कुपुत्र en 30 secondes
- Kuputra means a 'bad son' in Hindi.
- It is a formal, Sanskrit-derived word (Tatsam).
- It implies moral and social failure, not just small mistakes.
- The opposite is 'Suputra', meaning a virtuous son.
The Hindi word कुपुत्र (Kuputra) is a profound and emotionally charged noun that translates literally to 'a bad son' or 'an unworthy male child.' Derived from classical Sanskrit, it combines the prefix कु- (ku-), meaning bad, evil, or deficient, with the root word पुत्र (putra), meaning son. In the landscape of Indian culture, where filial piety and the role of a son are often viewed as sacred duties (Dharma), labeling someone a 'kuputra' is a severe judgment. It implies more than just minor disobedience; it suggests a fundamental failure to uphold family honor, care for elderly parents, or follow a righteous path. This word is typically found in literature, formal discourse, moral stories, and dramatic dialogues rather than casual everyday slang.
- Etymological Roots
- The prefix 'Ku-' serves as a linguistic marker for negativity across many Indo-Aryan languages. When attached to 'Putra', it creates a stark contrast with its antonym, Suputra (a good/virtuous son). This binary defines much of traditional Indian storytelling regarding family dynamics.
- Social Weight
- To be called a 'kuputra' is to be socially stigmatized. It suggests that the individual has brought shame (apman) to the lineage. In historical contexts, a kuputra might be someone who squanders the family's hard-earned wealth or abandons his parents in their old age.
“समाज में उस व्यक्ति का कोई सम्मान नहीं है क्योंकि वह एक कुपुत्र सिद्ध हुआ।” (There is no respect for that person in society because he proved to be an unworthy son.)
In modern Hindi, while people might use more colloquial terms like nalayak (useless) or bigda hua (spoiled) for daily frustrations, 'kuputra' remains the term of choice when discussing ethics, morality, or the tragic downfall of a family. It carries a sense of permanence and deep-seated character flaw that casual insults lack. When you hear this word in a Bollywood movie, it usually marks a pivotal moment of parental heartbreak or a moral condemnation by an elder. It is a word that resonates with the weight of centuries-old values regarding the 'ideal' family unit.
“पूत कपूत पालने में ही पहचाने जाते हैं।” (A bad son's traits are recognized right from the cradle.)
- Literary Context
- In the Ramayana and Mahabharata, the concept of the 'worthy' vs 'unworthy' son is a central theme. Characters who disobey the moral law (Dharma) are often described through this lens to emphasize their spiritual and social failure.
Using कुपुत्र (Kuputra) correctly requires an understanding of its formal and descriptive nature. Since it is a noun, it functions as the subject or object of a sentence, often following an adjective or being modified by a possessive pronoun. It is rarely used as a direct address (you wouldn't usually shout 'Hey, Kuputra!' at someone); instead, it is used to describe someone's character to a third party or in a reflective sense.
- Descriptive Usage
- When describing a person's reputation: "वह अपने माता-पिता के लिए एक कुपुत्र साबित हुआ।" (He proved to be a bad son to his parents.) Here, the word 'saabit hua' (proved to be) commonly accompanies 'kuputra' to show the outcome of a person's long-term behavior.
- Comparative Usage
- It is often used in comparison with 'suputra' to highlight moral differences: "एक सुपुत्र कुल का नाम रोशन करता है, जबकि एक कुपुत्र उसे मिट्टी में मिला देता है।" (A good son brings glory to the family, while a bad son ruins it.)
“उस कुपुत्र ने जुए में सारी संपत्ति गँवा दी।” (That unworthy son lost all the property in gambling.)
In formal writing, such as essays on ethics or social issues, kuputra is used to discuss the breakdown of traditional family values. For example, "कुपुत्रों की बढ़ती संख्या समाज के नैतिक पतन का संकेत है।" (The increasing number of unworthy sons is a sign of the moral decline of society.) Notice how the plural form kuputron is used here with the postposition 'ki'.
“इतिहास में कई ऐसे कुपुत्र हुए हैं जिन्होंने अपने पिता के सिंहासन के लिए उनकी हत्या कर दी।” (In history, there have been many such bad sons who murdered their fathers for the throne.)
When constructing sentences, remember that 'kuputra' is a heavy word. It doesn't just mean a son who is 'bad at math' or 'bad at sports'; it means a son who is 'bad at being a son'. It is about the relationship and the duty. Therefore, the verbs used with it often relate to disappointment, ruin, or betrayal.
“कोई भी पिता यह नहीं चाहेगा कि उसका बच्चा एक कुपुत्र बने।” (No father would want his child to become an unworthy son.)
