तक़रीबन
तक़रीबन 30초 만에
- Taqreeban is a common Hindi adverb meaning 'approximately' or 'nearly'.
- It is of Arabic origin and is widely used in spoken Hindustani.
- It usually precedes numbers, time, or words indicating completion.
- It is a synonym of 'lagbhag' but sounds slightly more informal or Urdu-influenced.
The word तक़रीबन (taqreeban) is one of the most essential tools in the Hindi language for expressing uncertainty or approximation. Derived from the Arabic root 'q-r-b' (meaning nearness), it literally translates to 'nearly' or 'approximately'. In everyday conversation, we rarely have the exact figures for everything—how many people were at the party, how long the journey took, or how much a bag of mangoes cost. This is where 'taqreeban' steps in to bridge the gap between the unknown and the known.
- Etymological Root
- The Persian-Arabic influence on Hindi provides 'taqreeban', which shares its DNA with 'qareeb' (near). This gives the word a sense of physical or metaphorical proximity to a target value.
इस काम में तक़रीबन दो घंटे लगेंगे। (This work will take approximately two hours.)
Unlike 'lagbhag', which is its Sanskrit-derived counterpart, 'taqreeban' is often preferred in urban centers like Delhi, Lucknow, and Mumbai, where the Hindustani dialect (a mix of Hindi and Urdu) is prevalent. It suggests a level of sophistication and is frequently used in news broadcasting and literature to describe statistical data that isn't finalized.
- Semantic Range
- It covers quantity (how many), time (when/how long), and degree (how much). It can even be used to describe states of being, such as 'nearly finished'.
वहाँ तक़रीबन पाँच सौ लोग थे। (There were approximately five hundred people there.)
In technical writing, you might see it used to qualify data points. In poetry, it might describe a feeling that is 'almost' complete. It is a versatile adverb that fits into almost any register of the language, from the street market to the boardroom.
मैंने तक़रीबन सारा काम खत्म कर लिया है। (I have finished almost all the work.)
- Grammatical Placement
- Usually placed immediately before the numerical value or the noun phrase it modifies. It does not change form based on gender or number.
वह तक़रीबन दस साल से यहाँ रह रहा है। (He has been living here for approximately ten years.)
स्टेशन यहाँ से तक़रीबन दो किलोमीटर दूर है। (The station is approximately two kilometers away from here.)
Using तक़रीबन correctly requires understanding its role as a modifier. It is an adverb that sets the stage for a non-precise value. Here is a breakdown of its various applications in sentence construction.
- 1. With Numbers and Quantities
- This is the most common usage. It precedes the number to indicate that the count is an estimate. Example: 'Taqreeban bees log' (Approximately twenty people).
बाज़ार में तक़रीबन सौ दुकानें हैं। (There are approximately a hundred shops in the market.)
When using it with quantities, it functions as a buffer. It protects the speaker from being wrong if the actual count is 98 or 102. It is particularly useful in reporting or storytelling where precision isn't the priority.
- 2. With Time and Duration
- It can be used for a point in time ('Taqreeban char baje' - Around 4 o'clock) or a duration ('Taqreeban ek ghanta' - Approximately one hour).
फिल्म तक़रीबन तीन घंटे की है। (The movie is approximately three hours long.)
- 3. Describing Progress or States
- You can use it to describe how close a task is to completion. 'Taqreeban khatam' means 'almost finished'.
सूरज तक़रीबन डूब चुका है। (The sun has almost set.)
In this context, it acts similarly to the English word 'nearly'. It describes a state that is just short of a total condition. This usage is very common in narrative descriptions.
उसकी उम्र तक़रीबन साठ साल होगी। (His age would be approximately sixty years.)
हमें तक़रीबन दस किलो चावल चाहिए। (We need approximately ten kilos of rice.)
The word तक़रीबन is ubiquitous in the Hindi-speaking world. You will encounter it in various settings, from formal news broadcasts to casual street talk.
