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टोकरी

A1 noun #7,000 most common 9 min read

टोकरी

tokri Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips टोकरी in 30 Seconds

Explanation टोकरी in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'Tokri' is a basic noun you learn when studying household objects or food. It refers to a simple basket. You use it in basic 'Subject-Verb-Object' sentences. For example, 'This is a basket' (Yeh ek tokri hai) or 'The basket is on the table' (Tokri mez par hai). At this stage, the focus is on recognizing the object and knowing its gender is feminine. You should be able to identify a tokri in a kitchen or a market setting. It is one of the first 500 words a learner usually picks up because of its high visibility in Indian culture. You will use it to describe where you put fruits or vegetables. Simple adjectives like 'badi' (big), 'choti' (small), 'lal' (red), or 'khali' (empty) are commonly paired with it. Learning this word helps you navigate a basic conversation at a grocery store or in a home kitchen.

At the A2 level, you start using 'Tokri' in more descriptive and plural contexts. You will learn to form the plural 'Tokriyan' and use it with numbers, such as 'do tokriyan' (two baskets). You also begin to use postpositions, which change the word in the oblique case to 'Tokri mein' (in the basket). At this level, you can describe what is inside the basket using the possessive 'ki'. For example, 'Phalon ki tokri' (The basket of fruits). You might also use it in simple past tense sentences like 'Maine ek tokri kharidi' (I bought a basket). The focus here is on expanding the noun's role in the sentence and ensuring that adjectives and verbs correctly match its feminine gender even in more complex structures. You also start to distinguish 'tokri' from other containers like 'dibba' (box) or 'jhola' (bag).

At the B1 level, you can use 'Tokri' in a variety of social and practical situations. You might describe the material it's made of, such as 'Baans ki tokri' (bamboo basket), or its specific purpose, like 'Uphaar ki tokri' (gift basket). You can engage in longer dialogues, perhaps explaining a scene: 'The vendor was carrying a heavy basket on his head' (Pheriwala apne sir par ek bhaari tokri uthaye hue tha). You also become familiar with common phrases and begin to see the word in stories or news articles. At this stage, you should be comfortable using the word in conditional sentences, such as 'If the basket is full, don't add more' (Agar tokri bhari hai, to aur mat dalo). Your understanding of the word moves from a simple label to a functional part of more nuanced communication about shopping, gifting, and daily chores.

At the B2 level, 'Tokri' appears in more abstract or professional contexts. You might encounter it in discussions about the 'basket of goods' in an economic sense (vastuon ki tokri), though 'pitari' or 'samuh' might also be used. You understand the word's cultural nuances, such as its role in festivals or traditional crafts. You can use it in complex grammatical structures, like passive voice: 'The baskets were woven by the villagers' (Tokriyan graminon dwara buni gayin). You also start to recognize the word in idioms or metaphorical expressions, even if they are less common than the literal ones. Your vocabulary expands to include synonyms like 'daliya' and you know exactly when to use each based on the register and context. You can describe the process of making a basket or discuss its environmental benefits over plastic bags.

At the C1 level, your use of 'Tokri' is fluent and can be quite literary. You might use the word to create vivid imagery in writing or storytelling. You understand the historical significance of the 'tokri' in Indian society and can discuss its evolution from a primary utility tool to a decorative item. You are sensitive to the regional variations and can understand dialects where the word might be slightly different. In a professional or academic discussion about rural industries or handicrafts, you can use 'tokri' as a focal point for talking about 'baans shilp' (bamboo craft). You can also use the word in sophisticated metaphors, perhaps comparing a person's mind to a 'tokri' of memories. Your command over the gender and pluralization is flawless, and you can use the word in any complex sentence structure without hesitation.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly grasp of 'Tokri' and all its connotations. You can appreciate the word's use in classical Hindi literature or poetry, where it might symbolize the bounty of nature or the simplicity of life. You understand the etymological roots and how the word has influenced or been influenced by other Indian languages. You can discuss the socioeconomic impact of the basket-weaving industry in India with high-level vocabulary. Your usage is indistinguishable from a native speaker, including the subtle use of 'tokra' vs 'tokri' to convey specific meanings or attitudes. You can effortlessly switch between formal, informal, and dialectal uses of the word. At this level, 'tokri' is not just a word but a concept that you can manipulate to express deep cultural, social, and emotional truths in Hindi.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

टोकरी in 30 Seconds

Tokri is the Hindi word for basket, primarily used for food and flowers in daily life.
It is a feminine noun, requiring adjectives and verbs to end in 'i' sounds for agreement.
Traditionally made of bamboo or cane, it is a staple of Indian markets and kitchens.
Commonly used in phrases like 'phalon ki tokri' (fruit basket) and 'sabzi ki tokri' (vegetable basket).

