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A2 noun #1,500 le plus courant 9 min de lecture

सड़क

sadak Top 1,500

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces सड़क en 30 secondes

Explication सड़क in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'सड़क' (saṛak) is introduced as a basic noun meaning 'road'. Students learn that it is a feminine noun. The focus is on simple sentences like 'This is a road' (Yeh saṛak hai) or 'The road is long' (Saṛak lambī hai). At this stage, learners should simply memorize the gender and the basic meaning. They learn to use it with basic postpositions like 'par' (on). For example, 'I am on the road' (Main saṛak par hoon). The goal is to recognize the word in everyday contexts like looking at a map or walking outside. There is no need for complex grammar, just identifying the object and its gender correctly.

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At the A2 level, learners begin to describe the road using more adjectives and verbs. They learn that because 'saṛak' is feminine, adjectives like 'baṛī' (big), 'sāf' (clean), and 'kharāb' (bad) must agree with it. They also start using the plural form 'saṛkeñ'. For example, 'The roads of this city are clean' (Is shahar kī saṛkeñ sāf haiñ). They learn common daily phrases like 'saṛak pār karnā' (to cross the road) and 'saṛak ke kināre' (by the roadside). This level focuses on functional use, such as asking for directions or describing a journey. Understanding the oblique case (saṛak par, saṛkoñ par) becomes important here.

At the B1 level, the learner uses 'सड़क' in more varied and slightly abstract contexts. They might discuss infrastructure, traffic, or safety. Sentences become more complex: 'Because of the rain, the road was closed' (Bārish kī vajah se saṛak band thī). They begin to distinguish between 'saṛak' and its synonyms like 'rāstā' or 'mārg'. They can understand news reports about road construction or accidents. They also start to encounter common idioms like 'saṛak par ānā' (to be ruined/come to the street). The focus shifts from simple description to discussing situations involving roads.

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At the B2 level, 'सड़क' is used in socio-political and economic discussions. A learner might talk about the 'saṛak sampark' (road connectivity) in rural areas or the impact of 'saṛak nirmāṇ' (road construction) on the environment. They are comfortable with the formal register, using 'mārg' and 'rājmārg' appropriately. They can write essays or give presentations about urban planning or transport systems. Their use of the word is nuanced, and they rarely make gender mistakes. They can also interpret literary uses where the road symbolizes a life path or a social struggle.

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At the C1 level, the speaker uses 'सड़क' with full idiomatic and metaphorical fluency. They understand the subtle difference between 'saṛak', 'rāh', 'ḍagar', and 'path' in poetry and high literature. They can engage in deep discussions about the 'culture of the road' in India, including street food, protests, and public life. They use phrases like 'saṛak se sansad tak' to describe political movements. Their vocabulary includes technical terms related to civil engineering and law involving roads. They can appreciate the wordplay in Hindi cinema and literature where 'saṛak' is a central motif.

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At the C2 level, the mastery of 'सड़क' is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker. The user can navigate all registers—from the slang of 'saṛak chhāp' to the highly Sanskritized 'rājmārg pariyojanā'. They can analyze the etymology of the word and its historical development in the Hindi-Urdu continuum. They can write professional reports, poetic verses, or legal documents involving the term with absolute precision. They understand the philosophical implications of 'the road' in Indian philosophy and modern social theory, using the word as a gateway to broader cultural and intellectual themes.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

सड़क en 30 secondes

A feminine noun meaning 'road' or 'street'.
Essential for directions and daily travel conversations.
Changes to 'saṛkeñ' in plural and 'saṛkoñ' with postpositions.
Distinct from 'rāstā' (way/path) which is masculine.

The Hindi word सड़क (saṛak) is a fundamental noun that every Hindi learner must master early in their journey. At its most basic level, it translates to 'road' or 'street'. However, its usage goes far beyond just asphalt and concrete. In the Hindi-speaking world, a saṛak represents the lifeline of connectivity, whether it is a bustling city thoroughfare or a quiet village path. Understanding this word is essential because it is a feminine noun, which dictates how adjectives and verbs interact with it. For instance, you would say 'lambī saṛak' (long road) rather than 'lambā', because of its feminine gender. This distinction is one of the most common hurdles for English speakers who are used to gender-neutral objects.

