Bebasi (बेबसी) is a common Hindi word for the feeling of helplessness or powerlessness.
बेबसी en 30 secondes
- Bebasi means helplessness.
- It's about feeling powerless.
- You can't do anything about a situation.
§ What does 'Bebasi' mean?
Hello, Hindi learners! Today, we're going to break down a very common and useful Hindi word: बेबसी (Bebasi). This isn't just a word; it's a feeling, a state of being, that you'll hear and use often in conversations. So, let's get straight to it.
- DEFINITION
- Helplessness, powerlessness; the state of being unable to defend oneself or to act.
Think of 'Bebasi' as that sinking feeling when you're completely unable to do anything about a situation, no matter how much you want to. It's when circumstances are beyond your control, and you feel stuck. It's more than just being sad or disappointed; it's about a lack of agency.
§ When do people use 'Bebasi'?
People use 'Bebasi' in a variety of situations where the feeling of being unable to influence or change an outcome is prominent. Here are some common scenarios:
- Facing difficult situations: When someone is going through a tough time, like an illness, financial hardship, or a natural disaster, and there's nothing they can do to alleviate their suffering or the suffering of others.
- Witnessing injustice: If you see something unfair happening and you're powerless to stop it, that feeling is 'Bebasi'.
- Personal limitations: Sometimes, it can refer to an individual's own limitations, where they are unable to achieve something despite their best efforts.
- Emotional distress: It often comes up in emotional contexts, describing a profound sense of despair or a feeling of being trapped by one's circumstances.
It's a strong word, conveying a significant emotional weight. It's not something you'd typically use for minor inconveniences. It's reserved for situations where there's a genuine absence of control and a deep sense of inability to act.
§ Examples of 'Bebasi' in action
Let's look at some examples to help you grasp the meaning and usage of 'Bebasi'. Pay attention to how the word fits into the context and the feeling it conveys.
गरीबी में जीने वालों की बेबसी देखकर मेरा दिल दुखता है।
(Garibi mein jeene waalon ki bebasi dekhkar mera dil dukhta hai. - My heart aches seeing the helplessness of those living in poverty.) Here, 'bebasi' refers to the inability of poor people to improve their circumstances.
तूफान के बाद, गांव वालों की बेबसी साफ दिखाई दे रही थी।
(Toofan ke baad, gaon waalon ki bebasi saaf dikhai de rahi thi. - After the storm, the helplessness of the villagers was clearly visible.) This example highlights the powerlessness of people against a natural calamity.
जब मैंने उसे मदद के लिए पुकारा, तो उसने अपनी बेबसी जाहिर की।
(Jab maine use madad ke liye pukara, toh usne apni bebasi zahir ki. - When I called out to him for help, he expressed his helplessness.) Here, 'bebasi' shows that the person was unable to provide help, likely due to their own limitations or circumstances.
बीमारी के कारण, वह अपनी बेबसी महसूस कर रहा था।
(Bimari ke kaaran, vah apni bebasi mahsus kar raha tha. - Due to illness, he was feeling his helplessness.) This shows 'bebasi' in a personal health context, where one's body is not cooperating.
By now, you should have a solid grasp of what 'Bebasi' means and how it's used. Keep an ear out for it in Hindi media and conversations, and don't be afraid to try using it in your own sentences. Practice makes perfect!
Guide de prononciation
- Pronouncing the 'e' as a long 'ee' sound
- Not emphasizing the first syllable enough
Grammaire à connaître
Nouns ending in -ī (long 'i' sound) are typically feminine. 'बेबसी' (bebasī) ends in -ī, so it is a feminine noun. This affects adjective agreement and postpositional phrases.
उसकी बेबसी दिख रही थी। (Uskī bebasī dikh rahī thī.) - His/Her helplessness was visible. (Note 'uskī' for feminine possession).
To express 'feeling helplessness,' the construction often uses 'ko' with the person feeling it, and the verb 'महसूस होना' (mahsūs honā - to be felt) or 'होना' (honā - to be/happen).
मुझे बेबसी महसूस हुई। (Mujhe bebasī mahsūs huī.) - I felt helplessness. (Literally: To me, helplessness was felt).
When 'बेबसी' is used with a verb to describe an action done helplessly, it can be paired with 'में' (men - in/with) or 'के साथ' (ke sāth - with) but often just implies the state.
उसने बेबसी में यह फैसला लिया। (Usne bebasī men yah phaislā liyā.) - He made this decision out of helplessness.
Adjectives modifying 'बेबसी' will agree with its feminine gender. For example, 'गहरी बेबसी' (gaharī bebasī - deep helplessness).
