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बढ़ना

A2 verb #1,200 most common 8 min read

बढ़ना

badhna Top 1,200

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips बढ़ना in 30 Seconds

Explanation बढ़ना in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'बढ़ना' (badhna) is introduced as a basic verb for physical growth and simple increases. Learners focus on the most common meanings: 'to grow' (like a plant or a child) and 'to increase' (like a number or price). At this stage, the conjugation is kept simple, primarily in the present continuous ('badh raha hai') to describe things happening now. Students learn that it is an intransitive verb, meaning it doesn't need an object. They also learn the essential phrase 'Aage badho' (Move forward), which is useful in daily life. The focus is on recognizing the word in simple sentences and using it to describe basic observations about the world around them, such as 'The tree is growing' or 'The price is increasing.'

At the A2 level, learners expand their use of 'बढ़ना' to include various tenses and more abstract concepts. They begin to use the simple past ('badha') and future ('badhega') tenses. A key focus at this level is distinguishing 'badhna' (intransitive) from 'badhana' (transitive). Learners practice sentences where things increase on their own, such as 'Mehangai badh rahi hai' (Inflation is increasing). They also start to use 'badhna' in the context of personal progress, like 'Mera gyan badh raha hai' (My knowledge is increasing). The concept of compound verbs, like 'badh gaya' (increased/grew), is introduced to show completed actions. This level builds the foundation for using the word in common daily conversations and news headlines.

At the B1 level, 'बढ़ना' is used in more complex sentence structures and idiomatic expressions. Learners explore its use in professional and social contexts. They might use it to discuss trends, such as 'Internet ka upyog badh raha hai' (The use of the internet is increasing). The metaphorical uses become more prominent, such as 'Dosti badhna' (Friendship growing) or 'Vishwas badhna' (Confidence/trust increasing). B1 learners also start to understand the nuances of synonyms like 'vikas' (development) and 'pragati' (progress) and when to choose 'badhna' over them. They can participate in discussions about social issues like population growth or environmental changes using this verb and its derivatives.

At the B2 level, learners use 'बढ़ना' with greater precision and in more formal registers. They are comfortable using it in academic or business discussions, such as 'Aarthik dar badh rahi hai' (The economic rate is increasing). They understand the subtle differences between 'badhna' and formal synonyms like 'vriddhi hona' or 'izaafa hona'. B2 learners can use 'badhna' in complex grammatical constructions, such as passive-like structures or conditional sentences ('Agar baarish hogi, to nadi ka pani badhega'). They also recognize and use common idioms involving 'badhna', such as 'baat badhna' (a matter escalating/worsening). Their usage reflects a deeper understanding of Hindi's stylistic variations.

At the C1 level, 'बढ़ना' is used with native-like fluency across all domains. Learners can appreciate its use in literature and poetry, where it might represent the expansion of the soul or the heightening of emotions. They understand the historical and etymological roots of the word and how it relates to other Indo-Aryan languages. C1 learners can use 'badhna' to describe subtle shifts in tone or atmosphere in a narrative. They are adept at using it in high-level debates about policy, philosophy, or science. They also master the use of 'badhna' in complex compound verb strings and understand how it interacts with various prefixes and suffixes to create new meanings in technical Hindi.

At the C2 level, mastery of 'बढ़ना' involves an intuitive grasp of its most subtle connotations and its role in the rhythm of the language. The learner can use the word to evoke specific cultural or historical contexts. They can play with the word in creative writing, using it in puns or sophisticated metaphors. A C2 speaker understands the socio-linguistic implications of choosing 'badhna' over a Sanskritized or Persianized synonym in different parts of the Hindi-speaking world. They can analyze the use of the word in classical texts and modern media with equal ease. At this level, 'बढ़ना' is not just a verb but a versatile tool for expressing the infinite varieties of expansion and progress in the human experience.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

बढ़ना in 30 Seconds

Badhna means to grow, increase, or move forward.
It is an intransitive verb used for natural or automatic changes.
Commonly used for prices, population, height, and personal progress.
Does not use the 'ne' particle in the past tense.

The Hindi verb बढ़ना (badhna) is a foundational pillar of the language, primarily translating to 'to grow,' 'to increase,' 'to advance,' or 'to move forward.' It is an intransitive verb, meaning the action happens to the subject itself without necessarily being directed at an object by the subject. Understanding badhna is essential for any learner because it covers physical growth, numerical increases, and abstract progress. Whether you are talking about a child getting taller, the price of vegetables rising in the market, or your own confidence improving as you learn Hindi, badhna is the word you will reach for. It captures the essence of expansion and forward motion in both the physical and metaphysical realms.

