In 15 Seconds
- The standard Hindi phrase for traveling or going on a journey.
- Combines the noun 'safar' (journey) with the verb 'karna' (to do).
- Used for vacations, long commutes, and even the journey of life.
Meaning
This phrase is the most common way to say 'to travel' in Hindi. It covers everything from a weekend road trip to a long international flight.
Key Examples
3 of 6Talking about holiday plans
Hum agle mahine Japan ka safar karenge.
We will travel to Japan next month.
Complaining about a work trip
Business ke liye safar karna thakau hota hai.
Traveling for business is tiring.
Texting a friend who just arrived
Tumhara safar kaisa raha?
How was your journey?
Cultural Background
The Indian Railway system is the backbone of 'safar' in India. It's not just transport; it's a cultural melting pot where people from different states share food and stories. The word 'safar' is a favorite of lyricists. It often symbolizes the transient nature of life or the search for a beloved. When someone is 'safar kar raha' (traveling) and visits a home, they are treated with extreme care, as travelers are seen as guests of God. While 'safar' is general, 'yatra' is used for the millions who travel for religious reasons to places like Varanasi or Mecca (Haj ka safar).
Use 'Se' for Transport
Always use the postposition 'से' (se) when mentioning how you travel. E.g., 'Bus se', 'Car se', 'Cycle se'.
The 'Ne' Rule
In the past tense, remember that 'karna' is transitive. You must say 'Maine safar kiya', not 'Main safar kiya'.
In 15 Seconds
- The standard Hindi phrase for traveling or going on a journey.
- Combines the noun 'safar' (journey) with the verb 'karna' (to do).
- Used for vacations, long commutes, and even the journey of life.
What It Means
Think of safar karna as your go-to phrase for any trip. It implies moving from one place to another over a distance. It isn't just about the destination. It focuses on the act of being on the move. Whether you are on a train or a plane, you are doing safar.
How To Use It
This is a 'karna' verb, which means 'to do'. You keep the word safar the same. You only change the ending of karna to match the person and tense. For example, 'I travel' is main safar karta hoon. If you are a woman, use karti hoon. It is very easy to plug into any sentence structure. You can add the destination using ki or tak if you want to be specific.
When To Use It
Use this when talking about vacations or business trips. It is perfect for asking friends about their holiday plans. You can use it when discussing your daily long commute too. It feels natural in almost every setting. If you are at an airport or a railway station, this is the word you will hear most. It is also great for metaphorical journeys, like the 'journey of life'.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for very short trips. If you are just walking to the corner shop, don't use safar. That is just jaana (going). Using safar for a two-minute walk sounds like you are being very dramatic. Unless you are joking about how far the fridge is, keep it for real distances. Also, for religious pilgrimages, people often prefer the word yatra over safar.
Cultural Background
The word safar actually comes from Arabic and Persian roots. It has a very poetic feel in North India. You will find it in countless Bollywood songs and Urdu poetry. It suggests a sense of adventure and discovery. In India, train travel is a huge part of the culture. Most people associate safar with the sound of tracks and chai on a platform.
Common Variations
You might hear yatra karna in more formal or religious contexts. In very casual slang, people just say ghoomna, which means 'to roam' or 'to hang out'. Another common one is safari, but that usually refers to a wildlife trip. If you want to call someone a traveler, you call them a musafir. This word also has a very romantic, wandering vibe to it.
Usage Notes
This phrase is safe to use in almost any context. It is neither too slangy nor too stiff. Just remember to conjugate the verb 'karna' based on the gender of the speaker.
Use 'Se' for Transport
Always use the postposition 'से' (se) when mentioning how you travel. E.g., 'Bus se', 'Car se', 'Cycle se'.
The 'Ne' Rule
In the past tense, remember that 'karna' is transitive. You must say 'Maine safar kiya', not 'Main safar kiya'.
Small Talk
Asking 'Aapka safar kaisa raha?' (How was your journey?) is the perfect icebreaker when meeting someone who just arrived.
Hinglish is Okay
If you forget 'safar karna', saying 'travel karna' is perfectly acceptable in big cities like Delhi or Mumbai.
Examples
6Hum agle mahine Japan ka safar karenge.
We will travel to Japan next month.
Uses the future tense of 'karna'.
Business ke liye safar karna thakau hota hai.
Traveling for business is tiring.
Describes a general fact about travel.
Tumhara safar kaisa raha?
How was your journey?
A very common way to greet someone after a trip.
Bed se kitchen tak ka safar hi kaafi hai!
The journey from the bed to the kitchen is enough!
Uses 'safar' humorously for a short distance.
Zindagi ek khoobsurat safar hai.
Life is a beautiful journey.
A classic metaphorical use of the word.
Kya aapne kabhi akele safar kiya hai?
Have you ever traveled alone?
Uses the past participle 'kiya'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'safar karna'.
मैं अगले साल अमेरिका का _______ हूँ।
'Agle saal' (next year) indicates the future tense, so 'safar karūñgā' is correct for a male speaker.
Which sentence correctly uses the past tense?
Choose the correct past tense sentence:
With 'karna' in the past tense, the subject takes 'ne' (Maine) and the verb agrees with the object 'safar' (masculine), so 'kiya'.
Match the Hindi phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are standard collocations using 'safar'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: क्या आपको पहाड़ों में जाना पसंद है? B: हाँ, मुझे पहाड़ों का _______ बहुत अच्छा लगता है।
The sentence requires an infinitive form 'to travel' (safar karna) after 'pasand hai' / 'accha lagta hai'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Safar vs Yatra
Practice Bank
4 exercisesमैं अगले साल अमेरिका का _______ हूँ।
'Agle saal' (next year) indicates the future tense, so 'safar karūñgā' is correct for a male speaker.
Choose the correct past tense sentence:
With 'karna' in the past tense, the subject takes 'ne' (Maine) and the verb agrees with the object 'safar' (masculine), so 'kiya'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are standard collocations using 'safar'.
A: क्या आपको पहाड़ों में जाना पसंद है? B: हाँ, मुझे पहाड़ों का _______ बहुत अच्छा लगता है।
The sentence requires an infinitive form 'to travel' (safar karna) after 'pasand hai' / 'accha lagta hai'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is masculine. That's why we say 'lambā safar' (long journey) and 'safar kiyā' (did travel).
No, that would sound very strange. Use 'safar' for trips that feel like a 'journey'. For a walk, use 'tehalna' or 'jana'.
'Safar' is the everyday, neutral word (Arabic origin). 'Yatra' is formal, official, or religious (Sanskrit origin).
You say 'Mujhe safar karna pasand hai'.
No! They sound similar but have zero connection. 'Safar' is a journey; 'Suffer' is 'peedit hona' or 'takleef uthana'.
Yes, that is the perfect time to use it!
A 'musafir' is a person who is doing a 'safar'—a traveler.
Yes, for business trips. 'Main kaam ke liye safar kar raha hoon' (I am traveling for work).
You can say 'Aapka safar surakshit rahe' or more commonly 'Happy Journey!'.
Yes! 'Samay ka safar' (Journey of time) is the term for time travel.
Related Phrases
यात्रा करना
synonymTo travel (formal/Sanskrit)
घूमना
similarTo wander / To hang out
रवाना होना
builds onTo depart / To set off
सैर करना
specialized formTo go for a walk / To tour
