At the absolute beginner A1 level of Hindi language learning, the word इंतज़ार (intzaar) is introduced as a highly essential, practical, and everyday vocabulary item that is absolutely necessary for basic survival communication, navigating public spaces, and managing simple daily schedules. At this foundational stage, learners are primarily taught to associate this specific noun with the physical, literal act of waiting for tangible things in their immediate environment, such as waiting for a public bus, a commuter train, a taxi, a friend at a cafe, or a scheduled class to begin. The grammatical focus at the A1 level is kept intentionally simple and straightforward, concentrating almost exclusively on the most common compound verb construction: 'इंतज़ार करना' (intzaar karna - to wait). Students learn to conjugate the auxiliary verb 'करना' (karna - to do) in the present continuous tense to express ongoing actions, forming highly useful, practical sentences like 'मैं इंतज़ार कर रहा हूँ' (Main intzaar kar raha hoon - I am waiting) for male speakers, or 'मैं इंतज़ार कर रही हूँ' (Main intzaar kar rahi hoon) for female speakers. Furthermore, beginners are introduced to the critical concept of using the postposition 'का' (ka) to link the act of waiting to the specific object or person being waited for, memorizing the essential formula 'X का इंतज़ार करना'. By mastering these basic, highly repetitive structures, A1 learners gain the immediate ability to express their current status, explain delays, and comprehend simple instructions or announcements regarding waiting times in everyday, practical situations across the Hindi-speaking world, forming a crucial building block for their ongoing linguistic journey.
As learners progress to the elementary A2 level, their understanding and practical application of the word इंतज़ार (intzaar) expands significantly beyond mere survival phrases, allowing them to engage in more detailed, descriptive, and interactive conversations about time, schedules, and personal experiences. At this stage, students are expected to confidently use the word across a wider variety of verb tenses, including the simple past ('मैंने इंतज़ार किया' - I waited) and the simple future ('मैं इंतज़ार करूँगा' - I will wait), enabling them to narrate past events involving delays or make future plans and commitments with friends and colleagues. The A2 curriculum also introduces the crucial ability to modify the noun with basic descriptive adjectives, teaching learners to express the duration or quality of the wait using phrases like 'थोड़ा इंतज़ार' (thoda intzaar - a little wait) or 'बहुत लंबा इंतज़ार' (bahut lamba intzaar - a very long wait). Furthermore, learners at this level begin to encounter and practice imperative forms, learning how to politely ask others to wait using respectful commands such as 'कृपया थोड़ा इंतज़ार कीजिए' (kripya thoda intzaar kijiye - please wait a little), which is an essential skill for navigating customer service interactions, office environments, and polite social gatherings. They also start to recognize the word in slightly more complex listening exercises, such as understanding automated railway announcements or basic telephone conversations where someone explains they are running late. By the end of the A2 level, students possess a robust, flexible command of the word, allowing them to handle the concept of waiting in almost any standard, everyday logistical or social scenario with relative ease and grammatical accuracy.
Upon reaching the intermediate B1 level, the conceptual usage of इंतज़ार (intzaar) shifts noticeably from purely physical, logistical waiting to encompassing more abstract, emotional, and psychological states of anticipation and expectation. B1 learners are introduced to the alternative, highly common grammatical structure 'मुझे ... का इंतज़ार है' (mujhe ... ka intzaar hai), which translates to 'I am looking forward to...' or 'I have an expectation of...'. This specific construction allows students to express internal feelings of anticipation for future events, such as waiting for a holiday, exam results, a festival, or a special occasion, moving beyond the literal act of standing and waiting for a bus. At this intermediate stage, the vocabulary surrounding the word also becomes richer and more nuanced. Students learn to pair the noun with adverbs and complex phrases, such as 'बेसब्री से इंतज़ार करना' (besabri se intzaar karna - to wait impatiently or eagerly), which adds significant emotional color and descriptive power to their spoken and written narratives. Furthermore, B1 learners begin to encounter the word in authentic, slightly adapted media, such as popular Bollywood songs, simple short stories, and conversational television shows, where the romantic and dramatic connotations of the word are frequently highlighted. They learn to understand and produce sentences that convey frustration over prolonged delays, excitement for upcoming opportunities, and the emotional weight of waiting for a loved one. This deeper, more versatile understanding of the word marks a significant step towards true conversational fluency and cultural integration.
At the upper-intermediate B2 level, learners are expected to wield the word इंतज़ार (intzaar) with a high degree of grammatical precision, stylistic flexibility, and cultural awareness, seamlessly integrating it into complex, multi-clause sentences and sophisticated discussions. B2 students delve into the more abstract and metaphorical applications of the word, using it to discuss broader societal issues, career aspirations, and philosophical concepts of time and patience. They can comfortably articulate complex ideas, such as a community waiting for political change, a professional waiting for a career breakthrough, or the psychological toll of endless anticipation. Grammatically, learners at this stage master the use of the word in conditional sentences ('अगर तुम इंतज़ार करोगे, तो...' - If you wait, then...), passive voice constructions, and complex relative clauses, allowing for highly nuanced and precise communication. Furthermore, B2 students are introduced to the formal, Sanskrit-derived synonym 'प्रतीक्षा' (pratiksha), learning exactly when and why to switch between the everyday Urdu-origin 'इंतज़ार' and the formal 'प्रतीक्षा' based on the specific social register, audience, and context of the conversation. They can analyze and understand the word's usage in authentic news broadcasts, opinion pieces, and contemporary literature, recognizing how journalists and authors use the concept of waiting to build tension, highlight bureaucratic inefficiencies, or underscore emotional narratives. This advanced level of mastery allows students to express themselves with near-native nuance and participate fully in deep, meaningful conversations across a wide spectrum of topics.
In the advanced C1 level, the focus on the word इंतज़ार (intzaar) transitions entirely from basic comprehension and functional usage to a deep, analytical appreciation of its profound stylistic, literary, and cultural resonance within the broader Hindi-Urdu linguistic tradition. C1 learners engage directly with authentic, unadapted classical literature, sophisticated poetry (shayari), and high-level journalistic prose, where the concept of waiting is frequently elevated to an art form, symbolizing existential longing, spiritual devotion, or profound romantic agony. At this advanced stage, students analyze how renowned poets and lyricists manipulate the word to evoke specific emotional responses, studying the subtle interplay between 'इंतज़ार', 'तड़प' (yearning), and 'विरह' (separation). They are expected to produce highly sophisticated, eloquent written and spoken texts, utilizing complex idiomatic expressions, nuanced adjectival pairings, and culturally rich metaphors related to waiting. Furthermore, C1 learners can effortlessly navigate the subtle sociolinguistic boundaries of the word, understanding how its usage might shift in different regional dialects, historical contexts, or specific literary genres. They can debate the philosophical implications of waiting in Indian culture, discuss the psychological aspects of anticipation in modern society, and write compelling essays or deliver persuasive presentations where the concept of 'इंतज़ार' serves as a central, thematic anchor. This level of profound engagement demonstrates a mastery that goes far beyond mere vocabulary acquisition, reflecting a deep, internalized understanding of the language's soul.
At the absolute pinnacle of language proficiency, the C2 level, a learner's command of the word इंतज़ार (intzaar) is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated, articulate native speaker, characterized by an intuitive, effortless mastery of all its myriad forms, nuances, and cultural implications. C2 speakers do not merely use the word; they play with it, utilizing it in highly creative, rhetorical, and poetic ways to craft compelling narratives, deliver powerful speeches, or write evocative prose. They possess an exhaustive, encyclopedic knowledge of all related synonyms, antonyms, idioms, and historical derivations, allowing them to select the absolute perfect word with surgical precision for any given micro-context. At this mastery level, individuals can deconstruct complex Urdu ghazals or classical Hindi epics where the theme of eternal waiting is paramount, providing deep, scholarly critiques of the author's linguistic choices and thematic execution. They can seamlessly code-switch between the highly Persianized register of Urdu poetry, where 'intzaar' feels deeply romantic, and the highly Sanskritized register of formal Hindi, where 'pratiksha' commands respect and authority. Furthermore, C2 learners can invent their own novel metaphors and poetic expressions surrounding the concept of waiting, contributing actively to the living, breathing evolution of the language. Their understanding of 'इंतज़ार' is holistic, encompassing its phonetic beauty, its grammatical flexibility, its historical journey, and its profound emotional depth, representing the ultimate culmination of their rigorous, lifelong linguistic journey.

