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चलाना

A2 verb #800 most common 8 min read

चलाना

chalaana Top 800

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips चलाना in 30 Seconds

Explanation चलाना in your Level:

At the A1 level, you learn 'chalānā' primarily as 'to drive' or 'to turn on.' You use it in simple present tense sentences like 'I drive a car' (Main car chalātā hūn) or 'Turn on the fan' (Pankhā chalāo). At this stage, don't worry about the complex past tense rules. Focus on the connection between the person and the object they are controlling. It is one of the first verbs you use to describe your daily skills and household actions. You might also hear it in the context of 'running' a mobile phone, which is a very common daily activity.

At the A2 level, you begin to see the versatility of 'chalānā.' You learn that it's not just for cars, but for computers, businesses, and even household management. You start using the 'know how to' construction: 'Mujhe car chalānā ātā hai.' You also encounter the past tense where the 'ne' rule applies: 'Maine computer chalāyā.' This level requires you to distinguish between 'chalnā' (to move) and 'chalānā' (to make move). You also start using it for simple commands and requests in social settings, like asking someone to turn on an appliance.

At the B1 level, you use 'chalānā' in more abstract and idiomatic ways. You might talk about 'running a household' (ghar chalānā) or 'making a plan work' (kaam chalānā). You understand the difference between formal and informal registers, using 'chalāiye' in polite company. You also start using it in compound verb constructions like 'chalā denā' (to set in motion/turn on). Your sentences become more complex, combining 'chalānā' with adverbs to describe how something is being operated (e.g., 'safaltāpūrvak chalānā' - to run successfully).

At the B2 level, you are comfortable with the nuances of 'chalānā' in professional and literary contexts. You recognize it in news reports about 'running the government' (sarkār chalānā) or 'conducting operations.' You can use it to describe strategic moves in games or life (chaal chalānā). You also understand the causative chain: chalnā (to move) -> chalānā (to make move) -> chalvānā (to have someone else make move). You can discuss the efficiency of systems and the management of resources using this verb and its derivatives.

At the C1 level, you appreciate the subtle metaphorical uses of 'chalānā.' You might use it to describe 'running' a narrative or 'wielding' influence. You are familiar with literary expressions and can distinguish between 'chalānā' and its high-register synonyms like 'sanchālit karnā' or 'kriyānvit karnā.' You can use the verb to discuss complex socio-political dynamics, such as how public opinion is 'driven' or 'manipulated.' Your usage is precise, reflecting an understanding of the verb's deep roots in the concept of agency and causation.

At the C2 level, 'chalānā' is a tool for stylistic expression. You can use it in poetry or advanced rhetoric to signify the breath of life or the initiation of cosmic cycles. You understand its etymological journey from Sanskrit and its relationship with other Indo-European roots. You can dissect the philosophical implications of 'making the world move' versus 'the world moving.' Your mastery allows you to play with the word, using it in puns, double entendres, and sophisticated wordplay that only a near-native speaker would grasp.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

चलाना in 30 Seconds

Core meaning: To drive, operate, or run.
Used for vehicles, electronics, and businesses.
Transitive verb: Needs 'ne' in the past tense.
Essential for daily life and professional Hindi.

The Hindi verb चलाना (chalānā) is one of the most versatile and essential words in the Hindi language, particularly for learners at the A2 level. At its most fundamental level, it is the causative form of the intransitive verb चलना (chalnā), which means 'to walk' or 'to move.' While chalnā describes an object moving on its own accord or a state of motion, chalānā describes the act of making something move or operating something. This distinction is crucial for English speakers because chalānā covers a wide range of English verbs including 'to drive,' 'to run,' 'to operate,' 'to fire,' 'to throw,' and even 'to manage.'

Physical Motion: When you are behind the wheel of a car, a truck, or even steering a bicycle, you use चलाना. It implies the active control of a vehicle's direction and speed.

क्या आपको कार चलाना आता है? (Do you know how to drive a car?)

Operating Technology: In the modern era, this verb has expanded to include the use of electronic devices. Whether you are using a computer, scrolling through a smartphone, or turning on a fan, you are 'running' or 'operating' it.

