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बार

A2 noun #500 most common 10 min read

बार

baar Top 500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips बार in 30 Seconds

Explanation बार in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'baar' is used simply to count occurrences. You learn it alongside numbers. It is the word you use to say 'once' (ek baar) or 'twice' (do baar). At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex grammar; just remember that 'baar' follows the number. It helps you tell people how many times you have done something basic, like eating or visiting a place. It is a building block for basic communication about your routines and experiences. You will also see it in the very common phrase 'Ek baar phir' (One more time), which is useful when you didn't understand something and want the speaker to repeat it.

At the A2 level, you start using 'baar' with quantifiers and adjectives. You learn 'is baar' (this time), 'us baar' (that time), and 'agli baar' (next time). You also begin to notice that 'baar' is feminine, so you use 'pahli baar' (first time) and 'pichli baar' (last time). You can now describe frequency more flexibly using words like 'kai baar' (many times) or 'bahut baar' (very many times). This level is about moving beyond simple counting to placing events in a sequence and describing the regularity of your actions in the past, present, and future.

At the B1 level, you use 'baar' in more complex sentence structures and idiomatic expressions. You become comfortable with 'baar-baar' to express repetition or even annoyance. You start using it in conditional sentences, such as 'Agar is baar aisa hua...' (If it happens like this this time...). You also learn to use 'baar' with the oblique case of demonstrative pronouns (is/us) correctly without thinking. Your vocabulary expands to include synonyms like 'dafa', and you can choose between them depending on the context. You use 'baar' to give more detailed accounts of your life and opinions.

At the B2 level, you use 'baar' with nuance and stylistic flair. You might use 'ek hi baar mein' (in one go) to describe efficiency or 'sau baar' (a hundred times) for hyperbolic emphasis. You understand the subtle difference between 'baar' and 'baari' (turn) and use them accurately in social situations. You can follow fast-paced conversations where 'baar' is used in rapid succession or in slang. You also start to recognize 'baar' in more formal or literary contexts, such as in news reports about recurring events or in literature where it might be used to establish a rhythmic or poetic tone.

At the C1 level, you have a near-native grasp of 'baar'. You can use it in abstract discussions about frequency, probability, and patterns. You are familiar with formal synonyms like 'aavritti' and 'martaba' and can use them in academic or professional writing. You understand the historical and cultural weight of the word in storytelling and idioms. You can use 'baar' to create subtle rhetorical effects, such as repeating it for emphasis in a speech. Your use of the word is perfectly integrated with complex grammar, and you never make mistakes with its feminine gender or oblique forms.

At the C2 level, you use 'baar' with the mastery of a native speaker. You can appreciate and use it in high-level literature, poetry, and philosophical discourse. You understand its role in the structure of the Hindi language and its evolution from Sanskrit. You can use it to express the finest shades of meaning, such as the difference between a 'discrete instance' and a 'recurring cycle'. You are also fully aware of regional variations and how 'baar' might be replaced by other words in different dialects. Your command over the word is such that you can use it creatively to coin new expressions or play with its meaning in puns and wordplay.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

बार in 30 Seconds

The word 'baar' means 'time' as in 'instance' or 'occurrence'.
It is a feminine noun, so use feminine adjectives like 'pahli' (first).
Use it with numbers (ek baar, do baar) to count how often something happens.
Distinguish it from 'samay', which refers to time as duration or clock time.

The Hindi word बार (baar) is a fundamental noun that every learner must master early in their journey. At its core, it translates to 'time' in the sense of an instance, occurrence, or turn. It is essential to distinguish this from the word समय (samay), which refers to time as a continuous dimension or the time on a clock. When you are counting how many times something happened, you use बार. For example, if you want to say 'I have seen this movie three times,' you would use teen baar. This word is feminine in gender, which is a crucial grammatical detail for advanced sentence construction, although in many common phrases, its gender doesn't overtly change the surrounding adjectives due to its ending. Understanding बार allows you to quantify experiences and establish frequency in your daily conversations.

Instance: Refers to a single occurrence of an event. Example: 'Ek baar' (One time/Once).

Frequency: Used to describe how often something happens. Example: 'Baar-baar' (Repeatedly/Again and again).

Sequence: Used to denote order in a series. Example: 'Agli baar' (Next time).

