501, or 1001, as it is considered auspicious.
Song Lyrics
Search for Bollywood songs with 'tohfā' in the title. Singing along is a great way to memorize the word and its usage.
Politeness
Use the word 'मामूली' (maamuli - humble/ordinary) before 'tohfā' when giving it to someone you respect. 'यह एक मामूली तोहफ़ा है' (This is a humble gift).
Context Clues
If you hear 'mila' after 'tohfā', someone received it. If you hear 'diya', someone gave it. This helps track the action in a story.
Visual Cues
Label a gift box in your mind with the word 'तोहफ़ा' to create a strong mental link between the object and the Hindi term.
حفظ کنید
روش یادسپاری
Think of 'TOE' and 'FA'. Imagine you are tying a ribbon on your 'TOE' to give it as a 'FA'ntastic gift. (तोह-फ़ा).
تداعی تصویری
Visualize a bright red gift box with a large golden bow. Inside the box, the letters 'T-O-H-F-A' are glowing.
شبکه واژگان
چالش
Try to use 'तोहफ़ा' in three different sentences today: one about a friend, one about a festival, and one about a 'gift of nature'.
ریشه کلمه
The word 'तोहफ़ा' originates from the Arabic word 'tuhfa' (تحفة), which means a gift, a rarity, or a masterpiece. It traveled through Persian culture where it gained more poetic and courtly nuances before entering the Hindustani language during the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal periods.
معنای اصلی: In Arabic, it often referred to something rare, precious, or a curiosity, not just any common gift.
Afro-Asiatic (Arabic) > Indo-European (Persian) > Indo-Aryan (Hindi/Urdu).بافت فرهنگی
Be careful when giving gifts in a professional setting in India, as very expensive 'tohfe' can sometimes be misconstrued as bribes ('rishwat'). Always keep the context and the value appropriate to the relationship.
In English-speaking cultures, gift-giving is often associated with specific holidays like Christmas. In India, 'tohfā' can be given for almost any positive social interaction, including simply visiting someone's home (as a 'hostess gift').
تمرین در زندگی واقعی
موقعیتهای واقعی
Birthday Party
- जन्मदिन मुबारक! यह रहा आपका तोहफ़ा।
- क्या मुझे तोहफ़ा खोलना चाहिए?
- यह मेरा पसंदीदा तोहफ़ा है।
- इतने सारे तोहफ़े!
Wedding
- शादी के तोहफ़े कहाँ रखने हैं?
- हमने दूल्हा-दुल्हन के लिए एक तोहफ़ा लिया है।
- यह एक पारिवारिक तोहफ़ा है।
- तोहफ़ों की लिस्ट बनाओ।
Festival (Diwali/Eid)
- दिवाली के तोहफ़े बाँटने हैं।
- ईद पर बच्चों को तोहफ़े मिलते हैं।
- मिठाई भी एक अच्छा तोहफ़ा है।
- सबके लिए तोहफ़े तैयार हैं?
Returning from a Trip
- मैं तुम्हारे लिए पेरिस से एक तोहफ़ा लाया हूँ।
- यह वहाँ की एक छोटी सी सौगात है।
- तोहफ़ा पसंद आया?
- इसे यादगारी के तौर पर रखो।
Romantic Gesture
- तुम्हारी मुस्कुराहट ही मेरा तोहफ़ा है।
- मैं तुम्हारे लिए रोज़ एक तोहफ़ा लाऊँगा।
- यह तोहफ़ा हमारे प्यार की निशानी है।
- किसी तोहफ़े की ज़रूरत नहीं थी।
شروعکنندههای مکالمه
"आपको अब तक का सबसे अच्छा तोहफ़ा कौन सा मिला है? (What is the best gift you have received so far?)"
"क्या आपको तोहफ़े देना पसंद है या लेना? (Do you like giving gifts or receiving them?)"
"भारतीय शादियों में तोहफ़ों का क्या महत्व है? (What is the importance of gifts in Indian weddings?)"
"क्या आप मानते हैं कि सबसे अच्छा तोहफ़ा मुफ़्त होता है? (Do you believe the best gift is free?)"
"अगली दिवाली पर आप अपने दोस्तों को क्या तोहफ़ा देंगे? (What gift will you give your friends next Diwali?)"