इंतज़ार en 30 secondes

  • Meaning: Waiting, expectation, or anticipation.
  • Usage: Mostly paired with 'करना' (to do) -> इंतज़ार करना (to wait).
  • Grammar: Masculine noun, takes the postposition 'का' (of/for).
  • Context: Used everywhere, from bus stops to romantic Bollywood songs.
The Hindi word इंतज़ार (intzaar) is a profoundly beautiful, culturally significant, and universally understood noun that translates directly to the English concepts of waiting, expectation, anticipation, or longing. When you delve into the intricate linguistic roots of this specific vocabulary word, you will quickly discover that it originates from Arabic and Persian linguistic traditions, eventually finding its way into the Hindustani language ecosystem through centuries of dynamic cultural exchange, poetic evolution, and historical trade across the Indian subcontinent. In contemporary, modern-day Hindi, it is an absolutely indispensable and foundational part of everyday vocabulary, utilized constantly by native speakers of all ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, and language proficiency levels. Whether you are physically waiting for a delayed public transit bus at a crowded, bustling terminal in the heart of New Delhi, eagerly anticipating the joyful arrival of a beloved childhood friend whom you have not seen in several long years, or anxiously expecting the final, life-changing results of a crucial university entrance examination, the word इंतज़ार perfectly and succinctly captures that universal human state of temporal suspension, hope, and anxiety.
Linguistic Origin
Derived from the Arabic root n-z-r, which relates to seeing, looking, or observing, implying looking out for something to happen.

मुझे तुम्हारा इंतज़ार है। (I am waiting for you.)

Furthermore, the concept of waiting in South Asian culture carries a unique philosophical and romantic weight that transcends mere time management. In the vast, colorful realm of Bollywood cinema, classical Indian literature, and soul-stirring Urdu poetry (shayari), the act of इंतज़ार is frequently romanticized as a noble, enduring testament to true love, unwavering devotion, and profound emotional resilience.

हमेशा के लिए इंतज़ार करना मुश्किल है। (Waiting forever is difficult.)