- 1. News and Journalism
- Journalists use 'taqreeban' when reporting on crowds at rallies, casualty figures in accidents, or budget allocations where exact numbers are still being verified.
रैली में तक़रीबन दस हज़ार लोग शामिल हुए। (Approximately ten thousand people participated in the rally.)
In the media, 'taqreeban' provides a professional buffer. It signals to the audience that the information is an estimate based on available data, which is crucial for journalistic integrity.
- 2. Markets and Business
- When bargaining in a 'Sabzi Mandi' (vegetable market) or discussing project timelines in a corporate office, 'taqreeban' is the go-to word for rough estimates.
इस प्रोजेक्ट में तक़रीबन एक महीना लगेगा। (This project will take approximately one month.)
- 3. Everyday Socializing
- Friends use it when planning meetups. 'Main taqreeban baje pahunchunga' (I will arrive around 7 o'clock). It allows for the famous 'Indian Stretchable Time'.
हमने तक़रीबन पूरी रात बातें कीं। (We talked for almost the whole night.)
In literature and Bollywood scripts, 'taqreeban' is used to add a touch of poetic realism. It sounds softer and more rhythmic than the more clinical 'lagbhag' in certain emotional contexts.
मेरा दिल तक़रीबन टूट ही गया था। (My heart was almost broken.)
वह तक़रीबन रोज़ यहाँ आता है। (He comes here almost every day.)
While तक़रीबन is easy to use, learners often fall into a few common traps. Avoiding these will make your Hindi sound much more authentic.
- 1. Redundancy with 'Lagbhag'
- Never use 'taqreeban' and 'lagbhag' together in the same phrase. They mean the same thing. Saying 'Taqreeban lagbhag das' is like saying 'Approximately roughly ten'. Pick one.
तक़रीबन लगभग पाँच किलो। ✓ तक़रीबन पाँच किलो।
This redundancy is a common error for beginners who are trying to emphasize the 'about-ness' of a number. Remember that one word is sufficient to convey the estimate.
- 2. Misplacement in the Sentence
- 'Taqreeban' should usually come before the number or the noun it modifies. Placing it at the end of the sentence is grammatically incorrect in Hindi.
दस लोग थे तक़रीबन। ✓ तक़रीबन दस लोग थे।
- 3. Using it with Exact Phrases
- Don't use 'taqreeban' with words like 'theek' (exactly) or 'bilkul' (absolutely). These are contradictory.
तक़रीबन ठीक पाँच बजे। ✓ ठीक पाँच बजे (Exactly 5) OR तक़रीबन पाँच बजे (Around 5).
Another subtle mistake is using 'taqreeban' when you actually mean 'nearly' in a negative sense. In Hindi, 'taqreeban' is neutral. It just means 'close to'.
वह तक़रीबन गिर गया था। (He almost fell.)
मेरे पास तक़रीबन कोई पैसा नहीं बचा। (I have almost no money left.)
Hindi has several words that mean 'approximately'. Understanding the subtle differences between them will help you choose the right one for the right situation.
- तक़रीबन (Taqreeban) vs. लगभग (Lagbhag)
- These are 99% interchangeable. 'Lagbhag' is Sanskrit-based and more common in formal Hindi literature and government documents. 'Taqreeban' is Arabic-based and more common in spoken Hindustani and Urdu poetry.
लगभग दस दिन (Formal) vs. तक़रीबन दस दिन (Common/Hindustani).
If you are in a highly formal Hindi setting (like a Sanskritized speech), use 'lagbhag'. In a Bollywood movie or a chat with a friend from Delhi, 'taqreeban' sounds more stylish.
- तक़रीबन (Taqreeban) vs. क़रीब-क़रीब (Qareeb-qareeb)
- 'Qareeb-qareeb' is the reduplicated form of 'qareeb' (near). It is very informal and used to emphasize that something is 'very nearly' done or 'very close' to a number.
काम क़रीब-क़रीब पूरा हो गया है। (The work is very nearly finished.)
