This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

Home
Learn
Hindi
Vocabulary
बुहारना

A2 verb #5,000 most common 10 min read

बुहारना

buhaarana Top 5,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips बुहारना in 30 Seconds

Explanation बुहारना in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'बुहारना' (buhārnā) as a basic action word for 'to sweep'. It is like saying 'I clean the floor with a broom'. You will mostly use it in simple present tense sentences like 'मैं बुहारता हूँ' (I sweep). Focus on the connection between the broom (jhadu) and the action. It is one of the first household chores you might learn to name in Hindi. Think of it as a specific way to say 'clean'.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'बुहारना' in different tenses and with common objects like 'āṅgan' (courtyard) or 'kamrā' (room). You should practice the imperative form 'बुहारो' (Sweep!) and the past tense 'मैंने बुहारा' (I swept). You also learn that this word is a bit more formal or traditional than 'jhāṛū lagānā'. You can start using it to describe your daily routine or chores you do at home.

At the B1 level, you should understand the 'ne' (ने) rule with 'बुहारना' in the past tense, ensuring the verb agrees with the object's gender (e.g., 'उसने सड़क बुहारी'). You start to see the word in stories and can use it to describe scenes of village life. You also learn compound versions like 'बुहार देना' (to sweep up), which sounds more natural in conversation. You can explain the process of cleaning using this specific verb.

At the B2 level, you can use 'बुहारना' metaphorically. For example, 'sweeping away old habits' or 'sweeping the path for someone'. you understand the subtle difference between 'buhārnā' and its synonyms like 'jhāṛnā' or 'ponchhnā'. You can participate in discussions about cleanliness and sanitation (Swachh Bharat) using this more formal and descriptive verb. You also recognize it in regional dialects and literature.

At the C1 level, you appreciate the poetic and rhythmic quality of 'बुहारना' in Hindi literature and folk songs. You can analyze how authors use this word to evoke a sense of tradition, rurality, or ritual purity. You are comfortable with all complex grammatical structures involving this verb, including passive forms and causative forms ('buharvānā' - to have someone else sweep). You understand its etymological roots and regional variations.

At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of 'बुहारना'. You can use it in academic writing, high-level political rhetoric, or complex literary analysis. You understand the deep cultural and religious connotations of sweeping as an act of 'shuddhi' (purification). You can distinguish between the nuances of 'buhārnā' in various Hindi dialects and use it with perfect precision in any stylistic register, from the most colloquial to the most formal.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

बुहारना in 30 Seconds

Buhārnā means to sweep using a broom.
It is a transitive verb often used for floors and courtyards.
In the past tense, it follows the 'ne' rule for subject-object agreement.
It is more traditional and formal than the common 'jhāṛū lagānā'.

The Hindi verb बुहारना (Buhārnā) specifically refers to the act of cleaning a floor or an outdoor area by using a broom. While the more common colloquial term in modern urban Hindi is 'झाड़ू लगाना' (jhāṛū lagānā), buhārnā carries a slightly more traditional, literary, or regional flavor. It evokes the rhythmic motion of sweeping, often associated with the early morning ritual of cleaning the 'āṅgan' (courtyard) in Indian households. This word is not just about removing dirt; it represents the preparation of a space, making it welcoming and pure for the day ahead. In many Indian cultures, sweeping the threshold is the first task of the day, believed to invite prosperity and positive energy into the home.

Grammatical Category: Transitive Verb (सकर्मक क्रिया). It requires an object—the place or the dust being swept.

दादी रोज़ सुबह उठकर अपना आँगन बुहारती हैं। (Grandmother sweeps her courtyard every morning after waking up.)

The word is deeply rooted in the agrarian and traditional lifestyle of North India. When you use buhārnā, you are often talking about a thorough cleaning, usually of a large surface area like a porch, a street, or a large hall. In literature, it is frequently used metaphorically to describe 'sweeping away' unwanted emotions, old memories, or even political corruption. It implies a sense of clearing the path. Unlike 'saaf karna' (to clean), which is a general term for any kind of cleaning (wiping, washing, dusting), buhārnā is strictly tied to the tool—the broom (jhadu or buhari). The tool itself is sometimes called a 'buhārī' in certain dialects, deriving directly from this verb. Understanding this word helps a learner transition from basic 'textbook' Hindi to a more nuanced, culturally rich vocabulary that resonates with native speakers, especially in rural or traditional settings.

