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बढ़ाना

B1 verb 7 min read

बढ़ाना

badhana

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips बढ़ाना in 30 Seconds

Explanation बढ़ाना in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'badhānā' is primarily learned as a command or a simple request to change the state of something physical. You will use it to ask someone to increase the volume of music (awaaz badhāo), the speed of a vehicle (speed badhāo), or the amount of sugar in your tea (cheeni badhāo). The focus is on the transitive nature—you are asking someone to *do* something to an object. You'll learn the basic imperative forms: 'badhāo' (informal) and 'badhāiye' (polite). It's often one of the first verbs used to interact with service staff or friends in a functional way. You don't need to worry about complex past tense 'ne' constructions yet; focus on the present and future 'main badhāūngā' (I will increase).

At A2, you start using 'badhānā' in more varied everyday contexts. You might talk about extending your stay in a city (stay badhānā) or increasing your daily exercise (kasrat badhānā). This is the level where the distinction between 'badhnā' (to grow/increase) and 'badhānā' (to make grow/increase) becomes crucial. You will begin to form sentences like 'Mujhe apna gyan badhānā hai' (I want to increase my knowledge). You will also encounter the past tense, though you might still struggle with the gender agreement of the object. You'll start to see it used in compound forms like 'badhā denā' to indicate a completed action, such as 'Usne dām badhā diye' (He increased the prices).

At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'badhānā' comfortably in professional and social settings. You understand its abstract uses, like 'honsla badhānā' (to boost morale) or 'utsāh badhānā' (to encourage). You can handle the 'ne' construction in the past tense with relative ease, ensuring the verb matches the object's gender. You also start using common idioms like 'baat badhānā' (to escalate a matter) and understand that it can have negative connotations. You can use it to describe business growth, personal development, and social outreach. This is the stage where 'badhānā' becomes a tool for expressing agency and influence over your environment and relationships.

At B2, your use of 'badhānā' becomes more nuanced. You can distinguish between 'badhānā' and more formal synonyms like 'izāfā karnā' or 'vriddhi karnā', choosing the right one based on the audience. You use the verb in complex sentence structures, such as 'Sarkār ko rozgār ke avsar badhāne chahiye' (The government should increase employment opportunities). You are proficient in using the causative forms and understand how 'badhānā' can be part of a larger chain of actions. You also recognize its use in literature and news media, where it often describes systemic changes, such as 'mehangai badhānā' (increasing inflation) or 'suraksha badhānā' (increasing security).

At C1, 'badhānā' is used with precision in academic, legal, or high-level professional contexts. You understand the subtle differences in meaning when it's paired with different nouns—how 'haath badhānā' can mean literal extension or figurative help. You can use it to discuss complex topics like 'samajik jagrukta badhānā' (increasing social awareness) or 'diplomatic sambandh badhānā' (extending/improving diplomatic relations). Your grammar is flawless, even with multiple objects or in passive constructions. You can appreciate and use the word in poetic or rhetorical ways, such as 'apni seemāon ko badhānā' (pushing/extending your limits).

At the C2 level, you have native-like mastery of 'badhānā'. You can use it to express the finest shades of meaning, often employing it in sophisticated wordplay or deep philosophical discussions. You understand all its idiomatic expressions and can even create new ones that sound natural. You can analyze how the word's meaning has evolved in different dialects or historical periods of Hindi. For a C2 speaker, 'badhānā' is not just a verb; it's a conceptual building block used to describe the fundamental human drive for expansion, progress, and connection. You can use it effortlessly in any register, from the most colloquial street slang to the most refined literary prose.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

बढ़ाना in 30 Seconds

Badhānā is a transitive verb meaning to increase, extend, or promote something.
It is the causative form of 'badhnā' (to grow/increase on its own).
Commonly used for volume, speed, prices, morale, and physical extension.
In the past tense, it requires the 'ne' particle and object agreement.

The Hindi verb बढ़ाना (badhānā) is a cornerstone of the language, functioning as the transitive counterpart to the intransitive verb बढ़ना (badhnā). While 'badhnā' describes something increasing or growing on its own (like a child growing or prices rising), 'badhānā' describes the act of an agent causing that increase. This distinction is vital for Hindi learners to grasp early on. In English, we often use the word 'increase' for both, but in Hindi, the presence of the 'ā' (आ) suffix signals that someone is taking action. This verb is incredibly versatile, covering physical, temporal, and abstract domains.