Physical Growth: Used for biological growth such as plants, animals, and humans. For example, 'The plant is growing' (पौधा बढ़ रहा है).

बच्चा बहुत जल्दी बढ़ रहा है। (The child is growing very quickly.)

Numerical Increase: Used for statistics, prices, population, or temperature. If the value of something goes up, it 'badhta hai'.

शहर की आबादी हर साल बढ़ती है। (The city's population increases every year.)

Forward Movement: In a literal sense, it means to step forward or advance. In a figurative sense, it means to progress in life or a career.

हमें हमेशा आगे बढ़ना चाहिए। (We should always move forward.)

In social contexts, badhna is often heard in the news regarding the economy (GDP growth) or climate change (rising temperatures). In daily life, it is used to describe hair growth, nail growth, or even the 'lengthening' of days during summer. It is a versatile verb that adapts to the subject it follows, changing its ending based on gender and number (badhta, badhti, badhte). Because it is intransitive, it does not take the 'ne' particle in the past tense, making it grammatically simpler for beginners than many other common verbs.

कल रात तापमान बहुत बढ़ा। (The temperature increased a lot last night.)

उत्साह के साथ आगे बढ़ो! (Move forward with enthusiasm!)

Using बढ़ना (badhna) correctly requires an understanding of Hindi verb conjugation and the distinction between intransitive and transitive forms. Since badhna is intransitive, the subject performs the action and is affected by it. The verb must agree with the subject's gender and number. For example, if a boy (masculine) is growing, we use badhta hai; if a girl (feminine) is growing, we use badhti hai; and for plural subjects, we use badhte hain. This agreement is consistent across present, past, and future tenses.

Present Continuous: To describe an ongoing increase or growth. Subject + badh + raha/rahi/rahe + hai/hain.

महंगाई दिन-ब-दिन बढ़ रही है। (Inflation is increasing day by day.)

Simple Past: Since it is intransitive, no 'ne' is used. The verb simply changes to badha, badhi, or badhe.

पिछले महीने मेरा वेतन बढ़ा। (My salary increased last month.)

Future Tense: Used for predictions or plans. Badhega (masc. sing.), badhegi (fem. sing.), badhenge (masc. plural).

अगले साल व्यापार और बढ़ेगा। (Business will increase further next year.)

Another common usage is in the imperative form, especially 'Aage badho' (Move forward). This is used both literally (telling someone to move in a queue) and figuratively (encouraging someone to progress in life). In more formal contexts, such as academic writing or news reporting, badhna is often paired with nouns like 'starr' (level), 'sankhya' (number), or 'matra' (quantity). It is important to remember that badhna cannot take a direct object. You cannot 'badhna' a price; the price 'badhta' itself. If you want to say 'I increased the price,' you must use the transitive form badhana (बढ़ाना).

नदी का जलस्तर तेजी से बढ़ गया। (The river's water level rose rapidly.)

भीड़ धीरे-धीरे बढ़ने लगी। (The crowd started to increase gradually.)

The word बढ़ना (badhna) is omnipresent in Hindi-speaking environments, appearing in everything from high-stakes economic broadcasts to casual kitchen conversations. If you turn on a Hindi news channel like Aaj Tak or NDTV India, you will hear badhna constantly in the context of 'Mehangai' (inflation), 'Garmi' (heat), or 'Aabadi' (population). News anchors often use phrases like 'Sone ke daam badhe' (Gold prices rose) or 'Khatra badh raha hai' (The danger is increasing). This makes it a high-frequency word for anyone interested in current affairs or business in South Asia.

In the Marketplace: You will hear customers complaining about rising prices: 'Sabziyon ke daam bahut badh gaye hain' (Vegetable prices have increased a lot).

दूध का भाव फिर से बढ़ गया है। (The price of milk has increased again.)

In Family Settings: Relatives often comment on children's growth during visits: 'Tumhari beti kitni badh gayi hai!' (How much your daughter has grown!).

तुम्हारे बाल बहुत लंबे बढ़ गए हैं। (Your hair has grown very long.)

In Sports and Games: Commentators use it when a team's score or lead increases: 'Bharat ki badhat badhti ja rahi hai' (India's lead is continuing to increase).

