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बँटना

B1 verb 8 min read

बँटना

bantna

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips बँटना in 30 Seconds

Explanation बँटना in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of 'बँटना' (Bantna) as a simple way to say 'to be shared' or 'to be given out'. Imagine you have a box of chocolates and you give them to your friends. The chocolates are 'बँटना'. In simple sentences, we use it to talk about food or toys. For example, 'Sweets are shared' is 'Mithai bantti hai'. Don't worry about complex grammar yet; just remember it means things are moving from one pile to many people. It's a happy word for sharing things with your family and friends during festivals or lunch time. It is pronounced like 'Bunt-naa'.

At the A2 level, you should start using 'बँटना' to describe basic daily activities. It is an intransitive verb, which means the thing being shared is the subject. For example, 'The work is shared' (Kaam bantta hai). You will often use it with 'में' (in/among). For example, 'Khana sab mein banta' (Food was shared among everyone). You can also use it to talk about simple divisions, like splitting a bill or sharing a room. Remember that in the past tense, it changes based on the object: 'Khana banta' (masculine) but 'Roti banti' (feminine). This level is about moving from simple nouns to basic actions involving sharing.

At the B1 level, you are expected to understand the nuance between 'बँटना' (to be divided) and 'बाँटना' (to divide). 'बँटना' is an intransitive verb. You use it when you want to focus on the result rather than who did it. For example, instead of saying 'I divided the tasks', you might say 'The tasks were divided' (Zimmedariyan bant gayin). This level involves using the compound verb form 'बँट जाना' (to get divided) very frequently. You can also use it for more abstract concepts like 'attention' (dhyaan) or 'time' (samay). It is a key word for discussing teamwork, family heritage, and social organization in a more natural, fluid way.

At the B2 level, you can use 'बँटना' to discuss complex social and political issues. It is often used to describe how a society or a group of people is divided by opinions or ideologies. For example, 'The public is divided on this issue' (Is mudde par janta banti hui hai). You should also be comfortable using it in various tenses and moods, including the presumptive and subjunctive. It's also useful in professional contexts, such as discussing the allocation of resources or the distribution of profits in a business. You should be able to distinguish it from formal synonyms like 'vibhajit hona' and know when to use the more common 'बँटना' for a natural tone.

At the C1 level, you should master the idiomatic and metaphorical uses of 'बँटना'. This includes using it in literature or high-level journalism to describe the 'fragmentation' of identity or the 'split' in a political party's vote bank. You will understand how the word functions in complex sentence structures, such as participial phrases ('bante huye samaj mein' - in a divided society). You should also be able to discuss the historical weight of the word, particularly in the context of the 'Partition' (Batwara) of the Indian subcontinent, and how the verb 'bantna' carries emotional resonances of loss, separation, and shared destiny. Your usage should reflect a deep sensitivity to tone and register.

At the C2 level, 'बँटना' becomes a tool for philosophical and existential inquiry. You can use it to discuss the nature of reality—how the one becomes many, or how human experience is shared across boundaries. You will be able to analyze and use the word in classical poetry or modern philosophical prose, where 'bantna' might describe the diffusion of light, the sharing of a collective consciousness, or the inevitable division of the self. You will have a native-like grasp of its most subtle connotations, including its use in irony or sarcasm. At this level, you aren't just using a verb; you are wielding a concept that spans the entirety of Hindi linguistic and cultural history.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

बँटना in 30 Seconds

Bantna (बँटना) is an intransitive Hindi verb meaning 'to be divided' or 'to be shared' among people or parts.
It is the passive counterpart to 'Baantna' (to divide) and is used when focusing on the result of distribution.
Commonly used for physical objects like food and money, as well as abstract concepts like work, time, and attention.
Essential for intermediate learners to distinguish from active forms and to use in social, legal, and political contexts.

The Hindi verb बँटना (Bantna) is a fundamental word that every intermediate learner must master. At its core, it represents the passive or intransitive process of being divided, distributed, or shared. Unlike its transitive counterpart बाँटना (Baantna), which implies an active agent doing the dividing, बँटना focuses on the outcome: the state of being split into parts or allocated among recipients. This distinction is crucial in Hindi grammar and reflects a worldview where the result of an action is often highlighted as much as the action itself.

