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त्रास

A1 noun #6,000 most common 10 min read

त्रास

traas Top 6,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips त्रास in 30 Seconds

Explanation त्रास in your Level:

At the A1 level, think of 'Trās' as a very strong word for 'problem' or 'bad feeling.' Even though it is a formal word, you can understand it as something that makes people very unhappy or scared. Imagine a very loud noise that won't stop—that feeling of being bothered is a simple kind of 'Trās.' In A1, we focus on the basic idea: Trās = Very Big Trouble or Fear.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'Trās' to describe things that are more than just 'bad.' It is used when a situation like heavy rain, too much noise, or a scary animal causes you distress. You can say 'Trās dena' when something is really bothering you. It's a step up from 'pareshani' (trouble). It helps you express that a situation is serious.

At the B1 level, 'Trās' becomes a tool for discussing social and environmental issues. You might read about the 'Trās' of pollution in the city or the 'Trās' of a difficult boss at work. You should recognize that 'Trās' is a masculine noun and use it with 'ka' or 'ke.' It is often used in news stories to show empathy for people who are suffering.

At the B2 level, you should understand the nuance between 'Trās' and other words like 'Bhay' (fear) or 'Kasht' (suffering). 'Trās' specifically implies an agitation or a 'shaking' of one's peace. You can use it in essays to describe the psychological impact of war, poverty, or injustice. You'll notice it in literature where a character's internal struggle is highlighted.

At the C1 level, 'Trās' is used to analyze complex emotional states and historical events. You will encounter it in high-level Hindi literature and philosophical debates. It describes existential dread—the 'Trās' of being human or the 'Trās' of modern life. You should be able to use it fluently in formal speeches and understand its Sanskrit etymology ('tras' - to tremble).

At the C2 level, you master the evocative power of 'Trās.' You understand how it functions in classical poetry and the most sophisticated legal or political arguments. You can differentiate between its use as 'harassment' in a legal context and 'cosmic terror' in a religious or philosophical context. You use it to add gravitas and precision to your most complex thoughts.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

त्रास in 30 Seconds

Trās is a formal Hindi word for intense fear, terror, or suffering.
It comes from a Sanskrit root meaning 'to tremble,' reflecting deep agitation.
Commonly used in news for public suffering and in law for harassment.
It is a masculine noun, often paired with 'dena' (give) or 'sahna' (bear).

The Hindi word त्रास (Trās) is a profound and evocative noun that captures the essence of deep-seated fear, acute distress, or the suffering caused by a persistent threat. While it is often translated simply as 'fear' or 'terror,' its semantic range is much broader, encompassing the physical and psychological agitation that arises from being troubled or harassed. In modern conversational Hindi, you might encounter it less frequently than simpler words like 'डर' (dar - fear) or 'दुख' (dukh - sadness), but it remains a cornerstone of formal discourse, literature, and news reporting when describing significant human suffering or systemic nuisances.

Emotional Depth: Trās implies a sense of being overwhelmed. It is not just a momentary startle; it is the lingering dread felt by a population during a natural disaster or the persistent annoyance caused by urban noise pollution. It suggests a state where the mind is 'shaken' or 'trembling' under pressure.
Formal Context: You will frequently see this word in Hindi newspapers or news broadcasts. For example, 'आतंक का त्रास' (the terror of terrorism) or 'भीषण गर्मी का त्रास' (the distress caused by extreme heat). It elevates the conversation from simple discomfort to a recognized state of suffering.

शहर के लोग ट्रैफिक के त्रास से बहुत परेशान हैं। (The people of the city are very troubled by the nuisance of traffic.)

Understanding the word requires looking at its Sanskrit roots. The root 'tras' means to tremble or to be afraid. Therefore, when a Hindi speaker uses 'Trās,' they are subtly referencing a feeling that makes one shake or lose their peace. It is an 'active' kind of suffering—something that is happening to you and pushing you to a limit.

युद्ध की विभीषिका ने मासूम बच्चों को गहरा त्रास दिया। (The horrors of war gave deep trauma/distress to innocent children.)

Physical Manifestation: In literary descriptions, Trās is often accompanied by physical symptoms like sweating, heart palpitations, or stuttering. It is a visceral reaction to an external threat.

अंधेरे कमरे में अकेले होने पर उसे मृत्यु का त्रास सताने लगा। (Being alone in the dark room, the terror of death began to haunt him.)

