पहचान पत्र
A document proving one's identity; an ID card.
पहचान पत्र en 30 secondes
- Pahchan patra is the standard Hindi term for an Identity Card, combining 'identity' and 'document'.
- It is a masculine noun used frequently in government, banking, and travel contexts across India.
- Essential forms include the Aadhaar card, Voter ID, and Passport, all categorized under this term.
- Grammatically, it requires masculine agreement for adjectives and verbs, such as 'mera pahchan patra'.
The Hindi term pahchan patra is a compound noun that serves as the standard translation for 'identity card' or 'identification document'. To understand its depth, one must look at its two constituent parts: pahchan (meaning identity or recognition) and patra (meaning letter, paper, or document). In the modern Indian context, this term is ubiquitous, appearing in every administrative, legal, and social interaction that requires verification of a person's existence and legal status. Whether you are opening a bank account, boarding a domestic flight, or applying for a mobile phone connection, the first question you will likely encounter is about your identity document.
- Etymological Root
- The word patra traces back to Sanskrit, originally referring to a leaf or a page used for writing. Pahchan comes from the Prakrit roots related to recognition. Together, they form a formal register word used by the government and the public alike.
Security Guard: कृपया अपना pahchan patra दिखाएं। (Please show your identity card.)
In daily life, while many urban Indians might use the English loanword 'ID card', the term pahchan patra remains the official designation. It carries a sense of authority. When a government official asks for it, they are not just asking for a piece of plastic; they are asking for your legal standing. The term is inclusive of various types of documents, including the Aadhaar card, Voter ID (Matdaata pahchan patra), and even the Permanent Account Number card in certain contexts. Understanding this word is essential for anyone navigating the bureaucratic landscape of India.
- Common Varieties
- The most famous 'pahchan patra' in India today is the Aadhaar card, followed by the Voter ID. Each serves as a definitive proof of address and identity.
Bank Clerk: खाता खोलने के लिए आपके पास कोई pahchan patra है? (Do you have any identity card to open an account?)
The word is also used in formal literature and news reporting. If a news report mentions an unidentified body or person, they will say 'unke paas koi pahchan patra nahi mila' (no identity document was found with them). This highlights the word's role as a bridge between a person's physical self and their documented legal identity. For a learner, mastering this term is a gateway to understanding how Hindi handles formal compound nouns, where a noun of identity modifies a noun of documentation.
- Grammatical Gender
- Since 'patra' (document) is a masculine noun in Hindi, the entire compound 'pahchan patra' is masculine. This dictates the adjectives and verbs used with it (e.g., 'achha pahchan patra', not 'achhi').
Voter: चुनाव के दिन अपना pahchan patra ले जाना न भूलें। (Do not forget to take your identity card on election day.)
Police: क्या मैं आपका pahchan patra देख सकता हूँ? (Can I see your identity card?)
Using pahchan patra correctly involves understanding its role as a masculine singular or plural noun. In most cases, it is used with the possessive pronouns like mera (my), aapka (your), or unka (their). Because it is a formal term, it is frequently paired with imperative verbs like dikhaiye (please show) or jamā kijiye (please submit). In this section, we will explore the syntactic structures where this word thrives.
- Possession and Existence
- To say 'I have an ID card', you use the construction: 'Mere paas pahchan patra hai'. Note that 'paas' indicates physical possession. If you want to say 'This is my ID card', you say 'Yeh mera pahchan patra hai'.
Student: कॉलेज में प्रवेश के लिए pahchan patra अनिवार्य है। (Identity card is mandatory for entry into the college.)
When referring to the act of losing or finding the card, the verb gender must match the noun. For instance, 'Mera pahchan patra kho gaya' (My identity card is lost). Here, 'kho gaya' is the masculine singular form. If you were talking about multiple cards, you would say 'Mere pahchan patra kho gaye'. This consistency is key for CEFR A2 learners who are beginning to master noun-verb agreement in Hindi.