Cultural Nuance: In many parts of India, it is considered inauspicious to sweep (buhārnā) in the evening or at night, as it is believed that you might sweep away the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi.

रास्ते को अच्छी तरह से बुहार दो ताकि मेहमान आ सकें। (Sweep the path thoroughly so that the guests can come.)

Furthermore, the word appears in several regional folk songs and Bhajans (devotional songs). For instance, a devotee might sing about 'sweeping the path for the Lord' (प्रभु की राह बुहारना). This elevates a mundane chore to an act of devotion. For a learner, mastering this word provides a window into the Indian psyche where work and worship often overlap. It is also used in the context of the 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' (Clean India Mission) in more formal or rhetorical speeches to emphasize the act of cleaning the nation's streets. Whether you are reading a Premchand short story or listening to a village elder, buhārnā will appear as a staple verb for maintaining order and cleanliness in the physical and spiritual world.

Using बुहारना (Buhārnā) correctly involves understanding its conjugation as a regular '-nā' ending verb. Since it is a transitive verb, in the perfective tenses (past tense), it follows the 'ne' (ने) construction, where the verb agrees with the object being swept rather than the subject. For example, if a man sweeps a room (kamrā - masculine), the verb will be 'buhārā'. If he sweeps a gallery (vīthikā - feminine), the verb will be 'buhārī'.

Direct Object Usage: The object is usually the floor, the ground, or the dust itself. Example: 'Dust ko buhār do' (Sweep the dust away).

उसने सारा घर बुहार दिया है। (He has swept the entire house.)

In the imperative mood (giving orders), 'buhāro' (informal) or 'buhāriye' (formal) are used. If you are asking someone to sweep a specific area, you would say, 'Is kamre ko buhār do' (Sweep this room). The addition of the auxiliary verb 'denā' (to give) as 'buhār denā' is very common in spoken Hindi, signifying that the action is completed for the benefit of someone or simply to indicate completion. This is a 'compound verb' structure common in Hindi.

In passive constructions, which are common in formal reporting or literature, you might see 'buhārā gayā'. For example, 'Sarak ko subah hī buhārā gayā thā' (The road was swept only in the morning). This emphasizes the action rather than the person doing it. It is also important to note the difference between 'buhārnā' and 'jhāṛnā'. While 'buhārnā' is specifically for floors with a broom, 'jhāṛnā' is for dusting furniture or shaking out a cloth.

क्या तुम मेरे लिए छत बुहार सकते हो? (Can you sweep the terrace for me?)

When using it in a continuous sense, like 'He is sweeping', it becomes 'Vah buhār rahā hai'. This is used when you observe someone in the middle of the chore. In many households, you might hear a mother telling her child, 'Kachrā ek kone me buhār do' (Sweep the trash into one corner). This shows the verb's utility in directing specific movements of debris. Mastery of these patterns allows the speaker to describe domestic life with precision and cultural authenticity.

While 'jhāṛū lagānā' dominates Bollywood movies and big-city conversations, बुहारना (Buhārnā) is the word you will hear in the heartlands of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. It is the language of the 'dehāt' (countryside). You will hear it in the early hours of the morning as neighbors greet each other while clearing their doorsteps. It is a word that smells of wet earth and straw brooms. If you visit a temple, particularly during a festival or 'sevā' (service), you will hear devotees talking about 'buhārnā' the temple premises as an act of humility and merit.

Literary Context: In Hindi literature (Sāhitya), authors use 'buhārnā' to create a grounded, authentic atmosphere. It is a favorite in 'Āñchalik' (regional) novels.

मंदिर के प्रांगण को भक्तों ने श्रद्धा से बुहारा। (The devotees swept the temple courtyard with devotion.)

In traditional Indian homes, the 'buhārnā' process is often followed by 'lipnā' (plastering with mud or cow dung), and the two words are sometimes used together in descriptions of rural life. You will also find this word in the lyrics of folk songs like 'Kajri' or 'Chaiti', where the heroine might describe sweeping the path while waiting for her beloved. This gives the word a romantic and expectant connotation that 'jhāṛū lagānā' lacks. Furthermore, in news reports or formal Hindi broadcasts discussing sanitation or public cleanliness drives, 'buhārnā' is used to sound more professional and grammatically 'pure' than the more colloquial alternatives.