Emotional Context
It often conveys a sense of longing and deep emotional investment rather than just passing time.
It is not merely about the ticking of a clock or the passing of minutes and hours; rather, it is about the intense, sometimes painful, yet deeply beautiful yearning for a specific person, a momentous event, or a desired outcome to finally manifest in reality. When a poet writes about their इंतज़ार, they are speaking of a spiritual endurance, a test of the heart's capacity to remain steadfast in the face of prolonged absence and overwhelming distance.

उसने मेरा बहुत इंतज़ार किया। (He waited for me a lot.)

Grammar Note
As a masculine noun, it dictates the gender of associated adjectives and postpositions.
This dual nature of the word—serving simultaneously as a mundane, practical term for everyday delays and as a highly elevated, poetic expression of eternal romantic longing—makes it one of the most versatile, fascinating, and essential words for any serious learner of the Hindi language to master completely.

क्या तुम मेरा इंतज़ार करोगे? (Will you wait for me?)

Understanding its full spectrum of meaning will dramatically improve not only your conversational fluency but also your cultural comprehension, allowing you to appreciate the subtle nuances of Indian music, film dialogue, and everyday social interactions on a much deeper, more profound level.

सफलता का इंतज़ार मीठा होता है। (The wait for success is sweet.)

By internalizing the multifaceted dimensions of this single vocabulary item, you unlock a critical gateway into the emotional and psychological landscape of the Hindi-speaking world, enriching your linguistic journey immeasurably.
Mastering the practical, everyday usage of the noun इंतज़ार (intzaar) requires a solid, comprehensive understanding of Hindi sentence structure, specifically regarding how nouns are seamlessly combined with auxiliary verbs to create functional compound verbs, as well as the correct application of postpositions to link the act of waiting to its specific object or subject. Because इंतज़ार is inherently a masculine noun in the Hindi grammatical system, it consistently takes the masculine genitive postposition का (ka) or के (ke) depending on the specific case and context of the sentence being constructed.
Basic Structure
Subject + Object + का/के + इंतज़ार + करना (conjugated verb).

मैं ट्रेन का इंतज़ार कर रहा हूँ। (I am waiting for the train.)

For instance, if you want to express that you are currently waiting for a friend, you would say 'मैं अपने दोस्त का इंतज़ार कर रहा हूँ' (Main apne dost ka intzaar kar raha hoon) if you are male, or 'कर रही हूँ' (kar rahi hoon) if you are female, noting that the verb agreement changes based on the gender of the speaker, but the postposition 'का' remains masculine because it agrees with the masculine noun इंतज़ार itself.

हम आपका इंतज़ार करेंगे। (We will wait for you.)

Alternative Verb
Sometimes, 'होना' (to be) is used instead of 'करना' to express that a wait exists or is happening passively.
Another highly common and slightly more passive or emotional construction utilizes the verb होना (hona - to be), as in 'मुझे तुम्हारा इंतज़ार है' (Mujhe tumhara intzaar hai), which translates literally to 'To me, there is an expectation of you,' but is naturally understood as 'I am waiting for you' or 'I am looking forward to your arrival.' This specific phrasing is incredibly prevalent in romantic contexts, polite formal invitations, and poetic expressions where the emotional weight of the anticipation is being emphasized over the mere physical reality of standing around and passing time.

मुझे उस दिन का बेसब्री से इंतज़ार है। (I am eagerly waiting for that day.)

Furthermore, you can significantly modify the intensity and nature of the wait by adding descriptive adjectives directly before the noun, such as 'लंबा इंतज़ार' (lamba intzaar - a long wait), 'बेसब्री से इंतज़ार' (besabri se intzaar - waiting impatiently/eagerly), or 'थोड़ा इंतज़ार' (thoda intzaar - a little wait).
Adjective Pairing
Always use masculine adjectives like 'लंबा' (long) or 'बड़ा' (big) to modify this noun.

यह बहुत लंबा इंतज़ार था। (This was a very long wait.)

In imperative sentences, when you are politely instructing or commanding someone else to wait, you would use the phrase 'इंतज़ार कीजिए' (intzaar kijiye - please wait) in formal or respectful situations, 'इंतज़ार करो' (intzaar karo - wait) in informal or familiar situations with peers, and 'इंतज़ार कर' (intzaar kar) in highly intimate or strictly hierarchical situations.

कृपया यहाँ बैठकर इंतज़ार करें। (Please sit here and wait.)

By practicing these various grammatical structures, conjugations, and stylistic variations, learners can confidently and accurately deploy this essential word across a wide multitude of conversational scenarios, from casual street interactions to formal business meetings and heartfelt personal letters.
The omnipresence of the word इंतज़ार (intzaar) across the vast and diverse landscape of the Hindi-speaking world simply cannot be overstated, as it is a vocabulary item that you will inevitably encounter in virtually every conceivable social, cultural, and professional context imaginable. In the realm of everyday, practical logistics, you will hear it constantly at bustling railway stations, crowded airports, and busy bus depots, where automated announcements and frustrated passengers alike frequently discuss the 'इंतज़ार' for a delayed vehicle, using phrases like 'यात्रियों को इंतज़ार करना पड़ेगा' (passengers will have to wait).
Public Transport
A primary context for this word, often associated with delays and schedules.

गाड़ी के लिए हमें और कितना इंतज़ार करना होगा? (How much longer do we have to wait for the train?)