Physical Description: In a literal sense, saṛak refers to a paved way for vehicles and pedestrians. It covers everything from a 'pakkī saṛak' (tarred/paved road) to a 'kacchī saṛak' (unpaved/dirt road).
Social Context: The road in India is a place of immense social activity. It is not just for transport; it is where markets thrive, festivals are celebrated, and daily life unfolds. When someone says they are 'on the road' (saṛak par), they might be commuting, shopping, or simply observing the chaos and beauty of Indian life.

यह सड़क बहुत चौड़ी और साफ है। (This road is very wide and clean.)

When using this word, native speakers often pair it with specific verbs like 'banānā' (to build), 'pār karnā' (to cross), or 'nāpnā' (to measure/wander). Interestingly, the word carries a certain weight in metaphors as well. To be 'on the road' (saṛak par honā) can sometimes imply homelessness or being out in the public eye, depending on the context. In urban planning discussions, you will hear 'saṛak durghaṭnā' (road accident) or 'saṛak surakshā' (road safety) frequently in the news.

गाड़ियाँ सड़क के किनारे खड़ी हैं। (The cars are parked at the side of the road.)

Furthermore, the concept of a saṛak is distinct from a 'rastā' (path/way). While 'rastā' can be abstract (the way to success), saṛak is almost always concrete and physical. You wouldn't usually say 'the road to my heart' using saṛak; you would use 'rastā'. This nuance helps learners sound more natural. In literature and songs, saṛak often represents the journey of life, the loneliness of a traveler, or the connection between distant lovers.

Metaphorical Use: Sometimes used to describe someone's social standing. 'Saṛak chhāp' is a derogatory term for someone who hangs around the streets or lacks manners.

रात के समय सड़क सुनसान हो जाती है। (At night, the road becomes deserted.)

Using सड़क (saṛak) correctly requires a basic understanding of Hindi postpositions. Since it is a feminine noun, it behaves predictably in the oblique case (when followed by a postposition like par, se, or ko). For example, 'on the road' is 'saṛak par'. Unlike masculine nouns ending in 'ā' (like laṛkā which becomes laṛke), saṛak remains saṛak in the singular oblique case.

Subjective Case: When the road is the subject: 'Saṛak lambī hai' (The road is long). Notice the 'ī' ending on the adjective.
Oblique Case: When followed by a postposition: 'Saṛak par mat khelo' (Don't play on the road).

क्या यह सड़क दिल्ली जाती है? (Does this road go to Delhi?)

In plural forms, saṛak becomes saṛkeñ (nominative plural) and saṛkoñ (oblique plural). For example, 'The roads of this city are bad' would be 'Is shahar kī saṛkeñ kharāb haiñ'. If you want to say 'On the roads', you would say 'Saṛkoñ par'. Pay attention to the nasalization at the end of these words, as it is a key marker of the feminine plural in Hindi.

गाँव की सड़कें बारिश में खराब हो जाती हैं। (Village roads get ruined in the rain.)

Sentence complexity can be increased by adding descriptors. You can talk about a 'bhīṛ-bhāṛ vālī saṛak' (a crowded road) or a 'sun-sān saṛak' (a deserted road). Verbs associated with motion are most common: 'saṛak par dauṛnā' (to run on the road), 'saṛak par gāṛī chalānā' (to drive a car on the road). In formal writing, such as news reports, you might encounter 'saṛak parivahan' (road transport) or 'saṛak nirmāṇ' (road construction).

Common Verb Pairings: Pār karnā (to cross), Marammat karnā (to repair), Khodnā (to dig).

सावधानी से सड़क पार करो। (Cross the road carefully.)

In daily life in India, Nepal, and other Hindi-speaking regions, सड़क (saṛak) is omnipresent. You will hear it most frequently when asking for or giving directions. If you are in an auto-rickshaw or a taxi, the driver might say, 'Saṛak band hai' (The road is closed) or 'Saṛak par bahut traffic hai' (There is a lot of traffic on the road). It is the default term for any paved street.

Public Announcements: On the radio or news, you'll hear traffic updates: 'Noida-Delhi saṛak par jām hai' (There is a jam on the Noida-Delhi road).
Daily Conversations: People complaining about infrastructure: 'Hamāre ghar kī saṛak bahut kharāb hai' (The road near our house is very bad).

अगली सड़क से बाएँ मुड़ जाना। (Turn left from the next road.)