Physical Expansion: When you extend your hand to greet someone or help them, you use 'haath badhānā'. It literally means to increase the distance of your hand from your body toward another person.

कृपया टीवी की आवाज़ बढ़ाना। (Please increase the TV volume.)

Temporal Extension: In professional contexts, if a deadline needs to be pushed back, you 'samay badhānā' or 'tareekh badhānā'. This implies stretching the time allotted for a specific task.

Beyond physical and temporal uses, 'badhānā' is essential in the realm of psychology and social interaction. To 'utsāh badhānā' is to encourage or boost someone's morale. In business, 'munāfā badhānā' means to increase profits. The word carries a generally positive connotation of growth, progress, and proactive improvement. However, it can also be used negatively, such as 'baat badhānā', which means to escalate a simple disagreement into a major argument. Understanding these nuances allows a speaker to transition from simple sentences to complex social navigation in Hindi. Whether you are adjusting the speed of a fan (raftār badhānā) or promoting a colleague (pad badhānā), this verb is your primary tool for expressing the act of making something 'more' than it currently is.

Using 'badhānā' correctly requires attention to the subject-object relationship. Since it is a transitive verb, it always takes a direct object—the thing that is being increased. In the past tense, it follows the 'ne' (ने) construction, meaning the verb agrees with the object rather than the subject. This is one of the most common hurdles for B1 learners. For example, 'Usne keemat badhāī' (He increased the price). Here, 'badhāī' is feminine because 'keemat' (price) is feminine, regardless of the gender of 'usne'.

क्या आप अपनी रफ़्तार बढ़ा सकते हैं? (Can you increase your speed?)

Imperative Forms: Badhāo (informal), Badhāiye (polite), Badhā (very informal/command). Use 'badhāiye' in shops or offices when asking for an increase in service or quantity.

In continuous tenses, it combines with 'rahā/rahī/rahe'. For instance, 'Company apna vyāpār badhā rahī hai' (The company is increasing/expanding its business). Notice how the verb describes an ongoing process of expansion. In the future tense, it becomes 'badhāūngā' (I will increase) or 'badhāenge' (They/We will increase). This is often heard in political speeches or business presentations where future growth is promised. Another interesting aspect is its use with compound verbs. 'Badhā denā' is a common compound form that adds a sense of completion or suddenness to the action. 'Usne kirāyā badhā diyā' (He increased the rent - and that's that).

हमें अपनी दोस्ती बढ़ानी चाहिए। (We should increase/strengthen our friendship.)

You will encounter 'badhānā' in almost every sector of Indian life. In the bustling markets of Delhi or Mumbai, you'll hear customers asking shopkeepers to 'thoda aur badhāiye' (increase it a little more), referring to the quantity of vegetables or grains. In the corporate hubs of Bangalore, managers talk about 'productivity badhānā' or 'efficiency badhānā'. It is a word that bridges the gap between the traditional bazaar and the modern boardroom.

News and Media: News anchors frequently use it: 'Sarkār ne petrol ke dām badhā diye hain' (The government has increased petrol prices). It is a staple of economic reporting.

शिक्षक ने छात्र का हौसला बढ़ाया। (The teacher boosted the student's morale.)

In Hindi cinema (Bollywood), 'badhānā' appears in romantic and dramatic dialogues. A hero might say 'Dosti ka haath badhānā' (To extend the hand of friendship), a phrase that has become iconic in Indian culture. In sports commentary, you'll hear 'Aapne apni lead badhā lī hai' (You have increased your lead). Even in household settings, a mother might tell her child to 'padhai ke ghante badhāo' (increase your study hours). It is also prevalent in spiritual or motivational discourses, where 'gyan badhānā' (increasing knowledge) or 'shakti badhānā' (increasing strength/power) are common themes. The word is ubiquitous because the concept of growth is central to the human experience, and 'badhānā' is the primary vessel for that concept in Hindi.

The most frequent mistake learners make is confusing बढ़ना (badhnā) and बढ़ाना (badhānā). This is the classic intransitive vs. transitive error. If you say 'Main badh rahā hoon', it means 'I am growing' (physically or personally). If you want to say 'I am increasing (something)', you must use 'Main (something) badhā rahā hoon'. Forgetting the extra 'ā' syllable completely changes the meaning of the sentence.

