थोड़ी देर
थोड़ी देर 30초 만에
- Means 'a little while' or 'a short time'.
- Always feminine: 'थोड़ी' (not 'थोड़ा').
- Used with 'में' for 'soon' and 'के लिए' for 'duration'.
- Essential for polite requests and managing time.
The phrase थोड़ी देर (thodī der) is a cornerstone of daily Hindi conversation, functioning as a temporal marker that denotes a brief, often unspecified, duration of time. It is composed of two parts: 'थोड़ी' (thodī), the feminine form of 'थोड़ा' meaning 'little' or 'some', and 'देर' (der), which primarily means 'delay' or 'duration of time'. Unlike the English 'wait a minute', which can be literal, 'थोड़ी देर' is more flexible, covering anything from thirty seconds to half an hour depending on the context. It is essential for managing expectations in social interactions, indicating transitions, or requesting patience.
- Grammatical Gender
- Feminine. Because 'देर' is a feminine noun, the adjective 'थोड़ा' must agree and become 'थोड़ी'.
- Temporal Nuance
- It suggests a manageable wait. If someone says they will arrive in 'थोड़ी देर', they are signaling that their arrival is imminent but not immediate.
कृपया थोड़ी देर इंतज़ार करें। (Please wait for a little while.)
In Hindi culture, time is often perceived fluidly. When a shopkeeper says 'बस थोड़ी देर' (Just a little while), it serves as a polite buffer. It is more than just a measurement; it is a social lubricant that softens the edges of waiting. Understanding this phrase requires recognizing that it is rarely used for precise scientific measurements but rather for the human experience of passing time. It can be used in the past (मैं थोड़ी देर वहाँ था - I was there for a little while), present (थोड़ी देर रुको - Wait a little while), or future (वह थोड़ी देर में आएगा - He will come in a little while).
मैंने थोड़ी देर आराम किया। (I rested for a little while.)
Using थोड़ी देर correctly involves understanding its relationship with postpositions like 'में' (in), 'के लिए' (for), and 'से' (since/for). Each postposition alters the temporal perspective of the 'short while'.
- With 'में' (In)
- 'थोड़ी देर में' means 'in a little while' or 'soon'. Example: खाना थोड़ी देर में तैयार हो जाएगा (Food will be ready in a little while).
- With 'के लिए' (For)
- 'थोड़ी देर के लिए' indicates duration. Example: क्या मैं आपकी किताब थोड़ी देर के लिए ले सकता हूँ? (Can I take your book for a little while?)
वह थोड़ी देर पहले ही गया है। (He left just a little while ago.)
When used as an adverbial phrase without a postposition, it often implies 'for a short duration' or acts as the object of the verb 'wait'. It is very common in imperative sentences where you are asking someone to pause their activity. In formal writing, you might see 'अल्पकाल' or 'कुछ समय', but in 99% of spoken Hindi, 'थोड़ी देर' is the preferred choice. It is versatile enough for business meetings, casual hangouts, and even literature.
You will encounter थोड़ी देर in almost every corner of Hindi-speaking life. From the chaotic streets of Delhi to the quiet villages of Uttar Pradesh, this phrase is the standard way to negotiate time.
- At Home
- Parents telling children: 'थोड़ी देर और सो जाओ' (Sleep for a little while longer).
- In Public Transport
- A conductor might say: 'बस थोड़ी देर में स्टेशन आ जाएगा' (The station will arrive in just a little while).
चलो, थोड़ी देर टहलते हैं। (Come, let's walk for a little while.)
In Bollywood movies, it's often used in romantic dialogues ('थोड़ी देर और रुक जाओ' - Stay for a little while longer) or in suspenseful scenes. In news broadcasts, anchors use it to signal commercial breaks ('मिलते हैं एक थोड़ी देर में' - We'll meet after a short while). Its ubiquity makes it one of the most important phrases for a learner to master to sound natural and polite.