Beyond physical objects, chalānā is used in administrative and business contexts. If you are running a shop, a household, or a large corporation, the verb remains the same. This reflects the Hindi conceptualization of 'keeping things in motion.' If a business is 'moving' (chal raha hai), it is because someone is 'making it move' (chalā raha hai). This logic extends to social interactions as well; for instance, 'making a trick work' or 'running a scheme' uses the same linguistic root. Understanding this verb requires shifting from specific English translations to the broader concept of facilitating movement or function.

वह अपनी दुकान बहुत अच्छे से चलाता है। (He runs his shop very well.)

Abstract Usage: It is also used for 'firing' a weapon (goli chalānā) or 'moving' a piece in a game like chess (chaal chalānā). In these cases, it signifies the initiation of a decisive action.

उसने अपनी आखिरी चाल चलाई। (He made his final move.)

In summary, chalānā is the active, transitive counterpart to the passive/intransitive chalnā. If you are the agent of the action, you are 'chalānā'-ing. This word is indispensable for daily conversation, from commuting to work to managing your digital life.

Using चलाना (chalānā) correctly requires an understanding of Hindi's transitive verb structure. Because it is a transitive verb, it follows specific rules in the perfective (past) tense, where the subject takes the postposition ने (ne) and the verb agrees with the object, not the subject. However, in the present and future tenses, it behaves like any other standard verb.

Present Habitual: Used to describe things you do regularly, like driving to work or operating a machine daily. Form: Root + tā/tī/te + hūn/hai/hain.

मैं रोज़ साइकिल चलाता हूँ। (I ride/drive a bicycle every day.)

Present Continuous: Used for actions happening right now. Form: Root + rahā/rahī/rahe + hūn/hai/hain.

वह अभी कंप्यूटर चला रही है। (She is operating/using the computer right now.)

One of the most common ways to use chalānā is with the auxiliary verb जानना (jānnā) or the construction आना (ānā) to express ability. In Hindi, you don't just 'can' drive; you 'know how to' drive or driving 'comes to you.'

मुझे हवाई जहाज़ चलाना नहीं आता। (I don't know how to fly/operate a plane.)

Imperative Form: Giving commands or requests. 'Chalao' (Informal/Neutral), 'Chalaiye' (Formal).

कृपया पंखा चलाइए। (Please turn on the fan.)

When using chalānā for 'running' a business, the sentence structure often includes an adverb of manner. For example, 'successfully' (safaltāpūrvak) or 'well' (achhe se). This verb is the engine of Hindi productivity sentences. Whether you are talking about driving through the chaotic streets of Delhi or running a software startup in Bangalore, chalānā is your go-to verb for agency and action.

You will encounter चलाना (chalānā) in almost every corner of Indian life. From the loud streets to the quiet offices, this word is ubiquitous. Understanding the context helps in picking the right English equivalent.

On the Road: Traffic is a huge part of life in South Asia. You'll hear drivers yelling at each other: 'Dhyan se chalao!' (Drive carefully!). If you're hiring a taxi or an auto-rickshaw, the driver might say, 'Main gaadi tez nahi chalāūngā' (I won't drive the vehicle fast).

भाई, थोड़ा धीरे चलाओ! (Brother, drive a bit slowly!)

At Home: Domestic life involves many machines. 'TV chala do' (Turn on the TV) or 'AC chalao' (Turn on the AC) are daily phrases. Interestingly, Hindi doesn't always use 'turn on' (kholna/on karna); chalānā is often preferred because it implies making the machine function.

In the professional world, chalānā refers to management. A manager 'runs' a team, a CEO 'runs' a company, and a government 'runs' a country. In political news, you will often hear 'Sarkar chalānā koi khel nahi hai' (Running a government is no child's play).

वह पिछले दस सालों से यह फैक्ट्री चला रहा है। (He has been running this factory for the last ten years.)

Entertainment and Games: In sports or games like Ludo or Chess, 'chalānā' is used for taking a turn. 'Ab apni gōti chalao' (Now move your piece).

Finally, in the context of weapons, chalānā is used for firing. In Bollywood action movies, you'll frequently hear 'Goli chalao!' (Fire the bullet/Shoot!). This wide applicability makes it a high-frequency word that bridges the gap between physical labor, technological interaction, and executive management.

For English speakers, the most common mistake is confusing चलाना (chalānā) with its root चलना (chalnā). Remember: chalnā is what the object does (The car moves), while chalānā is what YOU do to the object (I drive the car).

