At the A1 level, 'Lekha' is introduced as a basic action verb. Students learn the present simple forms: 'Ami likhi' (I write), 'Tumi lekho' (You write), and 'She lekhe' (He/She writes). The focus is on simple subject-verb-object structures, such as 'I write a letter' or 'He writes a name'. Learners also learn 'Lekha' as a noun meaning 'handwriting' or 'script'. The primary goal is to recognize the word in everyday contexts like school or home and to be able to state that they are performing the act of writing.
At the A2 level, learners expand their use of 'Lekha' to include the past and future tenses. They can say 'Ami likhechi' (I have written) or 'Ami likhbo' (I will write). They begin to use the compound verb 'Lekhapora kora' (to study). They also start understanding the imperative forms for giving simple instructions, like 'Lekho!' (Write!). The distinction between 'Lekha' (the act) and 'Lekhok' (the person who writes) is introduced. Learners can now describe their daily routine involving writing tasks.
At the B1 level, students handle more complex sentence structures. They use the continuous forms fluently, such as 'Ami likhchilam' (I was writing). They understand the difference between 'Lekha' and more formal synonyms like 'Rochona kora'. B1 learners can discuss their opinions on a piece of writing ('Ei lekhati amar bhalo lagche') and use 'Lekha' in the context of professional emails or short essays. They also start encountering common idioms like 'Kopal-er lekha' (destiny).
At the B2 level, 'Lekha' is used in abstract and metaphorical contexts. Learners can discuss literature, analyzing the 'Lekha' (style/work) of famous authors. They are comfortable with passive-like constructions such as 'Chithita lekha hoyeche' (The letter has been written). They can distinguish between various registers and use the word appropriately in formal reports or creative storytelling. Their vocabulary includes more sophisticated derivatives like 'Likhito' (written/documented) and 'Lipiboddho'.
At the C1 level, the learner uses 'Lekha' with full native-like nuance. They can appreciate the rhythmic quality of prose and discuss 'Lekha' in terms of socio-political impact. They use the word in complex conditional sentences ('Jodi ami age likhtam...') and understand the subtle differences between 'Lekha', 'Akkhor', and 'Lipi'. They are familiar with the history of the Bengali script and can engage in deep literary criticism, using 'Lekha' to refer to an entire body of work or a specific stylistic choice.
At the C2 level, 'Lekha' is a tool for philosophical and academic discourse. The speaker can discuss the ontology of writing, the transition from oral to written traditions in Bengal, and the evolution of 'Sadhu' to 'Cholit' prose. They use 'Lekha' in highly specialized contexts, such as legal terminology or classical poetry analysis. They can play with the word in puns, high-level metaphors, and complex rhetorical devices, demonstrating a mastery that is indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker.

লেখা en 30 secondes

  • Lekha is the primary Bengali verb for 'to write', used for physical writing and digital typing.
  • It also functions as a noun meaning 'handwriting' or a 'piece of writing' like an article.
  • The root verb is 'Likh', which changes vowels during conjugation (e.g., Ami likhi).
  • It is culturally significant, often paired with 'Pora' (reading) to mean education.

The Bengali word লেখা (Lekha) is a fundamental verb and verbal noun that serves as the cornerstone of communication, education, and expression in the Bengali language. At its most basic level, it translates to the English verb 'to write,' but its utility spans across various contexts, from the physical act of putting pen to paper to the abstract concept of fate or destiny. In the Bengali linguistic tradition, the act of writing is not merely a mechanical process; it is often paired with reading (পড়া - Pora) to form the compound concept of 'education' or 'study' (লেখাপড়া - Lekhapora).

The Verbal Noun Aspect
In Bengali grammar, 'Lekha' functions as a gerund or verbal noun. When you say 'Amar lekha sesh' (My writing is finished), you are using 'lekha' as a noun. This dual nature is crucial for beginners to understand, as it simplifies sentence construction by allowing the word to act as both an action and a thing.
Formal vs. Informal Contexts
The word remains relatively stable across registers, but its conjugation changes significantly. In formal 'Shuddho' Bengali, you might encounter 'Likhon,' but in everyday conversation, 'Lekha' is the universal standard. Whether you are writing a grocery list, a formal exam, or a heartfelt poem, 'Lekha' is your primary tool.

আমি একটি চিঠি লিখছি। (I am writing a letter.)

