बहुत ज़बरदस्त था
bahut zabardast tha
It was awesome
Littéralement: Very powerful/strong was
En 15 secondes
- Use it to say something was absolutely awesome or impressive.
- Works for food, movies, performances, and general experiences.
- The word 'Zabardast' implies power and high quality.
Signification
This is your go-to phrase for saying something was absolutely amazing or powerful. It conveys a sense of high energy and total satisfaction with an experience.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Reviewing a meal at a friend's house
Khana bahut zabardast tha!
The food was awesome!
Talking about a movie you just watched
Film bahut zabardast thi.
The movie was incredible.
Praising a colleague's presentation
Aapka presentation bahut zabardast tha.
Your presentation was fantastic.
Contexte culturel
In Bollywood film reviews and promotions, 'Zabardast' is a favorite word. It captures the 'larger than life' quality of Indian cinema. Cricket commentators in India often use this word to describe a powerful six or a fast delivery. It emphasizes the physical power of the sport. When eating at a 'Dhaba' or a street stall, telling the cook 'Zabardast tha' is the highest compliment you can give, often resulting in a smile and maybe an extra serving! On Instagram and Twitter, you'll often see 'Zabardast' written in English script. It's used as a universal 'like' button for anything impressive.
The 'Thi' Trick
If the word ends in 'ee' (like Biryani, Party, Movie/Film), use 'thi'. Otherwise, use 'tha'.
Avoid 'Zabardasti'
Never use 'Zabardasti' to mean 'amazing'. It means you were forced to do something!
En 15 secondes
- Use it to say something was absolutely awesome or impressive.
- Works for food, movies, performances, and general experiences.
- The word 'Zabardast' implies power and high quality.
What It Means
Bahut zabardast tha is the Hindi equivalent of saying 'It was incredible' or 'It was mind-blowing.' The word zabardast originally comes from Persian, meaning 'powerful' or 'strong.' In modern Hindi, it has evolved into a high-energy compliment. It is more intense than a simple 'good' or 'nice.' When you use this, you are telling the other person that the experience really left an impression on you. It is the verbal version of a chef's kiss or a standing ovation.
How To Use It
You use this phrase to describe past events, meals, or performances. Because it ends in tha (was), it is perfect for reflecting on something that just happened. If you are talking about a movie you just watched, you say Film bahut zabardast thi (changing the ending for gender). For a meal, Khana bahut zabardast tha works perfectly. It is a complete sentence on its own. You can drop it into a conversation whenever you want to show genuine enthusiasm. Just say it with a big smile and a slight nod.
When To Use It
Use it when you are genuinely impressed. It works perfectly after a concert, a cricket match, or a delicious street food session. It is great for texting friends after a party. You can also use it in professional settings to praise a presentation or a successful project. If your friend shows you a new song they wrote, this is the ultimate compliment. It fits anywhere you want to express that something was top-tier. It is the perfect 'wow' factor phrase for your vocabulary.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using it for things that are just 'okay' or 'fine.' If you use it for a mediocre cup of tea, you might sound sarcastic. Do not use it for solemn or sad occasions. Saying a funeral was zabardast would be a massive social blunder. Also, be careful with the gender of the object you are describing. While tha is the default, native speakers will notice if you don't match it to feminine nouns. Don't overthink it, but keep it for the truly 'wow' moments.
Cultural Background
In South Asian culture, we love expressing big emotions. Zabardast is a word that carries a lot of weight and history. It reflects the influence of Urdu and Persian on modern Hindi. It is a word often heard in Bollywood movie reviews and sports commentary. When a batsman hits a six, the commentator will scream Zabardast shot! It represents a culture that celebrates excellence with passion. It is a bridge between formal poetic roots and modern street slang.
Common Variations
You can shorten it to just Zabardast! for a quick exclamation. If you want to be even more intense, you can say Ekdum zabardast (Absolutely amazing). For the present tense, change tha to hai (Bahut zabardast hai). In Mumbai, you might hear Zakaas, which is a more localized, slangy version of the same feeling. If you want to sound more formal, you could use Behad umda, but zabardast is the king of versatility.
Notes d'usage
The phrase is very safe and versatile. While technically neutral, the high energy makes it lean slightly towards informal settings. Always ensure the 'z' sound is clear to sound more natural.
The 'Thi' Trick
If the word ends in 'ee' (like Biryani, Party, Movie/Film), use 'thi'. Otherwise, use 'tha'.
Avoid 'Zabardasti'
Never use 'Zabardasti' to mean 'amazing'. It means you were forced to do something!
Use your hands
When saying 'Zabardast', a thumbs-up or a wide-eyed expression makes it much more authentic.
Exemples
6Khana bahut zabardast tha!
The food was awesome!
A very common way to thank a host for a great meal.
Film bahut zabardast thi.
The movie was incredible.
Note the change to 'thi' because 'Film' is feminine in Hindi.
Aapka presentation bahut zabardast tha.
Your presentation was fantastic.
Professional yet high-energy praise.
Kal ki party bahut zabardast thi!
Yesterday's party was awesome!
Perfect for casual follow-up messages.
Yeh bahut zabardast tha! Kaise kiya?
That was amazing! How did you do it?
Expresses genuine shock and admiration.
Nazara bahut zabardast tha.
The view was breathtaking.
Used for aesthetic beauty and emotional impact.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'tha' or 'thi'.
कल की बिरयानी बहुत ज़बरदस्त ______।
Biryani is a feminine noun in Hindi, so we use 'thi'.
Which of these is the most natural way to say 'The movie was amazing'?
Select the correct sentence:
'Zabardast' is the adjective for amazing; 'Zabardasti' means force. 'Film' is feminine.
Complete the dialogue.
A: विराट कोहली की बैटिंग कैसी थी? B: ______!
When talking about a star like Kohli, 'Zabardast' is the most culturally appropriate high-praise response.
Match the situation to the phrase.
You just saw a 10/10 action movie.
'Zabardast' is used for high-impact, high-quality experiences.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
When to say 'Zabardast!'
Food
- • Biryani
- • Samosa
- • Chai
Entertainment
- • Movies
- • Songs
- • Concerts
Sports
- • Sixes
- • Goals
- • Wins
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesकल की बिरयानी बहुत ज़बरदस्त ______।
Biryani is a feminine noun in Hindi, so we use 'thi'.
Select the correct sentence:
'Zabardast' is the adjective for amazing; 'Zabardasti' means force. 'Film' is feminine.
A: विराट कोहली की बैटिंग कैसी थी? B: ______!
When talking about a star like Kohli, 'Zabardast' is the most culturally appropriate high-praise response.
You just saw a 10/10 action movie.
'Zabardast' is used for high-impact, high-quality experiences.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsIt is primarily informal to neutral. It's perfect for friends and family, but use 'Ati Uttam' for a formal speech.
Yes, but usually for their skills (e.g., 'Zabardast actor') rather than their personality.
The word 'Zabardast' doesn't change! Only the verb 'tha' changes to 'thi'.
Yes, it is extremely common in Urdu and is used in the exact same way.
Absolutely! It's a very common one-word reaction to good news or a cool photo.
Expressions liées
कमाल था
synonymIt was wonderful/a miracle
शानदार था
synonymIt was magnificent
धमाकेदार था
similarIt was explosive
ज़बरदस्ती
contrastBy force