- Action Verbs
- Common verbs used with this noun include dikhana (to show), maangna (to ask for/demand), banwana (to get made), and kho dena (to lose).
Citizen: मैंने अपना नया pahchan patra बनवाने के लिए आवेदन किया है। (I have applied to get my new identity card made.)
In complex sentences, pahchan patra often acts as the object of a postposition. For example, 'Pahchan patra ke bina' (Without an identity card). When a postposition like 'ke' follows, the noun remains 'pahchan patra' because 'patra' is already in its direct form, which is identical to the oblique form for many masculine nouns ending in a consonant. However, if using the plural oblique, it would be 'pahchan patron'.
Officer: क्या आपके pahchan patra पर आपकी फोटो साफ है? (Is your photo clear on your identity card?)
Furthermore, the term is often used with modifiers like 'jaali' (fake) or 'asli' (real). A common sentence in crime dramas might be 'Uske paas ek jaali pahchan patra tha' (He had a fake identity card). This demonstrates how the word fits into descriptive contexts beyond simple administrative use. By practicing these variations, learners can move from simple identification to describing the quality and status of the document.
- Formal Requests
- In formal writing, such as an email to a HR department, you might write: 'Kripya mera pahchan patra jaari karein' (Please issue my identity card).
Traveler: हवाई अड्डे पर सुरक्षा के लिए pahchan patra दिखाना पड़ता है। (One has to show an identity card for security at the airport.)
If you are traveling in India, you will hear pahchan patra in a variety of high-stakes and mundane environments. The most common place is likely the airport or railway station. Even with the rise of digital IDs, the verbal request for a physical or digital 'pahchan patra' remains constant. Security personnel at the entrance of major monuments like the Taj Mahal or the Red Fort will often ask foreign and domestic tourists for their identification to verify ticket pricing or for security clearance.
- Government Offices (Sarkari Daftar)
- In any government office, the 'pahchan patra' is the holy grail. Whether you are applying for a ration card, a gas connection, or a driving license, the clerk will repeatedly use this term. It is the baseline for all bureaucratic processes.
Receptionist: होटल में चेक-इन करने के लिए pahchan patra की फोटोकॉपी चाहिए। (A photocopy of the identity card is required for check-in at the hotel.)
Another significant venue is during elections. India's election process is massive, and the 'Voter ID' is formally called the 'Matdaata Pahchan Patra'. During election season, news broadcasts and radio announcements will incessantly remind citizens to carry their 'pahchan patra' to the polling booth. This has ingrained the word in the collective consciousness of the Hindi-speaking population as a symbol of democratic participation.
- Banking and Finance
- Banks are strictly regulated in India regarding 'Know Your Customer' (KYC) norms. You will hear bank managers say, 'Aapka KYC ke liye pahchan patra aur pate ka pramaan chahiye' (We need your identity card and proof of address for KYC).
Police at Checkpoint: गाड़ी के कागज़ और अपना pahchan patra निकालिए। (Take out the car papers and your identity card.)
In educational institutions, students are often reminded to carry their 'pahchan patra' during examinations. If a student forgets it, the invigilator might say, 'Bina pahchan patra ke pariksha mein baithne ki anumati nahi hai' (Permission to sit in the exam without an identity card is not granted). This context makes the word associated with rules, permission, and access.
Exam Invigilator: सब छात्र अपना pahchan patra मेज़ पर रखें। (All students should keep their identity cards on the table.)
One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with pahchan patra is confusing its gender. Many Hindi learners assume that because 'pahchan' (identity) is a feminine noun, the entire compound should be feminine. This leads to errors like saying 'Meri pahchan patra' instead of the correct 'Mera pahchan patra'. In Hindi compound nouns, the gender is almost always determined by the final noun in the compound. Since 'patra' is masculine, the whole phrase is masculine.