- तक़रीबन (Taqreeban) vs. आस-पास (Aas-paas)
- 'Aas-paas' literally means 'nearby' (spatial), but it is used for time and numbers to mean 'around'. It is more colloquial than 'taqreeban'.
पाँच बजे के आस-पास आना। (Come around 5 o'clock.)
Use 'aas-paas' for physical location or very casual time estimates. Use 'taqreeban' for quantities and more general approximations.
वह तक़रीबन मेरे जितना लंबा है। (He is approximately as tall as me.)
यहाँ तक़रीबन हर कोई हिंदी बोलता है। (Almost everyone here speaks Hindi.)
How Formal Is It?
난이도
알아야 할 문법
Adverbial placement
Numerical modifiers
Loanwords in Hindi
The use of 'Avyay' (indeclinables)
Hedging in South Asian languages
수준별 예문
मेरे पास तक़रीबन पाँच रुपये हैं।
I have approximately five rupees.
Taqreeban comes before the number 'paanch'.
वहाँ तक़रीबन दस बच्चे थे।
There were approximately ten children there.
Used with a simple count of people.
तक़रीबन दो बजे आना।
Come around two o'clock.
Used for a point in time.
यह तक़रीबन एक किलो है।
This is approximately one kilo.
Used for weight.
वह तक़रीबन हर दिन दूध पीता है।
He drinks milk almost every day.
Used with 'har din' (every day).
मेरे घर में तक़रीबन चार कमरे हैं।
There are approximately four rooms in my house.
Used to describe a house.
बस तक़रीबन दस मिनट में आएगी।
The bus will come in approximately ten minutes.
Used for future duration.
तक़रीबन सब लोग आ गए हैं।
Almost everyone has come.
Used with 'sab' (all/everyone).
दिल्ली यहाँ से तक़रीबन दो सौ किलोमीटर है।
Delhi is approximately two hundred kilometers from here.
Used for long distances.
मैंने तक़रीबन सारा खाना खा लिया।
I ate almost all the food.
Used with 'saara' (all).
फिल्म तक़रीबन खत्म होने वाली है।
The movie is almost about to end.
Used to describe progress.
उसकी लंबाई तक़रीबन छह फीट है।
His height is approximately six feet.
Used for physical measurements.
हमें तक़रीबन एक हफ्ता लगेगा।
It will take us approximately one week.
Used for duration of time.
तक़रीबन आधी रात हो चुकी थी।
It was almost midnight.
Used for a specific time of day.
बाज़ार में तक़रीबन बहुत भीड़ थी।
There was approximately a lot of crowd in the market.
Used to qualify an adjective/noun phrase.
मैंने तक़रीबन सौ रुपये खर्च किए।
I spent approximately a hundred rupees.
Used for currency/expenditure.
इस किताब में तक़रीबन तीन सौ पन्ने हैं।
There are approximately three hundred pages in this book.
Standard B1 usage for quantifying objects.
तक़रीबन हर भारतीय को क्रिकेट पसंद है।
Almost every Indian likes cricket.
Generalizing about a population.
काम तक़रीबन पूरा हो चुका है, बस थोड़ा सा बाकी है।
The work is almost complete, just a little is left.
Describing the state of a task.
तक़रीबन दस साल पहले मैं यहाँ आया था।
I came here approximately ten years ago.
Referring to a past duration.
इस फोन की कीमत तक़रीबन बीस हज़ार है।
The price of this phone is approximately twenty thousand.
Estimating cost in a commercial context.
तक़रीबन सभी छात्र परीक्षा में पास हो गए।
Almost all students passed the exam.
Used with 'sabhee' for emphasis.
उसने तक़रीबन एक घंटे तक भाषण दिया।
He gave a speech for approximately one hour.
Describing the duration of an event.
गाड़ी तक़रीबन अस्सी की रफ्तार से चल रही थी।
The car was going at a speed of approximately eighty.
Used for speed/rate.
