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बुरा करना

A2 verb 8 min read

बुरा करना

bura karna

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips बुरा करना in 30 Seconds

Explanation बुरा करना in your Level:

At the A1 level, students learn the most basic building blocks of Hindi. 'Bura karna' is introduced as a simple way to express negativity. At this stage, you focus on the literal meaning: 'Bura' (bad) + 'Karna' (to do). You learn it in very short sentences like 'Bura mat karo' (Don't do bad). This level focuses on identifying the word in simple contexts, such as a child being told not to behave badly. Learners at A1 might not yet grasp the 'ke saath' construction fully, but they recognize that 'bura' is the opposite of 'accha' (good). The focus is on basic morality and simple performance feedback. You might hear a teacher say 'Bura kaam' (bad work) or 'Bura kiya' (did bad). It is essential to start associating 'bura' with negative outcomes right away. Simple repetition and flashcards help at this stage.

At the A2 level, which is where 'bura karna' is officially categorized, you begin to use the phrase in more complete sentences. You learn the crucial postposition 'ke saath' to indicate whom the bad action is directed toward. You also start to use the phrase to describe performance in school or sports. This level involves understanding the past tense 'kiya' and the future tense 'karega'. You can now say things like 'Usne mere saath bura kiya' (He did bad to me) or 'Main kal bura nahi karunga' (I will not do bad tomorrow). A2 learners start to see the difference between 'bura karna' (doing bad) and 'kharab karna' (spoiling something). This is the stage where the word becomes a functional part of your descriptive vocabulary, allowing you to express feelings about how you were treated or how you performed in a task.

At the B1 level, learners begin to use 'bura karna' in more complex grammatical structures, such as conditional sentences ('Agar tum bura karoge, to...' - If you do bad, then...). You also start to understand the nuance of intensity. Instead of just 'bura', you might use 'bahut bura' or 'sabse bura'. B1 students can discuss social issues and use 'bura karna' to describe the actions of groups or institutions. You also begin to recognize the word in more varied media, like news headlines or short stories. At this level, you are expected to know that 'bura karna' can be both a moral judgment and a performance metric without confusion. You might also start learning synonyms like 'nuksan pahunchana' to provide more variety in your speech. Your ability to justify why something is 'bura' increases, using the verb to anchor your arguments.

At the B2 level, 'bura karna' is used fluently in abstract discussions. You can use it to talk about karma, ethics, and complex interpersonal relationships. You understand the passive implications and how the phrase can be used metaphorically. For example, 'Kismat ne mere saath bura kiya' (Fate did bad to me/Fate was unkind to me). B2 learners can distinguish between 'doing bad' and 'doing wrong' (galat karna) in nuanced ways, such as in a legal or professional context. You also start to pick up on idiomatic uses and how 'bura karna' fits into larger cultural narratives about right and wrong. Your vocabulary expands to include formal alternatives like 'ahit karna' which you might use in writing while keeping 'bura karna' for conversation. You are comfortable using the verb in all tenses and moods, including the subjunctive.

At the C1 level, you have a deep appreciation for the stylistic use of 'bura karna'. You can identify its use in classical and modern Hindi literature to evoke specific emotions. You understand how the phrase can be used ironically or sarcastically. C1 learners can engage in high-level debates about morality where 'bura karna' might be the starting point for a philosophical inquiry into the nature of 'evil' vs 'bad'. You are also aware of the regional variations and how different dialects might prefer other compound verbs. Your use of 'bura karna' is precise; you know exactly when it is the most impactful word to use and when a more sophisticated term is required. You can analyze the 'ne' construction in complex sentences involving 'bura karna' and multiple clauses without error.

At the C2 level, 'bura karna' is a tool you use with the precision of a native speaker. You understand the historical evolution of the word 'bura' and its Sanskrit roots. You can use the phrase in high-stakes environments, such as legal testimony, political oratory, or literary criticism, knowing exactly how it will be perceived by a native audience. You are sensitive to the tiniest nuances—for instance, how 'bura karna' might imply a lack of skill in one sentence and a malicious intent in another, purely based on context and inflection. You can use it to create complex puns or double meanings. At this level, you don't just 'know' the word; you 'feel' its cultural weight and can use it to articulate the most subtle shades of human behavior and consequence.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

बुरा करना in 30 Seconds

A versatile Hindi phrase meaning to do bad, harm others, or perform poorly in tasks like exams.
Requires 'ke saath' when directed at people (e.g., Usne mere saath bura kiya).
Used in the past tense with 'ne' (e.g., Maine bura kiya) because it is a transitive verb.
A key word for expressing moral judgment, social disappointment, or dissatisfaction with results.