मैंने यह फिल्म तीन बार देखी है। (I have seen this movie three times.)

In Indian culture, the concept of 'baar' is often used to emphasize persistence or the repetitive nature of life. Whether it is a mother telling a child something for the 'hundredth time' (sau baar) or a devotee visiting a temple 'many times' (kai baar), the word anchors the speaker's experience in a countable reality. It is also used in social contexts to offer turns, such as in games or discussions, where one might say 'Ab tumhari baar hai' (Now it is your turn), although 'baari' is more common for 'turn'. However, 'baar' remains the dominant choice for frequency. It is a versatile tool that bridges the gap between simple counting and complex temporal descriptions.

अगली बार हम साथ चलेंगे। (Next time we will go together.)

कितनी बार समझाऊं? (How many times should I explain?)

पहली बार सब मुश्किल होता है। (Everything is difficult the first time.)

एक बार की बात है... (Once upon a time...)

Using बार correctly involves understanding its placement in a sentence and its relationship with numbers and adjectives. Usually, the number or quantifier comes immediately before 'baar'. For example, 'do baar' (two times), 'kai baar' (many times), 'har baar' (every time). Because 'baar' is a feminine noun, any adjectives modifying it must take the feminine form. This is why we say 'pahli baar' (first time) instead of 'pahla baar', and 'pichli baar' (last time) instead of 'pichla baar'. This subtle grammatical agreement is a hallmark of natural-sounding Hindi and is one of the first things native speakers notice in a learner's speech.

With Numbers: Number + Baar. Example: 'Char baar' (Four times). No plural marker is needed on 'baar' when used with numbers; it remains 'baar'.

With Quantifiers: Quantifier + Baar. Example: 'Bahut baar' (Many times), 'Kam baar' (Few times).

In Compound Phrases: Reduplication like 'Baar-baar' emphasizes continuity or annoyance. 'Baar-baar mat pucho' (Don't ask again and again).

वह दिन में दो बार चाय पीता है। (He drinks tea twice a day.)

Another important usage is in the construction of 'this time' or 'that time' in a specific instance sense. We use 'is baar' (this time) and 'us baar' (that time). Notice that 'is' and 'us' are the oblique forms of 'yeh' and 'voh'. Even though 'baar' doesn't change its form in the oblique case (it doesn't become 'baaron' unless in very specific poetic plural contexts), the demonstrative pronoun preceding it must be in the oblique form. This is a common point of confusion for beginners who might try to say 'yeh baar', which is incorrect. Mastering 'is baar' and 'us baar' will immediately make your Hindi sound more grounded and grammatically accurate.

इस बार हम दिवाली घर पर मनाएंगे। (This time we will celebrate Diwali at home.)

पिछली बार तुम लेट थे। (Last time you were late.)

मैंने उसे कई बार फोन किया। (I called him many times.)

एक ही बार में काम खत्म करो। (Finish the work in one go/at once.)

The word बार is ubiquitous in Hindi-speaking environments, from the bustling streets of Mumbai to formal news broadcasts in Delhi. In daily life, you will hear it most frequently in the context of routines and instructions. A doctor might tell a patient, 'Din mein teen baar yeh dawa lena' (Take this medicine three times a day). In a market, a shopkeeper might say, 'Ek baar kapda dekh lijiye' (Just look at the cloth once), using 'ek baar' as a polite way to invite attention. It is a word that facilitates the rhythm of interaction, allowing people to specify the 'how many' of their actions.

Bollywood & Pop Culture: Bollywood is full of 'baar'. From the famous dialogue 'Ek baar jo maine commitment kar di...' (Once I make a commitment...) to songs like 'Baar baar dekho' (Look again and again), the word is used to create emphasis and catchiness.

News & Politics: Political slogans often use 'baar' to indicate a desire for re-election or change. For example, 'Abki baar, [Party Name] Sarkar' (This time, [Party Name] government) is a very common rhythmic structure in Indian elections.

Storytelling: Traditional folk tales and bedtime stories almost always begin with 'Ek baar ek raja tha' (Once there was a king), establishing the 'instance' in the distant past.