Literal Division: Used when physical objects like food, money, or land are split. For example, when a cake is cut and pieces are handed out, we say the cake 'बँट गया' (got divided).
Abstract Sharing: Used for intangible things like responsibilities, love, or time. When a team divides tasks, the workload 'बँट जाता है' (gets distributed), making it lighter for everyone.
Social and Political Contexts: Often used in serious discussions regarding the partition of countries, the division of property between heirs, or the polarization of opinions within a society.

दिवाली पर सभी बच्चों में मिठाइयाँ बँटती हैं।
— On Diwali, sweets are distributed among all children.

In daily life, you will hear this word in the kitchen, in the office, and in the news. It conveys a sense of fairness or sometimes a sense of loss, depending on the context. If property is being divided due to a family dispute, the tone might be heavy. If responsibilities are being shared to help a friend, the tone is supportive. Understanding the nuance of बँटना allows you to describe how resources flow in a community.

काम बँटने से बोझ कम हो जाता है।
— The burden decreases by sharing the work.

Culturally, the concept of 'sharing' is deeply embedded in Indian society. Whether it is sharing a meal (sanjha chulha) or sharing the joys and sorrows of a neighbor, बँटना is the verb that facilitates these social bonds. It is not just about mathematics; it is about connection. When people say 'दुख बाँटने से कम होता है' (sorrow decreases by sharing), they use the active form, but the result is that the sorrow 'बँट जाता है' (gets divided/shared).

संपत्ति भाइयों के बीच बराबर बँट गई।
— The property was divided equally among the brothers.

Usage in Media: News headlines often use this word to describe the allocation of government funds or the division of seats in an election. 'बजट का हिस्सा शिक्षा में बँटेगा' (A portion of the budget will be allocated to education).

वोट कई उम्मीदवारों में बँट गए।
— The votes were split among several candidates.

Using बँटना (Bantna) correctly requires an understanding of its conjugation and the prepositions that usually accompany it. Since it is an intransitive verb, the 'subject' is the thing that is being divided. This is a common point of confusion for English speakers who are used to the passive voice 'is divided'. In Hindi, बँटना functions as a natural process.

The 'Kech Beech' (Among/Between) Construction: Most often, you will use 'के बीच' (between/among) or 'में' (in/among) to specify the recipients. Example: 'फल बच्चों में बँटे' (Fruits were shared among children).
Tense Variations: In the past tense, it becomes 'बँटा' (masculine singular), 'बँटी' (feminine), or 'बँटे' (plural). In the future, it is 'बँटेगा'.

क्या खाना सब में बँट गया?
— Has the food been distributed among everyone?

One of the most powerful ways to use बँटना is with compound verbs. Adding 'जाना' (to go) creates 'बँट जाना', which emphasizes the completion of the action. This is the most common way you will hear it in conversational Hindi. If you say 'बँट गया', it sounds more natural than just 'बँटा'.

समाज दो हिस्सों में बँट चुका है।
— The society has already been divided into two parts.

When discussing logical divisions, such as categories in a library or files on a computer, बँटना is the go-to verb. It implies an organization or structure. For instance, 'किताबें विषयों के आधार पर बँटी हैं' (The books are divided based on subjects).

समय को छोटे-छोटे हिस्सों में बँटना चाहिए।
— Time should be divided into small portions.

Negative Usage: You can use it to express that something cannot be shared or divided. 'मेरा प्यार कभी नहीं बँटेगा' (My love will never be divided/shared out).

ज़मीन का बँटवारा होने पर खेत बँट गए।
— The fields were divided when the land partition happened.

The word बँटना is ubiquitous in Hindi-speaking environments, from the bustling markets of Delhi to the quiet villages of Uttar Pradesh. It is a word that bridges the gap between the mundane and the profound. You will hear it in various registers of speech.

In the Household: Mothers often use this word when managing children. 'चॉकलेट सब भाई-बहनों में बराबर बँटेगी' (The chocolate will be divided equally among all siblings). It is the language of domestic fairness.
In the Corporate World: During meetings, managers talk about 'roles and responsibilities' being shared. 'काम की ज़िम्मेदारी टीम के सदस्यों में बँट गई है' (The responsibility of the work has been shared among team members).

प्रसाद मंदिर के बाहर बँट रहा है।
— Religious offering (Prasad) is being distributed outside the temple.