इस बीमारी का त्रास पूरी दुनिया ने झेला है। (The entire world has endured the suffering of this disease.)

वह अपने मालिक के त्रास से तंग आकर नौकरी छोड़ दी। (Fed up with the harassment of his boss, he left the job.)

Social Context: In social justice contexts, Trās is used to describe the oppression of marginalized groups. It signifies a systemic state of fear that dictates how people live their lives.

To wrap up, Trās is more than just a word; it is a weight. Whether it is the 'Trās' of a loud neighbor or the 'Trās' of a global conflict, it describes the friction between a person's peace and an external disruptive force. By using this word, you acknowledge the severity of an experience.

Using त्रास (Trās) correctly requires understanding its role as a masculine noun that often interacts with verbs like 'देना' (to give), 'झेलना' (to endure), or 'सहना' (to bear). It is frequently preceded by the possessive marker 'का' (kā) or 'के' (ke) to indicate the source of the distress. Let's explore how it fits into various grammatical structures to convey different levels of intensity.

As a Direct Object of Suffering: When someone is the victim of distress, 'Trās' acts as the object. For example: 'वह मानसिक त्रास से गुजर रहा है' (He is going through mental distress). Here, the focus is on the state of the person.

गरीब लोग महंगाई का त्रास सह रहे हैं। (Poor people are bearing the distress of inflation.)

In this sentence, 'inflation' (mehangāī) is the cause, and 'trās' is the resulting suffering. Notice how 'sah rahe hain' (are bearing) complements the noun perfectly.

Describing Environmental Nuisance: You can use 'Trās' to describe something that is an absolute nightmare to deal with. 'शोर का त्रास' (the nuisance of noise) is a common phrase in urban complaints.

रात भर कुत्तों के भौंकने का त्रास बना रहता है। (The nuisance of dogs barking continues all night.)

आतंकवादियों ने घाटी में त्रास फैला रखा है। (Terrorists have spread terror/distress in the valley.)

Here, 'phailā rakhā hai' (have spread) shows 'Trās' as an atmosphere or a condition created by someone. This is a very powerful way to use the word in political or social commentary.

Combining with Adjectives: To emphasize the severity, use adjectives like 'असहनीय' (unbearable), 'भीषण' (terrible), or 'निरंतर' (constant). For example: 'उसे अपनी बीमारी से असहनीय त्रास हुआ' (He suffered unbearable distress from his illness).

बाढ़ का त्रास शब्दों में बयान नहीं किया जा सकता। (The distress of the flood cannot be described in words.)

क्या आपको इस शोर से त्रास नहीं होता? (Don't you feel distressed by this noise?)

Whether you are talking about a personal trauma or a public nuisance, 'Trās' provides the necessary gravitas. It shifts the focus from the event itself to the human impact of that event.

In your daily life in India, you might not hear a teenager saying 'I have trās' while playing video games. However, as you move into more formal or emotionally charged environments, त्रास (Trās) becomes very prominent. It is a word of the 'intellectual' and 'literary' spheres, yet it resonates deeply with the common person's struggles.

News and Media: This is the primary place where 'Trās' lives today. News anchors use it to describe the plight of citizens. Headlines like 'सूखे का त्रास' (The distress of drought) or 'आतंक का त्रास' (The terror of terrorism) are ubiquitous. It provides a sense of urgency and seriousness to the reporting.

समाचार: 'सीमा पर रहने वाले लोग गोलाबारी के त्रास में जी रहे हैं।' (News: 'People living on the border are living in the terror of shelling.')

In this context, it isn't just fear; it's a lifestyle of fear. The word perfectly captures the reality of living in a conflict zone.

Literature and Poetry: Hindi literature, especially modern 'Nayi Kavita' (New Poetry) or Dalit literature, uses 'Trās' to describe the existential dread or the suffering of the oppressed. It is a word that carries the weight of history and personal trauma.

कविता की पंक्ति: 'मेरे मन का त्रास कोई नहीं समझता।' (Poetry line: 'No one understands the distress of my mind.')

फिल्म संवाद: 'इस अन्याय का त्रास तुम्हें भी झेलना पड़ेगा।' (Movie dialogue: 'You too will have to endure the suffering of this injustice.')

Legal and Official Documents: In police reports (FIRs) or court proceedings, 'मानसिक त्रास' (mental harassment/torture) is a specific legal term. It refers to the psychological pressure exerted by one person over another, often used in cases of domestic disputes or workplace bullying.