In contemporary urban India, you might not hear कुपुत्र (Kuputra) in a coffee shop or at a tech startup. However, it remains vibrant in several specific spheres of Indian life. Understanding these contexts will help you gauge the word's 'temperature'—how hot or serious it is when spoken.
- 1. Religious and Mythological Discourses (Pravachan)
- Priests and spiritual leaders often use 'kuputra' when reciting the Puranas or giving sermons on family ethics. They might cite the famous couplet: "Poot kapoot toh kyon dhan sanchay, poot sapoot toh kyon dhan sanchay" (If the son is bad, why collect wealth? He will waste it. If the son is good, why collect wealth? He will earn it himself).
- 2. Classic Bollywood and Television Dramas
- In older films or 'Saas-Bahu' serials (soap operas), a grandfather or a disappointed father might use this word in a climactic scene. It adds a layer of 'Shuddh Hindi' (Pure Hindi) gravity to the dialogue, making the betrayal feel more epic and ancient.
“फिल्म के अंत में, विलेन को एक कुपुत्र के रूप में दिखाया गया जिसने अपने परिवार को धोखा दिया।” (At the end of the film, the villain was shown as an unworthy son who betrayed his family.)
Literature and textbooks are another major source. Students in India often encounter this word while reading stories by Premchand or other classic writers who focused on rural life and traditional structures. In these stories, the 'kuputra' is a character archetype—the one who goes to the city, forgets his roots, and stops sending money home.
“समाचार पत्र की हेडलाइन थी: ‘एक कुपुत्र की करतूत’।” (The newspaper headline was: 'The misdeeds of an unworthy son'.)
Lastly, in legal or formal disputes regarding inheritance, the term might appear in a more metaphorical or descriptive sense in regional languages' legal documents, though 'nalayak' or specific legal terms for 'disowned' are more common in modern courts. Essentially, 'kuputra' is the word for the 'Bad Son' of the Indian soul—it is a cultural concept as much as it is a noun.
Even for intermediate learners, कुपुत्र (Kuputra) can be tricky because of its specificity and tone. Here are the most common pitfalls to avoid when using this word in Hindi.
- Mistake 1: Gender Misapplication
- The most obvious mistake is using 'kuputra' for a daughter. Hindi is a gender-sensitive language. For a daughter, you must use कुपुत्री (Kuputri). Using 'kuputra' for a female is grammatically incorrect and sounds very jarring to a native speaker.
- Mistake 2: Tone Deafness (Over-formality)
- Using 'kuputra' in a casual conversation with friends about a minor disagreement. If a friend forgets to call his mom, and you say, "You are a kuputra," it sounds way too dramatic—like you're performing in a 19th-century play. Use 'nalayak' or 'badmash' for lighthearted or minor situations.
Incorrect: “आज मैंने होमवर्क नहीं किया, मैं एक कुपुत्र हूँ।” (I didn't do homework today, I am an unworthy son.)
Correct: “आज मैंने होमवर्क नहीं किया, मैं बहुत आलसी हूँ।” (I didn't do homework today, I am very lazy.)
Another mistake is confusing it with कपूत (Kapoot). While 'kapoot' means the same thing, it is the 'Tadbhav' (evolved/vernacular) form, whereas 'kuputra' is 'Tatsam' (original Sanskrit). 'Kapoot' is often used in folk sayings and poetry, while 'kuputra' is used in formal prose. Mixing the registers can sometimes sound inconsistent.
- Mistake 3: Pronunciation
- Learners often mispronounce the 'tra' at the end. It is a conjunct consonant (t+r). Some might say 'ku-put-ra' with a heavy 'a' at the end, but in standard Hindi, the final 'a' is a short schwa. Ensure the 'tr' is crisp.
“वह एक कुपुत्र नहीं है, बस थोड़ा भटक गया है।” (He is not an unworthy son, he has just strayed a little.)
While कुपुत्र (Kuputra) is a powerful word, Hindi offers a variety of alternatives depending on the level of formality and the specific type of 'badness' you wish to convey. Understanding these nuances will make your Hindi sound more natural and precise.
- 1. नलायक (Nalayak)
- This is the most common everyday word for 'unworthy' or 'useless'. Parents use it frequently when scolding children for poor grades or laziness. It is less 'heavy' than kuputra but still carries a sting of disappointment.
- 2. कपूत (Kapoot)
- The vernacular version of kuputra. You will hear this in songs, proverbs, and rural dialects. It carries the same meaning but feels more 'folksy' and less 'academic'.
