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डिलीट करना

A2 verb #5,500 most common 6 min read

डिलीट करना

delete karna Top 5,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips डिलीट करना in 30 Seconds

Explanation डिलीट करना in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'डिलीट करना' (delete karnā) is the Hindi way to say 'to delete.' It is used just like in English but with the Hindi word 'karna' added to the end. You will mostly use it when talking about your phone or computer. For example, 'Photo delete karo' means 'Delete the photo.' At this stage, don't worry too much about complex grammar; focus on using it as a simple command or a statement about digital actions. It is one of the easiest verbs for English speakers to learn because the main word is already familiar to you. Just remember that 'delete' is the base and 'karna' is the action part that changes based on who is doing it.

At the A2 level, you should start using 'डिलीट करना' in complete sentences with proper subjects and objects. You will learn that it is a transitive verb. This means when you use it in the past tense, you must use the 'ne' postposition with the subject. For example, 'Maine file delete ki' (I deleted the file). Notice how the ending of the verb changes to 'ki' because 'file' is feminine. You should also be able to use it in the present continuous tense, like 'Main photos delete kar raha hoon' (I am deleting photos). At this level, you are expected to use the word in common daily scenarios involving technology and social media interactions.

At the B1 level, you can use 'डिलीट करना' in more complex sentence structures, including compound verbs like 'delete kar dena.' Adding 'dena' gives the action a sense of completion or finality, which is very common in native speech. You should also be able to use it in passive constructions or when discussing obligations, such as 'Yeh data delete kiya jaana chahiye' (This data should be deleted). You will start to distinguish when to use 'delete karna' versus more traditional words like 'mitana' or 'hatana.' You can also use it in conditional sentences, such as 'Agar tumne yeh delete kiya, to wapas nahi milega' (If you delete this, you won't get it back).

At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'डिलीट करना' fluently in professional and technical discussions. You should understand its nuances in cybersecurity, data management, and privacy contexts. You can discuss the implications of deleting information and use the word in more abstract ways. For instance, 'Purani yaadon ko delete karna asaan nahi hota' (It is not easy to delete old memories). You should be comfortable with all moods and aspects of the verb, including the subjunctive and various causative forms if necessary (though 'delete karwana'—to have someone else delete something—is more common). Your vocabulary should also include synonyms like 'vilupt karna' for more formal writing.

At the C1 level, 'डिलीट करना' is just one of many tools in your vocabulary. You understand that while it is technically a loanword, it carries specific cultural weight in modern India. You can use it to critique digital culture or discuss the 'right to be forgotten.' You are adept at switching between 'delete karna' in casual speech and 'nirast karna' or 'mita dena' in high-level literature or formal speeches. You can use the word in complex metaphorical structures and understand puns or wordplay involving digital deletion in Hindi media. You also understand the historical transition of Hindi vocabulary from Sanskrit/Persian roots to modern global influences.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly command over the word 'डिलीट करना' and its place within the Hindi linguistic landscape. You can discuss the sociolinguistics of loanwords in Hindi and how 'delete karna' has displaced or supplemented traditional verbs. You can write technical manuals or legal documents where the precise meaning of 'deletion' is critical, distinguishing it from 'archiving' or 'suspending.' You can use the word with perfect grammatical precision in any tense, mood, or voice, and you can appreciate how the word is used in contemporary Hindi poetry or avant-garde cinema to represent the ephemeral nature of modern existence.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

डिलीट करना in 30 Seconds

Modern Hindi verb meaning 'to delete' digital items.
Combines English 'delete' with Hindi 'karna' (to do).
Used for files, photos, emails, and social media posts.
Follows transitive verb rules, requiring 'ne' in the past tense.