- Gender Mismatch
- Incorrect: 'Pahchan patra kho gayi' (The ID card is lost - feminine). Correct: 'Pahchan patra kho gaya' (Masculine).
Mistake: यह pahchan patra बहुत पुरानी है। (This ID card is very old - feminine error.)
Another common error is the confusion between 'pahchan patra' and 'parichay patra'. While both are often translated as 'identity card', they have slightly different nuances. 'Parichay patra' is more literally an 'introduction card'. In some schools or private clubs, 'parichay patra' might be used, but for government and legal purposes, 'pahchan patra' is the standard. Using 'parichay patra' at a police checkpoint might sound slightly odd, though it would be understood.
- Word Choice Confusion
- Do not confuse 'Pahchan patra' with 'Pramaan patra'. 'Pramaan patra' means a certificate (like a degree or a birth certificate), whereas 'Pahchan patra' is specifically for identity.
Mistake: मेरे पास जन्म का pahchan patra है। (I have a birth identity card - Incorrect usage for birth certificate.)
Learners also struggle with the plural form. In casual speech, people often say 'pahchan patra' for both singular and plural. However, in formal contexts or when using postpositions, one should be careful. For example, 'In pahchan patron ki jaanch kijiye' (Verify these identity cards). Forgetting to use the oblique plural 'patron' when a postposition is present is a common B1-level mistake that A2 learners can get ahead of.
Mistake: क्या आपके पास pahchan patraों है? (Incorrect pluralization without postposition.)
Lastly, some learners try to translate 'ID card' literally as 'ID card' even in formal Hindi writing. While 'ID card' is acceptable in spoken Hinglish, in a formal Hindi exam or document, 'pahchan patra' is the only correct choice. Relying too heavily on the English equivalent can hinder the development of a professional Hindi vocabulary.
- Register Awareness
- Using 'ID card' in a formal Hindi essay is considered a lack of vocabulary. Always prefer 'pahchan patra' in written Hindi.
Correct: सरकारी काम के लिए pahchan patra ज़रूरी है। (Identity card is necessary for government work.)
To truly master pahchan patra, it is helpful to understand the constellation of related terms that might be used in its place or alongside it. Depending on the level of formality and the specific region of India, you might encounter several synonyms. The most direct formal synonym is shinaakhti card (often used in police or legal Urdu-influenced Hindi), though this is becoming less common than the standard Hindi term.
- Parichay Patra vs. Pahchan Patra
- Parichay Patra (Introduction Card) is often used for non-governmental identification, such as an employee ID in a private company or a student ID in a school. Pahchan Patra is the broader, more authoritative term used by the state.
HR Manager: यहाँ आपका नया parichay patra है। (Here is your new identity/intro card.)
In the digital age, the word aadhaar has almost become a metonym for identity card in India. People might say 'Apna Aadhaar dikhaiye' instead of 'Apna pahchan patra dikhaiye', simply because the Aadhaar card is the most ubiquitous form of ID. However, 'pahchan patra' remains the category name. Similarly, shinaakht is a noun meaning 'identification' (the act), whereas 'pahchan patra' is the document itself.
- Other Related Terms
- 1. Dastaavez (Document - general term)
2. Pramaan-patra (Certificate)
3. Anumati-patra (Permit/Authorization letter)
4. Shinaakhti-patra (Identity document - formal/Urdu register)
Lawyer: अदालत में shinaakhti-patra पेश करना होगा। (The identity document will have to be presented in court.)
Finally, when talking about proof of identity in a more abstract way, one might use pahchan ka pramaan (proof of identity). This is often used on checklists for applications. For example, 'Pahchan ka pramaan: Voter ID, Passport, ya Aadhaar card'. Here, 'pahchan patra' is the specific item, while 'pahchan ka pramaan' is the requirement. Understanding these nuances helps a learner choose the right word for the right situation, moving from basic communication to nuanced expression.