खिलाड़ियों का उत्साह बढ़ रहा है। (The players' enthusiasm is increasing.)

In Bollywood movies and songs, badhna is often used metaphorically. You might hear lyrics about love growing ('Pyar badhna') or heartbeats increasing ('Dhadkan badhna'). In motivational speeches, 'Aage badhna' is the central theme, urging the youth of India to progress and innovate. Even in mundane situations like navigating traffic, a driver might yell 'Aage badho!' to the car in front. Whether it is the literal physical growth of a plant in a garden or the metaphorical growth of a nation's pride, badhna is the essential verb that captures the dynamic nature of life in the Hindi-speaking world.

मुश्किलों के बावजूद वह आगे बढ़ता रहा। (He kept moving forward despite the difficulties.)

क्या हम इस योजना के साथ आगे बढ़ सकते हैं? (Can we move forward with this plan?)

The most frequent mistake English speakers make with बढ़ना (badhna) is confusing it with its transitive counterpart, बढ़ाना (badhana). In English, the word 'increase' can be both intransitive ('Prices increase') and transitive ('I increase the prices'). However, in Hindi, these are two distinct verbs. If you say 'Maine daam badha' (I increased the price) using the intransitive form, it is grammatically incorrect and sounds like 'I grew the price' in a way that doesn't make sense. You must use badhana when there is an agent performing the action on an object.

Confusing Badhna vs. Badhana: Badhna: Something grows/increases on its own. Badhana: You make something grow/increase.

Incorrect: उसने अपनी गति बढ़ी।
Correct: उसने अपनी गति बढ़ाई। (He increased his speed.)

Incorrect Use of 'Ne' Particle: Since 'badhna' is intransitive, never use 'ne' with the subject in the past tense. It should be 'Bachha badha', not 'Bachhe ne badha'.

Incorrect: पेड़ ने बढ़ा।
Correct: पेड़ बढ़ा। (The tree grew.)

Misusing with 'To Grow' (as in farming): To 'grow' crops is 'ugana' (उगाना). 'Badhna' is only for the plant's own growth process.

किसान फसल उगाता है, और फसल बढ़ती है। (The farmer grows the crop, and the crop grows.)

Another subtle mistake is using badhna when varna (to choose/marry) or badalna (to change) is intended, though this is less common. More frequently, learners forget to use the auxiliary verb 'jana' in the past tense to indicate a completed action. While 'Daam badhe' is correct, 'Daam badh gaye' is much more natural for 'Prices have increased.' Lastly, ensure you don't use badhna for 'growing up' in the sense of maturing as a person without context; usually, 'bada hona' (to become big) is more common for 'growing up' in age.

Incorrect: मैं दिल्ली में बढ़ा।
Correct: मैं दिल्ली में बड़ा हुआ। (I grew up in Delhi.)

While बढ़ना (badhna) is the most versatile word for growth and increase, Hindi offers several synonyms that are more specific to certain registers or contexts. Understanding these nuances will help you sound more like a native speaker and allow you to navigate formal and informal situations with ease. For instance, in scientific or highly formal contexts, you might use 'vriddhi' (वृद्धि) for increase, or 'vikas' (विकास) for development.

Badhna vs. Vikas Hona: 'Badhna' is general growth/increase. 'Vikas hona' implies development, evolution, or progress in a structured way (like a city or a technology).

देश का विकास हो रहा है। (The country is developing.)

Badhna vs. Pragati Karna: 'Pragati karna' is specifically 'to make progress' or 'to prosper,' usually used for individuals or societies.

वह अपने काम में प्रगति कर रहा है। (He is making progress in his work.)

Badhna vs. Unnati Karna: 'Unnati' means 'upliftment' or 'advancement' and is often used in a spiritual or professional sense.

शिक्षा से समाज की उन्नति होती है। (Society advances through education.)

If you are talking about something 'rising' like the sun or water, you can also use 'Uthna' (उठना) or 'Ubalna' (उबलना - for boiling/rising liquids). However, badhna remains the most common choice for general increases. For physical size, 'Bada hona' (to become big) is a very common alternative in colloquial speech. In business, 'Vriddhi' is the preferred term for 'growth' in reports. Despite these alternatives, badhna is the 'Swiss Army knife' of Hindi verbs for growth—simple, effective, and understood by everyone from a child to a scholar.

मुनाफे में 20% की वृद्धि हुई। (There was a 20% increase in profit.)

