At the A1 level, 'अलाभकारी' (alābhakārī) is a very difficult word because it is long and formal. Beginners should first focus on simple words like 'अच्छा' (good) and 'बुरा' (bad). However, you can understand it by breaking it down. 'Labh' means profit (money you make). 'Alabh' means no profit. At this stage, just remember that if you go to a shop and lose money, it is 'not good' or 'alābhakārī'. You won't use this word often in daily life, but you might see it on a sign or in a newspaper. It describes a situation where money is not coming back to you. Focus on the prefix 'A-' which usually means 'No' in Hindi. For example, 'Sphal' (success) becomes 'Asphal' (failure). Similarly, 'Labhkari' (profitable) becomes 'Alabhkari' (unprofitable).
For A2 learners, you are starting to talk about work and money. 'अलाभकारी' (alābhakārī) is an adjective used to describe a business or a deal that is not making any money. If you have a small shop and you spend 100 rupees but only sell items for 80 rupees, your shop is 'alābhakārī'. It is more formal than saying 'ghata' (loss). You might hear this in news reports about the economy. It is an 'invariable' adjective, which means it doesn't change for boys, girls, or many things. You can say 'alābhakārī kaam' (unprofitable work) or 'alābhakārī yojana' (unprofitable plan). It is good to learn this word to sound more professional when talking about your job or expenses. Try to use it with the verb 'hai' (is). Example: 'Yeh vyapar alābhakārī hai' (This business is unprofitable).
At the B1 level, you should be able to use 'अलाभकारी' (alābhakārī) in professional or formal discussions. This word is essential for discussing the economy, investments, and business strategies. You should distinguish it from 'गैर-लाभकारी' (non-profit). 'Alābhakārī' describes a failure to make profit in a commercial sense, while 'non-profit' describes a type of organization. At this level, you can use it in complex sentences with 'sabhit hona' (to prove to be). For example, 'Nayi factory alābhakārī sabhit hui' (The new factory proved to be unprofitable). You should also be aware of its synonyms like 'nuksandeh' and 'ghate vala'. Using 'alābhakārī' shows that you have reached an intermediate level of Hindi and can handle abstract financial concepts. It is commonly found in business articles and news broadcasts.
B2 learners should use 'अलाभकारी' (alābhakārī) with precision in academic and professional writing. You should understand the nuance that this word carries—it's not just about losing money, but about the 'nature' of an activity being unproductive. You can use it to describe government policies, agricultural trends, or corporate mergers. For instance, 'Sarkaar ko alābhakārī sansthaon ko band kar dena chahiye' (The government should close unprofitable institutions). At this stage, you should also be comfortable using the word in the passive voice or in conditional sentences. You should also recognize the word's role in compound adjectives or formal reports. It is a key term for expressing critical analysis of financial ventures. You should be able to explain 'why' something is alābhakārī using supporting evidence in Hindi.
At the C1 level, 'अलाभकारी' (alābhakārī) is a standard part of your high-level vocabulary. You should be able to use it in nuanced debates about economic theory or corporate governance. You might use it to discuss the 'opportunity cost' or structural inefficiencies in a system. For example, 'Alābhakārī krishi dhanchon mein sudhaar ki avashyakta hai' (There is a need for reform in unprofitable agricultural structures). You should also be able to recognize its use in classical or formal Hindi literature and high-end journalism. At this level, you can contrast 'alābhakārī' with more specific terms like 'diwaliya' (bankrupt) or 'stagnant'. You should understand the subtle difference between something being 'alābhakārī' (not yielding profit) and 'nishphal' (fruitless/producing no result at all). Your usage should be flawless, reflecting a deep understanding of Sanskrit-derived Hindi vocabulary.
For C2 speakers, 'अलाभकारी' (alābhakārī) is a tool for precise socio-economic and philosophical discourse. You can use it to critique the capitalist model or discuss the sustainability of various social enterprises. You might use it in a sentence like, 'Poonjivadi vyavastha mein alābhakārī ikaiyon ka astitva sankat mein rehta hai' (In a capitalist system, the existence of unprofitable units remains in danger). At this level, the word is not just a financial term but a descriptor for any systemic inefficiency that fails to provide a 'return'—whether social, moral, or financial. You should be able to use it in complex rhetorical structures and understand its historical usage in economic reforms in India since 1991. You can effortlessly switch between this formal term and more colloquial expressions depending on the audience, demonstrating complete mastery of register.

अलाभकारी in 30 Seconds

  • अलाभकारी means 'unprofitable' or 'loss-making' in a formal business context.
  • It is formed from 'A' (not) + 'Labh' (profit) + 'Kari' (making).
  • It is an invariable adjective, meaning its form does not change with gender.
  • Commonly used in news and finance to describe failing investments or businesses.