The phrase डिलीट करना (dileet karnā) is a ubiquitous compound verb in modern Hindi that represents the fusion of English technology vocabulary with Hindi grammar. At its core, it means 'to delete' or 'to erase,' primarily in a digital or electronic context. While traditional Hindi has words like 'mitana' (to erase) or 'hatana' (to remove), the loanword 'delete' has become the standard term used by over half a billion Hindi speakers when referring to files, messages, photos, or data. You will hear this word in almost every household in India where a smartphone is present. It is used across all age groups, from a grandchild teaching a grandparent how to manage phone storage to a professional IT environment in Bengaluru or Noida. The usage is strictly transitive, meaning it always requires an object—something that is being deleted.

Digital Context: The most common use involves removing digital information such as emails, contact numbers, or applications from a device.

Social Media: In the era of WhatsApp and Instagram, 'delete karna' refers to 'un-sending' messages or removing posts from a timeline.

क्या तुमने वह पुरानी फोटो डिलीट कर दी? (Did you delete that old photo?)

गलती से मैंने ज़रूरी फाइल डिलीट कर दी है। (I have deleted the important file by mistake.)

Casual Metaphors: Younger generations sometimes use 'delete karna' metaphorically to mean removing someone from their life or forgetting a bad memory, though 'bhulana' is more traditional for the latter.

उसकी यादों को अपने दिमाग से डिलीट कर दो। (Delete her memories from your mind.)

स्पैम ईमेल को तुरंत डिलीट करना चाहिए। (Spam emails should be deleted immediately.)

Using डिलीट करना requires an understanding of Hindi's compound verb structure. The word 'डिलीट' functions as the noun/adjective base, while 'करना' (to do) provides the action and conjugation. Because it is a transitive verb (sakarman kriya), the subject takes the postposition 'ne' in perfective tenses (past tense). For example, 'I deleted' is 'Maine delete kiya'. The verb must agree with the object in gender and number in these cases. If you delete a feminine object like 'file' (f), you say 'Maine file delete ki'. If you delete a masculine object like 'message' (m), you say 'Maine message delete kiya'.

Present Continuous: मैं फालतू वीडियो डिलीट कर रहा हूँ। (I am deleting useless videos.)

वह अपना अकाउंट डिलीट कर रही है। (She is deleting her account.)

Future Tense: क्या तुम यह ऐप डिलीट कर दोगे? (Will you delete this app?)

सारा डेटा डिलीट कर दो। (Delete all the data.)

Imperative (Commands): कृपया इस संदेश को डिलीट कीजिए। (Please delete this message.)

इसे डिलीट करना मत भूलना। (Don't forget to delete this.)

You will hear 'डिलीट करना' in a variety of modern settings. In an Indian office, a manager might tell an employee, 'Is file ko server se delete kar do' (Delete this file from the server). In a casual setting, friends might say, 'Tune meri photo delete kyon ki?' (Why did you delete my photo?). The word is so integrated into Hindi that it is no longer perceived as a foreign intruder but as a functional part of the vocabulary.

Customer Support: If you call a bank or a service provider in India, the IVR (Interactive Voice Response) or the agent might say, 'Apna purana account delete karne ke liye ek dabayein' (Press one to delete your old account).

क्या मैं यह हिस्ट्री डिलीट कर सकता हूँ? (Can I delete this history?)

News and Media: News reports about cybercrime often use this term. 'Hacker ne saara data delete kar diya' (The hacker deleted all the data).

फोन की मेमोरी भर गई है, कुछ वीडियो डिलीट कर दो। (Phone memory is full, delete some videos.)

Social Interactions: When someone posts a controversial comment and then removes it, people say, 'Usne comment delete kar diya' (He deleted the comment).

गलत मैसेज डिलीट करना ही बेहतर है। (It is better to delete the wrong message.)

One of the most common mistakes learners make is treating 'delete' as a standalone verb without the auxiliary 'karna'. In Hindi, you cannot just say 'Main delete'. You must say 'Main delete karta hoon'. Another frequent error is related to the transitive nature of the verb. Learners often forget to use 'ne' in the past tense. For instance, saying 'Main delete kiya' instead of 'Maine delete kiya'.

Object Agreement: Mistaking the gender of the object leads to incorrect verb endings. 'File' is feminine, so it should be 'delete ki', not 'delete kiya'.