Confusing Subject and Object: Saying 'Main chaltā hūn' when you mean 'I drive' is a mistake. 'Main chaltā hūn' means 'I walk.' You must say 'Main (gaadi) chalātā hūn.'

Incorrect: मैं कार चलता हूँ। (I walk car.)
Correct: मैं कार चलाता हूँ। (I drive a car.)

The 'Ne' Rule in Past Tense: Since chalānā is transitive, you MUST use 'ne' with the subject in the past tense. Many learners forget this and say 'Main gaadi chalāyā,' which is grammatically incorrect. It should be 'Maine gaadi chalāī' (if gaadi is feminine).

Another mistake is overusing chalānā for things that have more specific verbs. While you can 'chalānā' a computer, you don't 'chalānā' a book (you read it - padhnā) or 'chalānā' food (you cook it - banānā). Use chalānā specifically for things that involve mechanical or functional operation.

Mistake: 'Ghar chalānā' vs 'Ghar jānā'.
Context: 'Ghar chalānā' means running a household (finances/chores), while 'Ghar jānā' means going home.

Using it for 'Walking': English speakers sometimes say 'I am driving' without an object. In Hindi, if you say 'Main chalā rahā hūn' without an object like 'gaadi', it sounds incomplete or like you are 'making something move' but not specifying what. Always specify the object if possible.

Lastly, avoid using chalānā for 'running' in a physical fitness sense. To run for exercise is दौड़ना (dauṛnā). If you say 'Main chalā rahā hūn' on a treadmill, people might think you are operating the treadmill machine, not actually running on it!

While चलाना (chalānā) is a 'catch-all' verb, Hindi has several more specific alternatives depending on the context. Knowing these will make your Hindi sound more natural and sophisticated.

चलाना (chalānā) vs. हांकना (hānknā): चलाना is for modern vehicles (cars, bikes). हांकना is specifically for driving animals or animal-drawn carts (like a bullock cart). Using 'chalānā' for a cow might sound odd to a native speaker.
चलाना (chalānā) vs. उड़ाना (uṛānā): While you can 'chalānā' a plane (operate it), the more common verb for flying a plane or a kite is उड़ाना (to make fly).

बच्चे पतंग उड़ा रहे हैं। (Children are flying kites.)

चलाना (chalānā) vs. प्रबंध करना (prabandh karnā): For 'running' a business in a formal sense, प्रबंध करना (to manage) is used in professional documents, though 'chalānā' is perfectly fine for conversation.

In the context of firing a weapon, chalānā is standard, but दागना (dāgnā) is specifically used for firing a cannon or a large missile. For throwing something like a stone, you can use chalānā (patthar chalānā), but फेंकना (phenknā) is more common if the intent is just the physical act of throwing rather than using it as a weapon.

उसने मुझ पर पत्थर चलाया। (He hurled/threw a stone at me.)

Understanding these nuances helps you transition from basic communication to expressive fluency. While chalānā will always get your point across, using uṛānā for a kite or sanchālit karnā for a seminar shows a deep grasp of the language.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"कृपया मशीन को सावधानीपूर्वक चलाएं।"

Neutral

"मैं कार चला रहा हूँ।"

Informal

"अबे, गाड़ी ढंग से चला!"

Child friendly

"देखो, गुड़िया साइकिल चला रही है!"

Slang

"अपना दिमाग ज़्यादा मत चला।"

Fun Fact

The word 'chalānā' is so central to Hindi that it is used for almost any action involving a tool, even if the tool doesn't 'move' much, like a computer or a phone.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tʃə.lɑː.nɑː/

US /tʃə.lɑ.nɑ/

The stress is equal on the second and third syllables (laa-naa).

Rhymes With

बनाना (banānā - to make) सिखाना (sikhānā - to teach) दिखाना (dikhānā - to show) पकाना (pakānā - to cook) सुनाना (sunānā - to tell) हँसाना (hansānā - to make laugh) रुलाना (rulānā - to make cry) बचाना (bachānā - to save)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'ch' as 'sh' (it should be a hard 'ch' as in 'chair').
Shortening the final 'ā' sounds (they must be long).
Confusing it with 'chalnā' (the 'ā' in the middle is the key difference).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in text due to common root.

Writing 3/5

Requires knowledge of 'ne' rule in past tense.

Speaking 2/5

High frequency makes it easy to practice.