इतिहास: 'जनता उस राजा के त्रास से त्राहि-त्राहि कर उठी।' (History: 'The public cried out in agony from that king's terror.')

So, while you might not use it to describe a small paper cut, you would definitely hear it when the stakes are high—in the news, in the courts, and in the deepest expressions of the human soul.

Even for native speakers, त्रास (Trās) can sometimes be tricky because of its phonetic similarity to other words and its specific formal register. Avoiding these common pitfalls will help you sound more natural and precise in your Hindi.

Confusing with 'तराश' (Tarāsh): This is the most common mistake. 'तराश' (Tarāsh) means to carve or to cut (like a diamond or stone). While they sound similar, their meanings are opposite: one is about suffering (Trās), and the other is about creation or refinement (Tarāsh).

Wrong: उसने पत्थर को 'त्रास' दिया। (He gave suffering to the stone?)
Right: उसने पत्थर को 'तराशा'। (He carved the stone.)

Always double-check the 'a' sound. 'Trās' is short and sharp; 'Tarāsh' has a longer second vowel.

Overusing it for Minor Inconveniences: Using 'Trās' for a small problem like a slow internet connection can sound overly dramatic or even sarcastic. For daily minor issues, use 'परेशानी' (pareshānī - trouble) or 'दिक्कत' (dikkat - difficulty).

Unnatural: मुझे इस पेन से बहुत त्रास हो रहा है। (I am having intense terror from this pen.)
Natural: मुझे इस पेन से 'दिक्कत' हो रही है। (I am having trouble with this pen.)

Misgendering the Noun: Many abstract nouns in Hindi are feminine (like 'pīḍā'), but 'Trās' is masculine. Using feminine verbs or adjectives with it is a common learner error.

Wrong: उसकी त्रास बड़ी थी।
Right: उसका त्रास बड़ा था। (His/her suffering was great.)

Confusing with 'प्यास' (Pyās): 'Pyās' means thirst. While the ending 'ās' is the same, the starting sounds are very different. However, in fast speech, beginners might mix them up.

By keeping these distinctions in mind—especially the gravity of the word and its masculine gender—you'll be able to use 'Trās' with the precision of a native speaker.

Hindi is rich with words for fear and suffering. Knowing when to choose त्रास (Trās) over its synonyms will make your Hindi more nuanced and expressive. Here is a comparison of 'Trās' with its closest relatives.

Trās vs. Darr (डर)

Darr: The general word for fear. It can be small (fear of spiders) or large (fear of death).

Trās: More than just the emotion of fear; it is the suffering caused by it. Darr is what you feel; Trās is the condition you are in.

मुझे अंधेरे से 'डर' लगता है। (I am afraid of the dark.) vs. वह युद्ध के 'त्रास' में जी रहा है। (He is living in the terror/suffering of war.)

Trās vs. Pīḍā (पीड़ा)

Pīḍā: Usually refers to physical or deep emotional pain. It is more internal.

Trās: Often involves an external source or a threatening environment. Pīḍā is the ache; Trās is the distress caused by the situation.

Trās vs. Bhay (भय)

Bhay: A formal/Sanskritized word for fear. It is very close to 'Trās'.

Difference: 'Bhay' is the pure emotion of fear. 'Trās' includes the element of 'shaking' or 'agitation'. You feel 'Bhay', but you endure 'Trās'.

मन में 'भय' है। (There is fear in the mind.) vs. बाहर 'त्रास' का माहौल है। (There is an atmosphere of terror outside.)

Trās vs. Ātank (आतंक)

Ātank: Specifically means 'terror' or 'panic' on a large scale. It is the root of the word 'आतंकवाद' (terrorism).

Difference: 'Ātank' is the extreme end of 'Trās'. While 'Trās' can be a personal nuisance, 'Ātank' is almost always public and violent.

By choosing 'Trās', you are specifically highlighting the distress and agitation caused by a negative force. It is the perfect middle ground between the common 'Darr' and the extreme 'Ātank'.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"न्यायालय ने उसे मानसिक त्रास का दोषी पाया।"

Neutral

"शहर के लोग बढ़ते प्रदूषण के त्रास से चिंतित हैं।"

Informal

"इस गर्मी ने तो बड़ा त्रास दे रखा है भाई!"