In Bollywood movies and Hindi songs, the saṛak is a romanticized or gritty setting. There are entire movies titled 'Sadak'. It symbolizes the journey of the protagonist. You might hear it in lyrics like 'Is saṛak par akelā hoon' (I am alone on this road), signifying emotional isolation. In political discourse, 'saṛak se sansad tak' (from the road to the parliament) is a common phrase used to describe a grassroots protest moving to the highest legislative body.

सरकार सड़क चौड़ी करने का काम कर रही है। (The government is working on widening the road.)

News headlines often use saṛak for reporting accidents or infrastructure projects. For example, 'Naye saṛak kānūn' (New road laws) or 'Saṛak hādsā' (Road accident). Even in schools, children learn about 'saṛak surakshā ke niyam' (rules of road safety). It is a word that transcends social classes—everyone from a street vendor to a high-ranking official uses it daily. In markets, you'll hear 'saṛak kināre' to refer to stalls located on the pavement.

News Jargon: Saṛak sampark (road connectivity), Saṛak jāla (road network).

आज सड़क पर बहुत कम गाड़ियाँ हैं। (There are very few cars on the road today.)

The most frequent mistake learners make with सड़क (saṛak) is getting its gender wrong. Many English speakers assume that inanimate objects like roads are masculine or neutral. In Hindi, saṛak is strictly feminine. This affects every adjective, possessive pronoun, and verb that relates to it. If you say 'merā saṛak' (my road) or 'saṛak baṛā hai' (the road is big), a native speaker will understand you, but it will sound distinctly incorrect. The correct forms are 'merī saṛak' and 'saṛak baṛī hai'.

Gender Mismatch: Mistake: 'Yeh saṛak achā hai.' Correct: 'Yeh saṛak achī hai.' (This road is good.)
Confusion with 'Rasta': Mistake: Using 'saṛak' for an abstract 'path' or 'way'. Correct: Use 'rastā' (masculine) for 'the way to success' or 'the way home'.

गलत: वह सड़क बहुत लंबा है। सही: वह सड़क बहुत लंबी है।

Another common error involves the pluralization. Learners often forget the nasalization in 'saṛkeñ'. Without the 'ñ' sound at the end, it sounds like 'saṛke', which is the oblique singular form of a masculine noun, further confusing the listener. Also, when using postpositions, remember that 'saṛkeñ' becomes 'saṛkoñ'. For example, 'saṛkoñ par' (on the roads), not 'saṛkeñ par'.

गलत: इन सड़कें पर जॉम है। सही: इन सड़कों पर जॉम है।

Finally, don't confuse saṛak with 'galī'. A 'galī' is a narrow lane or alley, usually found in residential areas or old cities. Calling a main highway a 'galī' would be a significant lexical error. Conversely, calling a tiny alley a saṛak might sound overly formal or simply wrong. Always consider the width and importance of the path you are describing.

Scale Confusion: Mistake: Calling a 4-lane highway a 'galī'. Calling a tiny foot-path a 'saṛak'.

सावधान: सड़क पार करते समय फ़ोन का उपयोग न करें। (Warning: Do not use phone while crossing the road.)

While सड़क (saṛak) is the most common word for road, Hindi offers a rich palette of synonyms depending on the register (formal vs. informal) and the physical nature of the path. Understanding these alternatives will make your Hindi sound more sophisticated and precise.

रास्ता (Rāstā): The most common alternative. It means 'way' or 'path'. It is masculine. Use it for directions: 'Ghar kā rāstā' (the way home). It can be abstract: 'Safaltā kā rāstā' (the path to success).
मार्ग (Mārg): A formal, Sanskrit-derived word. You'll see this on road signs (e.g., 'Shanti Marg'). It is masculine. It is used in official contexts or high literature.
राह (Rāh): A poetic, Urdu-influenced word. Feminine. Common in songs and poetry. 'Rāh dekhnā' means to wait for someone (literally 'to look at the path').

अनेक मार्ग एक ही मंज़िल की ओर जाते हैं। (Many paths lead to the same destination.)

For smaller or more specific paths, you might use 'galī' (street/alley) or 'pagaḍaṇḍī' (a narrow foot-track in a field). If you are talking about a major highway, the word 'rājmārg' (King's path/Highway) is used. In modern urban Hindi, people often just use the English word 'road' (रोड), especially in cities like Mumbai or Delhi, but saṛak remains the soul of the language.