Interestingly, the word is also used in political rhetoric. A leader might say, 'Hamein apne samāj se bhuṣṭāchār ko buhārnā hogā' (We must sweep away corruption from our society). Here, the word takes on a powerful, cleansing imagery. It suggests a total and systematic removal of filth. For an English speaker, hearing this word in various contexts—from a grandmother's morning chore to a politician's fiery speech—reveals the versatility of Hindi verbs and how they carry different weights depending on the register. It’s a word that bridges the gap between the mundane and the metaphorical, the domestic and the divine.

For learners of Hindi, बुहारना (Buhārnā) can be tricky due to its similarity to other verbs and its specific usage constraints. The most common mistake is confusing it with the verb bahānā (to cause to flow/to waste) or bahnā (to flow). While they sound somewhat similar to an untrained ear, their meanings are entirely different. Sweeping is a deliberate action of cleaning, while flowing is the movement of liquids.

Mistake 1: Confusing with 'Jhāṛnā': Learners often use 'buhārnā' for dusting a table. Remember: Buhārnā is for floors/ground. For tables or clothes, use 'jhāṛnā'.

Incorrect: मेज़ को बुहार दो। (Sweep the table.)
Correct: मेज़ को झाड़ दो। (Dust the table.)

Another frequent error involves the 'Ne' rule in the past tense. Because buhārnā is transitive, many students forget to change the verb ending to match the object. If you swept the 'sarak' (road - feminine), you must say 'Maine sarak buhārī', not 'buhārā'. Neglecting this gender agreement is a hallmark of an intermediate learner. Additionally, beginners might try to use it for 'mopping'. Sweeping and mopping are distinct; for mopping, the word is 'ponchhū lagānā' or 'ponchhnā'.

There is also a social nuance: using the word in an overly formal urban setting might sound slightly archaic or overly 'pure'. While not a grammatical 'mistake', it might cause a slight pause in a casual conversation where 'jhāṛū lagānā' is the norm. Finally, ensure you don't confuse the verb with the noun 'buhārī' (the broom itself). You 'buhār' with a 'buhārī'. Using the noun as a verb or vice versa is a common slip-up for those still getting used to Hindi's root-based word families.

To truly master the concept of cleaning in Hindi, it is essential to compare बुहारना (Buhārnā) with its synonyms and related terms. Each has a specific 'register' and application.

1. झाड़ू लगाना (Jhāṛū Lagānā): This is the most common equivalent. It literally means 'to apply the broom'. Use this in 90% of daily urban conversations.
2. साफ करना (Sāf Karnā): A general term meaning 'to clean'. It can apply to sweeping, washing, or even deleting files on a computer.
3. झाड़ना (Jhāṛnā): To dust or to shake off. Use this for furniture, cobwebs (spider webs), or shaking dust out of a rug.

आँगन बुहारना (Rural/Traditional) vs. कमरा साफ करना (General/Urban)

In more formal or Sanskritized Hindi, you might encounter मार्जना (Mārjanā), which means purification or cleansing, often used in religious contexts like 'Mānas Mārjan' (cleansing of the mind). Another regional variation is बढ़ारना (Baṛhārnā), used in parts of Eastern UP and Bihar, which is almost identical to buhārnā. Comparing these helps the learner understand that while the action is the same, the choice of word tells the listener where the speaker is from or what kind of tone they want to set. Buhārnā sits comfortably in the middle—more descriptive than 'sāf karnā' but more traditional than 'jhāṛū lagānā'.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word 'buhārnā' is so specific to the tool that in many dialects, the word for broom ('buhārī') is named after the verb, rather than the other way around. It highlights how central the action of sweeping is to daily life.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /bʊ.ɦɑːɾ.nɑː/

US /bu.hɑr.nɑ/

The primary stress is on the second syllable 'hār'.