The Hindi word टोकरी (Tokri) refers to a basket, a fundamental object in Indian daily life. Historically and culturally, a tokri is more than just a container; it represents the manual labor of artisans and the bustling energy of the local marketplace. In the Hindi-speaking world, you will encounter this word most frequently in the context of food, shopping, and household organization. A tokri is traditionally made from natural materials like bamboo (बाँस) or cane (बेंत), though modern versions are often made of plastic or metal. The word itself evokes a sense of freshness and abundance, often associated with a 'tokri full of mangoes' or a 'tokri of flowers' offered at a temple. Understanding this word requires an appreciation for the tactile nature of Indian commerce, where vendors often carry their entire inventory in a large version of this object, known as a 'tokra' (masculine form), while the smaller, more delicate version is the 'tokri' (feminine form).

Material Composition: Traditionally crafted from bamboo, wicker, or straw, used for breathability when storing vegetables.
Grammatical Gender: Feminine. This means adjectives and verbs must agree: 'Badi tokri' (Big basket) rather than 'Bada tokri'.
Common Usage: Used primarily in kitchens (rasoi), markets (bazaar), and during festivals for carrying offerings (prasad).

माली ने फूलों से भरी टोकरी मेज पर रख दी। (The gardener kept the basket full of flowers on the table.)

When you visit a 'Sabzi Mandi' (vegetable market) in North India, you will see 'tokris' of all shapes and sizes. Small ones are used for delicate items like green chilies or ginger, while deep ones are used for potatoes and onions. The word is deeply rooted in the agrarian lifestyle of India. Even in modern urban settings, the term is used for laundry baskets (kapdon ki tokri) or wastepaper baskets (raddi ki tokri). Its versatility makes it an essential A1-level vocabulary word for any learner. It is also used metaphorically in some contexts, though less frequently than literal usage. For example, a 'gift basket' is a 'uphaar ki tokri'.

क्या आपके पास फलों की टोकरी है? (Do you have a fruit basket?)

यह टोकरी बहुत पुरानी है। (This basket is very old.)

टोकरी में आम रखे हैं। (Mangoes are kept in the basket.)

In rural India, the weaving of a tokri is a specialized skill. The 'bunkar' (weaver) uses thin strips of bamboo to create intricate patterns. This craft is often a family tradition. When you use the word 'tokri', you are referring to this entire ecosystem of local craft and utility. In literature, the tokri often symbolizes the simple, honest labor of the working class. For instance, a famous Hindi story might describe a poor woman selling her wares in a tokri to support her family. Thus, the word carries a weight of reality and domesticity.

उसने टोकरी को कोने में रख दिया। (He/She put the basket in the corner.)

Regional Variation: In some dialects, 'Daliya' is used for a very small basket, but 'Tokri' remains the standard term across the Hindi belt.

Using टोकरी correctly requires attention to its feminine gender. This affects the verbs and adjectives around it. For example, 'The basket is heavy' translates to 'Tokri bhaari hai,' where 'bhaari' is neutral but 'hai' refers to the singular feminine subject. If you have multiple baskets, the word changes to टोकरियाँ (Tokriyan). In the oblique case (when followed by a preposition like 'in' or 'on'), it becomes टोकरी में (Tokri mein) or टोकरियों में (Tokriyon mein) for plural.

Subjective Use: 'Tokri yahan hai' (The basket is here). The focus is on the object itself.
Objective Use: 'Maine ek tokri kharidi' (I bought a basket). Note that 'kharidi' ends in 'i' to match the feminine noun.

बाज़ार में बहुत सारी टोकरियाँ बिक रही थीं। (Many baskets were being sold in the market.)

In everyday speech, you might combine 'tokri' with specific contents. 'Phalon ki tokri' (Fruit basket), 'Sabziyon ki tokri' (Vegetable basket), or 'Kapdon ki tokri' (Laundry basket). If you are asking someone to pass you the basket, you would say, 'Mujhe woh tokri pakdao.' If you are describing the quality, you might say 'Yeh tokri mazboot hai' (This basket is strong). The word is very common in imperative sentences given its utility in household chores.

कृपया उस टोकरी को खाली कर दो। (Please empty that basket.)

Advanced learners should note the use of 'tokri' in compound verbs. 'Tokri bharna' (to fill the basket) is a common action. In literary Hindi, 'tokri' can be used to set a scene of rural simplicity. 'Ek boodhi aurat tokri liye baithi thi' (An old woman was sitting with a basket). Here, 'liye' indicates she was holding or carrying it. This construction is very common in descriptive prose.