Example of the present continuous form of the root verb.

Culturally, writing holds a sacred place in Bengal, the land of Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam. To 'write' is to contribute to a literary heritage that is over a thousand years old. When a child first starts school, the ceremony of Hatekhori involves the child 'writing' their first alphabet on a slate, marking the beginning of their intellectual journey. Therefore, when you use the word 'Lekha,' you are invoking a sense of literacy and cultural pride that is deeply embedded in the Bengali psyche.

তোমার হাতের লেখা খুব সুন্দর। (Your handwriting is very beautiful.)

Furthermore, 'Lekha' is used in the context of professional work. If someone is an author, their profession is described through this word. In the digital age, 'Lekha' has expanded to include typing on a keyboard or texting on a phone. Despite the medium changing from ink to pixels, the verb remains the same, proving its versatility in the modern world. It is one of the first ten verbs every Bengali learner should master because of its high frequency in daily life.

Using the verb লেখা (Lekha) correctly requires an understanding of Bengali verb conjugation, which is based on the subject's level of formality and the tense of the action. The root of the verb is লিখ (Likh). When you form sentences, you attach various endings to this root. In its infinitive or verbal noun form, it becomes 'Lekha'.

Present Tense Conjugation
  • Ami likhi: I write (Neutral/Informal)
  • Tumi lekho: You write (Familiar)
  • Apni lekhen: You write (Formal)
  • Se lekhe: He/She writes (Neutral)

সে প্রতিদিন ডায়েরি লেখে। (He writes a diary every day.)

When expressing the continuous aspect (writing right now), the root changes slightly in pronunciation. For example, 'Ami likhchi' (I am writing). This is a common point of confusion for English speakers because the vowel sound shifts from 'e' in 'Lekha' to 'i' in 'Likhchi'. This vowel harmony is a signature feature of the Bengali language.

Using it as a Noun
When used as a noun, 'Lekha' refers to the piece of writing itself. For example, 'Ei lekhati bhalo' (This writing/article is good). Here, the suffix '-ti' is added to 'Lekha' to mean 'the writing'. This is very common in literary reviews or when discussing someone's handwriting.

তোমার লেখা আমি পড়েছি। (I have read your writing.)

In the imperative mood (giving a command), 'Lekha' becomes 'Lekho' (familiar) or 'Likhun' (formal). If a teacher tells a student to write, they would say 'Khatao lekho' (Write in the notebook). Understanding these variations allows you to navigate social hierarchies effectively, which is a vital part of speaking Bengali naturally.

You will encounter the word লেখা (Lekha) in almost every corner of Bengali life. From the bustling streets of Kolkata and Dhaka to the quietest village schools, writing is a visible and audible part of the culture. In schools, the most common phrase a student hears is 'Lekha shuru koro' (Start writing). Teachers use it constantly during lessons and exams.

In Professional Environments
In offices, you'll hear people talking about 'Report lekha' (writing a report) or 'Email lekha'. Even with the rise of digital communication, the verb remains the same. A boss might ask, 'Chithita ki lekha hoyeche?' (Has the letter been written?), using the passive-like construction with 'hoyeche'.

অফিসে অনেক কাজ, সারাদিন শুধু লেখা আর পড়া। (Lots of work at the office, all day just writing and reading.)

In the media and arts, 'Lekha' is everywhere. News anchors talk about 'Lekhok' (writers) and their latest 'Lekha' (works/articles). On social media, you will see captions like 'Amar notun lekha' (My new piece of writing) when someone shares a blog post or a poem. It's also used in music; a songwriter is often referred to as the one who 'wrote the lyrics' (Gaaner kotha lekha).

Public Spaces and Signage
When walking through a city, you will see signs that say 'Ekhane deyal-likhon nishiddho' (Wall-writing/Graffiti is prohibited). While 'likhon' is used there, people casually say 'Deyale lekha baron'. You'll also hear it in the context of 'Kopal-er lekha' (What is written on the forehead), a common idiom referring to one's destiny.

Even in the kitchen, you might hear someone say they need to 'write down' a recipe (Recipe-ta likhe rakha). The word is so pervasive that it's impossible to go through a day in a Bengali-speaking environment without hearing it or its conjugated forms at least a dozen times.