उसकी आँखों में गहरी बेबसी थी। (Uskī ānkhon men gaharī bebasī thī.) - There was deep helplessness in his/her eyes.
To describe a situation 'due to helplessness' or 'because of helplessness,' you can use 'के कारण' (ke kāraṇ - due to) or 'की वजह से' (kī vajah se - because of) after 'बेबसी'.
बेबसी के कारण वह कुछ नहीं कर पाया। (Bebasī ke kāraṇ vah kuch nahīn kar pāyā.) - Due to helplessness, he couldn't do anything.
Teste-toi 24 questions
Choose the best English translation for 'बेबसी'.
'बेबसी' means 'helplessness' or 'powerlessness' in English.
Which Hindi word means 'helplessness'?
The word for 'helplessness' in Hindi is 'बेबसी'.
If someone feels very weak and can't do anything, they might feel:
When someone feels weak and unable to act, they experience 'बेबसी'.
The word 'बेबसी' means 'joy'.
'बेबसी' means 'helplessness', not 'joy'.
If you are 'बेबस' (helpless), you can easily solve a problem.
If you are 'बेबस', you are unable to solve a problem or defend yourself.
'बेबसी' describes a state where you feel strong and powerful.
'बेबसी' describes the opposite: feeling powerless and unable to act.
Write a short sentence describing a time you felt unable to do something. Use simple Hindi words you know.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
मैं थक गया हूँ। (Main thak gaya hoon.) - I am tired.
Imagine you see a small bird that cannot fly. Write one Hindi sentence about it.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
चिड़िया उड़ नहीं सकती। (Chidiya ud nahin sakti.) - The bird cannot fly.
Write one Hindi sentence about someone who needs help.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
मुझे मदद चाहिए। (Mujhe madad chahiye.) - I need help.
राम को क्या चाहिए?
Read this passage:
यह एक छोटी कहानी है। एक लड़का है। उसका नाम राम है। राम को खाना चाहिए। लेकिन उसके पास खाना नहीं है।
राम को क्या चाहिए?
The passage states, 'राम को खाना चाहिए। (Ram ko khaana chahiye.)' which means 'Ram needs food.'
The passage states, 'राम को खाना चाहिए। (Ram ko khaana chahiye.)' which means 'Ram needs food.'
बिल्ली कहाँ है?
Read this passage:
एक बिल्ली पेड़ पर है। वह नीचे नहीं आ सकती। बिल्ली डर गई है।
बिल्ली कहाँ है?
The first sentence says, 'एक बिल्ली पेड़ पर है। (Ek billi ped par hai.)' which means 'A cat is on the tree.'
The first sentence says, 'एक बिल्ली पेड़ पर है। (Ek billi ped par hai.)' which means 'A cat is on the tree.'
क्या आदमी खुश है?
Read this passage:
यह सुबह का समय है। सूरज चमक रहा है। एक आदमी काम पर जा रहा है। वह खुश नहीं है।
क्या आदमी खुश है?
The last sentence states, 'वह खुश नहीं है। (Vah khush nahin hai.)' meaning 'He is not happy.'
The last sentence states, 'वह खुश नहीं है। (Vah khush nahin hai.)' meaning 'He is not happy.'
Choose the most appropriate synonym for "बेबसी" (helplessness) from the options below:
Both "बेबसी" and "लाचारी" convey a sense of powerlessness and inability to act.
Which of the following situations best describes an instance of "बेबसी"?
Being lost in a desert without water creates a strong feeling of helplessness and powerlessness.
In which sentence is "बेबसी" used correctly?
A sudden flood would naturally cause villagers to feel helpless. The other options use the word incorrectly.
The word "बेबसी" can be used to describe a feeling of great joy.
"बेबसी" specifically refers to helplessness or powerlessness, which is the opposite of joy.
If someone is in a state of "बेबसी", it means they have many options and control over their situation.
Being in a state of "बेबसी" implies a lack of options and control.
The feeling of "बेबसी" often arises when one is unable to change a difficult situation.
Helplessness is precisely the feeling of being unable to influence or change an adverse situation.
This sentence describes how helplessness was clearly visible in someone's eyes.
This sentence illustrates how the helplessness of poverty led them down the wrong path.
This sentence conveys the feeling of helplessness felt when someone was asking for help.
/ 24 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Bebasi (बेबसी) is a common Hindi word for the feeling of helplessness or powerlessness.
- Bebasi means helplessness.
- It's about feeling powerless.
- You can't do anything about a situation.
Exemple
उसने अपनी बेबसी महसूस की।
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