The Hindi word अलाभकारी (alābhakārī) is a sophisticated adjective primarily used in financial, commercial, and professional contexts to describe something that does not yield a profit or is financially detrimental. To understand this word deeply, one must look at its morphological construction. It is composed of three distinct parts: the prefix 'अ-' (a-), which functions as a negator meaning 'not' or 'without'; the root noun 'लाभ' (lābh), which means 'profit' or 'gain'; and the suffix '-कारी' (kārī), which denotes 'making' or 'yielding'. Therefore, etymologically, the word literally translates to 'not-profit-making'.

Economic Context
In the world of business, this term is used to identify ventures, investments, or business models that are failing to generate a surplus. If a factory is spending more on electricity and labor than it earns from sales, a consultant would label it as an अलाभकारी उद्यम (unprofitable enterprise).
Investment Context
When discussing stocks or real estate, if an asset's value is stagnant or declining while maintenance costs rise, it is deemed अलाभकारी. It implies a lack of return on investment (ROI).
Distinction from Non-Profit
It is crucial for learners to distinguish alābhakārī from gair-lābhakārī. While both involve a lack of profit, the latter refers to organizations (NGOs) that are structured by design to not distribute profits, whereas alābhakārī usually describes a commercial failure or an inefficient process.

पुराने मशीनों का उपयोग करना अब कंपनी के लिए अलाभकारी साबित हो रहा है। (Using old machines is now proving to be unprofitable for the company.)

यह निवेश वर्तमान बाजार स्थिति में पूरी तरह से अलाभकारी है। (This investment is completely unprofitable in the current market situation.)

सरकार ने कई अलाभकारी योजनाओं को बंद करने का निर्णय लिया है। (The government has decided to shut down several unprofitable schemes.)

Native speakers use this word when they want to sound precise. For instance, in a board meeting, a director might say that a specific branch is 'alābhakārī' to suggest it needs restructuring or closure. It carries a weight of finality and professional assessment. It is less about the emotion of losing money and more about the clinical observation of a lack of financial growth.

Using अलाभकारी requires an understanding of Hindi adjective placement and its relationship with nouns. Since it is an adjective, it typically precedes the noun it qualifies or follows a linking verb like 'होना' (to be) or 'साबित होना' (to prove to be).

Attributive Position
When placed directly before a noun, it modifies the noun's nature.
Example: अलाभकारी सौदा (An unprofitable deal). Here, the word identifies the type of deal before any other action is discussed.
Predicative Position
When used with the verb 'है' (is) or 'था' (was).
Example: यह व्यापार अलाभकारी है। (This business is unprofitable). This is the most common way to state a fact about a financial situation.

बिना योजना के शुरू किया गया काम अक्सर अलाभकारी रहता है। (Work started without a plan often remains unprofitable.)

One interesting grammatical feature of alābhakārī is that it is an 'invariable' adjective ending in 'ī'. In Hindi, many adjectives ending in 'ī' do not change based on the gender or number of the noun they modify. Whether you are talking about a masculine noun like vyāpār (business) or a feminine noun like saudebāzī (bargaining), the word remains alābhakārī.

उनकी सभी अलाभकारी संपत्तियाँ बेच दी गईं। (All their unprofitable assets were sold.)

It is often paired with the verb sābit honā (to prove to be). This construction is used when an initial hope for profit turns into a realization of loss. For example: 'The project proved to be unprofitable' becomes 'परियोजना अलाभकारी साबित हुई'. Notice how the verb 'huī' changes for the feminine 'pariyojanā', but 'alābhakārī' remains unchanged.

You will encounter अलाभकारी in specific high-register environments. It is not a word usually heard in a casual kitchen conversation or at a grocery store. Instead, look for it in the following places:

  • Business News Channels: On channels like CNBC Awaaz or Zee Business, anchors frequently use this term when discussing quarterly reports of companies or the performance of the stock market.
  • Financial Newspapers: Read the business section of 'Dainik Jagran' or 'Navbharat Times'. You will see headlines like "अलाभकारी सार्वजनिक उपक्रमों का निजीकरण" (Privatization of unprofitable public sector undertakings).
  • Corporate Meetings: In formal settings, managers use this to justify budget cuts. "This department has been unprofitable (alābhakārī) for three years."
  • Legal Documents: In contracts regarding the dissolution of a partnership, the unprofitability of the venture is often cited as the cause using this term.

समाचार: बैंक ने अपनी अलाभकारी शाखाओं को बंद करने की घोषणा की है। (News: The bank has announced the closure of its unprofitable branches.)

In a broader socio-economic sense, you might hear economists discussing 'unprofitable agriculture' (अलाभकारी खेती). This is a major topic in Indian politics, referring to how small-scale farming often costs more in seeds and fertilizers than the harvest brings in revenue. In this context, the word carries a tone of systemic concern and policy failure.