The 'Ne' Particle Error: Learners often say 'Usne keemat badhāyā' instead of 'Usne keemat badhāī'. Remember: in the past tense, the verb agrees with the object (keemat - feminine) when 'ne' is used.

Incorrect: उसने अपनी उम्र बढ़ाया।
Correct: उसने अपनी उम्र बढ़ाई। (He increased/exaggerated his age.)

Another mistake involves using 'badhānā' for 'growing' plants. While technically you 'increase' their size by watering them, the standard verb for growing a plant is 'ugānā' (to grow/plant). Use 'badhānā' for the growth of a business, a flame, or an amount, but not for biological growth unless you are specifically talking about extending something (like hair). Also, be careful with 'baat badhānā'. If you mean to 'continue the conversation', use 'baat jaari rakhna'. 'Baat badhānā' almost always implies making a conflict worse. Finally, learners sometimes use 'zyaada karna' (to make more) as a substitute. While 'zyaada karna' is understood, 'badhānā' is much more natural and idiomatic in 90% of contexts involving increase or extension.

Hindi offers several synonyms for 'badhānā', each with its own register and nuance. Understanding these helps you sound more sophisticated and precise.

इज़ाफ़ा करना (Izāfā karnā): This is an Urdu-origin phrase often used in formal writing or poetry. It sounds elegant and is frequently used regarding salary or collection. 'Vetan mein izāfā' (Increase in salary).

वृद्धि करना (Vriddhi karnā): This is a Sanskrit-origin (Tatsam) word used in highly formal, academic, or technical contexts. You will see this in textbooks or government reports. 'Abhivyakti ki vriddhi' (Increase in expression).

तेज़ करना (Tez karnā) vs बढ़ाना (Badhānā): Use 'tez karnā' specifically for speed or intensity (like a fan or a flame), while 'badhānā' is more general.

Other alternatives include 'vistar karnā' (to expand/extend in space) and 'unnati karnā' (to progress/advance). If you are talking about promoting someone in a job, you might use 'padonnati denā' (to give a promotion), though 'aage badhānā' (to move forward/promote) is common in casual speech. In the context of stretching, 'khīñchnā' (to pull/stretch) might be used, but 'badhānā' is better for extending a deadline. By choosing between 'badhānā', 'izāfā karnā', and 'vriddhi karnā', you signal your level of education and the formality of the situation.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word 'badhānā' is linguistically related to the English word 'virtue' through the ancient Indo-European root meaning 'manly' or 'strong', though the path is very distant!

Pronunciation Guide

UK /bə.ɖʱɑː.nɑː/

US /bə.dɑ.nɑ/

Primary stress is on the second syllable 'dhā'.

Rhymes With

चढ़ाना (chadhānā - to climb/offer) पढ़ाना (padhānā - to teach) कमाना (kamānā - to earn) जमाना (jamānā - to freeze/set) बनाना (banānā - to make) सजाना (sajānā - to decorate) हटाना (hatānā - to remove) बचाना (bachānā - to save)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'dh' as a simple 'd' (dental).
Forgetting the aspiration (the 'h' sound) in 'dh'.
Making the first 'a' too long (it should be schwa /ə/).
Pronouncing the retroflex 'dh' as a flap 'r' (like in 'bada').
Confusing it with 'badhnā' by shortening the middle vowel.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize in text, but needs context to distinguish from 'badhnā'.

Writing 5/5

Challenging due to the 'ne' construction and object-gender agreement in past tense.

Speaking 4/5

Requires practice to get the aspirated 'dh' and long 'aa' correct.

Listening 4/5

Hard to distinguish from 'badhnā' in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

बढ़ना (badhnā) ज़्यादा (zyādā) कम (kam) करना (karnā) होना (honā)

Learn Next

घटाना (ghatānā) सुधारना (sudhārnā) बदलना (badalnā) चुनना (chunnā) पहुँचना (pahunch-nā)

Advanced

पदोन्नति (padonnati) अभिवृद्धि (abhivriddhi) विस्तारीकरण (vistārikaran) प्रोत्साहन (protsāhan) संवर्धन (samvardhan)

Grammar to Know

Causative Verbs

Badhnā (to grow) -> Badhānā (to make grow) -> Badhvānā (to have someone make grow).

Transitive Verb Agreement

Maine keemat (fem) badhāī. Maine dām (masc) badhāyā.

Compound Verbs with 'Denā'

Badhā denā implies a completed or outward action.

