अकेला महसूस करना
अकेला महसूस करना in 30 Seconds
- To feel lonely or isolated emotionally.
- A compound verb: Akela (Alone) + Mahsoos Karna (To Feel).
- Commonly used for mental health and personal relationships.
- Changes based on the gender and number of the subject.
The phrase अकेला महसूस करना (akela mahsoos karna) is a profound linguistic construct in Hindi that translates to 'to feel lonely' or 'to feel isolated.' Unlike simply being alone (which is akela hona), this expression delves into the subjective, emotional experience of solitude. It is a compound verb where akela (alone) acts as the adjective modifying the state, and mahsoos karna (to feel) provides the action of internal perception. This distinction is vital in Hindi culture, where social connectivity is highly valued; expressing that one feels lonely often carries a weight of emotional vulnerability.
- Emotional Depth
- It describes a psychological gap between a person and their social environment, regardless of physical proximity to others.
- Social Context
- Used frequently in modern urban settings where traditional family structures are changing, leading to more discussions about mental health.
- Literary Usage
- Common in Hindi poetry (Kavita) and songs (Ghazals) to evoke a sense of longing or 'viraha' (separation).
भीड़ में भी कभी-कभी इंसान अकेला महसूस करता है। (Even in a crowd, sometimes a person feels lonely.)
In Hindi-speaking households, the concept of 'aloneness' is often viewed through the lens of 'Sangat' (company). When someone says they feel lonely, they are essentially saying their spirit lacks the warmth of meaningful companionship. This phrase is used in both clinical settings (discussing depression) and casual conversations (missing a friend). It is important to note that the gender of the person feeling lonely affects the verb ending: a male says mahsoos karta hoon, while a female says mahsoos karti hoon.
नए शहर में आकर वह बहुत अकेला महसूस कर रही है। (After coming to a new city, she is feeling very lonely.)
The grammatical structure is flexible. You can add intensifiers like 'bahut' (very) or 'bilkul' (completely) before 'akela' to emphasize the depth of the feeling. In the digital age, this phrase is increasingly used on social media to express 'FOMO' (fear of missing out) or the isolation felt despite being constantly connected online. It bridges the gap between traditional emotional vocabulary and modern psychological awareness.
- Syntactic Flexibility
- Can be used in present, past, and future tenses easily by conjugating 'karna'.
क्या तुम कभी अकेला महसूस करते हो? (Do you ever feel lonely?)
बिना दोस्तों के पार्टी में मुझे अकेला महसूस हुआ। (I felt lonely at the party without friends.)
वह अपनी समस्याओं में खुद को अकेला महसूस करता है। (He feels lonely in his problems.)
Mastering the use of अकेला महसूस करना requires understanding how the verb karna changes according to the subject's gender and the tense of the sentence. Because it is a compound verb involving an emotion, it often follows the subject-object-verb order of Hindi, where the 'feeling' (akela mahsoos) serves as the complex predicate. Let's break down the various ways to integrate this into your speech, from simple present states to complex conditional moods.
- Present Habitual
- Used to describe a recurring feeling. 'Main akela mahsoos karta hoon' (I feel lonely - male).
- Past Simple
- Used to describe a specific instance in the past. 'Usne akela mahsoos kiya' (He/She felt lonely).
जब सब चले गए, तो मैंने अकेला महसूस किया। (When everyone left, I felt lonely.)
One of the most common ways to use this phrase is with the 'raha hai' (continuous) aspect. This implies that the feeling is currently happening and perhaps temporary. For example, 'Aaj main thoda akela mahsoos kar raha hoon' (Today I am feeling a bit lonely). The addition of 'thoda' (a bit) or 'zyaada' (more/very) allows for nuance in expressing the intensity of the emotion. It is also common to use this phrase in questions to check on someone's well-being, especially after a major life change like moving or a breakup.
वे इस बड़े घर में अकेला महसूस करते हैं। (They feel lonely in this big house.)
In more formal or literary contexts, you might see the passive construction or the use of 'hone laga' (started to happen). 'Mujhe akelapan mahsoos hone laga' (I started to feel loneliness). Here, 'akelapan' is the noun form. However, for B1 learners, sticking to the verb phrase 'akela mahsoos karna' is the most practical and naturally sounding approach. It fits perfectly into conversations about mental health, travel, and personal relationships.
- Future Tense
- 'Agar tum jaoge, to main akela mahsoos karoonga' (If you go, I will feel lonely).
क्या उसे वहां अकेला महसूस नहीं होगा? (Will he not feel lonely there?)
बुढ़ापे में लोग अक्सर अकेला महसूस करते हैं। (In old age, people often feel lonely.)
बिना परिवार के त्यौहार पर अकेला महसूस करना स्वाभाविक है। (It is natural to feel lonely on a festival without family.)
