सिलाई करना
silai karna
to sew
Literally: सिलाई (silāī) = sewing/stitching + करना (karnā) = to do
In 15 Seconds
- Standard Hindi phrase for 'to sew' or 'to stitch' fabric.
- Used for hobbies, professional tailoring, and fixing damaged clothes.
- Combines the noun 'silai' (sewing) with the verb 'karna' (to do).
Meaning
It means the act of joining fabric or fixing clothes using a needle and thread. It’s the standard way to say 'to sew' or 'to stitch' in everyday conversation.
Key Examples
3 of 7Fixing a shirt button
क्या तुम इस बटन की सिलाई कर सकते हो?
Can you sew this button?
At the tailor's shop
मुझे इस सूट की सिलाई करवानी है।
I need to get this suit sewn.
Talking about a new hobby
आजकल मैं घर पर सिलाई करना सीख रही हूँ।
These days I am learning to sew at home.
Cultural Background
Lucknow is famous for 'Chikan' work, a delicate form of hand-sewing and embroidery. Here, 'silai' is often paired with 'karhai' (embroidery) as a high art form. In Punjab, women traditionally sew 'Phulkari' (flower work) shawls. It's a social activity where women sit together and sew while singing folk songs. The 'Gali ka Darzi' (neighborhood tailor) is a vital part of urban life. Most people don't buy ready-made clothes for weddings; they get them custom-sewn. Kantha is a traditional craft where old sarees are layered and sewn together with a simple running stitch to make quilts and wraps.
The 'Karna' Rule
Remember that 'silai' is the noun. You always need 'karna' to make it an action verb.
Gender Agreement
Don't forget that 'silai' is feminine. Say 'acchi silai' (good sewing), not 'accha silai'.
In 15 Seconds
- Standard Hindi phrase for 'to sew' or 'to stitch' fabric.
- Used for hobbies, professional tailoring, and fixing damaged clothes.
- Combines the noun 'silai' (sewing) with the verb 'karna' (to do).
What It Means
सिलाई करना is your go-to phrase for 'to sew' in Hindi. It’s a simple combination of सिलाई (sewing) and करना (to do). Think of it as 'doing the act of stitching.' It covers everything from a quick fix to making a wedding outfit. It’s a very practical, everyday expression. You'll hear it in homes and high-end boutiques alike. It is the foundation of the massive Indian garment industry.
How To Use It
You treat it like a standard compound verb. The word सिलाई stays the same. You only change the ending of करना. If you're a guy, say करता हूँ (karta hoon). If you're a girl, say करती हूँ (karti hoon). Want to say you 'will sew'? Use करूँगा (karunga) or करूँगी (karungi). It’s very flexible. You can also add what you are sewing before the phrase. Just use the connector की (ki). For example, कमीज़ की सिलाई (sewing of the shirt). It’s like building a Lego set with words!
When To Use It
Use it when you visit a darzī (tailor). It’s essential for explaining what you want. Use it when talking about your weekend projects. If you're into fashion, this is your bread and butter. It’s also great for texting. 'Hey, can you fix my bag?' becomes a lot easier. It’s a neutral phrase, so it works everywhere. From a village market to a Delhi mall, people will understand you. It’s perfect for that moment you realize your favorite pants have a hole.
When NOT To Use It
Don't mix this up with knitting. If you're using wool and needles for a sweater, use बुनाई करना (bunai karna). Also, stay away from this at the hospital. If someone needs stitches for a cut, use टाँके लगाना (taanke lagana). If you tell a doctor to do सिलाई, they might look for a sewing machine! Also, don't use it for 'sewing seeds.' That’s a completely different word (बोना - bona). Don't sew your seeds; you'll just end up with dirty thread.
Cultural Background
In India, the tailor is a local celebrity. Most people don't just buy clothes off the rack. They buy 'pieces' of fabric and take them to a darzī. This makes सिलाई करना a very common topic of conversation. You’ll often hear people debating the 'fitting' or the 'stitching quality.' It’s a skill passed down through generations. In many households, a sewing machine is a prized possession. It represents self-reliance and creativity. It's the heart of the 'slow fashion' movement before it was even a trend.