Child friendly

"हमें किसी भी छोटे जीव को त्रास नहीं देना चाहिए।"

Slang

"क्या त्रास पाल रखा है तूने ये पुराना फोन!"

Fun Fact

The Sanskrit root 'tras' is cognate with the Latin 'terrere' (from which we get 'terror' and 'terrible') and the Greek 'trehein'. All these words share an ancient Indo-European root meaning 'to shake'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tɾɑːs/

US /tɾɑs/

The stress is on the only syllable 'Trās'. It is a single, forceful breath.

Rhymes With

घास (Ghās - Grass) पास (Pās - Near) खास (Khās - Special) आकाश (Ākāsh - Sky - partial rhyme) निकास (Nikās - Exit) विलास (Vilās - Luxury) प्रकाश (Prakāsh - Light - partial rhyme) प्यास (Pyās - Thirst)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'Taraas' (with an extra vowel between T and R).
Replacing the dental 't' with a hard English 't'.
Confusing it with 'Trash' in English due to spelling similarity.
Shortening the 'ā' sound to a short 'a' (like 'trust').
Misplacing the emphasis on a ghost second syllable.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize in texts once the 'Tr' conjunct is known.

Writing 4/5

The conjunct 'Tr' (त्र) can be tricky for beginners to write.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation is straightforward but requires the dental 't'.

Listening 4/5

Can be confused with 'Tarāsh' or 'Pyās' in rapid speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

डर (Darr) दुख (Dukh) परेशानी (Pareshānī) कष्ट (Kasht) सहना (Sahnā)

Learn Next

आतंक (Ātank) विभीषिका (Vibhīshikā) उत्पीड़न (Utpīḍan) दमन (Daman) शोषण (Shoshaṇ)

Advanced

अस्तित्ववाद (Existentialism) त्राहि-माम (Save me) संवेदना (Sensitivity) निरोध (Restraint) क्लेश (Affliction)

Grammar to Know

Masculine Noun Agreement

त्रास 'बड़ा' है (Trās is big - masculine).

Oblique Case with 'से'

त्रास 'से' डरो (Fear from distress).

Possessive 'का' Usage

शोर 'का' त्रास (The distress of noise).

Compound Verbs with 'देना'

त्रास 'देना' (To give distress/harass).

Compound Verbs with 'झेलना'

त्रास 'झेलना' (To endure distress).

Examples by Level

शोर का त्रास बहुत है।

The distress of noise is a lot.

Simple noun-verb structure.

उसे डर और त्रास हुआ।

He felt fear and distress.

Using two nouns together for emphasis.

यह बड़ा त्रास है।

This is a big distress/trouble.

Adjective 'बड़ा' matches masculine noun 'त्रास'.

काम का त्रास मत लो।

Don't take the distress of work.

Imperative sentence.

बच्चा त्रास में रोया।

The child cried in distress.

Postposition 'में' used with the noun.

क्या यह त्रास है?

Is this a distress?

Interrogative sentence.

मुझे बहुत त्रास है।

I have much distress.

Subject + Adverb + Noun.

त्रास से बचो।

Stay away from distress.

Direct command.

गर्मी का त्रास बढ़ रहा है।

The distress of the heat is increasing.

Present continuous tense.

वह बीमारी के त्रास से दुखी है।

He is sad because of the distress of illness.

Reasoning using 'के त्रास से'.

जंगल में शेर का त्रास था।

There was the terror of the lion in the forest.

Past tense 'था'.

हमें प्रदूषण का त्रास झेलना पड़ता है।

We have to endure the distress of pollution.

Use of 'पड़ता है' for obligation/necessity.

क्या आपको शोर से त्रास होता है?

Do you get distressed by the noise?

Intransitive use with 'होना'.

गरीबों को भूख का त्रास है।

The poor have the distress of hunger.

Dative subject 'गरीबों को'.

इस शहर में ट्रैफिक का त्रास है।

There is the nuisance of traffic in this city.

Locative 'में' + Subject.

वह अपने शत्रु के त्रास से भागा।

He ran away from the terror of his enemy.

Ablative 'से' indicating source.

किसानों को सूखे का भीषण त्रास झेलना पड़ा।

Farmers had to endure the terrible distress of drought.

Compound verb 'झेलना पड़ा'.

आतंकवाद का त्रास पूरी दुनिया में फैला है।

The terror of terrorism has spread throughout the world.