Application Form: pahchan ka pramaan संलग्न करें। (Attach proof of identity.)
Guide de prononciation
- Swallowing the 'h' in 'pahchan' making it sound like 'pachan'.
- Pronouncing 'patra' as 'pat-ra' with an English 't' instead of a soft Hindi dental 't'.
- Nasa
Exemples par niveau
यह मेरा पहचान पत्र है।
This is my identity card.
Simple 'This is...' structure.
पहचान पत्र कहाँ है?
Where is the identity card?
Question word 'kahan' (where).
मेरा पहचान पत्र छोटा है।
My identity card is small.
Adjective 'chhota' matches masculine 'patra'.
वह पहचान पत्र है।
That is an identity card.
Demonstrative pronoun 'vah' (that).
एक पहचान पत्र दीजिए।
Give one identity card.
Imperative 'dijiye' (give).
आपका पहचान पत्र नया है।
Your identity card is new.
Adjective 'naya' (new).
यहाँ पहचान पत्र रखिए।
Keep the identity card here.
Adverb 'yahan' (here).
पहचान पत्र ज़रूरी है।
Identity card is necessary.
Adjective 'zaroori' (necessary).
क्या आपके पास पहचान पत्र है?
Do you have an identity card?
Possessive 'ke paas' construction.
कृपया अपना पहचान पत्र दिखाइए।
Please show your identity card.
Polite imperative 'dikhaiye'.
मेरा पहचान पत्र बैग में है।
My identity card is in the bag.
Postposition 'mein' (in).
मुझे अपना पहचान पत्र नहीं मिल रहा।
I am not able to find my identity card.
Continuous aspect with 'mil raha'.
क्या यह आपका पहचान पत्र है?
Is this your identity card?
Interrogative sentence.
होटल के लिए पहचान पत्र चाहिए।
Identity card is needed for the hotel.
Use of 'chahie' (need/want).
अपना पहचान पत्र घर पर मत छोड़ो।
Don't leave your identity card at home.
Negative imperative 'mat chhodo'.
वह अपना पहचान पत्र भूल गया।
He forgot his identity card.
Past tense 'bhool gaya'.
बिना पहचान पत्र के आप अंदर नहीं जा सकते।
You cannot go inside without an identity card.
Compound postposition 'ke bina'.
आपको अपना पहचान पत्र फिर से बनवाना होगा।
You will have to get your identity card made again.
Causative verb 'banwana' and future obligation.
क्या पहचान पत्र की फोटोकॉपी चलेगी?
Will a photocopy of the identity card work?
Use of 'chalegi' meaning 'to suffice'.
मैंने अपना पहचान पत्र बैंक में जमा कर दिया है।
I have submitted my identity card in the bank.
Present perfect tense.
पहचान पत्र पर मेरा पता गलत लिखा है।
My address is written incorrectly on the identity card.
Passive-like state with 'likha hai'.
पुलिस ने मुझसे पहचान पत्र माँगा।
The police asked me for an identity card.
Past tense with 'ne' and 'maanga'.
नया पहचान पत्र आने में दस दिन लगेंगे।
It will take ten days for the new identity card to arrive.
Use of 'lagna' for time duration.
क्या आपके पहचान पत्र की समय-सीमा समाप्त हो गई है?
Has the validity of your identity card expired?
Compound noun 'samay-seema'.
पहचान पत्र खो जाने पर तुरंत पुलिस में रिपोर्ट करें।
Report to the police immediately if the identity card is lost.
Conditional phrase 'kho jane par'.
सरकारी योजनाओं का लाभ उठाने के लिए पहचान पत्र अनिवार्य है।
Identity card is mandatory to avail the benefits of government schemes.
Formal vocabulary like 'yojna' and 'anivarya'.
उसने जाली पहचान पत्र का उपयोग करके बैंक खाता खोला।
He opened a bank account using a fake identity card.