You will encounter अकेला महसूस करना in a variety of settings, ranging from the dramatic dialogues of Bollywood films to the quiet, introspective lyrics of modern indie Hindi music. It is a staple of 'Dard-e-Dil' (heartache) narratives. In daily life, however, its usage is becoming more grounded in discussions about mental well-being and social isolation in the fast-paced life of cities like Delhi or Mumbai.
- Bollywood Movies
- Often used in scenes where a character moves to a foreign country or loses a loved one. It emphasizes their internal struggle.
- News & Podcasts
- Psychologists on Hindi talk shows use this phrase to address the 'epidemic of loneliness' among youth and the elderly.
फिल्म के नायक ने कहा, "मैं इस दुनिया में बहुत अकेला महसूस करता हूँ।" (The movie's hero said, "I feel very lonely in this world.")
In the realm of Hindi literature, particularly in the works of writers like Nirmal Verma or Amrita Pritam, the feeling of loneliness is explored as an existential condition. You might hear the phrase in book readings or literary discussions. Furthermore, in the workplace, a colleague might use it to describe feeling unsupported: 'Project mein main akela mahsoos kar raha hoon' (I feel like I'm doing this project all alone/unsupported).
रेडियो पर आरजे ने पूछा, "क्या आप भी रविवार की शाम को अकेला महसूस करते हैं?" (The RJ on the radio asked, "Do you also feel lonely on Sunday evenings?")
Social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter see a high frequency of this phrase in Hindi captions, often accompanied by aesthetic photos of sunsets or empty streets. It has become a way for the younger generation to normalize talking about their feelings. In religious or spiritual discourses (Satsangs), gurus might talk about how one should never feel lonely because the Divine is always with them, using the phrase to contrast worldly isolation with spiritual presence.
- Music Lyrics
- Songs like 'Tanha Dil' or 'Jag Soona Soona Lage' revolve around this central theme of feeling lonely in a crowded world.
इंटरव्यू में लेखक ने बताया कि वह लिखने के दौरान अकेला महसूस नहीं करते। (In the interview, the author said he doesn't feel lonely during writing.)
सोशल मीडिया पर लोग अक्सर अकेला महसूस करने के बारे में पोस्ट करते हैं। (People often post about feeling lonely on social media.)
डॉक्टर ने मरीज से पूछा कि क्या वह बहुत दिनों से अकेला महसूस कर रहा है। (The doctor asked the patient if he had been feeling lonely for many days.)
When learning अकेला महसूस करना, English speakers often stumble over the nuance between being alone and feeling lonely. In English, 'lonely' is an adjective, but in Hindi, it's part of a verb phrase. A common error is trying to translate 'I am lonely' literally as 'Main akela hoon.' While grammatically correct, it simply means 'I am alone' (physically). To convey the emotional state, you must use mahsoos karna.
- Mistake 1: Omitting 'Mahsoos'
- Saying 'Main akela hoon' when you mean you are emotionally sad about being alone. Correction: Use 'Main akela mahsoos kar raha hoon.'
- Mistake 2: Gender Disagreement
- A woman saying 'Main akela mahsoos karta hoon.' Correction: She must say 'karti hoon'. The word 'akela' also changes to 'akeli' if she wants to be very precise, though 'akela' is often used as a generic adverbial state here.
गलत: मैं अकेला महसूस होना चाहता हूँ। (Wrong: I want to feel lonely.) सही: मैं अकेला रहना चाहता हूँ। (Right: I want to stay alone.)
Another frequent mistake involves the use of the word akelapan. 'Akelapan' is the noun 'loneliness'. You 'feel' (mahsoos karna) 'loneliness' (akelapan), or you 'feel' (mahsoos karna) 'lonely' (akela). While both 'akela mahsoos karna' and 'akelapan mahsoos karna' are used, the former is much more common for describing a personal state. Learners often mix the two, saying things like 'Main akelapan hoon' which makes no sense (I am loneliness).
गलत: वह अकेले महसूस है। (Wrong: He is lonely feel.) सही: वह अकेला महसूस कर रहा है। (Right: He is feeling lonely.)
Finally, watch out for postposition usage. You don't 'feel lonely *with* someone' in the same way. In Hindi, if you feel lonely because of someone's absence, you use 'ki kami' (lack of). 'Tumhari kami ki wajah se main akela mahsoos karta hoon' (I feel lonely because of your absence). Beginners often try to force English syntax into Hindi, which leads to awkward phrasing.
- Confusing 'Alone' and 'Lonely'
- Remember: 'Akela hona' = To be alone (fact). 'Akela mahsoos karna' = To feel lonely (emotion).