Present perfect tense.

मानसिक त्रास के कारण उसने नौकरी छोड़ दी।

He left the job due to mental distress/harassment.

Compound postposition 'के कारण'.

युद्ध की विभीषिका ने गहरा त्रास पैदा किया।

The horror of war created deep distress.

Ergative 'ने' with past transitive verb.

भ्रष्टाचार का त्रास आम आदमी को सहना पड़ता है।

The common man has to bear the distress of corruption.

Passive-like structure with 'सहना पड़ता है'.

उसे अपने अतीत के त्रास से मुक्ति चाहिए।

He wants freedom from the distress of his past.

Dative 'को' + 'चाहिए'.

प्राकृतिक आपदाओं का त्रास कम नहीं होता।

The distress of natural disasters does not decrease.

Negative habitual present.

सरकार को जनता के त्रास को समझना होगा।

The government will have to understand the distress of the people.

Future obligation 'होगा'.

इस उपन्यास में विभाजन के त्रास का वर्णन है।

This novel contains a description of the distress of the Partition.

Formal descriptive sentence.

आधुनिक जीवन का त्रास हमारी मानसिक शांति छीन रहा है।

The distress of modern life is snatching away our mental peace.

Metaphorical usage.

कवि ने समाज के त्रास को अपनी कविताओं में उतारा है।

The poet has expressed the distress of society in his poems.

Literary transitive verb 'उतारा है'.

बेरोजगारी का त्रास युवाओं को निराशा की ओर ले जा रहा है।

The distress of unemployment is leading the youth towards despair.

Complex direction 'की ओर ले जाना'.

स्त्री के जीवन में सामाजिक बंधनों का त्रास स्पष्ट दिखता है।

The distress of social constraints is clearly visible in a woman's life.

Abstract noun usage.

उसने अपने शत्रुओं को बहुत त्रास दिया।

He gave a lot of suffering/terror to his enemies.

Past tense with direct object.

क्या विज्ञान इस वैश्विक त्रास का समाधान निकाल पाएगा?

Will science be able to find a solution to this global distress?

Future capability 'पाएगा'.

अन्याय का त्रास सहना भी एक अपराध है।

To bear the distress of injustice is also a crime.

Gerund 'सहना' as subject.

अस्तित्ववादी दर्शन में 'त्रास' एक केंद्रीय विषय है।

In existentialist philosophy, 'distress/angst' is a central theme.

Academic register.

महामारी के उस दौर ने मानवीय संवेदनाओं को गहरे त्रास में डाल दिया।

That period of the pandemic plunged human sensibilities into deep distress.

Causative-like 'में डाल दिया'.

सत्ता के दुरुपयोग से उत्पन्न त्रास लोकतंत्र के लिए घातक है।

The distress arising from the abuse of power is fatal for democracy.

Complex participial phrase 'उत्पन्न त्रास'.

उसकी आँखों में एक अनजाना त्रास साफ झलक रहा था।

An unknown terror was clearly visible in his eyes.

Descriptive literary style.

साहित्यकार अक्सर युग के त्रास को वाणी देते हैं।

Literary figures often give voice to the distress of the era.

Idiomatic 'वाणी देना'.

पूँजीवाद का त्रास श्रमिक वर्ग की नियति बन गया है।

The distress of capitalism has become the destiny of the working class.

Political/Economic register.

उसने अपने जीवन के समस्त त्रास को संगीत में बदल दिया।

He transformed all the distress of his life into music.

Transformative verb 'बदल दिया'.

मृत्यु का त्रास ही जीवन की सार्थकता का बोध कराता है।

The terror of death alone makes one realize the meaning of life.

Philosophical assertion.

महाकाव्यों में वर्णित देवताओं और दानवों के युद्ध का त्रास ब्रह्मांडीय था।

The distress of the war between gods and demons described in epics was cosmic.

Highly formal, complex modifiers.

विस्थापन का वह त्रास पीढ़ियों तक स्मृति में बना रहता है।

That distress of displacement remains in memory for generations.

Sociological commentary.

तानाशाही शासन में अभिव्यक्ति की स्वतंत्रता का दमन जनता को गहरे त्रास में धकेलता है।

The suppression of freedom of expression in a dictatorial regime pushes the public into deep distress.

Complex sentence with multiple clauses.