Incorrect: मैंने फाइल डिलीट किया। (I deleted the file - wrong gender agreement)

Overuse vs. Mitana: Using 'delete karna' for physical objects like pencil marks on paper. For physical erasing, 'mitana' is more appropriate, although 'delete' is increasingly used for everything digital.

गलती: बोर्ड से शब्द डिलीट कर दो। (Wrong: Delete the words from the board - use 'mita do' instead.)

Confusing with 'Hata dena': Sometimes learners use 'delete' when they mean 'move' or 'remove' from a list without permanent destruction. 'Hata dena' is more general.

सही: क्या आपने मेरा नाम लिस्ट से हटा दिया? (Correct: Did you remove my name from the list?)

While डिलीट करना is the most common modern term, several other verbs share overlapping meanings depending on the context. Understanding these will help you sound more like a native speaker and handle formal situations better.

मिटाना (Mitānā): Meaning 'to erase' or 'to wipe out'. This is the traditional word used for physical marks, memories, or traces. It carries a more poetic and permanent connotation than 'delete'.

हटाना (Haṭānā): Meaning 'to remove'. This is used when moving an object from one place to another or removing a person from a group. It doesn't necessarily imply destruction.

उसने दीवार से पोस्टर हटा दिया। (He removed the poster from the wall.)

नष्ट करना (Naṣṭ karnā): Meaning 'to destroy'. This is a much stronger and more formal word. It is used for physical destruction or ruining something completely.

बाढ़ ने सब कुछ नष्ट कर दिया। (The flood destroyed everything.)

खारिज करना (Khārij karnā): Meaning 'to dismiss' or 'to reject'. Used in legal or official contexts, like dismissing a court case or rejecting an application.

अदालत ने याचिका खारिज कर दी। (The court dismissed the petition.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

While 'mitana' was the standard word for centuries, 'delete karna' rose to dominance in less than 20 years following the mobile revolution in India. It is now more common than the native word in cities.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /dɪˈliːt kəɾ.nɑː/

US /diˈlit kəɾ.nɑː/

Stress is on the second syllable of 'delete' (LEET) and the final syllable of 'karna' (NA).

Rhymes With

पीट करना (peet karna) मीट करना (meet karna) हीट करना (heat karna) ट्रीट करना (treat karna) कंप्लीट करना (complete karna) रिपीट करना (repeat karna) डिफीट करना (defeat karna) सीट करना (seat karna)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'delete' with a heavy Hindi accent like 'de-leet' (too long on the first E).
Pronouncing 'karna' as 'karna' (with a hard English R) instead of the soft Hindi 'r'.
Forgetting to aspirate the 'k' in 'karna' slightly.
Stressing the 'kar' instead of the 'na'.
Merging the two words into one without a slight pause.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy as the word 'delete' is written in Devanagari script.

Writing 2/5

Requires knowing how to spell 'delete' in Hindi (डिलीट).

Speaking 1/5

Natural for English speakers, just add 'karna'.

Listening 1/5

Instantly recognizable in conversation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

करना (to do) फोटो (photo) मैसेज (message) नहीं (no/not) है (is)

Learn Next

सेव करना (to save) डाउनलोड करना (to download) अपलोड करना (to upload) इंस्टॉल करना (to install) कॉपी करना (to copy)

Advanced

मिटाना (to erase) हटाना (to remove) नष्ट करना (to destroy) संशोधित करना (to modify) पुनर्प्राप्त करना (to recover)

Grammar to Know

Compound Verbs with 'Karna'

English Noun + Karna = Hindi Verb (e.g., Check karna, Delete karna).

Transitive Verb Past Tense ('Ne' Rule)

Maine [Object] delete kiya (I deleted [Object]).

Object Agreement

Maine file (f) delete ki; Maine message (m) delete kiya.

Compound Verb Intensifier 'Dena'

Delete kar do (Delete it off/completely).

Infinitive as Noun

Delete karna achhi aadat hai (Deleting is a good habit).