You will also encounter बँटना in Hindi literature and Bollywood songs. It often refers to the heart or attention being divided between two things. A classic poetic trope involves the protagonist's heart being 'बँटा हुआ' (divided) between duty and love. This emotional usage adds a layer of depth to the word beyond its physical meaning.

उसका ध्यान दो चीज़ों में बँटा हुआ था।
— His attention was divided between two things.

In political discourse, the word takes on a sharper edge. Commentators might say 'जनता विचारधारा के आधार पर बँट गई है' (The public has been divided on the basis of ideology). Here, बँटना describes a societal fracture. This versatility makes it an essential tool for discussing complex social dynamics.

स्कूल में नई किताबें बँटनी शुरू हो गई हैं।
— The distribution of new books has started in the school.

Legal Context: In courtrooms, the division of assets (paitrik sampatti) is a common topic. Lawyers argue over how the estate 'बँटेगी' (will be divided) among the legal heirs.

Learning बँटना can be tricky because of its relationship with बाँटना. Many students confuse the two, leading to sentences that sound unnatural or grammatically incorrect. Let's look at the most frequent errors.

Confusing Transitive and Intransitive: The biggest mistake is using बँटना when you mean 'to distribute' (active).
Wrong: मैंने मिठाई बँटी। (I divided the sweets - Incorrect verb form).
Right: मैंने मिठाई बाँटी। (I distributed the sweets - Active).
Using 'Ne' with बँटना: Since बँटना is intransitive, you should NEVER use the agentive marker 'ने' (ne) with it in the past tense.
Wrong: मिठाई ने बँटा।
Right: मिठाई बँटी। (The sweets were divided).

गलत: राम ने काम बँटा। (Wrong)
सही: राम ने काम बाँटा। (Right)

Another mistake involves the nasalization. Some learners pronounce it as बटना (batna), which means 'to be twisted' or 'to be braided' (like a rope). While the difference is subtle to a beginner, it changes the meaning entirely. Always ensure the nasal sound is present.

गलत: वह अपने पैसे बँट रहा है। (Wrong)
सही: वह अपने पैसे बाँट रहा है। (He is distributing his money).

Learners also struggle with the pluralization of the verb. Because बँटना agrees with the subject (the thing being divided), you must ensure the verb matches the gender and number of that subject. If you are talking about 'मिठाइयाँ' (sweets - feminine plural), the verb must be 'बँटीं' (feminine plural).

Agreement Error: Wrong: सारे सेब बँट गई। (All apples - masc. plural - were divided - fem. singular verb).
Right: सारे सेब बँट गए। (Masc. plural verb).

While बँटना is the most common word for being divided, Hindi offers several alternatives depending on the level of formality and the specific context. Knowing these will help you sound more like a native speaker.

विभाजित होना (Vibhajit Hona): This is the formal, Sanskritized version of 'बँटना'. You will find this in textbooks, legal documents, and news reports. It sounds very precise.
Example: भारत 1947 में विभाजित हुआ। (India was partitioned in 1947).
टुकड़े होना (Tukde Hona): Literally 'to become pieces'. This is used when the division is messy, physical, or destructive.
Example: शीशा गिरकर टुकड़ों में बँट गया (The glass fell and broke into pieces).
साझा होना (Saajha Hona): This specifically means 'to be shared' in a collaborative or communal sense. It has a very positive connotation.
Example: हमारे विचार साझा होते हैं। (Our thoughts are shared).

बँटना vs विभाजित होना

The choice between बँटना and its synonyms often depends on the 'vibe' of the conversation. In a friendly chat about splitting a bill, use बँटना. In a lecture about cell biology, use विभाजित होना. In a poem about a broken heart, use टुकड़े होना.

संपत्ति का बँटवारा हो गया।
— The partition of the property is done. (Related noun).

वितरित होना (Vitrit Hona): Formal word for 'to be distributed'. Often used in bureaucracy or logistics. 'राशन वितरित हो रहा है' (Ration is being distributed).

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word is the root of 'Bantwara', the specific term used for the 1947 Partition of India and Pakistan, giving it a very heavy historical and emotional weight in South Asia.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈbənt.nɑː/

US /ˈbənt.nɑ/

Primary stress is on the first syllable 'Bant'.