Infinitive as Noun

Gyan badhānā acchi baat hai (Increasing knowledge is a good thing).

Imperative Politeness

Badhāo (friends) vs Badhāiye (elders/strangers).

Examples by Level

कृपया आवाज़ बढ़ाइए।

Please increase the volume.

Polite imperative form 'badhāiye'.

चीनी थोड़ा बढ़ाओ।

Increase the sugar a little.

Informal imperative 'badhāo'.

पंखे की रफ़्तार बढ़ाओ।

Increase the fan speed.

Object 'raftār' is feminine, but doesn't affect imperative.

अपनी गति बढ़ाओ।

Increase your speed.

Direct object 'gati' (speed).

मैं अपनी पढ़ाई बढ़ाऊँगा।

I will increase my studies.

Future tense 'badhāūngā'.

वह दाम बढ़ा रहा है।

He is increasing the price.

Present continuous 'badhā rahā hai'.

क्या आप समय बढ़ा सकते हैं?

Can you increase the time?

Modal verb 'sakte' with 'badhānā'.

हाथ बढ़ाओ।

Extend your hand.

Common physical usage.

उसने मेरा काम बढ़ा दिया।

He increased my work.

Compound verb 'badhā diyā'.

हमें अपनी दोस्ती बढ़ानी चाहिए।

We should increase/strengthen our friendship.

Should (chāhiye) with feminine 'badhānī' agreeing with 'dosti'.

दुकानदार ने भाव बढ़ा दिए।

The shopkeeper increased the rates.

Plural object 'bhāv' (rates/prices).

क्या मैं अपनी छुट्टी बढ़ा सकता हूँ?

Can I extend my leave/holiday?

Using 'badhānā' for temporal extension.

उसने अपनी रफ़्तार बढ़ाई।

He/She increased his/her speed.

Past tense with 'ne', verb agrees with feminine 'raftār'.

अपना ज्ञान बढ़ाओ।

Increase your knowledge.

Abstract usage of 'badhānā'.

माँ ने खाने की मात्रा बढ़ा दी।

Mother increased the quantity of food.

Feminine object 'mātrā'.

वह अपनी ताकत बढ़ा रहा है।

He is increasing his strength.

Physical process.

शिक्षक ने छात्रों का उत्साह बढ़ाया।

The teacher boosted the students' enthusiasm.

Psychological usage.

कंपनी ने अपना मुनाफ़ा बढ़ाने के लिए मेहनत की।

The company worked hard to increase its profit.

Infinitive 'badhāne ke liye'.

बात मत बढ़ाओ, शांत रहो।

Don't escalate the matter, stay quiet.

Idiomatic usage 'baat badhānā'.

सरकार ने सुरक्षा बढ़ा दी है।

The government has increased security.

Feminine object 'suraksha'.

हमें अपनी टीम का हौसला बढ़ाना होगा।

We will have to boost our team's morale.

Obligation 'hogā' with 'badhānā'.

उसने अपनी पहुँच बढ़ाने की कोशिश की।

He tried to increase his reach/influence.

Abstract extension.

क्या आप इस तारीख को आगे बढ़ा सकते हैं?

Can you extend/push forward this date?

Temporal extension 'āge badhānā'.

योग करने से एकाग्रता बढ़ती है, पर हमें उसे बढ़ाने का प्रयास करना चाहिए।

Yoga increases concentration, but we must try to increase it (actively).

Contrast between 'badhnā' (intransitive) and 'badhānā' (transitive).

वैज्ञानिकों ने प्रयोग की अवधि बढ़ाने का निर्णय लिया।

Scientists decided to extend the duration of the experiment.

Formal usage with 'avdhi' (duration).

उसने अपनी संपत्ति बढ़ाने के लिए निवेश किया।

He invested to increase his wealth.

Financial context.

सोशल मीडिया ने लोगों की आपसी दूरी बढ़ा दी है।

Social media has increased the distance between people.

Social commentary usage.

विपक्ष ने सरकार पर दबाव बढ़ाने की योजना बनाई।

The opposition planned to increase pressure on the government.

Political usage 'dabāv badhānā'.

लेखक ने कहानी का सस्पेंस बढ़ाने के लिए नया पात्र जोड़ा।

The author added a new character to increase the story's suspense.

Creative usage.

हमें अपनी उत्पादन क्षमता बढ़ानी होगी।

We will have to increase our production capacity.