- 3. अधम (Adham)
- A very formal/literary word meaning 'vile' or 'lowly'. While not specific to a son, an 'adham putra' would be a son who has committed truly wicked acts.
“वह नलायक दिन भर सोता रहता है।” (That useless fellow sleeps all day.) vs “वह एक कुपुत्र है जिसने अपने माता-पिता को घर से निकाल दिया।” (He is an unworthy son who threw his parents out of the house.)
When comparing these words, think of a scale of intensity. 'Nalayak' is a 4/10, 'Kapoot' is a 7/10, and 'Kuputra' is a 9/10 in terms of moral weight. If you want to describe a son who is simply spoiled, you might use 'laadla-bigda' (spoiled darling). If he is rebellious, you might use 'vidrohi' (rebel).
- Comparison Table
- Kuputra: Formal, moral failure, literary.
- Nalayak: Colloquial, lazy/unworthy, common.
- Kul-kalank: Very extreme, means 'stain on the family lineage'.
Le savais-tu ?
In ancient Indian legal texts like the Manusmriti, the behavior of a 'putra' was strictly defined. A 'kuputra' could legally be deprived of inheritance under certain traditional laws.
Guide de prononciation
- Pronouncing it as 'ku-pu-ta' (missing the 'r').
- Pronouncing the final 'a' too long like 'aa' (kuputraa).
- Over-emphasizing the 'ku' so it sounds like 'koo'.
Exemples par niveau
वह एक कुपुत्र है।
He is a bad son.
Simple subject-complement structure.
पुत्र अच्छा है, कुपुत्र बुरा है।
A son is good, a bad son is bad.
Contrasting adjectives.
क्या वह कुपुत्र है?
Is he a bad son?
Interrogative sentence.
मेरा भाई कुपुत्र नहीं है।
My brother is not a bad son.
Negative sentence with 'nahin'.
कहानी में एक कुपुत्र था।
There was a bad son in the story.
Past tense with 'tha'.
वह कुपुत्र क्यों बना?
Why did he become a bad son?
Using the question word 'kyon'.
कुपुत्र मत बनो।
Don't be a bad son.
Imperative sentence with 'mat'.
यह कुपुत्र की बात है।
This is a matter of a bad son.
Possessive 'ki' linking 'kuputra' and 'baat'.
उस कुपुत्र ने अपने पिता की बात नहीं मानी।
That bad son did not listen to his father.
Use of 'ne' with past transitive verb.
राजा का पुत्र कुपुत्र निकला।
The king's son turned out to be a bad son.
The verb 'nikla' means 'turned out to be'.
गाँव के लोग उसे कुपुत्र कहते थे।
The village people used to call him a bad son.
Habitual past tense 'kehte the'.
कुपुत्र हमेशा दुख देता है।
A bad son always gives pain.
Present simple for general truths.
वह कुपुत्र संपत्ति के लिए लड़ा।
That bad son fought for the property.
Use of 'ke liye' (for).
क्या तुमने उस कुपुत्र की कहानी सुनी है?
Have you heard the story of that bad son?
Present perfect interrogative.
एक कुपुत्र पूरे परिवार का नाम खराब करता है।
One bad son ruins the name of the whole family.
Verb 'kharaab karna' (to ruin).
वह कुपुत्र अपनी माँ को भूल गया।
That bad son forgot his mother.
Compound verb 'bhool gaya'.
समाज में कुपुत्र को कभी सम्मान नहीं मिलता।
A bad son never gets respect in society.
Passive-like structure with 'milta'.
उसने अपने व्यवहार से खुद को कुपुत्र सिद्ध कर दिया।
He proved himself to be a bad son through his behavior.
Reflexive 'khud ko' and 'siddh kar diya'.
कुपुत्रों के कारण माता-पिता को वृद्धाश्रम जाना पड़ता है।
Because of bad sons, parents have to go to old age homes.
Plural oblique 'kuputron' with 'ke kaaran'.
अगर वह कुपुत्र न होता, तो आज घर की हालत बेहतर होती।
If he weren't a bad son, the condition of the house would be better today.
Conditional sentence using 'agar... toh'.
साधु ने कुपुत्र को सही रास्ता दिखाने की कोशिश की।
The sage tried to show the bad son the right path.
Infinitive 'dikhaane ki koshish'.
वह एक कुपुत्र की तरह व्यवहार कर रहा है।
He is behaving like a bad son.
Simile using 'ki tarah'.
कोई भी माँ अपने बच्चे को कुपुत्र नहीं कहना चाहती।
No mother wants to call her child a bad son.