Examples by Level

फोटो डिलीट करो।

Delete the photo.

Imperative form for 'you' (informal).

क्या मैं डिलीट करूँ?

Should I delete it?

First-person singular subjunctive for seeking permission.

यह मैसेज डिलीट करो।

Delete this message.

Direct object 'message' followed by the verb.

मैं डिलीट करता हूँ।

I am deleting (it).

Present simple tense, masculine singular.

इसे डिलीट मत करो।

Don't delete this.

Negative imperative using 'mat'.

नंबर डिलीट करो।

Delete the number.

Simple object-verb construction.

ऐप डिलीट करो।

Delete the app.

Common tech-related command.

फाइल डिलीट कीजिए।

Please delete the file.

Formal imperative using 'kijiye'.

मैंने पुरानी फोटो डिलीट कर दी।

I deleted the old photo.

Past tense with 'ne'. Verb agrees with 'photo' (feminine).

वह फालतू ईमेल डिलीट कर रही है।

She is deleting useless emails.

Present continuous tense, feminine singular.

क्या तुमने मेरा नंबर डिलीट कर दिया?

Did you delete my number?

Past tense question with 'ne'. Agreement with 'number' (masculine).

हम कल सारे वीडियो डिलीट करेंगे।

We will delete all videos tomorrow.

Future tense, first person plural.

उसने गलती से फाइल डिलीट कर दी।

He/She deleted the file by mistake.

Adverbial phrase 'galti se' added.

आप यह ऐप डिलीट कर सकते हैं।

You can delete this app.

Modal verb 'sakna' (can) used with the stem.

मैसेज डिलीट करना आसान है।

Deleting messages is easy.

Gerundial use of the verb as a subject.

मैंने अपना अकाउंट डिलीट कर दिया।

I deleted my account.

Past tense with masculine object 'account'.

अगर तुम फोटो डिलीट करोगे, तो जगह बन जाएगी।

If you delete photos, space will be created.

Conditional sentence Type 1.

मुझे वह मैसेज डिलीट कर देना चाहिए था।

I should have deleted that message.

Past obligation using 'chahiye tha'.

उसने बिना पूछे सब कुछ डिलीट कर दिया।

He deleted everything without asking.

Use of 'bina poochhe' (without asking).

क्या आपने हिस्ट्री डिलीट करना सीख लिया है?

Have you learned how to delete history?

Compound verb 'seekh lena' with infinitive.

सारा डेटा डिलीट होने से बच गया।

All data was saved from being deleted.

Passive sense using 'hone se bachna'.

वह अपना नाम लिस्ट से डिलीट करवाना चाहता है।

He wants to have his name deleted from the list.

Causative form 'delete karwana'.

हमें स्पैम ईमेल तुरंत डिलीट कर देने चाहिए।

We should delete spam emails immediately.

Advice/Obligation with 'chahiye'.

जब मैंने देखा, तो फाइल डिलीट हो चुकी थी।

When I looked, the file had already been deleted.

Past perfect with 'ho chuki thi' (passive state).

कंपनी ने पूर्व कर्मचारियों का डेटा डिलीट करने का फैसला किया है।

The company has decided to delete the data of former employees.

Complex sentence with infinitive as a noun phrase.

सोशल मीडिया पर पोस्ट डिलीट करना भी एक कला है।

Deleting posts on social media is also an art.

Abstract usage of the verb.

हैकर्स ने सर्वर से सारी जानकारी डिलीट कर दी थी।

Hackers had deleted all information from the server.

Pluperfect tense with transitive subject.

क्या आप जानते हैं कि डिलीट किया हुआ डेटा कैसे वापस लाएं?

Do you know how to recover deleted data?

Past participle 'delete kiya hua' used as an adjective.

नियमों के अनुसार, यह रिकॉर्ड डिलीट कर दिया जाना चाहिए।

According to the rules, this record should be deleted.

Formal passive construction 'kar diya jaana'.

उसने अपनी यादों को डिलीट करने की बहुत कोशिश की।

He tried very hard to delete his memories.