Furthermore, in academic settings—such as an MBA classroom in India—the word is used to analyze case studies. Students might debate why a particular strategy became alābhakārī despite a good start. It is a key term for anyone looking to work in the Indian financial sector or government administration.

Even advanced learners and sometimes native speakers can stumble when using अलाभकारी. The most frequent errors involve semantic confusion and register mismatch.

Confusion with 'Gair-Lābhakārī'
This is the #1 mistake. Gair-lābhakārī (Non-profit) refers to the intent and structure of an organization (like a charity). Alābhakārī (Unprofitable) refers to the result of an activity (losing money). Calling an NGO 'alābhakārī' might imply it is failing in its mission, rather than being a non-profit entity.
Overusing in Casual Speech
If you lose 10 rupees in a small bet with a friend, saying "This was an alābhakārī experience" sounds overly dramatic and robotic. In casual Hindi, use 'नुकसान' (nuksān - loss) or 'घाटा' (ghātā). Use alābhakārī for systemic or significant financial situations.

गलत: यह एनजीओ एक अलाभकारी संस्था है। (Wrong context for Non-profit)
सही: यह एनजीओ एक गैर-लाभकारी संस्था है। (Right context for Non-profit)

Another mistake is trying to pluralize it. Beginners often try to change the ending to 'e' for masculine plurals (e.g., *alābhakāre saude*). Remember: अलाभकारी is an 'ī' ending adjective that remains static. Whether it's one deal or ten deals, the word doesn't change.

Finally, ensure you don't confuse it with hānīkārak. While alābhakārī means 'not making profit', hānīkārak means 'harmful' or 'toxic' (like smoking is hānīkārak). A business can be unprofitable without being 'harmful' in a physical or moral sense.

To enrich your Hindi vocabulary, it is helpful to know the synonyms and related terms for अलाभकारी. Depending on the intensity and the context, you might choose a different word.

घाटे वाला (Ghāte vālā)
Usage: More common in retail and small business.
Comparison: While alābhakārī is 'unprofitable', ghāte vālā explicitly means 'in deficit' or 'loss-making'. It sounds slightly more urgent.
नुकसानदेह (Nuksāndeh)
Usage: General loss or harm.
Comparison: This is a broader term. A decision can be nuksāndeh for your reputation, whereas alābhakārī is almost always about money.
व्यर्थ (Vyarth)
Usage: In vain or useless.
Comparison: Use this when the effort was pointless. If an investment yielded zero profit but also zero loss, it might be vyarth (a waste of time), but technically it's also alābhakārī.

तुलना: यह एक अलाभकारी नीति है (Formal/Economic) बनाम यह एक बेकार नीति है (Casual/General).

On the opposite side, the antonym is लाभकारी (lābhakārī)—profitable or beneficial. In medical or health contexts, you might hear fāyedāmand (beneficial), but in finance, lābhakārī is the direct counterpart to alābhakārī. Knowing these pairs helps you navigate business discussions with ease.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The root 'Labh' is related to the English word 'Lucre' (as in lucrative) through Proto-Indo-European roots.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ə.lɑːbʱ.kə.ɾiː/
US /ə.lɑːb.kə.riː/
Primary stress on the second syllable 'LĀBH'.
Rhymes With
कारी (kārī) भारी (bhārī) सरकारी (sarkārī) सवारी (savārī) तैयारी (taiyārī) बीमारी (bīmārī) लाचारी (lāchārī) परोपकारी (paropakārī)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing it as 'alābkāri' (forgetting the aspiration of 'bh').
  • Stress on the first syllable.
  • Not lengthening the final 'ī'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize in text once the root 'labh' is known.

Writing 4/5

Spelling 'bh' and 'ri' correctly is important.

Speaking 4/5

Requires correct aspiration on 'bh'.

Listening 3/5

Clear pronunciation in formal media.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

लाभ (Profit) काम (Work) व्यापार (Business) पैसा (Money) नहीं (No)

Learn Next

निवेश (Investment) पूँजी (Capital) राजस्व (Revenue) घाटा (Loss) अर्थव्यवस्था (Economy)

Advanced

विनिवेश (Divestment) दिवालियापन (Bankruptcy) राजकोषीय (Fiscal) सकल (Gross) शुद्ध (Net)

Grammar to Know

Negative prefix 'A-'

सफल (Successful) -> असफल (Unsuccessful)

Invariable 'ī' adjectives

अलाभकारी काम (M), अलाभकारी योजना (F)

Compound verb 'sabit hona'

यह सौदा अलाभकारी साबित हुआ।

Postposition 'ke liye' with adjectives

यह कंपनी के लिए अलाभकारी है।

Adjective-Noun agreement

अलाभकारी संपत्तियाँ (Plural feminine noun, same adjective).