Even though it's a simple phrase, learners often trip over gender agreement or confusing it with similar-sounding words.
- Gender Mismatch
- Saying 'थोड़ा देर' (Masculine) instead of 'थोड़ी देर' (Feminine). Since 'देर' is feminine, the adjective must be 'थोड़ी'.
- Confusion with 'देर से'
- 'देर से' means 'late'. If you say 'मैं थोड़ी देर से आया', it means 'I came a little late', not 'I came for a little while'.
Incorrect: मैं थोड़ा देर बैठूँगा।
Correct: मैं थोड़ी देर बैठूँगा।
Another mistake is using 'थोड़ी देर' when you actually mean 'कुछ समय' (some time) for longer durations. While 'थोड़ी देर' is flexible, using it for a duration of several hours might confuse the listener. It is best reserved for durations that feel 'short' in the given context.
Hindi has several ways to express short durations. Choosing the right one depends on the level of formality and the specific length of time intended.
- कुछ समय (Kuch Samay)
- More formal than 'थोड़ी देर'. It literally means 'some time'. Often used in writing or formal speeches.
- क्षण भर (Kshan Bhar)
- Literally 'for a moment'. Much shorter than 'थोड़ी देर'. Used in literature or for very brief interruptions.
- जरा सा (Zara Sa)
- Used to mean 'a tiny bit'. When applied to time, it's usually 'जरा देर' (a tiny while).
तुलना:
1. थोड़ी देर (A little while - Casual)
2. कुछ समय (Some time - Formal)
How Formal Is It?
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थोड़ी देर रुको।
Wait for a little while.
Imperative sentence using the base form of 'wait'.
मैं थोड़ी देर में आता हूँ।
I am coming in a little while.
Present habitual used for immediate future.
थोड़ी देर बैठो।
Sit for a little while.
Simple command.
क्या आप थोड़ी देर इंतज़ार कर सकते हैं?
Can you wait for a little while?
Polite request using 'सकते हैं'.
बस थोड़ी देर और।
Just a little while longer.
Fragment used for emphasis.
थोड़ी देर चाय पिएँ?
Shall we drink tea for a little while?
Suggestive question.
वह थोड़ी देर यहाँ था।
He was here for a little while.
Past tense 'था'.
थोड़ी देर सो जाओ।
Sleep for a little while.
Compound verb 'सो जाओ'.
मैंने थोड़ी देर टीवी देखा।
I watched TV for a little while.
Past indefinite tense with 'ने' block.
थोड़ी देर पहले बारिश हो रही थी।
It was raining a little while ago.
Past continuous with 'पहले'.
हम थोड़ी देर के लिए बाहर जा रहे हैं।
We are going out for a little while.
Present continuous with 'के लिए'.
थोड़ी देर में बस आ जाएगी।
The bus will arrive in a little while.
Future tense.
क्या मैं थोड़ी देर यहाँ बैठ सकता हूँ?
Can I sit here for a little while?
Asking permission.
वह थोड़ी देर में फोन करेगा।
He will call in a little while.
Future tense with 'में'.
थोड़ी देर चुप रहो।
Be quiet for a little while.
Imperative.
मुझे थोड़ी देर और चाहिए।
I need a little while longer.
Using 'चाहिए' for requirement.
अगर आप थोड़ी देर इंतज़ार करें, तो मैं आपकी मदद कर सकता हूँ।
If you wait for a little while, I can help you.
Conditional sentence.
थोड़ी देर सोचने के बाद उसने जवाब दिया।
After thinking for a little while, he replied.
Gerund 'सोचने' with 'के बाद'.
वह अक्सर थोड़ी देर के लिए गायब हो जाता है।
He often disappears for a little while.
Adverb of frequency 'अक्सर'.
थोड़ी देर की शांति बहुत ज़रूरी है।
A little while of peace is very important.
Possessive 'की' linking 'देर' and 'शांति'.
क्या हम थोड़ी देर बात कर सकते हैं?