In professional, corporate, or medical environments, receptionists and administrative staff will politely ask clients or patients to take a seat in the 'इंतज़ार कक्ष' (intzaar kaksh - waiting room) or simply say 'कृपया थोड़ा इंतज़ार करें' (please wait a little), demonstrating the word's crucial utility in maintaining polite social decorum and managing expectations in formal settings.

डॉक्टर साहब अभी व्यस्त हैं, कृपया इंतज़ार करें। (The doctor is busy right now, please wait.)

Customer Service
Used extensively by service professionals to manage client expectations politely.
However, moving beyond the mundane logistics of daily life, the most profound, memorable, and culturally significant encounters with the word इंतज़ार will undoubtedly occur within the rich, vibrant sphere of Indian entertainment, specifically in Bollywood movies, classical Hindustani music, and popular television dramas. In romantic cinema, the concept of waiting is a central, recurring motif, and you will hear impassioned protagonists delivering dramatic, tear-jerking monologues about their endless 'इंतज़ार' for their true love to return from afar, or singing melodious, heart-wrenching songs where the word is stretched out musically to emphasize the deep agony and sweet sorrow of prolonged separation.

मुझे उम्र भर तुम्हारा इंतज़ार रहेगा। (I will wait for you for a lifetime.)

Pop Culture
A staple vocabulary word in romantic dialogues and song lyrics across South Asia.
Furthermore, in the context of news broadcasts, political commentary, and journalistic reporting, news anchors will frequently use the word to describe the public's anticipation of major events, such as the 'इंतज़ार' for election results, the announcement of a new government budget, or the long-awaited verdict of a high-profile supreme court case.

पूरे देश को चुनाव के नतीजों का इंतज़ार है। (The whole country is waiting for the election results.)

This incredible versatility—spanning from the frustrating delay of a local commuter train to the poetic yearning of a separated lover, and all the way to the collective anticipation of an entire democratic nation—cements its status as a truly ubiquitous, powerful, and indispensable component of the Hindi language that learners will hear echoing in every corner of society.

अब और इंतज़ार नहीं होता। (I cannot wait anymore.)

When language learners first begin incorporating the highly useful noun इंतज़ार (intzaar) into their active Hindi vocabulary, they frequently encounter several specific grammatical pitfalls, syntactical errors, and contextual misunderstandings that can inadvertently lead to awkward phrasing, confusion, or grammatically incorrect sentences. By far, the most pervasive and persistent mistake made by beginners and intermediate students alike involves the incorrect selection and application of postpositions when attempting to translate the English phrase 'waiting for' directly into Hindi.
Postposition Error
Using 'के लिए' (for) instead of 'का' (of) is a direct, incorrect translation from English.

गलत: मैं बस के लिए इंतज़ार कर रहा हूँ। (Incorrect translation attempt.)

Because the English language uses the preposition 'for' (as in 'waiting for the bus'), learners naturally, but incorrectly, assume they should use the Hindi equivalent 'के लिए' (ke liye), resulting in the erroneous and unnatural sounding sentence 'मैं बस के लिए इंतज़ार कर रहा हूँ'.

सही: मैं बस का इंतज़ार कर रहा हूँ। (Correct: I am waiting for the bus.)

The grammatically correct and native-sounding structure mandates the use of the genitive postposition 'का' (ka), making the correct sentence 'मैं बस का इंतज़ार कर रहा हूँ' (literally, 'I am doing the wait of the bus').
Gender Agreement
Failing to recognize that the word is masculine, which affects surrounding adjectives.
Another highly common area of confusion arises from a fundamental misunderstanding of the noun's inherent grammatical gender, which is masculine. Learners sometimes mistakenly treat it as a feminine noun, leading to incorrect adjective agreements, such as saying 'लंबी इंतज़ार' (lambi intzaar) instead of the grammatically correct 'लंबा इंतज़ार' (lamba intzaar - a long wait).

गलत: मेरी इंतज़ार खत्म हुई। (Incorrect gender agreement.)

सही: मेरा इंतज़ार खत्म हुआ। (Correct: My wait is over.)

Furthermore, students often struggle with the distinction between the active construction using 'करना' (karna - to do) and the passive/experiential construction using 'होना' (hona - to be).
Active vs. Passive
Mixing up 'मैं इंतज़ार कर रहा हूँ' (I am waiting) with 'मुझे इंतज़ार है' (I have an expectation/wait).
While 'मैं तुम्हारा इंतज़ार कर रहा हूँ' describes the physical, ongoing action of waiting at a specific moment in time, 'मुझे तुम्हारा इंतज़ार है' describes a more continuous, internal state of anticipation or longing, and mixing these two distinct structures up can subtly alter the intended emotional tone or precise meaning of the conversation.

मुझे हमेशा से इस पल का इंतज़ार था। (I had always been waiting for this moment.)

By consciously studying these common errors, actively practicing the correct 'का इंतज़ार करना' structure, and paying strict attention to masculine gender agreement rules, learners can quickly eliminate these mistakes and speak with much greater confidence, accuracy, and natural fluency.
In the rich, expansive, and highly nuanced vocabulary of the Hindi language, there are several distinct words that share semantic similarities with इंतज़ार (intzaar), yet each possesses its own unique flavor, specific contextual usage, and subtle shades of meaning that distinguish it from the others. One of the most prominent and frequently encountered synonyms is the word 'प्रतीक्षा' (pratiksha), which is a pure Sanskrit-derived (Tatsam) noun that carries exactly the same core meaning of waiting or expectation.
प्रतीक्षा (Pratiksha)
A formal, Sanskrit-origin synonym used in official, literary, or highly formal contexts.