Rhymes With

छँटना (Chhantna - to be trimmed/sorted) कटना (Katna - to be cut) फटना (Phatna - to be torn/burst) डटना (Datna - to stay firm) हटना (Hatna - to move away) घटना (Ghatna - to decrease) पटना (Patna - to be covered/filled) सटना (Satna - to be attached/close)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'Batna' (forgetting the nasal sound).
Using a dental 't' (like in 'thin') instead of the retroflex 't' (like in 'stop').
Over-emphasizing the 'n' so it sounds like 'Bant-na' with two distinct 'n' sounds.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize, but must distinguish from 'Baantna'.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct gender/number agreement with the subject.

Speaking 4/5

Nasalization and retroflex 't' need practice.

Listening 3/5

Common in movies and news, usually clear from context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

बाँटना (To divide) हिस्सा (Part) में (In/Among) बराबर (Equal) काम (Work)

Learn Next

बँटवारा (Partition) विभाजन (Division) वितरण (Distribution) साझा (Shared) टुकड़ा (Piece)

Advanced

विभाजित (Divided) अखंड (Indivisible) परोसना (To serve) योगदान (Contribution) बँटाईदार (Sharecropper)

Grammar to Know

Intransitive Agreement

The verb must agree with the thing being divided (the subject). 'Kitab (F) banti', 'Seb (M) bante'.

No 'Ne' Marker

Even in the past tense, do not use 'ne'. 'Khana banta' (Correct), 'Khane ne banta' (Incorrect).

Compound Verbs

Using 'jana' with 'bantna' (bant jana) adds a sense of completion.

Nasalization (Chandrabindu)

The dot over 'ba' is essential. Without it, the word changes meaning.

Passive Construction

Bantna often acts as a natural passive where the agent is omitted.

Examples by Level

मिठाइयाँ सब में बँटीं।

Sweets were shared among everyone.

Simple past tense feminine plural.

यह केक चार हिस्सों में बँटेगा।

This cake will be divided into four parts.

Future tense masculine singular.

खिलौने बच्चों में बँट गए।

The toys were distributed among the children.

Compound verb 'bant gaye' (got distributed).

क्या फल बँट गए?

Were the fruits distributed?

Question form in past tense.

पानी सब में बँटता है।

Water is shared among everyone.

Present habitual tense.

पैसे बराबर बँटे।

The money was divided equally.

Adverb 'barabar' used with the verb.

किताबें स्कूल में बँटीं।

Books were distributed in the school.

Feminine plural agreement with 'kitabein'.

प्रसाद यहाँ बँट रहा है।

Prasad is being distributed here.

Present continuous tense.

काम आधा-आधा बँट गया।

The work was divided half-and-half.

Reduplication 'aadha-aadha' for emphasis.

ज़मीन दो भाइयों में बँटी।

The land was divided between two brothers.

Use of 'mein' to show the recipients.

सारा खाना मेहमानों में बँट चुका है।

All the food has already been shared among the guests.

Present perfect tense with 'chukka'.

ज़िम्मेदारी सब में बँटनी चाहिए।

Responsibility should be shared among everyone.

Use of 'chahiye' (should).

पेंसिलें क्लास में बँट रही थीं।

Pencils were being distributed in the class.

Past continuous tense.

वोट दो पार्टियों में बँट गए।

The votes were split between two parties.

Masculine plural agreement with 'vote'.

समय काम और आराम में बँटा है।

Time is divided between work and rest.

Past participle used as an adjective.

टिकट खिड़की पर बँटेंगे।

Tickets will be distributed at the window.

Future tense plural.

प्रतियोगिता के इनाम कल बँटेंगे।

The prizes for the competition will be distributed tomorrow.

Future tense masculine plural.

उसका ध्यान पढ़ाई और खेल में बँटा रहता है।

His attention remains divided between studies and sports.

Habitual state using 'rehta hai'.

संपत्ति का हिस्सा कानूनी तौर पर बँटना चाहिए।

The share of property should be divided legally.

Infinitive used as a subject with 'chahiye'.

राहत सामग्री बाढ़ पीड़ितों में बँट रही है।

Relief material is being distributed among flood victims.

Passive-like construction in present continuous.

अगर हम साथ काम करें, तो बोझ बँट जाएगा।

If we work together, the burden will be shared.

Conditional sentence.

परिवार के सदस्य अलग-अलग शहरों में बँट गए हैं।

Family members have been scattered/divided among different cities.