For English speakers learning Bengali, the verb লেখা (Lekha) presents a few characteristic hurdles. The most frequent mistake involves the vowel shift during conjugation. Many students try to say 'Ami lekhi' using the 'e' sound from 'Lekha', but the correct form is 'Ami likhi' with an 'i' sound. This is due to 'Vowel Harmony', a rule where the vowel in the root changes based on the suffix.

Confusion with Subject-Verb Agreement
Bengali has three levels of 'you': Tui (very informal), Tumi (familiar), and Apni (formal). Using the wrong verb ending for 'write' can be socially awkward. For instance, saying 'Apni lekho' instead of 'Apni lekhen' sounds jarring and slightly disrespectful.

❌ আমি চিঠি লেখা। (Incorrect: I writing letter.)
✅ আমি চিঠি লিখি। (Correct: I write a letter.)

Another common error is using 'Lekha' when 'Pora' (to read) is intended, or vice versa, especially in the compound form 'Lekhapora'. Learners often forget that 'Lekhapora' is a single concept meaning 'studying'. If you say 'Ami lekhapora korchi', it means you are studying in general, not necessarily that you are physically writing at that moment.

Misusing the Verbal Noun
Learners sometimes use the verbal noun 'Lekha' as a direct object without the proper article or marker. In Bengali, if you are referring to a specific piece of writing, you should add '-ta' or '-ti'. Saying 'Lekha bhalo' is vague; 'Lekhati bhalo' (The writing is good) is much more natural.

Finally, watch out for the distinction between 'Lekha' and 'Likhiya' (the older, Sadhu-bhasha form). While you might see 'Likhiya' in old books or formal documents, using it in speech will make you sound like a 19th-century poet—which might be charming, but is definitely not modern!

While লেখা (Lekha) is the most common word for writing, Bengali offers a rich palette of synonyms and related terms that convey different nuances. Depending on whether you are talking about creative writing, administrative recording, or casual scribbling, you might choose a different word.

রচনা করা (Rochona Kora)
This literally means 'to compose' or 'to create'. It is used for essays, stories, or musical compositions. It carries a more formal and creative weight than the simple 'Lekha'.
লিপিবদ্ধ করা (Lipiboddho Kora)
This means 'to record' or 'to put into script'. It is often used in legal or historical contexts where the emphasis is on the preservation of information.

তিনি একটি সুন্দর কবিতা রচনা করেছেন। (He has composed a beautiful poem.)

In casual settings, you might hear 'Toka' (টুকে নেওয়া), which means to jot something down quickly or to copy something. If you are taking notes in a meeting, you are 'toke-ing' them. For professional authors, the term 'Likhon' is sometimes used as a more sophisticated noun for the act of writing itself.

Comparison Table
WordMeaningUsage
LekhaTo writeUniversal
RochonaTo composeLiterary/Creative
TokaTo jot downInformal/Notes

Another interesting alternative is 'Khodai Kora' (to engrave/carve), used when writing is done on stone or metal. While it is technically a different physical act, in a poetic sense, 'writing in stone' uses this term. Understanding these synonyms will help you move from a basic A1 level to a more expressive B1/B2 level in Bengali.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

"অনুগ্রহ করে আপনার নাম এখানে লিখুন।"

Neutre

"আমি কাল তোমাকে একটা চিঠি লিখব।"

Informel

"কিরে, কি লিখছিস?"

Child friendly

"খোকন সোনা, স্লেটে অ-আ লেখো তো!"

Argot

"বেশি লিখিস না তো! (Don't write/talk too much/Don't act smart)."

Le savais-tu ?

Before paper was common in Bengal, 'writing' was done on dried palm leaves (Puthi) using a stylus, which literally involved 'scratching' the surface.

Guide de prononciation

UK /le.kʰa/
US /leɪ.kʰɑː/
The stress is equal on both syllables, but the first syllable 'Le' is slightly more prominent in standard speech.
Rime avec
দেখা (Dekha - to see) শেখা (Shekha - to learn) রেখা (Rekha - line) একা (Eka - alone) টেকা (Teka - to survive) ফেকা (Pheka - to throw, regional) চাকা (Chaka - wheel, near rhyme) বাঁকা (Baka - curved, near rhyme)
Erreurs fréquentes
  • Pronouncing 'kh' as a soft 'h'. It must be a sharp, aspirated 'k'.
  • Confusing the 'e' sound with 'i' (saying Likha instead of Lekha).
  • Ignoring the aspiration in 'kha', making it sound like 'leka'.
  • Over-emphasizing the 'a' at the end like 'le-KHAHH'.
  • Muddling the vowel harmony during conjugation.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 1/5

The script is simple and very common.