यात्री विश्रामालय में प्रतीक्षा कर रहे हैं। (Passengers are waiting in the resting room.)

However, unlike the universally utilized, everyday Urdu-origin word इंतज़ार, प्रतीक्षा is generally reserved for much more formal, official, literary, or academic contexts, such as formal written invitations, government announcements, news broadcasts, or high-register literature.

हमें अध्यक्ष महोदय की प्रतीक्षा है। (We are waiting for the honorable chairman.)

आस (Aas) / आशा (Aasha)
These words lean more towards 'hope' or 'expectation' rather than the physical act of waiting.
Another related concept is found in words like 'आस' (aas) or 'उम्मीद' (umeed), which translate more accurately to 'hope' or 'expectation' rather than the literal, physical act of waiting, though they are often used in similar emotional contexts where one is looking forward to a positive outcome. For instance, you might have 'उम्मीद' (hope) that you will pass an exam, but you do 'इंतज़ार' (wait) for the actual results to be published on the notice board.

मुझे अच्छे परिणाम की उम्मीद है। (I have hope for a good result.)

Additionally, the word 'राह देखना' (raah dekhna), which literally translates to 'watching the path' or 'looking at the road', is a beautiful, highly idiomatic expression that serves as a direct, poetic synonym for waiting, often implying a deep, longing anticipation for someone's physical arrival at a specific location.
राह देखना (Raah Dekhna)
An idiom meaning 'to watch the path', used to express waiting for someone's arrival.

माँ सुबह से तुम्हारी राह देख रही है। (Mother has been waiting/watching the path for you since morning.)

Understanding these subtle, intricate distinctions between इंतज़ार, प्रतीक्षा, उम्मीद, and राह देखना empowers a language learner to choose the absolute perfect word for any given situation, thereby elevating their spoken and written Hindi from merely functional and basic to highly expressive, culturally nuanced, and sophisticatedly native-like in its precision and emotional resonance.

बिना इंतज़ार किए आगे बढ़ो। (Move forward without waiting.)

How Formal Is It?

Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

Compound Verbs: Noun + करना (Noun to Verb conversion)

Genitive Postpositions: Use of का/के/की to show possession or target of action.

Present Continuous Tense: Subject + Verb Root + रहा/रही/रहे + हूँ/है/हो/हैं.

Experiential Subject Construction: मुझे ... है (To me, there is...).

Masculine Noun Adjective Agreement: Adjectives ending in -a modifying masculine nouns.

Exemples par niveau

1

मैं बस का इंतज़ार कर रहा हूँ।

I am waiting for the bus.

Present continuous tense with 'का इंतज़ार करना'.

2

तुम यहाँ इंतज़ार करो।

You wait here.

Informal imperative 'करो'.

3

वह मेरा इंतज़ार कर रही है।

She is waiting for me.

Feminine present continuous.

4

क्या आप इंतज़ार कर सकते हैं?

Can you wait?

Modal verb 'सकना' (can) with formal 'आप'.

5

मुझे इंतज़ार करना पसंद नहीं है।

I do not like to wait.

Infinitive verb used as a noun with 'पसंद' (like).

6

हम ट्रेन का इंतज़ार कर रहे हैं।

We are waiting for the train.

Plural present continuous.

7

कृपया पाँच मिनट इंतज़ार करें।

Please wait five minutes.

Formal imperative 'करें' with 'कृपया'.

8

राम अपने दोस्त का इंतज़ार कर रहा है।

Ram is waiting for his friend.

Third-person singular present continuous.

1

मैंने कल तुम्हारा बहुत इंतज़ार किया।

I waited for you a lot yesterday.

Simple past tense 'किया'.

2

हम स्टेशन पर आपका इंतज़ार करेंगे।

We will wait for you at the station.

Future tense 'करेंगे'.

3

यह बहुत लंबा इंतज़ार था।

This was a very long wait.

Noun modified by adjective 'लंबा' in past tense.

4

क्या मुझे और इंतज़ार करना पड़ेगा?

Will I have to wait more?

Compulsion structure with 'पड़ेगा' (will have to).

5

डॉक्टर साहब का इंतज़ार कीजिए।

Please wait for the doctor.

Formal request using 'कीजिए'.

6

वह सुबह से इंतज़ार कर रहा था।

He had been waiting since morning.

Past continuous with time marker 'सुबह से'.

7

मुझे बस थोड़ा सा इंतज़ार करना है।

I just have to wait a little bit.

Infinitive with 'है' indicating obligation/plan.

8

इंतज़ार करने के लिए धन्यवाद।

Thank you for waiting.

Gerund form 'इंतज़ार करने के लिए' (for waiting).

1

मुझे अपनी परीक्षा के नतीजों का बेसब्री से इंतज़ार है।

I am eagerly waiting for my exam results.

Use of 'मुझे ... का इंतज़ार है' for anticipation.

2

इंतज़ार का फल हमेशा मीठा होता है।

The fruit of patience/waiting is always sweet.

Common proverb using the noun form.

3

अगर तुम थोड़ा और इंतज़ार करते, तो वह आ जाता।

If you had waited a little longer, he would have come.

Past conditional sentence structure.

