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कूटना

A1 noun #6,000 most common 10 min read

कूटना

kootna Top 6,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips कूटना in 30 Seconds

Explanation कूटना in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'कूटना' (kūṭnā) as a simple action word related to the kitchen. It means 'to crush' or 'to pound'. You will mostly use it when talking about making tea or cooking. For example, 'अदरक कूटना' (crushing ginger) is a very common phrase. At this stage, don't worry about the slang meanings. Just think of it as an action you do with a small mortar and pestle to make your food taste better. It is a transitive verb, so you are always crushing 'something'. Focus on the present tense: 'मैं अदरक कूट रहा हूँ' (I am crushing ginger).

At the A2 level, you can start using 'कूटना' in different tenses and with more objects. You might talk about 'मसाले कूटना' (pounding spices) or 'बर्फ कूटना' (crushing ice). You should also learn the names of the tools: 'ओखली' (okhli - mortar) and 'मूसल' (musal - pestle). At this level, you should be careful with the past tense. Remember that 'कूटना' follows the 'ne' rule. Example: 'उसने लहसुन कूटा' (He crushed garlic). You can also understand it when someone uses it in a simple command like 'इसे अच्छी तरह कूटो' (Crush this well).

At the B1 level, you should become aware of the informal/slang meaning of 'कूटना', which is 'to beat someone up'. You will hear this in movies or casual conversations. However, you should still mostly use it in its literal sense. You can start using compound verbs like 'कूट देना' (to crush/beat up) or 'कूट डालना' (to crush completely). You should also be able to distinguish between 'कूटना' (coarse) and 'पीसना' (fine). For example, you 'kūṭnā' spices for a coarse texture but 'pīsnā' them for a fine powder. This shows a better grasp of Hindi nuances.

At the B2 level, you can use 'कूटना' metaphorically and in passive constructions. You might say 'वह अपनी समस्याओं में कुटा जा रहा है' (He is being crushed by his problems), although this is a bit poetic. You should understand the cultural significance of the word in rural India, such as 'धान कूटना' (pounding paddy). You can also use it to describe sports results—'भारत ने पाकिस्तान को बुरी तरह कूटा' (India thrashed Pakistan badly in the match). Your usage should reflect an understanding of the intensity and 'rhythm' the word implies.

At the C1 level, you should have a nuanced command of 'कूटना'. You can use it in literary contexts or to describe complex physical processes. You should be able to identify its etymological roots and how it differs from regional synonyms like 'ठोकना' or 'धुनाई'. You can use it to describe textures precisely: 'दरदरा कूटा हुआ' (coarsely pounded). You should also be comfortable with the word's role in traditional Ayurvedic medicine or ancient manufacturing processes described in Hindi texts. Your use of the slang version should be perfectly timed and culturally appropriate.

At the C2 level, 'कूटना' is a tool in your linguistic arsenal that you use with absolute precision. You understand its onomatopoeic quality—the hard 'k' and 'ṭ' reflecting the impact. You can use it in high-level socio-political commentary (e.g., describing how a policy 'crushes' a certain demographic) or in deep culinary analysis. You are aware of its various dialectal variations across the Hindi heartland. You can play with the word in puns or sophisticated jokes, moving seamlessly between its culinary, physical, and metaphorical meanings.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

कूटना in 30 Seconds

To crush or pound something into small pieces using a heavy tool.
Commonly used in cooking for spices like ginger, garlic, and cardamom.
Informally used as slang for beating or thrashing someone physically.
Requires a mortar and pestle (okhli-musal) for the physical action.

The Hindi word कूटना (Kūṭnā) is a versatile verb that primarily describes a physical action of impact. At its most basic level, it refers to the process of crushing, pounding, or grinding something into smaller pieces or a coarse powder. Unlike the word 'पीसना' (pīsnā), which often implies a fine grinding into a smooth powder or paste (like flour or chutney), kūṭnā suggests a more forceful, rhythmic pounding, usually involving a mortar and pestle. In an Indian kitchen, this is a daily ritual. Whether it is crushing ginger and cardamom for the morning 'chai' or pounding whole spices to release their volatile oils for a rich curry, kūṭnā is the go-to verb for manual processing of solid ingredients.

Literal Meaning: To pound or crush using a heavy instrument like a pestle (musal) in a mortar (okhli).
Slang Usage: In informal or aggressive contexts, it means to beat or thrash someone thoroughly. It carries a connotation of a 'sound beating'.