Rhymes With

सुधारना (Sudhārnā - to improve) उतारना (Utārnā - to take off) पुकारना (Pukārnā - to call) निखारना (Nikhārnā - to brighten) सँवारना (Saṁvārnā - to groom) गुज़ारना (Guzārnā - to pass time) पधारना (Padhārnā - to arrive) बिसारना (Bisārnā - to forget)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'bahārnā' (confusing it with 'bahār' meaning outside).
Missing the 'h' sound and saying 'bu-ār-nā'.
Using a heavy English 'r' instead of the Hindi flap 'r'.
Confusing the 'u' (short) with 'ū' (long).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in text once the root is known.

Writing 3/5

Requires knowledge of the 'ne' rule and gender agreement.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation of 'h' and flap 'r' can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 2/5

Distinctive sound makes it easy to pick out in conversation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

साफ (Clean) झाड़ू (Broom) कमरा (Room) धूल (Dust) करना (To do)

Learn Next

झाड़ना (To dust) पोंछना (To wipe) धोना (To wash) लिपना (To plaster) सजाना (To decorate)

Advanced

मार्जन (Purification) परिष्कृत (Refined) निक्षालन (Leaching/Washing) संमार्जन (Cleansing)

Grammar to Know

Transitive Verb 'Ne' Rule

उसने (Subject) कमरा (Object-Masculine) बुहारा।

Compound Verbs with 'Denā'

कचरा बुहार दो (Complete the action for cleaning).

Gender Agreement

मैंने सड़क (Feminine) बुहारी।

Infinitive as Noun

बुहारना एक व्यायाम है (Sweeping is an exercise).

Oblique Infinitive with Postpositions

बुहारने के लिए (For sweeping).

Examples by Level

मैं रोज़ अपना कमरा बुहारता हूँ।

I sweep my room every day.

Present simple masculine singular.

माँ आँगन बुहारती हैं।

Mother sweeps the courtyard.

Present simple feminine singular (honorific).

क्या तुम घर बुहार सकते हो?

Can you sweep the house?

Modal verb 'saknā' with 'buhār'.

यहाँ बुहारो।

Sweep here.

Imperative (informal).

वह धीरे-धीरे बुहार रहा है।

He is sweeping slowly.

Present continuous.

बच्चे धूल बुहारते हैं।

The children sweep the dust.

Present simple plural.

चलो, साथ मिलकर बुहारें।

Come, let's sweep together.

Subjunctive/Let's form.

बुहारना अच्छी आदत है।

Sweeping is a good habit.

Gerundial use of the infinitive.

कल मैंने पूरा घर बुहारा।

Yesterday I swept the whole house.

Past perfective with 'ne' (implied/explicit).

नौकरानी सुबह ही आँगन बुहार चुकी थी।

The maid had already swept the courtyard in the morning.

Past perfect tense.

तुमने अभी तक सीढ़ियाँ नहीं बुहारीं?

Haven't you swept the stairs yet?

Negative past tense, feminine plural agreement.

जल्दी बुहारो, मेहमान आ रहे हैं।

Sweep quickly, guests are coming.

Imperative with an adverb.

उसने सारा कचरा बाहर बुहार दिया।

He swept all the trash outside.

Compound verb 'buhār denā'.

मुझे बुहारना पसंद नहीं है।

I don't like sweeping.

Infinitive as a subject/object of preference.

क्या आपने रसोई बुहार दी?

Did you sweep the kitchen?

Compound verb, feminine object agreement.

हमें अपना आस-पास बुहारना चाहिए।

We should sweep our surroundings.

Should (chāhiye) construction.

जब मैं पहुँचा, वह मंदिर का फर्श बुहार रही थी।

When I arrived, she was sweeping the temple floor.

Past continuous.

अगर तुम रोज़ बुहारोगे, तो घर साफ़ रहेगा।

If you sweep every day, the house will stay clean.

Conditional sentence, future tense.

उसने बड़ी सावधानी से काँच के टुकड़े बुहारे।

He swept the glass pieces very carefully.

Past tense, masculine plural agreement.

सड़कें रोज़ सुबह बुहारी जाती हैं।

The roads are swept every morning.

Passive voice.

बुहारने के बाद उसने फर्श पर पानी छिड़का।

After sweeping, he sprinkled water on the floor.

Postposition 'ke bād' with oblique infinitive.

क्या तुमने सारा कूड़ा एक कोने में बुहार दिया है?