Listening 2/5

Distinct sound, usually clear in context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

चलना (chalnā) गाड़ी (gaadi) काम (kaam) मैं (main) आना (ānā)

Learn Next

चलवाना (chalvānā) ड्राइवर (driver) ट्रैफिक (traffic) मशीन (machine) सड़क (sarak)

Advanced

संचालन (sanchālan) प्रबंधन (prabandhan) क्रियान्वयन (kriyānvan)

Grammar to Know

Causative Verbs

Chalnā (to move) -> Chalānā (to make move).

Transitive Past Tense

Maine gaadi chalāī (I drove the car).

Agreement with Object

In 'Maine car chalāī', 'chalāī' is feminine because 'car' is feminine.

Infinitive as Noun

Car chalānā mushkil hai (Driving a car is difficult).

Compound Verbs

Chalā denā (to start up).

Examples by Level

मैं कार चलाता हूँ।

I drive a car.

Present habitual masculine singular.

क्या तुम साइकिल चलाते हो?

Do you ride a bicycle?

Interrogative present habitual.

पंखा चलाओ।

Turn on the fan.

Imperative (neutral/informal).

वह कंप्यूटर चलाती है।

She operates the computer.

Present habitual feminine singular.

मम्मी खाना चला रही हैं।

Mom is stirring the food.

Present continuous (stirring is a type of moving).

टीवी मत चलाओ।

Don't turn on the TV.

Negative imperative.

पापा गाड़ी चलाते हैं।

Dad drives the vehicle.

Present habitual.

चलो, नाव चलाते हैं।

Come, let's row the boat.

Hortative/Suggestion.

मुझे कार चलाना आता है।

I know how to drive a car.

Infinitive as a noun with 'ānā'.

उसने कल नई गाड़ी चलाई।

He/She drove the new car yesterday.

Past tense (Perfective) with 'ne' (implied). Verb agrees with feminine 'gaadi'.

क्या आप यह मशीन चला सकते हैं?

Can you operate this machine?

Ability with 'saknā'.

मैं अपना फोन चला रहा हूँ।

I am using my phone.

Present continuous.

वह दुकान चलाता है।

He runs a shop.

Present habitual (business context).

कृपया धीरे चलाइए।

Please drive slowly.

Formal imperative.

मैंने आज कंप्यूटर नहीं चलाया।

I didn't use the computer today.

Negative past tense.

बच्चे खिलौना चला रहे हैं।

The children are playing with/operating the toy.

Present continuous.

घर चलाना बहुत मुश्किल काम है।

Running a household is a very difficult task.

Gerundial use of infinitive.

उसने अपनी चाल बहुत समझदारी से चलाई।

He made his move very wisely.

Metaphorical use in games.

हमें यह प्रोजेक्ट साथ मिलकर चलाना होगा।

We will have to run this project together.

Future obligation with 'hogā'.

पुलिस ने चोर पर गोली चलाई।

The police fired a bullet at the thief.

Specific use for weapons.

वह अपनी बातों से काम चला लेता है।

He gets things done/manages with his words.

Idiomatic 'kaam chalānā'.

क्या आप जानते हैं कि यह सॉफ्टवेयर कैसे चलाया जाता है?

Do you know how this software is operated?

Passive construction.

उसने पुराने इंजन को फिर से चला दिया।

He started the old engine again.

Compound verb 'chalā denā'.

गाड़ी चलाते समय फोन का प्रयोग न करें।

Do not use the phone while driving.

Participle 'chalāte samay'.

सरकार नई योजनाएं चला रही है।

The government is running/implementing new schemes.

Administrative context.

उसने अपनी ज़ुबान बहुत तेज़ चलाई।

He spoke very sharply/quickly (often rudely).

Idiom for sharp speech.

कंपनी को घाटे में चलाना नामुमकिन है।

It is impossible to run a company in loss.

Business management context.

उसने अपनी आँखों से जादू चलाया।

She cast a spell with her eyes.

Metaphorical/Poetic.

वह अपनी मर्ज़ी चलाता है।

He imposes his will.

Idiomatic for 'imposing will'.

हमें पुरानी परंपराओं को आगे चलाना चाहिए।

We should carry forward old traditions.

Abstract 'carrying forward'.

उसने चाकू चलाकर फल काटे।

He used the knife to cut fruits.

Using a tool.

