शराब en 30 secondes
- Sharaab means alcohol and is a feminine noun in Hindi grammar.
- It is used for all types of alcoholic drinks like wine and beer.
- The word has Arabic roots and is used across North India.
- Socially, it can be a sensitive topic depending on the company.
The word शराब (Sharaab) is the primary Hindi term for any alcoholic beverage. Originating from the Arabic word 'sharab' (meaning drink), it has become the standard term across North India, Pakistan, and the broader Hindi-Urdu speaking world. In a linguistic sense, it functions as a feminine noun, which is a crucial detail for learners because it dictates the adjectives and verbs associated with it. For instance, one would say 'sharaab achhi nahi hai' (alcohol is not good) rather than 'achha'.
- Etymological Root
- Derived from the Arabic 'SH-R-B' root, which relates to drinking. While in Arabic it can mean any beverage, in Hindi, it specifically denotes intoxicants.
- Grammatical Gender
- Feminine. This is vital for agreement: 'Buri sharaab' (Bad alcohol).
- Social Connotation
- Depending on the context, it can range from a neutral medical/legal term to a socially taboo subject in conservative circles.
"ज़्यादा शराब पीना सेहत के लिए हानिकारक है।"
— Health Warning (Drinking too much alcohol is harmful to health.)
In modern urban India, the word is used ubiquitously in bars, restaurants, and social gatherings. However, in more formal or literary settings, you might encounter the Sanskrit-derived word 'Madira'. Conversely, in very casual or rural settings, 'Daaru' is the preferred slang. Understanding these nuances helps a learner navigate different social strata. The word 'Sharaab' sits comfortably in the middle—it is neither too formal nor too vulgar.
"उसने शराब छोड़ दी है।"
— He has quit alcohol.
- Legal Context
- In 'Dry States' like Gujarat or Bihar, 'sharaab' is prohibited (bandh).
- Literary Context
- Often used in 'Ghazals' (poetry) to symbolize intoxication or love.
Using शराब correctly involves more than just knowing the translation. It requires an understanding of Hindi verb conjugation and postpositions. Since it is a feminine noun, any adjective modifying it must end in the 'ee' sound (if applicable). For example, 'thandi sharaab' (cold alcohol). When using verbs like 'peena' (to drink), the object 'sharaab' influences the sentence structure in certain tenses.
"क्या आप शराब पीते हैं?"
— Do you drink alcohol? (Formal inquiry)
In the past tense with the ergative marker 'ne', the verb agrees with the object. Example: 'Usne sharaab pee' (He/She drank alcohol). Notice 'pee' is feminine to match 'sharaab'. This is a common point of failure for A2 and B1 learners. Furthermore, the word is often paired with specific verbs to create compound meanings.
- Common Verb Pairings
- 1. Peena (To drink)
2. Chhodna (To quit/leave)
3. Bechna (To sell)
4. Banana (To make/brew)
In social settings, if you want to decline a drink, you can say, 'Main sharaab nahi peeta' (I don't drink alcohol). This is a polite and clear way to set boundaries. In a restaurant, you might ask for the 'sharaab ki list' (wine/liquor list), though 'menu' is also commonly used. The word also appears in many legal warnings on billboards and in cinema halls across India.
"शराब पीकर गाड़ी न चलाएं।"
— Don't drive after drinking alcohol.
You will encounter the word शराब in a variety of environments, from the high-glamour world of Bollywood to the gritty reality of news reports. In Bollywood songs, 'sharaab' is often used metaphorically to describe the intoxicating nature of a lover's eyes (e.g., 'Nasha' or 'Jaam'). In these contexts, it carries a romanticized, almost poetic weight. However, in daily news, the word is usually associated with 'sharaab bandi' (prohibition) or 'zeherili sharaab' (toxic/spurious liquor), which is a recurring tragic news item in some Indian states.
"फिल्मों में शराब के दृश्यों पर चेतावनी दी जाती है।"
— Warnings are given on alcohol scenes in movies.
In the medical field, doctors use it when discussing liver health or addiction. 'Sharaab ki lat' (addiction to alcohol) is a phrase used in health awareness campaigns. On the streets, you might see signs for 'Angrezi Sharaab ki Dukaan' (English/Foreign Liquor Shop) or 'Desi Sharaab' (Local/Country Liquor). These signs are ubiquitous in many parts of India, marking the legal points of sale.
- Media Contexts
- 1. News: Discussions on excise tax (aabkari shulk).