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"देश की अर्थव्यवस्था निरंतर बढ़ रही है।"

Neutral

"आजकल गर्मी बहुत बढ़ गई है।"

Informal

"अरे, तू तो बहुत बढ़ गया है!"

Child friendly

"देखो, छोटा पौधा बढ़ रहा है!"

Slang

"उसका भाव बहुत बढ़ गया है।"

Fun Fact

The word 'Badhiya' (meaning excellent) actually comes from the same root as 'Badhna', implying that something excellent is 'more' or 'higher' than the average.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /bəɽʱ.nɑː/

US /bʌd.nɑ/

The primary stress is on the first syllable 'badh'.

Rhymes With

पढ़ना (padhna - to read) गढ़ना (gadhna - to forge) चढ़ना (chadhna - to climb) मढ़ना (madhna - to cover) सढ़ना (sadhna - to rot) कढ़ना (kadhna - to be embroidered) लढ़ना (ladhna - dialectal for to fight) ढलना (dhalna - to mold)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'dh' as a simple English 'd'.
Making the first 'a' too long (like 'baadhna').
Forgetting the aspiration (the 'h' sound) in 'dh'.
Pronouncing the 'n' too softly.
Confusing the retroflex 'dh' with the dental 'dh'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The word is easy to recognize as it appears frequently in simple texts.

Writing 3/5

Conjugation is straightforward, but distinguishing from 'badhana' takes practice.

Speaking 3/5

The retroflex 'dh' sound can be challenging for non-native speakers.

Listening 2/5

Easily identifiable in speech due to its distinct sound and high frequency.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

होना (to be) जाना (to go) आगे (forward) ज्यादा (more) कम (less)

Learn Next

बढ़ाना (to increase - transitive) घटना (to decrease) विकास (development) तरक्की (progress) सफलता (success)

Advanced

वृद्धि (increment) उन्नति (upliftment) विस्तार (expansion) प्रसार (spread) तीव्रता (intensity)

Grammar to Know

Intransitive Verb Conjugation

बढ़ना does not take 'ne' in the past tense: 'वह बढ़ा' (He grew).

Gender Agreement

Verb ends in -a for masc, -i for fem: 'दाम बढ़ा' vs 'कीमत बढ़ी'.

Compound Verbs with 'Jana'

Using 'jana' adds a sense of completion: 'बढ़ गया' (has increased).

Transitive vs Intransitive Pairs

बढ़ना (to grow) vs बढ़ाना (to make grow/increase).

Continuous Aspect

Using 'raha hai' for ongoing growth: 'पौधा बढ़ रहा है'.

Examples by Level

पौधा बढ़ रहा है।

The plant is growing.

Present continuous tense (masculine singular).

बच्चा बढ़ रहा है।

The child is growing.

Subject-verb agreement with a masculine subject.

आगे बढ़ो!

Move forward!

Imperative form (informal/neutral).

कीमत बढ़ रही है।

The price is increasing.

Feminine singular subject (keemat).

मेरे बाल बढ़ रहे हैं।

My hair is growing.

Masculine plural subject (baal).

पानी बढ़ रहा है।

The water is rising.

Masculine singular subject (paani).

संख्या बढ़ रही है।

The number is increasing.

Feminine singular subject (sankhya).

गर्मी बढ़ रही है।

The heat is increasing.

Feminine singular subject (garmi).

कल तापमान बढ़ा।

The temperature increased yesterday.

Simple past tense (masculine singular).

शहर की आबादी बढ़ गई।

The city's population increased.

Compound verb 'badh gayi' (feminine singular).

वह धीरे-धीरे आगे बढ़ा।

He moved forward slowly.

Adverbial use with simple past tense.

अगले साल किराया बढ़ेगा।

The rent will increase next year.

Future tense (masculine singular).

मेरा आत्मविश्वास बढ़ रहा है।

My confidence is increasing.

Abstract noun as subject (masculine).

नदी का जलस्तर बढ़ गया है।

The river's water level has increased.

Present perfect tense (masculine).

काम का बोझ बढ़ रहा है।

The workload is increasing.

Masculine singular subject (bojh).

उसकी लंबाई बढ़ गई है।

His height has increased.

Feminine singular subject (lambai).

प्रदूषण की समस्या बढ़ रही है।

The problem of pollution is increasing.

Complex subject (samasya - feminine).

दोनों देशों के बीच व्यापार बढ़ा है।

Trade has increased between the two countries.

Present perfect tense (masculine).