Beyond the kitchen, the word takes on a much more colorful and sometimes aggressive tone in colloquial Hindi. If someone says, "आज मैं उसे कूट दूँगा" (Today I will thrash him), they are using the word metaphorically to describe a physical fight. This usage is extremely common in North Indian slang, especially among youth or in high-stress situations. It implies a physical dominance where the 'beater' treats the 'victim' like spices in a mortar. It is important for learners to distinguish between these two contexts to avoid sounding unintentionally aggressive when they just want to talk about cooking.

मसाले अच्छी तरह से कूटना ताकि खुशबू आए। (Pound the spices well so that the aroma comes out.)

The word also appears in various technical or traditional industries. For example, in traditional paper making or ayurvedic medicine preparation, herbs and fibers are 'kūṭnā'-ed to achieve the desired consistency. The sound associated with this action—the rhythmic 'thud-thud'—is deeply embedded in the sensory experience of Indian rural life. When you hear the word, imagine the weight of a heavy iron or stone pestle hitting a wooden or stone base. It is a word of effort, force, and transformation from a whole state to a fragmented, more useful state.

अदरक को कूटना चाय के लिए बहुत ज़रूरी है। (Crushing ginger is very important for tea.)

Tool Context: Used with 'Okhli' (mortar) and 'Musal' (pestle) or 'Hamam-dasta' (iron mortar pestle set).

In literary Hindi, kūṭnā can sometimes be used to describe the harsh realities of life 'pounding' an individual. However, this is less common than its literal culinary or slang physical meanings. As a learner, focus on the culinary aspect first, as it is polite and universally understood. Only use the 'beating' sense when you are very comfortable with your social environment, as it can sound quite harsh or even threatening if used out of context.

पुलिस ने चोर को बहुत कूटा। (The police thrashed the thief a lot.)

धान कूटना एक मेहनत का काम है। (Pounding paddy is a laborious task.)

Using कूटना (Kūṭnā) correctly requires understanding its conjugation and its relationship with the object. Since it is a transitive verb, in the past tense (Perfective aspect), the verb agrees with the object, not the subject, provided the subject is marked with 'ne'. For example, 'मैंने इलायची कूटी' (I crushed cardamom) — here, 'kūṭī' is feminine because 'ilāyachī' (cardamom) is feminine.

Present Continuous: वह मसाले कूट रहा है। (He is pounding spices.)
Past Indefinite: माँ ने अदरक कूटा। (Mother crushed the ginger.)

When using it in the sense of a physical beating, the person being beaten is the object. In Hindi, this object usually takes the postposition 'ko'. Example: 'भीड़ ने चोर को कूटा' (The crowd thrashed the thief). This structure is vital for clarity. Without the 'ko', the sentence might sound incomplete or confusing in a slang context.

क्या तुम मेरे लिए काली मिर्च कूट सकते हो? (Can you crush the black pepper for me?)

The imperative form 'कूटो' (kūṭo) or 'कूटिये' (kūṭiye - polite) is frequently used in recipes. 'मसालों को दरदरा कूटिये' (Pound the spices coarsely). The word 'दरदरा' (dardarā - coarse) is a common companion to 'kūṭnā', as the action often results in a textured finish rather than a fine powder. If you want a fine powder, you would likely use the verb 'पीसना' (pīsnā) instead.

ज़्यादा मत कूटना, वरना स्वाद कड़वा हो जाएगा। (Don't pound too much, otherwise the taste will become bitter.)

Future Tense: मैं कल गेहूँ कूटूँगा। (I will pound the wheat tomorrow.)

In passive constructions, 'कूटना' changes to 'कुटा जाना'. For example, 'मसाला कुटा जा रहा है' (The spice is being pounded). This is less common in daily speech but found in formal writing or descriptive cooking shows. Another interesting usage is the compound verb 'कूट डालना' (kūṭ ḍālnā), which emphasizes the completeness or intensity of the action, whether it's spices or a person!

उसने गुस्से में सारा सामान कूट डाला। (He crushed all the items in anger.)

लहसुन को बारीक कूटो। (Pound the garlic finely.)

The most common place you will encounter कूटना (Kūṭnā) is the Indian kitchen. India has a rich tradition of using whole spices, and many families prefer the flavor of freshly pounded spices over pre-packaged powders. You will hear grandmothers instructing daughters-in-law, or chefs telling assistants to 'kūṭo' the masala. If you are watching a Hindi cooking show on YouTube, this word will appear in almost every episode involving traditional recipes like 'Pind-Chhole' or 'Masala Chai'.

In the Kitchen: "अदरक-लहसुन को कूट लो" (Crush the ginger-garlic) is a standard instruction.
In Cinema: Action movies often use 'kūṭnā' in dialogue to signal an upcoming fight. "मैं तुझे इतना कूटूँगा कि तू रास्ता भूल जाएगा" (I will beat you so much you'll forget the way).