मशीन को सावधानी से चलाना अनिवार्य है।

It is mandatory to operate the machine carefully.

Formal instruction.

वह अपनी कूटनीति से पूरे विभाग को चलाता है।

He runs the entire department with his diplomacy.

Sophisticated abstract usage.

विज्ञापनों के ज़रिए जनमत को चलाया जा सकता है।

Public opinion can be driven through advertisements.

Passive with 'jā saktā hai'.

उसने अपनी कलम चलाकर इतिहास बदल दिया।

He changed history by wielding his pen.

Literary metaphor.

अर्थव्यवस्था को सुचारू रूप से चलाना एक चुनौती है।

Running the economy smoothly is a challenge.

High-register adverb 'suchāru rūp se'.

उसने अपनी आखिरी चाल चलकर सबको हैरान कर दिया।

He surprised everyone by making his final move.

Nuanced strategic context.

इस संस्था को चलाने के लिए भारी निवेश की आवश्यकता है।

Heavy investment is required to run this institution.

Institutional context.

वह अपनी यादों के सहारे ज़िंदगी चला रहा है।

He is getting through life with the help of his memories.

Emotional/Abstract.

उसने अपनी सत्ता चलाने के लिए कड़े नियम बनाए।

He made strict rules to exercise his power.

Political power context.

सृष्टि के चक्र को कौन चलाता है?

Who drives/operates the cycle of creation?

Philosophical/Cosmological.

उसकी लेखनी ने समाज में एक नई लहर चला दी।

His writing set off a new wave in society.

Idiomatic for starting a movement.

अपनी विद्वत्ता का सिक्का चलाने के लिए उसने बहुत परिश्रम किया।

He worked hard to establish the dominance of his scholarship.

Idiom 'sikkā chalānā' (to establish dominance).

उसने अपनी तर्कशक्ति चलाकर विरोधियों को निरुत्तर कर दिया।

He silenced his opponents by wielding his logic.

Intellectual context.

माया का जाल चलाना ईश्वर की लीला है।

Operating the web of illusion is God's play.

Theological context.

उसने अपनी कल्पनाशक्ति को बेरोकटोक चलने दिया।

He let his imagination run wild/unhindered.

Abstract causative.

राजनीतिक शतरंज में उसने अपनी चालें बहुत सोच-समझकर चलाईं।

In political chess, he made his moves very deliberately.

Metaphorical complexity.

वह अपनी परंपराओं की मशाल को आगे चला रहा है।

He is carrying forward the torch of his traditions.

Symbolic usage.

Common Collocations

कार चलाना

दुकान चलाना

कंप्यूटर चलाना

गोली चलाना

दिमाग चलाना

घर चलाना

चाल चलाना

पंखा चलाना

ज़ुबान चलाना

सिक्का चलाना

Common Phrases

काम चलाना

— To make do with something; to manage with limited resources.

मेरे पास पैसे कम हैं, पर मैं काम चला लूँगा।

हाथ चलाना

— To work fast or to hit someone.

जल्दी हाथ चलाओ, देर हो रही है।

नाम चलाना

— To carry on a legacy or name.

वह अपने खानदान का नाम चला रहा है।

गाड़ी चलाना

— To drive a vehicle.

वह बहुत तेज़ गाड़ी चलाता है।

हवा चलाना

— To fan or create a breeze (less common than 'hawa chalna').

हाथ वाले पंखे से हवा चलाओ।

चला देना

— To start something up or set it in motion.

उसने मशीन चला दी।

बात चलाना

— To start a conversation or proposal (often marriage).

उन्होंने शादी की बात चलाई।

रिश्ता चलाना

— To maintain a relationship.

रिश्ता चलाना दोनों की ज़िम्मेदारी है।

खर्च चलाना

— To manage expenses.

वह अपनी कम तनख्वाह में खर्च चलाता है।

योजना चलाना

— To run a scheme or plan.

सरकार गरीबों के लिए योजना चला रही है।

Often Confused With

चलाना vs चलना (chalnā)

Chalnā is 'to move' (intransitive), chalānā is 'to make move' (transitive).

चलाना vs दौड़ना (dauṛnā)

Dauṛnā is physical running (exercise), chalānā is running a business or machine.

चलाना vs खोलना (kholnā)

Kholnā is 'to open', but sometimes used for 'turn on' (like a tap). Chalānā is better for machines.