Examples by Level

1

यह काम अलाभकारी है।

This work is unprofitable.

Simple subject + adjective + verb.

2

अलाभकारी सौदा मत करो।

Don't make an unprofitable deal.

Imperative sentence.

3

क्या यह दुकान अलाभकारी है?

Is this shop unprofitable?

Interrogative sentence.

4

मेरा छोटा व्यापार अलाभकारी था।

My small business was unprofitable.

Past tense with 'tha'.

5

यह योजना अलाभकारी है।

This plan is unprofitable.

Feminine noun 'yojana' with 'alabhkari'.

6

वह अलाभकारी काम नहीं करता।

He does not do unprofitable work.

Negative present simple.

7

हमें अलाभकारी चीजों से बचना चाहिए।

We should avoid unprofitable things.

Use of 'chahiye' (should).

8

यह निवेश अलाभकारी लग रहा है।

This investment looks unprofitable.

Verb 'lag raha' (seems/looks).

1

पिछले साल खेती अलाभकारी रही।

Farming remained unprofitable last year.

Feminine subject 'kheti' with 'rahi'.

2

मैंने वह अलाभकारी कार बेच दी।

I sold that unprofitable car.

Adjective modifying 'car'.

3

यह प्रोजेक्ट कंपनी के लिए अलाभकारी है।

This project is unprofitable for the company.

Use of postposition 'ke liye'.

4

अलाभकारी संपत्तियों को हटाना जरूरी है।

It is necessary to remove unprofitable assets.

Infinitive as a subject.

5

क्या आपकी कंपनी अलाभकारी है?

Is your company unprofitable?

Question form.

6

यह निवेश मेरे लिए अलाभकारी साबित हुआ।

This investment proved to be unprofitable for me.

Compound verb 'sabit hua'.

7

हमें कोई अलाभकारी निर्णय नहीं लेना चाहिए।

We should not take any unprofitable decision.

Adjective + Noun.

8

पुरानी मशीनें अब अलाभकारी हो गई हैं।

The old machines have now become unprofitable.

Present perfect with 'ho gayi hain'.

1

बाजार में गिरावट के कारण कई उद्योग अलाभकारी हो गए हैं।

Due to the market slump, many industries have become unprofitable.

Cause and effect structure.

2

सरकार अलाभकारी सार्वजनिक क्षेत्रों का निजीकरण कर रही है।

The government is privatizing unprofitable public sectors.

Continuous tense.

3

बिना तकनीकी सुधार के यह व्यापार अलाभकारी बना रहेगा।

Without technical improvements, this business will remain unprofitable.

Future tense with 'bana rahega'.

4

निवेशकों ने अलाभकारी स्टार्टअप्स से अपना पैसा वापस ले लिया।

Investors withdrew their money from unprofitable startups.

Plural oblique case.

5

यह अलाभकारी स्थिति लंबे समय तक नहीं चल सकती।

This unprofitable situation cannot last for a long time.

Modal verb 'sakati' (can).

6

विशेषज्ञों का मानना है कि यह सौदा अलाभकारी होगा।

Experts believe that this deal will be unprofitable.

Complex sentence with 'ki'.

7

कंपनी अपनी अलाभकारी शाखाओं को बंद करने की योजना बना रही है।

The company is planning to close its unprofitable branches.

Possessive 'apni'.

8

उच्च लागत ने इस परियोजना को अलाभकारी बना दिया है।

High costs have made this project unprofitable.

Transitive construction with 'bana diya'.

1

आर्थिक मंदी के दौरान, अलाभकारी उद्यमों का टिक पाना कठिन होता है।

During an economic recession, it is difficult for unprofitable enterprises to survive.

Complex conditional-style statement.

2

बैंकों को अपनी अलाभकारी ऋण नीतियों में बदलाव करना होगा।

Banks will have to change their unprofitable loan policies.

Compulsion with 'hoga'.

3

अलाभकारी कृषि पद्धतियों के कारण किसान कर्ज में डूबे हुए हैं।

Farmers are submerged in debt due to unprofitable agricultural practices.

Cause-effect with 'ke karan'.

4

प्रबंधन ने अलाभकारी विभागों के पुनर्गठन का प्रस्ताव दिया है।

The management has proposed the restructuring of unprofitable departments.

Formal vocabulary like 'punargathan'.

5

यह एक अलाभकारी और जोखिम भरा निवेश है।

This is an unprofitable and risky investment.

Coordinated adjectives.

6

यदि लागत कम नहीं की गई, तो यह इकाई अलाभकारी हो जाएगी।

If costs are not reduced, this unit will become unprofitable.

Passive conditional 'ki gayi'.

7

अलाभकारी संपत्तियों की बिक्री से कंपनी का बोझ कम होगा।

Selling unprofitable assets will reduce the company's burden.