शहर की तंग गलियों में कार ले जाना मुश्किल है। (It is difficult to take a car into the narrow lanes of the city.)

When choosing between these words, consider your audience. In a government office, use 'mārg'. While writing a love letter or a poem, 'rāh' or 'ḍagar' (another poetic word) might be better. In a casual conversation about traffic, saṛak or 'road' is perfect. Understanding these nuances helps you navigate not just the physical roads of India, but the social and linguistic ones as well.

Specialized Terms: Path (pathway/trail), Vīthī (avenue/aisle), Mahāmārg (Expressway).

यह सड़क सीधे स्टेशन की तरफ जाती है। (This road goes straight towards the station.)

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

Before the British era, most 'saṛaks' were dirt paths. The term 'Pakkī Saṛak' became popular after the introduction of Macadamized (paved) roads in India.

Guide de prononciation

UK /sə.ɽək/

US /sə.ɽək/

The stress is equal on both syllables, though slightly more emphasis may fall on the first syllable in casual speech.

Rime avec

कड़क (kaṛak) भड़क (bhaṛak) धड़क (dhaṛak) तड़क (taṛak) मड़क (maṛak) लड़क (laṛak) झड़क (jhaṛak) पड़क (paṛak)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing 'ṛ' as a normal 'd' (sadak).
Pronouncing 'ṛ' as a normal English 'r' (sarak).
Missing the 'a' sound in the second syllable, making it 'sark'.
Over-nasalizing the first syllable.
Not curling the tongue back enough for the retroflex sound.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to read, common characters.

Écriture 3/5

The retroflex 'ḍ' with a dot (ड़) requires practice.

Expression orale 4/5

The flap 'ṛ' is difficult for English natives.

Écoute 2/5

Very common word, easy to recognize.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

यह है पर बड़ा साफ

Apprends ensuite

रास्ता गाड़ी ट्रैफिक मोड़ शहर

Avancé

परिवहन बुनियादी ढांचा राजमार्ग अतिक्रमण

Grammaire à connaître

Feminine Noun Agreement

Adjectives must end in 'ī' (e.g., lambī saṛak).

Oblique Case Singular

Saṛak remains saṛak before postpositions (e.g., saṛak par).

Nominative Plural

Ends in 'eñ' (e.g., saṛkeñ).

Oblique Case Plural

Ends in 'oñ' (e.g., saṛkoñ se).

Compound Postpositions

Use 'ke' before words like 'kināre' (e.g., saṛak ke kināre).

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Exemples par niveau

यह सड़क है।

This is a road.

'Saṛak' is the subject.

सड़क लंबी है।

The road is long.

Adjective 'lambī' is feminine.

मैं सड़क पर हूँ।

I am on the road.

'Par' is a postposition.

सड़क कहाँ है?

Where is the road?

Interrogative sentence.

यह सड़क साफ है।

This road is clean.

Feminine agreement.

सड़क पर मत खेलो।

Don't play on the road.

Imperative negative.

वह एक छोटी सड़क है।

That is a small road.

'Chhoṭī' is feminine.

सड़क काली है।

The road is black.

Color adjective agreement.

गाड़ियाँ सड़क पर चल रही हैं।

Cars are moving on the road.

Present continuous tense.

सड़क के किनारे पेड़ हैं।

There are trees by the side of the road.

'Ke kināre' is a compound postposition.

हमें सड़क पार करनी चाहिए।

We should cross the road.

Use of 'chāhiye' (should).

इस शहर की सड़कें बहुत चौड़ी हैं।

The roads of this city are very wide.

Plural feminine 'saṛkeñ'.

क्या यह सड़क स्टेशन जाती है?

Does this road go to the station?

Present simple question.

सड़क पर बहुत भीड़ है।

There is a lot of crowd on the road.

Noun 'bhīṛ' is feminine.

सावधानी से सड़क पर चलो।

Walk carefully on the road.

Adverbial usage.

पुरानी सड़क टूट गई है।

The old road is broken.

Past tense 'ṭūṭ gaī'.

बारिश के कारण सड़क पर पानी भर गया है।

Due to rain, the road is flooded with water.

'Ke kāran' (due to).

सरकार नई सड़क बना रही है।

The government is building a new road.

Transitive verb 'banānā'.