Have you swept all the garbage into one corner?

Present perfect compound verb.

गाँव में औरतें सूरज उगने से पहले आँगन बुहार लेती हैं।

In the village, women sweep the courtyard before sunrise.

Compound verb 'buhār lenā' (action for self).

बिना बुहारे फर्श पर मत बैठो।

Don't sit on the floor without sweeping it.

Adverbial use of past participle 'binā buhāre'.

नई सरकार ने भ्रष्टाचार को जड़ से बुहारने का वादा किया है।

The new government has promised to sweep away corruption from the roots.

Metaphorical use in formal context.

हवा ने सूखे पत्तों को रास्ते से बुहार दिया।

The wind swept the dry leaves off the path.

Personification, wind as the subject.

उसने अपने मन के सारे संशयों को बुहार फेंका।

He swept away all the doubts from his mind.

Metaphorical compound verb 'buhār pheṅknā'.

यह पुरानी परंपरा अब समाज से बुहार दी जानी चाहिए।

This old tradition should now be swept away from society.

Passive with 'chāhiye' and compound verb.

साफ-सफाई की इस मुहिम में हर गली बुहारी जाएगी।

In this cleanliness drive, every lane will be swept.

Future passive voice.

लेखक ने ग्रामीण जीवन का वर्णन करते हुए 'आँगन बुहारने' का ज़िक्र किया है।

The author mentioned 'sweeping the courtyard' while describing rural life.

Literary reference.

क्या तुम्हें लगता है कि सिर्फ बुहारने से गंदगी चली जाएगी?

Do you think just sweeping will make the dirt go away?

Infinitive as a gerund subject.

उसने पूरी लगन से मंदिर की सीढ़ियाँ बुहारीं।

He swept the temple stairs with full dedication.

Past tense with feminine plural object.

कवि ने प्रभात का वर्णन करते हुए लिखा है कि किरणों ने अंधकार को बुहार दिया।

The poet, describing the dawn, wrote that the rays swept away the darkness.

High literary personification.

उसने अपनी यादों के झरोखों से धूल बुहारने की कोशिश की।

He tried to sweep the dust from the windows of his memories.

Complex metaphorical abstract usage.

गाँव की पगडंडियाँ अब वैसी नहीं बुहारी जातीं जैसी पहले बुहारी जाती थीं।

The village paths are no longer swept as they used to be swept before.

Comparative passive constructions.

राजनीतिक उथल-पुथल ने कई पुराने दिग्गजों को सत्ता से बुहार दिया।

The political upheaval swept many old veterans away from power.

Idiomatic political usage.

भक्ति साहित्य में 'राह बुहारना' प्रतीक्षा और श्रद्धा का प्रतीक है।

In devotional literature, 'sweeping the path' is a symbol of waiting and faith.

Cultural/Literary analysis.

बिना किसी स्वार्थ के समाज की बुराइयों को बुहारना ही सच्ची सेवा है।

Sweeping away the evils of society without any selfishness is true service.

Philosophical use of the infinitive.

उसने घर के कोने-कोने को इतनी अच्छी तरह बुहारा कि एक तिनका भी न बचा।

He swept every corner of the house so well that not even a straw remained.

Intensive description with 'kona-kona'.

क्या प्रशासन ने शहर की गंदगी बुहारने के लिए पर्याप्त इंतज़ाम किए हैं?

Has the administration made enough arrangements to sweep away the city's filth?

Formal administrative inquiry.

इतिहास की धारा ने कई साम्राज्यों को काल के गाल में बुहार दिया।

The current of history swept many empires into the mouth of time.

Highly sophisticated metaphorical usage.

उनकी लेखनी ने समाज में व्याप्त कुरीतियों को बड़ी निर्भयता से बुहारा है।

His writing has fearlessly swept away the malpractices prevalent in society.

Abstract transitive usage.

शायद ही कोई ऐसा कोना बचा हो जिसे उसकी पैनी नज़रों ने न बुहारा हो।

Hardly any corner remained that his sharp eyes had not swept (scanned/cleared).

Subjunctive mood with complex negation.

आध्यात्मिक मार्ग पर चलने के लिए मन के विकारों को बुहारना अनिवार्य है।

To walk on the spiritual path, it is mandatory to sweep away the mental impurities.