बच्चे ने टोकरी में अपने खिलौने डाल दिए। (The child put his toys in the basket.)

क्या तुम इस भारी टोकरी को उठा सकते हो? (Can you lift this heavy basket?)

Prepositional Usage: 'Tokri ke neeche' (Under the basket), 'Tokri ke upar' (Above the basket), 'Tokri ke paas' (Near the basket).

You will hear टोकरी most often in the vibrant street markets of India. Street vendors, known as 'pheriwalas', often carry a 'tokri' or 'tokra' on their heads while shouting out their wares. You might hear a vendor yell, 'Santra le lo, ek tokri sau rupaye!' (Take oranges, one basket for a hundred rupees!). In a domestic setting, a mother might tell her child, 'Jao, rasoi se sabzi ki tokri le aao' (Go, bring the vegetable basket from the kitchen). It is a word of the physical, tangible world.

“साहब, इस टोकरी की कीमत क्या है?” (Sir, what is the price of this basket?)

In Indian cinema (Bollywood), the 'tokri' is a frequent prop in songs and scenes depicting village life or romantic encounters in a garden. A heroine might be seen picking flowers into a 'tokri'. In news reports about agriculture, you might hear about the 'tokri' of crops produced by farmers. Furthermore, in religious contexts, especially during the 'Chhath' festival in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, the 'tokri' (often called 'daura' in local dialects but referred to as tokri in standard Hindi) is sacred, used to carry offerings to the Sun God at the riverbank.

In modern retail, while 'shopping cart' is 'shopping trolley', a 'shopping basket' is still called a 'shopping tokri' in many Hindi-speaking regions. Online shopping apps also use the icon of a 'tokri' for the cart, although the word 'cart' is often transliterated. However, in pure Hindi interfaces, you will see 'Meri Tokri' (My Basket/Cart). This shows the word's transition from traditional bamboo crafts to digital e-commerce.

“अपनी टोकरी उठाओ और मेरे पीछे आओ।” (Pick up your basket and follow me.)

Workplace Context: In construction, workers use 'tokris' (usually metal ones called 'tasla') to carry cement and sand. The term remains the same in casual talk.

The most common mistake for English speakers is getting the gender wrong. English has no grammatical gender for objects, so learners often say 'Mera tokri' (My basket - masculine) instead of the correct 'Meri tokri' (My basket - feminine). This error is immediately noticeable to native speakers. Another mistake is confusing टोकरी (Tokri) with टोकरा (Tokra). While they both mean basket, a 'tokra' is significantly larger, often used for industrial or heavy agricultural work, and it is masculine.

Another error involves the plural form. Learners often say 'Tokriyan' (correct) but forget to change the accompanying verb. For instance, 'Tokriyan rakhi hai' is wrong; it should be 'Tokriyan rakhi hain' (nasalized 'n' for plural). Additionally, don't confuse 'Tokri' with 'Tokari' (a common misspelling). The 'k' is followed by 'r' directly with a short 'o' sound on the 'T'.

Incorrect: ~~यह एक बड़ा टोकरी है।~~
Correct: यह एक बड़ी टोकरी है।

Lastly, learners sometimes use 'Tokri' for a 'bag'. A bag is 'jhola' or 'thaila'. A 'tokri' must have a rigid or semi-rigid structure, usually woven. You wouldn't call a plastic grocery bag a 'tokri'. Knowing the distinction between a woven container and a flexible bag is key to sounding natural in Hindi.

Pluralization Error: Saying 'Tokris' (English plural) instead of 'Tokriyan'. In Hindi, the 'i' changes to 'iy' before adding 'an'.
Pronunciation Error: Pronouncing the 'T' as a soft dental 'T' (like in 'thin'). It should be a retroflex 'T' (like in 'table'), with the tongue curled back.

While टोकरी is the general word for basket, Hindi offers several specific alternatives depending on size and use. डलिया (Daliya) is a smaller, often shallower basket, usually used for bread (roti) or small amounts of fruit. It feels more delicate and is often found on dining tables. पिटारी (Pitari) refers to a basket with a lid, traditionally used by snake charmers or for storing jewelry and clothes in olden times.

Tokri vs. Daliya: Tokri is general-purpose; Daliya is small and often used for serving food or as a small gift basket.
Tokri vs. Tokra: Tokri is small/medium and feminine; Tokra is large, heavy-duty, and masculine.
Tokri vs. Jhola: Tokri is rigid/woven; Jhola is a flexible cloth or plastic bag.

रोटियों को डलिया में रखो। (Keep the rotis in the small basket.)