The Hindi verb बुरा करना (bura karnā) is a compound verb that combines the adjective 'bura' (bad, evil, poor) with the functional verb 'karnā' (to do). In its most fundamental sense, it translates to 'to do bad' or 'to do harm.' However, its application in Hindi is multifaceted, spanning across moral, social, and performance-based contexts. When you use this phrase, you are often describing an action that has a negative impact on someone else or an action that fails to meet a certain standard of quality. It is a vital phrase for A2 learners because it allows for the expression of dissatisfaction, ethical judgment, and self-reflection on performance. In social contexts, it often carries a weight of moral wrongdoing, whereas in academic or professional settings, it refers to performing poorly.

Moral Wrongdoing: This is the most common usage where 'bura karna' implies harming someone's reputation, feelings, or well-being. It is often used with the postposition 'ke saath' (with/to). For example, 'किसी के साथ बुरा करना' (To do bad to someone).

हमें कभी किसी का बुरा नहीं करना चाहिए। (We should never do bad to anyone.)

Performance Failure: When used in the context of exams, sports, or tasks, it means to perform poorly or fail to achieve a good result. It is synonymous with 'kharab pradarshan karna' but much more colloquial.

उसने मैच में बहुत बुरा किया। (He did very poorly in the match.)

Causal Damage: In some contexts, it can mean to cause damage to an object or a situation, though 'kharab karna' is more common for physical objects. 'Bura karna' remains focused on the outcome of an action.

झूठ बोलकर तुमने अपना ही बुरा किया है। (By lying, you have only done bad to yourself.)

Understanding 'bura karna' requires recognizing that 'bura' is an adjective that modifies the abstract noun of 'action' implied within 'karna'. Unlike English where 'to do bad' might sound slightly ungrammatical (preferring 'to do badly' or 'to do something bad'), in Hindi, the adjective-verb pairing is the standard way to express this. It covers a vast territory of negativity, from a child failing a spelling bee to a villain plotting against a hero. In daily life, you will hear parents advising children, 'Bura mat karo' (Don't do bad), and students lamenting, 'Maine exam mein bura kiya' (I did badly in the exam). It is a phrase that bridges the gap between simple everyday actions and deep moral philosophy.

Using बुरा करना correctly involves understanding its transitivity and the prepositions (postpositions) that accompany it. Since it is a compound verb, the verb 'karna' changes its form based on tense, gender, and number, while 'bura' usually remains static as an adjective describing the action. However, the most critical grammatical aspect is the use of 'ke saath' (with) when the action is directed toward a person. Without 'ke saath', the sentence can often feel incomplete or change meaning to 'performing poorly'.

The 'Ke Saath' Construction: When you want to say 'to do bad to [someone]', you must use: [Person] + के साथ + बुरा करना. For example: 'राम ने श्याम के साथ बुरा किया' (Ram did bad to Shyam).

अमीर आदमी ने गरीब के साथ बहुत बुरा किया। (The rich man did a lot of bad to the poor man.)

Performance Context (In/On): When describing performance, use 'mein' (in). For example: 'परीक्षा में बुरा करना' (To do poorly in the exam). Here, 'bura' acts as an adverbial adjective.

अगर तुम मेहनत नहीं करोगे, तो तुम टेस्ट में बुरा करोगे। (If you don't work hard, you will do poorly in the test.)

Reflexive Usage: You can also do bad to yourself. In this case, use 'apna' (one's own). 'अपना बुरा करना' (To do bad to oneself/to harm one's own interests).

गुस्सा करके तुम अपना ही बुरा कर रहे हो। (By getting angry, you are only doing harm to yourself.)

The word 'bura' can be intensified with 'bahut' (very) or 'sabse' (most). 'Usne sabse bura kiya' means 'He did the worst.' When using 'bura karna' in the imperative (giving a command), it is usually a prohibition: 'Bura mat karo!' (Don't do bad!). In future tenses, it expresses a warning: 'Vah tumhare saath bura karega' (He will do bad to you). Mastery of this verb involves switching between these contexts seamlessly, recognizing whether the speaker is judging a person's character or their specific result in a task.