Écriture 2/5

The conjunct 'kh' (খ) is easy, but conjugation requires practice.

Expression orale 2/5

Aspiration on 'kh' needs to be clear.

Écoute 1/5

Very easy to recognize in speed.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

আমি (I) তুমি (You) কলম (Pen) খাতা (Notebook) পড়া (To read)

Apprends ensuite

বলা (To speak) শোনা (To listen) শেখা (To learn) বই (Book) গল্প (Story)

Avancé

পাণ্ডুলিপি (Manuscript) সম্পাদনা (Editing) প্রকাশনা (Publishing) সাহিত্য (Literature) অলঙ্কার (Rhetoric)

Grammaire à connaître

Vowel Harmony in Verbs

Lekha (Infinitive) -> Likhi (1st Person Present). The 'e' shifts to 'i'.

Verbal Noun as Subject

Lekha amar shok (Writing is my hobby).

Imperative Endings

Lekho (Informal), Likhun (Formal).

Compound Verbs with 'Rakha'

Likhe rakha (To write down/record).

Passive with 'Hoya'

Lekha hoyeche (It has been written).

Exemples par niveau

1

আমি লিখি।

I write.

Simple present tense, 1st person.

2

তুমি লেখো।

You write.

Simple present tense, 2nd person (familiar).

3

সে নাম লেখে।

He/She writes a name.

Subject-Object-Verb structure.

4

এটা কার লেখা?

Whose writing is this?

Using 'lekha' as a noun.

5

আমি চিঠি লিখি।

I write a letter.

Direct object 'chithi' added.

6

মা লেখে।

Mother writes.

Third person singular.

7

খাতায় লেখো।

Write in the notebook.

Imperative form (familiar).

8

আমার লেখা শেষ।

My writing is finished.

Verbal noun used as a subject.

1

আমি একটি গল্প লিখেছি।

I have written a story.

Present perfect tense.

2

সে কাল লিখবে।

He will write tomorrow.

Future tense.

3

তুমি কি লিখেছিলে?

Did you write?

Simple past interrogative.

4

আমি এখন লিখছি না।

I am not writing now.

Present continuous negative.

5

সে খুব ভালো লেখে।

He writes very well.

Adverbial qualification.

6

বইটি কে লিখেছে?

Who wrote the book?

Interrogative with present perfect.

7

আমি রোজ ডায়েরি লিখি।

I write a diary every day.

Habitual present.

8

এখানে লেখো।

Write here.

Locative adverb + imperative.

1

আমি যখন এলাম, সে লিখছিল।

When I came, he was writing.

Past continuous tense.

2

তোমার হাতের লেখা খুব সুন্দর।

Your handwriting is very beautiful.

Possessive + noun phrase.

3

সে কি কবিতা লিখতে পারে?

Can he write poetry?

Modal verb 'para' with infinitive.

4

আমি এই খবরটি লিখে রাখব।

I will write down this news.

Compound verb 'likhe rakha'.

5

সে আমাকে লিখতে বাধ্য করল।

He forced me to write.

Causative context.

6

লেখাটি পড়ে আমার ভালো লাগল।

I liked reading the piece.

Verbal noun with definitive suffix '-ti'.

7

তুমি কি নিয়মিত লেখো?

Do you write regularly?

Adverb of frequency.

8

সে গান লিখতে ভালোবাসে।

He loves to write songs.

Infinitive + 'valobasha'.

1

রিপোর্টটি লেখা হয়ে গেছে।

The report has been written.

Passive construction.

2

তিনি সমাজ নিয়ে অনেক লিখেছেন।

He has written a lot about society.

Present perfect with topical preposition.

3

এই লেখাটি অনেক বিতর্কের সৃষ্টি করেছে।

This writing has created much controversy.

Abstract noun usage.

4

আমি তাকে একটি ইমেইল লিখতে বললাম।

I told him to write an email.

Reported speech structure.

5

তার লেখা পড়া খুব সহজ নয়।

Reading his writing is not very easy.

Gerund as subject of a complex phrase.