Spiritual/Philosophical register.

उसकी मुस्कान ने मेरे मन की सारी उदासी एक पल में बुहार दी।

Her smile swept away all the sadness of my mind in a single moment.

Poetic transitive usage.

लोकगीतों में 'बुहारन' शब्द का प्रयोग अक्सर विरह की वेदना के साथ मिलता है।

In folk songs, the use of the word 'sweeping' is often found along with the pain of separation.

Linguistic/Cultural commentary.

क्या यह संभव है कि हम अपनी विरासत से धूल बुहारकर उसे फिर से चमका सकें?

Is it possible that we can sweep the dust off our heritage and make it shine again?

Rhetorical question with metaphorical intent.

व्यवस्था परिवर्तन के नाम पर उन्होंने केवल सतह को बुहारा, गहराइयों को नहीं।

In the name of system change, they only swept the surface, not the depths.

Critical political/social analysis.

Common Collocations

आँगन बुहारना

रास्ता बुहारना

धूल बुहारना

कूड़ा बुहारना

फर्श बुहारना

कोना-कोना बुहारना

सीढ़ियाँ बुहारना

सुबह-सुबह बुहारना

मन बुहारना

अच्छी तरह बुहारना

Common Phrases

बुहार कर साफ करना

— To sweep and clean thoroughly.

उसने कमरा बुहार कर साफ कर दिया।

बुहार देना

— To finish the act of sweeping (perfective).

मैंने सारा कूड़ा बुहार दिया है।

बुहार लेना

— To sweep for one's own benefit or as a task.

उसने अपना हिस्सा बुहार लिया।

बुहारने वाला/वाली

— The person who sweeps (sweeper).

बुहारने वाली अभी नहीं आई है।

बिन बुहारा

— Unswept.

बिन बुहारा आँगन अच्छा नहीं लगता।

बुहारते रहना

— To keep sweeping.

वह दिन भर बुहारती रहती है।

बुहारने का काम

— The job of sweeping.

उसे बुहारने का काम पसंद है।

साफ-बुहार कर

— Having cleaned and swept.

साफ-बुहार कर घर चमक उठा।

बुहारना-झाड़ना

— Sweeping and dusting (general housework).

बुहारना-झाड़ना तो रोज़ का काम है।

राह बुहारना

— To wait expectantly for someone (metaphorical).

मैं तुम्हारी राह बुहार रहा हूँ।

Often Confused With

बुहारना vs बहाना (Bahānā)

Means 'to flow' or 'to make an excuse'. Sounds similar but unrelated.

बुहारना vs बाहर (Bāhar)

Means 'outside'. Often confused by beginners because of the 'b-h-r' consonants.

बुहारना vs बुखार (Bukhār)

Means 'fever'. The first syllable is the same, but the meaning is totally different.

Idioms & Expressions

"राह बुहारना"

— To wait for someone with great devotion or eagerness, literally cleaning the path for them.

मीरा प्रभु की राह बुहारती थी।

Literary/Devotional

"मन की धूल बुहारना"

— To clear one's mind of negative thoughts or confusion.

ध्यान करने से मन की धूल बुहार जाती है।

Spiritual

"पल्ला बुहारना"

— To clear one's side or to finish one's responsibility (regional variation).

उसने अपना पल्ला बुहार लिया और चला गया।

Informal/Regional

"घर बुहारना"

— Sometimes used metaphorically for a total change or cleaning out of old things.

नए मालिक ने आते ही पूरा घर बुहार दिया।

Neutral

"किस्मत बुहारना"

— A rare expression meaning to clear the path for good luck.

मेहनत ही तुम्हारी किस्मत बुहारेगी।

Poetic

"कचरा बुहारना"

— Often used in political slogans to mean removing corrupt elements.

इस बार जनता सारा कचरा बुहार देगी।

Political

"आँगन बुहारना"

— Symbolizes the start of a new, auspicious day or life.

शादी के बाद उसने नए घर का आँगन बुहारा।

Cultural

"यादें बुहारना"

— To try and forget or 'clean out' old memories.

पुरानी यादें बुहारना आसान नहीं होता।

Poetic

"मैदान बुहारना"

— To clear a field or area for an event, or metaphorically to dominate.