The phrase बुरा करना is ubiquitous in Hindi-speaking environments, from domestic settings to cinematic dramas. Its versatility makes it a staple of daily conversation. You will hear it in various registers, though its core meaning remains consistent. In Bollywood movies, 'bura karna' is a central theme—villains are defined by the 'bura' they do to the 'hero'. Phrases like 'Maine tumhara kya bura kiya hai?' (What harm have I done to you?) are classic tropes in dramatic confrontations.

In the Household: Parents often use this to teach ethics. 'Kisi ka bura mat karo' is a common moral teaching. It's also used when a child breaks something or behaves poorly: 'Tumne aaj bahut bura kiya' (You did very badly today).

माँ ने कहा कि दूसरों का बुरा करने वालों का कभी भला नहीं होता। (Mother said that those who do bad to others never prosper.)

In News and Media: Journalists might use it to describe the poor performance of a political party in elections or the 'bura' (harm) caused by a new policy. 'Sarkar ne janata ke saath bura kiya' (The government did bad to the public).

भारतीय टीम ने कल के मैच में बहुत बुरा किया। (The Indian team did very poorly in yesterday's match.)

In Schools and Colleges: Students use it constantly to describe their performance in exams. 'Mera paper bura hua' (My paper went badly) or 'Maine maths mein bura kiya' (I did poorly in Maths).

चिंता मत करो, एक बार बुरा करने से सब खत्म नहीं हो जाता। (Don't worry, doing poorly once doesn't end everything.)

When you hear this word, pay attention to the tone. A soft tone might indicate sympathy for a poor performance, while a harsh, loud tone usually indicates a moral accusation. In literature, poets use 'bura' to describe the harshness of the world or the cruelty of a beloved. It is a word that captures the essence of human failure and malice alike.

Learning बुरा करना seems straightforward, but English speakers often fall into several traps due to direct translation or grammatical nuances peculiar to Hindi verbs. The most frequent error involves the misuse of postpositions and confusing 'bura karna' with similar-sounding but distinct verbs like 'kharab karna' or 'galat karna'.

Mistake 1: Omitting 'Ke Saath': English speakers often say 'Usne mujhe bura kiya' (He did me bad), which is incorrect. You must say 'Usne mere saath bura kiya'. The 'ke saath' is essential when a person is the target of the action.

Incorrect: उसने उसे बुरा किया।
Correct: उसने उसके साथ बुरा किया।

Mistake 2: Confusing with 'Kharab Karna': 'Kharab karna' means 'to spoil' or 'to break' (like a machine or a plan). 'Bura karna' is about the quality of action or moral harm. You don't 'bura' a watch; you 'kharab' it.

Mistake 3: Subject-Verb Agreement in Past Tense: Since 'karna' is transitive, the subject takes 'ne' in the past tense. Many learners say 'Main bura kiya' instead of 'Maine bura kiya'.

Incorrect: मैं बुरा किया।
Correct: मैंने बुरा किया।

Mistake 4: Overusing it for 'Wrong': 'Bura karna' is for badness/harm. If you made a factual mistake (like 2+2=5), you 'galat kiya' (did wrong), you didn't 'bura kiya'.

Another subtle mistake is using 'bura karna' for food going bad. For food, we use 'sadhna' or 'kharab hona'. 'Bura karna' is strictly for human-centric actions or performance. Lastly, remember that 'bura' doesn't change gender to 'buri' when paired with 'karna' to form this specific verb phrase, even if the subject is female. It's 'Usne bura kiya' regardless of who 'he' or 'she' is.

While बुरा करना is a great all-purpose phrase, Hindi offers several more specific alternatives depending on the context. Understanding these will help you move from A2 to B1 level fluency. These alternatives range from formal legal terms to common slang.

Ahit Karna (अहित करना): A more formal/literary version of 'bura karna'. It specifically means 'to cause harm' or 'to act against someone's interests'. You'll see this in books or formal speeches.

Nuksan Pahunchana (नुकसान पहुँचाना): This literally means 'to deliver damage'. It is used for both physical damage to property and financial or emotional harm to people.