गलत: मुझे अकेला महसूस करना पसंद है। (Wrong: I like to feel lonely - usually people like to be alone, not feel lonely.)
सही: मुझे अकेले रहना पसंद है, लेकिन अकेला महसूस करना नहीं। (Right: I like to stay alone, but not to feel lonely.)
सावधानी: 'अकेला' (Akela) vs 'अकेले' (Akele). Use 'akela' for singular male, 'akeli' for singular female, and 'akele' for plural or respectful addressing.
While अकेला महसूस करना is the most versatile way to express loneliness, Hindi offers a rich palette of synonyms that carry different emotional weights and linguistic registers. Depending on whether you are writing a poem, talking to a doctor, or chatting with a friend, you might choose a different word to describe this state of being.
- Tanha (तन्हा)
- Urdu origin. Highly poetic and romantic. It implies a beautiful or tragic kind of solitude. Example: 'Tanha mehsoos karna'.
- Ekaki (एकाकी)
- Sanskrit origin. Very formal and academic. Often used in literature or psychology to describe an 'isolated' individual.
- Sunapan (सूनापन)
- Literally 'emptiness'. Used when the loneliness is felt as a void in one's life or home. 'Ghar mein sunapan mahsoos hona'.
वह खुद को समाज से अलग-थलग महसूस करता है। (He feels isolated/cut off from society.)
Another interesting alternative is alag-thalag mahsoos karna (to feel isolated or set apart). This is used when the loneliness stems from being different or excluded from a group. If someone feels lonely because they are bored, they might say mann nahi lag raha (my mind isn't engaging/I'm feeling restless), which often implies a need for company without explicitly saying 'I am lonely'. Understanding these nuances helps a B1 learner transition to B2 and C1 levels of fluency.
शहर की चकाचौंध में भी सूनापन महसूस होता है। (Even in the glitter of the city, one feels emptiness/loneliness.)
In a modern context, you might also hear 'isolated' used directly in Hinglish (Hindi + English) conversations: 'Main thoda isolated mahsoos kar raha hoon.' However, for true linguistic enrichment, using the native Hindi 'akela mahsoos karna' is always preferred. Each of these alternatives provides a slightly different texture to the emotion of being alone.
- Be-sahara (बेसहारा)
- To feel lonely because one lacks support or protection. Literally 'without support'.
दोस्त के जाने के बाद वह तन्हा महसूस करने लगा। (After his friend left, he started feeling lonely/solitary.)
गाँव छोड़कर शहर आने वाले अक्सर अकेलापन महसूस करते हैं। (Those who leave the village for the city often feel loneliness.)
एकाकी जीवन जीना मुश्किल है। (Living an isolated/lonely life is difficult.)
How Formal Is It?
"वृद्धाश्रम के निवासी अक्सर एकाकीपन और अकेला महसूस करते हैं।"
"वह नए शहर में अकेला महसूस कर रहा है।"
"यार, तेरे बिना मैं बहुत अकेला महसूस करता हूँ।"
"जब टेडी बेयर खो गया, तो भालू ने अकेला महसूस किया।"
"फुल अकेला महसूस हो रहा है ब्रो।"
Fun Fact
The word 'Mahsoos' is shared with Urdu, Persian, and Arabic, making it one of the many 'bridge' words in Hindi that connect it to the Middle East.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing 'akela' as 'a-kee-la'. It should be 'a-kay-la'.
- Missing the 'h' in 'mahsoos'. It is not 'masoos'.
- Using 'u' instead of 'oo' in 'mahsoos'. It is a long vowel.
- Not flapping the 'r' in 'karna'.
- Stress on the first syllable of 'akela'.
Difficulty Rating
The words are common, but the compound structure needs attention.
Requires correct conjugation of 'karna' and gender agreement.
Pronunciation of 'mahsoos' can be tricky for beginners.
Common in media, usually easy to spot.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Compound Verbs with 'Karna'
Mahsoos karna, Yaad karna, Koshish karna.
Gender Agreement of Adjectives
Akela (M), Akeli (F), Akele (Plural).
Present Continuous Tense
Kar raha hoon / Kar rahi hoon.
Postpositions with 'Bina'
Tumhare bina (Without you).
Causative Verbs (Intro)
Akela mahsoos karana (To make someone feel lonely).
Examples by Level
मैं अकेला महसूस करता हूँ।
I feel lonely (male).
Subject (Main) + Adjective (Akela) + Verb (Mahsoos karta hoon).
क्या तुम अकेला महसूस करते हो?
Do you feel lonely?
Question form using 'Kya' at the beginning.
वह अकेला महसूस करती है।
She feels lonely.
Female subject uses 'karti hai'.
आज मैं अकेला महसूस कर रहा हूँ।
Today I am feeling lonely.