2. Movies: Party songs or tragic scenes of heartbreak.
3. Literature: Sufi poetry where wine represents divine love.
The most frequent mistake learners make with शराब is treating it as a masculine noun. Because many liquids in Hindi (like 'paani' - water, 'doodh' - milk, 'ras' - juice) are masculine, learners instinctively apply masculine grammar to 'sharaab'. This leads to errors like 'sharaab achha hai' instead of the correct 'sharaab achhi hai'.
❌ "यह शराब बहुत पुराना है।" (Incorrect)
✅ "यह शराब बहुत पुरानी है।" (Correct)
Another common error is the confusion between 'Sharaab' and 'Daaru'. While they both mean alcohol, 'Daaru' is slang. Using 'Daaru' in a formal meeting or with elders might be seen as disrespectful or unrefined. Conversely, using 'Sharaab' in a very rough, informal setting might sound slightly out of place, though it is generally safer. Additionally, learners often confuse the noun 'Sharaab' with the adjective/noun 'Sharaabi' (drunkard).
- Confusion Points
- 1. Gender: Mistaking it for masculine.
2. Register: Using 'Daaru' in formal contexts.
3. Word Form: Saying 'Woh sharaab hai' when they mean 'He is a drunkard' (Woh sharaabi hai).
While शराब is the most common term, Hindi offers a rich vocabulary for alcohol depending on the source, the quality, and the level of formality. Understanding these synonyms allows for more precise communication and better comprehension of literature and media.
- मदिरा (Madira)
- The formal, Sanskrit-derived word. You'll find this on government signs, in high-level literature, or in historical TV shows.
- दारू (Daaru)
- The most common colloquial/slang term. Used among friends or in casual settings. It can sometimes carry a slightly negative or 'rough' connotation.
- मय (Mai)
- A poetic Persian loanword used almost exclusively in 'Shayari' (poetry) and 'Ghazals'. It evokes a sense of romance and longing.
- नशा (Nasha)
- Technically means 'intoxication' or 'high', but often used to refer to the state of being under the influence of alcohol.
"मयखाने में शराब और संगीत का माहौल था।"
— There was an atmosphere of wine and music in the tavern (Maykhana).
It is also useful to know specific types: 'Beer' (बीयर), 'Wine' (वाइन), and 'Whisky' (व्हिस्की) are commonly used in English even when speaking Hindi. However, 'Desi' refers to local country liquor, and 'Angrezi' refers to foreign-style spirits like vodka or gin.
How Formal Is It?
Niveau de difficulté
Grammaire à connaître
Feminine noun agreement with adjectives.
Ergative 'ne' construction with transitive verbs.
Compound verbs (e.g., pee lena).
Postpositions and case marking.
Infinitive as a verbal noun.
Exemples par niveau
यह शराब है।
This is alcohol.
Simple demonstrative sentence.
मैं शराब नहीं पीता।
I do not drink alcohol.
Negative present habitual.
शराब कहाँ है?
Where is the alcohol?
Interrogative sentence.
शराब बुरी है।
Alcohol is bad.
Feminine adjective agreement (buri).
क्या यह शराब है?
Is this alcohol?
Yes/No question.
शराब मत पियो।
Don't drink alcohol.
Imperative negative.
वह शराब पीता है।
He drinks alcohol.
Masculine subject agreement.
यहाँ शराब नहीं मिलती।
Alcohol is not available here.
Passive-style present habitual.
शराब पीना सेहत के लिए हानिकारक है।
Drinking alcohol is harmful for health.
Gerundial use of 'peena'.
क्या आप शराब पीते हैं?
Do you drink alcohol?
Formal present habitual.
मुझे शराब की गंध पसंद नहीं है।
I don't like the smell of alcohol.
Use of 'ki' (feminine possessive).
वह बहुत शराब पीता है।
He drinks a lot of alcohol.
Adverb 'bahut' modifying the quantity.
शराब की दुकान बंद है।
The liquor shop is closed.
Possessive 'ki' matching 'dukaan'.
क्या उसने शराब पी?
Did he/she drink alcohol?
Simple past with feminine object agreement.
शराब महंगी हो गई है।
Alcohol has become expensive.
Feminine agreement (mahangi, gayi).
डॉक्टर ने शराब छोड़ने को कहा।
The doctor told (me) to quit alcohol.
Infinitive 'chhodne' as an object.
अगर तुम शराब पियोगे, तो तुम्हारी तबीयत खराब हो जाएगी।
If you drink alcohol, your health will deteriorate.
Conditional sentence.
उसने शराब के नशे में गाड़ी चलाई।
He drove the car under the influence of alcohol.
Compound phrase 'sharaab ke nashe mein'.
गाँव में शराब बेचना मना है।
Selling alcohol is forbidden in the village.
Infinitive 'bechna' as a subject.