Another significant context is rural life and agriculture. In villages, the process of de-husking grain or preparing cattle feed often involves large-scale pounding. You might hear farmers talking about 'dhān kūṭnā' (pounding paddy). This is a rhythmic, social activity often accompanied by folk songs. The word here carries a sense of community and hard physical labor.

गाँव में औरतें मिलकर धान कूटती हैं। (In the village, women together pound the paddy.)

In urban slang, particularly in Delhi or Mumbai, 'kūṭnā' is part of the 'tough guy' vocabulary. It's used in schools, colleges, and on the streets. If a group of friends is talking about a confrontation, you'll hear, "उसको तो बहुत कूटा गया" (He was thrashed a lot). It’s also used jokingly among very close friends—"ज़्यादा बकवास की तो कूट दूँगा" (If you talk too much nonsense, I'll beat you up)—though this requires a high level of intimacy to not be taken as a real threat.

आज चाय में अदरक कूटकर डालना। (Today, put crushed ginger in the tea.)

Ayurveda: Vaidyas (traditional doctors) use the word when describing the preparation of 'Churna' (powdered medicine).

Finally, you might hear it in the context of metaphorical 'crushing'. For instance, in a debate or a sports match, a commentator might say one team 'kūṭ-ed' the other, meaning they defeated them decisively and roughly. It implies a one-sided, overwhelming victory. Whether in the kitchen, the street, or the stadium, the word always brings an image of heavy, repetitive force.

भारतीय टीम ने विपक्षी टीम को बुरी तरह कूटा। (The Indian team thrashed the opposition team badly.)

इलायची कूटना मत भूलना। (Don't forget to crush the cardamom.)

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing कूटना (Kūṭnā) with पीसना (Pīsnā). While both involve breaking down substances, 'pīsnā' is for grinding into a fine state (like a blender or a stone mill), whereas 'kūṭnā' is for pounding into a coarse state (like a mortar and pestle). Using 'kūṭnā' when you mean 'grind into a smooth paste' will confuse native speakers, especially in a kitchen setting.

Kūṭnā vs. Pīsnā: Kūṭnā = Coarse pounding. Pīsnā = Fine grinding.
Kūṭnā vs. Pīṭnā: Pīṭnā is the general word for 'to beat'. Kūṭnā is more graphic/slangy for a 'heavy' beating.

Another mistake is the incorrect application of the 'slang' meaning in formal situations. You should never use 'kūṭnā' to describe a disagreement in a professional environment. Saying "My boss kūṭ-ed me" would imply a literal physical assault, which is likely not what you mean! In professional settings, use 'डाँटना' (dāntnā - to scold) or 'आलोचना करना' (ālochanā karnā - to criticize).

Incorrect: मैंने मिक्सी में मसाले कूटे। (I 'pounded' spices in the mixer.) - Use 'पीसे' instead.

Grammatically, learners often forget the 'ne' rule in the past tense. Because 'kūṭnā' is transitive, the subject needs 'ne'. Say 'उसने कूटा' (He pounded) rather than 'वह कूटा'. Also, remember that the verb ending must match the object. If you are crushing 'haldi' (turmeric - feminine), it's 'haldi kūṭī'. If it's 'masala' (masculine), it's 'masala kūṭā'.

Incorrect: वह चोर को कूट रहा था। (He was 'pounding' the thief.) - Grammatically okay, but socially very aggressive.

Pronunciation Error: Confusing 'kūṭnā' with 'kātnā' (to cut/spin). Make sure the vowel is a long 'ū'.

Lastly, don't use 'kūṭnā' for soft things. You don't 'kūṭnā' a banana or a soft cake; you might 'masalnā' (mash) them. 'Kūṭnā' implies resistance and hardness in the object being struck. If there's no 'thud', it's probably not 'kūṭnā'.

केले को कूटना गलत है, उसे मसलो। (Pounding a banana is wrong, mash it.)

उसने बर्फ कूटी। (He crushed the ice.)

To truly master कूटना (Kūṭnā), you must see where it sits among its synonyms. The most common alternative is पीटना (Pīṭnā). While 'kūṭnā' is specific to crushing or a very heavy beating, 'pīṭnā' is the generic term for hitting or beating. You can 'pīṭnā' a drum or a rug to clean it, but you wouldn't 'kūṭnā' them unless you intended to destroy them.

पीसना (Pīsnā): To grind into a fine powder or paste. Used for flour (atta) or chutneys.
कुचलना (Kuchalnā): To trample or squash. Used for bugs, or metaphorically for crushing a rebellion.
मसलना (Masalnā): To mash or rub between fingers. Used for soft herbs or boiled potatoes.