Continuous tense: 'kar raha hoon'.
मेरे दोस्त नहीं हैं, इसलिए मैं अकेला महसूस करता हूँ।
I don't have friends, so I feel lonely.
Using 'isliye' (so/therefore) to show cause.
वह यहाँ अकेला महसूस करता है।
He feels lonely here.
Adverb of place 'yahan' (here).
माँ अकेला महसूस करती हैं।
Mother feels lonely (respectful).
Plural verb 'karti hain' for respect.
क्या वह अकेला महसूस कर रही है?
Is she feeling lonely?
Female continuous question.
नए स्कूल में मैं बहुत अकेला महसूस करता हूँ।
I feel very lonely in the new school.
Adding 'bahut' (very) for emphasis.
कल रात मैंने बहुत अकेला महसूस किया।
I felt very lonely last night.
Past simple tense: 'kiya'.
जब घर में कोई नहीं होता, तो मैं अकेला महसूस करती हूँ।
When no one is at home, I feel lonely.
Conditional 'Jab... to...' structure.
वह विदेश में अकेला महसूस कर रहा था।
He was feeling lonely abroad.
Past continuous: 'kar raha tha'.
क्या तुम्हें कभी-कभी अकेला महसूस होता है?
Do you sometimes feel lonely?
Using 'hona' instead of 'karna' for a more passive sense.
मेरे भाई-बहन चले गए, अब मैं अकेला महसूस करूँगा।
My siblings left, now I will feel lonely.
Future tense: 'karoonga'.
बिना टीवी के वह अकेला महसूस करता है।
He feels lonely without the TV.
Using 'bina' (without).
हम सब कभी-कभी अकेला महसूस करते हैं।
We all sometimes feel lonely.
Plural subject 'Hum' with 'akele' (though 'akela' is often kept in set phrases).
भीड़ भरे शहर में भी लोग अकेला महसूस कर सकते हैं।
People can feel lonely even in a crowded city.
Modal verb 'sakte hain' (can).
क्या आपने कभी इस बड़े घर में अकेला महसूस किया है?
Have you ever felt lonely in this big house?
Present perfect: 'kiya hai'.
सोशल मीडिया के बावजूद, कई युवा अकेला महसूस करते हैं।
Despite social media, many youths feel lonely.
Using 'ke baavjood' (despite).
अगर तुम यहाँ होते, तो मैं अकेला महसूस नहीं करती।
If you were here, I wouldn't feel lonely.
Counterfactual conditional.
वह अपनी बीमारी के दौरान बहुत अकेला महसूस कर रही थी।
She was feeling very lonely during her illness.
Using 'ke dauran' (during).
अकेला महसूस करना एक सामान्य मानवीय भावना है।
Feeling lonely is a normal human emotion.
Using the infinitive as a noun/subject.
जब मेरे विचार कोई नहीं समझता, तो मैं अकेला महसूस करता हूँ।
When no one understands my thoughts, I feel lonely.
Complex 'Jab... to...' sentence.
नौकरी खोने के बाद उसने खुद को अकेला महसूस किया।
After losing the job, he felt lonely.
Using 'khud ko' (himself) for emphasis.
शहरी जीवन की व्यस्तता में इंसान अक्सर अकेला महसूस करने लगता है।
In the busyness of urban life, a person often starts feeling lonely.
Inceptive verb 'karne lagta hai' (starts to do).
बुजुर्गों को अकेला महसूस न होने देना हमारी ज़िम्मेदारी है।
It is our responsibility not to let the elderly feel lonely.
Causative sense 'hone dena' (to let happen).
लेखक ने अपनी किताब में अकेला महसूस करने के मनोविज्ञान पर चर्चा की है।
The author has discussed the psychology of feeling lonely in his book.
Using the phrase as a gerund object.
सफलता की चोटी पर पहुँचकर भी कई लोग अकेला महसूस करते हैं।
Even after reaching the peak of success, many people feel lonely.
Using 'kar' (after doing) construction.
उसने स्वीकार किया कि वह अपनी शादी में अकेला महसूस कर रहा था।
He admitted that he was feeling lonely in his marriage.
Subordinate clause with 'ki'.
अकेला महसूस करने से मानसिक स्वास्थ्य पर बुरा असर पड़ सकता है।
Feeling lonely can have a bad effect on mental health.
Subjective use of the verb phrase.
विदेश में रहने वाले भारतीय अक्सर त्यौहारों पर अकेला महसूस करते हैं।
Indians living abroad often feel lonely during festivals.
Participle 'rehne vaale' (those who live).
क्या अकेला महसूस करना केवल एक मानसिक स्थिति है?
Is feeling lonely just a state of mind?
Philosophical inquiry.