Comparison:
1. उसने मेरा बुरा किया (He did bad to me - general).
2. उसने मुझे नुकसान पहुँचाया (He caused me loss - specific).

Kharab Pradarshan (खराब प्रदर्शन): This is the formal way to say 'did poorly'. It is used in sports commentary and corporate reviews. 'Pradarshan' means performance.

Paap Karna (पाप करना): If the 'bad' is of a religious or extreme moral nature, 'paap karna' (to commit a sin) is used. It is much stronger than 'bura karna'.

In summary, while 'bura karna' is your 'Swiss Army knife' for negative actions, try using 'nuksan pahunchana' for financial loss, 'ahit' for formal harm, and 'kharab pradarshan' for professional contexts. This variety will make your Hindi sound more natural and precise. Always consider the intensity of the 'bad' before choosing your word.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In some Hindi dialects, 'bura' is also used to refer to brown sugar (bhoora), but the spelling and context are usually distinct enough to avoid confusion. The moral weight of 'bura' is so strong that calling someone a 'bura aadmi' is a significant insult.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /bʊ.ɾɑː kəɾ.nɑː/

US /bʊ.rɑ kər.nɑ/

Stress is evenly distributed, with a slight emphasis on the first syllable of 'bura' and the first syllable of 'karna'.

Rhymes With

खरा करना (khara karna) धरा करना (dhara karna) मरा करना (mara karna) डरा करना (dara karna) हरा करना (hara karna) ज़रा करना (zara karna) परा करना (para karna) सड़ा करना (sada karna)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'bura' like 'burra' (with a hard English 'r').
Confusing 'bura' with 'boora' (which can mean sawdust or powdered sugar).
Making the 'u' sound too long like 'boo-ra'.
Failing to roll the 'r' slightly.
Pronouncing 'karna' as 'kar-naa' with a very heavy American 'r'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize as 'bura' and 'karna' are basic words.

Writing 3/5

Requires knowledge of the 'ne' particle and 'ke saath' postposition.

Speaking 3/5

Common in speech, but requires correct tense conjugation.

Listening 2/5

Very common and usually clear in context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

बुरा (Bad) करना (To do) अच्छा (Good) साथ (With) काम (Work)

Learn Next

नुकसान (Loss) व्यवहार (Behavior) गलत (Wrong) भला (Good/Well-being) कोशिश (Try)

Advanced

अहित (Harm) दुर्व्यवहार (Misbehavior) कृतघ्नता (Ingratitude) अनैतिक (Unethical) षड्यंत्र (Conspiracy)

Grammar to Know

Transitive Verbs in Past Tense

Subject + ne + Object + kiya. (Maine bura kiya).

Postposition 'Ke Saath'

Used to show the target of an action. (Uske saath bura).

Compound Verbs

Bura (Adj) + Karna (Verb) forms a single concept.

Imperative Mood

Bura mat karo (Don't do bad).

Adjective Invariance

'Bura' doesn't usually change to 'buri' when part of this specific verb phrase.

Examples by Level

बुरा मत करो।

Don't do bad.

Simple imperative (command) form.

वह बुरा है।

He is bad.

Basic adjective use, not yet the verb.

मैंने बुरा किया।

I did bad.

Past tense with 'ne' (hidden in 'maine').

उसने बुरा किया।

He did bad.

Past tense of 'karna' is 'kiya'.

क्या यह बुरा है?

Is this bad?

Interrogative sentence.

बुरा काम मत करो।

Don't do bad work.

'Bura' modifying the noun 'kaam'.

तुमने बुरा किया।

You did bad.

Direct address in past tense.

यह बहुत बुरा है।

This is very bad.

Use of intensifier 'bahut'.

उसने मेरे साथ बुरा किया।

He did bad to me.

Use of 'ke saath' for the target of action.

परीक्षा में बुरा मत करना।

Don't do poorly in the exam.

Use of 'mein' for performance context.

राम ने श्याम के साथ बुरा किया।

Ram did bad to Shyam.

Proper nouns with 'ne' and 'ke saath'.

मैंने टेस्ट में बुरा किया।

I did poorly in the test.

Performance-based usage.

क्या उसने तुम्हारे साथ बुरा किया?

Did he do bad to you?

Question form with 'ke saath'.

वे दूसरों का बुरा करते हैं।

They do bad to others.

Present habitual tense.