'एक बार जो मैंने कमिटमेंट कर दी, उसके बाद तो मैं खुद की भी नहीं सुनता।' - सलमान खान (फिल्म: वांटेड)

In professional settings, 'baar' is used to discuss frequency of meetings or project milestones. 'Hafte में do baar meeting hogi' (There will be a meeting twice a week). In sports, especially cricket, commentators use it to describe boundaries or wickets: 'Is baar gend boundary ke bahar!' (This time the ball is out of the boundary!). The word's short, punchy sound makes it ideal for high-energy situations. Even in religious contexts, the repetition of mantras is counted in 'baar' (e.g., '108 baar jaap karein' - chant 108 times). Its presence is so ingrained that it often goes unnoticed, yet it provides the essential framework for quantifying time-based actions in the Hindi language.

अगली बार जब आप आएँ, तो मिठाई ज़रूर लाइएगा। (Next time you come, definitely bring sweets.)

वह हर बार जीतता है। (He wins every time.)

एक बार फिर से कोशिश करो। (Try once again.)

सौ बार शुक्रिया! (A hundred times thanks! / Thanks a million!)

Despite its simplicity, बार is a source of several common errors for English speakers. The most frequent mistake is confusing 'baar' with 'samay' or 'waqt'. English uses the word 'time' for both 'What time is it?' and 'I've been there three times.' In Hindi, these are strictly separated. Using 'samay' for frequency (e.g., *teen samay*) is a classic beginner error that sounds very unnatural. Another common pitfall is gender agreement. Since 'baar' is feminine, learners often forget to use feminine adjectives like 'pahli' or 'agli'. Saying *pahla baar* or *agla baar* is grammatically incorrect, even if a native speaker might understand your meaning.

Confusing with 'Baahar': Learners often mispronounce 'baar' as 'baahar' (meaning 'outside'). 'Baar' is a single syllable with a long 'aa', while 'baahar' has two syllables (baa-har). Mixing these up can change 'This time' into 'This outside', which is nonsensical.

Incorrect Pluralization: In English, we say 'one time' but 'two times'. In Hindi, 'baar' does not take a plural suffix like '-ein' or '-on' in standard counting. 'Do baarein' is incorrect; it remains 'do baar'. The plural 'baaron' only appears in very specific poetic or emphatic contexts (e.g., 'saaton baar').

Demonstrative Errors: Using 'yeh baar' instead of 'is baar'. Whenever a noun is used in a way that implies a specific instance or is followed by a postposition (even if implied), the demonstrative pronoun must be in the oblique form.

गलत: वह तीन समय आया। (Wrong: He came three times - using 'samay')
सही: वह तीन बार आया। (Right: He came three times.)

Another nuance is the difference between 'baar' and 'baari'. While 'baar' refers to an instance, 'baari' refers to a 'turn' in a sequence (like whose turn it is to play). Learners often use 'baar' when they mean 'baari'. For example, 'It's my turn' should be 'Meri baari hai', not 'Meri baar hai'. Furthermore, the phrase 'baar-baar' should not be confused with 'hamesha' (always). 'Baar-baar' implies a discrete repetition (stop-start-stop-start), whereas 'hamesha' implies a continuous state. Understanding these boundaries will help you communicate with much greater precision and avoid the 'foreigner's accent' in your grammar.

गलत: पहला बार (Wrong: First time - masculine)
सही: पहली बार (Right: First time - feminine)

गलत: ये बार (Wrong: This time - direct form)
सही: इस बार (Right: This time - oblique form)

गलत: दो बारें (Wrong: Two times - pluralized)
सही: दो बार (Right: Two times - invariant)

गलत: मेरी बार है। (Wrong: It's my instance.)
सही: मेरी बारी है। (Right: It's my turn.)

While बार is the most common word for 'time/instance', Hindi offers several synonyms and related terms that carry different shades of meaning or formality. Understanding these alternatives will help you navigate different social registers, from poetic Urdu-influenced speech to technical Sanskritized Hindi. The most common synonym you will encounter is दफ़ा (dafa). This word is of Arabic/Persian origin and is used almost interchangeably with 'baar' in colloquial speech, especially in North India and Bollywood lyrics. However, 'dafa' often carries a slightly more emphatic or rhythmic tone.

दफ़ा (Dafa): Used exactly like 'baar'. Example: 'Kai dafa' (Many times). It is very common in Urdu-heavy Hindi.

मर्तबा (Martaba): A more formal or poetic version of 'baar'. You might hear this in Ghazals or formal speeches. Example: 'Pahli martaba' (For the first time).