Industrial context.

उसने अपनी स्किल्स बढ़ाने के लिए कोर्स किया।

He did a course to increase/improve his skills.

Modern professional usage.

डॉक्टर ने दवा की खुराक बढ़ा दी।

The doctor increased the dosage of the medicine.

Medical context 'khurāk' (dosage).

वैश्वीकरण ने सांस्कृतिक आदान-प्रदान को बढ़ाया है।

Globalization has increased cultural exchange.

Academic/Sociological usage.

उसने अपनी दलीलों से केस की पेचीदगी बढ़ा दी।

He increased the complexity of the case with his arguments.

Legal/Nuanced usage.

नई नीति का उद्देश्य निवेश बढ़ाना है।

The goal of the new policy is to increase investment.

Policy-oriented language.

उसने अपनी चुप्पी बढ़ाकर सबको परेशान कर दिया।

He troubled everyone by extending/prolonging his silence.

Figurative/Literary usage.

तकनीक ने मानव की कार्यक्षमता को कई गुना बढ़ा दिया है।

Technology has increased human efficiency many times over.

Technological discourse.

संवादहीनता अक्सर गलतफहमियों को बढ़ाती है।

Lack of communication often increases misunderstandings.

Abstract philosophical observation.

उसने अपनी विरासत को बढ़ाने के लिए बहुत त्याग किए।

He made many sacrifices to increase/expand his legacy.

Existential context.

हमें अपनी सहनशीलता बढ़ाने की आवश्यकता है।

We need to increase our tolerance.

Social-ethical context.

उसकी बातों ने आग में घी डालने का काम किया और विवाद को बढ़ा दिया।

His words acted as fuel to the fire and escalated the dispute.

Idiomatic and complex sentence structure.

साहित्य का मुख्य उद्देश्य मानवीय संवेदनाओं को बढ़ाना है।

The main objective of literature is to enhance/increase human sensitivities.

Philosophical/Literary register.

उसने अपनी कूटनीतिक चालों से अपना प्रभाव क्षेत्र बढ़ाया।

He increased his sphere of influence through his diplomatic maneuvers.

Geopolitical context.

अत्यधिक औद्योगीकरण ने पर्यावरणीय संकट को बढ़ा दिया है।

Excessive industrialization has increased the environmental crisis.

Scientific/Environmental discourse.

ध्यान के माध्यम से हम अपनी चेतना के स्तर को बढ़ा सकते हैं।

Through meditation, we can raise/increase the level of our consciousness.

Spiritual/Metaphysical usage.

उसने अपने तर्कों से प्रतिपक्षी की दुविधा बढ़ा दी।

He increased the opponent's dilemma with his arguments.

Intellectual discourse.

क्या हम अपनी सोच के दायरे को बढ़ा सकते हैं?

Can we expand the horizons of our thinking?

Rhetorical/Abstract usage.

इतिहास गवाह है कि सत्ता की भूख ने हमेशा विनाश को बढ़ाया है।

History is witness that the hunger for power has always increased destruction.

Historical/Philosophical reflection.

Common Collocations

आवाज़ बढ़ाना

हौसला बढ़ाना

दाम बढ़ाना

हाथ बढ़ाना

रफ़्तार बढ़ाना

ज्ञान बढ़ाना

समय बढ़ाना

मुसीबत बढ़ाना

कदम बढ़ाना

मुनाफ़ा बढ़ाना

Common Phrases

आगे बढ़ाना

— To move forward or promote something/someone.

हमें इस प्रोजेक्ट को आगे बढ़ाना चाहिए।

बात बढ़ाना

— To escalate an argument or prolong a discussion unnecessarily.

अब बात मत बढ़ाओ, सो जाओ।

हौसला बढ़ाना

— To encourage or boost someone's morale.

माँ ने हमेशा मेरा हौसला बढ़ाया।

हाथ बढ़ाना

— To extend help or offer friendship.

मुसीबत में उसने मेरी तरफ हाथ बढ़ाया।

कीमत बढ़ाना

— To increase the price of something.

सरकार ने फिर से पेट्रोल की कीमत बढ़ा दी।

दायरा बढ़ाना

— To expand one's scope or circle.

हमें अपने व्यापार का दायरा बढ़ाना होगा।

उम्र बढ़ाना

— To exaggerate one's age or live longer.