अकेला महसूस करना अस्तित्ववादी संकट का एक महत्वपूर्ण हिस्सा हो सकता है।
Feeling lonely can be a significant part of an existential crisis.
Use of academic terms like 'astitvavadi sankat'.
कलाकार अक्सर अपनी रचनात्मक प्रक्रिया के दौरान गहरा अकेला महसूस करते हैं।
Artists often feel deeply lonely during their creative process.
Adverbial use of 'gehra' (deeply).
समाज से बहिष्कृत होने पर व्यक्ति अनिवार्य रूप से अकेला महसूस करता है।
Upon being ostracized from society, an individual inevitably feels lonely.
Formal 'par' construction for 'upon'.
आधुनिक तकनीक ने हमें जोड़ा तो है, लेकिन फिर भी हम अकेला महसूस करते हैं।
Modern technology has joined us, but we still feel lonely.
Contrastive 'to... lekin' structure.
शून्य में झांकते हुए उसने एक अजीब सा अकेला महसूस किया।
Staring into the void, he felt a strange kind of loneliness.
Present participle 'jhaankte hue'.
अकेला महसूस करने की भावना को कविता के माध्यम से व्यक्त किया जा सकता है।
The feeling of loneliness can be expressed through poetry.
Passive voice 'kiya ja sakta hai'.
वह अपनी विचारधारा के कारण अपने ही देश में अकेला महसूस करने लगा।
He started feeling lonely in his own country because of his ideology.
Causal 'ke kaaran'.
क्या अकेला महसूस करना निर्वाण की प्राप्ति का पहला चरण है?
Is feeling lonely the first step to attaining Nirvana?
Spiritual/Philosophical context.
मानवीय चेतना की जटिलताओं में अकेला महसूस करना एक अपरिहार्य सत्य है।
In the complexities of human consciousness, feeling lonely is an inescapable truth.
Highly formal vocabulary ('apariharya satya').
भीड़ का हिस्सा होकर भी स्वयं को अकेला महसूस करना आधुनिक मनुष्य की विडंबना है।
Feeling oneself lonely despite being part of a crowd is the irony of modern man.
Use of 'vidambana' (irony).
साहित्य में अकेला महसूस करने को अक्सर एक दिव्य विरह के रूप में चित्रित किया गया है।
In literature, feeling lonely has often been portrayed as a divine separation.
Perfect passive 'chitrit kiya gaya hai'.
जब शब्द संवाद करने में विफल हो जाते हैं, तब मनुष्य सर्वाधिक अकेला महसूस करता है।
When words fail to communicate, then man feels most lonely.
Superlative 'sarvadhik' (most).
अकेला महसूस करना केवल अभाव नहीं, बल्कि आत्म-साक्षात्कार का एक द्वार भी हो सकता है।
Feeling lonely is not just a lack, but can also be a door to self-realization.
Correlative 'na keval... balki' (not only... but).
ब्रह्मांड की विशालता के सम्मुख हम स्वयं को नगण्य और अकेला महसूस करते हैं।
In the face of the universe's vastness, we feel ourselves insignificant and lonely.
Formal 'ke sammukh' (in front of).
राजनीतिक अलगाव के दौर में उन्होंने बौद्धिक रूप से अकेला महसूस किया।
In the era of political isolation, he felt intellectually lonely.
Adverbial 'bauddhik roop se'.
क्या अकेला महसूस करना हमारे सामाजिक अनुबंध की विफलता का संकेत है?
Is feeling lonely a sign of the failure of our social contract?
Sociological context ('samajik anubandh').
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— Don't feel lonely. Used to comfort someone.
मैं तुम्हारे साथ हूँ, अकेला महसूस मत करो।
— Whenever you feel lonely. Used in supportive contexts.
जब भी तुम अकेला महसूस करो, मुझे फोन करना।
— Feeling lonely is not a sin. Used to normalize the feeling.
परेशान मत हो, अकेला महसूस करना कोई पाप नहीं है।
— To feel oneself lonely. Emphasizes the internal state.
उसने खुद को पूरी दुनिया में अकेला महसूस किया।
— Never felt lonely. Used to show strength or contentment.
मैंने किताबों के साथ कभी अकेला महसूस नहीं किया।
— It is natural to feel lonely.
नए देश में अकेला महसूस करना स्वाभाविक है।
— The state of feeling lonely.
वह अकेला महसूस करने की स्थिति से गुज़र रहा है।
— The realization/feeling of being lonely.
उसे अचानक अकेला महसूस करने का अहसास हुआ।
— Feeling lonely without someone.
तुम्हारे बिना मैं बहुत अकेला महसूस करता हूँ।
Often Confused With
Means 'to be alone' (physical state), while 'akela mahsoos karna' is the feeling.
