Meaning
To delay an event or task until a later time.
Cultural Background
The phrase 'Kal par mat taalo' (Don't leave it for tomorrow) is a common proverb attributed to the poet Kabir, emphasizing the importance of doing work now. In modern Indian startups, 'Tālnā' is often criticized using the English term 'Procrastination,' but in traditional government offices (Sarkari Daftar), 'Tālnā' is sometimes seen as a bureaucratic survival skill. When someone says 'Hum batate hain' (We will let you know), they are often 'taal-ing' a request politely. It is culturally understood as a 'no' in many contexts. Many Hindus believe that certain rituals or 'daan' (charity) can 'taal' (avert) the bad influence of planets like Shani (Saturn).
Use with 'Dena'
To sound more native, use 'Taal dena' instead of just 'Taalna' when talking about a specific completed action.
Avoid for 'Cancel'
Don't use 'Taalna' if the event is never going to happen. Use 'Radd karna' for cancellations.
Meaning
To delay an event or task until a later time.
Use with 'Dena'
To sound more native, use 'Taal dena' instead of just 'Taalna' when talking about a specific completed action.
Avoid for 'Cancel'
Don't use 'Taalna' if the event is never going to happen. Use 'Radd karna' for cancellations.
Social Nuance
If an Indian friend says 'Dekhte hain' (We'll see), they are likely 'taal-ing' your request. Don't push too hard!
The 'Kal' Trap
In Hindi, 'Kal' means both yesterday and tomorrow. 'Taalna' always pushes things to the 'future Kal'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of टालना.
बारिश की वजह से हमने पिकनिक को अगले हफ्ते के लिए ______ दिया।
The sentence is in the past tense with 'diya', so the root 'taal' is used to form the compound verb 'taal diya'.
Which sentence correctly uses the intransitive form 'टलना'?
Select the correct sentence:
'Tal gaya' is the intransitive form used when an event (the accident) is the subject that was averted.
Complete the dialogue using 'टाल-मटोल'.
अमित: तुम अपना प्रोजेक्ट कब खत्म करोगे? सुमित: कल पक्का कर लूँगा। अमित: पिछले तीन दिनों से तुम ______ ही कर रहे हो।
'Tāl-maṭol' is the noun for habitual procrastination, fitting the context of 'doing' (kar rahe ho).
Match the usage of 'Tālnā' to the situation.
1. 'Baat taalna' | 2. 'Hadsa talna' | 3. 'Meeting taalna'
Brushing off a matter is evasion; an accident being averted is safety; moving a meeting is scheduling.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Tālnā vs. Sthangit karna
Practice Bank
4 exercisesबारिश की वजह से हमने पिकनिक को अगले हफ्ते के लिए ______ दिया।
The sentence is in the past tense with 'diya', so the root 'taal' is used to form the compound verb 'taal diya'.
Select the correct sentence:
'Tal gaya' is the intransitive form used when an event (the accident) is the subject that was averted.
अमित: तुम अपना प्रोजेक्ट कब खत्म करोगे? सुमित: कल पक्का कर लूँगा। अमित: पिछले तीन दिनों से तुम ______ ही कर रहे हो।
'Tāl-maṭol' is the noun for habitual procrastination, fitting the context of 'doing' (kar rahe ho).
1. 'Baat taalna' | 2. 'Hadsa talna' | 3. 'Meeting taalna'
Brushing off a matter is evasion; an accident being averted is safety; moving a meeting is scheduling.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt depends on the context. In an office, it's neutral. In a friendship, if you keep 'taal-ing' someone, it can be seen as being 'unreliable' or 'evasive'.
'Sthangit karna' is formal (like 'adjourn' in court), while 'Tālnā' is everyday language (like 'postpone').
Yes, 'Usne mujhe taal diya' means 'He avoided/brushed me off'.
No, it's a noun. You must add 'karna' (to do) to make it a verb: 'Tāl-maṭol karna'.
You can say 'Main kaam taal raha hoon' or 'Main tāl-maṭol kar raha hoon'.
In very old Hindi or specific dialects, yes, but in modern standard Hindi, use 'hatana' for physical removal.
The opposite would be 'Nibṭānā' (to finish/settle) or 'Samay par karna' (to do on time).
Technically yes, but socially it is often used to avoid doing it at all without saying 'no'.
If the airline postponed the flight, you can say 'Flight taal di gayi'. If it's just late, use 'Flight late hai'.
Yes, often in the context of 'taalo mat' (don't wait/don't postpone love).
Related Phrases
टाल-मटोल करना
specialized formTo procrastinate habitually
आगे बढ़ाना
similarTo move forward/postpone
स्थगित करना
synonymTo adjourn or suspend
बचना
similarTo escape or avoid
नकारना
contrastTo reject