Can we talk for a little while?
Request for conversation.
थोड़ी देर में सब ठीक हो जाएगा।
Everything will be fine in a little while.
Reassurance phrase.
उसने थोड़ी देर मेरा हाथ पकड़ा।
She held my hand for a little while.
Transitive verb in past tense.
थोड़ी देर पहले ही मैंने उसे देखा था।
I had seen him just a little while ago.
Past perfect with 'ही' for emphasis.
थोड़ी देर के लिए मान लेते हैं कि आप सही हैं।
Let's assume for a little while that you are right.
Hypothetical construction.
फिल्म थोड़ी देर में शुरू होने वाली है।
The movie is about to start in a little while.
'वाला' construction for imminent future.
थोड़ी देर की देरी से कोई फर्क नहीं पड़ेगा।
A little while's delay won't make any difference.
Abstract noun 'फर्क'.
वह थोड़ी देर तक खिड़की के बाहर देखता रहा।
He kept looking out of the window for a little while.
Continuative aspect 'देखता रहा'.
थोड़ी देर की बातचीत से गलतफहमी दूर हो गई।
The misunderstanding was cleared by a little while of conversation.
Causal relationship.
मैं थोड़ी देर के लिए अपनी आँखें मूँदना चाहता हूँ।
I want to close my eyes for a little while.
Infinitive 'मूँदना'.
थोड़ी देर में सूरज ढल जाएगा।
The sun will set in a little while.
Natural phenomenon description.
क्या आप थोड़ी देर मेरा बैग संभाल सकते हैं?
Can you look after my bag for a little while?
Verb 'संभालना' (to look after).
थोड़ी देर का विश्राम आत्मा को स्फूर्ति देता है।
A little while of rest gives energy to the soul.
Formal vocabulary 'विश्राम', 'स्फूर्ति'.
उसकी आँखों में थोड़ी देर के लिए एक चमक दिखी।
A spark was seen in her eyes for a little while.
Passive-like structure 'दिखी'.
थोड़ी देर के लिए संसार की सारी चिंताएँ भूल जाओ।
Forget all the worries of the world for a little while.
Philosophical imperative.
थोड़ी देर में ही सभा विसर्जित हो गई।
The assembly was dismissed in just a little while.
Formal verb 'विसर्जित'.
थोड़ी देर का सन्नाटा बहुत कुछ कह जाता है।
A little while of silence says a lot.
Personification of silence.
वह थोड़ी देर के लिए अपने अतीत में खो गया।
He got lost in his past for a little while.
Metaphorical usage.
थोड़ी देर की बारिश ने मौसम खुशनुमा बना दिया।
A little while of rain made the weather pleasant.
Complex subject phrase.
थोड़ी देर के लिए सत्ता उसके हाथ में थी।
Power was in his hands for a little while.
Political context.
जीवन तो बस थोड़ी देर का मेला है।
Life is but a fair of a little while.
Philosophical metaphor.
थोड़ी देर की यह खामोशी किसी बड़े तूफान का संकेत है।
This silence of a little while is a sign of a big storm.
Foreboding tone.
इतिहास में यह घटना थोड़ी देर के लिए ही चर्चा में रही।
In history, this event remained in discussion for only a little while.
Academic historical context.
थोड़ी देर के लिए ही सही, उसने अपनी हार स्वीकार की।
Even if only for a little while, he accepted his defeat.
Concessive clause 'ही सही'.
उसका क्रोध थोड़ी देर का बुलबुला मात्र था।
His anger was merely a bubble of a little while.
Metaphorical 'बुलबुला मात्र'.
थोड़ी देर के चिंतन से सत्य का आभास हुआ।
Truth was perceived through a little while of contemplation.
Spiritual context.
थोड़ी देर की यह यात्रा अनंत स्मृतियाँ दे गई।
This journey of a little while gave infinite memories.
Poetic contrast.