In the context of physical violence, धुनाई करना (dhunāī karnā) is a colorful alternative. It literally means 'to card cotton' but is used to mean giving someone a thorough 'cleaning' or beating. Another one is ठोकना (ṭhoknā), which means to hammer or strike, often used in slang for hitting someone or even fixing something with force.

मसाले कूटना और पीसना दो अलग बातें हैं। (Pounding spices and grinding them are two different things.)

If you are talking about breaking something into pieces, तोड़ना (toṛnā) is the general word. 'Kūṭnā' is a specific *way* of breaking things—through repeated impact. For example, if you break a glass, you 'toṛnā' it. If you then take those shards and pound them into dust, you are 'kūṭnā'-ing them. This distinction is subtle but important for advanced fluency.

उसने पत्थर को कूटकर छोटा कर दिया। (He crushed the stone and made it small.)

दलना (Dalnā): To split or coarsely grind lentils (dal). It's a cousin of kūṭnā but specific to pulses.

In summary, while 'pīṭnā' is about the hit, 'kūṭnā' is about the result of the hits—the fragmentation. If you want to sound more sophisticated in your Hindi, choosing the specific verb for the specific action (like using 'kūṭnā' for spices instead of the generic 'toṛnā') will make you sound much more like a native speaker.

दवा को कूटकर शहद के साथ लो। (Take the medicine after crushing it with honey.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The mathematical term 'Kuttaka' (pulverizer) used by ancient Indian mathematicians like Brahmagupta for solving indeterminate equations comes from this same root, as the method involves 'breaking down' numbers.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈkuːt.nɑː/

US /ˈkuːt.nɑː/

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

Rhymes With

लूटना (lūṭnā - to rob) टूटना (ṭūṭnā - to break) छूटना (chhūṭnā - to be left/released) फूटना (phūṭnā - to burst) घूंटना (ghūṭnā - to swallow/strangle) खूंटना (khūṭnā - to peck/nibble) जूटना (jūṭnā - to unite/engage) सूटना (sūṭnā - to fit/suit)

Common Errors

Using a dental 't' (like in 'thin') instead of the retroflex 'ṭ'.
Shortening the 'ū' vowel to sound like 'put'.
Confusing it with 'kātnā' (to cut).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The word is simple to read, but recognizing the retroflex 'ṭ' is key.

Writing 3/5

Remembering the 'ū' matra and the 'ṭ' can be tricky for beginners.

Speaking 4/5

Mastering the retroflex 'ṭ' sound requires practice for English speakers.

Listening 3/5

Distinguishing it from 'pisna' or 'pitna' in fast speech takes time.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

अदरक (Ginger) मसाला (Spice) ओखली (Mortar) मूसल (Pestle) पीसना (To grind)

Learn Next

कुचलना (To squash) मसलना (To mash) धुनाई (Beating) दरदरा (Coarse) बारीक (Fine)

Advanced

कूटनीति (Diplomacy) कूटलेखन (Cryptography) संश्लेषण (Synthesis) विखंडन (Fragmentation) चूर्ण (Powder)

Grammar to Know

Transitive Verb Past Tense

मैंने (Subject + ne) अदरक (Object) कूटा (Verb agrees with Object).

Compound Verbs with 'Denā'

उसने मसाले कूट दिए (Adds a sense of completion).

Conjunctive Participle '-kar'

अदरक कूटकर चाय में डालो (After crushing...).

Imperative Mood

तुम कूटो (Informal), आप कूटिये (Formal).

Passive Voice with 'Jānā'

मसाला कूटा जा रहा है (The spice is being pounded).

Examples by Level

अदरक कूटो।

Crush the ginger.

Imperative form (informal).

मैं इलायची कूट रहा हूँ।

I am crushing cardamom.

Present continuous tense.

क्या तुम मसाले कूटते हो?

Do you pound spices?

Present indefinite question.

माँ लहसुन कूट रही हैं।

Mother is crushing garlic.

Present continuous with respect (feminine plural verb).

यहाँ बर्फ कूटो।

Crush the ice here.

Locative adverb 'यहाँ' with imperative.

उसने काली मिर्च कूटी।

She crushed black pepper.

Past tense with 'ne'. Verb matches feminine 'mirch'.

ज़रा अदरक कूट दो।

Just crush the ginger.

Compound verb with 'do' for request.

कूटना आसान है।

Crushing is easy.

Infinitive used as a noun (gerund).

मैंने ओखली में बादाम कूटे।

I crushed almonds in the mortar.

Past tense with plural masculine object 'badām'.

तुम कल क्या कूट रहे थे?

What were you crushing yesterday?

Past continuous question.

मसाले कूटने से स्वाद बढ़ता है।

Pounding spices increases the taste.

