बाँटना
To distribute; to share; to divide among others.
बाँटना in 30 Seconds
- Core Meaning: The primary verb for distributing, sharing, or dividing items and concepts among people.
- Grammar Tip: It is transitive, requiring 'ne' in the past tense, and agrees with the object being distributed.
- Social Context: Deeply rooted in Indian culture through the sharing of food (Prasad) and communal living values.
- Versatility: Used in everything from simple daily chores to complex economic and philosophical discussions.
The Hindi verb बाँटना (bāṃṭanā) is a fundamental action word that encompasses the concepts of distribution, sharing, and division. At its core, it describes the act of taking a whole entity—whether physical like food or abstract like time—and splitting it into portions to be given to different people or groups. It is a transitive verb, meaning it requires an object that is being divided and usually a recipient who receives the portions. In Indian culture, the act of bañṭnā is deeply tied to social cohesion, religious offerings (Prasad), and familial duties. Whether you are dividing a cake among friends or distributing responsibilities in an office, this verb is your primary tool for expressing the movement of resources from one to many.
- Physical Distribution
- Handing out items like books, sweets, or flyers to a crowd.
- Abstract Sharing
- Dividing intangible things like love, knowledge, or secrets.
- Mathematical Division
- The process of dividing a number or a quantity into equal parts.
माँ ने बच्चों के बीच मिठाई बाँटी। (Mother distributed sweets among the children.)
Understanding the nuance of this word requires looking at its social context. In a collectivist society, 'sharing' is not just an option but often a social expectation. When you say 'khushi bañṭnā' (sharing happiness), you are implying that joy increases when shared. Conversely, 'dukh bañṭnā' (sharing sorrow) suggests that the burden of grief is lightened when others participate in it. This dual nature—physical and emotional—makes it one of the most versatile verbs in the Hindi language.
हमें अपना ज्ञान दूसरों के साथ बाँटना चाहिए। (We should share our knowledge with others.)
In legal and formal contexts, the word takes on a more structured meaning. It refers to the partition of property (jayadad bañṭnā) or the allocation of budgets. In these scenarios, the word is often paired with 'hissa' (part/share). For example, 'munafa bañṭnā' means to distribute profits among partners. The verb remains the same, but the gravity of the object changes the tone from casual to professional.
शिक्षक ने कक्षा में प्रश्न-पत्र बाँटे। (The teacher distributed the question papers in the class.)
- Grammatical Role
- Transitive Verb (Sakarmak Kriya)
- Root Word
- Bañṭ (बाँट)
क्या आप मेरे साथ अपना खाना बाँटेंगे? (Will you share your food with me?)
उसने अपनी संपत्ति गरीबों में बाँट दी। (He distributed his wealth among the poor.)
- Synonym in Formal Hindi
- Vitarit Karna (वितरित करना)
- Synonym in Casual Hindi
- Share Karna (शेयर करना - Hinglish)
Using बाँटना correctly involves understanding its transitive nature and the postpositions that accompany it. Since it is a transitive verb, in the past tense (Perfective aspect), the subject takes the postposition 'ne'. For example, 'Maine khana bañṭa' (I distributed food). The verb agrees with the object (khana) rather than the subject (Main).
राम ने सबको कार्ड बाँटे। (Ram distributed cards to everyone.)
The recipients of the distribution are usually marked with the postposition 'mein' (among/in) or 'ko' (to). If you are dividing something among many people, use 'ke beech' or 'mein'. If you are giving a share to a specific person, use 'ko'.
- Recipient Marker 'Mein'
- Used for groups: 'Gareebon mein kapde bañṭna' (Distributing clothes among the poor).
- Recipient Marker 'Ko'
- Used for specific targets: 'Usne bacchon ko khilaune bañṭe' (He distributed toys to the children).
The causative forms of this verb are also very common. If you want someone else to do the distribution, you use बँटवाना (bañṭvānā). For instance, 'Raja ne anaaj bañṭvaya' (The King had the grain distributed). This is a crucial distinction for intermediate learners who want to describe delegation.
मैंने अपने भाई से मिठाई बँटवाई। (I had the sweets distributed by my brother.)
In mathematical contexts, the structure changes slightly. To say 'Divide 10 by 2', you would say 'Das ko do se bhag dena' (using 'bhag' for division), but to say 'Divide 10 into two parts', you use 'Das ko do hisson mein bañṭna'. This highlights the 'partitioning' aspect of the verb.
