In 15 Seconds
- Means to borrow money or physical items temporarily.
- Combines 'Udhaar' (credit) with 'Lena' (to take).
- Essential for daily transactions and community favors.
Meaning
This phrase is used when you take something from someone with the intention of giving it back later. It is most commonly used for money, but it works for physical items like books or tools too.
Key Examples
3 of 6Borrowing money from a friend
क्या मैं तुमसे सौ रुपये उधार ले सकता हूँ?
Can I borrow a hundred rupees from you?
Borrowing a book
मैंने पुस्तकालय से एक किताब उधार ली है।
I have borrowed a book from the library.
Formal bank loan
व्यवसाय के लिए बैंक से उधार लेना ज़रूरी है।
It is necessary to borrow from the bank for the business.
Cultural Background
In small towns, 'Udhār' is often managed without any written contract, purely on 'Zubaan' (one's word/honor). Borrowing small items like chargers or pens is common, but borrowing money is generally discouraged to maintain professional boundaries. Borrowing ingredients (sugar, tea leaves) from neighbors is a way to maintain social ties and is never seen as a sign of poverty. Many stories by Premchand highlight the 'debt trap' (Karz ka jaal) that rural farmers fall into when they borrow from moneylenders.
The 'Se' Rule
Always remember to use 'se' with the person you are borrowing from. 'Ram se udhār lenā'.
Don't use for Rent
If you are paying to use something (like a car or apartment), use 'Kirāye par lenā', not 'udhār lenā'.
In 15 Seconds
- Means to borrow money or physical items temporarily.
- Combines 'Udhaar' (credit) with 'Lena' (to take).
- Essential for daily transactions and community favors.
What It Means
उधार लेना is the act of borrowing. It implies a temporary transfer of ownership. You take something now. You promise to return it later. In Hindi, उधार refers to the concept of credit or debt. लेना simply means 'to take'. Together, they form the standard way to talk about borrowing. It covers everything from a cup of sugar to a million-dollar bank loan. It is a foundational phrase for daily life in India.
How To Use It
You will mostly use this as a verb phrase. The word उधार stays the same. You conjugate the verb लेना based on the tense and subject. For example, 'I borrowed' becomes मैंने उधार लिया. If you are asking to borrow, you might say क्या मैं उधार ले सकता हूँ?. It is very flexible. You can place the object you are borrowing right before the phrase. For instance, पैसे उधार लेना means 'to borrow money'. Just remember that the focus is on the act of taking with intent to return.
When To Use It
Use this when you are short on cash at a cafe. Use it when your neighbor has a better lawnmower than yours. It is perfect for library books. It is also the standard term for financial loans at a bank. If you are texting a friend because you forgot your wallet, this is your go-to phrase. It is practical and direct. You can use it with friends, family, or even strangers in a pinch. It is a very 'real world' expression.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for 'borrowing' someone's time. In English, we say 'Can I borrow a minute?'. In Hindi, that sounds weird. Use वक़्त लेना instead. Also, don't use it if you don't plan on returning the item. That is just taking! It is also not used for 'borrowing' ideas or concepts in a metaphorical sense as often as in English. Keep it mostly for physical things or currency. If you are 'borrowing' a seat at a table, just ask if it is free.
Cultural Background
In India, उधार is more than just a transaction. It is a social glue. Many local 'Kirana' (grocery) stores have a 'Khata' system. This is a small notebook where the shopkeeper records what you 'borrowed'. You pay it all back at the end of the month. This relies on deep community trust. Borrowing a little bit of sugar or milk from a neighbor is also very common. It is seen as a way to build relationships. It shows you rely on each other.
Common Variations
The most common variation is उधार देना, which means 'to lend'. It is the flip side of the coin. You might also hear कर्ज़ लेना. This is more formal and usually implies a heavy financial debt or a bank loan. उधार माँगना means 'to ask for a loan'. If someone is always borrowing and never returning, people might say they are 'living on उधार'. It is a versatile root word for many social interactions.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and can be used in any setting. However, in very formal banking, the word 'Rinn' (ऋण) might be used instead of 'Udhaar'.