सड़क दुर्घटनाओं को रोकने के लिए नियम ज़रूरी हैं।

Rules are necessary to prevent road accidents.

Purpose clause with 'ke liye'.

यह सड़क गाँव को शहर से जोड़ती है।

This road connects the village to the city.

Verb 'joṛnā' (to connect).

रात में सड़क पर रोशनी कम होती है।

At night, there is less light on the road.

Locative case.

उसने पूरी सड़क पैदल ही पार की।

He crossed the entire road on foot.

Perfective aspect.

सड़क के बीच में खड़ा होना खतरनाक है।

Standing in the middle of the road is dangerous.

Gerundive subject.

क्या आप इस सड़क का नाम जानते हैं?

Do you know the name of this road?

Genitive case 'kā'.

सड़क परिवहन मंत्रालय ने नए दिशा-निर्देश जारी किए हैं।

The Ministry of Road Transport has issued new guidelines.

Compound noun 'Saṛak parivahan'.

पहाड़ी क्षेत्रों में सड़क बनाना एक बड़ी चुनौती है।

Building roads in hilly areas is a big challenge.

Infinitive as a subject.

हड़ताल की वजह से सारी सड़कें सुनसान पड़ी हैं।

Due to the strike, all the roads are lying deserted.

Adjective 'sun-sān'.

सड़क किनारे लगे विज्ञापनों से ध्यान भटक सकता है।

Advertisements placed by the roadside can be distracting.

Passive potentiality.

आधुनिक युग में सड़कों का जाल बिछ गया है।

In the modern era, a network of roads has been spread.

Metaphorical 'jāl' (web/network).

सड़क सुरक्षा सप्ताह के दौरान जागरूकता बढ़ाई गई।

Awareness was increased during Road Safety Week.

Passive voice.

यह सड़क सीधे ऐतिहासिक किले तक जाती है।

This road goes straight to the historical fort.

Directional 'tak'.

गाँव की कच्ची सड़कें अब पक्की हो रही हैं।

The dirt roads of the village are now becoming paved.

Kacchī vs Pakkī contrast.

सड़क से संसद तक विरोध प्रदर्शन की गूँज सुनाई दी।

The echoes of the protest were heard from the road to the parliament.

Idiomatic political expression.

शहरीकरण ने सड़कों के स्वरूप को पूरी तरह बदल दिया है।

Urbanization has completely changed the nature of roads.

Abstract noun 'shaharīkaran'.

वह अपनी किस्मत आज़माने के लिए सड़क पर उतर आया।

He came out on the street to try his luck.

Idiomatic 'saṛak par utarnā'.

सड़कों की जर्जर हालत प्रशासन की लापरवाही दर्शाती है।

The dilapidated condition of the roads shows the administration's negligence.

Formal vocabulary 'jarjar', 'laparvāhī'.

साहित्य में सड़क को अक्सर जीवन के सफर का प्रतीक माना गया है।

In literature, the road is often considered a symbol of life's journey.

Literary analysis.

बढ़ते अतिक्रमण के कारण सड़कों की चौड़ाई कम होती जा रही है।

The width of the roads is decreasing due to increasing encroachment.

Continuous change 'hotī jā rahī'.

सड़क के दोनों ओर लगे वृक्ष पर्यावरण के लिए लाभदायक हैं।

Trees planted on both sides of the road are beneficial for the environment.

'Donoñ or' (both sides).

राष्ट्रीय राजमार्गों का विकास देश की प्रगति का सूचक है।

The development of national highways is an indicator of the country's progress.

High register 'rāshṭrīya rājmārg'.

सड़कों का यह मायाजाल आधुनिक सभ्यता की जटिलता को दर्शाता है।

This labyrinth of roads reflects the complexity of modern civilization.

Sophisticated metaphor 'māyājāl'.

सड़क केवल एक भौतिक संरचना नहीं, बल्कि सामाजिक संवाद का मंच है।

A road is not just a physical structure, but a platform for social dialogue.

Philosophical 'nahīñ balki' structure.

अवैध निर्माण ने मुख्य सड़क की धमनियों को अवरुद्ध कर दिया है।

Illegal construction has blocked the arteries of the main road.

Medical metaphor 'dhamniyāñ' (arteries).

सड़क के किनारे बिताई गई रातें उसकी संघर्षपूर्ण कहानी बयाँ करती हैं।

The nights spent by the roadside tell the story of his struggle.