Inflected infinitive 'kūṭne' before a postposition.

वह बहुत तेज़ कूटता है।

He pounds very fast.

Adverb 'teez' modifying the verb.

हमें ये जड़ें कूटनी पड़ेंगी।

We will have to crush these roots.

Compulsion in future tense.

चोर को मत कूटो, पुलिस को बुलाओ।

Don't thrash the thief, call the police.

Negative imperative with slang meaning.

क्या आपने हल्दी कूटी है?

Have you crushed the turmeric?

Present perfect tense.

बच्चा खिलौना कूट रहा है।

The child is pounding the toy.

Subject-verb agreement (masculine singular).

अगर तुम सच नहीं बोलोगे, तो वह तुम्हें कूट देगा।

If you don't tell the truth, he will thrash you.

Conditional sentence with slang usage.

मसालों को दरदरा कूटना ज़रूरी है।

It is necessary to pound the spices coarsely.

Adjective 'daradarā' used as an adverbial phrase.

गाँव में आज भी औरतें धान कूटती हैं।

In villages, women still pound paddy today.

Habitual present tense.

उसने सारा गुस्सा ओखली पर कूटकर निकाला।

He took out all his anger by pounding on the mortar.

Conjunctive participle 'kūṭkar'.

दवा को कूटकर पानी में मिला लो।

Crush the medicine and mix it in water.

Instruction with multiple steps.

भीड़ ने जेबकतरे को बुरी तरह कूटा।

The crowd thrashed the pickpocket badly.

Slang usage in past tense.

मसाले कूटते समय सावधानी बरतें।

Exercise caution while pounding spices.

Formal instruction using 'samay'.

उसने पत्थर कूट-कूटकर रास्ता बनाया।

He made a path by repeatedly crushing stones.

Reduplication 'kūṭ-kūṭkar' for emphasis.

इस मशीन से अनाज कूटना बहुत आसान हो गया है।

Pounding grain has become very easy with this machine.

Infinitive as subject.

वह अपनी किस्मत को कूट रहा है।

He is 'pounding' (cursing/blaming) his fate.

Metaphorical usage.

खिलाड़ियों ने विपक्षी टीम को मैदान में कूटा।

The players thrashed the opposing team on the field.

Metaphorical sports usage.

आयुर्वेद में जड़ी-बूटियों को कूटने की विशेष विधि है।

There is a special method of pounding herbs in Ayurveda.

Formal sentence structure.

लोहे को गर्म करके कूटा जाता है।

Iron is pounded after being heated.

Passive voice 'kūṭā jātā hai'.

बिना कूटे मसालों का स्वाद नहीं आता।

The taste doesn't come without pounded spices.

Negative participle 'binā kūṭe'.

उसने अपनी सारी मेहनत मिट्टी में कूट दी।

He crushed all his hard work into the dust (wasted it).

Idiomatic usage.

क्या तुम इस ठोस पदार्थ को कूट सकोगे?

Will you be able to crush this solid substance?

Future ability with 'sakoge'.

समाज की कुरीतियों ने उसे भीतर से कूट दिया था।

The evils of society had crushed him from within.

Deep metaphorical usage.

कवि ने शब्दों को कूट-कूटकर नई कविता रची।

The poet pounded words together to create a new poem.

Abstract literary usage.

यह कार्य अत्यंत श्रमसाध्य है, इसमें घंटों कूटना पड़ता है।

This task is very laborious; one has to pound for hours.

Formal vocabulary 'shramsādhya'.

उसकी बातों में कूट-कूटकर अहंकार भरा है।

His words are filled to the brim (pounded in) with arrogance.

Adverbial phrase 'kūṭ-kūṭkar' meaning 'thoroughly filled'.

प्राचीन काल में धान कूटने के लिए बड़े मूसलों का प्रयोग होता था।

In ancient times, large pestles were used for pounding paddy.

Historical descriptive sentence.

दार्शनिक ने विचारों को कूटकर सत्य का सार निकाला।

The philosopher crushed ideas to extract the essence of truth.

Philosophical metaphor.

जब तक तुम इसे बारीक नहीं कूटोगे, औषधीय गुण नहीं निकलेंगे।

Unless you pound it finely, the medicinal properties won't emerge.

Conditional with technical context.

उसने अपनी विफलता को कूटकर सफलता की सीढ़ी बनाई।

He crushed his failure and made it a ladder to success.

Inspirational metaphor.

सत्ता की चक्की में आम आदमी सदैव कूटा जाता है।

The common man is always crushed in the mill of power.

Political metaphor in passive voice.

उसकी लेखनी में यथार्थ को कूट-कूटकर प्रस्तुत किया गया है।

In his writing, reality has been presented with intense density.