इंटरनेट का उपयोग तेजी से बढ़ रहा है।

Internet usage is increasing rapidly.

Adverbial use (tezi se).

उसका प्रभाव समाज में बढ़ रहा है।

His influence is increasing in society.

Abstract concept (prabhav - masculine).

भीड़ को देखकर मेरा डर बढ़ गया।

Seeing the crowd, my fear increased.

Participle phrase (dekhkar).

हमें अपनी सीमाओं से आगे बढ़ना चाहिए।

We should move beyond our limits.

Modal verb (chahiye) with infinitive.

तकनीक के साथ चुनौतियाँ भी बढ़ती हैं।

Challenges also increase with technology.

General truth in simple present (feminine plural).

उसकी लोकप्रियता दिन-ब-दिन बढ़ रही है।

His popularity is increasing day by day.

Feminine singular subject (lokpriyata).

आर्थिक मंदी के कारण बेरोजगारी बढ़ी है।

Unemployment has increased due to the economic recession.

Causal phrase (ke kaaran).

जैसे-जैसे उम्र बढ़ती है, अनुभव भी बढ़ता है।

As age increases, experience also increases.

Correlative structure (jaise-jaise... waise-waise implied).

बाजार में प्रतिस्पर्धा काफी बढ़ गई है।

Competition in the market has increased significantly.

Feminine singular subject (pratispardha).

वैज्ञानिकों के अनुसार वैश्विक तापमान बढ़ रहा है।

According to scientists, global temperature is rising.

Formal reporting structure (ke anusar).

उसकी बातों से मेरा संदेह और बढ़ गया।

My suspicion increased further because of his words.

Abstract noun (sandeh - masculine).

सरकार शिक्षा पर खर्च बढ़ाने की कोशिश कर रही है।

The government is trying to increase spending on education.

Note: This uses the transitive 'badhana' as an infinitive.

समय के साथ पुरानी यादें और भी बढ़ती जाती हैं।

With time, old memories keep increasing even more.

Aspectual compound verb (badhti jaati hain).

इस योजना से किसानों की आय बढ़ने की उम्मीद है।

Income of farmers is expected to increase from this scheme.

Possessive structure with infinitive.

साहित्य के प्रति उसकी रुचि निरंतर बढ़ती गई।

His interest in literature continued to grow steadily.

Continuous past action (badhti gayi).

शहरीकरण के कारण कृषि योग्य भूमि घट रही है और कंक्रीट का जंगल बढ़ रहा है।

Due to urbanization, agricultural land is decreasing and the concrete jungle is growing.

Contrastive sentence with two verbs.

विचारों के आदान-प्रदान से ही ज्ञान बढ़ता है।

Knowledge increases only through the exchange of ideas.

Emphasis particle (hi) and abstract subject.

जैसे ही उसने बोलना शुरू किया, तनाव और बढ़ गया।

As soon as he started speaking, the tension increased further.

Temporal clause (jaise hi).

कलाकार की कल्पना शक्ति उम्र के साथ बढ़ती जाती है।

An artist's power of imagination keeps growing with age.

Complex possessive subject (kalpana shakti).

डिजिटल युग में डेटा की सुरक्षा की चिंताएं बढ़ रही हैं।

Concerns about data security are increasing in the digital age.

Feminine plural subject (chintayein).

उसकी सफलता के साथ-साथ उसकी जिम्मेदारियां भी बढ़ीं।

Along with his success, his responsibilities also increased.

Feminine plural past tense (badheen).

मरीज़ की हालत बिगड़ने पर डॉक्टरों की चिंता बढ़ गई।

The doctors' concern increased as the patient's condition worsened.

Oblique infinitive phrase (bigadne par).

ब्रह्मांड के विस्तार के साथ-साथ आकाशगंगाओं के बीच की दूरी बढ़ती जा रही है।

Along with the expansion of the universe, the distance between galaxies is continuing to increase.

Scientific register with complex aspect.

अध्यात्म की राह पर बढ़ते हुए उसने सांसारिक मोह का त्याग कर दिया।

While advancing on the path of spirituality, he renounced worldly attachments.

Present participle as an adverbial phrase (badhte hue).

जैसे-जैसे कथानक आगे बढ़ता है, पात्रों की जटिलता भी बढ़ती जाती है।

As the plot moves forward, the complexity of the characters also keeps increasing.

Literary analysis register.