काम को बराबर बाँट लो। (Divide the work equally.)
- Imperative (Command)
- Bañṭo (Casual), Bañṭiye (Polite)
- Continuous
- Bañṭ raha hai (Is distributing)
Finally, consider the emotional usage. When sharing a secret or a feeling, the postposition 'sath' (with) is frequently used. 'Mere sath apna dukh bañṭo' (Share your sorrow with me). This shifts the meaning from 'handing out' to 'participating together'.
You will encounter बाँटना in various settings, from the mundane to the spiritual. In a typical Indian household, you'll hear it during meal times or festivals. Parents often tell their children, 'Mil-bañṭkar khao' (Eat by sharing/together), emphasizing the cultural value of communal living.
दिवाली पर हम पड़ोसियों को मिठाइयाँ बाँटते हैं। (On Diwali, we distribute sweets to neighbors.)
In the workplace, the word is used for task management. A manager might say, 'Humein zimmedariyan bañṭni hongi' (We will have to distribute responsibilities). Here, it implies organization and delegation. You'll also hear it in news reports regarding government schemes: 'Sarkar ne muft ration bañṭa' (The government distributed free rations).
- Religious Context
- Distributing 'Prasad' at a temple or 'Langar' at a Gurudwara.
- Political Context
- Distributing leaflets (parche) or promises during election campaigns.
- Academic Context
- Teachers distributing marks or assignments.
मंदिर के बाहर गरीबों को खाना बाँटा जा रहा है। (Food is being distributed to the poor outside the temple.)
On social media and in modern conversation, 'bañṭna' is often replaced by the English word 'share', but the Hindi verb remains the standard for formal writing and traditional storytelling. In Bollywood movies, you might hear dramatic dialogues about 'dharti bañṭna' (dividing the land) or 'dil bañṭna' (sharing one's heart).
नेता जी चुनाव से पहले वादे बाँट रहे हैं। (The leader is distributing promises before the election.)
The most frequent mistake learners make is confusing the transitive बाँटना (bāṃṭanā) with the intransitive बँटना (baṃṭanā). While they look similar, their usage is completely different. 'Bāñṭnā' is an action you do to something. 'Bañṭnā' is something that happens to an object.
- Incorrect
- Khana apne aap bañṭa. (Wrong if you mean the food was distributed by someone).
- Correct
- Khana bañṭ gaya. (The food got distributed/divided).
Wrong: मैंने सबको मिठाई बँटी।
Right: मैंने सबको मिठाई बाँटी।
Another common error involves the use of the 'ne' postposition. Since 'bañṭna' is transitive, you must use 'ne' with the subject in the past tense. Beginners often forget this and say 'Main phal bañṭa' instead of 'Maine phal bañṭe'.
Misusing postpositions for the recipient is also common. Learners often use 'se' (from) when they should use 'mein' (among) or 'ko' (to). You don't distribute 'from' people; you distribute 'among' them.
Incorrect: उसने दोस्तों से तोहफे बाँटे।
Correct: उसने दोस्तों को तोहफे बाँटे।
- Pronunciation Error
- Failing to nasalize the 'ā'. It should be 'Bāñ-ṭnā'.
- Confusion with 'Baatna'
- There is no word 'baatna', but learners often confuse it with 'baat' (talk). Do not confuse 'sharing a talk' with 'talking'.
While बाँटना is the most common word for sharing and distributing, several synonyms and related words offer more specific meanings depending on the context. Understanding these will help you sound more natural and precise.
- वितरित करना (Vitarit Karnā)
- This is the formal/Sanskritized version of 'bañṭna'. You will see this in newspapers, official documents, and formal announcements. 'Ration vitarit kiya gaya' (Ration was distributed).
- साझा करना (Sājhā Karnā)
- This specifically means 'to share' in the sense of partnership or mutual use. It is the standard translation for the 'Share' button on social media. Use this for sharing experiences, files, or rooms.
- विभाजित करना (Vibhājit Karnā)
- This means 'to divide' or 'to partition'. It is more technical and is used in mathematics, geography (dividing borders), or logic.
संपत्ति को तीन भागों में विभाजित किया गया। (The property was divided into three parts.)