4

इतना लंबा इंतज़ार करना मेरे बस की बात नहीं है।

Waiting this long is not within my capacity.

Idiomatic expression 'बस की बात नहीं'.

5

मैं तुम्हारा इंतज़ार करते-करते थक गया हूँ।

I am tired of waiting for you.

Repetitive participle 'करते-करते' showing continuous action.

6

त्योहारों का इंतज़ार हर किसी को होता है।

Everyone waits for (looks forward to) festivals.

Passive/experiential structure with 'हर किसी को'.

7

उसने बिना इंतज़ार किए अपना काम शुरू कर दिया।

He started his work without waiting.

Negative participle 'बिना इंतज़ार किए'.

8

मुझे उस दिन का इंतज़ार रहेगा जब हम फिर मिलेंगे।

I will wait for the day when we meet again.

Future anticipation with 'रहेगा'.

1

लंबे इंतज़ार के बाद आख़िरकार उसे नौकरी मिल ही गई।

After a long wait, he finally got the job.

Prepositional phrase 'के बाद' (after).

2

जनता को नई सरकारी नीतियों के लागू होने का इंतज़ार है।

The public is waiting for the implementation of the new government policies.

Complex noun phrase as the object of waiting.

3

इस परियोजना के पूरा होने में अभी और इंतज़ार करना पड़ सकता है।

We might have to wait more for the completion of this project.

Modal verb 'सकना' combined with compulsion 'पड़ना'.

4

उसका इंतज़ार करना समय की बर्बादी के सिवा और कुछ नहीं था।

Waiting for him was nothing but a waste of time.

Complex sentence with 'के सिवा' (except/but).

5

न्याय व्यवस्था में देरी के कारण लोगों का इंतज़ार बढ़ता ही जा रहा है।

Due to delays in the justice system, people's wait keeps increasing.

Continuous progression 'बढ़ता ही जा रहा है'.

6

मुझे इस बात का कोई इंतज़ार नहीं है कि लोग मेरे बारे में क्या सोचते हैं।

I have no expectation/wait regarding what people think about me.

Abstract use of 'इंतज़ार' meaning expectation/concern.

7

बरसात के मौसम का इंतज़ार किसानों के लिए जीवन और मृत्यु का सवाल होता है।

Waiting for the rainy season is a matter of life and death for farmers.

Metaphorical and highly significant context.

8

तकनीकी खराबी के चलते उड़ान में हुए इंतज़ार के लिए हमें खेद है।

We apologize for the wait caused by the technical glitch in the flight.

Formal apology structure 'के लिए हमें खेद है'.

1

सदियों का इंतज़ार मानो एक ही पल में सिमट कर रह गया हो।

It was as if the wait of centuries had shrunk into a single moment.

Poetic and metaphorical usage with 'मानो' (as if).

2

उसकी आँखों में एक ऐसा अनकहा इंतज़ार था जिसे शब्दों में बयां नहीं किया जा सकता।

There was such an unspoken wait in her eyes that could not be expressed in words.

Complex relative clause 'जिसे... नहीं किया जा सकता'.

3

राजनीतिक गलियारों में इस फैसले को लेकर एक अजीब सा इंतज़ार और खामोशी छाई हुई है।

A strange wait and silence pervades the political corridors regarding this decision.

Advanced vocabulary 'गलियारों', 'छाई हुई है'.

4

विरह की अग्नि में जलते हुए प्रेमी के लिए हर एक क्षण का इंतज़ार युगों के समान प्रतीत होता है।

For a lover burning in the fire of separation, the wait of every single moment seems like ages.

Highly literary register with 'विरह', 'क्षण', 'युगों'.

5

विकास की बाट जोहते इन सुदूर गाँवों का इंतज़ार आख़िर कब ख़त्म होगा?

When will the wait of these remote villages, looking out for development, finally end?

Idiomatic synonym 'बाट जोहना' used alongside 'इंतज़ार'.

6

यह महज़ एक इंतज़ार नहीं, बल्कि धैर्य और संकल्प की एक कठिन परीक्षा है।

This is not merely a wait, but a difficult test of patience and resolution.

Rhetorical structure 'महज़... नहीं, बल्कि...'.

7

बाज़ार को रिज़र्व बैंक की आगामी मौद्रिक नीति की घोषणा का बेसब्री से इंतज़ार है।

The market is eagerly awaiting the announcement of the Reserve Bank's upcoming monetary policy.

Formal economic and journalistic register.

8

कलाकार का पूरा जीवन उस एक उत्कृष्ट कृति के सृजन के इंतज़ार में व्यतीत हो जाता है।

An artist's entire life is spent in the wait for the creation of that one masterpiece.

Philosophical context with 'व्यतीत हो जाता है'.

1

इंतज़ार की यह घुटन अब मेरी रूह को छलनी कर रही है; मानो समय अपनी धुरी पर ठहर सा गया हो।

This suffocation of waiting is now piercing my soul; as if time has come to a standstill on its axis.

Highly poetic, utilizing intense metaphors 'रूह को छलनी', 'धुरी पर ठहर'.

2

लोकतंत्र में न्याय का अंतहीन इंतज़ार अंततः व्यवस्था के प्रति एक गहरे अविश्वास को जन्म देता है।

In a democracy, the endless wait for justice ultimately gives birth to a deep distrust towards the system.

Academic, socio-political commentary.