शराब की लत छुड़ाना मुश्किल होता है।
It is difficult to get rid of alcohol addiction.
Causative-style phrase 'lat chhudaana'.
पार्टी में तरह-तरह की शराब थी।
There were various types of alcohol at the party.
Feminine plural agreement (thi).
वह शराब के बिना नहीं रह सकता।
He cannot live without alcohol.
Postposition 'ke bina'.
सरकार ने शराब पर टैक्स बढ़ा दिया है।
The government has increased the tax on alcohol.
Postposition 'par'.
शराब पीने के बाद वह अजीब बातें करने लगा।
After drinking alcohol, he started talking strangely.
Compound verb 'karne laga'.
शराब का अत्यधिक सेवन लीवर को नुकसान पहुँचाता है।
Excessive consumption of alcohol damages the liver.
Formal vocabulary 'atyadhik sevan'.
बिहार में शराबबंदी लागू है।
Prohibition of alcohol is in effect in Bihar.
Compound noun 'sharaab-bandi'.
वह शराब के व्यापार में बहुत पैसा कमा रहा है।
He is earning a lot of money in the alcohol trade.
Noun 'vyapaar' (trade).
शराब की बोतलों पर चेतावनी लिखी होती है।
Warnings are written on alcohol bottles.
Passive habitual construction.
उसने अपनी सारी संपत्ति शराब में उड़ा दी।
He squandered all his wealth on alcohol.
Idiomatic use of 'uda dena'.
क्या शराब का विज्ञापन टीवी पर दिखाना सही है?
Is it right to show alcohol advertisements on TV?
Interrogative about ethics.
शराब के कारण कई घर बर्बाद हो जाते हैं।
Many homes are ruined because of alcohol.
Reasoning with 'ke kaaran'.
उसने शराब को हाथ तक नहीं लगाया।
He didn't even touch the alcohol.
Idiomatic 'haath na lagaana'.
शराब की महक से ही उसे घृणा होने लगी।
He began to feel revulsion just from the smell of alcohol.
Abstract noun 'ghrina'.
साहित्य में शराब को अक्सर दुखों का साथी बताया गया है।
In literature, alcohol is often described as a companion of sorrows.
Passive voice with 'bataya gaya hai'.
अवैध शराब के कारोबार पर पुलिस ने छापा मारा।
The police raided the illegal alcohol business.
Adjective 'avaidh' (illegal).
शराब के प्रभाव में लिया गया निर्णय अक्सर गलत होता है।
A decision taken under the influence of alcohol is often wrong.
Complex noun phrase.
उसकी आँखों में वो नशा था जो शराब में भी नहीं।
There was an intoxication in her eyes that isn't even in alcohol.
Poetic comparison.
शराब की लत एक मनोवैज्ञानिक समस्या भी है।
Alcohol addiction is also a psychological problem.
Academic register.
शराब के उत्पादन के लिए कड़े लाइसेंस की आवश्यकता होती है।
Strict licensing is required for the production of alcohol.
Formal 'utpaadan' and 'avashyakta'.
ग़ालिब की शायरी में शराब एक महत्वपूर्ण प्रतीक है।
Alcohol is an important symbol in Ghalib's poetry.
Literary analysis.
शराब की विभीषिका ने समाज के निचले तबके को झकझोर कर रख दिया है।
The horror of alcohol (addiction) has shaken the lower strata of society.
High-level vocabulary 'vibheeshika'.
क्या शराब का सामाजिक बहिष्कार ही इसका एकमात्र समाधान है?
Is social boycott of alcohol the only solution for it?
Rhetorical question with 'bahishkaar'.
शराब के सेवन से होने वाले न्यूरोलॉजिकल विकारों पर शोध जारी है।
Research on neurological disorders caused by alcohol consumption is ongoing.
Scientific/Technical Hindi.
शराब की बोतलों के पीछे छिपी कड़वी सच्चाई कोई नहीं देखना चाहता।
No one wants to see the bitter truth hidden behind alcohol bottles.
Metaphorical 'kadwi sachai'.
आबकारी विभाग ने शराब की तस्करी रोकने के लिए नई रणनीति बनाई है।
The Excise Department has formulated a new strategy to stop alcohol smuggling.
Administrative Hindi.
शराब की लत से उबरने के लिए आत्मबल की परम आवश्यकता होती है।
Supreme willpower is required to overcome alcohol addiction.
Philosophical 'aatmabal'.
शराब के विपणन में नैतिक मूल्यों की अक्सर अनदेखी की जाती है।
Ethical values are often ignored in the marketing of alcohol.
Business ethics 'vipnan'.