तुम अपना बुरा कर रहे हो।

You are doing bad to yourself.

Reflexive use with 'apna'.

हमें किसी का बुरा नहीं करना चाहिए।

We should not do bad to anyone.

Use of 'chahiye' (should).

अगर तुम बुरा करोगे, तो लोग तुम्हें पसंद नहीं करेंगे।

If you do bad, people will not like you.

Conditional sentence structure.

उसने जानबूझकर मेरे साथ बुरा किया।

He intentionally did bad to me.

Use of 'jaan-boojhkar' (intentionally).

मैच में बुरा करने के बाद वह रोने लगा।

After doing poorly in the match, he started crying.

Compound sentence with 'ke baad'.

किसी का बुरा करना अच्छी बात नहीं है।

Doing bad to someone is not a good thing.

Gerund-like use of 'karna'.

उसने सबके सामने मेरा बुरा किया।

He did bad to me in front of everyone.

Use of 'sabke saamne' (in front of all).

तुमने उसके साथ बुरा करके गलती की।

You made a mistake by doing bad to him.

Connecting two actions with 'karke'.

क्या तुम्हें लगता है कि उसने बुरा किया?

Do you think that he did bad?

Complex sentence with 'ki' clause.

वह कभी किसी का बुरा नहीं कर सकता।

He can never do bad to anyone.

Use of 'sakta' (can) for ability/nature.

समाज का बुरा करने वाली प्रथाओं को रोकना होगा।

Practices that do harm to society must be stopped.

Using 'bura karne wali' as an adjective phrase.

उसने अपने करियर के साथ बहुत बुरा किया।

He did a lot of harm to his own career.

Metaphorical use for career/life path.

राजनीति में दूसरों का बुरा करना आम बात है।

Doing bad to others is common in politics.

Abstract social context.

भले ही उसने बुरा किया, हमें उसे माफ कर देना चाहिए।

Even if he did bad, we should forgive him.

Use of 'bhale hi' (even if).

उसकी बातों ने मेरा बहुत बुरा किया।

His words did me a lot of harm.

Abstract subject (words) doing the action.

बिना सोचे-समझे काम करना अपना बुरा करना है।

Working without thinking is doing harm to oneself.

Philosophical equivalence.

उसने जो बुरा किया, उसका फल उसे मिलेगा।

He will get the fruit of the bad he did.

Reference to the concept of Karma.

कंपनी ने अपने कर्मचारियों के साथ बुरा किया।

The company did bad to its employees.

Institutional subject.

इतिहास गवाह है कि सत्ता के लिए लोगों ने अपनों का भी बुरा किया है।

History is witness that for power, people have harmed even their own.

Formal/Literary register.

किसी का बुरा करने की मंशा ही इंसान को छोटा बनाती है।

The mere intention of doing harm to someone makes a person small.

Use of 'mansha' (intention).

उसने अनजाने में मेरा बुरा कर दिया, पर मैं दुखी नहीं हूँ।

He unintentionally did me harm, but I am not sad.

Use of 'anjaane mein' (unintentionally).

व्यवस्था ने गरीबों के साथ बहुत बुरा किया है।

The system has done much harm to the poor.

Systemic/Sociological usage.

अपने सिद्धांतों के विरुद्ध जाकर तुमने अपना सबसे बड़ा बुरा किया।

By going against your principles, you did your greatest harm to yourself.

Complex prepositional phrase 'ke viruddh'.

साहित्य में खलनायक वही है जो दूसरों का बुरा करने में आनंद ले।

In literature, a villain is one who takes pleasure in harming others.

Literary definition.

पर्यावरण के साथ बुरा करना आने वाली पीढ़ियों के साथ बुरा करना है।

Doing harm to the environment is doing harm to future generations.

Parallel structure for emphasis.

उसने अपनी चुप्पी से मेरा बुरा किया।

He harmed me with his silence.

Harming through inaction/silence.

नैतिकता की कसौटी यह है कि हम किसी का बुरा करने के सामर्थ्य के बावजूद न करें।

The test of morality is that we do not do harm despite having the capability to do so.

High-level philosophical discourse.

शायद उसने बुरा नहीं किया, बस परिस्थितियों का दास था।

Perhaps he didn't do bad; he was just a slave to circumstances.

Nuanced character analysis.