Use of 'jaali' (fake) and 'upayog' (use).
पहचान पत्र में सुधार के लिए आपको ऑनलाइन आवेदन करना होगा।
You will have to apply online for a correction in the identity card.
Future obligation 'karna hoga'.
सुरक्षा कारणों से, हर कर्मचारी को पहचान पत्र पहनना चाहिए।
For security reasons, every employee should wear an identity card.
Reasoning phrase 'suraksha kaarno se'.
क्या आपके पास पहचान पत्र के अलावा कोई और दस्तावेज़ है?
Do you have any other document besides the identity card?
Postposition 'ke alawa' (besides).
डिजिटल पहचान पत्र अब हर जगह मान्य है।
Digital identity cards are now valid everywhere.
Adjective 'maanya' (valid).
पहचान पत्र की गोपनीयता बनाए रखना महत्वपूर्ण है।
It is important to maintain the confidentiality of the identity card.
Abstract noun 'gopniyata' (confidentiality).
पहचान पत्र की प्रामाणिकता की जाँच मशीन द्वारा की जाती है।
The authenticity of the identity card is verified by a machine.
Passive voice 'ki jaati hai'.
बिना किसी वैध पहचान पत्र के सीमा पार करना अवैध है।
Crossing the border without any valid identity card is illegal.
Formal adjectives 'vaidh' and 'avaidh'.
पहचान पत्र में दर्ज जानकारी का मिलान सरकारी रिकॉर्ड से किया गया।
The information recorded in the identity card was matched with government records.
Complex participle 'darj' (recorded).
आजकल पहचान पत्र का डिजिटलीकरण तेज़ी से हो रहा है।
Nowadays, the digitalization of identity cards is happening rapidly.
Noun 'digitलीकरण' (digitalization).
पहचान पत्र न होने के कारण उसे हवाई अड्डे पर रोक लिया गया।
He was detained at the airport due to not having an identity card.
Reasoning structure 'ke kaaran'.
मतदाता पहचान पत्र लोकतांत्रिक प्रक्रिया का एक अभिन्न अंग है।
The Voter ID card is an integral part of the democratic process.
High-level phrase 'abhinn ang'.
पहचान पत्र के दुरुपयोग को रोकने के लिए सख्त कानून हैं।
There are strict laws to prevent the misuse of identity cards.
Noun 'durupyog' (misuse).
उसने अपने पहचान पत्र में जन्मतिथि बदलवाने के लिए हलफनामा दिया।
He submitted an affidavit to change the date of birth in his identity card.
Legal term 'halafnama'.
पहचान पत्र मात्र एक दस्तावेज़ नहीं, बल्कि नागरिकता का प्रतीक है।
An identity card is not just a document, but a symbol of citizenship.
Correlative conjunction 'na sirf... balki'.
पहचान पत्र की अनिवार्यता पर समाज में व्यापक बहस छिड़ी हुई है।
A widespread debate is raging in society regarding the mandatory nature of identity cards.
Abstract noun 'anivaryata' (mandatoriness).
तकनीकी युग में, बायोमेट्रिक पहचान पत्र सुरक्षा का नया मानक बन गए हैं।
In the technological era, biometric identity cards have become the new standard of security.
Plural agreement 'ban gaye hain'.
पहचान पत्र के अभाव में मानवीय सहायता पहुँचाना चुनौतीपूर्ण हो सकता है।
In the absence of identity cards, delivering humanitarian aid can be challenging.
Formal phrase 'ke abhaav mein'.
प्रशासन ने सभी विस्थापितों को अस्थायी पहचान पत्र जारी करने का निर्णय लिया है।
The administration has decided to issue temporary identity cards to all displaced persons.
Compound verb 'jaari karne ka nirnay'.
पहचान पत्र की जालसाजी करने वालों के खिलाफ कठोर दंडात्मक कार्रवाई की जाएगी।
Strict punitive action will be taken against those who forge identity cards.