Means 'to leave someone alone', which is an action toward another person.
Means 'to be sad', which is broader than just feeling lonely.
Idioms & Expressions
— Lonely in a crowd. Feeling isolated despite being surrounded by people.
शहर की चकाचौंध में वह भीड़ में अकेला महसूस करता है।
Literary— Talking to walls. A sign of extreme loneliness.
वह इतना अकेला महसूस करता है कि दीवारों से बातें करने लगा है।
Colloquial— Emptiness of the heart. Deep spiritual or emotional loneliness.
सब कुछ होने पर भी उसके मन का सूनापन नहीं गया।
Poetic— To be afraid of one's own shadow. Implies being so alone that one becomes paranoid.
अकेलापन उसे ऐसा लगा कि वह अपने साये से डरने लगा।
Metaphorical— A single chick pea cannot break the oven. Implies that one person alone cannot do much, often linked to the feeling of helplessness in loneliness.
अकेला महसूस मत करो, याद रखो कि अकेला चना भाड़ नहीं फोड़ता।
Proverb— Loneliness biting/stinging. When loneliness becomes painful.
रात को उसे तन्हाई डसने लगती है।
Poetic— Celebrating in the forest. Finding joy even when alone (antonymic idiom).
वह अकेला महसूस नहीं करता, वह जंगलों में मंगल करना जानता है।
Proverb— Walk alone. A famous phrase by Tagore, encouraging one to be brave even if lonely.
अगर कोई साथ न दे, तो 'एकला चलो रे' की भावना से अकेला महसूस मत करो।
Literary/Inspirational— Loneliness eating someone up. When someone is devastated by loneliness.
उसे उसका अकेलापन खा गया।
Colloquial— The house runs to bite. When a house feels so empty and lonely that it becomes unbearable.
तुम्हारे बिना यह घर मुझे काटने को दौड़ता है।
IdiomaticEasily Confused
Both imply a lack of company.
'Soona' is usually for places (empty), 'Akela' is for people.
Ghar soona hai, main akela hoon.
Exact synonyms.
'Tanha' is Urdu/Poetic, 'Akela' is Hindi/Daily.
Tanha raat vs Akeli raat.
Both involve separation.
'Alag' means different or separate, not necessarily lonely.
Main sabse alag hoon.
Both relate to 'one'.
'Keval' means 'only' (adverb), 'Akela' means 'alone'.
Keval main akela hoon.
Both involve silence.
'Maun' is the act of being silent, 'Akela' is being alone.
Maun rehna achha hai.
Sentence Patterns
Main [adjective] mahsoos karta hoon.
Main akela mahsoos karta hoon.
Jab [condition], to main akela mahsoos karta hoon.
Jab tum nahi hote, to main akela mahsoos करता हूँ।
[Place] mein akela mahsoos karna [adjective] hai.
Naye sheher mein akela mahsoos karna swabhavik hai.
Main [time] se akela mahsoos kar raha hoon.
Main do din se akela mahsoos kar raha hoon.
[Subject] ko akela mahsoos nahi hone dena chahiye.
Bachon ko akela mahsoos nahi hone dena chahiye.
Bheed ke baavjood, [subject] akela mahsoos karta hai.
Bheed ke baavjood, woh akela mahsoos karta hai.
Akela mahsoos karne ki prakriya [adjective] hai.
Akela mahsoos karne ki prakriya jatil hai.
Manviya astitva mein akela mahsoos karna ek [noun] hai.
Manviya astitva mein akela mahsoos karna ek satya hai.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
High in emotional and social contexts.
-
Main akela hoon (when meaning lonely)
→
Main akela mahsoos kar raha hoon
The first means 'I am physically alone'. The second means 'I am emotionally lonely'.
-
Main akelapan hoon
→
Main akela mahsoos karta hoon
Akelapan is a noun (loneliness). You cannot 'be' a noun. You must 'feel' it.
-
Woh akela mahsoos hona
→
Woh akela mahsoos kar raha hai
'Hona' is 'to be', 'Karna' is 'to do/feel'. Usually, people 'do' the feeling in Hindi.
-
Main akela mahsoos karta (missing 'hoon')
→
Main akela mahsoos karta hoon
Hindi verbs require the auxiliary 'hoon/hai/hain' in the present tense.
-
Hum akela mahsoos karte hain
→
Hum akele mahsoos करते हैं
Plural 'Hum' requires the plural 'akele'.
Tips
Gender Agreement
Always match 'akela/akeli' and 'karta/karti' to the person feeling the emotion. This is the most common mistake for learners.
Social Context
In India, saying 'I feel lonely' is often an invitation for someone to spend time with you. It's a social cue.
Intensifiers
Use 'bahut' (very) or 'bilkul' (completely) to express the depth of your feeling more accurately.