Metaphorical usage.

प्राइवेसी बनाए रखने के लिए कुकीज़ डिलीट करना ज़रूरी है।

It is important to delete cookies to maintain privacy.

Technical context.

अगर सर्वर क्रैश हुआ, तो सारा डेटा डिलीट हो सकता है।

If the server crashes, all data might be deleted.

Potential mood with 'ho sakta hai'.

डिजिटल युग में, अपनी पहचान को पूरी तरह से डिलीट करना लगभग असंभव है।

In the digital age, it is almost impossible to completely delete one's identity.

Complex philosophical sentence.

सरकार ने उन फाइलों को डिलीट करने के आदेश दिए जो संवेदनशील थीं।

The government ordered the deletion of files that were sensitive.

Relative clause 'jo sanvedansheel theen'.

लेखक ने अपनी पांडुलिपि के कई हिस्सों को डिलीट कर दिया।

The author deleted many parts of his manuscript.

Transitive usage in a literary context.

सॉफ्टवेयर अपडेट के दौरान पुरानी सेटिंग्स अपने आप डिलीट हो जाती हैं।

Old settings are automatically deleted during the software update.

Intransitive/Passive usage 'delete ho jaati hain'.

क्या डिलीट करना ही हर समस्या का समाधान है?

Is deleting the only solution to every problem?

Infinitive used as the subject of an inquiry.

उसने अपने अतीत के हर निशान को डिजिटल दुनिया से डिलीट कर दिया।

He deleted every trace of his past from the digital world.

Extensive direct object phrase.

अदालत ने गूगल को कुछ सर्च रिजल्ट्स डिलीट करने का निर्देश दिया।

The court directed Google to delete certain search results.

Infinitive of purpose.

बिना बैकअप के डेटा डिलीट करना बहुत जोखिम भरा हो सकता है।

Deleting data without a backup can be very risky.

Complex verbal phrase as subject.

आधुनिक समाज में 'डिलीट करना' केवल एक तकनीकी क्रिया नहीं, बल्कि एक सामाजिक व्यवहार बन गया है।

In modern society, 'to delete' is not just a technical action but has become a social behavior.

Sociolinguistic observation.

इतिहास को इस तरह से डिलीट नहीं किया जा सकता जैसे कोई कंप्यूटर फाइल।

History cannot be deleted in the same way as a computer file.

Comparative structure with passive voice.

एल्गोरिदम ने उन संदेशों को डिलीट कर दिया जिन्हें वह आपत्तिजनक समझता था।

The algorithm deleted those messages which it considered offensive.

Personification of 'algorithm' as the subject.

क्या हम अपनी चेतना से अनचाहे अनुभवों को डिलीट करने की क्षमता कभी पा सकेंगे?

Will we ever be able to gain the ability to delete unwanted experiences from our consciousness?

Speculative future interrogative.

डेटा की प्रचुरता के इस दौर में, यह तय करना मुश्किल है कि क्या रखना है और क्या डिलीट करना है।

In this era of data abundance, it is difficult to decide what to keep and what to delete.

Parallel infinitive structure.

उसने अपने जीवन के उस अध्याय को पूरी तरह से डिलीट करने का संकल्प लिया।

He resolved to completely delete that chapter of his life.

Metaphorical usage with 'sankalp lena' (to resolve).

साइबर सुरक्षा विशेषज्ञों का मानना है कि डेटा कभी भी वास्तव में डिलीट नहीं होता।

Cybersecurity experts believe that data is never truly deleted.

Reported speech.

प्रणालीगत त्रुटियों के कारण महत्वपूर्ण दस्तावेज़ डिलीट हो गए।

Important documents were deleted due to systemic errors.

Causal phrase 'ke kaaran'.

Common Collocations

फोटो डिलीट करना

अकाउंट डिलीट करना

फाइल डिलीट करना

हिस्ट्री डिलीट करना

मैसेज डिलीट करना

ऐप डिलीट करना

डेटा डिलीट करना

ईमेल डिलीट करना

नंबर डिलीट करना

गलती से डिलीट करना

Common Phrases

डिलीट कर देना

— To delete completely or decisively. The 'dena' adds emphasis.