आत्म-विनाश की ओर बढ़ना ही स्वयं का बुरा करना है।

To move toward self-destruction is to do harm to oneself.

Metaphorical/Existential usage.

न्यायपालिका का कार्य यह सुनिश्चित करना है कि कोई किसी का बुरा न कर सके।

The function of the judiciary is to ensure that no one can harm another.

Legal/Institutional context.

उसकी कृतघ्नता ने मेरा उतना ही बुरा किया जितना किसी शत्रु ने किया होता।

His ingratitude harmed me as much as any enemy would have.

Comparative structure with 'jitna'.

पूंजीवाद की अंधी दौड़ में हम अक्सर अनजाने में मानवता का बुरा कर बैठते हैं।

In the blind race of capitalism, we often inadvertently end up harming humanity.

Compound verb 'kar baithte hain' implying an accidental/regrettable act.

क्या बुरा करना केवल क्रिया है या यह एक मानसिक अवस्था भी है?

Is doing bad merely an action, or is it also a state of mind?

Philosophical inquiry.

उसने अपनी विरासत के साथ जो बुरा किया, उसे इतिहास कभी नहीं भूलेगा।

History will never forget the harm he did to his legacy.

Temporal/Legacy context.

Common Collocations

किसी के साथ बुरा करना

परीक्षा में बुरा करना

अपना बुरा करना

बहुत बुरा करना

बुरा करने की सोचना

बुरा करने की कोशिश

कभी बुरा न करना

अनजाने में बुरा करना

सबके साथ बुरा करना

नतीजे में बुरा करना

Common Phrases

बुरा मत करो

— A general advice meaning 'don't do bad things'.

हमेशा याद रखो, बुरा मत करो।

किसी का बुरा मत चाहो

— Don't wish bad for anyone. Often paired with 'bura karna'.

बुरा करना तो दूर, किसी का बुरा चाहो भी मत।

बुरा करने का फल

— The consequence of doing bad (Karma).

बुरा करने का फल बुरा ही होता है।

बुरा हो जाना

— To have something bad happen (passive counterpart).

उसके साथ बहुत बुरा हुआ।

बुरा कर बैठना

— To end up doing something bad unintentionally or regrettably.

गुस्से में वह बुरा कर बैठा।

बुरा मान जाना

— To take offense (related but different).

मेरी बात का बुरा मत मानना।

बुरा लगना

— To feel bad (related).

मुझे बहुत बुरा लगा।

बुरा-भला कहना

— To scold or speak harshly to someone.

उसने मुझे बहुत बुरा-भला कहा।

बुरा वक्त

— Bad times (noun phrase).

बुरा वक्त जल्द बीत जाएगा।

बुरा सपना

— A nightmare.

कल रात मैंने एक बुरा सपना देखा।

Often Confused With

बुरा करना vs गलत करना (galat karna)

Galat karna means to do something incorrect or a mistake. Bura karna is more about harm or poor quality.

बुरा करना vs खराब करना (kharab karna)

Kharab karna is used for spoiling physical objects or plans. Bura karna is for actions and performance.

बुरा करना vs बुरा लगना (bura lagna)

Bura lagna means 'to feel bad' (passive), while bura karna is 'to do bad' (active).

Idioms & Expressions

"बुरा फँसना"

— To be in a very difficult or bad situation.

वह इस घोटाले में बुरा फँसा है।

Informal

"बुरी नज़र डालना"

— To cast an evil eye or look at someone with bad intentions.

किसी की खुशी पर बुरी नज़र मत डालो।

Cultural

"बुरा हाल होना"

— To be in a terrible condition.

बीमारी के कारण उसका बुरा हाल है।

Neutral

"बुरी तरह हारना"

— To lose badly.

हमारी टीम बुरी तरह हार गई।

Neutral

"बुरा न मानना"

— Don't take it personally/don't be offended.

बुरा न मानें तो एक बात कहूँ?

Neutral

"बुरा बनना"

— To become the 'bad guy' in a situation.

सच बोलकर मैं सबकी नज़रों में बुरा बन गया।

Neutral

"बुरा दिन देखना"

— To experience very bad days or poverty.

उसने अपनी ज़िंदगी में बहुत बुरे दिन देखे हैं।

Neutral

"बुरी संगत"

— Bad company/influence.