Modal-like 'chaahti' with infinitive.
इतिहास गवाह है कि कुपुत्रों का अंत बुरा होता है।
History is witness that bad sons have a bad end.
Noun clause starting with 'ki'.
उसका कुपुत्र होना उसके माता-पिता के लिए सबसे बड़ा दुर्भाग्य था।
His being a bad son was the greatest misfortune for his parents.
Gerundial use of 'hona'.
लेखक ने नायक के भाई को एक कुपुत्र के रूप में चित्रित किया है।
The author has portrayed the hero's brother as a bad son.
Perfective aspect 'chitrit kiya hai'.
शराब की लत ने उसे एक कुपुत्र बना दिया।
Alcohol addiction turned him into a bad son.
Causative sense with 'bana diya'.
यह विडंबना है कि एक विद्वान का बेटा कुपुत्र निकला।
It is ironic that a scholar's son turned out to be a bad son.
Complex sentence with 'Yeh vidambana hai ki'.
कुपुत्र अपनी जड़ों को भूलकर विनाश की ओर बढ़ता है।
A bad son forgets his roots and moves towards destruction.
Participle 'bhoolkar'.
उसने साबित किया कि वह न केवल एक बुरा इंसान है, बल्कि एक कुपुत्र भी है।
He proved that he is not only a bad person but also a bad son.
Correlative 'na keval... balki... bhi'.
प्राचीन ग्रंथों में कुपुत्र के लक्षणों का विस्तार से वर्णन है।
The characteristics of a bad son are described in detail in ancient texts.
Formal 'vistar se varnan'.
कुपुत्र के कुकर्मों ने परिवार की प्रतिष्ठा को ठेस पहुँचाई।
The bad son's misdeeds hurt the family's reputation.
Possessive 'ke' and the idiom 'thesh pahunchana'.
पितृसत्तात्मक समाज में 'कुपुत्र' की अवधारणा अक्सर आज्ञाकारिता से जुड़ी होती है।
In a patriarchal society, the concept of 'kuputra' is often linked to obedience.
Abstract noun usage 'avadharna'.
वह कुपुत्र तो था ही, साथ ही वह समाज का भी अपराधी बन गया।
Not only was he a bad son, but he also became a criminal against society.
Emphatic 'toh tha hi'.
आधुनिक साहित्य में कुपुत्र के चरित्र को अक्सर सहानुभूति के साथ देखा जाता है।
In modern literature, the character of the bad son is often viewed with sympathy.
Passive voice 'dekha jaata hai'.
उसकी कुपुत्रता ने उसके वृद्ध पिता को मानसिक रूप से तोड़ दिया।
His state of being a bad son broke his elderly father mentally.
Abstract noun 'kuputrata' (bad son-ness).
क्या कोई व्यक्ति वास्तव में कुपुत्र होता है, या परिस्थितियाँ उसे ऐसा बनाती हैं?
Is a person truly a bad son, or do circumstances make him so?
Philosophical interrogative.
धृतराष्ट्र का मोह ही था जिसने दुर्योधन को कुपुत्र बनने का मार्ग प्रशस्त किया।
It was Dhritarashtra's attachment that paved the way for Duryodhana to become a bad son.
Cleft sentence 'He tha jisne'.
कुपुत्र के प्रति माता-पिता का बिना शर्त प्रेम अक्सर एक त्रासदी बन जाता है।
A parents' unconditional love for a bad son often becomes a tragedy.
Complex noun phrase as subject.
नैतिकता की दृष्टि से, कुपुत्र वह है जो कृतज्ञता की भावना खो चुका हो।
From a moral perspective, a bad son is one who has lost the sense of gratitude.
Defining clause 'vah hai jo'.
सांस्कृतिक विमर्श में कुपुत्र का बिंब अक्सर पारंपरिक मूल्यों के ह्रास का प्रतीक माना जाता है।
In cultural discourse, the image of the bad son is often considered a symbol of the erosion of traditional values.
High-register vocabulary: 'vimarsh', 'bimb', 'hraas'.
कुपुत्र की यह परिभाषा समय के साथ बदलती रही है।
This definition of a bad son has been changing over time.
Perfect continuous aspect 'badalti rahi hai'.
महाकाव्यों में कुपुत्र को अक्सर एक दैवीय दंड के रूप में प्रस्तुत किया गया है।
In epics, the bad son is often presented as a divine punishment.
Passive construction 'prastut kiya gaya hai'.
उसकी कुपुत्रता महज एक व्यक्तिगत दोष नहीं, बल्कि एक सामाजिक विफलता थी।
His being an unworthy son was not merely a personal flaw, but a social failure.