There are also words for 'allocating' or 'assigning'. सौंपना (Sauñpnā) means to hand over or entrust someone with a task. While 'bañṭna' means giving parts to many, 'sauñpna' focuses on the act of giving responsibility to a specific person.
क्या आप मेरे साथ अपनी समस्या साझा करेंगे? (Will you share your problem with me?)
- हिस्सा करना (Hissā Karnā)
- Literally 'to make parts'. Used often in family disputes over inheritance.
- बखेरना (Bakhernā)
- To scatter or strew. This is a disorganized form of distribution.
How Formal Is It?
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Difficulty Rating
Grammar to Know
Examples by Level
मिठाई बाँटो।
Distribute the sweets.
Imperative form (command).
मैं फल बाँटता हूँ।
I distribute fruits.
Present simple tense.
क्या तुम यह बाँटोगे?
Will you share/distribute this?
Future tense question.
वह खिलौने बाँट रही है।
She is distributing toys.
Present continuous tense.
किताबें बाँट दो।
Distribute the books.
Compound verb with 'dena'.
हम खाना बाँटते हैं।
We share food.
Habitual present.
इसे दो भागों में बाँटो।
Divide this into two parts.
Instruction with 'mein'.
सबको पानी बाँटो।
Distribute water to everyone.
Use of 'sabko' (to everyone).
मैंने कल चॉकलेट बाँटी।
I distributed chocolates yesterday.
Past tense with 'ne'. Verb agrees with 'chocolate' (fem).
हमें अपना काम बाँटना चाहिए।
We should divide our work.
Use of 'chahiye' (should).
माँ ने रोटी बाँटी।
Mother divided the bread.
Past tense, feminine object.
क्या आपने कार्ड बाँट दिए?
Did you distribute the cards?
Perfective aspect with 'dena'.
वह अपनी खुशियाँ सबके साथ बाँटता है।
He shares his happiness with everyone.
Abstract usage of the verb.
शिक्षक ने पर्चे बाँटे।
The teacher distributed the flyers.
Masculine plural object agreement.
चलो, यह पिज्जा बाँटते हैं।
Let's share this pizza.
Suggestive 'chalo'.
उसने अपनी पेंसिल मेरे साथ बाँटी।
She shared her pencil with me.
Past tense with 'sath'.
सरकार ने गरीबों में अनाज बाँटा।
The government distributed grain among the poor.
Formal context.
मैंने अपने भाई से मिठाई बँटवाई।
I had the sweets distributed by my brother.
Causative form (bañṭvānā).
दुख बाँटने से कम होता है।
Sorrow decreases by sharing.
Gerundial use (bañṭne se).
हमें संसाधनों को सही ढंग से बाँटना होगा।
We will have to distribute resources correctly.
Future necessity (hoga).
उसने अपनी सारी संपत्ति ट्रस्ट में बाँट दी।
He distributed all his property to the trust.
Completion with 'di'.
क्या तुम मेरा बोझ बाँटोगे?
Will you share my burden?
Metaphorical usage.
पैसे बराबर बाँटे जाने चाहिए।
Money should be distributed equally.
Passive construction (bañṭe jaane).
उसने अपनी टीम में जिम्मेदारियाँ बाँटीं।
He distributed responsibilities within his team.
Professional context.
संपत्ति का बँटवारा शांति से होना चाहिए।
The division of property should happen peacefully.
Noun form 'bañṭvara'.
ज्ञान बाँटने से कभी कम नहीं होता।
Knowledge never decreases by sharing.
Philosophical proverb.
कंपनी ने अपने कर्मचारियों को बोनस बाँटा।
The company distributed bonuses to its employees.
Business context.
बाढ़ पीड़ितों के बीच राहत सामग्री बाँटी गई।
Relief material was distributed among flood victims.
Passive voice.
उसने अपने अनुभव को एक किताब के जरिए बाँटा।
He shared his experience through a book.
Abstract sharing via a medium.
वोटों को बाँटना विपक्ष की चाल हो सकती है।
Dividing the votes could be the opposition's trick.
Political context.
समय को सही से बाँटना ही सफलता की कुंजी है।
Distributing time correctly is the key to success.
Time management context.
उसने अपनी वसीयत में सब कुछ बराबर बाँटा।
He divided everything equally in his will.