Future passive 'ki jayegi'.
क्या पहचान पत्र की सार्वभौमिक स्वीकार्यता निजता के अधिकार का हनन है?
Is the universal acceptability of identity cards an infringement on the right to privacy?
Complex philosophical question.
पहचान पत्र के माध्यम से सरकार नागरिकों तक सीधे सुविधाएँ पहुँचाती है।
The government delivers facilities directly to citizens through identity cards.
Instrumental phrase 'ke maadhyam se'.
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
पहचान पत्र साथ रखें
पहचान पत्र की जाँच
पहचान पत्र माँगा जाना
पहचान पत्र जमा करना
पहचान पत्र की वैधता
पहचान पत्र का नवीनीकरण
पहचान पत्र में सुधार
अस्थायी पहचान पत्र
डिजिटल पहचान पत्र
पहचान पत्र खो जाने की सूचना
Expressions idiomatiques
"पहचान बनाना"
To make a name for oneself; to establish one's identity.
Usne shehar mein apni ek alag pahchan banayi.
Neutral"पहचान छुपाना"
To hide one's identity.
अपराधी अपनी पहचान छुपा रहा था।
Neutral"कागज़ों में होना"
To exist only on paper (often used when discussing documentation).
Uska naam sirf kagzon mein hai.
Informal"नाम का होना"
To be only for the name; not having real value (sometimes used for weak IDs).
Yeh pahchan patra sirf naam ka hai.
Informal"चेहरा ही पहचान है"
One's face is their identity (used when someone is very famous).
Amitabh Bachchan ke liye kisi pahchan patra ki zaroorat nahi, unka chehra hi pahchan hai.
Colloquial"पते का होना"
To be authentic or reliable (literally 'of the address').
Yeh koi pate ka pahchan patra nahi lagta.
Slang/Colloquial"पहचान खो देना"
To lose one's identity or roots.
Videsh ja kar usne apni pahchan kho di.
Literary"कागज़ बोलना"
When documents speak for themselves (proof is undeniable).
Jab pahchan patra sahi ho, toh kagaz bolte hain.
Colloquial"पहचान का संकट"
Identity crisis.
Aajkal ki peedhi pahchan ke sankat se guzar rahi hai.
Academic"निशानदेही करना"
To identify or point out (often used in police contexts).
Gawah ne apradhi ki nishandehi ki.
FormalSummary
The term <strong>pahchan patra</strong> is your most important vocabulary word for navigating official India. For example: 'Kripya apna pahchan patra dikhaiye' (Please show your ID card) is a phrase you will hear at every security checkpoint.
- Pahchan patra is the standard Hindi term for an Identity Card, combining 'identity' and 'document'.
- It is a masculine noun used frequently in government, banking, and travel contexts across India.
- Essential forms include the Aadhaar card, Voter ID, and Passport, all categorized under this term.
- Grammatically, it requires masculine agreement for adjectives and verbs, such as 'mera pahchan patra'.
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B1Exprimer sa gratitude ou ses remerciements.
आचरण करना
C1Se comporter ; agir d'une manière particulière.
आगे
A1Forward; ahead.
आगे बढ़ना
A2Avancer ou progresser.
आगामी
B1Prochain, à venir. Se dit d'un événement qui doit avoir lieu bientôt.
आह्वान करना
B1To call, to summon, to request someone's presence.
आज रात
A2Ce soir; la nuit du jour présent.
आजमाना
A2Tester ou essayer quelque chose pour vérifier sa qualité. 'J'ai testé cette nouvelle voiture.' (मैंने यह नई कार आजमाई।)
आक्रमण करना
B2Commencer des opérations militaires contre un pays ou un groupe.
आखिरी
A2Dernier, final. 'C'est le dernier bus' se traduit par 'Yeh aakhiri bus hai'. 'La dernière fois' est 'Aakhiri baar'.