The 'H' in Mahsoos
Don't skip the 'h'. It's a breathy sound that adds to the authenticity of your Hindi.
Akela vs Akele
Use 'akele' when you are talking about doing something alone (e.g., 'Main akele gaya'), but 'akela' for the state of being (e.g., 'Main akela hoon').
Poetic Flair
If you want to sound more sophisticated or romantic, try using 'tanha' instead of 'akela'.
Normalizing Feelings
Don't be afraid to use this phrase. Modern Hindi speakers value emotional honesty more than ever.
Song Lyrics
Pay attention to how 'akela' is used in slow Bollywood songs; it will help you understand the emotional prosody.
Gerund Use
You can use 'akela mahsoos karna' as the subject of a sentence: 'Akela mahsoos karna bura hai' (Feeling lonely is bad).
Empathy
When someone says this to you, a good response is 'Main tumhare saath hoon' (I am with you).
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'A-Kela' as 'A-Banana'. A single banana sitting alone in a basket might 'mahsoos' (feel) lonely. 'Karna' is just the action of feeling.
Visual Association
Visualize a single chair in a vast, empty white room. The person sitting there is 'akela' and their expression shows they 'mahsoos' it.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to use the phrase in three different tenses today: 'I felt lonely', 'I am feeling lonely', and 'I will feel lonely'.
Word Origin
'Akela' comes from the Sanskrit word 'Ekala' (एकल), meaning single or alone. 'Mahsoos' is an Arabic loanword (محسوس) meaning 'felt' or 'perceived', derived from the root 'H-S-S' (to feel). 'Karna' is a common Indo-Aryan verb from Sanskrit 'Kr' (to do).
Original meaning: The combination literally means 'to do the feeling of being one/alone'.
Indo-Aryan (with Arabic influence).Cultural Context
Be sensitive when someone says they feel lonely; in Indian culture, this is a strong plea for social connection or a sign of depression.
English speakers might use 'lonely' and 'alone' interchangeably, but in Hindi, you must distinguish between the fact (akela hona) and the feeling (akela mahsoos karna).
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Moving to a new city
- नए शहर में...
- कोई दोस्त नहीं है
- घर की याद आती है
- अकेला महसूस करना
Breakup/Loss
- उसके जाने के बाद
- कमी महसूस होना
- दिल टूट गया
- अकेला महसूस करना
Mental Health
- डॉक्टर से बात करना
- उदासी
- मन नहीं लगना
- अकेला महसूस करना
Travel
- अकेले यात्रा करना
- अजनबी लोग
- भाषा की समस्या
- अकेला महसूस करना
Old Age
- बच्चों का दूर होना
- खाली घर
- समय काटना मुश्किल
- अकेला महसूस करना
Conversation Starters
"क्या आप कभी इस शहर में अकेला महसूस करते हैं?"
"अकेला महसूस करने पर आप क्या करते हैं?"
"क्या सोशल मीडिया लोगों को अकेला महसूस कराता है?"
"क्या आपको लगता है कि भीड़ में अकेला महसूस करना संभव है?"
"जब आप अकेला महसूस करते हैं, तो क्या आप किसी को फोन करते हैं?"
Journal Prompts
पिछली बार आपने कब अकेला महसूस किया था? विस्तार से लिखें।
अकेला महसूस करना और अकेले रहने में क्या अंतर है? अपने विचार लिखें।
क्या आपको लगता है कि तकनीक ने हमारे अकेला महसूस करने के तरीके को बदल दिया है?
एक ऐसी जगह का वर्णन करें जहाँ आप कभी अकेला महसूस नहीं करते।
यदि आपका कोई दोस्त अकेला महसूस कर रहा हो, तो आप उसकी मदद कैसे करेंगे?
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but the verb 'karna' must be conjugated correctly: 'karta' for men and 'karti' for women.
Yes, this is very common. It uses the 'hona' (to happen/be) construction which sounds slightly more passive.
'Akela' is singular masculine. 'Akeli' is singular feminine. 'Akele' is plural or formal.
Yes, 'tanha' has a more melodic and emotional ring to it, making it a favorite for lyricists.
You say: 'Main kabhi akela mahsoos nahi karta'.
No, 'akela' is for living beings. For things, you would use 'ek' (one) or 'khaali' (empty).
It was, but it is becoming more common to talk about it openly in urban areas.
The noun form is 'akelapan' (loneliness).
You can say 'akela dil' or more poetically 'tanha dil'.
Only if you are discussing social issues or teamwork. It is an emotional phrase.
Test Yourself 180 questions
Write a sentence in Hindi: 'I feel lonely in this city.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate to Hindi: 'She was feeling lonely without her mother.'