शून्य का त्रास ही मनुष्य को सृजन की ओर प्रेरित करता है।

The angst of the void/nothingness alone inspires man towards creation.

Abstract philosophical concept.

उसकी रचनाओं में मध्यवर्गीय जीवन के सूक्ष्म त्रास की अभिव्यक्ति है।

In his works, there is an expression of the subtle distress of middle-class life.

Literary criticism register.

न्याय में विलंब स्वयं में एक बड़ा त्रास है।

Delay in justice is in itself a great distress.

Legal maxim style.

प्रकृति के विनाश का त्रास आने वाली पीढ़ियों को भुगतना होगा।

The distress of nature's destruction will have to be suffered by future generations.

Future predictive with 'होगा'.

आध्यात्मिक यात्रा का प्रारंभ अक्सर सांसारिक त्रास से विरक्ति के साथ होता है।

The start of a spiritual journey often begins with detachment from worldly distress.

Theological register.

Synonyms

डर भय आतंक कष्ट पीड़ा खौफ

Antonyms

सुख शांति निर्भयता

Common Collocations

मानसिक त्रास

आतंक का त्रास

भीषण त्रास

त्रास झेलना

त्रास देना

शोर का त्रास

त्रास से मुक्ति

वैश्विक त्रास

असहनीय त्रास

त्रास का माहौल

Common Phrases

त्रास ही त्रास

— Nothing but distress everywhere. Used to describe a hopeless situation.

बाढ़ के बाद चारों ओर त्रास ही त्रास था।

त्रास से त्राहि-त्राहि करना

— To cry out in extreme agony or terror. A very dramatic expression.

जनता राजा के अत्याचार से त्राहि-त्राहि कर उठी।

त्रास का अंत

— The end of suffering or terror.

हम सब इस त्रास के अंत का इंतज़ार कर रहे हैं।

त्रास का शिकार

— A victim of distress or harassment.

वह सिस्टम के त्रास का शिकार हुआ।

गहरा त्रास

— Deep and profound distress or trauma.

बचपन की उस घटना ने उसे गहरा त्रास दिया।

त्रास पहुँचाना

— To cause distress or pain to someone intentionally.

पशुओं को त्रास पहुँचाना पाप है।

त्रास मुक्त

— Free from distress or terror.

हमें एक त्रास मुक्त समाज चाहिए।

त्रास की घड़ी

— A moment or period of intense suffering.

त्रास की इस घड़ी में हम आपके साथ हैं।

त्रास का कारण

— The reason for the distress.

इस बीमारी का त्रास का कारण क्या है?

त्रासदायक अनुभव

— A distressing or painful experience.

वह मेरे लिए एक त्रासदायक अनुभव था।

Often Confused With

त्रास vs तराश (Tarāsh)

Tarāsh means to carve or cut stone/diamonds. Trās means suffering.

त्रास vs प्यास (Pyās)

Pyās means thirst. They sound similar due to the 'ās' ending.

त्रास vs तरास (Tarās)

Often a misspelling of 'Trās' by those who can't pronounce the conjunct.

Idioms & Expressions

"नाक में दम करना"

— To cause so much 'trās' or trouble that it becomes unbearable. Literally, to put breath in the nose.

शोर ने मेरी नाक में दम कर दिया है।

Informal/Colloquial

"त्राहि-त्राहि मचना"

— A state where everyone is crying out in terror/distress due to a disaster.

भूकंप के बाद शहर में त्राहि-त्राहि मच गई।

Formal/Literary

"पसीने छूटना"

— To be so distressed or terrified that one starts sweating.

मुसीबत को देखकर उसके पसीने छूट गए।

Neutral

"जान हलक में आना"

— To be in extreme distress or terror. Literally, life coming to the throat.

शेर को सामने देखकर उसकी जान हलक में आ गई।

Informal

"कलेजा मुँह को आना"

— To be deeply distressed or shocked. Literally, the liver/heart coming to the mouth.

बच्चे की हालत देखकर माँ का कलेजा मुँह को आ गया।

Idiomatic

"हाथ-पाँव फूलना"

— To get nervous or distressed and not know what to do.

अचानक परीक्षा की खबर सुनकर उसके हाथ-पाँव फूल गए।

Common

"दिन में तारे दिखना"

— To be in such distress that one's senses are scrambled.

गरीबी ने उसे दिन में तारे दिखा दिए।

Colloquial

"छाती पर मूँग दलना"

— To intentionally give 'trās' or trouble to someone while staying close to them.