Subject is a phrase 'sampattiyon ki bikri'.

8

कई विशेषज्ञ इसे एक अलाभकारी कदम मानते हैं।

Many experts consider this an unprofitable move.

Verb 'maante hain' (consider).

1

भूमंडलीकरण के इस दौर में अलाभकारी उद्योगों का संरक्षण चुनौतीपूर्ण है।

In this era of globalization, protecting unprofitable industries is challenging.

Highly formal Sanskritized Hindi.

2

अलाभकारी सार्वजनिक उपक्रम राजकोषीय घाटे का एक मुख्य कारण हैं।

Unprofitable public sector undertakings are a main reason for the fiscal deficit.

Economic terminology.

3

संस्थागत सुधारों के अभाव में ये प्रयास अलाभकारी सिद्ध होंगे।

In the absence of institutional reforms, these efforts will prove to be unprofitable.

Abstract noun usage.

4

अलाभकारी ऋणों के बढ़ते बोझ ने बैंकिंग क्षेत्र को संकट में डाल दिया है।

The increasing burden of unprofitable loans has put the banking sector in crisis.

Participial phrase 'badhte bojh'.

5

सतत विकास के लिए अलाभकारी संसाधनों का बुद्धिमानी से प्रबंधन आवश्यक है।

Wise management of unprofitable resources is essential for sustainable development.

Adverbial phrase 'buddhimani se'.

6

बाजार की शक्तियों ने कई पारंपरिक व्यवसायों को अलाभकारी बना दिया है।

Market forces have made many traditional businesses unprofitable.

Agentive 'ne' construction.

7

अलाभकारी निवेश के पीछे अक्सर गलत बाजार विश्लेषण होता है।

Behind unprofitable investment, there is often incorrect market analysis.

Postpositional phrase 'ke peeche'.

8

यह विश्लेषण दर्शाता है कि परियोजना क्यों अलाभकारी रही।

This analysis shows why the project remained unprofitable.

Indirect question.

1

अलाभकारी आर्थिक गतिविधियों का संचयी प्रभाव राष्ट्रीय अर्थव्यवस्था पर भारी पड़ता है।

The cumulative effect of unprofitable economic activities weighs heavily on the national economy.

Advanced syntax and vocabulary.

2

पूँजी की अलाभकारी तैनाती विकास की गति को बाधित करती है।

The unprofitable deployment of capital hinders the pace of development.

Abstract concept mapping.

3

अलाभकारी उद्यमों को सब्सिडी देना आर्थिक तर्क के विरुद्ध है।

Subsidizing unprofitable enterprises is against economic logic.

Gerundive subject 'dena'.

4

संरचनात्मक अक्षमताओं के कारण ये क्षेत्र स्थायी रूप से अलाभकारी बन गए हैं।

Due to structural inefficiencies, these sectors have become permanently unprofitable.

Adverbial 'sthayi roop se'.

5

अलाभकारी संपत्तियों का समाधान वित्तीय स्थिरता के लिए अपरिहार्य है।

The resolution of unprofitable assets is indispensable for financial stability.

Formal 'apariharya' (indispensable).

6

वैश्विक प्रतिस्पर्धा ने अलाभकारी विनिर्माण इकाइयों के लिए कोई स्थान नहीं छोड़ा है।

Global competition has left no room for unprofitable manufacturing units.

Perfective aspect.

7

इस अलाभकारी चक्र को तोड़ने के लिए कठोर नीतिगत निर्णयों की आवश्यकता है।

Tough policy decisions are needed to break this unprofitable cycle.

Metaphorical usage.

8

अलाभकारी निवेश की परिणति अक्सर दिवालियापन में होती है।

The culmination of unprofitable investment often results in bankruptcy.

Formal 'parinati' (culmination).

Common Collocations

अलाभकारी उद्यम
अलाभकारी निवेश
अलाभकारी खेती
अलाभकारी सौदा
अलाभकारी योजना
अलाभकारी शाखा
अलाभकारी संपत्ति
अलाभकारी सिद्ध होना
अलाभकारी व्यापार
अलाभकारी स्थिति

Common Phrases

पूरी तरह से अलाभकारी

— Completely unprofitable.

यह प्रोजेक्ट पूरी तरह से अलाभकारी है।

लंबे समय से अलाभकारी

— Unprofitable for a long time.

यह विभाग लंबे समय से अलाभकारी है।

आर्थिक रूप से अलाभकारी

— Economically unprofitable.

यह कदम आर्थिक रूप से अलाभकारी है।

अलाभकारी घोषित करना

— To declare as unprofitable.

सरकार ने इस इकाई को अलाभकारी घोषित किया।

अलाभकारी होने के नाते

— Being unprofitable.

अलाभकारी होने के नाते इसे बंद किया गया।

अत्यधिक अलाभकारी

— Highly unprofitable.