थोड़ी देर में ही सारा परिदृश्य बदल गया।
The entire landscape changed in just a little while.
Dramatic narrative.
자주 쓰는 조합
자주 쓰는 구문
थोड़ी देर रुको
थोड़ी देर में आता हूँ
थोड़ी देर के लिए दे दो
थोड़ी देर पहले ही
थोड़ी देर और बैठो
थोड़ी देर बात करें?
थोड़ी देर सो लो
थोड़ी देर में फोन करता हूँ
थोड़ी देर की बात है
थोड़ी देर यहाँ बैठो
자주 혼동되는 단어
관용어 및 표현
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혼동하기 쉬운
문장 패턴
어휘 가족
관련
사용법
Flexible duration.
Not for precise scientific time.
- Using 'थोड़ा देर' (Gender error).
- Confusing 'देर' (time) with 'दूर' (distance).
- Using it for durations of many hours.
- Forgetting the postposition 'में' when meaning 'soon'.
- Pronouncing 'der' like 'door'.
팁
Agreement
Ensure the adjective 'thodi' matches the feminine noun 'der'.
Flexibility
Be prepared for 'thodi der' to be longer than you expect in India.
Politeness
Use it to make requests sound softer and more polite.
Synonyms
Learn 'kuch samay' for more formal situations.
Context
The postposition (me, ke liye) tells you the direction of time.
Flow
Use it to transition between actions in a story.
Soft 'D'
The 'd' in 'der' is dental, not retroflex.
Emphasis
Add 'hi' (थोड़ी देर में ही) to mean 'very soon'.
Visual
Imagine a small clock to remember 'short time'.
Late vs Duration
Don't say 'I am thodi der' to mean 'I am late'.
암기하기
어원
Sanskrit/Persian
문화적 맥락
High. It's more polite than saying 'Wait'.
Used to soften requests.
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실제 사용 상황
대화 시작하기
"क्या हम थोड़ी देर बात कर सकते हैं?"
"आप थोड़ी देर में क्या कर रहे हैं?"
"क्या मैं थोड़ी देर यहाँ बैठ सकता हूँ?"
"क्या आपको थोड़ी देर और चाहिए?"
"थोड़ी देर टहलने चलें?"
일기 주제
आज आपने थोड़ी देर के लिए क्या किया?
क्या आपको थोड़ी देर अकेले रहना पसंद है?
थोड़ी देर की शांति आपके लिए क्या मायने रखती है?
एक ऐसी घटना लिखें जो थोड़ी देर में बदल गई।
थोड़ी देर के आराम के बाद आपको कैसा महसूस होता है?
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문It is feminine because 'देर' is a feminine noun.
No, that is grammatically incorrect. Always use 'थोड़ी'.
It's subjective, usually ranging from a few minutes to half an hour.
'में' means 'in' (soon), 'के लिए' means 'for' (duration).
You say 'थोड़ी देर पहले'.
It is neutral to informal. In very formal settings, use 'कुछ समय'.
'देर' can mean late, but 'थोड़ी देर' specifically means a short duration.
The opposite is 'बहुत देर' (a long time).
Yes, very frequently in songs and dialogues.
No, it only refers to time.
셀프 테스트 182 질문
Translate to Hindi: 'Wait for a little while.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate to Hindi: 'I will come in a little while.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Use 'थोड़ी देर' in a sentence about watching TV.
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Translate to English: 'थोड़ी देर पहले बारिश हो रही थी।'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a polite request using 'थोड़ी देर'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'For a little while, everything was fine.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Use 'थोड़ी देर' in a complex sentence.
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Translate: 'A little while of rest is necessary.'
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Write a sentence about a phone call.
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Translate: 'Stay for a little while longer.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Describe your morning using 'थोड़ी देर'.
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Translate: 'He left a little while ago.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Use 'थोड़ी देर' in a question.
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Translate: 'I will be back in a little while.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence about silence.
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Translate: 'Wait for just a little while.'