Another word is चंगेर (Changer), which is a flat, shallow basket specifically for keeping flatbreads. In more formal or ancient contexts, you might encounter करंडक (Karandak), a Sanskritized word for a small box or basket, though this is rare in daily speech. If you are talking about a wastebasket, कूड़ेदान (Kudedaan) is the more common word for 'dustbin', but 'raddi ki tokri' is used for a paper-only basket. Understanding these nuances helps you choose the right word for the right setting, making your Hindi sound much more authentic and precise.

जादूगर ने अपनी पिटारी खोली। (The magician opened his small lidded basket.)

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"हस्तशिल्प प्रदर्शनी में विभिन्न प्रकार की टोकरियाँ प्रदर्शित की गईं।"

Neutral

"कृपया फलों की टोकरी मेज पर रख दें।"

Informal

"अरे, वो टोकरी इधर ला तो!"

Child friendly

"देखो, इस छोटी सी टोकरी में एक प्यारा सा खरगोश है!"

Slang

"उसका दिमाग तो रद्दी की टोकरी है।"

Fun Fact

In ancient times, tokris were used as a standard unit of measurement in village markets before weighing scales became common.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈtəʊ.kri/

US /ˈtoʊ.kri/

Primary stress is on the first syllable 'To'.

Rhymes With

छोकरी (Chokri - girl/lass) नौकरी (Naukri - job) टोकरी (Tokri - basket) पोकरी (Pokri - rarely used) ठोकरी (Thokri - rarely used) लोकरी (Lokri - rarely used) मकरी (Makri - spider, though 'makdi' is more common) ककड़ी (Kakdi - cucumber, near rhyme)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'T' as a soft dental 'T' (like Spanish 't').
Adding an extra vowel: 'Tok-a-ri'.
Using a long 'oo' sound instead of 'o': 'Tookri'.
Softening the 'r' too much; it should be a slight flap.
Ignoring the feminine ending 'i' and using masculine adjectives.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

The word is short and uses standard characters. Easy to recognize.

Writing 2/5

Requires knowledge of the 'o' matra and the 'i' matra. Straightforward.

Speaking 2/5

Requires correct retroflex 'T' pronunciation.

Listening 1/5

Distinct sound, usually clear in conversation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

फल (Fruit) सब्ज़ी (Vegetable) मेज (Table) रखना (To keep) बड़ी (Big)

Learn Next

डिब्बा (Box) बोतल (Bottle) थैला (Bag) सामान (Stuff/Luggage) बाज़ार (Market)

Advanced

हस्तशिल्प (Handicraft) बुनाई (Weaving) बाँस (Bamboo) बेंत (Cane) संस्कृति (Culture)

Grammar to Know

Feminine Noun Agreement

बड़ी टोकरी (Badi Tokri) - adjective ends in 'i'.

Pluralization of 'i' ending nouns

टोकरी -> टोकरियाँ (Tokri -> Tokriyan).

Oblique Case Plural

टोकरियों में (Tokriyon mein) - in the baskets.

Possessive Agreement

मेरी टोकरी (Meri Tokri) - my basket.

Verb Agreement

टोकरी गिर गई (Tokri gir gayi) - the basket fell.

Examples by Level

यह एक टोकरी है।

This is a basket.

Simple 'Subject + Noun + Verb' structure.

टोकरी मेज पर है।

The basket is on the table.

Use of the postposition 'par' (on).

यह मेरी टोकरी है।

This is my basket.

'Meri' is used because 'Tokri' is feminine.

टोकरी में आम हैं।

There are mangoes in the basket.

'Mein' (in) is a postposition.

टोकरी छोटी है।

The basket is small.

Adjective 'choti' agrees with feminine noun.

मुझे टोकरी दो।

Give me the basket.

Imperative sentence.

टोकरी खाली है।

The basket is empty.

Adjective 'khali' (empty).

वहाँ एक टोकरी है।

There is a basket there.

Use of 'vahan' (there).

मैंने बाज़ार से एक टोकरी खरीदी।

I bought a basket from the market.

Past tense 'kharidi' matches feminine 'tokri'.

टोकरी में पाँच सेब रखे हैं।

Five apples are kept in the basket.

Plural verb 'hain' for apples, but 'tokri mein' is the location.

यह टोकरी बहुत सुंदर है।

This basket is very beautiful.

Adjective 'sundar' is neutral but refers to 'tokri'.

क्या तुम टोकरी साफ़ कर सकते हो?

Can you clean the basket?

Question form with 'kya'.

हमें दो टोकरियाँ चाहिए।

We need two baskets.

Plural 'tokriyan'.

टोकरी के नीचे क्या है?

What is under the basket?

Postposition 'ke neeche' (under).

वह टोकरी फूलों से भरी है।

That basket is full of flowers.