आवृत्ति (Aavritti): A highly formal, Sanskrit-derived word meaning 'repetition' or 'frequency'. Used in academic, musical, or scientific contexts.

मैंने कई दफ़ा कोशिश की। (I tried many times - using 'dafa')

Another related word is बारी (baari), which we mentioned earlier. While 'baar' is an instance, 'baari' is a 'turn'. If you are playing a game, you wait for your 'baari'. If you are counting how many games you played, you use 'baar'. Then there is वक्त (waqt) and समय (samay). As discussed, these refer to time in general. However, in some contexts, 'waqt' can overlap with 'baar' in English translation, such as 'at that time' (us waqt), which refers to a specific moment in history rather than a countable instance. Finally, फेरा (phera) refers to a 'round' or 'trip', often used for physical movements like 'rounds of a park' or 'trips to the market'.

यह पहली मर्तबा है कि मैं यहाँ आया हूँ। (This is the first time I have come here - formal/poetic.)

अपनी बारी का इंतज़ार करो। (Wait for your turn.)

उसने मंदिर के सात फेरे लगाए। (He took seven rounds of the temple.)

मंत्र की आवृत्ति ज़रूरी है। (Repetition of the mantra is necessary - formal.)

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"कृपया एक बार पुनः विचार करें।"

Neutral

"मैं दो बार वहाँ गया हूँ।"

Informal

"कितनी बार बोलूँ यार?"

Child friendly

"एक बार एक छोटा खरगोश था।"

Slang

"एक ही बार में गेम ओवर!"

Fun Fact

The Sanskrit root 'vāra' is also the source of the Hindi words for days of the week, like 'Somvaar' (Monday) and 'Mangalvaar' (Tuesday). So, every time you say a day of the week, you are using a cousin of the word 'baar'!

Pronunciation Guide

UK /bɑːr/

US /bɑːr/

Single syllable, equal stress on the long 'aa' vowel.

Rhymes With

हार (haar - defeat) कार (kaar - car/work) मार (maar - beating) तार (taar - wire) प्यार (pyaar - love) यार (yaar - friend) पार (paar - across) धार (dhaar - edge/stream)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it like 'bear'.
Confusing it with 'baahar' (two syllables).
Using a heavy American 'r' sound.
Shortening the 'aa' vowel to sound like 'burr'.
Adding an 'a' sound at the end (baara).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy to read; only two characters.

Writing 1/5

Simple to write in Devanagari.

Speaking 2/5

Easy, but requires the soft Hindi 'r' sound.

Listening 2/5

Must distinguish from 'baahar' (outside).

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

एक (ek) दो (do) समय (samay) यह (yeh) वह (voh)

Learn Next

बारी (baari) दफ़ा (dafa) हमेशा (hamesha) कभी (kabhi) अक्सर (aksar)

Advanced

आवृत्ति (aavritti) पुनरावृत्ति (punraavritti) मर्तबा (martaba) फेरा (phera)

Grammar to Know

Feminine Agreement

पहली बार (Pahli baar) - 'Pahli' is feminine.

Oblique Demonstratives

इस बार (Is baar) - 'Is' is the oblique form of 'yeh'.

Invariant Plural with Numbers

दो बार (Do baar) - Not 'baarein'.

Reduplication for Adverbs

बार-बार (Baar-baar) - Functions as 'repeatedly'.

Postpositional Oblique

एक बार की बात (Ek baar ki baat) - 'ki' is feminine matching 'baar'.

Examples by Level

एक बार यहाँ आओ।

Come here once.

'Ek baar' means 'one time' or 'once'.

मैंने दो बार चाय पी।

I drank tea twice.

'Do baar' means 'two times'.

एक बार फिर बोलो।

Say it once more.

'Ek baar phir' is a common phrase for 'once again'.

वह तीन बार गया।

He went three times.

'Teen baar' follows the number + noun pattern.

एक बार देखो।

Look once.

Simple imperative with 'ek baar'.

चार बार पढ़ो।

Read four times.

Using 'baar' for repetition in instructions.

बस एक बार।

Just once.

'Bas' adds the meaning of 'only' or 'just'.

कितनी बार?

How many times?

'Kitni' is the feminine form of 'how many', matching 'baar'.

इस बार हम दिल्ली जाएंगे।

This time we will go to Delhi.