खिलाड़ियों ने मैदान बुहार दिया।

Metaphorical

"दहलीज़ बुहारना"

— To sweep the threshold, welcoming guests or deities.

दीवाली पर हम दहलीज़ बुहारते हैं।

Cultural

Easily Confused

बुहारना vs झाड़ना

Both involve cleaning/dusting.

Buhārnā is for floors with a broom; Jhāṛnā is for dusting objects or shaking cloth.

फर्श बुहारो, मेज़ झाड़ो।

बुहारना vs पोंछना

Both are cleaning actions.

Buhārnā is dry sweeping; Ponchhnā is wiping or mopping (usually wet).

पहले बुहारो, फिर पोंछो।

बुहारना vs धोना

Both are cleaning actions.

Buhārnā uses a broom; Dhonā uses water.

आँगन बुहारो, फिर उसे धो दो।

बुहारना vs बढ़ारना

Dialectical variation.

Used in specific regions (East); Buhārnā is more standard.

वह आँगन बढ़ार रही है।

बुहारना vs सजाना

Often happens after cleaning.

Buhārnā is removing dirt; Sajānā is adding beauty.

घर बुहारने के बाद उसे सजाओ।

Sentence Patterns

मैं [Object] बुहारता हूँ।

मैं फर्श बुहारता हूँ।

क्या तुमने [Object] बुहारा?

क्या तुमने आँगन बुहारा?

[Subject] ने [Object] बुहार दिया है।

माँ ने रसोई बुहार दी है।

[Object] बुहारा जा रहा है।

आँगन बुहारा जा रहा है।

[Abstract Object] को बुहारना ज़रूरी है।

भ्रष्टाचार को बुहारना ज़रूरी है।

बिना [Object] बुहारे, [Action] मत करो।

बिना फर्श बुहारे, चटाई मत बिछाओ।

[Subject] की [Object] ने [Abstract] को बुहार दिया।

उसकी मुस्कान ने मेरी उदासी को बुहार दिया।

[Object] बुहारते-बुहारते [Time/Event].

आँगन बुहारते-बुहारते शाम हो गई।

Word Family

Nouns

बुहारी Broom (regional/traditional term).

बुहारन The act of sweeping or the sweepings/trash collected.

Verbs

बुहरवाना To cause someone else to sweep (causative).

बुहार देना To sweep away (compound verb).

Adjectives

बुहारा हुआ Swept (past participle adjective).

झाड़ू (Jhadu - Broom)

सफाई (Safai - Cleanliness)

धूल (Dhul - Dust)

कूड़ा (Kuda - Trash)

आँगन (Aangan - Courtyard)

How to Use It

frequency

High in rural/traditional contexts, medium in urban literature, low in casual urban slang.

Common Mistakes

Maine kamra buhārī. → Maine kamra buhārā.
Kamra (room) is masculine, so the verb must end in 'ā'.
Vah pani buhār rahā hai. → Vah pani ponchh rahā hai.
You sweep dust, you don't sweep water. Use 'ponchhnā' for liquids.
Main bahār rahā hoon. → Main buhār rahā hoon.
'Bahār' means outside. 'Buhār' is the root for sweeping. Watch the vowels!
Usne jhadu ko buhārā. → Usne jhadu se buhārā.
You sweep *with* a broom, you don't sweep the broom itself (unless you are cleaning the broom).
Mez buhār do. → Mez jhāṛ do.
Use 'jhāṛnā' for furniture/tables. 'Buhārnā' is for floors.

Tips

The 'Ne' Rule

Always remember that in the past tense, you say 'Maine buhārā' if the thing you swept is masculine (like 'āṅgan') and 'Maine buhārī' if it's feminine (like 'sarak').

Buhari vs Jhadu

While 'jhadu' is the universal word for broom, 'buhari' is a lovely regional synonym you'll encounter in literature.

Morning Ritual

Mentioning 'āṅgan buhārnā' in a conversation about India will show you understand traditional household life.

Natural Flow

Add 'denā' to make it 'buhār diyā'. It sounds much more like a native speaker than just saying 'buhārā'.

Metaphorical Use

Use it to describe clearing away obstacles or bad thoughts to sound more poetic.

Regional Accents

In some areas, the 'h' might be very soft. Listen for the 'bu-ār' sound.