'Bhari' (full) matches feminine 'tokri'.

टोकरी को रसोई में रख दो।

Put the basket in the kitchen.

Object marker 'ko' used with 'tokri'.

यह टोकरी बाँस की बनी हुई है।

This basket is made of bamboo.

Material description 'baans ki'.

उसने अपनी टोकरी में ताज़ी सब्ज़ियाँ रखीं।

He/She kept fresh vegetables in his/her basket.

Possessive 'apni' matches feminine 'tokri'.

क्या आप इस टोकरी को उपहार के लिए सजा सकते हैं?

Can you decorate this basket for a gift?

Purpose 'uphaar ke liye'.

गाँव में लोग खुद अपनी टोकरियाँ बुनते हैं।

In the village, people weave their own baskets.

Verb 'bunte' (weave).

टोकरी का हैंडल टूट गया है।

The handle of the basket is broken.

Note: 'Handle' is masculine, so 'tuta' matches it, while 'ki' would be used for 'tokri ki pakad'.

उसने टोकरी को ज़ोर से पकड़ा हुआ था।

She was holding the basket tightly.

Compound verb 'pakda hua tha'.

बाज़ार में रंग-बिरंगी टोकरियाँ मिल रही थीं।

Colorful baskets were available in the market.

Adjective 'rang-birangi' (colorful).

टोकरी में रखे फल खराब हो रहे हैं।

The fruits kept in the basket are getting spoiled.

Participle 'rakhe' (kept) refers to 'phal' (fruits).

अर्थव्यवस्था में 'वस्तुओं की टोकरी' का बहुत महत्व है।

In the economy, the 'basket of goods' is very important.

Metaphorical use in economics.

कारीगर ने टोकरी को बड़ी सावधानी से बुना है।

The artisan has woven the basket with great care.

Adverbial phrase 'badi saavdhani se'.

यह टोकरी पीढ़ियों से हमारे परिवार में है।

This basket has been in our family for generations.

Indicates duration and history.

प्लास्टिक की थैलियों के बजाय टोकरी का उपयोग करना बेहतर है।

It is better to use a basket instead of plastic bags.

Comparison 'ke bajaay' (instead of).

टोकरी की बनावट बहुत ही अनोखी है।

The structure/design of the basket is very unique.

'Banavat' (structure) is feminine.

मंदिर में चढ़ावे के लिए एक बड़ी टोकरी मंगवाई गई।

A large basket was ordered for offerings in the temple.

Passive construction 'mangwayi gayi'.

उसने टोकरी भर-भर के मिठाइयाँ बाँटीं।

He distributed sweets by the basketful.

Idiomatic use of 'bhar-bhar ke'.

टोकरी के अंदर एक बिल्ली का बच्चा छिपा हुआ था।

A kitten was hidden inside the basket.

Preposition 'ke andar' (inside).

साहित्य में टोकरी अक्सर ग्रामीण श्रम का प्रतीक मानी जाती है।

In literature, the basket is often considered a symbol of rural labor.

Abstract literary analysis.

उसकी यादों की टोकरी अब पुरानी और जर्जर हो चुकी थी।

The basket of his/her memories had now become old and dilapidated.

Metaphorical usage.

बुनकर ने टोकरी के कोनों को मज़बूत करने के लिए लोहे के तारों का प्रयोग किया।

The weaver used iron wires to strengthen the corners of the basket.

Technical description.

टोकरी की बुनाई में प्रयुक्त तकनीक लुप्त होती जा रही है।

The technique used in weaving the basket is becoming extinct.

Socio-cultural observation.

उसने अपनी सारी निराशा उस एक टोकरी में समेट ली थी।

He had gathered all his disappointment into that one basket.

Metaphorical verb 'samet lena'.

प्रदर्शनी में प्रदर्शित टोकरियाँ हस्तशिल्प का बेहतरीन नमूना थीं।

The baskets displayed in the exhibition were fine examples of handicraft.

Formal register.

टोकरी की गहराई उसकी ज़रूरतों के हिसाब से पर्याप्त नहीं थी।

The depth of the basket was not sufficient according to her needs.

Abstract measurement 'gahraai'.

नदी के किनारे टोकरी बनाने वालों की एक पूरी बस्ती बसी हुई है।

There is an entire settlement of basket makers living by the riverbank.

Descriptive geography.

यह टोकरी मात्र एक वस्तु नहीं, बल्कि सदियों पुरानी परंपरा की संवाहिका है।

This basket is not just an object, but a carrier of a centuries-old tradition.

High-level philosophical statement.

उसने अपने जीवन के अनुभवों को एक टोकरी में संजोकर रखा है।

He has cherished and kept his life experiences in a basket.