Common Variations
The most common variation is the simple verb सिलना (silna). It’s shorter and very common in spoken Hindi. You might also hear हाथ की सिलाई (haath ki silai). This specifically means 'hand-stitching.' Then there’s सिलाई मशीन (silai masheen), which is the sewing machine itself. If you're talking about embroidery, you’d say कढ़ाई करना (kadhai karna). Often, people combine them as सिलाई-कढ़ाई to mean general needlework. It's the ultimate DIY vocabulary set.
Usage Notes
The phrase is very safe to use in all contexts. Just remember to use the causative 'karwana' when you are paying a tailor to do the work for you.
The 'Karna' Rule
Remember that 'silai' is the noun. You always need 'karna' to make it an action verb.
Gender Agreement
Don't forget that 'silai' is feminine. Say 'acchi silai' (good sewing), not 'accha silai'.
Use 'Silvana' for Tailors
If you are at a shop, use 'silvana' (to get sewn) to sound more like a native. 'Mujhe ye suit silvana hai'.
Examples
7क्या तुम इस बटन की सिलाई कर सकते हो?
Can you sew this button?
A simple request for a minor repair.
मुझे इस सूट की सिलाई करवानी है।
I need to get this suit sewn.
Uses the causative form 'karwani' because someone else is doing the work.
आजकल मैं घर पर सिलाई करना सीख रही हूँ।
These days I am learning to sew at home.
Standard way to describe learning the skill.
इसका मुँह सिलाई करना पड़ेगा!
We'll have to sew his mouth shut!
A common hyperbolic joke about someone who talks too much.
मेरी दादी बहुत सुंदर सिलाई करती थीं।
My grandmother used to do beautiful sewing.
Expressing nostalgia and admiration for skill.
मेरी पैंट फट गई, क्या तुम सिलाई करना जानते हो?
My pants ripped, do you know how to sew?
Informal inquiry between friends.
सिलाई करना डिज़ाइनिंग का एक ज़रूरी हिस्सा है।
Sewing is an essential part of designing.
Formal statement about the craft.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'silāī karnā'.
मेरी दादी रोज़ाना पुराने कपड़ों की _______ है।
The subject 'Dadi' (grandmother) is feminine singular, so the verb must be 'karti'.
Which sentence is correct for a medical context?
डॉक्टर ने घाव पर...
'Tanke lagaye' is the correct term for medical stitches.
Match the Hindi word with its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are all related but distinct textile actions.
Complete the dialogue at the tailor shop.
ग्राहक: इस सूट की _______ कितनी है? दर्जी: पाँच सौ रुपये साहब।
The customer is asking for the 'silai' (sewing/tailoring) charges.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Types of Stitching
Structural
- • सिलाई (Sewing)
- • तुरपाई (Hemming)
Decorative
- • कढ़ाई (Embroidery)
- • ज़रदोज़ी (Zardozi)
Practice Bank
4 exercisesमेरी दादी रोज़ाना पुराने कपड़ों की _______ है।
The subject 'Dadi' (grandmother) is feminine singular, so the verb must be 'karti'.
डॉक्टर ने घाव पर...
'Tanke lagaye' is the correct term for medical stitches.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are all related but distinct textile actions.
ग्राहक: इस सूट की _______ कितनी है? दर्जी: पाँच सौ रुपये साहब।
The customer is asking for the 'silai' (sewing/tailoring) charges.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it can be used for both hand-sewing (haath se silai) and machine-sewing (machine se silai).
A tailor is called a 'Darzi' (दर्जी).
While 'silai' is general, 'karhai' (कढ़ाई) is the specific word for embroidery.
It is called 'silai machine' (सिलाई मशीन).
Both are phonetically similar, but 'सिलाई' (silāī) is the standard spelling.
Yes, for leather sewing, you can use 'silai karna', though 'ganthna' is sometimes used for cobbling.
There isn't a single word, but you could say 'silai udhedna' (to rip out stitches).
It is a neutral word, appropriate for both casual conversation and formal business.
You say 'Main silai sikh raha/rahi hoon'.
It's a common pairing meaning 'sewing and embroidery', often used to describe domestic crafts.
Related Phrases
बुनाई करना
similarTo knit
कढ़ाई करना
similarTo embroider
सिलवाना
specialized formTo have something sewn (causative)
रफ़ू करना
specialized formTo darn/mend