'Is baar' uses the oblique form of 'yeh'.

यह पहली बार है।

This is the first time.

'Pahli' is feminine to match 'baar'.

अगली बार मिलेंगे।

We will meet next time.

'Agli' is feminine to match 'baar'.

मैंने उसे कई बार देखा है।

I have seen him many times.

'Kai baar' means 'many times'.

पिछली बार तुम कहाँ थे?

Where were you last time?

'Pichli' is feminine to match 'baar'.

वह बहुत बार रोया।

He cried very many times.

'Bahut baar' emphasizes high frequency.

हर बार ऐसा ही होता है।

It happens like this every time.

'Har baar' means 'every time'.

दूसरी बार कोशिश करो।

Try a second time.

'Dusri' is the feminine ordinal number.

वह बार-बार एक ही सवाल पूछता है।

He asks the same question again and again.

'Baar-baar' is a reduplicated adverbial phrase.

एक बार की बात है, एक जंगल था।

Once upon a time, there was a forest.

Standard storytelling opening.

कम से कम एक बार तो सोचो।

Think at least once.

'Kam se kam' means 'at least'.

उस बार बारिश बहुत हुई थी।

That time it rained a lot.

'Us baar' uses the oblique form of 'voh'.

कितनी बार मना किया है!

How many times have I told you no!

Expressing frustration with 'kitni baar'.

एक ही बार में सब खत्म हो गया।

Everything finished in one go.

'Ek hi baar mein' means 'in a single instance'.

अगली बार सावधान रहना।

Be careful next time.

Giving advice for future instances.

वह दिन में कई बार हाथ धोता है।

He washes his hands many times a day.

Describing a frequent routine.

मैंने उसे सौ बार समझाया पर वह नहीं माना।

I explained it to him a hundred times, but he didn't agree.

'Sau baar' is used hyperbolically for 'very often'.

इस बार का बजट पिछले बार से बेहतर है।

This time's budget is better than last time's.

Comparing two specific instances using 'is' and 'pichle'.

वह बार-बार अपनी गलती दोहराता है।

He repeats his mistake again and again.

'Dohraana' (to repeat) often goes with 'baar-baar'.

एक बार फिर से विचार कीजिए।

Please reconsider once more.

Polite request for reconsideration.

पिछली बार की तुलना में इस बार भीड़ कम है।

Compared to last time, the crowd is less this time.

'Ki tulna mein' means 'in comparison to'.

हर बार की तरह, वह इस बार भी जीत गया।

Like every time, he won this time too.

'Har baar ki tarah' means 'as usual/like every time'.

एक बार मौका देकर तो देखिए।

Just try giving a chance once.

Using 'ek baar' to ask for a favor or trial.

वह कई बार विदेश जा चुका है।

He has gone abroad many times.

Using 'baar' with the perfective aspect.

इतिहास खुद को बार-बार दोहराता है।

History repeats itself again and again.

Philosophical usage of 'baar-baar'.

यह पहली बार नहीं है कि उसने ऐसा किया हो।

This is not the first time that he has done this.

Complex sentence with a subjunctive feel.

एक बार जो बीत गया, वह वापस नहीं आता।

Once something has passed, it doesn't come back.

Using 'ek baar' to denote a definitive past instance.

उसने कई बार अपनी जान जोखिम में डाली।

He put his life at risk many times.

Describing high-stakes recurring actions.

इस बार की असफलता ने उसे तोड़ दिया।

This time's failure broke him.

Abstract noun 'asafalta' linked to 'is baar'.

हर बार नया बहाना बनाना ठीक नहीं।

Making a new excuse every time is not right.

Moral judgment on a recurring behavior.

एक बार निर्णय ले लिया, तो पीछे मत हटना।

Once a decision is taken, don't back down.

Using 'ek baar' as a conditional 'once'.

वह बार-बार अपनी बातों से पलट जाता है।

He repeatedly goes back on his words.

Describing unreliable character traits.

जीवन की इस आपाधापी में, हम कई बार खुद को भूल जाते हैं।

In this hustle and bustle of life, we often forget ourselves.

Literary usage in a reflective context.

एक बार फिर से मानवता को जागृत करने की आवश्यकता है।

There is a need to awaken humanity once again.

Formal, high-register appeal.