Literary analysis.

क्या यह कूटनीतिक चाल उसे कूटने के लिए पर्याप्त है?

Is this diplomatic move enough to crush him?

Punning on 'Kūṭnītik' (diplomatic) and 'kūṭnā'.

समय की मार ने उसके हौसलों को कूट दिया, पर वह झुका नहीं।

The blows of time crushed his spirits, but he did not bow.

Poetic resilience metaphor.

इस शोध पत्र में डेटा को कूटकर निष्कर्ष निकाला गया है।

In this research paper, data has been processed (crushed) to draw conclusions.

Academic metaphor.

उसकी आवाज़ में कूट-कूटकर दर्द भरा हुआ था।

His voice was saturated with pain.

Describing emotional quality.

वैश्वीकरण ने स्थानीय उद्योगों को कूटकर रख दिया है।

Globalization has completely crushed local industries.

Socio-economic commentary.

शब्दों को कूटना और उन्हें अर्थ देना कवि का धर्म है।

To pound words and give them meaning is the poet's duty.

Metalinguistic metaphor.

Synonyms

पीसना कुचलना ठोंकना चूर करना दबाना

Antonyms

सहलाना जोड़ना

Common Collocations

अदरक कूटना

मसाले कूटना

धान कूटना

बर्फ कूटना

बुरी तरह कूटना

इलायची कूटना

पत्थर कूटना

लहसुन कूटना

दरदरा कूटना

कूट-कूटकर भरना

Common Phrases

इसे कूट लो

— Crush this. Used as a simple kitchen instruction.

लहसुन तैयार है, इसे कूट लो।

कूट के रख देना

— To thrash someone completely. Used in threats.

अगर यहाँ दोबारा दिखे, तो कूट के रख दूँगा।

कूट-कूटकर

— Thoroughly or intensely. Often used to describe qualities.

उसमें देशभक्ति कूट-कूटकर भरी है।

मसाला कूटना

— To pound spice. A basic cooking task.

वह सुबह से मसाला कूट रही है।

अदरक-लहसुन कूटना

— To crush ginger-garlic. A staple of Indian cooking.

अदरक-लहसुन कूटना मत भूलना।

धान कूटने वाली

— A woman who pounds paddy. Refers to a rural occupation.

धान कूटने वाली औरतें गाना गा रही हैं।

बर्फ कूटने वाला

— Ice crusher. Can refer to a tool or a person.

बर्फ कूटने वाला कहाँ है?

ज़बरदस्त कुटाई

— A massive thrashing. Noun form of the action.

उसकी ज़बरदस्त कुटाई हुई।

कूटनीति

— Diplomacy. (Etymologically related but distinct meaning).

कूटनीति में सब जायज़ है।

कूट डालना

— To crush/beat thoroughly.

उसने सारा गुस्सा ओखली पर कूट डाला।

Often Confused With

कूटना vs पीसना (Pīsnā)

Pīsnā is for fine powder, Kūṭnā is for coarse pounding.

कूटना vs काटना (Kātnā)

Kātnā means to cut with a knife; Kūṭnā is to pound with a pestle.

कूटना vs पीटना (Pīṭnā)

Pīṭnā is a general hit; Kūṭnā is a heavy, fragmentation-focused hit.

Idioms & Expressions

"कूट-कूटकर भरा होना"

— To be filled to the brim with a quality. Usually positive like talent or negative like pride.

उस लड़के में आत्मविश्वास कूट-कूटकर भरा है।

Common

"मिट्टी में कूट देना"

— To destroy something completely or waste effort.

उसने अपनी इज़्ज़त मिट्टी में कूट दी।

Informal

"हड्डियाँ कूट देना"

— To beat someone so hard that their bones feel crushed.

पहलवान ने उसकी हड्डियाँ कूट दीं।

Aggressive Slang

"सिर कूटना"

— To lament or beat one's head in frustration (similar to 'sir pitna').

अब सिर कूटने से क्या फायदा?

Literary/Dramatic

"किस्मत कूटना"

— To curse one's bad luck.

वह अपनी फूटी किस्मत कूट रहा है।

Colloquial

"मसाला कूटते रह जाना"

— To be stuck doing menial labor while others succeed.

वह बस मसाला कूटता रह गया और दोस्त आगे निकल गए।

Informal

"दिल कूटना"

— To feel a heavy, pounding heart due to fear or excitement (rare).

डर के मारे उसका दिल कूटने लगा।

Poetic

"चटनी कूट देना"

— To beat someone into a pulp (like chutney).

पुलिस उसकी चटनी कूट देगी।

Slang

"पत्थर से सिर कूटना"

— To try to do something impossible or futile.

