Meaning
Referring to a significant duration.
Cultural Background
In business, 'ઘણો સમય' is often a polite way to say a deal needs more thought or 'due diligence'. It's rarely a flat 'no'. In villages, time is often measured by seasons or religious festivals rather than hours. 'ઘણો સમય' might refer to 'since the last monsoon'. For NRIs (Non-Resident Indians), this phrase is deeply emotional, often used in songs and letters to describe the longing for home. Poets use 'Ghano samay' to describe the wait for the beloved or the divine, emphasizing the pain of separation.
The 'Pachhi' Rule
Always remember to change 'Ghano' to 'Ghanā' before 'pachhi'. It makes you sound like a native speaker instantly.
Don't say 'Motto'
Never use 'Motto' (big) with 'Samay'. It's a classic giveaway that you are translating from English.
Meaning
Referring to a significant duration.
The 'Pachhi' Rule
Always remember to change 'Ghano' to 'Ghanā' before 'pachhi'. It makes you sound like a native speaker instantly.
Don't say 'Motto'
Never use 'Motto' (big) with 'Samay'. It's a classic giveaway that you are translating from English.
Patience is Key
When a Gujarati person says 'Ghano samay lagshe', they are often asking for your patience. Don't rush them!
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'Ghano'.
અમે _______ સમય વાતો કરી.
'સમય' is masculine, so we use 'ઘણો'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct for 'After a long time'?
Choose the correct phrase:
Before the postposition 'પછી', 'ઘણો' changes to the oblique form 'ઘણા'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: તમે ક્યારના અહીં છો? B: હું _______ અહીં છું.
'થી' (since/from) is a postposition, requiring the oblique 'ઘણા'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You haven't seen your uncle in 5 years. What do you say first?
This is the standard cultural greeting for long absences.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesઅમે _______ સમય વાતો કરી.
'સમય' is masculine, so we use 'ઘણો'.
Choose the correct phrase:
Before the postposition 'પછી', 'ઘણો' changes to the oblique form 'ઘણા'.
A: તમે ક્યારના અહીં છો? B: હું _______ અહીં છું.
'થી' (since/from) is a postposition, requiring the oblique 'ઘણા'.
You haven't seen your uncle in 5 years. What do you say first?
This is the standard cultural greeting for long absences.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsYes, 'Bahu samay' is very common in spoken Gujarati and is slightly more casual than 'Ghano samay'.
It is masculine. That's why we say 'Ghano' (ending in -o) and not 'Ghani'.
Use 'ઘણા સમય પહેલા' (Ghanā samay pahelā).
'Samay' is more formal/Sanskrit-based, while 'Vakhat' is more common in daily speech/Arabic-based. Both are correct.
No, for age use 'ઉંમર' (Ummar).
Related Phrases
થોડો સમય
contrastA little time
આખો સમય
similarAll the time
સમયસર
builds onOn time
નકામો સમય
specialized formWasted time
કિંમતી સમય
specialized formPrecious time