पिछली बार की कड़वी यादें आज भी ताज़ा हैं।

The bitter memories of last time are still fresh today.

Using 'baar' to anchor emotional states in time.

वह सौ बार मरकर भी अमर हो गया।

Even after dying a hundred times, he became immortal.

Poetic/Metaphorical usage of 'sau baar'.

इस बार की लड़ाई अस्तित्व की लड़ाई है।

This time's fight is a fight for existence.

High-stakes political or philosophical rhetoric.

एक बार की चूक पूरे भविष्य को बदल सकती है।

A single mistake can change the entire future.

Emphasizing the weight of a single 'instance'.

वह बार-बार मृत्यु के द्वार से लौटकर आया है।

He has returned from the gates of death repeatedly.

Idiomatic and dramatic usage.

हर बार जब मैं उसे देखता हूँ, मुझे वही दिन याद आता है।

Every time I see him, I remember that same day.

Using 'har baar' as a temporal trigger.

Common Collocations

पहली बार

अगली बार

पिछली बार

कई बार

हर बार

एक बार

दो बार

कितनी बार

बार-बार

इस बार

Common Phrases

एक बार फिर

— Once again. Used to ask for repetition or a second attempt.

एक बार फिर से कोशिश करो।

बस एक बार

— Just once. Often used in requests or pleading.

बस एक बार मुझे जाने दो।

एक ही बार में

— In one go / At once. Describes doing something efficiently or all at once.

उसने एक ही बार में सारा पानी पी लिया।

सौ बार

— A hundred times. Used hyperbolically to mean 'very often'.

मैंने उसे सौ बार मना किया।

हज़ारों बार

— Thousands of times. Used for extreme emphasis.

हज़ारों बार शुक्रिया।

पहली और आखिरी बार

— First and last time. Used to set a firm boundary.

यह पहली और आखिरी बार है जब मैं तुम्हारी मदद कर रहा हूँ।

बार-बार की परेशानी

— Repeated trouble. Refers to a recurring nuisance.

यह बार-बार की परेशानी मुझे पसंद नहीं।

एक बार की बात है

— Once upon a time. The standard opening for stories.

एक बार की बात है, एक जंगल में एक शेर रहता था।

अगली बार से

— From next time onwards. Used for setting future expectations.

अगली बार से समय पर आना।

कितनी ही बार

— No matter how many times. Used to show persistence or futility.

कितनी ही बार समझाओ, वह नहीं समझता।

Often Confused With

बार vs बाहर (baahar)

Means 'outside'. 'Baar' is one syllable, 'baahar' is two.

बार vs बाल (baal)

Means 'hair'. 'Baar' ends in 'r', 'baal' ends in 'l'.

बार vs बाढ़ (baadh)

Means 'flood'. The 'dh' sound is very different from 'r'.

Idioms & Expressions

"बार-बार"

— Repeatedly or again and again. It describes an action that happens over and over.

वह बार-बार घर जाता है।

Common

"एक बार जो..."

— Once something happens... (implies a permanent change or commitment).

एक बार जो मैंने कह दिया, सो कह दिया।

Emphatic

"सौ बार सोचना"

— To think a hundred times (to think very carefully before acting).

कोई भी कदम उठाने से पहले सौ बार सोचो।

Common

"बारी-बारी से"

— One by one or turn by turn. (Derived from 'baari').

सब बारी-बारी से अंदर आओ।

Neutral

"एक बार की मार"

— A single blow or a one-time effort that settles everything.

यह काम एक बार की मार है।

Colloquial

"बार-बार का रोना"

— A recurring complaint or constant whining about something.

उसका तो बार-बार का रोना है।

Informal

"पहली बार में ही"

— In the very first attempt.

उसने पहली बार में ही परीक्षा पास कर ली।

Neutral

"बार-बार याद आना"

— To be haunted by memories or to remember something constantly.

मुझे वह दिन बार-बार याद आता है।

Emotional

"हर बार की खिचखिच"

— The usual bickering or annoyance that happens every time.

मुझे हर बार की खिचखिच नहीं चाहिए।

Slang/Informal

"एक बार फिर से"

— Starting over or trying once more.

चलो, एक बार फिर से शुरू करते हैं।

Neutral

Easily Confused

बार vs समय (samay)

Both translate to 'time' in English.

'Samay' is for duration or clock time. 'Baar' is for counting instances.

