In 15 Seconds
- Means to lend money or items to someone temporarily.
- Combines 'udhaar' (credit) with 'dena' (to give).
- Commonly used in daily life and local shopping.
Meaning
It simply means giving something to someone for a short time. You expect them to return it later, whether it's money, a book, or a pen.
Key Examples
3 of 6Lending money to a friend for coffee
क्या तुम मुझे सौ रुपये उधार दे सकते हो?
Can you lend me a hundred rupees?
Lending a book to a classmate
मैंने उसे अपनी किताब उधार दी है।
I have lent him my book.
A shopkeeper talking to a regular customer
साहब, हम अनजान लोगों को उधार नहीं देते।
Sir, we don't lend to strangers.
Cultural Background
In small towns, 'udhār' is often recorded in a red diary called a 'Bahi-Khata'. It's a symbol of trust between the merchant and the community. In modern startups, 'udhār' has been rebranded as 'Buy Now Pay Later' (BNPL), but people still colloquially call it 'udhār' in office chats. Lending jewelry or expensive sarees between relatives for weddings is a common practice, reinforcing family bonds. Many songs and movies depict the 'Garib Kisan' (poor farmer) trapped in the 'udhār' of a 'Lala' (moneylender), a classic trope in Indian storytelling.
The 'Ko' Rule
Always remember to put 'ko' after the person you are lending to. 'Ram ko udhaar do'.
Don't forget the gender
The verb 'dena' changes based on the object being lent, not the person. 'Kitaab (f) di', 'Paisa (m) diya'.
In 15 Seconds
- Means to lend money or items to someone temporarily.
- Combines 'udhaar' (credit) with 'dena' (to give).
- Commonly used in daily life and local shopping.
What It Means
देना उधार or more commonly उधार देना is about lending. It is the act of providing something temporarily. Usually, this refers to money between friends. It can also apply to physical objects. You are the giver in this scenario. You trust the person will return it. It is a very common part of daily life.
How To Use It
The word उधार means credit or loan. The verb देना means to give. You conjugate देना based on the tense. For example, मैंने उधार दिया means 'I lent'. Use it when you are the one helping out. It sounds very natural in casual conversations. You don't need fancy grammar to say it. Just pair the object with the phrase.
When To Use It
Use it when a friend forgets their wallet. Use it at a local grocery store. Use it when a colleague needs your charger. It is perfect for small, everyday favors. It works well in informal settings. You can use it with family too. It implies a sense of trust and community.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for permanent gifts. If you don't want it back, don't say उधार. Avoid it in very formal banking. Banks use the word ऋण (rin) for loans. Don't use it for 'lending an ear'. That is a different expression in Hindi. It is strictly for physical or monetary items.
Cultural Background
In India, local shops often run on उधार. Regular customers have a 'khata' or account. They buy groceries now and pay later. This builds a strong bond of trust. Lending money to friends is also very common. It is often done without any formal paperwork. It shows you value the relationship over money. Just don't be the friend who never pays back!
Common Variations
The most common variation is उधार लेना. This means 'to borrow' or 'to take credit'. You can also say पैसे उधार देना for money. Another version is उधार पर देना. This emphasizes the 'on credit' aspect. In slang, people might just say उधारी. Use these to sound like a local expert.
Usage Notes
The phrase is highly versatile and works in almost any daily situation. Just remember that the verb 'dena' must be conjugated to match the subject and tense of your sentence.
The 'Ko' Rule
Always remember to put 'ko' after the person you are lending to. 'Ram ko udhaar do'.
Don't forget the gender
The verb 'dena' changes based on the object being lent, not the person. 'Kitaab (f) di', 'Paisa (m) diya'.
Use 'De dena'
In casual speech, use 'de dena' instead of just 'dena' to sound more like a native speaker when making a request.
Examples
6क्या तुम मुझे सौ रुपये उधार दे सकते हो?
Can you lend me a hundred rupees?
A very common way to ask for a small favor.
मैंने उसे अपनी किताब उधार दी है।
I have lent him my book.
Shows the phrase isn't just for money.
साहब, हम अनजान लोगों को उधार नहीं देते।
Sir, we don't lend to strangers.
Reflects the trust-based nature of local credit.
अपना चार्जर उधार दे दे यार!
Lend me your charger, man!
Uses 'yaar' for a very informal, sibling vibe.
तुम्हें उधार देना मतलब पैसे भूल जाना है।
Lending to you means forgetting the money.
A classic humorous jab at a forgetful friend.
मुश्किल समय में मैंने उसे पैसे उधार दिए।
I lent him money during a difficult time.
Conveys a sense of support and reliability.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'उधार देना'.
मैंने अपने दोस्त को अपनी कार _______। (Past Tense)
Since 'car' is feminine in Hindi, the verb 'dena' becomes 'di' in the past tense.
Which sentence means 'Can you lend me 100 rupees?'
Choose the correct Hindi translation:
Option B correctly uses the polite 'aap' and the ability verb 'sakte hain' for lending.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are at a shop and want to buy milk but forgot your wallet.
Asking for 'udhār' is the appropriate way to ask for credit at a shop.
Complete the dialogue.
राम: मुझे एक पेन चाहिए। श्याम: मेरे पास दो हैं। मैं तुम्हें एक _______।
Shyam is offering to lend in the future, so 'udhār dūm gā' is correct.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesमैंने अपने दोस्त को अपनी कार _______। (Past Tense)
Since 'car' is feminine in Hindi, the verb 'dena' becomes 'di' in the past tense.
Choose the correct Hindi translation:
Option B correctly uses the polite 'aap' and the ability verb 'sakte hain' for lending.
You are at a shop and want to buy milk but forgot your wallet.
Asking for 'udhār' is the appropriate way to ask for credit at a shop.
राम: मुझे एक पेन चाहिए। श्याम: मेरे पास दो हैं। मैं तुम्हें एक _______।
Shyam is offering to lend in the future, so 'udhār dūm gā' is correct.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsNo, for 'lending a hand', Hindi uses 'हाथ बँटाना' (hāth baṃṭānā) or 'मदद करना' (madad karnā). 'Udhār denā' is only for physical items or money.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss, your mother, or a shopkeeper.
'Udhār' is more general (books, sugar, money). 'Karz' is specifically for money and usually implies a more serious debt.
You say 'मुझ पर उधार है' (Mujh par udhār hai) or 'मैं कर्ज़ में हूँ' (Main karz meṃ hūm).
Yes, but in very formal documents they prefer 'ऋण' (ṛṇ). In conversation, bank employees will use 'udhār' or 'loan'.
Related Phrases
उधार लेना
contrastTo borrow
कर्ज़ चुकाना
builds onTo pay back a debt
ब्याज पर देना
specialized formTo lend on interest
मुफ़्त में देना
contrastTo give for free