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Use 'थोड़ी देर' with 'के लिए'.
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Translate: 'He was looking at the stars for a little while.'
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Write a sentence about a meeting.
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Translate: 'Life is a short journey.'
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Pronounce: थोड़ी देर
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당신의 답변:
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Say 'Wait a little while' in Hindi.
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당신의 답변:
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Say 'I will come in a little while' in Hindi.
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Ask 'Can we talk for a little while?' in Hindi.
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Say 'I watched TV for a little while' in Hindi.
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Say 'Just a little while longer' in Hindi.
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당신의 답변:
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Say 'He left a little while ago' in Hindi.
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당신의 답변:
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Say 'I need a little while' in Hindi.
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Say 'Sit for a little while' in Hindi.
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당신의 답변:
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Say 'In a little while everything will be fine' in Hindi.
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Say 'I slept for a little while' in Hindi.
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Say 'Wait for a little while' politely.
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당신의 답변:
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Say 'I will call you in a little while' in Hindi.
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당신의 답변:
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Say 'Let's walk for a little while' in Hindi.
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Say 'It was raining a little while ago' in Hindi.
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Say 'I was there for a little while' in Hindi.
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당신의 답변:
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Say 'Stay for a little while' in Hindi.
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당신의 답변:
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Say 'A little while of silence' in Hindi.
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당신의 답변:
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Say 'I am coming soon' using 'thodi der'.
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당신의 답변:
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Say 'Just wait a bit' in Hindi.
Read this aloud:
당신의 답변:
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Listen and write: थोड़ी देर में
Listen and write: थोड़ी देर के लिए
Listen and write: थोड़ी देर रुको
Listen and write: थोड़ी देर पहले
Listen and write: बस थोड़ी देर
Listen and write: थोड़ी देर और
Listen and write: थोड़ी देर बैठो
Listen and write: थोड़ी देर बात करें?
Listen and write: थोड़ी देर में आता हूँ
Listen and write: थोड़ी देर का आराम
Listen and write: थोड़ी देर की शांति
Listen and write: थोड़ी देर पहले बारिश थी
Listen and write: थोड़ी देर इंतज़ार कीजिए
Listen and write: वह थोड़ी देर में आएगा
Listen and write: थोड़ी देर के लिए मान लो
/ 182 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Mastering 'थोड़ी देर' allows you to politely navigate time in Hindi, whether you are asking for a break, promising to arrive soon, or describing a brief past event. Example: 'थोड़ी देर में मिलते हैं' (See you in a little while).
- Means 'a little while' or 'a short time'.
- Always feminine: 'थोड़ी' (not 'थोड़ा').
- Used with 'में' for 'soon' and 'के लिए' for 'duration'.
- Essential for polite requests and managing time.
Agreement
Ensure the adjective 'thodi' matches the feminine noun 'der'.
Flexibility
Be prepared for 'thodi der' to be longer than you expect in India.
Politeness
Use it to make requests sound softer and more polite.
Synonyms
Learn 'kuch samay' for more formal situations.
관련 콘텐츠
general 관련 단어
आभार व्यक्त करना
B1감사함을 표현하다.
आचरण करना
C1처신하다; 특정한 방식으로 행동하다.
आगे
A1Forward; ahead.
आगे बढ़ना
A2앞으로 나아가다, 진보하다.
आगामी
B1다가오는, 차기의. 가까운 미래에 예정된 사건을 나타낼 때 사용됩니다.
आह्वान करना
B1To call, to summon, to request someone's presence.
आज रात
A2오늘 밤; 현재 날짜의 밤.
आजमाना
A2무언가를 하려는 시도나 노력; 시험.
आक्रमण करना
B2국가나 집단을 상대로 군사 작전을 시작하다.
आखिरी
A2마지막, 최종. '마지막 버스'는 'Aakhiri bus'입니다. '마지막으로'는 'Aakhiri baar'라고 합니다.