موضوعات نگارش
उस तोहफ़े के बारे में लिखें जिसने आपकी ज़िन्दगी बदल दी। (Write about the gift that changed your life.)
अगर आपको पूरी दुनिया को एक तोहफ़ा देना हो, तो वह क्या होगा? (If you had to give a gift to the whole world, what would it be?)
क्या तोहफ़े की कीमत मायने रखती है? अपने विचार लिखें। (Does the price of a gift matter? Write your thoughts.)
एक ऐसी घटना का वर्णन करें जब आपने किसी को सरप्राइज तोहफ़ा दिया। (Describe an incident when you gave someone a surprise gift.)
बचपन के अपने सबसे प्रिय तोहफ़े की यादें ताज़ा करें। (Refresh memories of your favorite childhood gift.)
سوالات متداول
10 سوال'तोहफ़ा' is a masculine noun. You should use masculine adjectives like 'बड़ा' (bada) and masculine verbs like 'दिया' (diya) with it. For example, 'मेरा तोहफ़ा' (my gift) is correct, while 'मेरी तोहफ़ा' is incorrect.
The plural of 'तोहफ़ा' is 'तोहफ़े' (tohfe). For example, 'मुझे बहुत सारे तोहफ़े मिले' (I received many gifts). Note that the ending changes from 'ā' to 'e'.
Use 'upahār' in very formal situations, such as writing a formal invitation, a news report, or in a highly Sanskritized environment. In most daily conversations, movies, and songs, 'tohfā' is preferred and sounds more natural.
You can say 'तोहफ़े के लिए शुक्रिया' (Tohfe ke liye shukriya) or 'तोहफ़े के लिए धन्यवाद' (Tohfe ke liye dhanyavaad). Notice that 'tohfā' changes to 'tohfe' because of the postposition 'ke liye'.
While 'tohfā' literally means gift, in certain contexts, people might use it euphemistically for a bribe. However, the correct word for bribe is 'रिश्वत' (rishwat). It is best to avoid giving expensive 'tohfe' to government officials to avoid confusion.
No, the 'h' is not silent. It is a light aspirated sound. It should be pronounced like 'toh-faa', where the 'h' is felt at the back of the throat, similar to the 'h' in 'ahead'.
'Saugāt' is a type of 'tohfā' that is typically a specialty or souvenir from a specific place. For example, if you bring tea from Assam for a friend, it's a 'saugāt'. 'Tohfā' is a more general term for any gift.
In romance, 'tohfā' is very common. You can say 'तुम मेरे लिए खुदा का तोहफ़ा हो' (You are a gift from God for me) or 'यह तोहफ़ा हमारे प्यार की निशानी है' (This gift is a sign of our love).
Yes, 'tohfā' is the standard word for gift in Urdu as well, which is the national language of Pakistan. It is used in exactly the same way in both Hindi and Urdu.
'Eidi' is a specific type of 'tohfā'—usually money—given to children and younger relatives by elders on the festival of Eid. While it is a gift, it has its own specific name.
خودت رو بسنج 200 سوال
Write a sentence in Hindi: 'This is a beautiful gift for you.'
خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.
Write a short paragraph (3 sentences) about a gift you received.
خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.
Translate into Hindi: 'I want to buy a gift for my mother.'
خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.
Use the word 'तोहफ़े' (plural) in a sentence about a festival.
خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.
Write a polite sentence to give a gift to a teacher.
خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.
Explain the difference between 'तोहफ़ा' and 'इनाम' in one Hindi sentence.
خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.
Translate: 'Friendship is the best gift in the world.'
خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.
Write a question asking if someone liked their gift.
خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.
Describe a 'gift of nature' in one sentence.
خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.
Write a sentence using 'तोहफ़े' in the oblique case (with 'में').
خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.
Translate: 'He sends me unique gifts every year.'
خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.
Write a sentence about bringing a souvenir from a trip.
خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.
Use 'बेशकीमती' (invaluable) and 'तोहफ़ा' in a sentence.
خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.
Write an informal sentence to a friend about a gift.
خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.
Translate: 'It is a tradition to exchange gifts on Eid.'
خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.
Write a sentence using the word 'सौगात'.
خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.
Translate: 'I don't need any expensive gifts.'
خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.
Write a sentence about a child being a gift.
خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.
Translate: 'Thank you for this beautiful memory.' (using tohfā as metaphor)
خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.
Write a sentence about a surprise gift.
خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.
Say in Hindi: 'Happy Birthday! Here is your gift.'
این را بلند بخوانید:
تو گفتی:
تشخیص گفتار در مرورگر شما پشتیبانی نمیشود. از کروم یا اج استفاده کنید.
Say in Hindi: 'I received many gifts on my wedding.'
این را بلند بخوانید:
تو گفتی:
تشخیص گفتار در مرورگر شما پشتیبانی نمیشود. از کروم یا اج استفاده کنید.
Say in Hindi: 'Do you like this gift?'
این را بلند بخوانید:
تو گفتی:
تشخیص گفتار در مرورگر شما پشتیبانی نمیشود. از کروم یا اج استفاده کنید.
Say in Hindi: 'I am going to buy a gift.'
این را بلند بخوانید:
تو گفتی:
تشخیص گفتار در مرورگر شما پشتیبانی نمیشود. از کروم یا اج استفاده کنید.
Say in Hindi: 'Thank you for this beautiful gift.'
این را بلند بخوانید:
تو گفتی:
تشخیص گفتار در مرورگر شما پشتیبانی نمیشود. از کروم یا اج استفاده کنید.
Say in Hindi: 'This is a small gift from my side.'
این را بلند بخوانید:
تو گفتی:
تشخیص گفتار در مرورگر شما پشتیبانی نمیشود. از کروم یا اج استفاده کنید.
Say in Hindi: 'Friendship is the biggest gift.'
این را بلند بخوانید:
تو گفتی:
تشخیص گفتار در مرورگر شما پشتیبانی نمیشود. از کروم یا اج استفاده کنید.
Say in Hindi: 'What is inside the gift box?'
این را بلند بخوانید:
تو گفتی:
تشخیص گفتار در مرورگر شما پشتیبانی نمیشود. از کروم یا اج استفاده کنید.
Say in Hindi: 'I brought a souvenir for you from Delhi.'
این را بلند بخوانید:
تو گفتی:
تشخیص گفتار در مرورگر شما پشتیبانی نمیشود. از کروم یا اج استفاده کنید.
Say in Hindi: 'Please accept this gift.'
این را بلند بخوانید:
تو گفتی:
تشخیص گفتار در مرورگر شما پشتیبانی نمیشود. از کروم یا اج استفاده کنید.
Say in Hindi: 'He sends me gifts every month.'
این را بلند بخوانید:
تو گفتی:
تشخیص گفتار در مرورگر شما پشتیبانی نمیشود. از کروم یا اج استفاده کنید.
Say in Hindi: 'I forgot the gift at home.'
این را بلند بخوانید:
تو گفتی:
تشخیص گفتار در مرورگر شما پشتیبانی نمیشود. از کروم یا اج استفاده کنید.
Say in Hindi: 'The gift was very expensive.'
این را بلند بخوانید:
تو گفتی:
تشخیص گفتار در مرورگر شما پشتیبانی نمیشود. از کروم یا اج استفاده کنید.
Say in Hindi: 'Giving gifts makes me happy.'
این را بلند بخوانید:
تو گفتی:
تشخیص گفتار در مرورگر شما پشتیبانی نمیشود. از کروم یا اج استفاده کنید.
Say in Hindi: 'Who gave you this gift?'
این را بلند بخوانید:
تو گفتی:
تشخیص گفتار در مرورگر شما پشتیبانی نمیشود. از کروم یا اج استفاده کنید.
Say in Hindi: 'I am wrapping the gift.'
این را بلند بخوانید:
تو گفتی:
تشخیص گفتار در مرورگر شما پشتیبانی نمیشود. از کروم یا اج استفاده کنید.
Say in Hindi: 'It is a surprise gift.'
این را بلند بخوانید:
تو گفتی:
تشخیص گفتار در مرورگر شما پشتیبانی نمیشود. از کروم یا اج استفاده کنید.
Say in Hindi: 'We should not ask the price of a gift.'