वैज्ञानिकों के अनुसार, यह पत्थर तक़रीबन दस लाख साल पुराना है।
According to scientists, this stone is approximately one million years old.
Scientific/Formal estimation.
तक़रीबन हर बड़े शहर में प्रदूषण एक समस्या है।
Pollution is a problem in almost every big city.
Discussing social/environmental issues.
उसने अपनी तक़रीबन पूरी जायदाद दान कर दी।
He donated almost his entire property.
Used with 'pooree' (entire).
तक़रीबन पाँच प्रतिशत की गिरावट दर्ज की गई है।
A decline of approximately five percent has been recorded.
Statistical reporting.
वह तक़रीबन पागल हो गया था जब उसने खबर सुनी।
He almost went crazy when he heard the news.
Metaphorical/Emotional degree.
तक़रीबन दो दशकों के बाद वे फिर से मिले।
They met again after approximately two decades.
Describing a long span of time.
इस योजना से तक़रीबन लाखों लोगों को फायदा होगा।
Approximately millions of people will benefit from this scheme.
Projecting future impact.
तक़रीबन हर पहलू पर चर्चा की गई।
Almost every aspect was discussed.
Abstract usage with 'pahloo' (aspect).
इस प्राचीन सभ्यता का अंत तक़रीबन चार हज़ार साल पहले हुआ था।
This ancient civilization ended approximately four thousand years ago.
Historical academic context.
तक़रीबन हर दार्शनिक ने इस विषय पर अपने विचार व्यक्त किए हैं।
Almost every philosopher has expressed their views on this subject.
Intellectual/Academic generalization.
उनकी आवाज़ में तक़रीबन एक तरह की उदासी थी।
There was almost a kind of sadness in his voice.
Subtle literary description.
तक़रीबन सभी गवाहों ने एक ही बात कही।
Almost all witnesses said the same thing.
Legal/Investigative context.
यह तक़रीबन नामुमकिन है कि वह समय पर पहुँच जाए।
It is almost impossible for him to arrive on time.
Qualifying an absolute adjective like 'namumkin'.
तक़रीबन आधी सदी तक उन्होंने देश की सेवा की।
He served the country for almost half a century.
Formal biographical description.
इस तकनीक ने तक़रीबन हर उद्योग को बदल दिया है।
This technology has transformed almost every industry.
Discussing global trends.
तक़रीबन हर कविता में विरह की वेदना झलकती है।
The pain of separation is reflected in almost every poem.
Literary analysis.
ब्रह्मांड की उत्पत्ति तक़रीबन 13.8 अरब साल पहले हुई थी।
The origin of the universe occurred approximately 13.8 billion years ago.
Scientific precision in vast scales.
तक़रीबन हर महान कृति अपने समय से आगे होती है।
Almost every great work of art is ahead of its time.
Philosophical/Aesthetic assertion.
वह तक़रीबन आत्म-साक्षात्कार की स्थिति में पहुँच चुका था।
He had almost reached a state of self-realization.
Spiritual/Philosophical nuance.
तक़रीबन शून्य तापमान पर गैसें अलग तरह से व्यवहार करती हैं।
At approximately zero temperature, gases behave differently.
Advanced scientific context.
उनकी विचारधारा में तक़रीबन कोई विरोधाभास नहीं था।
There was almost no contradiction in his ideology.
Complex ideological analysis.
तक़रीबन हर सभ्यता का उत्थान और पतन निश्चित है।
The rise and fall of almost every civilization is certain.
Grand historical narrative.
यह तक़रीबन तय है कि भविष्य डिजिटल होगा।
It is almost certain that the future will be digital.
Rhetorical certainty.
तक़रीबन हर शब्द का अपना एक इतिहास होता है।
Almost every word has its own history.
Linguistic reflection.
동의어
반의어
자주 쓰는 조합
자주 쓰는 구문
자주 혼동되는 단어
관용어 및 표현
혼동하기 쉬운
문장 패턴
어휘 가족
관련
사용법
Neutral to slightly formal.