6

সে নিজের জীবনী লিখতে শুরু করেছে।

He has started writing his autobiography.

Compound verb 'shuru kora'.

7

পরীক্ষায় পরিষ্কার করে লেখা উচিত।

One should write clearly in the exam.

Modal 'uchit' with infinitive.

8

আমি কি আপনার কলম দিয়ে লিখতে পারি?

May I write with your pen?

Polite request using 'apni' forms.

1

তার লেখনী শৈলী অত্যন্ত চমৎকার।

His writing style is extremely excellent.

Formal synonym 'lekhoni'.

2

ইতিহাস সবসময় বিজয়ীদের দ্বারা লেখা হয়।

History is always written by the winners.

Formal passive voice.

3

এই চুক্তিটি আগেই লেখা হওয়া উচিত ছিল।

This agreement should have been written earlier.

Perfect conditional passive.

4

তিনি সমসাময়িক রাজনীতি নিয়ে কলাম লেখেন।

He writes columns about contemporary politics.

Specialized professional vocabulary.

5

লেখার মাধ্যমে তিনি নিজের ক্ষোভ প্রকাশ করেছেন।

He expressed his anger through writing.

Instrumental use of the verbal noun.

6

তার প্রতিটি লেখায় এক গভীর দর্শন লুকিয়ে আছে।

A deep philosophy is hidden in every piece of his writing.

Metaphorical locative.

7

আপনি কি এই পাণ্ডুলিপিটি লিখে দিতে পারবেন?

Can you write out this manuscript for me?

Benefactive compound verb 'likhe dewa'.

8

লেখার মান উন্নত করতে হলে প্রচুর পড়তে হবে।

To improve writing quality, one must read a lot.

Conditional purpose clause.

1

সাহিত্যের রসাস্বাদন করতে হলে তার লেখা পড়া জরুরি।

To appreciate the essence of literature, reading his work is essential.

High-level literary Bengali.

2

তার লেখনীতে এক অদ্ভুত মায়াজাল বিস্তৃত।

A strange magical web is spread across his writing.

Highly metaphorical/poetic.

3

লিপিবদ্ধ ইতিহাসের বাইরেও অনেক সত্য থাকে।

There are many truths beyond recorded history.

Adjectival use of 'lipiboddho'.

4

তিনি লেখনী ধারণ করেছেন অন্যায়ের বিরুদ্ধে।

He has taken up the pen against injustice.

Idiomatic expression for activism.

5

লেখার গূঢ় অর্থ উদ্ধার করা সাধারণের কাজ নয়।

Deciphering the profound meaning of the writing is not for the commoner.

Abstract philosophical usage.

6

এই প্রবন্ধটি অত্যন্ত সুনিপুণভাবে লেখা হয়েছে।

This essay has been written very masterfully.

Adverbial precision.

7

লেখার জগতে তার পদচারণা দীর্ঘদিনের।

His presence in the world of writing has been for a long time.

Sophisticated metaphor.

8

শব্দের কারুকার্যে তার লেখা এক অনন্য মাত্রা পেয়েছে।

Through the craftsmanship of words, his writing has gained a unique dimension.

Artistic critique register.

Collocations courantes

চিঠি লেখা
হাতের লেখা
ডায়েরি লেখা
পরীক্ষা লেখা
নাম লেখা
কবিতা লেখা
রিপোর্ট লেখা
লিখে রাখা
লিস্ট লেখা
গল্প লেখা

Phrases Courantes

লেখাপড়া করা

— To study or get an education.

ছেলেটি মন দিয়ে লেখাপড়া করে।

লিখে দেওয়া

— To write something for someone else.

আমি তোমাকে ঠিকানাটা লিখে দিচ্ছি।

লিখে নেওয়া

— To note something down for oneself.

বক্তৃতা থেকে পয়েন্টগুলো লিখে নাও।

পড়াশোনা ও লেখা

— Reading and writing (basic literacy).

তার পড়াশোনা ও লেখা দুটোই ভালো।

পরিষ্কার করে লেখা

— To write clearly or neatly.

সবসময় পরিষ্কার করে লেখা উচিত।

খাতায় লেখা

— To write in a notebook.

এই অংকটা খাতায় লেখো।

বোর্ডে লেখা

— To write on a board (classroom).