उसे समझाना पत्थर से सिर कूटने जैसा है।

Common

"कूट-काट के"

— After much crushing and cutting; after a lot of effort.

उसने कूट-काट के प्रोजेक्ट पूरा किया।

Informal

Easily Confused

कूटना vs कातना (Kātnā)

Similar sound.

Kātnā means to spin thread (like Gandhi's charkha). Kūṭnā means to pound.

गांधी जी सूत कातते थे। (Gandhi used to spin thread.)

कूटना vs कूड़ना (Kūṛnā)

Phonetically similar.

Kūṛnā (or kudhna) means to fret or be annoyed. Kūṭnā is a physical action.

वह मन ही मन कूड़ रहा है। (He is fretting internally.)

कूटना vs खोटना (Khoṭnā)

Rhyming sound.

Khoṭnā means to pluck or find fault. Kūṭnā is to crush.

पत्तियां मत खोटो। (Don't pluck the leaves.)

कूटना vs लूटना (Lūṭnā)

Rhyming sound.

Lūṭnā means to rob or loot. Kūṭnā is to pound.

चोर ने बैंक लूटा। (The thief robbed the bank.)

कूटना vs टूटना (Ṭūṭnā)

Rhyming sound.

Ṭūṭnā is intransitive (to break on its own). Kūṭnā is transitive (to pound something).

कांच टूट गया। (The glass broke.)

Sentence Patterns

[Object] kooto.

Adrak kooto.

Maine [Object] koota.

Maine lahsun koota.

[Object] kootkar [Action].

Masala kootkar daalo.

[Object] koota jaa raha hai.

Dhaan koota jaa raha hai.

[Abstract] koot-kootkar bhara hai.

Usme garv koot-kootkar bhara hai.

[Complex] ne [Object] ko koot diya.

Samay ki maar ne use koot diya.

Main [Object] koot raha hoon.

Main barf koot raha hoon.

Kya tumne [Object] koota?

Kya tumne mirch kooti?

Word Family

Nouns

कुटाई (kuṭāī) - The act of pounding or a beating.

कूट (kūṭ) - A code or a peak (homonym).

कुट्टक (kuṭṭak) - A pulverizer or multiplier (mathematical).

Verbs

कुटवाना (kuṭvānā) - To cause someone else to pound something (Causative).

कुटना (kuṭnā) - To be pounded (Intransitive/Passive sense).

Adjectives

कुटा हुआ (kuṭā huā) - Pounded/Crushed.

दरदरा (daradarā) - Coarsely pounded.

ओखली (okhli) - Mortar

मूसल (musal) - Pestle

हमाम-दस्ता (hamām-dastā) - Iron mortar pestle

खरल (kharal) - Small stone mortar

सिल-बट्टा (sil-baṭṭā) - Grinding stone

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in daily life and informal speech.

Common Mistakes

Using 'pīsnā' for ginger in chai. → अदरक कूटना (Adrak kūṭnā).
Ginger is pounded, not ground into a fine powder for tea.
Saying 'Main adrak koota' in the past tense. → मैंने अदरक कूटा (Maine adrak kūṭā).
You must use the 'ne' postposition with transitive verbs in the past.
Using 'kūṭnā' to mean 'scolding' someone. → डाँटना (Dāntnā).
Kūṭnā implies physical violence, while dāntnā is verbal scolding.
Confusing 'kūṭnā' with 'kātnā'. → कूटना for pounding, काटना for cutting.
These are different actions with different tools.
Using 'kūṭnā' for soft fruits like mangoes. → मसलना (Masalnā).
You mash soft fruits; you don't pound them with a heavy tool.

Tips

Master the 'Ne' Rule

Since 'kūṭnā' is transitive, remember: 'Maine kūṭā', 'Usne kūṭā'. The verb agrees with what you crushed, not with you!

The Retroflex Ṭ

Don't say it like the English 't' in 'tea'. Curl your tongue back. It should sound like a heavy 'thud'.

Kitchen Precision

Use 'kūṭnā' for ginger, garlic, and cardamom. Use 'pīsnā' for salt, flour, and fine powders.

Chai Secret

For the best masala chai, always 'kūṭo' the ginger and cardamom. Never cut them with a knife!

Aggression Alert

Be careful using 'kūṭnā' for people. It's much more graphic than 'pīṭnā' (to beat).

Character Traits

Use 'kūṭ-kūṭkar bharā' when you want to say someone is 'full of' something, like 'talent' or 'evil'.

Rural Context

In villages, 'kūṭnā' is often a social activity for women. It's a great topic for cultural conversation.

Blacksmithing

You can use 'kūṭnā' to describe a blacksmith pounding hot iron into shape.