उसने नौकरी पाने के लिए अपनी उम्र बढ़ाई।

दूरी बढ़ाना

— To increase the distance (physical or emotional).

गलतफहमियों ने उनके बीच दूरी बढ़ा दी।

मान बढ़ाना

— To increase someone's respect or honor.

बेटे की सफलता ने पिता का मान बढ़ाया।

रफ़्तार बढ़ाना

— To speed up.

ट्रेन ने धीरे-धीरे रफ़्तार बढ़ाई।

Often Confused With

बढ़ाना vs बढ़ना (badhnā)

Badhnā is intransitive (it grows); Badhānā is transitive (you grow it).

बढ़ाना vs उगाना (ugānā)

Ugānā is for growing plants from seeds; Badhānā is for increasing size/quantity.

बढ़ाना vs बनाना (banānā)

Banānā means to make/create; Badhānā means to increase what already exists.

Idioms & Expressions

"आग में घी डालना और बात बढ़ाना"

— To add fuel to the fire and escalate a conflict.

उसकी कड़वी बातों ने आग में घी डालकर बात बढ़ा दी।

Colloquial

"हाथ बढ़ाना"

— To offer assistance or cooperation.

पड़ोसियों ने मुसीबत में हाथ बढ़ाया।

Common

"कदम बढ़ाना"

— To take steps towards a goal.

उसने आधुनिकीकरण की ओर कदम बढ़ाया।

Inspirational

"बात का बतंगड़ बनाना (and thus badhānā)"

— To make a mountain out of a molehill.

छोटी सी बात को बढ़ाकर उसने बतंगड़ बना दिया।

Slang/Informal

"दाम बढ़ाना"

— Often used figuratively for playing hard to get.

आजकल वह बहुत दाम बढ़ा रहा है (He is acting very important/expensive).

Informal

"उत्साह बढ़ाना"

— To cheer someone up or motivate them.

दर्शकों ने खिलाड़ियों का उत्साह बढ़ाया।

Standard

"मान बढ़ाना"

— To bring pride to someone.

उसने स्वर्ण पदक जीतकर देश का मान बढ़ाया।

Formal

"दायरा बढ़ाना"

— To broaden horizons.

पढ़ने से सोचने का दायरा बढ़ता है।

Intellectual

"पहुँच बढ़ाना"

— To increase one's influence or network.

उसने मंत्रियों तक अपनी पहुँच बढ़ाई।

Political

"साहस बढ़ाना"

— To embolden someone.

मित्र की उपस्थिति ने उसका साहस बढ़ाया।

Literary

Easily Confused

बढ़ाना vs बढ़ना (badhnā)

They look and sound very similar.

Badhnā is when something increases on its own (Prices rise). Badhānā is when someone increases it (Shopkeeper raises prices).

Keemat badh rahi hai (Price is rising). Usne keemat badhāī (He raised the price).

बढ़ाना vs चढ़ाना (chadhānā)

Rhyming and similar structure.

Chadhānā means to offer (to God) or to make someone climb. Badhānā means to increase.

Mandir mein phool chadhāo (Offer flowers). Awaaz badhāo (Increase volume).

बढ़ाना vs पढ़ाना (padhānā)

Rhyming and one letter difference in script.

Padhānā means to teach. Badhānā means to increase.

Mujhe Hindi padhāo (Teach me Hindi). Speed badhāo (Increase speed).

बढ़ाना vs बढ़िया (badhiyā)

Same root.

Badhiyā is an adjective meaning 'great' or 'excellent'. Badhānā is a verb.

Yeh badhiyā hai (This is great). Isse badhāo (Increase this).

बढ़ाना vs फैलाना (phailānā)

Both involve expansion.

Phailānā is to spread out over a surface. Badhānā is to increase in magnitude/quantity.

Chadar phailāo (Spread the sheet). Vyapar badhāo (Increase business).

Sentence Patterns

[Object] badhāo.

Awaaz badhāo.

Main [Object] badhāūngā.

Main apni padhai badhāūngā.

Usne [Object] badhā diyā.

Usne kiraya badhā diyā.

Hamein [Object] badhānā chāhiye.

Hamein apna gyan badhānā chāhiye.

[Object] badhāne ke liye [Action].

Munafa badhāne ke liye mehnat karo.

[Abstract Concept] ko badhānā [Result].

Jagrukta ko badhānā hamara farz hai.

