Meaning
The continuous struggle and competition inherent in living life.
Cultural Background
In cities like Mumbai, 'Zindagi ki daud' is literal. The 'local train' culture embodies this phrase, where missing a train by seconds feels like losing the race. The phrase is heavily used to describe the 'Coaching Culture' in places like Kota, where students compete for a few seats in top colleges. Hindi cinema has romanticized and criticized this 'daud' for decades, often portraying the village as a place of peace and the city as the 'daud'. Modern gurus use this phrase to encourage 'mindfulness', telling followers to 'step out of the race'.
Sound like a Native
Use this phrase when someone asks why you haven't called in a while. It's the ultimate polite excuse.
Gender Check
Never say 'Zindagi ka daud'. It's a dead giveaway that you're a beginner.
Meaning
The continuous struggle and competition inherent in living life.
Sound like a Native
Use this phrase when someone asks why you haven't called in a while. It's the ultimate polite excuse.
Gender Check
Never say 'Zindagi ka daud'. It's a dead giveaway that you're a beginner.
The 'Mumbai' Context
If you're in Mumbai, this phrase is almost a daily greeting. Use it to bond with fellow commuters.
Pairing with Adjectives
Add 'अंधी' (blind) or 'बेमतलब' (meaningless) before 'दौड़' to add more emotional depth.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct genitive marker.
आजकल हर कोई ज़िंदगी ___ दौड़ में लगा है।
'Daud' is a feminine noun, so 'ki' is the correct marker.
Which sentence best describes a 'rat race' scenario?
इनमें से कौन सा वाक्य 'ज़िंदगी की दौड़' को सही तरह से दर्शाता है?
The phrase refers to the competitive struggle of life/career, not literal running.
Complete the dialogue with the appropriate phrase.
राहुल: तुम इतने परेशान क्यों दिख रहे हो? अमित: क्या बताऊँ यार, इस _________ ने मुझे थका दिया है।
In a context of being 'tired' or 'troubled' by life's pressures, 'Zindagi ki daud' is the natural fit.
Match the phrase variation to its context.
Match: 1. जीवन की दौड़ (Formal) 2. दौड़-धूप (Physical hustle) 3. चूहा दौड़ (Cynical/Modern)
Formal contexts prefer 'Jeevan', physical toil is 'daud-dhoop', and 'chooha daud' is the literal 'rat race'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Daud vs. Bhag-daud
Practice Bank
4 exercisesआजकल हर कोई ज़िंदगी ___ दौड़ में लगा है।
'Daud' is a feminine noun, so 'ki' is the correct marker.
इनमें से कौन सा वाक्य 'ज़िंदगी की दौड़' को सही तरह से दर्शाता है?
The phrase refers to the competitive struggle of life/career, not literal running.
राहुल: तुम इतने परेशान क्यों दिख रहे हो? अमित: क्या बताऊँ यार, इस _________ ने मुझे थका दिया है।
In a context of being 'tired' or 'troubled' by life's pressures, 'Zindagi ki daud' is the natural fit.
Match: 1. जीवन की दौड़ (Formal) 2. दौड़-धूप (Physical hustle) 3. चूहा दौड़ (Cynical/Modern)
Formal contexts prefer 'Jeevan', physical toil is 'daud-dhoop', and 'chooha daud' is the literal 'rat race'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsUsually, yes. It implies stress, competition, and exhaustion, though it can sometimes just mean the 'journey of life'.
No, that would sound very strange and overly dramatic. Use 'daud' or 'race' for sports.
'Zindagi' is more common and conversational; 'Jeevan' is formal and literary.
You can say 'मैं ज़िंदगी की दौड़ में सबसे आगे हूँ' (I am ahead in the race of life).
Yes, if you're discussing your motivation or how you handle pressure, but don't sound too cynical about it.
In Hindi, most nouns ending in a consonant that were derived from specific Sanskrit roots are feminine; 'daud' is one of them.
Often, yes. It usually refers to the struggle for material success and status.
Yes, to describe the pressure they face in school (e.g., 'Bachon ko zindagi ki daud mein mat dalo').
Phrases like 'Sukoon ki zindagi' (A life of peace) or 'Thahrav' (Stillness).
Constantly. It's a favorite theme for Bollywood lyricists exploring urban loneliness.
No, it should be 'Meri zindagi ki daud' because 'daud' is feminine.
Yes, it's very effective in public speaking to build rapport with the audience.
Related Phrases
भाग-दौड़
similarHustle and bustle
आपाधापी
synonymChaos/Frantic scramble
पीछे छूटना
builds onTo be left behind
ठहराव
contrastStillness/Pause
मंजिल
similarDestination