यह एक अत्यधिक अलाभकारी सौदा था।

अलाभकारी साबित होना

— To prove to be unprofitable.

नया मॉडल अलाभकारी साबित हुआ।

अलाभकारी क्षेत्र

— Unprofitable sector.

अलाभकारी क्षेत्रों में सुधार की जरूरत है।

अलाभकारी इकाई

— Unprofitable unit.

इस अलाभकारी इकाई को बेचना होगा।

अलाभकारी परिणाम

— Unprofitable results.

गलत फैसलों के अलाभकारी परिणाम निकले।

Often Confused With

अलाभकारी vs गैर-लाभकारी

Means 'non-profit' (organizational type), while alabhkari means 'unprofitable' (financial result).

अलाभकारी vs हानिकारक

Means 'harmful' (health/safety), while alabhkari is strictly about financial loss.

अलाभकारी vs बेकार

Means 'useless' or 'unemployed'. Alabhkari is specifically about missing profit.

Idioms & Expressions

"घाटे का सौदा"

— A loss-making deal; similar to alabhkari but more idiomatic.

यह शादी उसके लिए घाटे का सौदा साबित हुई।

Informal
"मिट्टी में मिलाना"

— To ruin/waste; often used when profit turns to loss.

उसने सारा पैसा मिट्टी में मिला दिया।

Informal
"कुएं में पैसा डालना"

— To throw money down the drain (unprofitable investment).

इस बिजनेस में निवेश करना कुएं में पैसा डालने जैसा है।

Informal
"हाथ धो बैठना"

— To lose something; often used after an unprofitable venture.

वह अपनी संपत्ति से हाथ धो बैठा।

Neutral
"दिवाला निकलना"

— To go bankrupt.

कंपनी का दिवाला निकल गया।

Neutral
"चूना लगाना"

— To cheat someone (resulting in an unprofitable situation for them).

उसने मुझे एक लाख का चूना लगाया।

Slang
"घर फूँक तमाशा देखना"

— To waste one's own resources for no gain.

अलाभकारी कामों में पैसा लगाना घर फूँक तमाशा देखना है।

Literary
"सिर मुंडाते ही ओले पड़ना"

— To face loss at the very start of a venture.

नया काम शुरू किया और नुकसान हो गया, सिर मुंडाते ही ओले पड़े।

Folk
"पानी फेरना"

— To ruin (efforts/profit).

उसकी एक गलती ने सारी मेहनत पर पानी फेर दिया।

Neutral
"लुट जाना"

— To be ruined financially.

वह जुए में लुट गया।

Informal

Easily Confused

अलाभकारी vs अलाभ

It's the noun form.

Alabh is the noun (loss/no profit), Alabhkari is the adjective (unprofitable).

व्यापार में अलाभ हुआ (Noun). यह अलाभकारी व्यापार है (Adjective).

अलाभकारी vs घाटा

Both mean loss.

Ghata is a noun meaning 'a loss', Alabhkari is an adjective describing the activity.

मुझे घाटा हुआ। यह एक अलाभकारी सौदा है।

अलाभकारी vs नुकसान

General word for loss.

Nuksan is more common and less formal than Alabhkari.

मेरा नुकसान हो गया।

अलाभकारी vs व्यर्थ

Both mean no result.

Vyarth is for wasted effort; Alabhkari is for wasted money.

सारी मेहनत व्यर्थ गई।

अलाभकारी vs अनाभकारी

Spelling variant.

Alabhkari is the standard and more frequent spelling.

Standard: अलाभकारी।

Sentence Patterns

A1

यह [Noun] अलाभकारी है।

यह काम अलाभकारी है।

A2

[Noun] मेरे लिए अलाभकारी था।

यह निवेश मेरे लिए अलाभकारी था।

B1

[Noun] अलाभकारी साबित हुआ है।

नया प्रोजेक्ट अलाभकारी साबित हुआ है।

B2

अलाभकारी [Noun] को बंद करने का समय आ गया है।

अलाभकारी शाखा को बंद करने का समय आ गया है।

C1

[Noun] के कारण यह क्षेत्र अलाभकारी बन गया है।

मंदी के कारण यह क्षेत्र अलाभकारी बन गया है।

C2

अलाभकारी [Noun] का प्रभाव अर्थव्यवस्था पर पड़ता है।

अलाभकारी उपक्रमों का प्रभाव अर्थव्यवस्था पर पड़ता है।

B1

क्या आपको यह सौदा अलाभकारी लगता है?

क्या आपको यह सौदा अलाभकारी लगता है?