भ्रष्टाचार की जड़ें समाज में इतनी गहरी बढ़ गई हैं कि उन्हें उखाड़ना कठिन है।

The roots of corruption have grown so deep in society that it is difficult to uproot them.

Metaphorical use with 'itni... ki' structure.

वैश्विक राजनीति में शक्ति का संतुलन तेजी से बदल रहा है और नए समीकरण बढ़ रहे हैं।

The balance of power in global politics is changing rapidly and new equations are emerging/growing.

Political science register.

उसकी दार्शनिक समझ समय की कसौटी पर और भी बढ़ती गई।

His philosophical understanding grew even more over the test of time.

Abstract metaphorical growth.

जनसंख्या विस्फोट के कारण संसाधनों पर दबाव निरंतर बढ़ता जा रहा है।

Due to the population explosion, the pressure on resources is constantly increasing.

Socio-economic formal register.

कविता की गहराई के साथ पाठक की संवेदना भी बढ़ती है।

Along with the depth of the poem, the reader's sensitivity also increases.

Aesthetic and emotional register.

Common Collocations

कीमत बढ़ना

आबादी बढ़ना

उम्र बढ़ना

दूरी बढ़ना

तापमान बढ़ना

उत्साह बढ़ना

खतरा बढ़ना

ज्ञान बढ़ना

वजन बढ़ना

दबाव बढ़ना

Common Phrases

आगे बढ़ो

— A command to move forward or continue with life.

पुरानी बातों को भूलो और आगे बढ़ो।

बात बढ़ना

— When a small argument escalates into a big fight.

चुप रहो, वरना बात बढ़ जाएगी।

हाथ बढ़ाना

— To offer help or reach out to someone.

उसने मदद के लिए हाथ बढ़ाया।

कदम बढ़ाना

— To take a step forward towards a goal.

सफलता की ओर कदम बढ़ाओ।

हौसला बढ़ना

— To feel more encouraged or courageous.

तुम्हारी बातों से मेरा हौसला बढ़ा।

नाम बढ़ना

— To become more famous or reputable.

अच्छे काम से कुल का नाम बढ़ता है।

बढ़-चढ़कर

— To participate enthusiastically or excessively.

उसने उत्सव में बढ़-चढ़कर हिस्सा लिया।

दिन-ब-दिन बढ़ना

— To increase continuously every single day.

उसका व्यापार दिन-ब-दिन बढ़ रहा है।

हद से बढ़ना

— To cross a limit or become excessive.

उसकी बदतमीजी अब हद से बढ़ गई है।

लालच बढ़ना

— When greed increases within a person.

पैसा देखकर उसका लालच बढ़ गया।

Often Confused With

बढ़ना vs बढ़ाना (badhana)

Badhana is transitive (to increase something), while badhna is intransitive (to increase on its own).

बढ़ना vs पढ़ना (padhna)

Padhna means to read or study. The 'p' and 'b' sounds are different.

बढ़ना vs चढ़ना (chadhna)

Chadhna means to climb or go up (like stairs), while badhna is general growth or increase.

Idioms & Expressions

"बात का बतंगड़ बनाना"

— To exaggerate a small matter (making it 'grow' unnecessarily).

छोटी सी बात थी, तुमने तो बात का बतंगड़ बना दिया।

Informal

"आसमान पर चढ़ना"

— To become very arrogant (growing in pride).

नौकरी क्या मिली, वह तो आसमान पर चढ़ गया है।

Colloquial

"पाँव पसारना"

— To expand one's influence or business (literally 'stretching feet').

कंपनी अब विदेशों में भी पाँव पसार रही है।

Business/Neutral

"सिर पर चढ़ना"

— To become over-pampered or disrespectful.

तुमने बच्चों को बहुत सिर पर चढ़ा रखा है।

Informal

"चार चाँद लगाना"

— To enhance the beauty or prestige of something significantly.

तुम्हारी उपस्थिति ने पार्टी में चार चाँद लगा दिए।

Formal/Literary

"दिन दूनी रात चौगुनी"

— To progress very rapidly (doubling by day, quadrupling by night).

आपका व्यापार दिन दूनी रात चौगुनी तरक्की करे।

Blessing/Formal

"पारा चढ़ना"

— To get very angry (literally 'mercury rising').

उसकी झूठ सुनकर मेरा पारा चढ़ गया।

Informal

"आग में घी डालना"

— To make a bad situation worse (making the 'fire' grow).