3

ग़ालिब की शायरी में इंतज़ार महज़ एक भौतिक अवस्था नहीं, अपितु एक आध्यात्मिक साधना का प्रतिरूप है।

In Ghalib's poetry, waiting is not merely a physical state, but rather a representation of spiritual discipline.

Literary criticism register using 'अपितु', 'प्रतिरूप'.

4

प्रतीक्षा और इंतज़ार के मध्य का सूक्ष्म भाषाई अंतर ही हिंदी और उर्दू की साझी विरासत को परिभाषित करता है।

The subtle linguistic difference between 'pratiksha' and 'intzaar' itself defines the shared heritage of Hindi and Urdu.

Linguistic and metalinguistic analysis.

5

वैश्विक मंच पर भारत का महाशक्ति बनने का इंतज़ार अब अपनी परिणति की ओर अग्रसर प्रतीत होता है।

India's wait to become a superpower on the global stage now seems to be moving towards its culmination.

Geopolitical discourse with 'परिणति', 'अग्रसर'.

6

स्मृतियों के धुंधलके में, वह पुराना इंतज़ार आज भी एक टीस बनकर उभर आता है।

In the haze of memories, that old wait still emerges today as a sharp ache.

Evocative, nostalgic literary prose.

7

क्रांति का इंतज़ार करने वाले अक्सर भूल जाते हैं कि परिवर्तन की शुरुआत स्वयं से ही करनी पड़ती है।

Those waiting for a revolution often forget that the initiation of change must begin with oneself.

Philosophical aphorism.

8

इस महाकाव्य का मूल स्वर ही वह शाश्वत इंतज़ार है, जो मानव जीवन की नश्वरता को चुनौती देता है।

The fundamental tone of this epic is that eternal wait, which challenges the mortality of human life.

Literary analysis of epic poetry.

Collocations courantes

लंबा इंतज़ार (Lamba intzaar - Long wait)
बेसब्री से इंतज़ार (Besabri se intzaar - Impatient wait)
इंतज़ार करना (Intzaar karna - To wait)
इंतज़ार खत्म होना (Intzaar khatam hona - Wait to be over)
इंतज़ार की घड़ियाँ (Intzaar ki ghadiyan - Moments of waiting)
इंतज़ार में रहना (Intzaar mein rehna - To remain in waiting)
मीठा इंतज़ार (Meetha intzaar - Sweet wait)
अंतहीन इंतज़ार (Antheen intzaar - Endless wait)
इंतज़ार का फल (Intzaar ka phal - Fruit of waiting)
थोड़ा इंतज़ार (Thoda intzaar - A little wait)

Souvent confondu avec

इंतज़ार vs उम्मीद (Umeed - Hope): You can hope for something without actively waiting for it.

इंतज़ार vs ठहरना (Theharna - To stay/stop): Means to physically stop moving, not necessarily waiting for an event.

इंतज़ार vs देर (Der - Delay/Late): Der is the delay itself, intzaar is what you do because of the der.

Facile à confondre

इंतज़ार vs

इंतज़ार vs

इंतज़ार vs

इंतज़ार vs

इंतज़ार vs

Structures de phrases

Comment l'utiliser

nuances

Can mean both the physical act of standing around and the emotional state of longing. Context dictates the nuance.

formality

Neutral. Suitable for all situations, from speaking to a child to addressing a CEO.

regional variations

Universally understood across all Hindi/Urdu speaking regions. In pure rural dialects, local words might be preferred, but 'intzaar' is always understood.

Erreurs courantes
  • Using 'के लिए' (for) instead of 'का' (of) when stating what you are waiting for.
  • Treating 'इंतज़ार' as a feminine noun and using feminine adjectives like 'लंबी' instead of 'लंबा'.
  • Pronouncing the word as 'intajar' with a hard 'j' instead of the correct 'z' sound.
  • Using the informal 'इंतज़ार करो' in professional or respectful situations where 'इंतज़ार कीजिए' is required.
  • Confusing 'इंतज़ार' (waiting) with 'इंतज़ाम' (arrangements) due to their phonetic similarity.

Astuces

The Golden Rule of 'Ka'

Never translate 'waiting FOR' directly as 'के लिए' (ke liye). Always use the postposition 'का' (ka). Memorize the chunk: '[Object] + का इंतज़ार करना'.

Nail the 'Z' Sound

Make sure your vocal cords vibrate to produce a clear 'z' sound in 'zaar'. Practice saying 'bazaar' and 'intzaar' together to get the feel of it.

Pair with Adjectives

Enhance your sentences by adding adjectives. Use 'लंबा' (long) or 'थोड़ा' (a little). Remember they must be masculine: 'लंबा इंतज़ार', not 'लंबी इंतज़ार'.

Bollywood Drama

Watch romantic Hindi songs. You will hear 'intzaar' constantly. It will help you understand the deep emotional weight the word carries in South Asian culture.

Formal Requests

In an office or formal setting, never say 'इंतज़ार करो'. Always upgrade your verb to the respectful imperative form: 'इंतज़ार कीजिए' (intzaar kijiye).

Sound Like a Native

Instead of just saying 'मैं इंतज़ार कर रहा हूँ', try using the idiom 'मैं तुम्हारी राह देख रहा हूँ' (I am watching your path) to sound incredibly fluent and poetic.

