In 15 Seconds
- The standard Hinglish way to say 'to pay' in India.
- Used for cash, card, or digital UPI transactions everywhere.
- Combines English 'payment' with the Hindi verb 'karna' (to do).
Meaning
This is the most common way to say 'to pay' or 'to settle a bill' in modern Hindi. It blends the English word 'payment' with the Hindi verb 'to do' to create a perfect Hinglish expression.
Key Examples
3 of 6At a cafe with a friend
चलो, मैं पेमेंट कर देता हूँ।
Come on, I will make the payment.
Confirming a transaction
क्या आपने पेमेंट कर दी है?
Have you made the payment?
Texting a roommate about rent
भाई, रेंट की पेमेंट करना मत भूलना।
Bro, don't forget to make the rent payment.
Cultural Background
In cities, 'Payment karna' almost always implies a digital transaction via UPI (Unified Payments Interface). You will see QR codes even on small roadside tea stalls. In Indian offices, 'payment' is used exclusively over 'bhugtan.' It sounds more professional and aligned with global business standards. When someone says 'Main payment kar doonga,' it's often polite to offer to pay at least once before accepting their generosity. In rural areas, while 'payment' is understood, 'paise dena' is still more common, especially when dealing with physical cash.
The 'Di' Rule
Always use 'di' (feminine) in the past tense. It makes you sound like a native speaker immediately.
Don't say 'Payment Dena'
Even though 'give payment' makes sense in English, it sounds clunky in Hindi. Stick to 'Karna'.
In 15 Seconds
- The standard Hinglish way to say 'to pay' in India.
- Used for cash, card, or digital UPI transactions everywhere.
- Combines English 'payment' with the Hindi verb 'karna' (to do).
What It Means
पेमेंट करना is a classic 'Hinglish' phrase. It is used for any financial transaction. You are essentially saying 'to do the payment.' It is much more common in cities than the pure Hindi word भुगतान. Whether you are buying a coffee or paying rent, this is your go-to phrase. It sounds modern, natural, and very relatable.
How To Use It
You treat पेमेंट as a noun and करना as the action. To say 'I paid,' you say मैंने पेमेंट कर दी. Notice how the gender often shifts to feminine because पेमेंट is treated as feminine in many contexts. You can use it with 'online,' 'cash,' or 'card.' Just put the method before the phrase. It is incredibly flexible for all tenses.
When To Use It
Use it everywhere in daily life. Use it at a restaurant when the bill arrives. Use it when talking to a shopkeeper about a purchase. It is perfect for professional emails about invoices. Even when texting a friend to split a bill, this works. It is the universal language of money in India today.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it in highly formal Hindi literature. Avoid it in official government speeches or classic poetry. In those cases, use the formal word भुगतान करना. Also, do not use it for non-monetary 'payments.' For example, 'paying attention' is ध्यान देना, not पेमेंट करना. Using it there would sound very funny and wrong.
Cultural Background
India has seen a massive digital payment revolution recently. Because of apps like Google Pay and Paytm, पेमेंट करना is now a household term. Even street vendors with small carts will ask you to पेमेंट कर दो. It represents the blend of traditional Indian markets and global technology. It is a symbol of modern, fast-paced Indian life.
Common Variations
You will often hear पेमेंट हो गई? which means 'Is the payment done?' Another common one is ऑनलाइन पेमेंट, specifically for digital transfers. If someone is asking you to pay, they might say पेमेंट कर दीजिए. If you are talking about cash, you might switch to पैसे देना. But for anything digital, पेमेंट करना is the undisputed king.
Usage Notes
This phrase is the gold standard for daily life. It is neutral, meaning you won't offend anyone by using it, but it's not 'high' literature. Remember to conjugate 'karna' based on the subject and tense.
The 'Di' Rule
Always use 'di' (feminine) in the past tense. It makes you sound like a native speaker immediately.
Don't say 'Payment Dena'
Even though 'give payment' makes sense in English, it sounds clunky in Hindi. Stick to 'Karna'.
UPI is King
If you are in India, 'Payment karna' usually means scanning a QR code. Mentioning 'GPay' or 'Paytm' is very common.
Formal vs Informal
Use 'Payment' for 99% of situations. Save 'Bhugtan' for when you are reading a legal contract.
Examples
6चलो, मैं पेमेंट कर देता हूँ।
Come on, I will make the payment.
A very common way to offer to pay the bill.
क्या आपने पेमेंट कर दी है?
Have you made the payment?
Standard question to check if money was sent.
भाई, रेंट की पेमेंट करना मत भूलना।
Bro, don't forget to make the rent payment.
Casual reminder using 'payment' as a noun.
भैया, ऑनलाइन पेमेंट करना है, QR कोड कहाँ है?
Brother, I need to pay online, where is the QR code?
Typical interaction in a modern Indian shop.
मेरे पास पैसे नहीं हैं, आज तुम पेमेंट करो!
I have no money, you make the payment today!
A lighthearted way to dodge the bill.
तुम्हारी मदद के लिए मैं ये पेमेंट करना चाहता हूँ।
I want to make this payment for your help.
Used when giving money as a token of thanks.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'karna' in the past tense (remember the gender of 'payment').
मैंने कल अपनी बिजली का बिल (payment) ________।
'Payment' is feminine, so 'kar di' is the correct perfective form.
Which of these is the most natural way to ask if you can pay by card in a modern shop?
Choose the best sentence:
While 'bhugtan' is correct, 'payment' is the most natural and common term in modern shops.
Complete the dialogue between two friends at a cafe.
Friend A: 'Bill aa gaya hai.' Friend B: 'Theek hai, main ________.'
'Payment karta hoon' is the standard way to say 'I'll pay.'
Match the phrase to the context.
Context: You are at a temple and want to give a donation.
In religious contexts, 'payment karna' is inappropriate; 'daan dena' is used.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesमैंने कल अपनी बिजली का बिल (payment) ________।
'Payment' is feminine, so 'kar di' is the correct perfective form.
Choose the best sentence:
While 'bhugtan' is correct, 'payment' is the most natural and common term in modern shops.
Friend A: 'Bill aa gaya hai.' Friend B: 'Theek hai, main ________.'
'Payment karta hoon' is the standard way to say 'I'll pay.'
Context: You are at a temple and want to give a donation.
In religious contexts, 'payment karna' is inappropriate; 'daan dena' is used.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsIt is feminine. This is why we say 'Payment achhi thi' or 'Payment kar di.'
Yes, 'Pay karna' is even more casual and very common. 'Maine pay kar diya.'
The formal word is 'Bhugtan' (भुगतान).
You say 'Payment fail ho gayi.'
Yes, in the past tense. 'Maine payment ki.'
Yes, if discussing salary or company transactions, 'payment' is perfectly professional.
You can still say 'Main cash mein payment kar raha hoon.'
Say 'Maine payment kar di hai.'
Constantly! It's the standard way characters talk about money in modern settings.
No, 'Bill bharna' (to fill/pay a bill) or 'Bill pay karna' is used instead.
It is 'Payment ki' because payment is feminine.
Say 'Kitni payment karni hai?'
Related Phrases
पैसे देना
similarTo give money
बिल भरना
specialized formTo fill/pay a bill
उधार चुकाना
specialized formTo pay back a debt
खर्च करना
similarTo spend money
रिश्वत देना
contrastTo give a bribe
भुगतान करना
synonymTo pay (formal)