वह पहले ही गुस्से में था, तुमने उसकी शिकायत करके आग में घी डाल दिया।

Neutral

"कलेजा फटना"

— To feel extreme grief (as if the heart is expanding/bursting).

उसकी दुखभरी कहानी सुनकर मेरा कलेजा फट गया।

Emotional

"हाथ खींचना"

— To withdraw support (the opposite of 'badhna' or reaching out).

मुश्किल समय में उसने अपना हाथ खींच लिया।

Neutral

Easily Confused

बढ़ना vs बढ़ाना

Similar spelling and sound.

Badhna is what the subject does; Badhana is what an agent does to an object.

कीमत बढ़ी (Price rose) vs मैंने कीमत बढ़ाई (I raised the price).

बढ़ना vs पढ़ना

Rhyming words.

Badhna is about growth; Padhna is about education/reading.

वह बढ़ रहा है (He is growing) vs वह पढ़ रहा है (He is reading).

बढ़ना vs गढ़ना

Rhyming words.

Gadhna means to forge, create, or invent.

कहानी गढ़ना (To make up a story).

बढ़ना vs मढ़ना

Rhyming words.

Madhna means to cover or plate something (like with gold).

किताब मढ़ना (To cover a book).

बढ़ना vs उगना

Both relate to plants.

Ugna is to sprout or come out of the ground; Badhna is the subsequent growth.

बीज उगा (The seed sprouted) vs पौधा बढ़ा (The plant grew).

Sentence Patterns

[Noun] + बढ़ रहा है।

पानी बढ़ रहा है।

[Noun] + बढ़ गया।

किराया बढ़ गया।

[Adverb] + बढ़ना

तेजी से बढ़ना

[Noun] + बढ़ने की उम्मीद है।

मुनाफा बढ़ने की उम्मीद है।

[Noun] + के साथ-साथ [Noun] भी बढ़ना

उम्र के साथ-साथ अनुभव भी बढ़ना

[Noun] + में निरंतर वृद्धि/बढ़ोतरी होना

जनसंख्या में निरंतर बढ़ोतरी होना

आगे + बढ़ो

जल्दी आगे बढ़ो।

[Noun] + बढ़ने लगा

शोर बढ़ने लगा।

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in both spoken and written Hindi.

Common Mistakes

Using 'ne' in the past tense. → वह बढ़ा (He grew).
Since 'badhna' is intransitive, the 'ne' particle is not used with the subject.
Confusing 'badhna' with 'badhana'. → मैंने किराया बढ़ाया (I increased the rent).
Use 'badhana' when you are the one doing the increasing. 'Badhna' is for when it happens on its own.
Wrong gender agreement for 'mehangai'. → महंगाई बढ़ रही है।
Mehangai (inflation) is feminine, so the verb must be 'badh rahi', not 'badh raha'.
Using 'badhna' for 'growing crops'. → किसान फसल उगाता है।
To grow/farm crops is 'ugana'. 'Badhna' is only for the plant's own growth.
Using 'badhna' for 'growing up' (maturing). → मैं दिल्ली में बड़ा हुआ।
While 'badhna' is physical growth, 'bada hona' is the standard way to say someone 'grew up' in a place.

Tips

Subject Agreement

Always match the verb ending to the gender of the subject. Prices (daam) are masculine, so 'daam badhta hai'. Inflation (mehangai) is feminine, so 'mehangai badhti hai'.

Compound Verbs

Use 'badh jana' for a completed increase. It sounds more natural than just 'badhna' in many past tense situations.

The Flap Sound

The 'dh' in badhna is a retroflex flap. Curl your tongue back and flick it forward against the roof of your mouth while exhaling.

Abstract Growth

Don't just use 'badhna' for physical things. Use it for 'vishwas' (trust), 'gyan' (knowledge), and 'anubhav' (experience).

Formal Alternatives

In essays, use 'vriddhi' or 'izaafa' to vary your vocabulary and show a higher level of Hindi proficiency.

Aage Badhna

This is a very powerful phrase. Use it to encourage friends or to describe your own progress in life.

No 'Ne' Particle

Remember: 'Badhna' is intransitive. Never use 'ne' with it in the past tense. This is a common mistake for learners.

News Watch

Watch Hindi business news for 10 minutes. You will likely hear 'badhna' or 'badhat' at least five times.

Badh = Big

Just remember that 'Badh' makes things 'Big'. It's a simple and effective way to keep the meaning in mind.