Metaphorical use of 'bantna' for separation.

नए नियम के अनुसार बोनस बराबर बँटेगा।

According to the new rule, the bonus will be divided equally.

Formal context using 'anusar'.

कहानियाँ पीढ़ियों में बँटती आई हैं।

Stories have been shared across generations.

Perfect continuous sense with 'aayi hain'.

देश की जनता इस विवादास्पद कानून पर बँट गई है।

The country's public is divided on this controversial law.

Use of 'bant gayi' for social polarization.

लाभ का वितरण शेयरधारकों के बीच बँटना तय हुआ है।

It has been decided that the distribution of profit will be shared among shareholders.

Formal business Hindi.

इतिहास गवाह है कि साम्राज्य हमेशा बँटते रहे हैं।

History is witness that empires have always been divided.

Continuative aspect 'bante rahe hain'.

जब विचार बँट जाते हैं, तो एकता कमज़ोर हो जाती है।

When thoughts get divided, unity becomes weak.

Abstract usage in a complex sentence.

यह बजट शिक्षा, स्वास्थ्य और रक्षा में बँटा हुआ है।

This budget is divided among education, health, and defense.

Adjectival use of the perfect participle.

वोटों के बँटने से विपक्षी दल को फायदा हुआ।

The opposition party benefited from the splitting of votes.

Gerundial use 'votton ke bantne se'.

प्यार बाँटने से बढ़ता है, बँटने से कम नहीं होता।

Love increases by giving, it doesn't decrease by being shared.

Contrast between active 'baantna' and passive 'bantna'.

ज़िम्मेदारियों के बँटने से कार्यक्षमता बढ़ती है।

Efficiency increases with the sharing of responsibilities.

Abstract noun phrase as subject.

आधुनिक समाज वर्गों और उप-वर्गों में बुरी तरह बँट चुका है।

Modern society has been badly divided into classes and sub-classes.

Intensive adverb 'buri tarah' with the verb.

उसकी निष्ठा दो स्वामियों के बीच बँटी हुई थी।

His loyalty was divided between two masters.

Metaphorical use for loyalty (nishtha).

साहित्यिक विधाएँ समय के साथ और भी सूक्ष्मता से बँट गई हैं।

Literary genres have become even more finely divided over time.

Academic tone using 'sukshmta' (fineness/subtlety).

नदी का पानी कई नहरों में बँटकर खेतों की प्यास बुझाता है।

The river water, being divided into several canals, quenches the thirst of the fields.

Conjunctive participle 'bantkar'.

विचारधाराओं के बँटने से संवाद के रास्ते बंद हो जाते हैं।

With the splitting of ideologies, the paths of dialogue get closed.

Sophisticated social commentary.

कला और विज्ञान के बीच की रेखा अब बँटती जा रही है।

The line between art and science is now becoming blurred/divided.

Expressing gradual change with 'ti ja rahi hai'.

संपत्ति के बँटने की प्रक्रिया में अक्सर रिश्तों में दरार आ जाती है।

In the process of property being divided, cracks often appear in relationships.

Gerund phrase 'bantne ki prakriya'.

मेहनत का फल सब में बराबर बँटना ही न्याय है।

The sharing of the fruits of labor equally among all is indeed justice.

Philosophical assertion.

परमात्मा की सत्ता चराचर जगत में कण-कण में बँटी हुई है।

The divine power is distributed in every atom of the animate and inanimate world.

Spiritual/Philosophical register.

अस्तित्व की अखंडता जब खंडों में बँटती है, तो द्वैत का जन्म होता है।

When the integrity of existence is divided into fragments, duality is born.

High-level metaphysical discourse.

स्मृतियाँ समय की परतों में इस तरह बँट गई हैं कि उन्हें समेटना असंभव है।

Memories have been so divided among the layers of time that it is impossible to gather them.

Poetic and complex subordination.

क्या सत्य कभी बँट सकता है, या यह केवल हमारे दृष्टिकोण का भ्रम है?

Can truth ever be divided, or is it merely the illusion of our perspective?

Rhetorical philosophical question.

जनमानस की संवेदनाएँ आज बाज़ारवाद के दौर में विज्ञापनों में बँट गई हैं।

The sensibilities of the public have today been fragmented into advertisements in the era of consumerism.