B2

यदि यह अलाभकारी रहा, तो हम निवेश रोक देंगे।

यदि यह अलाभकारी रहा, तो हम निवेश रोक देंगे।

Word Family

Nouns

लाभ (Profit)
अलाभ (Loss/No profit)
लाभार्थी (Beneficiary)

Verbs

लाभ उठाना (To take advantage/profit)
लाभ पहुँचाना (To benefit someone)

Adjectives

लाभकारी (Profitable)
लाभप्रद (Beneficial)
अलाभकारी (Unprofitable)

Related

नुकसान (Loss)
घाटा (Deficit)
व्यापार (Business)
निवेश (Investment)
सौदा (Deal)

How to Use It

frequency

Common in business/news, rare in family talk.

Common Mistakes
  • Using it for NGOs. Use 'गैर-लाभकारी'.

    Alabhkari implies financial failure, not a non-profit structure.

  • Pluralizing to 'alabhkare'. Keep it 'alabhkari'.

    It is an invariable adjective.

  • Saying 'alābkāri'. Say 'alābh-kārī'.

    The 'bh' must be aspirated.

  • Using it for physical harm. Use 'hanikarak'.

    Alabhkari is for financial gain/loss only.

  • Using it in casual slang. Use 'bekar' or 'ghata'.

    The register is too high for casual street Hindi.

Tips

Invariable Ending

Don't change 'i' to 'e' for plural nouns. It's always 'alabhkari'.

Root Recognition

Learn 'Labh' (profit) first. It will help you learn many related words.

Business Register

Use this word in interviews or business presentations to sound professional.

Avoid Slang

Don't use this in a market while bargaining; it sounds too formal. Use 'ghata' there.

Formal Reports

This is a key word for any Hindi report on economic performance.

News Keywords

When you hear 'alabhkari', expect the news to be about business closures or budget cuts.

A is for Absent

Think: Absent Profit = Alabhkari.

Aspiration Matters

Clear aspiration on 'bh' makes you sound like a native speaker.

Social Issue

Understand that 'alabhkari kheti' is a major topic in Indian social discourse.

Sanskrit Roots

Knowing the Sanskrit prefix 'A-' helps you decode hundreds of other Hindi words.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'A' (Absent) + 'Labh' (Lucre/Profit) + 'Kari' (Carry). You are NOT CARRYING any PROFIT.

Visual Association

Imagine a cash register with a big red 'X' over it and a sad face.

Word Web

Business Money Loss Failure Economy Investment Unprofitable Finance

Challenge

Write three sentences about a business idea that failed using the word 'अलाभकारी'.

Word Origin

Derived from Sanskrit roots. 'A-' is a negative prefix, 'Labha' means gain, and 'Kari' means doer/maker.

Original meaning: Not yielding any gain or benefit.

Indo-Aryan (Sanskrit-based)

Cultural Context

Be careful when using it to describe someone's personal efforts; it can sound dismissive or overly clinical.

Similar to 'unprofitable' or 'in the red' in Western business culture.

Economic Survey of India reports often use this term. News headlines about Air India's privatization often called it an 'alabhkari' unit. Hindi business textbooks.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Stock Market

  • अलाभकारी शेयर
  • निवेश अलाभकारी है
  • बाजार अलाभकारी रहा
  • अलाभकारी रुझान

Agriculture

  • अलाभकारी खेती
  • फसल अलाभकारी रही
  • अलाभकारी लागत
  • अलाभकारी मूल्य

Corporate

  • अलाभकारी प्रोजेक्ट
  • अलाभकारी विभाग
  • अलाभकारी शाखा
  • अलाभकारी रणनीति

Government

  • अलाभकारी योजना
  • अलाभकारी संस्थान
  • अलाभकारी सब्सिडी
  • अलाभकारी उपक्रम

Personal Finance

  • अलाभकारी बीमा
  • अलाभकारी बचत
  • अलाभकारी खर्च
  • अलाभकारी सौदा

Conversation Starters

"क्या आपको लगता है कि यह निवेश अलाभकारी होगा?"

"आपकी राय में कौन सा बिजनेस आज अलाभकारी है?"

"क्या अलाभकारी सरकारी कंपनियों को बेच देना चाहिए?"

"आपने आखिरी बार कौन सा अलाभकारी सौदा किया था?"

"अलाभकारी खेती को लाभकारी कैसे बनाया जा सकता है?"

Journal Prompts

मेरे जीवन का वह समय जब मेरा काम अलाभकारी साबित हुआ।

क्या कोई ऐसी चीज है जो आर्थिक रूप से अलाभकारी है लेकिन मानसिक रूप से लाभकारी?

एक अलाभकारी बिजनेस को सफल बनाने के लिए तीन कदम लिखें।

अलाभकारी योजनाओं पर सरकारी खर्च के बारे में अपने विचार व्यक्त करें।

अगर मेरा निवेश अलाभकारी हो जाए, तो मेरी अगली रणनीति क्या होगी?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, you should use 'गैर-लाभकारी' (gair-lābhakārī). 'अलाभकारी' implies the organization is failing to make money when it should, whereas an NGO is not supposed to make profit for owners.