Crushing Ice

If you need crushed ice for a party, ask: 'Kyā tum barf kūṭ sakte ho?'

Sound Patterns

The word sounds like what it does. The 'K' and 'Ṭ' are sharp and percussive.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a **Koo**king **T**ool (**Kūṭ**) hitting a hard spice. The sound 'Kūṭ' is like the thud of the pestle hitting the mortar.

Visual Association

Picture a giant mortar and pestle in a kitchen. Every time the pestle hits the bottom, it says 'Kūṭ!'.

Word Web

Okhli Musal Adrak Masala Beating Crush Pound Texture

Challenge

Try to say 'Adrak kūṭo' five times fast while mimicking the action of pounding with your hand.

Word Origin

Derived from the Sanskrit root 'कुट्ट्' (kuṭṭ), which means to grind, pound, or multiply. It is an Indo-Aryan word that has remained relatively stable in its phonetic and semantic core for millennia.

Original meaning: To break into pieces or to pound using force.

Indo-European > Indo-Iranian > Indo-Aryan.

Cultural Context

Be extremely careful using the slang 'beating' meaning. It is aggressive and can be offensive or threatening in the wrong context.

English speakers might use 'crush', 'pound', or 'mash', but 'kūṭnā' specifically implies the percussive action of a pestle.

The song 'Dhan Kooto' (Pound the Paddy) in various folk traditions. Bollywood dialogues where a villain is threatened with 'Kutai'. Ayurvedic texts describing 'Aushadh Kutan' (Pounding of medicine).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Cooking

अदरक कूटो
इलायची कूटकर डालो
मसाले दरदरे कूटें
लहसुन की कुटाई

Street Fight / Slang

उसे बहुत कूटा
कूट दूँगा तुझे
ज़बरदस्त कुटाई हुई
कूट-कूट के चटनी बना दी

Agriculture

धान कूटना
गेहूँ की कुटाई
मूसल से कूटना
अनाज कूटना

Medicine (Ayurveda)

जड़ी-बूटी कूटना
दवा कूटकर लेना
खरल में कूटना
बारीक कूटना

Construction

पत्थर कूटना
बर्फ कूटना
रोड़ कूटने वाली मशीन
लोहा कूटना

Conversation Starters

"क्या आप घर पर मसाले कूटते हैं या पिसे हुए खरीदते हैं?"

"चाय में अदरक कूटकर डालना आपको कैसा लगता है?"

"क्या आपने कभी ओखली और मूसल का प्रयोग किया है?"

"आपके यहाँ धान कूटने की कोई पुरानी परंपरा है?"

"क्या आपने कभी किसी को कूटते हुए (लड़ाई में) देखा है?"

Journal Prompts

आज मैंने रसोई में क्या-क्या कूटा? उसका अनुभव कैसा था?

अगर मुझे अपनी किसी बुरी आदत को 'कूटकर' खत्म करना हो, तो वह क्या होगी?

भारतीय रसोई में 'कूटना' क्यों ज़रूरी है? अपने विचार लिखें।

एक ऐसी कहानी लिखें जहाँ एक जादुई ओखली सब कुछ कूट देती है।

बचपन की कोई याद जब आपने पहली बार कुछ कूटा था।

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Usually, yes. It implies a physical beating. However, among very close friends, it might be used as a hyperbolic joke, but it still carries an aggressive tone. Always use it with caution outside the kitchen.

Kūṭnā involves a heavy tool and a hard object (like ginger or stone). Masalnā involves using your hands or a flat surface to mash something soft (like a boiled potato or a leaf).

Technically, if you use a mortar and pestle, yes. But usually, coffee is ground in a machine, so 'pīsnā' is the more appropriate word for coffee beans.

The most common terms are 'Okhli' (mortar) and 'Musal' (pestle). For smaller kitchen sets, people also use 'Hamam-dasta' or 'Kharal'.

In its culinary and agricultural sense, it is neutral and can be used anywhere. In its 'beating' sense, it is very informal and slangy.

This is an idiom. Imagine pounding something so much that you can fit a huge amount into a small space. It means someone is 'saturated' with a particular quality.

Yes! 'Barf kūṭnā' is the standard way to say 'to crush ice' for drinks or gola.

It is 'kūṭī'. For example, 'Maine mirch kūṭī' (I crushed the chili).

Yes, in agriculture, there are 'Dhan kūṭne kī machine' (Paddy pounding machines). In modern kitchens, blenders have replaced this action, but the word 'pīsnā' is then used for the machine's action.

No. For breaking laws or promises, use 'toṛnā'. 'Kūṭnā' is strictly for physical pounding or the specific slang for beating a person.