Advanced metaphorical verb 'sanjokar rakhna'.

टोकरी की क्षीण होती बुनावट उसके संघर्षपूर्ण अतीत की गवाह थी।

The fraying weave of the basket was a witness to its struggling past.

Personification and high-level adjectives.

जैसे-जैसे शहरीकरण बढ़ा, पारंपरिक टोकरी का स्थान प्लास्टिक के डिब्बों ने ले लिया।

As urbanization increased, plastic boxes took the place of the traditional basket.

Historical-sociological analysis.

टोकरी की प्रत्येक गाँठ बुनकर की मेहनत और धैर्य की कहानी कहती है।

Every knot of the basket tells a story of the weaver's hard work and patience.

Poetic expression.

क्या हम अपनी संस्कृति की टोकरी को आधुनिकता की आंधी से बचा पाएंगे?

Will we be able to save the basket of our culture from the storm of modernity?

Rhetorical question with metaphor.

उसने टोकरी में रखे फूलों की खुशबू से पूरे कमरे को महका दिया।

She made the whole room fragrant with the scent of the flowers kept in the basket.

Causative verb 'mahka diya'.

टोकरी के निर्माण में प्रयुक्त प्राकृतिक रेशों की गुणवत्ता अतुलनीय है।

The quality of natural fibers used in the construction of the basket is incomparable.

Formal technical evaluation.

Synonyms

डलिया पिटारी चंगेरी खारी पेटिका

Antonyms

बोरा डिब्बा

Common Collocations

फलों की टोकरी

बाँस की टोकरी

खाली टोकरी

टोकरी बुनना

फूलों की टोकरी

सब्ज़ियों की टोकरी

भारी टोकरी

उपहार की टोकरी

रद्दी की टोकरी

टोकरी भरना

Common Phrases

टोकरी भर

— A basketful; signifies a large quantity of something.

उसने टोकरी भर आम तोड़े।

टोकरी में रखना

— To keep something in the basket; a basic instruction.

सामान टोकरी में रखना मत भूलना।

टोकरी उठाना

— To lift or carry the basket.

क्या तुम यह टोकरी उठा सकते हो?

टोकरी सजाना

— To decorate a basket, usually for a ceremony or gift.

शादी के लिए टोकरी सजाना ज़रूरी है।

टोकरी खाली करना

— To empty the basket.

सब्जियां निकालकर टोकरी खाली कर दो।

टोकरी लाना

— To bring the basket.

बाज़ार से एक नई टोकरी लाना।

टोकरी बेचना

— To sell baskets; refers to the trade.

वह सड़क किनारे टोकरी बेचता है।

टोकरी ढोना

— To carry baskets as labor, often on the head.

मज़दूर दिन भर टोकरी ढोते हैं।

टोकरी का ढक्कन

— The lid of the basket.

टोकरी का ढक्कन कहाँ है?

छोटी टोकरी

— A small basket.

मुझे एक छोटी टोकरी चाहिए।

Often Confused With

टोकरी vs टोपी (Topi)

Means 'hat'. Sounds similar but starts with the same 'To' sound.

टोकरी vs टोकरी (Tokri) vs. टुकड़ा (Tukda)

Tukda means 'piece'. Don't confuse the 'Tok' and 'Tuk' sounds.

टोकरी vs टोकरी (Tokri) vs. टोका (Toka)

Toka can mean interrupted or a specific type of cutter. Very different.

Idioms & Expressions

"सिर पर टोकरी रखना"

— Literally carrying a basket on the head; implies hard physical labor or being a vendor.

वह सिर पर टोकरी रखकर फल बेचता है।

Informal/Literal

"टोकरी भर खुशियाँ"

— A 'basketful of happiness'; a poetic way to wish someone immense joy.

तुम्हें टोकरी भर खुशियाँ मिलें।

Poetic

"अपनी टोकरी खुद उठाना"

— To carry one's own burden or do one's own work without help.

अपना काम खुद करो, अपनी टोकरी खुद उठाओ।

Informal/Metaphorical

"टोकरी में छेद होना"

— Literally having a hole in the basket; metaphorically means a flawed plan where resources are lost.

तुम्हारी योजना तो टोकरी में छेद जैसी है।

Metaphorical

"झूठ की टोकरी"

— A basket of lies; someone who tells many lies.

वह तो झूठ की टोकरी है।

Slang/Informal

"ज्ञान की टोकरी"

— A basket of knowledge; used for someone very wise (sometimes sarcastically).

लो, आ गए ज्ञान की टोकरी लेकर।

Informal/Sarcastic

"टोकरी का फल"

— The fruit of the basket; the result of labor.