[Agent] ne [Object] badhā kar [Effect].

Usne duri badhā kar rishta khatam kar diya.

[Idiom involving badhānā].

Usne baat badhā kar aag mein ghee daal diya.

Word Family

Nouns

बढ़ोतरी (badhotari - increase/growth)

बढ़ावा (badhāva - encouragement/promotion)

बढ़त (badhat - lead/increase)

Verbs

बढ़ना (badhnā - to grow/increase [intransitive])

बढ़ाना (badhānā - to increase [transitive])

बढ़वाना (badhvānā - to cause to be increased [causative])

Adjectives

बढ़ा हुआ (badhā huā - increased)

बढ़ता (badhtā - growing)

बढ़िया (badhiyā - great/excellent - related but distinct)

तरक्की (tarakki - progress)

विकास (vikās - development)

इज़ाफ़ा (izāfā - increase)

विस्तार (vistār - expansion)

वृद्धि (vriddhi - growth)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily conversation, news, and business.

Common Mistakes

Main badh rahā hoon (when you mean I am increasing something). → Main (kuch) badhā rahā hoon.
The first sentence means 'I am growing (physically)'. You need the 'ā' for the transitive meaning.
Usne keemat badhāyā. → Usne keemat badhāī.
In the past tense with 'ne', the verb agrees with the feminine object 'keemat'.
Baat badhānā (to mean 'continue the story'). → Baat jaari rakhna.
'Baat badhānā' usually means to escalate a fight, not to keep talking nicely.
Paudha badhānā. → Paudha ugānā.
While 'badhānā' means increase, 'ugānā' is the specific verb for growing/planting a plant.
Awaaz badh (as a command). → Awaaz badhāo.
A command requires the imperative ending '-o' or '-iye'.

Tips

Master the Causative

Always remember that 'badhānā' requires an actor. If the price rises by itself, it's 'badhnā'. If you raise it, it's 'badhānā'. This distinction is the key to natural Hindi.

The Power of Encouragement

Use 'honsla badhānā' often. It is a very kind thing to say in Hindi culture and will make you many friends.

Volume Control

When asking someone to turn up the music, 'awaaz badhāiye' is the most polite and common way to say it.

Don't Escalate

Avoid using 'baat mat badhāo' unless you are actually in an argument, as it can sound a bit aggressive.

Synonym Choice

Use 'izāfā karnā' in emails about your salary to sound more professional and respectful.

The 'H' matters

The 'h' in 'badhā' is not silent. It's an aspirated sound. Practice breathing out slightly while saying the 'd'.

Food Etiquette

If a host asks to 'thoda aur badhāiye' (increase a little more) food on your plate, it's a sign of love. Say 'bas, dhanyavaad' if you are full.

Visual Link

Visualize a balloon being blown up. The air you blow is the 'badhānā' action.

Compound Verbs

Using 'badhā denā' instead of just 'badhānā' makes your Hindi sound much more native in past-tense narratives.

Speed it up

If you are in a taxi and in a hurry, 'bhaiya, thoda speed badhāiye' is the perfect phrase.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Bad' situation getting 'Hana' (more). You 'badhānā' the good things to make the bad things go away. Or, imagine adding 'A' (the 'ā' sound) to 'badhnā' to make it 'active'.

Visual Association

Imagine a hand turning a large dial clockwise to increase the volume, or a person physically stretching a rubber band.

Word Web

Volume Price Speed Morale Extension Growth Promotion Help

Challenge

Try to use 'badhānā' in three different contexts today: one physical (like volume), one abstract (like knowledge), and one temporal (like a deadline).

Word Origin

Derived from the Sanskrit root 'Vardh' (वृध्), which means to grow, increase, or prosper. It evolved through Prakrit into the modern Hindi 'badhnā' and its causative 'badhānā'.

Original meaning: To cause to grow or to augment.

Indo-Aryan

Cultural Context

Be careful with 'baat badhānā' in sensitive situations; it can sound accusatory if you tell someone they are 'badhā-ing' the matter.

English speakers often use 'raise' or 'increase' interchangeably, but 'badhānā' specifically implies a causative action that 'badhnā' does not.

