कोशिश करना

In Hindi, this is a "compound verb" or a collocation. You rarely use koshish alone. You almost always pair it with karna. If you want to say "try to [verb]", you use a special glue. That glue is the word ki. The formula is: [Verb in oblique form] + ki + koshish karna. For example, "to try to eat" becomes khane ki koshish karna. If you are just saying "I will try," you can simply say Main koshish karoonga. It’s like a modular Lego set. You just snap the action you want onto the front. Don't forget the ki. It’s the secret sauce that holds the sentence together. Without it, your Hindi will sound like a glitchy Zoom call.

You’ll hear this constantly in modern India. Think about a friend trying to fix their Instagram bio for the tenth time. They might say, "Main ise cool banane ki koshish kar raha hoon" (I’m trying to make this cool). Or imagine you are trying to book an Uber in Bengaluru during peak traffic. You tell your boss, "Main cab book karne ki koshish kar raha hoon" (I’m trying to book a cab). It’s the language of the daily hustle. It’s what you say when the Wi-Fi is down and you’re trying to reconnect. It’s the phrase for every small struggle in a digital world. Even a YouTuber might say, "Main daily upload karne ki koshish karoonga" (I’ll try to upload daily). It’s relatable, honest, and very human.

Use this when you are talking about any intentional effort. It’s perfect for learning new skills, like coding or cooking. Use it when you are offering help but aren't 100% sure of the result. It’s great for job interviews when discussing your weaknesses. You can say you are "trying" to improve. It’s also the right choice for emotional contexts. If you are trying to understand someone’s perspective, use koshish करना. It shows you are putting in the work. It’s a very positive, "can-do" phrase. It’s the verbal version of a "thumbs up" emoji. Use it to show you care about the process, not just the result.

Don't use this to mean "trying out" a new flavor of ice cream. For tasting food, Hindi speakers use chakhna. If you say Main pizza ki koshish kar raha hoon, people might think you are struggling to physically eat it! Also, don't use it for "trying on" clothes. That’s pahan kar dekhna (see after wearing). If you use koshish karna at a Zara fitting room, the staff will be very confused. It’s also not for "testing" a machine. Use test karna or jaanch karna for that. Basically, if the "try" involves a physical sense like taste or touch, skip this phrase. Use it for effort, not for sampling. Don't be that person who tries to "effort" a samosa.

Learners often try to translate "give it a try" literally. They say ✗ koshish dena. This sounds like you are handing someone a box of effort. In Hindi, you "do" effort, you don't "give" it. Another big one is skipping the ki. ✗ Main bolne koshish kar raha hoon. This sounds like "I trying speak." It’s understandable but lacks the polish of a native speaker. Also, watch out for the verb ending. Since koshish is feminine, some learners get confused with gender. But since it’s a karna verb, the verb usually agrees with the subject. Just stick to the standard karna conjugations and you'll be fine. Don't let the grammar ghosts scare you away from trying!

If you want to sound like a textbook, use prayatna karna. It’s the formal, Sanskrit-rooted cousin. It’s what you’d see in a formal speech or a government document. For a more "street" or urban vibe, many people just use the English word: try karna. "Ek baar try toh karo!" (Try it once at least!). If you want an idiom, try haath-pair maarna. It literally means "hitting hands and feet." It describes someone desperately trying everything to succeed. It’s like a swimmer trying to stay afloat. There’s also jee-jaan lagana, which means trying with your heart and soul. That’s for when you’re really going for gold.

You can spice up the phrase with adverbs. Poori koshish karna means to try your absolute best. It’s the "all-in" version. Ek baar koshish karna means to try just once. It’s the "low-risk" version. You can also say koshish jaari rakhna. This means to keep trying or to persist. It’s what a coach tells an athlete. In texting, you might see koshish karunga... with three dots. That usually means "I'll try, but don't count on it!" It’s the polite way to say maybe. Knowing these variations helps you navigate the subtle social cues of Indian conversation.

Is koshish masculine or feminine? It is feminine! But because it's part of a karna verb, you don't always notice. Can I use it in a professional email? Yes, it is perfectly neutral. It’s safe for bosses and besties. How do I say "Stop trying"? You’d say koshish karna band karo. It sounds a bit harsh, so use it carefully. Is it the same as "attempt"? Yes, it’s the most common way to say attempt in daily speech. Can I use it for sports? Absolutely, it’s very common in cricket commentary. "Batter ne shot maarne ki koshish ki" (The batter tried to hit a shot). It’s everywhere!