मेरे पास समय नहीं है (I don't have time) vs मैंने दो बार किया (I did it twice).

बार vs बारी (baari)

Very similar sound and related meaning.

'Baar' is an instance. 'Baari' is a 'turn' in a sequence.

यह मेरी बारी है (It is my turn).

बार vs दफ़ा (dafa)

Exact synonyms for 'time/instance'.

'Baar' is Sanskrit-based, 'dafa' is Arabic-based. 'Dafa' is more colloquial.

कई दफ़ा (Many times).

बार vs वार (vaar)

Etymological root of 'baar'.

In modern Hindi, 'vaar' usually means 'day of the week' or 'attack'.

सोमवार (Monday).

बार vs मर्तबा (martaba)

Synonym for 'time/instance'.

'Martaba' is much more formal or poetic.

पहली मर्तबा (The first time - formal).

Sentence Patterns

[Number] + बार

एक बार

[Feminine Adjective] + बार

पहली बार

इस/उस + बार

इस बार

बार-बार + [Verb]

बार-बार मत कहो

एक बार + [Subjunctive/Imperative]

एक बार देखो तो

[Number] + बार + [Verb Phrase]

मैंने सौ बार सोचा

हर बार + [Clause]

हर बार जब मैं आता हूँ

एक बार की + [Noun]

एक बार की चूक

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high; one of the top 500 words in Hindi.

Common Mistakes

Using 'pahla baar' instead of 'pahli baar'. → पहली बार (pahli baar)
'Baar' is a feminine noun, so the adjective 'pahla' must change to its feminine form 'pahli'.
Using 'yeh baar' instead of 'is baar'. → इस बार (is baar)
Demonstrative pronouns must be in the oblique form (is/us) when referring to a specific instance of 'baar'.
Using 'samay' for counting instances (e.g., 'teen samay'). → तीन बार (teen baar)
'Samay' is for duration/time in general. 'Baar' is specifically for counting occurrences.
Pluralizing 'baar' as 'baarein' (e.g., 'do baarein'). → दो बार (do baar)
'Baar' remains invariant in the plural when used with numbers in standard Hindi.
Confusing 'baar' with 'baari'. → मेरी बारी है (meri baari hai)
'Baari' means 'turn', while 'baar' means 'instance'. You wait for your 'baari', you don't wait for your 'baar'.

Tips

Gender Agreement

Always remember 'baar' is feminine. This is the most common mistake. Use 'i' endings for adjectives: pahli, dusri, agli, pichli.

Baar vs Samay

If you are counting (1, 2, 3...), use 'baar'. If you are looking at a clock or talking about duration, use 'samay'.

Long Vowel

The 'aa' in 'baar' is long. If you make it too short, it might sound like 'burr', which isn't a word. Keep it clear: baaa-r.

Oblique Case

Use 'is baar' and 'us baar'. The demonstrative pronouns 'yeh' and 'voh' must change to their oblique forms 'is' and 'us' before 'baar'.

Emphasis with Phir

Add 'phir' after 'ek baar' to say 'once again'. It's a very useful phrase for learners when they need someone to repeat something.

Hyperbole

Indians often use 'sau baar' (100 times) or 'hazaar baar' (1000 times) to exaggerate. Don't take the number literally; it just means 'very often'.

Baar vs Baahar

Be careful! 'Baahar' means outside. 'Baar' is short and sweet. Context usually helps, but listen for the extra syllable in 'baahar'.

Compound Words

When writing 'baar-baar', use a hyphen. It's a single adverbial unit meaning 'repeatedly'.

Using Dafa

Try using 'dafa' occasionally to sound more like a native speaker from Delhi or Lucknow. 'Kai dafa' sounds very natural.

Counting Habits

Practice by counting your daily habits in Hindi. 'Maine teen baar phone check kiya' (I checked my phone three times).

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'BAR' code. Each line in a bar code is a specific 'instance' or 'time' that the scanner reads. So, 'baar' = instance/time.

Visual Association

Imagine a counter clicking up every time you do something. Each click is one 'baar'.

Word Web

Ek baar (Once) Do baar (Twice) Kai baar (Many times) Har baar (Every time) Agli baar (Next time) Pichli baar (Last time) Baar-baar (Repeatedly) Is baar (This time)

Challenge

Try to count how many times you do three daily activities (e.g., drinking water, checking your phone) and say the number in Hindi using 'baar' (e.g., 'Maine paanch baar paani piya').