मेहनत करो तभी टोकरी का फल मिलेगा।

Literary

"टोकरी भर के"

— In great abundance.

उसने टोकरी भर के गालियाँ दीं।

Informal (Negative)

"खाली टोकरी लेकर लौटना"

— To return empty-handed or unsuccessful.

शिकारी खाली टोकरी लेकर लौटा।

Metaphorical

"सोने की टोकरी"

— A golden basket; something very precious or a high-value opportunity.

यह नौकरी तुम्हारे लिए सोने की टोकरी है।

Metaphorical

Easily Confused

टोकरी vs टोकरा (Tokra)

Same root, different gender and size.

Tokri is small and feminine; Tokra is large and masculine. You use Tokri for fruits and Tokra for heavy construction debris or huge harvests.

उसने टोकरी में सेब रखे, लेकिन मज़दूर ने टोकरे में मिट्टी उठाई।

टोकरी vs डलिया (Daliya)

Both mean basket.

Daliya is specifically a small, shallow basket often used for food (like bread). Tokri is a more general term for any woven basket.

रोटी डलिया में रखो, फल टोकरी में।

टोकरी vs थैला (Thaila)

Both are used for carrying things.

Thaila is a soft bag (cloth/plastic). Tokri is a rigid woven container.

बाज़ार से थैला लेकर जाओ, लेकिन घर में सब्ज़ी टोकरी में रखो।

टोकरी vs पिटारी (Pitari)

Both are woven containers.

Pitari usually has a lid and is used for storage. Tokri is usually open-topped and used for carrying/displaying.

साँप पिटारी में है, फल टोकरी में।

टोकरी vs तसला (Tasla)

Both used for carrying in labor contexts.

Tasla is usually a metal pan/bowl used in construction. Tokri is woven.

मज़दूर तसले में सीमेंट लाया।

Sentence Patterns

[Noun] [Postposition] टोकरी है।

मेज पर टोकरी है।

मेरे पास [Adjective] टोकरी है।

मेरे पास बड़ी टोकरी है।

यह टोकरी [Material] की बनी है।

यह टोकरी बाँस की बनी है।

टोकरी में [Item] भर दो।

टोकरी में फल भर दो।

टोकरी की [Attribute] [Adjective] है।

टोकरी की बुनावट मज़बूत है।

जैसे ही उसने टोकरी उठाई, [Event] हुआ।

जैसे ही उसने टोकरी उठाई, फल गिर गए।

टोकरी [Metaphor] का प्रतीक है।

टोकरी मेहनत का प्रतीक है।

बिना [Noun] के टोकरी अधूरी है।

बिना फूलों के टोकरी अधूरी है।

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in daily life, especially in urban and rural markets.

Common Mistakes

Mera tokri → Meri tokri
Tokri is feminine, so the possessive pronoun must also be feminine ('meri').
Bada tokri → Badi tokri
Adjectives must agree with the feminine gender of the noun.
Tokriyan rakha hai → Tokriyan rakhi hain
For plural feminine nouns, the verb must be plural ('hain') and feminine ('rakhi').
Tokri ke upar phal hai → Tokri mein phal hain
Usually, fruits are 'in' (mein) a basket, not 'on' (upar) it, unless the basket is upside down.
Using 'Tokri' for a plastic bag. → Using 'Thaila' or 'Polythene'.
A 'Tokri' must be a rigid/woven container, not a flexible bag.

Tips

Gender Agreement

Always pair 'Tokri' with feminine adjectives like 'choti', 'badi', and 'sundar'. This is the most common mistake for beginners.

Market Manners

When shopping in India, asking for a 'tokri' to put your items in is common. It shows you know the local terminology for shopping tools.

Size Matters

Use 'Tokra' for something huge and 'Tokri' for something you can easily carry with one or two hands.

Retroflex T

Don't say 'Tokri' with a soft 't' like in 'thought'. It must be hard, like in 'truck'. Practice curling your tongue.

Plural Spelling

When writing the plural 'Tokriyan', the long 'ee' sound in 'Tokri' becomes a short 'i' sound: टोकरियाँ.

Household Use

Label your storage baskets at home with the Hindi word to practice. 'Sabzi ki tokri', 'Phalon ki tokri', etc.

Digital Hindi

Look for the basket icon on Hindi websites; it will likely be labeled 'Meri Tokri'.

Handmade vs Machine

If a basket is handmade, use the phrase 'Hath se buni hui tokri'. It adds a lot of descriptive power to your speech.

Gifting Etiquette

A 'phalon ki tokri' is a very common and respectful gift when visiting someone who is unwell or during a festival.