Railway Announcements

Next time you are at an Indian railway station, listen carefully to the loudspeakers. You will frequently hear 'यात्रियों को इंतज़ार करना पड़ेगा' (passengers will have to wait).

Elevate Your Register

If you are writing a formal essay or an official email, swap 'इंतज़ार' for its Sanskrit equivalent 'प्रतीक्षा' (pratiksha) to instantly sound more professional.

Active vs. Passive Feeling

Use 'मैं इंतज़ार कर रहा हूँ' for physical waiting (at a bus stop). Use 'मुझे इंतज़ार है' for mental anticipation (waiting for exam results).

The Causative Form

Learn to complain! If someone is late, use the causative verb: 'तुम मुझे इंतज़ार करवा रहे हो' (You are making me wait). It's very useful for daily life.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Imagine you are IN a BAZAAR (in-t-zaar) waiting for your friend to finish shopping. IN the baZAAR, you do INTZAAR.

Origine du mot

Arabic -> Persian -> Hindustani

Contexte culturel

Telling someone to wait ('इंतज़ार करो') can be rude if not softened. Always use 'कृपया' (please) or the formal 'कीजिए' in professional settings.

When expressing a long wait, native speakers often dramatically look at their imaginary wristwatches or sigh deeply.

The famous Bollywood song 'Mujhe Intezaar Hai' perfectly encapsulates the romantic usage of this word.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"क्या आप बहुत देर से इंतज़ार कर रहे हैं? (Have you been waiting for a long time?)"

"हमें और कितना इंतज़ार करना पड़ेगा? (How much longer will we have to wait?)"

"मुझे इंतज़ार करना बिल्कुल पसंद नहीं है, आपको? (I absolutely hate waiting, do you?)"

"आप किसका इंतज़ार कर रहे हैं? (Who are you waiting for?)"

"क्या मैं यहाँ बैठकर इंतज़ार कर सकता हूँ? (Can I sit here and wait?)"

Sujets d'écriture

Write about a time when you had to do a very long 'intzaar' for something important. How did you feel?

Do you think 'intzaar' makes the final result sweeter? Why or why not?

Describe a situation where making someone else 'intzaar' is considered very rude in your culture.

Write a short romantic paragraph using the phrase 'बेसब्री से इंतज़ार' (impatient wait).

How does technology change the way we experience 'intzaar' today compared to 50 years ago?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Linguistically, it originates from Arabic and entered the subcontinent through Persian and Urdu. However, it is now fully assimilated into everyday Hindi. Native Hindi speakers use it constantly without thinking of it as a 'foreign' word. It is a perfect example of the Hindustani language blend. If you want a pure Sanskrit Hindi equivalent, you would use 'प्रतीक्षा' (pratiksha).

In Hindi, 'इंतज़ार' is a masculine noun meaning 'the wait'. When you wait for a bus, you are literally saying 'I am doing the wait OF the bus'. Therefore, the genitive postposition 'का' (of) is required to link the object (bus) to the noun (wait). Using 'के लिए' (for) is a direct translation from English and is grammatically incorrect in Hindi.

Yes, absolutely. The word is highly versatile. You can wait for a physical object like a train, a person like a friend, or an abstract concept like success, justice, or a good opportunity. For example, 'सफलता का इंतज़ार' (waiting for success) is a perfectly natural and common phrase.

'इंतज़ार करना' (to do the wait) is an active verb phrase indicating the physical action of waiting at a specific moment. 'इंतज़ार होना' (the wait to be/exist) is a passive or experiential phrase, usually constructed as 'मुझे इंतज़ार है' (I have a wait). This latter form emphasizes the internal feeling of anticipation or expectation rather than the physical action.

The most natural and common way to say this is 'इंतज़ार खत्म हुआ' (intzaar khatam hua). 'खत्म' means finished or over. You can also say 'इंतज़ार की घड़ियाँ खत्म हुईं' (the moments of waiting are over) for a more dramatic or poetic flair, often used by news anchors or event hosts.

'इंतज़ार करो' is informal and should only be used with friends, younger people, or subordinates. If you say it to a stranger, an elder, or a customer, it sounds rude and commanding. In formal or polite situations, you must use 'कृपया इंतज़ार करें' (please wait) or 'इंतज़ार कीजिए' (please do wait).

The 'z' sound (ज़) is not native to Sanskrit or early Hindi; it came with Persian and Arabic words. In many regional dialects and rural areas, speakers naturally replace the foreign 'z' sound with the native 'j' (ज) sound. While common, 'intajar' is considered non-standard or colloquial, and 'intzaar' is the correct standard pronunciation.

'बेसब्री' (besabri) means impatience. So, 'बेसब्री से इंतज़ार' translates to 'waiting impatiently' or 'eagerly anticipating'. It is a very common phrase used when you are very excited about something, like a new movie release, a holiday, or meeting a loved one after a long time.

Grammatically, as a masculine noun ending in a consonant, its plural form remains 'इंतज़ार'. However, conceptually, it is an uncountable abstract noun. We don't usually talk about 'many waits'. If you want to express multiple instances of waiting, you would rephrase the sentence, but the word itself does not change form.

To make someone wait, you use the causative form of the verb 'करना', which is 'करवाना'. So, the phrase becomes 'इंतज़ार करवाना' (intzaar karwana). For example, 'तुमने मुझे बहुत इंतज़ार करवाया' means 'You made me wait a lot'.

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