बुरी संगत से बचो।

Moral

"बुरा अंत"

— A bad end/tragic conclusion.

लालच का बुरा अंत होता है।

Proverbial

"बुरा फँसाना"

— To trap someone badly in a problem.

उसने मुझे झूठ बोलकर बुरा फँसा दिया।

Informal

Easily Confused

बुरा करना vs बुरा (bura)

Adjective vs Verb

Bura is just 'bad'. Bura karna is the action of doing something bad.

यह बुरा (adj) है। उसने बुरा किया (verb)।

बुरा करना vs बुराई (burai)

Noun vs Verb

Burai is the noun 'evil' or 'criticism'. Bura karna is the act.

बुराई से बचो। किसी का बुरा मत करो।

बुरा करना vs भूल (bhool)

Mistake vs Bad deed

Bhool is an accidental mistake. Bura karna can be intentional harm.

यह मेरी भूल थी। उसने जानबूझकर बुरा किया।

बुरा करना vs नुकसान (nuksan)

Loss vs Bad action

Nuksan is the resulting loss. Bura karna is the action that might cause it.

मेरा नुकसान हुआ। उसने मेरा बुरा किया।

बुरा करना vs पाप (paap)

Sin vs Bad deed

Paap is a religious sin. Bura karna is a general bad deed.

झूठ बोलना पाप है। उसने उसके साथ बुरा किया।

Sentence Patterns

बुरा मत करो।

[Person] के साथ बुरा करना।

उसके साथ बुरा मत करो।

[Task] में बुरा करना।

उसने टेस्ट में बुरा किया।

अगर तुम [Action] करोगे, तो बुरा होगा।

अगर तुम मेहनत नहीं करोगे, तो बुरा होगा।

[Subject] ने जानबूझकर बुरा किया।

उसने जानबूझकर मेरा बुरा किया।

किसी का बुरा करने से [Consequence] होता है।

किसी का बुरा करने से अपना भी बुरा होता है।

[Abstract Noun] ने [Person] के साथ बुरा किया।

किस्मत ने मेरे साथ बहुत बुरा किया।

[Action] स्वयं का बुरा करना है।

नशा करना स्वयं का बुरा करना है।

Word Family

Nouns

बुराई (burāī) - evil/badness

बुरा (burā) - bad person (when used as noun)

Verbs

बुरा लगना (burā lagnā) - to feel bad

बुरा मानना (burā mānnā) - to take offense

Adjectives

बुरा (burā) - bad

बुरी (burī) - bad (feminine)

बुरे (bure) - bad (plural)

खराब (kharāb)

गलत (galat)

नीच (neech)

दुष्ट (dusht)

अधम (adham)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily speech, movies, and literature.

Common Mistakes

Usne mujhe bura kiya. → Usne mere saath bura kiya.
You must use 'ke saath' (with) when the action is directed at a person.
Main bura kiya. → Maine bura kiya.
In the past tense, the subject of 'karna' needs the 'ne' particle.
Usne phone bura kiya. → Usne phone kharab kiya.
'Bura karna' is for actions/performance, 'kharab karna' is for damaging objects.
Buri mat karo. → Bura mat karo.
In this compound verb, 'bura' usually stays in the masculine form.
Maine galat kiya (when meaning 'I did bad to him'). → Maine uske saath bura किया।
'Galat' means wrong/mistake, 'bura' means bad/harmful.

Tips

The 'Ne' Particle

In the past tense, 'karna' becomes 'kiya'. Since it's transitive, add 'ne' to the subject: Maine, Usne, Tumne.

Targeting People

Always use 'ke saath' when the bad action is directed at a person. 'Mere saath bura kiya' means 'Did bad to me'.

Academic Use

If you fail a test, don't say you 'broke' it. Say 'Maine exam mein bura kiya'.

Intensify It

Use 'bahut' (very) or 'sabse' (most) to show how bad the action was. 'Sabse bura kiya' means 'did the worst'.

Karma Connection

Remember that 'bura karna' is often linked to the idea of bad consequences returning to you.

Short 'U'

Keep the 'u' in 'bura' short. If you make it long, it sounds like 'boora' (powdered sugar).

Bura vs Galat

Use 'galat' for mistakes and 'bura' for harm or poor quality performance.

Being Polite

In a job, use 'kharab pradarshan' instead of 'bura kiya' to sound more professional.