सब कुछ डिलीट कर दो।

डिलीट हो जाना

— To get deleted (accidentally or automatically).

मेरी फोटो डिलीट हो गई।

डिलीट मारना

— Slang way of saying 'to delete' quickly or forcefully.

इस मैसेज को डिलीट मारो।

परमानेंटली डिलीट करना

— To delete permanently.

इसे परमानेंटली डिलीट कर दो।

डिलीट करने का विकल्प

— The option to delete.

यहाँ डिलीट करने का विकल्प नहीं है।

डिलीट करने का बटन

— The delete button.

डिलीट करने का बटन कहाँ है?

डिलीट करने की कोशिश

— An attempt to delete.

उसने फाइल डिलीट करने की कोशिश की।

डिलीट करने लायक

— Worth deleting.

यह ईमेल डिलीट करने लायक है।

डिलीट करने से पहले

— Before deleting.

डिलीट करने से पहले सोच लो।

डिलीट करने के बाद

— After deleting.

डिलीट करने के बाद डेटा वापस नहीं आएगा।

Often Confused With

डिलीट करना vs मिटाना (Mitana)

Mitana is for physical marks (chalk, pencil) or abstract things (memories). Delete karna is for digital things.

डिलीट करना vs हटाना (Hatana)

Hatana means to move or remove, but not necessarily destroy. Delete karna implies the item is gone from the system.

डिलीट करना vs काटना (Katna)

Katna (to cut) is used for deleting text in a draft or removing a name from a list, but 'delete karna' is more modern.

Idioms & Expressions

"दिमाग से डिलीट करना"

— To completely forget someone or something intentionally.

उसने अपनी पुरानी यादों को दिमाग से डिलीट कर दिया है।

Informal/Modern

"लाइफ से डिलीट करना"

— To cut someone out of one's life completely.

मैंने उसे अपनी लाइफ से डिलीट कर दिया।

"एक क्लिक में डिलीट"

— To remove something very quickly and easily.

उसने सालों का रिश्ता एक क्लिक में डिलीट कर दिया।

"हिस्ट्री डिलीट करना (Metaphorical)"

— To hide one's past actions or secrets.

वह अपनी हिस्ट्री डिलीट करने की कोशिश कर रहा है।

"सिस्टम से डिलीट"

— Completely removed from a structured organization or society.

उसे सिस्टम से डिलीट कर दिया गया।

"डिलीट बटन दबाना"

— To end something abruptly.

उसने अपनी पुरानी आदतों पर डिलीट बटन दबा दिया।

"मेमोरी से डिलीट"

— To forget information or a specific event.

यह घटना मेरी मेमोरी से डिलीट हो गई है।

"फाइल क्लोज और डिलीट"

— To finish a matter and never speak of it again.

अब यह बात खत्म, फाइल क्लोज और डिलीट।

"डिलीट मोड में होना"

— To be in a state of getting rid of unwanted things or people.

आज मैं डिलीट मोड में हूँ।

"सब कुछ डिलीट"

— A total reset or fresh start.

पुरानी बातें भूल जाओ, सब कुछ डिलीट।

Easily Confused

डिलीट करना vs Uninstall करना

Both remove things from a phone.

Uninstall is specifically for removing software/apps. Delete is for files, photos, or data within an app.

App uninstall karo, lekin photo delete mat karo.

डिलीट करना vs Clear करना

Both result in empty space.

Clear often refers to emptying a container (like a cache or a field) without necessarily deleting the underlying file.

Cache clear karo, delete karne ki zaroorat nahi.

डिलीट करना vs Remove करना

Direct synonyms in English.

In Hindi, 'remove karna' (or hatana) might just mean taking something out of a group, while 'delete' is more permanent.

Use group se remove kar do.

डिलीट करना vs Reset करना

Both can lead to data loss.