শিক্ষক বোর্ডে প্রশ্নটি লিখলেন।

উল্টো লেখা

— To write backwards or incorrectly.

বাচ্চাটি অক্ষরগুলো উল্টো লিখছে।

দ্রুত লেখা

— To write fast.

পরীক্ষায় দ্রুত লেখা প্রয়োজন।

মনে করে লেখা

— To write from memory.

কবিতাটি মনে করে লেখো।

Souvent confondu avec

লেখা vs দেখা (Dekha)

Means 'to see'. Only the first consonant differs.

লেখা vs শেখা (Shekha)

Means 'to learn'. Often used together with Lekha.

লেখা vs টেকা (Teka)

Means 'to survive/last'. Sounds similar but unrelated.

Expressions idiomatiques

"কপালের লেখা"

— Destiny or fate; literally 'what is written on the forehead'.

কপালের লেখা কেউ খণ্ডাতে পারে না।

Common
"হাতের লেখা"

— One's style of handwriting, but can also imply one's signature or 'mark'.

হাতের লেখা দেখে তাকে চেনা যায়।

Neutral
"লেখার কালি ফুরিয়ে যাওয়া"

— To run out of ideas or the ability to write; literally 'the ink of writing has finished'.

তার লেখার কালি যেন ফুরিয়ে গেছে।

Literary
"কাগজে-কলমে লেখা"

— To have something in writing/officially documented.

সবকিছু কাগজে-কলমে লেখা আছে।

Formal
"নাম লেখা"

— To enroll or join something officially.

সে খেলার দলে নাম লিখিয়েছে।

Common
"পাথরে লেখা"

— Something permanent or unchangeable.

আমার কথাগুলো পাথরে লেখা নয়।

Metaphorical
"দেয়াল লিখন"

— Graffiti or public writing; often used for political slogans.

শহরে অনেক দেয়াল লিখন দেখা যায়।

Social
"এক লাইনে লেখা"

— To summarize or state something briefly.

পুরো ঘটনাটা এক লাইনে লিখে দাও।

Informal
"কলম ধরা"

— To start writing professionally or seriously.

তিনি অনেকদিন পর আবার কলম ধরেছেন।

Literary
"সাদা কাগজে সই"

— To sign a blank paper (metaphor for blind trust).

কাউকে সাদা কাগজে সই লিখে দিও না।

Legal/Common

Facile à confondre

লেখা vs লিখন (Likhon)

Both mean writing.

Lekha is common/universal; Likhon is formal/literary.

Ei lekhati bhalo vs. Tar likhon shoili chomotkar.

লেখা vs আঁকা (Anka)

Both involve using a pen/pencil.

Lekha is for words; Anka is for drawing pictures.

Ami chobi anki vs. Ami naam likhi.

লেখা vs পড়া (Pora)

Both are part of 'Lekhapora'.

Lekha is output (writing); Pora is input (reading).

Boi poro vs. Chithi lekho.

লেখা vs টাইপ (Type)

Modern writing is often typing.

Lekha is generic; Type is specific to keyboards.

Laptop-e type korchi.

লেখা vs টোকা (Toka)

Both mean putting words down.

Lekha is for any length; Toka is for short notes/copying.

Address-ta toke nao.

Structures de phrases

A1

Ami [Object] likhi.

Ami naam likhi.

A1

[Subject] [Object] lekhe.

Baba chithi lekhe.

A2

Ami [Object] likhechi.

Ami golpo likhechi.

A2

Tumi ki [Object] likhbe?

Tumi ki kobita likhbe?

B1

Ami [Object] likhte chai.

Ami boi likhte chai.

B1

[Possessive] lekha bhalo.

Tomar lekha bhalo.

B2

[Object] lekha hoyeche.

Report lekha hoyeche.

C1

Lekhar madhyome [Action].

Lekhar madhyome proshno koro.

Famille de mots

Noms

Verbes

Adjectifs

Apparenté

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Extremely high; top 50 most used verbs.

Erreurs courantes
  • Ami lekhi (with 'e' sound) Ami likhi (with 'i' sound)

    Vowel harmony requires the root vowel to change when the suffix contains an 'i'.

  • Apni lekho Apni lekhen

    The formal 'Apni' requires the '-en' verb ending.

  • Ami chithi lekha Ami chithi likhi

    Lekha is the infinitive; you must conjugate it for the person.

