In 15 Seconds
- Literally means 'small room' in Hindi.
- Used for bedrooms, offices, or any compact indoor space.
- Grammatically masculine singular; use 'chhote kamre' for plural.
Meaning
This phrase describes a room that lacks space or is compact. It is the standard way to talk about a small bedroom, office, or any indoor area that feels tight.
Key Examples
3 of 6Describing a new apartment to a friend
Mera naya ghar achha hai, par mera kamra chhota hai.
My new house is good, but my room is small.
Talking to a real estate agent
Mujhe ek chhota kamra kiraye par chahiye.
I want a small room on rent.
Complaining about a hotel room
Yeh bahut chhota kamra hai, kya koi bada kamra hai?
This is a very small room, is there a big room?
Cultural Background
In cities like Mumbai, a 'chhoṭā kamrā' is often part of a 'Chawl' or a small flat. It represents the dense urban living conditions where every inch of space is utilized. The 'chhoṭā kamrā' is a recurring motif in films to show a character's humble beginnings or their struggle in the big city. Hosts often use 'chhoṭā' as a form of modesty when describing their own home, even if it is not particularly small. In traditional Indian architecture (Vastu), the size and placement of a 'kamrā' are believed to affect the energy of the house.
Use 'Sā' for Naturalness
Saying 'chhoṭā sā kamrā' makes you sound much more like a native speaker.
Watch the Oblique Case
Don't forget to change it to 'chhoṭe kamre' if you use 'mein' or 'ka'.
In 15 Seconds
- Literally means 'small room' in Hindi.
- Used for bedrooms, offices, or any compact indoor space.
- Grammatically masculine singular; use 'chhote kamre' for plural.
What It Means
Chhota kamra is a very basic and useful Hindi phrase. Chhota means small. Kamra means room. Together, they describe any space that isn't large. It is a literal description. You will use it often in daily life. It is perfect for describing apartments or offices. It is a neutral term. It doesn't necessarily mean the room is bad. It just means the square footage is low.
How To Use It
In Hindi, adjectives must match the noun's gender. Kamra is a masculine noun. Therefore, you use the masculine form chhota. If you have multiple rooms, it becomes chhote kamre. You can place it anywhere you need a noun. For example, "I have a chhota kamra." Or, "This chhota kamra is very hot." It is very straightforward for beginners. Just remember the 'a' ending for masculine singular words. It makes you sound natural and clear.
When To Use It
Use this when looking for a house. It is great for booking a cheap hotel. Use it when talking to a roommate. You might use it to describe your study area. It is perfect for texting a friend about your new place. If you are in a crowded city like Mumbai, you will say this a lot. It is a very practical phrase for urban living. Even in a professional meeting, it is fine to use. It describes physical reality without any hidden slang.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for large open halls. Avoid it when describing a vast outdoor space. If a room is tiny like a closet, use kothri instead. Chhota kamra is too polite for a tiny storage cupboard. Also, do not use it to describe a small person. That would be very confusing! It only applies to physical rooms in a building. If you want to be very fancy, use laghu kaksh. But honestly, almost no one says that in daily life. Stick to chhota kamra for most situations.
Cultural Background
In India, space is a luxury in big cities. A chhota kamra is the reality for many students. It is often associated with the 'struggle' phase of life. Many famous Bollywood stars started in a chhota kamra. In traditional homes, rooms were often multi-purpose. A small room might be a prayer room or a store. Today, it mostly refers to studio apartments or small bedrooms. It is a word that connects everyone across social classes.
Common Variations
If a room is very small, add bahut. It becomes bahut chhota kamra. If you want to say 'smaller room', use aur chhota kamra. You might hear nannha kamra in poetry or stories. That sounds more cute or tiny. In slang, some might call it a dabba, which means a box. But chhota kamra remains the most common version. It is the 'gold standard' for describing small spaces.
Usage Notes
This is a neutral, A1-level collocation. It follows standard masculine singular adjective-noun agreement rules. It is safe to use in all social settings.
Use 'Sā' for Naturalness
Saying 'chhoṭā sā kamrā' makes you sound much more like a native speaker.
Watch the Oblique Case
Don't forget to change it to 'chhoṭe kamre' if you use 'mein' or 'ka'.
Context Matters
In a hotel, 'chhoṭā kamrā' usually means 'Single Room'.
Modesty
Indians often describe their homes as 'chhoṭā' out of humility. Don't take it too literally!
Examples
6Mera naya ghar achha hai, par mera kamra chhota hai.
My new house is good, but my room is small.
A very common way to describe living conditions.
Mujhe ek chhota kamra kiraye par chahiye.
I want a small room on rent.
Direct and clear for business transactions.
Yeh bahut chhota kamra hai, kya koi bada kamra hai?
This is a very small room, is there a big room?
Using 'bahut' (very) to emphasize the lack of space.
Is chhote kamre mein itna saaman mat rakho!
Don't keep so much stuff in this small room!
The form changes to 'chhote' because of the preposition 'mein'.
Mera office itna chhota kamra hai ki main saans bhi nahi le sakta!
My office is such a small room that I can't even breathe!
Hyperbole used for comedic effect.
Hum us chhote kamre mein bahut khush the.
We were very happy in that small room.
Shows that 'small' doesn't always mean 'bad'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'chhoṭā kamrā'.
मैं एक _______ में रहता हूँ।
Because of the preposition 'mein', we must use the oblique form 'chhoṭe kamre'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Select the correct description of a small room.
'Kamrā' is masculine, so 'chhoṭā' is the correct adjective form.
Match the Hindi phrase with its English translation.
Match the following:
Standard vocabulary matching.
Complete the dialogue.
A: क्या आपका घर बड़ा है? B: नहीं, मेरा घर _______ है।
The opposite of 'baṛā' (big) is 'chhoṭā' (small).
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Chhoṭā vs Baṛā
Practice Bank
4 exercisesमैं एक _______ में रहता हूँ।
Because of the preposition 'mein', we must use the oblique form 'chhoṭe kamre'.
Select the correct description of a small room.
'Kamrā' is masculine, so 'chhoṭā' is the correct adjective form.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Standard vocabulary matching.
A: क्या आपका घर बड़ा है? B: नहीं, मेरा घर _______ है।
The opposite of 'baṛā' (big) is 'chhoṭā' (small).
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsNo, it is a neutral description. However, when visiting someone, it's better to focus on how 'cozy' it is.
The plural is 'chhoṭe kamre'.
Yes, but 'daftar' is more specific for an office. You can say 'daftar ka kamrā'.
You can say 'bahut chhoṭā kamrā'.
'Kamrā' is common/everyday Hindi. 'Kaksh' is very formal/Sanskritized.
It is masculine.
Say 'chhoṭe kamre mein'.
Usually, yes. Adjectives typically precede nouns in Hindi.
It means 'a small-ish room' or 'a nice little room'.
No, a bathroom is 'ghusal-khāna' or 'snān-ghar'. 'Kamrā' usually implies a living or bedroom.
In Mumbai, people sometimes say 'kholi'.
Ask: 'Kyā āpke pās koī chhoṭā kamrā hai?'
Related Phrases
बड़ा कमरा
contrastBig room
तंग कमरा
similarCramped room
हवादार कमरा
builds onAiry room
किराये का कमरा
specialized formRented room
बैठक
specialized formLiving room