Formal negation 'mahaj... nahin, balki'.
लेखक ने कुपुत्र के माध्यम से पीढ़ीगत अंतराल की गहरी खाई को दर्शाया है।
Through the bad son, the author has shown the deep chasm of the generational gap.
Metaphorical usage.
कुपुत्र होना और विद्रोही होना, इन दोनों के बीच की महीन रेखा को समझना आवश्यक है।
It is essential to understand the fine line between being a bad son and being a rebel.
Infinitive as subject 'hona... samajhna aavashyak hai'.
उसकी कुपुत्रता का दंश उसके परिवार को पीढ़ियों तक झेलना पड़ा।
His family had to endure the sting of his unworthiness for generations.
Idiomatic 'dansh jhelna' (endure the sting).
यदि पुत्र कुपुत्र हो जाए, तो संचित धन भी केवल विनाश का साधन बनता है।
If a son becomes unworthy, even accumulated wealth only becomes a means of destruction.
Subjunctive conditional.
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
— Attachment to a bad son (usually by parents).
कुपुत्र का मोह विनाश का कारण बनता है।
Expressions idiomatiques
— Signs of a person's future character are visible in childhood.
उसकी बदमाशी देखकर सब कहते हैं कि पूत कपूत पालने में ही पहचाने जाते हैं।
Folk Wisdom— To bring shame to the family name (often said of a kuputra).
उसने चोरी करके कुल का नाम डुबो दिया।
Common— An insider (often an unworthy son) who causes the downfall of the family.
वह कुपुत्र घर का भेदी निकला जिसने लंका ढा दी।
Literary— To ruin completely (reputation or wealth).
कुपुत्र ने सारी इज्जत मिट्टी में मिला दी।
Colloquial— An eyesore; someone who causes constant irritation or pain.
वह कुपुत्र अपने पिता की आँखों का काँटा बन गया।
Common— Darkness under the lamp (a great man having a bad son).
ज्ञानी पंडित का बेटा कुपुत्र निकला, यह तो चिराग तले अंधेरा है।
Literary— A snake in the grass; a traitor (often used for a son who betrays parents).
वह बेटा तो आस्तीन का साँप निकला।
Common— Adding insult to injury (a bad son causing more trouble in a poor family).
गरीबी में कुपुत्र का होना कोढ़ में खाज जैसा है।
Folk— To stain the family's reputation.
कुपुत्र ने खानदान के नाम को बट्टा लगा दिया।
Formal— A person without principles (often used for a son who switches sides).
वह कुपुत्र थाली का बैंगन है, कभी इधर तो कभी उधर।
ColloquialFamille de mots
Noms
Verbes
Adjectifs
Apparenté
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Think of 'Ku' as 'KO' (Knock Out). A 'Kuputra' knocks out the family's happiness.
Association visuelle
Imagine a dark cloud (Ku) hanging over a young man (Putra) while his parents look sad.
Word Web
Origine du mot
Derived from Sanskrit 'Kuputra'. It is a 'Tatsam' word, meaning it has been taken directly from Sanskrit into Hindi without changes in spelling.
Sens originel : In Sanskrit, 'Ku' is a depreciative prefix and 'Putra' means son. Together they signify a son who lacks the qualities expected of his station.
Indo-Aryan / Indo-European.Summary
Kuputra (कुपुत्र) is a powerful moral label for a son who betrays family values. Use it in formal or literary contexts to describe a serious character flaw. Example: 'उस कुपुत्र ने अपनी माँ का अनादर किया।' (That bad son disrespected his mother.)
- Kuputra means a 'bad son' in Hindi.
- It is a formal, Sanskrit-derived word (Tatsam).
- It implies moral and social failure, not just small mistakes.
- The opposite is 'Suputra', meaning a virtuous son.
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आबाद
B1Habité, prospère ; peuplé et florissant.
आँचल
B1Le pan du sari (symbole de la protection maternelle).
आचरण
B1The way a person behaves; conduct.
आँगन
A2Une cour intérieure non couverte au centre d'une maison. L'aangan est le cœur de la vie domestique indienne.
आंगन
A2La cour intérieure de la maison.
आग्रह करना
B1Prier instamment quelqu'un de faire quelque chose.
आज्ञा
B1Un ordre ou une permission formelle.
आज्ञा का पालन करना
B1Obéir aux ordres ou aux commandements.
आज्ञा मानना
A2Obéir à un ordre ou à une règle. (Il a obéi à son père. / Elle doit obéir aux lois.)
आज्ञा पालन करना
B1Obéir