Reset is to return to original settings (which might delete everything), while delete is for specific items.

Phone reset karne se sab delete ho jayega.

डिलीट करना vs Format करना

Both involve erasing data.

Format is for an entire disk or drive. Delete is for individual files.

Pendrive format kar do.

Sentence Patterns

[Object] delete karo.

Photo delete karo.

Maine [Object] delete kiya/ki.

Maine app delete kiya.

Mujhe [Object] delete karna chahiye.

Mujhe ye email delete karna chahiye.

[Object] delete kar do.

Purana data delete kar do.

Agar [Subject] [Object] delete karega, to...

Agar tum file delete karoge, to nuksan hoga.

[Object] delete kiya jaana chahiye.

Ye record delete kiya jaana chahiye.

[Subject] [Object] delete karne ka sankalp leta hai.

Main buri yaadein delete karne ka sankalp leta hoon.

Kya aap [Object] delete kar rahe hain?

Kya aap video delete kar rahe hain?

Word Family

Nouns

डिलीशन (Deletion - less common than 'delete karna')

डिलीट बटन (Delete button)

Verbs

डिलीट करना (To delete - active)

डिलीट होना (To be deleted - passive/intransitive)

डिलीट करवाना (To have something deleted - causative)

Adjectives

डिलीटेड (Deleted - English loanword)

डिलीट किया हुआ (Deleted - Hindi structure)

मिटाना (to erase)

हटाना (to remove)

नष्ट करना (to destroy)

खारिज करना (to dismiss)

साफ़ करना (to clean/clear)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in urban areas; high in rural areas due to mobile phone penetration.

Common Mistakes

Main file delete kiya. → Maine file delete ki.
Missing 'ne' and wrong gender agreement. 'File' is feminine.
Maine photo delete. → Maine photo delete ki.
Missing the auxiliary verb 'karna'.
Board delete karo. → Board mita do.
Using 'delete' for a physical board instead of 'mitana'.
Hum delete kar rahe. → Hum delete kar rahe hain.
Missing the auxiliary 'hain' in continuous tense.
Usne account delete kiya tha. → Usne account delete kar diya tha.
While the first is okay, 'kar diya' sounds much more natural for completed actions.

Tips

The 'Ne' Rule

Always remember that 'delete karna' is transitive. In the past tense, the subject must take 'ne' (Maine, Usne, Aapne).

Gender Agreement

Pay attention to the object. 'File' is feminine in Hindi, so 'Maine file delete ki'. 'Message' is masculine, so 'Maine message delete kiya'.

Digital First

Restrict 'delete karna' to digital contexts (phones, computers) to sound most natural.

Soft R

Keep the 'r' in 'karna' soft and tapped, not rhotic like in American English.

Hinglish is Key

Don't be afraid to use English loanwords in Hindi; it's how people actually speak in India today.

Slang Version

Use 'delete maar do' with friends for a more casual, street-smart vibe.

Irreversibility

In conversations, emphasize 'permanently' by saying 'hamesha ke liye delete karna'.

Office Talk

In offices, 'delete karna' is the standard term. Native words might sound too poetic or out of place.

Action Verb

Remember that 'karna' is the engine of the verb. Without it, 'delete' is just a noun.

Literary Alternative

If writing a formal essay, consider using 'mita dena' for a more sophisticated Hindi feel.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Delete' as the command and 'Karna' as the action 'to do'. So, 'Delete-Do'. Just like you 'do' laundry, in Hindi, you 'do' a delete.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant red 'X' button on your smartphone. Every time you press it, say 'Delete karna'. The 'karna' is your finger doing the work.

Word Web

Smartphone Computer File Photo Memory Storage Trash Bin

Challenge

Try to find 5 things on your phone right now that you don't need. As you delete each one, say out loud: 'Maine yeh [object] delete kar diya'.

Word Origin

A compound of the English verb 'delete' and the Hindi verb 'karna'. This is a product of 'Hinglish'—the blending of Hindi and English that is standard in modern India. The word 'delete' comes from the Latin 'deletus', the past participle of 'delere' (to destroy).