Not for Liquids

Never use 'buhārnā' for cleaning up a spill. Use 'ponchhnā' (wipe) or 'sāf karnā' (clean).

Polite Requests

Use 'buhār dijiye' when asking someone to help with cleaning; it sounds respectful.

Descriptive Power

Use it in stories to set a rural or traditional scene quickly.

Dust is Gone

Think: 'Buhārnā' = 'Bye-bye dirt!' The 'B' reminds you of 'Bye'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Buhār' as 'Boo! Hard'—you have to work **hard** to say **boo** to the dust and sweep it away.

Visual Association

Imagine a traditional broom made of sticks (buhari) moving across a dusty courtyard in the morning sun.

Word Web

Broom Floor Dust Clean Morning Courtyard Tradition Action

Challenge

Try to say 'Maine āṅgan buhārā' five times fast without tripping over the 'h' and 'r' sounds.

Word Origin

Derived from the Sanskrit root 'मार्जन' (mārjana) or related to the Indo-Aryan roots for clearing/rubbing. It is closely linked to the Old Hindi and Prakrit forms of cleaning.

Original meaning: To rub, to wipe, or to clear away debris.

Indo-Aryan

Cultural Context

Be aware that sweeping was traditionally associated with specific castes; however, the word 'buhārnā' itself is a neutral verb for the action.

English speakers might just say 'sweep', but Hindi distinguishes between sweeping (buhārnā) and dusting (jhāṛnā) more strictly in traditional contexts.

Kabir's poetry often uses cleaning metaphors. The 'Swachh Bharat' campaign ads. Premchand's stories of rural India.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Morning Routine

आँगन बुहारना
सूरज उगने से पहले बुहारना
दहलीज़ बुहारना
रोज़ाना बुहारना

Preparation for Guests

रास्ता बुहार दो
बैठक बुहारना
मेहमानों के लिए बुहारना
जल्दी बुहारना

Religious Service

मंदिर बुहारना
श्रद्धा से बुहारना
राह बुहारना
सेवा में बुहारना

Public Sanitation

सड़क बुहारना
कूड़ा बुहारना
गली-गली बुहारना
नगर बुहारना

Metaphorical Cleaning

मन बुहारना
बुराइयाँ बुहारना
भ्रष्टाचार बुहारना
यादें बुहारना

Conversation Starters

"क्या आपने आज सुबह अपना आँगन बुहारा?"

"आपके यहाँ बुहारने के लिए कौन सी झाड़ू इस्तेमाल होती है?"

"क्या आपको घर बुहारना पसंद है या पोछा लगाना?"

"गाँव में लोग सुबह-सुबह क्यों बुहारते हैं?"

"क्या 'बुहारना' शब्द आपके क्षेत्र में आम है?"

Journal Prompts

आज मैंने अपना कमरा बुहारा और मुझे कैसा महसूस हुआ...

मेरे बचपन में घर बुहारने की यादें...

अगर मैं समाज से एक चीज़ बुहार सकूँ, तो वह क्या होगी?

सुबह-सुबह आँगन बुहारने के दृश्य का वर्णन करें।

बुहारना और मन की शांति के बीच क्या संबंध हो सकता है?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Technically no. 'Buhārnā' specifically implies using a broom. For a vacuum, use 'vacuum karnā' or 'saaf karnā'.

As a verb, it conjugates based on the subject (present/future) or the object (perfective with 'ne'). The word 'buhār' (trash) is feminine.

'Jhāṛū lagānā' is more common in daily speech. 'Buhārnā' is more formal, literary, or used in rural contexts.

Culturally, many Indians avoid 'buhārnā' at night as it is considered to bring bad luck or drive away wealth.

In some dialects, 'buhārī' is the noun for a broom, derived from the verb 'buhārnā'.

You say 'Main buhār rahā hoon' (m) or 'Main buhār rahī hoon' (f).

No, it only means to sweep. To wash is 'dhonā'.

Only metaphorically, like 'sweeping people out' of a room or a position of power.

Yes, especially in North Indian villages and in Hindi literature.

It is 'buhārā' (m), 'buhārī' (f), 'buhāre' (m.pl), 'buhārīṅ' (f.pl) when used with 'ne'.