Socio-economic critique.

समय की धारा अनंत युगों में बँटकर भी अपनी निरंतरता नहीं खोती।

The stream of time, even after being divided into infinite eras, does not lose its continuity.

Complex participial construction.

मानवीय गरिमा को सीमाओं में बँटना मानवता का अपमान है।

To divide human dignity within boundaries is an insult to humanity.

Ethical/Moral argument.

चेतना का प्रकाश जब इन्द्रियों के माध्यम से बँटता है, तो संसार का अनुभव होता है।

When the light of consciousness is distributed through the senses, the world is experienced.

Vedantic philosophical style.

Synonyms

विभाजित होना बँटवारा होना साझा होना टुकड़े होना वितरित होना बिखरना अलग होना हिस्से होना

Antonyms

जुड़ना इकट्ठा होना मिलना एक होना

Common Collocations

बराबर बँटना

हिस्सों में बँटना

ज़िम्मेदारी बँटना

वोट बँटना

ध्यान बँटना

दुख बँटना

समय बँटना

संपत्ति बँटना

राशन बँटना

दो भागों में बँटना

Common Phrases

काम बँट गया

— The work has been shared or divided among people.

शुक्र है कि अब काम बँट गया है।

सब में बँटना

— To be shared among everyone involved.

यह फल सब में बँटना चाहिए।

आधा-आधा बँटना

— To be divided exactly in half.

मुनाफ़ा आधा-आधा बँटेगा।

बीच में बँटना

— To be divided between/among a specific group.

पैसे दोनों के बीच में बँट गए।

हिस्सों में बँटना

— To be split into several parts.

खेत कई हिस्सों में बँट गया है।

पूरी तरह बँटना

— To be completely divided or distributed.

राहत सामग्री पूरी तरह बँट चुकी है।

बराबर-बराबर बँटना

— To be divided perfectly equally (emphatic).

सबको बराबर-बराबर बँटना चाहिए।

गलत बँटना

— To be distributed incorrectly or unfairly.

कार्ड्स गलत बँट गए हैं।

दोबारा बँटना

— To be redistributed or re-divided.

काम दोबारा बँटेगा।

मुफ्त में बँटना

— To be distributed for free.

खाना मुफ्त में बँट रहा है।

Often Confused With

बँटना vs बाँटना (Baantna)

This is the active form (to divide). You use this when you are the one doing the action.

बँटना vs बटना (Batna)

This means to be twisted or braided (like a rope). It lacks the nasal sound.

बँटना vs बिताना (Bitana)

This means to spend (time), which is different from sharing or dividing it.

Idioms & Expressions

"दुख बँटना"

— To share someone's sorrow, making it feel lighter.

सच्चा दोस्त वही है जो दुख बाँटे।

Common

"दो नावों में पैर होना"

— Literally 'having feet in two boats' (related to divided attention).

उसका ध्यान बँटा हुआ है, वह दो नावों में पैर रखे हुए है।

Informal

"कण-कण में बँटना"

— To be present in every tiny bit (omnipresent).

ईश्वर की शक्ति कण-कण में बँटी है।

Poetic

"वोट का बँटना"

— The splitting of a vote bank which often leads to a third party winning.

वोटों के बँटने से पासा पलट गया।

Political

"दिल बँट जाना"

— When one's affection is divided between two people or things.

नई नौकरी के बाद उसका दिल बँट गया है।

Informal/Emotional

"रास्ते बँट जाना"

— When people go their separate ways in life.

कॉलेज के बाद हमारे रास्ते बँट गए।

Common

"ज़मीन-आसमान में बँटना"

— To be extremely far apart or divided.

उनकी राय ज़मीन-आसमान में बँटी है।

Metaphorical

"हिस्सा-बखरा होना"

— To have a formal division of shares or parts.

अब घर का हिस्सा-बखरा होकर रहेगा।

Legal/Traditional

"नज़र बँटना"

— To have one's gaze or attention distracted.

भीड़ में मेरी नज़र बँट गई।

Neutral

"हवा में बँटना"

— To be spread thin or become insignificant.

उसकी बातें हवा में बँट गईं।

Literary

Easily Confused

बँटना vs बाँटना

Similar sound and related meaning.

Baantna is transitive (I divide); Bantna is intransitive (It is divided).