It is an invariable adjective, so its form does not change. However, it can modify both masculine and feminine nouns without changing its spelling.

The opposite is 'लाभकारी' (lābhakārī), which means profitable or beneficial.

It is very common in news, business, and formal writing, but rare in everyday casual speech.

The 'bh' is an aspirated 'b'. You should release a puff of air while saying 'b'.

Generally, no. It is used for activities, deals, and businesses. Using it for a person would be confusing or very insulting.

Yes, it is a direct equivalent in a formal register.

Rarely. For health, 'हानिकारक' (harmful) or 'नुकसानदेह' is preferred. 'अलाभकारी' is financial.

Not exactly. A 'useless' machine is 'bekar'. An 'unprofitable' machine costs more to run than it produces, making it 'alabhkari'.

Break it into A + Labh + Kari. Practice writing the 'bh' (भ) carefully.

Test Yourself 190 questions

writing

Write a sentence using 'अलाभकारी' about a shop.

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writing

Translate: 'The investment proved to be unprofitable.'

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writing

Explain the difference between 'अलाभकारी' and 'गैर-लाभकारी'.

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writing

Write a sentence about 'unprofitable farming'.

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writing

Use 'अलाभकारी' in a formal business email context.

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writing

Translate: 'Unprofitable assets were sold.'

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writing

Write a sentence using 'अ-' prefix logic.

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writing

Create a headline for a business newspaper using 'अलाभकारी'.

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writing

Why is a business called 'अलाभकारी'?

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writing

Use 'अलाभकारी' with the word 'सौदा'.

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writing

Translate: 'This is an unprofitable situation.'

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writing

Write about an unprofitable habit.

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writing

Use 'अलाभकारी' in a sentence about a project.

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writing

Translate: 'Economic recession made many industries unprofitable.'

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writing

Describe a scenario where 'अलाभकारी' is used.

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writing

Use 'अलाभकारी' with 'योजना'.

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writing

Translate: 'Unprofitable branches'.

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writing

Write a complex sentence about disinvestment.

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writing

Use the word 'अलाभकारी' in a question.

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writing

Translate: 'Highly unprofitable'.

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speaking

Pronounce 'अलाभकारी' out loud.

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speaking

Say: 'This business is unprofitable.' in Hindi.

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speaking

Explain 'unprofitable farming' in Hindi.

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speaking

Use 'अलाभकारी' in a sentence about an investment.

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speaking

What would a news anchor say about an unprofitable bank branch?

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speaking

Correct the pronunciation: 'Alabkari'.

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speaking

Ask a friend if their job is unprofitable in Hindi.

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speaking

Describe a 'loss-making deal' using 'alabhkari'.

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speaking

Say: 'We should avoid unprofitable things.'

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speaking

Use 'alabhkari' in a sentence about a failed startup.

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speaking

Pronounce 'Labh' and 'Alabh' back to back.

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speaking

Talk about a policy that failed.

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speaking

How do you say 'highly unprofitable'?

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speaking

Use 'alabhkari' in a sentence about a machine.

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speaking

Explain the prefix 'A-' to a beginner.

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speaking

Say: 'Unprofitable assets'.

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speaking

Ask: 'Why is this deal unprofitable?'

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speaking

Give a formal synonym for 'ghate vala'.

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speaking

Describe a market slump.

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speaking

Use 'alabhkari' with 'yojana'.

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listening

Listen and write the word: (Audio: Alabhkari)

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listening

What was described as unprofitable in the audio? (Audio: Bank ki shakha alabhkari hai)

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listening

True or False: The speaker liked the deal. (Audio: Yeh alabhkari sauda tha)

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listening

Identify the adjective: (Audio: Alabhkari nivesh se bachen)

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listening

What happened to the project? (Audio: Project alabhkari sabit hua)

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listening

Is the tone formal or informal? (Audio: Alabhkari upkramon ka niji-karan)

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listening

Which sector is mentioned? (Audio: Alabhkari krishi)

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listening

Write the plural noun used: (Audio: Alabhkari sampattiyan)

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listening

Did the person make money? (Audio: Mera business alabhkari raha)

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listening

Identify the prefix heard: (Audio: Alabhkari)

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listening

What should be avoided? (Audio: Alabhkari nivesh se bachen)

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listening

Fill in the blank from audio: 'Yeh ____ hai.' (Audio: Alabhkari)

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listening

Is it a good news or bad news? (Audio: Company alabhkari ho gayi hai)

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listening

Which word means profit in the audio? (Audio: Labh)

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listening

Write the full sentence heard: (Audio: Yeh sauda alabhkari hai)

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/ 190 correct

Perfect score!

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