वह अपनी सास की छाती पर मूँग दलता है।

Informal/Sarcastic

"काटो तो खून नहीं"

— To be paralyzed with terror or extreme distress. Literally, no blood if cut.

पकड़े जाने पर उसकी हालत ऐसी थी कि काटो तो खून नहीं।

Dramatic

"जी का जंजाल"

— Something that has become a source of constant 'trās' or nuisance.

यह पुरानी गाड़ी मेरे जी का जंजाल बन गई है।

Informal

Easily Confused

त्रास vs तराश

Phonetic similarity.

Tarāsh is about skillful cutting; Trās is about suffering.

हीरे की तराश (Cutting of a diamond) vs. युद्ध का त्रास (Distress of war).

त्रास vs प्यास

Ending rhyme.

Pyās is a physical need for water; Trās is a mental/physical state of distress.

पानी की प्यास vs. मन का त्रास।

त्रास vs ताश

Rhyme.

Tāsh means playing cards.

ताश खेलना vs. त्रास सहना।

त्रास vs त्राण

Same Sanskrit root.

Trāṇ means the 'relief' or 'protection' from Trās.

प्रभु ने उसे त्रास से त्राण दिया।

त्रास vs त्रस्त

Adjective form.

Trast is the state of the person (distressed); Trās is the thing itself (distress).

वह त्रस्त है (He is distressed) vs. यह त्रास है (This is distress).

Sentence Patterns

[Noun] + का + त्रास

शोर का त्रास।

मुझे + [Noun] + से + त्रास + है

मुझे शोर से त्रास है।

[Person] + को + [Noun] + का + त्रास + झेलना + पड़ा

उसे बीमारी का त्रास झेलना पड़ा।

[Situation] + ने + [Person] + को + त्रास + दिया

बाढ़ ने लोगों को त्रास दिया।

[Abstract Noun] + का + त्रास + [Result]

अन्याय का त्रास क्रांति को जन्म देता है।

त्रास + से + त्राहि-त्राहि + करना

जनता त्रास से त्राहि-त्राहि कर रही थी।

[Complex Concept] + में + त्रास + की + अभिव्यक्ति

उसकी कविताओं में युग के त्रास की अभिव्यक्ति है।

[Noun] + का + सूक्ष्म + त्रास

अकेलेपन का सूक्ष्म त्रास।

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common in media and literature; rare in casual slang.

Common Mistakes

Using 'Trās' for a small inconvenience like a late bus. → Use 'Pareshāni' or 'Der'.
Trās is too heavy a word for minor daily delays.
Pronouncing it as 'Tar-aas'. → Pronounce as 'Trās' (one syllable).
Adding a vowel sound between the T and R changes the word's rhythm and can confuse it with 'Tarāsh'.
Using feminine adjectives like 'Badi Trās'. → Use 'Bada Trās'.
Trās is a masculine noun.
Confusing 'Trās' with 'Trāṇ'. → Trās = Suffering; Trāṇ = Rescue.
These are related but opposite in effect.
Spelling it with 'त' instead of 'त्र'. → त्रास.
The 'tr' sound requires the conjunct 'त्र'.

Tips

Upgrade your Hindi

Replace 'Darr' with 'Trās' when writing a formal letter about a neighborhood problem like loud music or garbage.

Gender Check

Always pair 'Trās' with masculine verbs. 'Trās ho raha hai' is correct; 'Trās ho rahi hai' is wrong.

The 'Tr' Sound

Don't add a vowel between T and R. It should be a single flick of the tongue against the teeth.

News Awareness

Next time you watch Hindi news, listen for 'Trās'. It's almost guaranteed to appear in segments about social issues.

Legal Meaning

In a legal context, 'Mānasik Trās' means mental torture. It's a serious allegation in Indian law.

Poetic Depth

Use 'Trās' in your poetry to describe the 'trembling' of the heart or soul.

Showing Concern

Asking 'Kya aapko trās ho raha hai?' shows deep concern for someone's well-being.

Trās vs Ātank

Remember: Trās is distress; Ātank is full-blown terror/panic. Use them accordingly.

Root Memory

Link 'Trās' to 'Tremble'. Both start with 'Tr' and involve shaking from fear.