Opposites

Learn 'bura karna' alongside 'accha karna' and 'bhala karna' to remember it better.

Prohibition

'Bura mat karo' is the most common way to tell someone to behave or be kind.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Boar' (bura) that 'Kills' (karna) your garden. A boar doing damage is 'bura karna'.

Visual Association

Imagine a student looking at a big red 'F' on a paper (performing poorly) or a person stealing an apple from a basket (doing bad to someone).

Word Web

Evil Poor performance Harm Moral wrong Failure Mistreatment Bad luck Substandard

Challenge

Try to write three sentences: one about a bad person, one about a bad test result, and one about doing harm to yourself, all using 'bura karna'.

Word Origin

The word 'bura' is believed to have evolved from the Sanskrit word 'virūpa' (disfigured/ugly) or related Middle Indo-Aryan forms. Over centuries, the meaning shifted from physical ugliness to moral badness and general poor quality. The verb 'karna' comes from the Sanskrit 'kṛ', meaning to do or make.

Original meaning: Originally referred to something that was physically misshapen or aesthetically displeasing.

Indo-Aryan

Cultural Context

Be careful when accusing someone of 'bura karna' as it is a strong moral judgment. In professional settings, 'kharab pradarshan' is more polite.

English speakers might use 'do bad' less frequently than 'do poorly' or 'hurt someone', but in Hindi, 'bura karna' covers all these bases.

The proverb: 'Bura mat dekho, bura mat suno, bura mat kaho' (See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil) - attributed to Gandhi's three monkeys. The song 'Bura mat suno, bura mat dekho' from Bollywood movies. Common dialogue: 'Maine tumhara kya bura kiya hai?'

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Exams

पेपर बुरा हुआ
मैथ्स में बुरा किया
कम अंक आना
तैयारी न होना

Interpersonal Conflict

धोखा देना
झूठ बोलना
मेरे साथ बुरा किया
भरोसा तोड़ना

Sports

मैच हारना
बुरा खेलना
खराब प्रदर्शन
गलती करना

Moral Lessons

बुरा मत करो
सबका भला करो
पाप और पुण्य
अच्छी सीख

Self-Reflection

मैंने बुरा किया
मुझे दुख है
सुधार करना
माफी माँगना

Conversation Starters

"क्या तुम्हें लगता है कि उसने तुम्हारे साथ बुरा किया?"

"अगर कोई तुम्हारे साथ बुरा करे, तो तुम क्या करोगे?"

"क्या तुमने कभी किसी परीक्षा में बुरा किया है?"

"दूसरों का बुरा करने वालों को क्या सज़ा मिलनी चाहिए?"

"क्या बुरा करना हमेशा जानबूझकर होता है?"

Journal Prompts

एक समय के बारे में लिखें जब आपने किसी चीज़ में बुरा किया और आपने उससे क्या सीखा।

क्या आपको लगता है कि किसी का बुरा करने से अपना भी बुरा होता है? अपने विचार लिखें।

अगर कोई आपके साथ बुरा करे, तो क्या उसे माफ कर देना चाहिए या बदला लेना चाहिए?

आज के समाज में लोग दूसरों का बुरा क्यों करते हैं? इसके कारणों पर चर्चा करें।

अपने जीवन के एक ऐसे मोड़ के बारे में लिखें जब आपको लगा कि 'बुरा वक्त' चल रहा है।

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, for a broken phone or object, use 'kharab karna' or 'tod dena'. 'Bura karna' is for actions and performance.

The past tense is 'bura kiya'. Remember to use 'ne' with the subject, like 'Maine bura kiya'.

It's not rude to say, but it is a strong accusation if you say 'Tumne bura kiya' to someone.

You can say 'Maine interview mein bura kiya'.

In the phrase 'bura karna', 'bura' usually stays masculine because it's part of a compound verb, but in other contexts, 'buri' is used for feminine nouns.

'Galat karna' is doing something wrong/incorrectly. 'Bura karna' is doing something bad/harmful.

No, you must say 'Usne mere saath bura kiya'. Always use 'ke saath' for people.

Yes, but in very formal contexts, words like 'ahit karna' or 'duvyavhar' are preferred.

It's too general for a specific crime. Use 'apradh karna' for that, though a crime is certainly 'bura karna'.

Say 'Apna bura mat karo'.