Original meaning: To destroy, blot out, or efface.

Indo-European (English component) + Indo-Aryan (Hindi component).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using it metaphorically for people (e.g., 'I deleted him from my life') as it can sound very harsh or cold.

English speakers find this word easy because the root is English, but they must be careful with Hindi's gendered grammar which still applies to the loanword.

Used frequently in Indian tech YouTube channels like Technical Guruji. Common in Bollywood dialogues involving mobile phones or 'un-friending' someone. A staple in Indian memes about deleting browser history before parents see it.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Phone Storage Full

मेमोरी फुल है।
कुछ वीडियो डिलीट करो।
डिलीट करने के बाद जगह बन जाएगी।
क्या मैं ये डिलीट कर दूँ?

Social Media Privacy

अपना अकाउंट डिलीट करो।
मैंने पोस्ट डिलीट कर दी।
हिस्ट्री डिलीट करना ज़रूरी है।
मैसेज डिलीट क्यों किया?

Office Work

पुरानी फाइलें डिलीट कर दो।
बैकअप लेकर ही डिलीट करना।
सर्वर से डेटा डिलीट हो गया।
गलत ईमेल डिलीट करो।

Accidental Erasure

गलती से डिलीट हो गया।
मैंने डिलीट नहीं किया।
क्या डिलीट किया हुआ वापस आएगा?
सब कुछ डिलीट हो गया!

Computer Maintenance

कैश डिलीट करो।
कुकीज़ डिलीट कर दीं।
सॉफ्टवेयर डिलीट करना है।
रीसायकल बिन से डिलीट करो।

Conversation Starters

"क्या आपने वह पुरानी फोटो डिलीट कर दी?"

"फोन की मेमोरी भरने पर आप क्या डिलीट करते हैं?"

"क्या आपने कभी गलती से कोई ज़रूरी फाइल डिलीट की है?"

"सोशल मीडिया अकाउंट डिलीट करना सही है या गलत?"

"क्या आप हर हफ्ते अपनी ब्राउज़र हिस्ट्री डिलीट करते हैं?"

Journal Prompts

आज मैंने अपने फोन से कौन-कौन सी चीज़ें डिलीट कीं और क्यों?

अगर आपको अपने अतीत से एक याद डिलीट करनी हो, तो वह क्या होगी?

डिजिटल सफाई (digital cleaning) के बारे में आपके क्या विचार हैं?

क्या आपको लगता है कि इंटरनेट से कुछ भी पूरी तरह डिलीट हो सकता है?

एक कहानी लिखें जहाँ मुख्य पात्र ने गलती से एक बहुत ज़रूरी फाइल डिलीट कर दी।

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, in modern conversational Hindi (Hinglish), it is perfectly acceptable and widely used. In formal exams, 'mitana' or 'hata dena' might be preferred, but in real life, everyone says 'delete karna'.

You say 'Maine messages delete kiye'. 'Kiye' is used because 'messages' is masculine plural.

It sounds strange. You wouldn't say 'delete the chair'. Use 'hatao' (remove) or 'fenk do' (throw away) for physical items.

'Delete karna' is the basic verb. 'Delete kar dena' adds an intensifier ('dena') which implies the action is finished, done with, or performed for someone else.

Loanwords like 'delete' don't have gender themselves; the gender is determined by the object being deleted (e.g., file is feminine, photo is feminine, message is masculine).

You say 'Delete mat karo' (informal) or 'Delete mat kijiye' (formal).

Yes, 'delete hona' means 'to be deleted' (intransitive). Example: 'Saara data delete ho gaya' (All data got deleted).

Words like 'मिटाना' (mitānā) or 'हटाना' (haṭānā) are the closest native equivalents, but they don't capture the technical 'digital' nuance as well as 'delete'.

This is a slangy way to emphasize a quick or total deletion. 'Maarna' (to hit) is often used as a light verb in slang to show force.

You say 'Hum delete karenge'.