शराब की प्रत्येक बूँद में एक उजड़ा हुआ परिवार नज़र आता है।
In every drop of alcohol, a ruined family is visible.
Hyperbolic/Poetic prose.
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
Souvent confondu avec
Expressions idiomatiques
Facile à confondre
Often used in poetry, sounds similar.
Non-alcoholic.
The person, not the drink.
Formal/Sanskrit version.
Slang/Colloquial.
Structures de phrases
Comment l'utiliser
Used in contexts of 'alcohol swabs' as well (spirit).
In some traditional families, even saying the word is frowned upon.
- Using masculine verbs (e.g., 'sharaab peeya' instead of 'sharaab pee').
- Confusing 'sharaab' (drink) with 'sharaabi' (person).
- Mispronouncing it as 'saraab' (which means mirage).
- Using 'daaru' in a formal speech.
- Assuming all Indians drink alcohol (many are teetotalers for religious reasons).
Astuces
Gender Check
Always pair 'sharaab' with 'achhi', 'buri', or 'purani'. Never use 'achha'.
Politeness
If you are at an Indian home, wait for the host to offer a drink before asking for 'sharaab'.
Poetic Flair
Use 'मय' (Mai) if you are writing a poem or a romantic letter.
Legal Awareness
Check the local laws of the Indian state you are in, as 'sharaab' laws vary wildly.
Soft 'Sh'
Make sure the 'sh' sound is distinct from 's' to avoid sounding like 'saraab' (mirage).
Root Connection
Connect it to 'Sherbet' to remember it's a drink.
Formal Settings
In a business dinner, 'sharaab' is acceptable, but 'alcohol' (English) is also very common.
Compound Verbs
Use 'sharaab pee lena' for 'to have a drink'.
Movie Warnings
Watch the beginning of Bollywood movies to hear the health warning about 'sharaab'.
Daaru Usage
Only use 'daaru' with close friends of the same age.
Mémorise-le
Origine du mot
Arabic
Contexte culturel
The common word for a licensed liquor shop.
Ancient Vedic drink, often compared to alcohol in modern contexts.
States where alcohol is banned.
Pratique dans la vie réelle
Contextes réels
Amorces de conversation
"क्या आप शराब पीते हैं?"
"यहाँ सबसे अच्छी शराब कहाँ मिलती है?"
"क्या आपको लगता है कि शराब पर प्रतिबंध होना चाहिए?"
"आपके देश में कौन सी शराब मशहूर है?"
"क्या शराब सेहत के लिए हमेशा बुरी होती है?"
Sujets d'écriture
शराब के सामाजिक प्रभावों पर अपने विचार लिखें।
क्या आपने कभी किसी को शराब छोड़ते हुए देखा है?
आपके देश की शराब संस्कृति भारत से कैसे अलग है?
शराबबंदी के फायदे और नुकसान क्या हैं?
एक ऐसी कहानी लिखें जिसमें 'शराब' एक महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाती हो।
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt is feminine. You should always use feminine adjectives and verb forms with it.
'Sharaab' is a neutral, standard word. 'Daaru' is slang and can be considered informal or even rude in some contexts.
It depends on the state. Some states are 'dry' (illegal), while others allow it with high taxes.
You can say 'Main sharaab nahi peeta' (male) or 'Main sharaab nahi peeti' (female).
The formal word is 'Madira', often used in literature or official signs.
No, it is a general term for all alcoholic drinks, including beer, whisky, and vodka.
In Sufi and Urdu poetry, it often symbolizes spiritual intoxication or the pain of love.
It means 'prohibition'—the legal ban on alcohol in a specific region.
Usually, 'spirit' or 'alcohol' (English word) is used for medical purposes, but 'sharaab' specifically means the beverage.
Yes, it is the most common and widely understood word for alcohol in Hindi.
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Summary
The word 'Sharaab' is the essential term for alcohol in Hindi. Mastering its feminine gender agreement is the most important grammatical step for any learner to sound natural and correct.
- Sharaab means alcohol and is a feminine noun in Hindi grammar.
- It is used for all types of alcoholic drinks like wine and beer.
- The word has Arabic roots and is used across North India.
- Socially, it can be a sensitive topic depending on the company.
Gender Check
Always pair 'sharaab' with 'achhi', 'buri', or 'purani'. Never use 'achha'.
Politeness
If you are at an Indian home, wait for the host to offer a drink before asking for 'sharaab'.
Poetic Flair
Use 'मय' (Mai) if you are writing a poem or a romantic letter.
Legal Awareness
Check the local laws of the Indian state you are in, as 'sharaab' laws vary wildly.
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