Association

Associate 'Tokri' with 'Tree' (where the bamboo comes from) and 'Table' (where the basket sits). Both start with 'T'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a 'TO'e in a 'KRI'cket basket. To-kri. The basket is small and feminine, like a 'chokri' (girl).

Visual Association

Visualize a vibrant Indian market where a woman is carrying a bamboo basket (tokri) filled with bright orange marigolds on her head.

Word Web

Basket Bamboo Woven Fruit Vegetable Market Carry Handicraft

Challenge

Try to find five items in your house that could fit in a 'tokri' and name them in Hindi.

Word Origin

Derived from the Sanskrit word 'तर्क' (tarka) or related to 'टोक' (tok), referring to a container or measure. It has evolved through Prakrit into modern Hindi.

Original meaning: A woven container used for measurement or storage of agricultural produce.

Indo-Aryan

Cultural Context

Be respectful when referring to people who carry baskets for a living (laborers), as it is a physically demanding job often associated with lower socio-economic status.

In English-speaking cultures, baskets are often associated with picnics or Easter. In India, they are daily tools for survival and trade.

The famous Hindi story 'Tokri Bhar Mitti' by Madhavrao Sapre, one of the first short stories in Hindi. Bollywood songs depicting village belles with 'phoolon ki tokri' (flower baskets). Traditional 'Tokri dance' in some folk cultures.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Kitchen / Cooking

सब्ज़ी की टोकरी कहाँ है?
प्याज को टोकरी में रख दो।
टोकरी धो लो।
आलू की टोकरी भर गई है।

Market / Shopping

एक टोकरी की कीमत क्या है?
मुझे बाँस की टोकरी चाहिए।
क्या आपके पास बड़ी टोकरी है?
टोकरी में फल पैक कर दो।

Religious / Festivals

पूजा की टोकरी सजाओ।
फूलों की टोकरी लाओ।
प्रसाद टोकरी में रखो।
टोकरी लेकर मंदिर चलो।

Cleaning / Housework

गंदे कपड़ों की टोकरी।
रद्दी की टोकरी खाली करो।
खिलौने टोकरी में डालो।
टोकरी को कोने में रखो।

Gifting

उपहार की टोकरी बहुत सुंदर है।
टोकरी में चॉकलेट्स हैं।
इसे टोकरी में सजाकर दो।
मिठाई की टोकरी भेजनी है।

Conversation Starters

"क्या मैं इस टोकरी का उपयोग कर सकता हूँ? (Can I use this basket?)"

"आपको यह टोकरी कहाँ से मिली? (Where did you get this basket?)"

"क्या यह टोकरी हाथ से बनी है? (Is this basket handmade?)"

"टोकरी में क्या रखा है? (What is kept in the basket?)"

"क्या आप एक और टोकरी ला सकते हैं? (Can you bring another basket?)"

Journal Prompts

आज मैंने बाज़ार में एक बहुत ही सुंदर बाँस की टोकरी देखी...

अगर मेरी यादें एक टोकरी में होतीं, तो उनमें क्या-क्या होता?

मेरे घर की सब्ज़ी की टोकरी में आज ये चीज़ें हैं...

एक टोकरी बुनने वाले की ज़िंदगी कैसी होती होगी?

मैंने उपहार की टोकरी को इस तरह सजाया...

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Tokri is a feminine noun. This is important for grammar agreement. You should say 'Meri tokri' (my basket) and 'Badi tokri' (big basket).

Tokri is a small to medium-sized basket and is feminine. Tokra is a very large basket and is masculine. Tokra is used for heavy work like carrying construction materials.

In modern Hindi, 'trolley' is often used for a cart, but 'shopping tokri' can be used for a hand-held shopping basket. Many e-commerce apps use 'Meri Tokri' for 'My Cart'.

Traditionally, they are made of bamboo (baans) or cane (bent). In some regions, they are also made from dried grass or straw.

The plural is 'Tokriyan' (टोकरियाँ). If you use it with a preposition, it becomes 'Tokriyon' (टोकरियों), like 'Tokriyon mein' (in the baskets).

Yes, for example, 'Tokri bhar' means a basketful or an abundance of something. 'Jhoot ki tokri' means someone who tells a lot of lies.

Yes, 'raddi ki tokri' specifically refers to a wastepaper basket.

Daliya is a type of small, shallow basket. All dalias are tokris, but not all tokris are dalias. Daliya is more specific to food service or small items.

It is a retroflex 'T'. Curl your tongue back and hit the roof of your mouth sharply. It sounds like the 'T' in 'Time' but more emphasized.

It is used in all Hindi-speaking regions, including India, Nepal (where it's 'Tokari'), and among the global Hindi diaspora.