Legal context.
लेखक ने समाज की विसंगतियों को अपने उपन्यासों में बाँटा है।
The author has shared the anomalies of society in his novels.
Literary usage.
सत्य को खंडों में बाँटना असंभव है।
It is impossible to divide truth into segments.
Philosophical abstraction.
राजस्व का न्यायसंगत बँटवारा विकास के लिए आवश्यक है।
Equitable distribution of revenue is essential for development.
Economic terminology.
उसने अपने अस्तित्व का एक हिस्सा उस कलाकृति में बाँट दिया।
He shared a part of his existence in that artwork.
Metaphorical/Poetic.
इतिहास गवाह है कि सत्ता को बाँटना कभी आसान नहीं रहा।
History is witness that sharing power has never been easy.
Historical/Political.
विचारों को बाँटने की स्वतंत्रता ही लोकतंत्र का आधार है।
The freedom to share ideas is the foundation of democracy.
Abstract noun phrase.
प्रकृति अपनी संपदा बिना किसी भेदभाव के बाँटती है।
Nature distributes its wealth without any discrimination.
Personification.
उसकी आँखों ने वह राज़ बिना कहे ही बाँट लिया।
Her eyes shared that secret without saying a word.
Literary/Romantic.
शून्यता को बाँटना ही परम ज्ञान की प्राप्ति है।
Sharing the void itself is the attainment of supreme knowledge.
Metaphysical usage.
वैश्विक संसाधनों का असमान बँटवारा ही अशांति का मूल कारण है।
The unequal distribution of global resources is the root cause of unrest.
Complex geopolitical analysis.
कविता शब्दों के माध्यम से मौन को बाँटने का एक प्रयास है।
Poetry is an attempt to share silence through words.
Aesthetic theory.
उसने अपनी स्मृतियों को काल के प्रवाह में बाँट दिया।
He distributed his memories into the flow of time.
High literary metaphor.
क्या चेतना को मशीनों और मनुष्यों के बीच बाँटा जा सकता है?
Can consciousness be divided between machines and humans?
Speculative philosophy.
सत्ता के विकेंद्रीकरण का अर्थ है अधिकारों को निचले स्तर तक बाँटना।
Decentralization of power means distributing rights to the lower levels.
Administrative terminology.
उसकी विरासत केवल धन नहीं, बल्कि बाँटे गए मूल्यों में निहित है।
His legacy lies not just in wealth, but in the values he shared.
Moral philosophy.
ब्रह्मांड अपनी ऊर्जा को अनंत विस्तार में बाँट रहा है।
The universe is distributing its energy into infinite expansion.
Scientific/Cosmological.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
मिल-बाँटकर रहना (To live by sharing/together)
आधा-आधा बाँटना (To divide half and half)
बराबर बाँटना (To divide equally)
दुख-सुख बाँटना (To share sorrows and joys)
आपस में बाँटना (To share among yourselves)
मुफ्त बाँटना (To distribute for free)
घर-घर बाँटना (To distribute door-to-door)
हिस्सों में बाँटना (To divide into parts)
वक्त बाँटना (To share/allocate time)
प्यार बाँटना (To spread/share love)
Often Confused With
Idioms & Expressions
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Easily Confused
Transitive: You divide something.
Intransitive: Something gets divided.
Means 'talk' or 'matter', not sharing.
Means 'weight' or 'path'.
The noun form of distribution (formal).
Sentence Patterns
How to Use It
'Bañṭna' implies giving away parts, while 'Sajha karna' implies using the same thing together.
Standard Hindi, suitable for all levels.
- Using 'se' instead of 'ko' for the recipient.
- Forgetting the 'ne' postposition in the past tense.
- Confusing the transitive 'bañṭna' with the intransitive 'bañṭna'.
- Not nasalizing the 'ā' sound.
- Using the masculine verb form for a feminine object in the past tense.
Tips
Object Agreement
In the past tense, the verb ending changes based on the gender of the thing you distributed, not your gender.
Nasalization
Make sure to use the nose for the first syllable. It sounds like 'Baan' in 'Bond'.
Prasad
If you are at a temple, always use 'bañṭna' for the holy food given to you.
Compound Verbs
Pair it with 'dena' (bañṭ dena) to sound more natural in everyday speech.