این را بلند بخوانید:
تو گفتی:
تشخیص گفتار در مرورگر شما پشتیبانی نمیشود. از کروم یا اج استفاده کنید.
Say in Hindi: 'Nature's gifts are priceless.'
این را بلند بخوانید:
تو گفتی:
تشخیص گفتار در مرورگر شما پشتیبانی نمیشود. از کروم یا اج استفاده کنید.
Say in Hindi: 'I will give you a gift if you pass.'
این را بلند بخوانید:
تو گفتی:
تشخیص گفتار در مرورگر شما پشتیبانی نمیشود. از کروم یا اج استفاده کنید.
Listen and identify the word: 'तोहफ़ा' (Audio: Tohfā)
Listen to the sentence and write the missing word: 'यह मेरा ___ है।' (Audio: Tohfā)
Listen and choose: 'तोहफ़ा' or 'तोहफ़े'? (Audio: Tohfe)
Listen and identify the gender from context: 'तोहफ़ा अच्छा है।'
Listen and translate: 'Mujhe ek tohfā mila.'
Listen and write the adjective: 'बड़ा तोहफ़ा' (Audio: Bada)
Listen and identify the festival mentioned: 'दिवाली पर तोहफ़े मिलते हैं।'
Listen and write the verb: 'तोहफ़ा दिया' (Audio: Diya)
Listen and choose the meaning: 'तोहफ़े के लिए शुक्रिया' (Audio: Tohfe ke liye shukriya)
Listen and identify the recipient: 'माँ को तोहफ़ा दो।'
Listen and write the number: 'तीन तोहफ़े' (Audio: Teen)
Listen and identify the tone: 'वाह! क्या तोहफ़ा है!'
Listen and identify the synonym used: 'यह एक सुंदर उपहार है।'
Listen and write the possessive: 'आपका तोहफ़ा' (Audio: Aapka)
Listen and identify the object: 'तोहफ़े में घड़ी है।'
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Summary
तोहफ़ा is the most versatile and emotionally resonant word for 'gift' in Hindi. While 'उपहार' is formal, 'तोहफ़ा' is what you'll hear in songs and homes. Example: 'दोस्ती ही सबसे बड़ा तोहफ़ा है' (Friendship itself is the greatest gift).
- तोहफ़ा (tohfā) means gift or present in Hindi.
- It is a masculine noun of Persian/Arabic origin.
- It is used in casual, romantic, and poetic contexts.
- Commonly paired with the verbs 'dena' (give) and 'milna' (receive).
Gender Agreement
Always remember 'tohfā' is masculine. This is the most common error. Practice saying 'achha tohfā' (good gift) until it feels natural.
Polite Refusal
In India, if someone offers you a 'tohfā', it's polite to initially say 'इसकी क्या ज़रूरत थी?' (What was the need for this?) before accepting it with thanks.
Use Synonyms
Try using 'saugāt' when you bring something back from a trip. It shows a higher level of vocabulary and cultural understanding.
The Nukta
The dot under 'फ़' means it's an 'f' sound, not a 'ph' sound. Try to keep it crisp like the English 'f' in 'fan'.
محتوای مرتبط
واژههای بیشتر travel
आबोहवा
B1آب و هوا یا شرایط محیطی یک مکان. 'آب و هوای این روستا بسیار پاک است.' (इस गाँव की आबोहवा बहुत साफ़ है।)
आगे की ओर
A2به سمت جلو؛ رو به جلو.
आगमन हॉल
B1سالن ورودی مکانی است که مسافران پس از پیاده شدن از هواپیما به آنجا میروند. आगमन हॉल معمولاً بسیار شلوغ است.
आगमन होना
B1رسیدن به مقصد (در بافت رسمی). 'ورود قطار اعلام شد.'
आगमन कक्ष
B1سالن ورودی در فرودگاه یا ایستگاه.
आगमन करना
A2وارد شدن یا رسیدن. در موقعیتهای رسمی مانند ورود قطار یا مهمان ویژه استفاده میشود.
आगमन समय
A2Arrival time
आगमन द्वार
B1Arrival gate, the gate where a flight arrives.
आगंतुक
B1A person visiting a place or person, especially socially or as a tourist.
आहार ग्रहण करना
B1To consume food, to eat.