मैंने मिठाई बाँटी (I distributed sweets); मिठाई बँटी (Sweets were distributed).

बँटना vs बटना

Almost identical spelling without the chandrabindu.

Bantna is about division; Batna is about twisting/braiding.

रस्सी बट रही है (The rope is being twisted).

बँटना vs पटना

Rhyming sound.

Patna means to be covered, to agree, or is the name of a city.

छत पट गई (The roof was covered).

बँटना vs हटना

Rhyming sound.

Hatna means to move away or withdraw.

रास्ते से हटो (Move from the way).

बँटना vs कटना

Rhyming sound and related to division.

Katna means to be cut (by a knife/sharp object); Bantna is about distribution.

पेड़ कट गया (The tree was cut).

Sentence Patterns

[Noun] [Recipient] में बँटा।

आम बच्चों में बँटा।

[Noun] [Number] हिस्सों में बँट गया।

पिज्जा छह हिस्सों में बँट गया।

[Abstract Noun] सब में बँटना चाहिए।

ज़िम्मेदारी सब में बँटनी चाहिए।

[Subject] [Basis] पर बँट गया है।

समाज धर्म के नाम पर बँट गया है।

[Gerund] से [Result] होता है।

वोटों के बँटने से नुकसान होता है।

[Noun] [Metaphorical Location] में बँटा है।

सत्य अनंत रूपों में बँटा है।

[Subject] बँटा हुआ है।

मेरा ध्यान बँटा हुआ है।

क्या [Subject] बँट गया?

क्या पैसा बँट गया?

Word Family

Nouns

बँटवारा (Bantwara - Partition/Division)

बँटाई (Bantai - Sharing/Distribution process)

बाँट (Baant - A share/portion)

Verbs

बाँटना (Baantna - To divide/distribute [Transitive])

बँटवाना (Bantwana - To cause to be distributed [Causative])

Adjectives

बँटा हुआ (Banta hua - Divided/Shared)

अविभाजित (Avibhajit - Undivided [Formal])

हिस्सा (Hissa - Part/Share)

टुकड़ा (Tukda - Piece)

विभाजन (Vibhajan - Division)

वितरण (Vitran - Distribution)

साझा (Saajha - Shared)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily life, news, and literature.

Common Mistakes

Using 'ne' with the subject. → मिठाई बँटी। (Mithai banti)
Because 'बँटना' is intransitive, it never takes the 'ne' marker in the past tense.
Confusing 'बँटना' with 'बाँटना'. → मैंने सेब बाँटे। (I divided apples)
If you are the doer, use 'Baantna'. If the apples are just being divided, use 'Bantna'.
Incorrect gender agreement. → काम बँट गया। (Kaam - masc - bant gaya)
Many learners use 'banti' for everything. Ensure the verb matches the noun's gender.
Pronouncing it as 'Batna'. → बँटना (Bantna - nasalized)
Missing the nasal sound makes it a different word (to twist).
Using it without 'mein' or 'ke beech'. → वह बच्चों में बँटा।
You need to specify who it was shared among using the correct postposition.

Tips

Subject-Verb Agreement

Always check the gender of the thing being divided. If 'Zameen' (Land) is divided, use 'बँटी' because Zameen is feminine.

Don't forget the Nasal!

The dot (chandrabindu) is vital. Practice saying 'Ba' with air going through your nose to get the right sound.

Sharing vs Dividing

Use 'बँटना' to sound humble. Instead of saying 'I shared my food', saying 'Food was shared' (Khana bant gaya) sounds more communal.

Learn the Noun

Learn 'बँटवारा' (Partition) alongside 'बँटना'. They are used together constantly in history and law.

Use with 'Mein'

The preposition 'में' (in/among) is the best friend of 'बँटना'. 'Doston mein banta' (Shared among friends).

Listen for Compound Verbs

Native speakers almost always say 'बँट गया' or 'बँट जाएगा' rather than just the simple verb.

Abstract Contexts

Use it for time management! 'Mera din kamo mein banta hai' (My day is divided into tasks).

Festival Context

During Diwali, 'Prasad' and 'Mithai' always 'बँटती हैं'. This is a great time to practice the word.

The 'Part' Link

Think of 'Bantna' as 'Part-na'. It's about making parts.