Evocative narrative style.

तकनीकी प्रगति ने सड़कों के निर्माण में क्रांतिकारी परिवर्तन लाए हैं।

Technological progress has brought revolutionary changes in road construction.

Complex subject-object relations.

सड़क पर बिखरा सन्नाटा किसी अनहोनी का संकेत दे रहा था।

The silence scattered on the road was signaling something untoward.

Personification of 'sannāṭā' (silence).

सीमावर्ती क्षेत्रों में सड़कों का रणनीतिक महत्व अत्यधिक है।

The strategic importance of roads in border areas is immense.

Geopolitical context 'raṇnītik'.

सड़क की धूल में ही उसने अपना बचपन और जवानी गँवा दी।

In the dust of the road, he lost his childhood and youth.

Poetic tragedy.

Collocations courantes

पक्की सड़क (Pakkī saṛak)

कच्ची सड़क (Kacchī saṛak)

सड़क पार करना (Saṛak pār karnā)

सड़क किनारे (Saṛak kināre)

सड़क दुर्घटना (Saṛak durghaṭnā)

सड़क सुरक्षा (Saṛak surakshā)

सड़क निर्माण (Saṛak nirmāṇ)

सड़क जाम (Saṛak jām)

चौड़ी सड़क (Chauṛī saṛak)

सड़क छाप (Saṛak chhāp)

Phrases Courantes

सड़क पर आना

— To become homeless or poor. To lose everything.

व्यापार में घाटे के बाद वह सड़क पर आ गया।

सड़क नापना

— To wander aimlessly. To waste time walking around.

दिन भर सड़क नापने से कुछ नहीं होगा।

सड़क से संसद तक

— From the streets to the parliament. Reflecting a broad movement.

यह आवाज़ सड़क से संसद तक गूँजेगी।

सड़क का पत्थर

— Something very common or worthless. A hurdle.

वह उसे सड़क का पत्थर समझता है।

सड़क दिखाना

— To show the way out. To dismiss someone.

मालिक ने उसे सड़क दिखा दी।

सड़क पर उतरना

— To come out to protest or take action.

लोग अपनी मांगों के लिए सड़क पर उतर आए।

सड़क सुधारना

— To repair the road or metaphorically, to improve a situation.

चुनाव से पहले सरकार सड़क सुधार रही है।

सड़क का जाल

— A network of roads.

पूरे राज्य में सड़कों का जाल बिछाया गया है।

सड़क जाम करना

— To block the road (usually during a protest).

किसानों ने अपनी मांगों के लिए सड़क जाम कर दी।

सड़क किनारे खड़ा होना

— To stand by the roadside.

वह बस का इंतज़ार करते हुए सड़क किनारे खड़ा था।

Souvent confondu avec

सड़क vs रास्ता (Rāstā)

Rasta is masculine and can be abstract; Sarak is feminine and physical.

सड़क vs गली (Galī)

Gali is a narrow lane; Sarak is a wider road.

सड़क vs मार्ग (Mārg)

Marg is formal/Sanskrit; Sarak is common/neutral.

Expressions idiomatiques

"सड़क पर आना"

— To be reduced to poverty or to have no place to live.

जुए की लत ने उसे सड़क पर ला खड़ा किया।

Informal

"सड़क नापना"

— To loiter or wander without purpose.

बेरोज़गार युवक सड़कों की खाक छान रहे हैं।

Informal

"सड़क छाप"

— A low-class or ill-mannered person; a street urchin.

उसकी सड़क छाप हरकतों से सब परेशान हैं।

Slang

"बीच सड़क पर"

— In public view; in a way that causes a scene.

उन्होंने बीच सड़क पर झगड़ा शुरू कर दिया।

Neutral

"सड़क का कुत्ता"

— A stray dog; metaphorically, someone with no home or respect.

वह बेचारा सड़क के कुत्ते की तरह यहाँ-वहाँ भटक रहा है।

Informal/Harsh

"सड़क पर धूल उड़ाना"

— To travel fast or to do something uselessly.

वह अपनी नई बाइक से सड़क पर धूल उड़ा रहा है।

Informal

"सड़क देखना"

— To wait for someone or to look for an exit.

वह कब से तुम्हारी राह (सड़क) देख रहा है।

Literary

"सड़क पर फेंक देना"

— To discard something or someone completely.