The 'Se' Rule
Always remember to use 'se' with the person you are borrowing from. 'Ram se udhār lenā'.
Don't use for Rent
If you are paying to use something (like a car or apartment), use 'Kirāye par lenā', not 'udhār lenā'.
Politeness Matters
When asking to borrow, add 'ज़रा' (zarā - just/a bit) to sound more natural: 'ज़रा पेन उधार मिलेगा?'
The 'Khata' System
If a shopkeeper says 'Khate mein likh doon?', they are asking if they should put it on your credit tab.
Examples
6क्या मैं तुमसे सौ रुपये उधार ले सकता हूँ?
Can I borrow a hundred rupees from you?
A very common way to ask for a small favor.
मैंने पुस्तकालय से एक किताब उधार ली है।
I have borrowed a book from the library.
Standard usage for physical objects.
व्यवसाय के लिए बैंक से उधार लेना ज़रूरी है।
It is necessary to borrow from the bank for the business.
Uses the phrase in a professional financial context.
तेरी बाइक उधार ले रहा हूँ, शाम को दूँगा।
Borrowing your bike, will return it by evening.
Informal drop of the subject 'I'.
उसने मेरी अक्ल उधार ली और वापस करना भूल गया!
He borrowed my brain and forgot to return it!
A funny way to call someone silly.
क्या मैं तुम्हारी हिम्मत उधार ले सकता हूँ?
Can I borrow your courage?
Metaphorical use in a deep conversation.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'udhār lenā'.
कल मैंने अपने भाई से कार _______।
Since 'कार' (car) is feminine, the past tense verb must be 'ली'.
Which sentence correctly asks to borrow money politely?
Choose the best option:
This uses the polite 'āpse' and the correct verb 'le saktā hūn'.
Match the Hindi phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
Udhār lenā specifically means to borrow.
Complete the dialogue.
A: क्या आपके पास एक्स्ट्रा पेन है? B: हाँ, है। A: क्या मैं इसे _______?
The speaker is asking for permission to borrow.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Borrow vs Lend
Practice Bank
4 exercisesकल मैंने अपने भाई से कार _______।
Since 'कार' (car) is feminine, the past tense verb must be 'ली'.
Choose the best option:
This uses the polite 'āpse' and the correct verb 'le saktā hūn'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Udhār lenā specifically means to borrow.
A: क्या आपके पास एक्स्ट्रा पेन है? B: हाँ, है। A: क्या मैं इसे _______?
The speaker is asking for permission to borrow.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it's better to say 'समय लेना' (samay lenā). 'Udhār' is for money or objects.
'Udhār' is general (items or money), while 'Karz' is specifically for money debt, often with interest.
Yes, it is a neutral term. To be extra polite, use 'क्या मैं... ले सकता हूँ?'.
You say 'मैं कर्ज़ में हूँ' (Main karz mein hūn).
Not always. If the context is clear, 'udhār lenā' alone often implies money.
Yes, 'उधार लेने वाला' (udhār lene vālā) or 'क़र्ज़दार' (karzdār).
Yes, 'Library se kitāb udhār lenā' is perfectly correct.
You can say 'vichār udhār lenā', but 'vichār lenā' or 'prerit honā' (to be inspired) is more common.
Yes, it is understood in most parts of India, though local languages have their own words (like 'Appu' in Kannada).
The opposite is 'udhār denā' (to lend) or 'vāpas karnā' (to return).
Related Phrases
उधार देना
contrastTo lend
कर्ज़ लेना
similarTo take a loan
ऋण लेना
specialized formTo borrow (formal)
हाथ उधार
specialized formShort-term petty loan
वापस करना
builds onTo return