The phrase 'Haath badhānā' is famously used in the song 'Saathi Haath Badhānā' from the movie Naya Daur, emphasizing collective effort. Political slogans often use 'Desh ko aage badhānā' (Moving the country forward). In Hindi literature, Munshi Premchand often used 'baat badhānā' to describe village disputes.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Market/Shopping

थोड़ा बढ़ा दीजिए (Please increase a little)
दाम मत बढ़ाइए (Don't increase the price)
मात्रा बढ़ाओ (Increase the quantity)
वज़न बढ़ाओ (Increase the weight)

Office/Work

डेडलाइन बढ़ाना (Extending the deadline)
सैलरी बढ़ाना (Increasing salary)
काम बढ़ाना (Increasing work)
मीटिंग का समय बढ़ाना (Extending meeting time)

Social/Friends

दोस्ती बढ़ाना (Increasing friendship)
बात बढ़ाना (Escalating conflict)
हाथ बढ़ाना (Helping)
हौसला बढ़ाना (Encouraging)

Technology/Media

वॉल्यूम बढ़ाना (Increasing volume)
ब्राइटनेस बढ़ाना (Increasing brightness)
स्पीड बढ़ाना (Increasing speed)
स्टोरेज बढ़ाना (Increasing storage)

Health/Fitness

वज़न बढ़ाना (Gaining weight)
स्टैमिना बढ़ाना (Increasing stamina)
कसरत बढ़ाना (Increasing exercise)
खुराक बढ़ाना (Increasing diet)

Conversation Starters

"क्या आप अपनी कंपनी का व्यापार बढ़ाना चाहते हैं?"

"हम अपनी दोस्ती को कैसे बढ़ा सकते हैं?"

"क्या सरकार को शिक्षा पर खर्च बढ़ाना चाहिए?"

"आप अपना ज्ञान बढ़ाने के लिए क्या करते हैं?"

"क्या हमें इस प्रोजेक्ट का समय बढ़ाना चाहिए?"

Journal Prompts

आज मैंने अपना ज्ञान बढ़ाने के लिए क्या किया?

क्या मैंने किसी का हौसला बढ़ाने की कोशिश की? कैसे?

मेरे जीवन में कौन सी ऐसी चीज़ है जिसे मुझे बढ़ाना चाहिए?

क्या कभी मैंने अनजाने में किसी बात को बढ़ा दिया?

अगले महीने मैं अपनी कौन सी स्किल बढ़ाना चाहता हूँ?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, it is much more versatile. While 'increase' is the primary meaning, it also means 'to extend' (like a hand or a deadline), 'to promote' (like a cause or a person), and 'to escalate' (like an argument). For example, 'haath badhānā' means extending a hand to help, not increasing the number of hands you have!

'Badhānā' is a specific verb for increasing, whereas 'zyādā karnā' literally means 'to do more'. 'Badhānā' is generally more idiomatic and natural for volume, speed, and abstract concepts. You would say 'awaaz badhāo', but you might say 'cheeni zyādā karo' in a kitchen context. 'Badhānā' sounds more like a deliberate expansion.

Because it is a transitive verb, you must use the 'ne' particle with the subject. The verb then agrees with the object. For example: 'Maine (Subject) awaaz (Fem. Object) badhāī' vs 'Maine (Subject) dām (Masc. Object) badhāyā'. This is a common point of confusion for B1 learners.

Yes! You can say 'baal badhānā' to mean letting your hair grow long. In this case, it means 'to extend' the length of the hair by not cutting it. It is very common in India to hear people talk about 'baal badhāna' as a style choice.

Mostly, but not always. When used in the phrase 'baat badhānā', it means to escalate a conflict or make a small issue into a big one, which is negative. Similarly, 'musibat badhānā' means to increase someone's trouble.

The most direct opposite is 'ghatānā' (to decrease/reduce). You can also use 'kam karnā' (to make less). For physical objects that shrink, 'sikornā' is used.

Yes, 'aage badhānā' is often used to mean helping someone progress or promoting them. However, the formal word for promotion is 'padonnati'. In a casual office setting, a boss might say 'Hum ise aage badhāenge' meaning 'We will promote/advance him'.

You can say 'deadline badhānā' or 'samay badhānā'. If you want to be more formal, you can use 'tāreekh aage badhānā' (to move the date forward/extend it).

It has two meanings. Literally, it means to physically extend your hand. Figuratively, it means to offer help or to seek friendship. It is a very positive and common idiom.

Yes, they share the same root √badh (to grow/prosper). 'Badhiyā' essentially means something that has 'grown' to be of high quality, hence 'excellent' or 'great'.