No 'Ne' in Past Tense

Never say 'Usne banta'. This is the most common mistake for English speakers.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Bun' (bread) that you 'T' (tear) apart to share. Bun + T + na = Bantna. When you share the bun, it 'Bant-na' (gets shared).

Visual Association

Imagine a large circular pizza being sliced by an invisible hand. As the slices move apart, they are 'बँटना' (being divided).

Word Web

Share Divide Split Partition Allocate Distribute Fragment Portion

Challenge

Try to use 'बँटना' in three sentences today: one about food, one about work, and one about time.

Word Origin

Derived from the Sanskrit root 'वण्ट्' (vanṭ), which means 'to divide' or 'to share'. It passed through Prakrit 'vaṇṭai' before becoming the modern Hindi 'बँटना'.

Original meaning: To allot, to partition, or to apportion parts of a whole.

Indo-Aryan

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'बँटना' in the context of national borders or religion, as it can be a sensitive topic related to the Partition.

In English, we often use the passive 'is shared'. In Hindi, 'बँटना' is an active-sounding verb for a passive process, which might feel strange at first.

The movie 'Bantwara' (1989) deals with land disputes and family divisions. The phrase 'Dukh baantne se kam hota hai' is a common proverb in Bollywood films. Many poems by Gulzar use the concept of 'divided' (banta hua) time or hearts.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Family Disputes

ज़मीन बँट गई
घर का बँटवारा
बराबर का हिस्सा
कोर्ट में बँटना

Office/Work

ज़िम्मेदारी बँटना
काम का बोझ
टीम में बँटना
प्रोजेक्ट के हिस्से

Food/Parties

केक बँटना
खाना सब में बँटना
मिठाई का वितरण
आधा-आधा बँटना

Politics

वोटों का बँटना
सीटों का बँटवारा
जनता का बँटना
विचारधारा में बँटना

Education

किताबें बँटना
ज्ञान बँटना
ग्रुप में बँटना
नंबर बँटना

Conversation Starters

"क्या हमारे बीच काम बराबर बँटा हुआ है?"

"तुम्हारे परिवार में संपत्ति कैसे बँटी?"

"क्या तुम्हें लगता है कि आज का समाज बँटा हुआ है?"

"पार्टी में खाना सब में कैसे बँटेगा?"

"क्या कभी तुम्हारा ध्यान दो चीज़ों में बँटा है?"

Journal Prompts

लिखिए कि आपके कार्यालय में ज़िम्मेदारियाँ कैसे बँटी हुई हैं। (Write how responsibilities are divided in your office.)

क्या बँटना हमेशा बुरा होता है? अपने विचार लिखें। (Is being divided always bad? Write your thoughts.)

किसी ऐसी घटना के बारे में लिखें जब आपने कुछ बहुत ज़रूरी चीज़ सब में बँटते हुए देखी। (Write about an event when you saw something important being distributed.)

अगर दुनिया में सारी संपत्ति बराबर बँट जाए, तो क्या होगा? (What would happen if all wealth in the world was divided equally?)

अपने समय को आप कैसे बाँटते हैं? (How do you divide your time?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Not always. While it often implies sharing (like sweets), it can also mean a negative division, like a family or country being split apart. The context determines if it's positive or negative.

They mean the same thing, but 'बँट जाना' is a compound verb that sounds more natural in conversation. It emphasizes that the action of dividing is complete.

Yes, you can say 'लोग दो गुटों में बँट गए' (People were divided into two groups). It describes the state of the group being split.

It is 'बाँटना' (active) because you are doing the sharing. 'Dukh baantne se kam hota hai'. But you could say 'Dukh bant gaya' (The sorrow was shared).

In the past tense, it is 'बँटीं' (e.g., 'Rotiyaan banteen'). In the present, it is 'बँटती हैं'.

Yes, very often. It is used for distributing profits (मुनाफ़ा बँटना), shares (शेयर बँटना), or tasks (काम बँटना).

The most common opposite is 'जुड़ना' (to be joined/united) or 'इकट्ठा होना' (to be collected).

Yes, specifically in the phrase 'ध्यान बँटना' (attention being divided). E.g., 'Mera dhyaan bant gaya' means 'I got distracted'.

It is neutral. It's used in everyday speech, but for very formal legal documents, 'विभाजित होना' is preferred.

No, it is a nasal sound. It's like a soft 'n' that comes through the nose while saying the 'a'.