Idioms & Expressions

"अपनी खिचड़ी अलग पकाना/चलाना"

— To do one's own thing without consulting others.

वह हमेशा अपनी खिचड़ी अलग चलाता है।

Informal

"सिक्का जमाना/चलाना"

— To establish great influence or dominance.

उसने व्यापार में अपना सिक्का चला दिया।

Neutral

"ज़ुबान कैंची की तरह चलाना"

— To speak incessantly and often rudely or sharply.

उसकी ज़ुबान कैंची की तरह चलती है।

Informal

"दिमाग के घोड़े चलाना"

— To think deeply or use one's imagination intensely.

इस पहेली को सुलझाने के लिए दिमाग के घोड़े चलाने पड़ेंगे।

Neutral

"हाथ-पांव चलाना"

— To make an effort or try hard.

नौकरी पाने के लिए थोड़े हाथ-पांव तो चलाने पड़ेंगे।

Neutral

"अपनी मर्ज़ी चलाना"

— To have one's own way; to be bossy.

तुम हर जगह अपनी मर्ज़ी नहीं चला सकते।

Informal

"काम चलाऊ"

— Something that is just enough to get by; a temporary fix.

यह एक काम चलाऊ इंतज़ाम है।

Neutral

"चालबाज़ी चलाना"

— To play tricks or manipulate.

मुझ पर अपनी चालबाज़ी मत चलाना।

Informal

"लठ चलाना"

— To behave in a crude or forceful manner (literally: to wield a stick).

वह हर बात पर लठ चलाता है।

Rural/Informal

"नाम चलना"

— To be famous or well-known.

शहर में उसका नाम चलता है।

Neutral

Easily Confused

चलाना vs हांकना (hānknā)

Both mean 'to drive'.

Hānknā is for animals/carts; Chalānā is for motors/machines.

Vah ghoda-gaadi hānktā hai.

चलाना vs उड़ाना (uṛānā)

Both involve operating a vehicle.

Uṛānā is specifically for flying (planes, kites).

Pilot jahāz uṛātā hai.

चलाना vs फेंकना (phenknā)

Both can mean 'to hurl'.

Phenknā is a general throw; Chalānā (with stones/weapons) implies an attack.

Usne patthar chalāyā.

चलाना vs बजाना (bajānā)

Both involve 'operating' something.

Bajānā is for musical instruments or horns.

Vah guitar bajātā hai.

चलाना vs लगाना (lagānā)

Both used for starting things.

Lagānā is for applying or 'putting on' a song/movie.

Gānā lagāo.

Sentence Patterns

Main [Object] chalātā hūn.

Main car chalātā hūn.

Mujhe [Object] chalānā ātā hai.

Mujhe computer chalānā ātā hai.

Maine [Object] chalāyā/chalāī.

Maine cycle chalāī.

[Object] chalā do.

AC chalā do.

Vah [Object] chalāne mein mahir hai.

Vah gaadi chalāne mein mahir hai.

[Abstract Object] chalānā chunauti hai.

Sarkār chalānā chunauti hai.

[Object] sanchālit kiyā gayā.

Karyakram sanchālit kiyā gayā.

[Metaphor] chalānā hi jivan hai.

Srishti chalānā hi jivan hai.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely High (Top 100 Hindi verbs)

Common Mistakes

Main car chalta hūn. → Main car chalātā hūn.
Chaltā is intransitive (I walk); Chalātā is transitive (I drive).
Maine car chalāyā. → Maine car chalāī.
In the past tense, the verb agrees with 'car' (feminine).
Main business dauṛā rahā hūn. → Main business chalā rahā hūn.
Dauṛānā is for physical running; chalānā is for business.
Pankhā kholo. → Pankhā chalāo.
Kholnā means 'to open'. For a fan, 'chalānā' (to operate) is more natural.
Vah computer chalnā jāntā hai. → Vah computer chalānā jāntā hai.
He knows how to 'operate' (chalānā), not how the computer 'moves' (chalnā).

Tips

The Ne Rule

Remember that in the past tense, the subject takes 'ne' and the verb agrees with the object. 'Maine gaadi chalāī' (I drove the car).

Vehicle Specifics

Use 'chalānā' for cars, bikes, buses, and trucks. Use 'uṛānā' for planes.

Digital World

In modern Hindi, 'phone chalānā' is the standard way to say 'using a phone'.