उसने अपनी पुरानी यादों को सड़क पर फेंक दिया।

Metaphorical

"सड़क की खाक छानना"

— To wander in search of something, often a job.

नौकरी की तलाश में उसने हफ्तों सड़क की खाक छानी।

Informal

"सड़क बनाना"

— To pave the way for something future.

उसकी मेहनत ने सफलता की सड़क बना दी।

Metaphorical

Facile à confondre

सड़क vs सदक (Sadak)

Missing the dot under 'ḍ'.

Not a real word, but a common spelling mistake for learners.

Incorrect: यह सदक है। Correct: यह सड़क है।

सड़क vs सरक (Sarak)

Using 'r' instead of 'ṛ'.

'Sarak' is the root for 'moving/sliding', not a road.

वह धीरे से सरका (He slid slowly).

सड़क vs साढ़क (Sāṛhak)

Adding an 'ā' sound.

Not a word; confusion with pronunciation.

Correct: Saṛak.

सड़क vs रास्ता (Rāstā)

Both mean road/way.

Rāstā is masculine and used for 'the way to do something'.

Safaltā kā rāstā (Way to success).

सड़क vs मार्ग (Mārg)

Both mean road.

Mārg is formal and often used for proper names of streets.

Janpath Mārg.

Structures de phrases

यह [Adj] सड़क है।

यह लंबी सड़क है।

सड़क पर [Noun] है।

सड़क पर कुत्ता है।

[Noun] की वजह से सड़क [Adj] है।

बारिश की वजह से सड़क खराब है।

सड़क [Verb-ing] के लिए [Adj] है।

सड़क चलने के लिए सुरक्षित है।

सड़क के माध्यम से [Concept]...

सड़क के माध्यम से व्यापार बढ़ा है।

सड़क का [Metaphor]...

सड़क का सन्नाटा डरावना था।

सड़क [Verb] जा रही है।

सड़क बनाई जा रही है।

सड़क के [Postposition]...

सड़क के पार देखो।

Famille de mots

Noms

सड़क (Road)

सड़कन (A rare term for paving material)

Verbes

सड़कना (To move along a road - rare/dialectal)

Adjectifs

सड़कनुमा (Road-like)

सड़क-छाप (Street-style/Low-class)

Apparenté

रास्ता

मार्ग

राह

गली

चौराहा

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Extremely high in daily speech.

Erreurs courantes

Yeh saṛak achā hai. → Yeh saṛak achī hai.
Saṛak is feminine, so the adjective must be 'achī', not 'achā'.
Main sadak par hoon. → Main saṛak par hoon.
The 'd' sound is incorrect; it must be the retroflex flap 'ṛ'.
Saṛkeñ par traffic hai. → Saṛkoñ par traffic hai.
In the plural oblique case (with a postposition), 'saṛkeñ' changes to 'saṛkoñ'.
Yeh rāstā bahut lambī hai. → Yeh rāstā bahut lambā hai.
Confusion between 'saṛak' (fem) and 'rāstā' (masc). Adjectives must match 'rāstā' (masc).
Saṛak banā diyā. → Saṛak banā dī.
The auxiliary verb 'denā' must agree with the feminine object 'saṛak' in the perfective tense.

Astuces

Check the Adjective

Always ensure your adjectives for 'saṛak' end in 'ī' if they are variable. Example: 'chauṛī saṛak'.

The Flap Sound

Practice the 'ṛ' sound by saying 'butter' in a fast American accent; the 'tt' is similar to the Hindi flap.

Sarak vs Rasta

If you are giving directions for a specific street, use 'saṛak'. If you are talking about the general 'way', use 'rāstā'.

Street Food

When you hear 'saṛak kā khānā', it refers to India's famous and delicious street food culture.

The Dot Matters

In Devanagari, the dot under 'ड़' is essential. Without it, the letter becomes 'ड' (da), which changes the word.

Traffic News

Listen to Hindi traffic reports to hear 'saṛak' used in real-time contexts with lots of related vocabulary.

Plural Nasalization

When saying 'saṛkeñ' (roads), make sure to hum the ending slightly through your nose.

Wandering

Use 'saṛak nāpnā' jokingly with friends if they've been walking around with no purpose.

Postpositions

Remember: 'Saṛak par' is 'on the road', 'Saṛak se' is 'by the road'. The noun doesn't change form in singular.