Word Origin

The word 'बार' originates from the Sanskrit word 'वार' (vāra), which means 'time', 'turn', or 'day of the week'. Over centuries, through Prakrit and Apabhramsha, the 'v' sound shifted to 'b' in many Hindi dialects, resulting in 'baar'.

Original meaning: A fixed time, a turn, or an appointed occasion.

Indo-Aryan

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities; 'baar' is a neutral, everyday word.

English speakers often struggle with the 'samay' vs 'baar' distinction because 'time' covers both. Think of 'baar' as 'occasion'.

Song: 'Baar Baar Dekho' (Look again and again) - a classic Bollywood hit. Dialogue: 'Ek baar jo maine commitment kar di...' from the movie Wanted. Political Slogan: 'Abki baar, Modi sarkar' (This time, Modi government).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Counting actions

दो बार (twice)
तीन बार (thrice)
कई बार (many times)
कितनी बार (how many times)

Storytelling

एक बार की बात है (once upon a time)
एक बार (once)
उस बार (that time)
पहली बार (first time)

Frequency/Habits

दिन में दो बार (twice a day)
हफ़्ते में एक बार (once a week)
हर बार (every time)
बार-बार (repeatedly)

Future/Past events

अगली बार (next time)
पिछली बार (last time)
इस बार (this time)
एक बार फिर (once more)

Requests

एक बार सुनिए (listen once)
बस एक बार (just once)
एक बार और (one more time)
एक बार देख लो (just take a look)

Conversation Starters

"क्या आप पहली बार भारत आए हैं? (Are you in India for the first time?)"

"आपने यह फिल्म कितनी बार देखी है? (How many times have you seen this movie?)"

"क्या हम अगली बार मिल सकते हैं? (Can we meet next time?)"

"पिछली बार आप कहाँ गए थे? (Where did you go last time?)"

"क्या आप दिन में दो बार कॉफी पीते हैं? (Do you drink coffee twice a day?)"

Journal Prompts

लिखिए कि आपने आज कौन सा काम पहली बार किया। (Write about something you did for the first time today.)

एक ऐसी घटना के बारे में लिखिए जो आपके साथ बार-बार होती है। (Write about an event that happens to you repeatedly.)

पिछली बार जब आप बीमार हुए थे, तब क्या हुआ था? (What happened last time you were sick?)

अगली बार जब आप छुट्टी पर जाएंगे, तो आप क्या करेंगे? (What will you do next time you go on vacation?)

क्या कोई ऐसी चीज़ है जिसे आप सौ बार भी देख सकते हैं? (Is there something you could watch even a hundred times?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is feminine. This means you should use feminine adjectives like 'pahli' (first) and 'pichli' (last) with it. For example, 'pahli baar' is correct, while 'pahla baar' is wrong.

No, you cannot. 'Samay' refers to time in general or duration. To count occurrences, you must use 'baar'. Saying 'teen samay' would sound very strange to a native speaker.

'Baar' means an instance or occurrence (e.g., 'I went three times'). 'Baari' means a 'turn' in a sequence (e.g., 'It is my turn to play').

You say 'is baar'. Note that 'is' is the oblique form of 'yeh' (this). You should not say 'yeh baar'.

In standard counting, 'baar' does not change. You say 'ek baar', 'do baar', 'teen baar'. It only becomes 'baaron' in specific poetic or emphatic phrases like 'saaton baaron'.

'Baar-baar' is a common adverbial phrase meaning 'repeatedly' or 'again and again'. It is used to describe actions that happen frequently or annoyingly often.

Yes, 'dafa' is a synonym of Arabic origin. It is used interchangeably with 'baar' in many contexts, especially in colloquial North Indian Hindi and Urdu.

You can say 'ek baar phir' or 'ek baar aur'. Both are very common and mean 'once again' or 'one more time'.

Because 'baar' is a feminine noun. In Hindi, adjectives must agree with the gender of the noun they modify. Since 'baar' is feminine, 'pahla' (masculine) becomes 'pahli' (feminine).

It comes from the Sanskrit word 'vāra', which means 'time' or 'turn'. The 'v' sound evolved into 'b' over time in Hindi.