Making Do

Use 'kaam chalānā' when you don't have exactly what you need but you make it work anyway.

Polite Requests

Use 'chalāiye' (formal) when asking someone to turn on the AC or fan in an office or guest's home.

Chess & Games

When playing games, use 'chalānā' for moving your pieces. 'Apni goti chalao!'

Management

Running a business is 'business chalānā'. It implies keeping the operations moving.

Weapons

Firing a gun is 'goli chalānā'. It literally means 'making the bullet move'.

Avoid 'Chalta'

Don't say 'Main car chalta hūn'. It sounds like you are walking the car. Say 'chalātā hūn'.

Household

'Ghar chalānā' is a heavy term meaning to support a family financially and operationally.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'CHALice' (cup) being moved. You 'CHAL-ānā' the car to move it forward. The 'ā' in the middle is like an 'A'ccelerator pedal.

Visual Association

Imagine a person sitting in a car, pressing the accelerator. The car is 'chal-ing' because the person is 'chalānā-ing' it.

Word Web

Car Computer Phone Business Fan Gun Chess Household

Challenge

Try to name five things in your room right now that you can 'chalānā' (e.g., laptop, fan, light, phone, clock).

Word Origin

Derived from the Sanskrit root 'chal' (चल), which means to move, tremble, or depart. It is the causative form, created by adding the '-ānā' suffix.

Original meaning: To cause to move; to set in motion.

Indo-Aryan -> Sanskrit -> Prakrit -> Hindi.

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but 'chalānā' in the context of 'goli chalānā' (firing a gun) should be used carefully in conversation.

English uses specific verbs like 'drive', 'operate', 'run', or 'fire'. Hindi uses 'chalānā' for all of these, which can feel oversimplified to English speakers but is actually a powerful conceptual grouping.

The Bollywood song 'Gaadi bula rahi hai, siti baja rahi hai' (The train is calling, the whistle is blowing) uses the root 'chal'. Common traffic signs in India: 'Dheere Chalao' (Drive Slowly). Proverb: 'Apni gali mein kutta bhi sher hota hai' (In his own lane, even a dog is a lion) - relates to the space where one 'runs' things.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Driving

Car chalānā
Tez chalānā
Dheere chalānā
License chalānā (rarely used, usually 'dikhanā')

Electronics

Computer chalānā
Phone chalānā
TV chalānā
AC chalānā

Business

Dukan chalānā
Company chalānā
Business chalānā
Profit mein chalānā

Household

Ghar chalānā
Kitchen chalānā
Kharch chalānā
Pankhā chalānā

Games

Chaal chalānā
Goti chalānā
Pānsā chalānā
Game chalānā

Conversation Starters

"क्या आपको कार चलाना पसंद है?"

"आप कौन सा फोन चलाते हैं?"

"क्या आप अपनी दुकान खुद चलाते हैं?"

"क्या आपको कंप्यूटर चलाना आता है?"

"क्या मैं पंखा चला सकता हूँ?"

Journal Prompts

आज आपने कौन-कौन सी मशीनें चलाईं?

क्या आप भविष्य में अपनी खुद की कंपनी चलाना चाहते हैं? क्यों?

जब आपने पहली बार साइकिल चलाई थी, तो आपको कैसा लगा?

घर चलाने के लिए सबसे ज़रूरी चीज़ क्या है?

क्या आपको लगता है कि बिना फोन चलाए एक दिन रहना संभव है?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, for physical running, use 'dauṛnā'. 'Chalānā' is for running a business or machine.

You say 'Main gaadi chalā rahā hūn'. You usually need to specify what you are driving.

Usually, 'jalānā' (to light) or 'on karnā' is used for lights. 'Chalānā' is for things with moving parts like fans or ACs.

It depends on the object. 'Chalāyā' (masculine) or 'Chalāī' (feminine). Example: 'Maine car chalāī'.

No, you 'use' (istemāl karnā) a spoon. 'Chalānā' is for more complex operation.

It is neutral. In very formal contexts, use 'sanchālit karnā'.

No, for that use 'nikālnā' (to remove). 'Chalānā' is for firing a weapon.

No, 'chalnā' means to walk. 'Chalānā' means to make something else move.

Yes, 'program chalānā' is perfectly correct.

It means 'to manage' or 'to get by' with what you have.