Urban vs Rural

In cities, 'saṛak' usually implies asphalt. In villages, it might still refer to a prominent dirt path.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'Sarak' as 'S-Road-K'. The 'S' and 'K' sandwich the road. Or imagine a 'Snake' (starts with S) slithering on a 'Sarak'.

Association visuelle

Visualize a long, black asphalt road stretching through a green field. See the letters स-ड़-क painted on the asphalt.

Word Web

Car Traffic Asphalt Streetlight Walking Driving Bus Pavement

Défi

Try to describe your commute to work or school using the word 'saṛak' at least three times in Hindi sentences.

Origine du mot

The word 'सड़क' is of uncertain origin but is widely believed to be an indigenous (Deshi) word or possibly derived from Middle Indo-Aryan roots. It became the standard term in Hindustani (Hindi/Urdu) for a paved road.

Sens originel : A cleared path or a leveled ground for walking.

Indo-Aryan

Contexte culturel

Be careful with the term 'saṛak chhāp' as it is an insult. Avoid using it to describe people unless you intend to be derogatory.

In English, 'road' is gender-neutral. In Hindi, remember it's feminine. Also, 'street' and 'road' are often used interchangeably for 'saṛak', but 'galī' is better for 'narrow street'.

The movie 'Sadak' (1991) starring Sanjay Dutt. The song 'Musafir hoon yaaron... mujhe chalte jaana hai' often evokes the image of the saṛak. Sher Shah Suri is famous for building the 'Sarak-e-Azam' (The Great Road).

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Directions

सीधे सड़क पर जाओ
सड़क के अंत में
अगली सड़क
बाँई सड़क

Travel

सड़क कैसी है?
सड़क खराब है
सड़क पर जाम है
सड़क बंद है

Safety

सड़क देखकर पार करो
हेलमेट पहनो
तेज़ मत चलो
ज़ेबरा क्रॉसिंग

Construction

सड़क बन रही है
काम चल रहा है
रास्ता डाइवर्ट है
नया पुल

Daily Life

सड़क किनारे मिलो
सड़क पर भीड़ है
सड़क की बत्तियाँ
सड़क की सफाई

Amorces de conversation

"क्या यह सड़क मुख्य बाज़ार की तरफ जाती है?"

"आपके घर के पास की सड़क कैसी है?"

"क्या आज सड़क पर बहुत ट्रैफिक है?"

"क्या हम इस सड़क पर पैदल चल सकते हैं?"

"नई सड़क बनने में कितना समय लगेगा?"

Sujets d'écriture

आज मैंने सड़क पर कुछ बहुत अजीब देखा...

मेरे शहर की सबसे खूबसूरत सड़क कौन सी है और क्यों?

अगर सड़कों के कान होते, तो वे क्या सुनते?

सड़क पर चलते समय मुझे क्या-क्या विचार आते हैं?

एक गाँव की सड़क और एक शहर की सड़क में क्या अंतर है?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

It is strictly feminine. You must say 'achī saṛak' (good road) and 'saṛak lambī hai' (the road is long). Using masculine adjectives is a common mistake.

'Saṛak' is usually a physical, paved road. 'Rāstā' is more general, meaning any 'way', 'path', or 'route', and can also be used abstractly (e.g., 'the way to happiness'). 'Rāstā' is masculine.

You use the oblique plural form: 'saṛkoñ par'. The 'eñ' ending of the plural 'saṛkeñ' changes to 'oñ' when followed by a postposition.

Yes, 'road' is very commonly used in urban Hindi-English code-switching. However, 'saṛak' is the proper Hindi word and is understood by everyone.

It is a derogatory slang term. It literally means 'street-stamped' and is used to describe someone who is ill-mannered, uneducated, or low-class.

It's a retroflex flap. Curl your tongue back to the roof of your mouth and then flick it forward quickly. It's different from a standard 'd' or 'r'.

Yes, but 'rājmārg' is the more formal and specific term for a highway. 'Saṛak' is a general term for any paved road.

It means an unpaved or dirt road, common in rural areas. 'Pakkī saṛak' is a paved/asphalt road.

You can say 'saṛak ke us pār' or 'saṛak ke dūsrī taraf'.

Yes, but poets often prefer 'rāh' or 'ḍagar' because they sound more lyrical and carry more emotional weight.

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