  • Lekha bhalo Lekhati bhalo

    Use the article '-ti' to specify 'the' piece of writing.

  • Ami boi porchi (when you mean writing) Ami boi likhchi

    Don't confuse 'Pora' (reading) with 'Lekha' (writing).

Astuces

Vowel Shift

Remember the 'e' to 'i' shift. If the suffix has an 'i' or 'u', the 'e' in 'Lekha' usually becomes 'i' (e.g., Likhi, Likhun).

Saraswati Puja

Don't be surprised if your Bengali friends don't write anything on the day of Saraswati Puja; it's a tradition!

Handwriting

Bengali script is written under a continuous line called 'Matra'. Make sure your 'Lekha' hangs from the line.

Compound Verbs

Use 'Likhe rakha' (write and keep) when you want to say 'note it down' for future reference.

Formality

Always use 'Likhun' with elders or strangers to sound polite and educated.

Context Clues

If you hear 'lekha' followed by 'bhalo', it usually refers to handwriting or the quality of a story.

The 'kh' Sound

The 'kh' in Lekha is like the 'ch' in Scottish 'loch' but more forceful. Connect the sound to the act.

Digital Age

Native speakers often say 'Message likhchi' instead of 'Message type korchi'. Both are fine.

Newspapers

Look for the word 'Lekhok' (writer) in newspaper bylines to see the word in action.

Education

When someone asks 'Lekhapora koto dur?', they are asking about your educational qualifications.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Imagine a **LAKE** (sounds like 'Le') with a **CAR** (sounds like 'kha') driving over it, leaving marks like writing on the ice.

Association visuelle

Visualize a giant pen carving the word 'LEKHA' into a wooden table. The 'kh' sound is like the scratching noise of the pen.

Word Web

Pen Paper Story Author Handwriting Ink Letter Poem

Défi

Try to write the word 'Lekha' five times in Bengali script (লেখা) while saying it out loud to connect the visual and auditory memory.

Origine du mot

Derived from the Sanskrit root √লিখ (likh), which means 'to scratch', 'to furrow', or 'to write'.

Sens originel : The original meaning involved scratching a surface (like palm leaves or clay) to leave a mark.

Indo-Aryan family, descending through Prakrit and Apabhramsa to Modern Bengali.

Contexte culturel

Be careful when commenting on someone's 'hater lekha' (handwriting); it can be a sensitive topic for students.

Unlike English where 'write' is just an action, in Bengali, 'Lekha' carries a weight of 'composition' and 'scholarship'.

Rabindranath Tagore's 'Sahityer Lekha' The phrase 'Kopal-er Lekha' in folk songs Satyajit Ray's calligraphy in his film titles

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

School

  • স্যার, কি লিখব?
  • বোর্ড থেকে লেখো।
  • তাড়াতাড়ি লেখো।
  • পেন্সিল দিয়ে লেখো।

Office

  • রিপোর্টটা লিখে দিন।
  • ইমেইলটা লিখেছি।
  • নোটে লিখে রাখুন।
  • সই লিখে দিন।

Post Office

  • ঠিকানাটা কোথায় লিখব?
  • চিঠিটা কে লিখেছে?
  • ফর্মটা লিখে জমা দিন।
  • পরিষ্কার করে লিখুন।

Home

  • বাজারের ফর্দ লেখো।
  • ডায়েরি লিখছ কেন?
  • তোমার লেখা শেষ?
  • চিঠি লিখতে হবে।

Creative

  • কবিতা লিখতে ভালো লাগে।
  • গল্পটা দারুণ লিখেছ।
  • নতুন কি লিখছেন?
  • গান লেখা আমার শখ।

Amorces de conversation

"আপনি কি নিয়মিত ডায়েরি লেখেন? (Do you write a diary regularly?)"

"আপনার প্রিয় লেখকের লেখা কোনটি? (Which is your favorite author's work?)"

"আমি কি আপনার ফোন নম্বরটা লিখে নিতে পারি? (Can I write down your phone number?)"

"আপনি কি কবিতা লিখতে পছন্দ করেন? (Do you like writing poetry?)"

"আপনার হাতের লেখা এত সুন্দর কেন? (Why is your handwriting so beautiful?)"

Sujets d'écriture

আজকের দিনটি নিয়ে পাঁচটি বাক্য লেখো। (Write five sentences about today.)