Always before the modifier.
- Saying 'Taqreeban lagbhag'.
- Placing it after the number.
- Using it with 'exactly'.
- Forgetting the 'n' sound at the end.
- Confusing it with 'taqreer' (speech).
팁
Use with Numbers
Always use 'taqreeban' when you are giving a number that you haven't counted exactly. It saves you from being factually wrong.
Sound More Native
Native speakers in North India use 'taqreeban' very frequently. Incorporating it into your speech will make you sound more fluent.
Avoid Redundancy
Don't pair it with 'theek' or 'bilkul'. If it's 'taqreeban', it's not 'theek' (exact).
The Nasal N
The final 'n' is slightly nasalized. Practice saying it softly at the end of the word.
Urban Preference
In big cities like Mumbai or Delhi, 'taqreeban' is often preferred over 'lagbhag' in daily speech.
Pair with 'Saara'
Use 'taqreeban saara' to mean 'almost all' of a singular thing (like food or work).
Pair with 'Sab'
Use 'taqreeban sab' to mean 'almost all' of plural things or people.
News Reports
Watch Hindi news to hear 'taqreeban' used with large numbers and statistics.
Hedging
Use it in emails to give yourself some flexibility with deadlines. 'Taqreeban somvaar tak' (By approximately Monday).
Social Softener
Use it to make your statements sound less blunt and more polite in social settings.
암기하기
어원
Arabic
문화적 맥락
Using 'taqreeban' can make a request or a statement sound less demanding and more like a suggestion.
More common in North India and Pakistan (Urdu) than in South India.
실생활에서 연습하기
실제 사용 상황
대화 시작하기
"आपके शहर की आबादी तक़रीबन कितनी है?"
"यहाँ से बाज़ार तक़रीबन कितनी दूर है?"
"आपको हिंदी सीखने में तक़रीबन कितना समय लगा?"
"इस फिल्म की टिकट तक़रीबन कितने की है?"
"क्या आप तक़रीबन रोज़ कसरत करते हैं?"
일기 주제
लिखिए कि आपने आज तक़रीबन कितने घंटे काम किया।
अपने बचपन की एक याद के बारे में लिखिए जो तक़रीबन दस साल पुरानी हो।
बताइए कि आपके पास तक़रीबन कितनी किताबें हैं और उनमें से आपकी पसंदीदा कौन सी है।
एक ऐसी यात्रा का वर्णन करें जिसमें तक़रीबन पूरा दिन लगा हो।
लिखिए कि आपके जीवन में तक़रीबन कौन-कौन सी चीज़ें बदल गई हैं।
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문There is virtually no difference in meaning. 'Taqreeban' is of Arabic/Urdu origin, while 'lagbhag' is Sanskrit-based. 'Taqreeban' is very common in spoken Hindustani, whereas 'lagbhag' might be used more in formal Hindi literature or government contexts.
No, 'taqreeban' is an adverb that modifies a specific word or phrase. It should be placed immediately before the word it is modifying. For example, 'Taqreeban das' (Approximately ten), not 'Das taqreeban'.
It is neutral. You can use it in a casual conversation with friends, but it is also perfectly acceptable in a business meeting or a news report. It is a very versatile word.
The 'q' (क़) is a uvular sound made at the back of the throat. However, many Hindi speakers pronounce it as a regular 'k'. Both are understood, but the 'q' sound is considered more 'correct' in Urdu-influenced circles.
Yes, it can mean 'almost' in contexts like 'almost finished' (taqreeban khatam) or 'almost everyone' (taqreeban sab). It's not just for numbers.
No, 'taqreeban' is an 'Avyay' (indeclinable). It stays the same regardless of whether the noun is masculine, feminine, singular, or plural.
No, that is redundant. It's like saying 'approximately roughly'. You should use only one of these words at a time.
Yes, it is very common for distance. 'Taqreeban do kilometer' (Approximately two kilometers).