Formal Contexts
Use 'vitarit karna' in business emails or formal writing.
Sharing Feelings
Use 'dukh bañṭna' to show empathy to a friend.
Don't confuse with 'Bañṭnā'
Remember: 'Bāñṭnā' (long A) is active; 'Bañṭnā' (short A) is passive.
Task Management
Practice by saying 'Let's divide the work' (Kaam bañṭte hain) with your study partner.
Rewariyan Bañṭna
Use this idiom to describe someone showing favoritism.
Retroflex T
The 't' in 'bañṭna' is retroflex. Curl your tongue!
Memorize It
Word Origin
Sanskrit
Cultural Context
Inheritance (jayadad ka bañṭvara) is a common theme in Indian family dynamics.
Daan (charity) often involves 'bañṭnā' clothes or food to the poor.
Sharing food with a guest is considered 'Atithi Devo Bhava' (The guest is God).
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Conversation Starters
"क्या हम यह काम आपस में बाँट सकते हैं? (Can we divide this work among ourselves?)"
"आपने अपनी छुट्टियाँ कैसे बाँटीं? (How did you divide/allocate your holidays?)"
"क्या आप मेरे साथ अपनी रेसिपी बाँटेंगे? (Will you share your recipe with me?)"
"मिठाई किसने बाँटी? (Who distributed the sweets?)"
"हमें खुशियाँ बाँटनी चाहिए, है ना? (We should share happiness, shouldn't we?)"
Journal Prompts
आज आपने किसके साथ क्या बाँटा? (What did you share with whom today?)
अगर आपके पास बहुत सारा धन हो, तो आप उसे कैसे बाँटेंगे? (If you had a lot of wealth, how would you distribute it?)
एक ऐसी चीज़ के बारे में लिखें जिसे बाँटना मुश्किल है। (Write about one thing that is difficult to share.)
क्या आपको लगता है कि जिम्मेदारियाँ बाँटना ज़रूरी है? (Do you think it's important to distribute responsibilities?)
बचपन की कोई याद जब आपने कुछ बाँटा हो। (A childhood memory when you shared something.)
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsBañṭna usually means dividing a whole into parts and giving them away. Sajha karna means sharing something (like an experience or a file) where you both use it.
Yes, but 'bhag dena' is more common for the operation itself. Bañṭna is used for 'partitioning' a quantity.
You can say 'Maine ek raaz saajha kiya' or 'Maine ek raaz bañṭa'.
Yes, because it is a transitive verb.
Usually 'share karna' or 'sajha karna' is better for sharing a space.
Ikaṭṭhā karna (to collect) or Jamā karna (to accumulate).
Hum bañṭenge.
It is a command. Use 'bañṭiye' to be polite.
It means 'by sharing together' or 'cooperatively'.
Yes, 'parche bañṭna' is the correct phrase.
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Summary
बाँटना (Bāñṭnā) is more than just 'to give'; it is the intentional act of dividing a whole into parts to ensure others receive a share, whether those parts are physical goods, responsibilities, or emotional experiences.
- Core Meaning: The primary verb for distributing, sharing, or dividing items and concepts among people.
- Grammar Tip: It is transitive, requiring 'ne' in the past tense, and agrees with the object being distributed.
- Social Context: Deeply rooted in Indian culture through the sharing of food (Prasad) and communal living values.
- Versatility: Used in everything from simple daily chores to complex economic and philosophical discussions.
Object Agreement
In the past tense, the verb ending changes based on the gender of the thing you distributed, not your gender.
Nasalization
Make sure to use the nose for the first syllable. It sounds like 'Baan' in 'Bond'.
Prasad
If you are at a temple, always use 'bañṭna' for the holy food given to you.
Compound Verbs
Pair it with 'dena' (bañṭ dena) to sound more natural in everyday speech.
Example
उसने मिठाई बच्चों में बाँट दी।
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आखिर में
B1Finally, after a long time, typically when there has been difficulty.
आलमारी
B1Cupboard/Wardrobe; a cabinet with shelves or a tall piece of furniture for clothes.
आराम करना
A1To rest
आत्मनिर्भर होना
B1To be self-reliant; to be independent.
आठवां
B2Eighth; constituting number eight in a sequence.
आधी रात
A2Midnight.
आवश्यक होना
B2To be necessary, essential, or required.