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Write a short paragraph (3 sentences) about why people feel lonely in big cities.
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Use the word 'akelapan' in a sentence.
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Translate: 'If you go, I will feel lonely.'
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Write a question in Hindi asking someone if they feel lonely.
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Describe a time you felt lonely (in Hindi).
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Translate: 'Even in the crowd, he feels lonely.'
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Use 'mahsoos karna' with a different emotion (e.g., happiness).
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Translate: 'Loneliness is a part of life.'
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Write a sentence using 'tanha'.
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Translate: 'Don't let him feel lonely.'
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Write a sentence about elderly people and loneliness.
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Translate: 'I have never felt lonely with books.'
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Use 'alag-thalag' in a sentence.
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Translate: 'Why are you feeling lonely?'
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Write a sentence using the word 'sunapan'.
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Translate: 'Feeling lonely can be difficult.'
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Write a sentence in formal Hindi about isolation.
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Translate: 'We all feel lonely sometimes.'
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Say 'I am feeling lonely' in Hindi.
Read this aloud:
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Ask a friend: 'Do you feel lonely here?'
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Say: 'I felt very lonely yesterday.'
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Say: 'Don't feel lonely, I am with you.'
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Say: 'She feels lonely in the big house.'
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Explain in simple Hindi why you might feel lonely in a new country.
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Say: 'I will never feel lonely with you.'
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Say: 'Is he feeling lonely?'
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Say: 'We are feeling lonely.'
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Say: 'Feeling lonely is normal.'
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Say: 'I feel lonely when it rains.'
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Say: 'Why does she feel lonely?'
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Say: 'I don't like feeling lonely.'
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Say: 'They often feel lonely.'
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Say: 'He started feeling lonely.'
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Say: 'I am not feeling lonely today.'
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Say: 'Do you feel lonely at night?'
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Say: 'I felt lonely at the party.'
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Say: 'Loneliness is difficult to explain.'
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Say: 'I used to feel lonely.'
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Listen and write: 'Main akela mahsoos kar raha hoon.'
Listen and write: 'Kya aap akela mahsoos karte hain?'
Listen and write: 'Woh akela mahsoos kar rahi thi.'
Listen and write: 'Akelapan achha nahi hota.'
Listen and write: 'Humne bahut akela mahsoos kiya.'
Listen and identify the emotion: 'Mujhe lagta hai koi meri parvah nahi karta, main bahut akela mahsoos karta hoon.'
Listen and write: 'Bheed mein akela mahsoos karna aam baat hai.'
Listen and write: 'Tanha mehsoos mat karo.'
Listen and write: 'Ghar mein sunapan mahsoos ho raha hai.'
Listen and write: 'Kya use akela mahsoos nahi hota?'
Listen and write: 'Akela mahsoos karne ki wajah kya hai?'
Listen and write: 'Main kabhi akela mahsoos nahi karoonga.'
Listen and write: 'Woh akela mahsoos karne laga hai.'
Listen and write: 'Akelapan ek dard hai.'
Listen and write: 'Tumhare saath main akela mahsoos nahi karta.'
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The phrase 'अकेला महसूस करना' is the essential way to communicate emotional loneliness in Hindi. Example: 'Main akela mahsoos kar raha hoon' (I am feeling lonely). Use it when you want to share a feeling, not just a fact.
- To feel lonely or isolated emotionally.
- A compound verb: Akela (Alone) + Mahsoos Karna (To Feel).
- Commonly used for mental health and personal relationships.
- Changes based on the gender and number of the subject.
Gender Agreement
Always match 'akela/akeli' and 'karta/karti' to the person feeling the emotion. This is the most common mistake for learners.
Social Context
In India, saying 'I feel lonely' is often an invitation for someone to spend time with you. It's a social cue.
Intensifiers
Use 'bahut' (very) or 'bilkul' (completely) to express the depth of your feeling more accurately.
The 'H' in Mahsoos
Don't skip the 'h'. It's a breathy sound that adds to the authenticity of your Hindi.
Related Content
More emotions words
आभार
B1Gratitude, thankfulness; appreciation for kindness.
आभारी
A2Thankful, obliged, feeling or showing gratitude.
आभारी होना
A2To be grateful; to feel or show appreciation for something received.
आभार सहित
B1Gratefully; with gratitude; thankfully.
आभारपूर्वक
B2Gratefully, thankfully, or with appreciation.
आभास होना
B1To have a feeling, to have an intuition; to perceive something vaguely.
आग्रह
B1Insistence, earnest request; persistent demanding.
आघात
B1Shock, trauma; a sudden upsetting or surprising event or experience.
आघात लगना
B1To be shocked; to be traumatized.
आघात पहुँचना
B1To be deeply shocked or traumatized.