It comes from the Arabic word 'taqrib', which is derived from 'qurb', meaning nearness or proximity.
Yes, it is a very common word in Urdu and is used in exactly the same way as in Hindi.
셀프 테스트 180 질문
Write a sentence using 'तक़रीबन' and the number '5'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence using 'तक़रीबन' to describe a distance.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence about how many people are in your city using 'तक़रीबन'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence about a project timeline using 'तक़रीबन'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence about a historical event using 'तक़रीबन'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a philosophical sentence using 'तक़रीबन'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'About 2 o'clock'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'Almost all work is done'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'Approximately 100 students passed'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'The price is approximately 5000'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Say 'Approximately ten' in Hindi.
Read this aloud:
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'Almost all' in Hindi.
Read this aloud:
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'Around 4 o'clock' in Hindi.
Read this aloud:
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'Approximately one month' in Hindi.
Read this aloud:
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'Almost impossible' in Hindi.
Read this aloud:
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'Almost certain' in Hindi.
Read this aloud:
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'About 5 rupees' in Hindi.
Read this aloud:
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'Almost finished' in Hindi.
Read this aloud:
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'Approximately 200 kilometers' in Hindi.
Read this aloud:
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'Almost every day' in Hindi.
Read this aloud:
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Listen to 'Taqreeban das'. What number did you hear?
Listen to 'Taqreeban ek ghanta'. What duration did you hear?
Listen to 'Taqreeban sab log'. Who is being referred to?
Listen to 'Taqreeban bees saal'. How many years?
Listen to 'Taqreeban har pehloo'. What is 'pehloo'?
Listen to 'Taqreeban paanch'. What number?
Listen to 'Taqreeban do baje'. What time?
Listen to 'Taqreeban aadhi raat'. What time of day?
Listen to 'Taqreeban har hafte'. How often?
Listen to 'Taqreeban anant'. What does 'anant' mean?
Translate: 'About 10'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'Almost all'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'About 1 hour'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'Almost finished'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'Almost impossible'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Use 'तक़रीबन' (taqreeban) whenever you want to provide an estimate instead of an exact figure. It makes your Hindi sound natural and flexible. Example: 'तक़रीबन पाँच बजे' (Around 5 o'clock).
- Taqreeban is a common Hindi adverb meaning 'approximately' or 'nearly'.
- It is of Arabic origin and is widely used in spoken Hindustani.
- It usually precedes numbers, time, or words indicating completion.
- It is a synonym of 'lagbhag' but sounds slightly more informal or Urdu-influenced.
Use with Numbers
Always use 'taqreeban' when you are giving a number that you haven't counted exactly. It saves you from being factually wrong.
Sound More Native
Native speakers in North India use 'taqreeban' very frequently. Incorporating it into your speech will make you sound more fluent.
Avoid Redundancy
Don't pair it with 'theek' or 'bilkul'. If it's 'taqreeban', it's not 'theek' (exact).
The Nasal N
The final 'n' is slightly nasalized. Practice saying it softly at the end of the word.
예시
मुझे घर पहुँचने में तक़रीबन एक घंटा लगेगा।
관련 콘텐츠
daily_life 관련 단어
आभूषण
B2보석; 목걸이, 반지, 팔찌와 같은 개인 장신구.
आजकल
A2At the present time, in contrast with the past.
आँखें
A2그녀의 눈은 갈색입니다. (Her eyes are brown.)
आखिर में
B1마침내, 오랜 시간이나 어려움 끝에.
आलमारी
B1옷이나 책을 보관하는 찬장 또는 옷장.
आराम करना
A1휴식하다.
आत्मनिर्भर होना
B1To be self-reliant; to be independent.
आठवां
B2Eighth; constituting number eight in a sequence.
आधी रात
A2자정: 오전 12시 정각, 새로운 날의 시작. 밤의 중간입니다.
आवश्यक होना
B2To be necessary, essential, or required.