Social Nuance

Saying someone's 'bhaav badh gaya' (price/value has increased) is a common way to say they are acting stuck-up.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Bud' (flower bud) that is 'Badh-ing' (growing). 'Badh' sounds a bit like 'Bud' if you say it quickly, and buds always grow!

Visual Association

Imagine a green arrow pointing upwards on a graph. This arrow represents 'Badhna' - everything going up and moving forward.

Word Web

Growth Increase Advance Prices Population Height Progress Forward

Challenge

Try to use 'badhna' in three different ways today: once for a physical object, once for a number (like price), and once for a feeling.

Word Origin

Derived from the Sanskrit root 'वर्ध' (vardh), which means to grow, increase, or prosper. It has evolved through Prakrit into the modern Hindi 'badhna'.

Original meaning: To increase in size or strength, to thrive.

Indo-Aryan family, part of the Indo-European languages.

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'badhna' regarding someone's weight ('vajan badhna') as it can be a sensitive topic, just like in English.

English speakers often use 'grow' for people and 'increase' for numbers. Hindi uses 'badhna' for both, making it more versatile.

The slogan 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' often includes the sentiment of 'Beti Ko Aage Badhao' (Help the daughter move forward). Many Bollywood songs use 'Dhadkan badhna' to describe falling in love. Economic reports in India frequently use 'GDP ki badhat' (GDP growth).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Shopping

दाम बढ़ गए हैं।
भीड़ बढ़ रही है।
खर्च बढ़ गया।
डिमांड बढ़ गई।

Workplace

काम बढ़ गया है।
जिम्मेदारी बढ़ गई।
सैलरी कब बढ़ेगी?
प्रोजेक्ट आगे बढ़ रहा है।

Nature

पेड़ बढ़ रहा है।
नदी बढ़ रही है।
दिन बढ़ रहे हैं।
अंधेरा बढ़ गया।

Health

बीमारी बढ़ गई।
दर्द बढ़ रहा है।
वजन बढ़ गया।
ब्लड प्रेशर बढ़ा है।

Education

ज्ञान बढ़ाओ।
रुचि बढ़ रही है।
मुश्किलें बढ़ गई हैं।
पाठ आगे बढ़ो।

Conversation Starters

"क्या आपको लगता है कि शहर में प्रदूषण बढ़ रहा है?"

"आपकी हिंदी सीखने की गति कैसे बढ़ रही है?"

"क्या इस साल आपके शहर में गर्मी बहुत बढ़ी है?"

"क्या बच्चों की पढ़ाई का बोझ बहुत बढ़ गया है?"

"इंटरनेट के आने से क्या हमारी दूरियां बढ़ी हैं या कम हुई हैं?"

Journal Prompts

आज आपने अपने जीवन में क्या नया सीखा जिससे आपका ज्ञान बढ़ा?

पिछले एक साल में आप एक व्यक्ति के रूप में कैसे बढ़े हैं?

क्या आपके शहर में कोई ऐसी चीज़ है जो बहुत तेज़ी से बढ़ रही है?

जब आपका तनाव बढ़ता है, तो आप उसे कम करने के लिए क्या करते हैं?

भविष्य में आप अपने करियर को कैसे आगे बढ़ते हुए देखना चाहते हैं?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, you can say 'umr badhna' for age increasing, but for a child growing up, 'bada hona' is more common. For example, 'Meri umr badh rahi hai' (My age is increasing).

'Badhna' is a general term for any increase or growth. 'Vikas' specifically refers to development or progress, often in a qualitative or structured sense, like 'desh ka vikas' (country's development).

Yes, 'gaadi aage badhi' means the car moved forward. It is very common in traffic contexts.

No, 'badhna' is an intransitive verb, so it never takes the 'ne' particle. You say 'Bachha badha', not 'Bachhe ne badha'.

You can say 'Keematein badh rahi hain'. 'Keemat' is feminine, so use 'badh rahi'.

Yes, in the phrase 'badh-chadhkar', it implies doing something in an excellent or superior way.

Yes, 'Baal badhna' (hair growing) and 'Nakhun badhna' (nails growing) are the standard phrases.

The most direct opposite is 'ghatna' (to decrease) or 'kam hona' (to become less).

Yes, emotions like 'gussa' (anger), 'pyar' (love), or 'darr' (fear) can all 'badhna'. For example, 'Mera darr badh gaya' (My fear increased).

It is neutral and can be used in any context, from casual talk to formal news reports.