তোমার প্রিয় বন্ধুর সম্পর্কে কিছু লেখো। (Write something about your best friend.)

ভবিষ্যতে তুমি কি হতে চাও তা নিয়ে লেখো। (Write about what you want to be in the future.)

তোমার প্রিয় খাবারটি কেন ভালো লাগে তা লেখো। (Write why you like your favorite food.)

একটি ছোটগল্প লেখার চেষ্টা করো। (Try to write a short story.)

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

The root is 'Likh' (লিখ). All conjugated forms like likhi, lekho, and likhbo come from this root.

It is both! As a verb, it means 'to write'. As a noun, it means 'handwriting' or 'a piece of writing' (like an article).

You say 'Ami likhchi' (আমি লিখছি). Note the vowel change from 'e' to 'i'.

It literally means 'writing-reading', but it is the common Bengali word for 'studying' or 'education'.

You say 'Sundor hater lekha' (সুন্দর হাতের লেখা).

Yes, 'Lekha' is commonly used for texting or typing as well as physical writing.

In a formal setting, you should say 'Likhun' (লিখুন).

It is a popular idiom meaning 'destiny' or 'fate' (literally 'writing on the forehead').

In standard Chalitobhasha (modern Bengali), 'Lekha' is the correct infinitive. 'Likha' is used in some dialects or older forms.

You say 'Ami likhechi' (আমি লিখেছি).

Teste-toi 180 questions

writing

Write 'I write a letter' in Bengali.

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

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write 'Your handwriting is good' in Bengali.

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

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write 'He is writing a story' in Bengali.

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

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write 'I will write tomorrow' in Bengali.

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

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write 'Please write your name' (Formal) in Bengali.

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

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write 'I have written the report' in Bengali.

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

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write 'She loves writing poetry' in Bengali.

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

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write 'Write it in the notebook' in Bengali.

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

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write 'I can't write now' in Bengali.

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

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write 'Who wrote this book?' in Bengali.

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

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write 'I am learning to write Bengali' in Bengali.

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

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write 'Don't write on the wall' in Bengali.

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

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write 'I was writing when you called' in Bengali.

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

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write 'The address is written here' in Bengali.

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

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write 'I need to write a list' in Bengali.

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

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write 'His writing style is unique' in Bengali.

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

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write 'I will write it down' in Bengali.

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

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write 'Education is important' (using Lekhapora) in Bengali.

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

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write 'I write every day' in Bengali.

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

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
writing

Write 'Write clearly' in Bengali.

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

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'I write' in Bengali.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'You write' (Familiar) in Bengali.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'Write your name' in Bengali.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'I am writing' in Bengali.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'I have written' in Bengali.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'I will write' in Bengali.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'Please write' (Formal) in Bengali.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'My handwriting' in Bengali.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'He writes well' in Bengali.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'I like writing' in Bengali.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'Whose writing is this?' in Bengali.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'Write clearly' in Bengali.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'I am writing a letter' in Bengali.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'Note it down' in Bengali.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'I am studying' (using Lekhapora) in Bengali.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'Can you write?' in Bengali.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'I was writing' in Bengali.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'Don't write' in Bengali.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'I want to write a book' in Bengali.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
speaking

Say 'Writing is finished' in Bengali.

Read this aloud:

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Identify the verb in: 'সে খাতায় নাম লিখছে।'

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Identify the noun in: 'তোমার হাতের লেখা সুন্দর।'

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

What tense is used: 'আমি কাল লিখব'?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

What tense is used: 'সে চিঠি লিখেছে'?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

What is the subject in: 'বাবা ডায়েরি লেখেন'?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Is this formal or informal: 'আপনি এখানে লিখুন'?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

What is being written: 'মা লিস্ট লিখছেন'?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Translate the action in: 'আমি গান লিখতে ভালোবাসি'?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

What instrument is implied: 'আমি পেন দিয়ে লিখি'?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Is the speaker writing now: 'আমি পরে লিখব'?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

What is 'Lekhapora' referring to in: 'ছেলেটি লেখাপড়া করে'?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Identify the person: 'তুমি কি লিখছ?'

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Identify the object: 'আমি একটি গল্প লিখি'?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

Is it positive or negative: 'আমি লিখি না'?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
listening

What is the quality mentioned: 'পরিষ্কার করে লেখো'?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

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