Sophistication

Using 'Trās' makes you sound more educated and well-read in Hindi.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Trās' sounds like 'Trauma' + 'Distress'. When you have Trās, you are in a state of traumatic distress.

Visual Association

Imagine a person 'trembling' (Tr...) because they are 'sad' (...ās). The 'Tr' at the start is the shaking, and the 'ās' is the sigh of suffering.

Word Web

Fear Trembling Suffering Harassment Terror News Literature Agitation

Challenge

Try to use 'Trās' in a sentence today instead of 'Darr' or 'Problem'. For example, if the traffic is bad, say 'Traffic ka trās hai' to sound more like a Hindi expert!

Word Origin

Trās originates from the Sanskrit word 'त्रास' (trāsa). In Sanskrit, it is derived from the root 'त्रस्' (tras), which means to tremble, to be afraid, or to shake.

Original meaning: The original meaning specifically referred to the physical act of trembling due to fear or agitation.

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

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'Trās' with people who are actually suffering; it is a very strong word and using it lightly can seem insensitive.

English speakers might find 'Trās' similar to 'Angst' or 'Tribulation', though it is more commonly used for external threats than 'Angst'.

The phrase 'Trāhi-Trāhi' in the Ramayana when demons attacked. News headlines during the 2020 pandemic often used 'Corona ka Trās'. Modern Hindi poet Muktibodh used 'Trās' to describe the existential crisis of the individual.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Weather Complaints

गर्मी का त्रास
ठंड का त्रास
बारिश का त्रास
भीषण गर्मी का त्रास

News Reporting

आतंक का त्रास
युद्ध का त्रास
महंगाई का त्रास
बीमारी का त्रास

Workplace/Legal

मानसिक त्रास
त्रास देना
उत्पीड़न और त्रास
त्रास का हर्जाना

Urban Life

ट्रैफिक का त्रास
शोर का त्रास
भीड़ का त्रास
गंदगी का त्रास

Philosophy/Literature

जीवन का त्रास
मृत्यु का त्रास
अस्तित्व का त्रास
युग का त्रास

Conversation Starters

"क्या आपको लगता है कि आजकल शहरों में शोर का त्रास बढ़ गया है?"

"आपने कभी किसी प्राकृतिक आपदा का त्रास झेला है?"

"हम समाज को मानसिक त्रास से कैसे मुक्त कर सकते हैं?"

"क्या आपको भी इस ट्रैफिक से त्रास होता है?"

"पुरानी यादों का त्रास इंसान को कैसे प्रभावित करता है?"

Journal Prompts

आज मैंने किस बात से त्रास महसूस किया और मैंने उसे कैसे संभाला?

मेरे जीवन का सबसे बड़ा त्रासदायक अनुभव क्या रहा है?

क्या विज्ञान भविष्य में मानवीय त्रास को पूरी तरह खत्म कर पाएगा? अपने विचार लिखें।

एक ऐसी कहानी लिखें जहाँ एक नायक अपने गाँव को एक राक्षस के त्रास से बचाता है।

मानसिक त्रास से मुक्ति पाने के लिए आप कौन-कौन से तरीके अपनाते हैं?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is common in newspapers and news channels, but in casual conversation, people usually say 'pareshani' or 'dikkat'. However, you will hear it when people are complaining seriously about something like the weather or traffic.

It's better not to. 'Trās' implies a level of intensity. If you use it for a broken pencil, you'll sound like you're overreacting. Use it for things like 'illness', 'war', 'pollution', or 'harassment'.

'Darr' is the emotion of fear itself. 'Trās' is the suffering or agitation that comes from that fear or from being troubled by something. You 'feel' darr, but you 'endure' trās.

It is a masculine noun. For example, you would say 'Bada Trās' (Big distress) and not 'Badi Trās'.

You can say 'Trās denā' (त्रास देना). For example, 'Don't harass me' would be 'Mujhe trās mat do'.

It is a repetitive form of 'Trāhi' (Save me!). It describes a chaotic situation where everyone is screaming for help because of a great disaster.

Yes, but usually it refers to the *distress* caused by that pain rather than the sensation of the pain itself. 'Peeda' is better for the physical sensation.

It is a pure Sanskrit word (Tatsam) that has been adopted into Hindi.

The most direct opposites are 'Shānti' (Peace) or 'Sukh' (Happiness/Comfort).

Because it is a strong, dramatic word that captures the audience's attention and conveys the seriousness of a public issue.