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जलन

A1 noun #4,000 most common 8 min read

जलन

jalan Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips जलन in 30 Seconds

Explanation जलन in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'जलन' (Jalan) as a basic noun to describe physical discomfort. Think of it as the word you use when you eat something too spicy or when your skin feels hot after being in the sun. At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex grammar. Just remember the phrase 'जलन हो रही है' (Jalan ho rahi hai), which means 'It is burning' or 'I feel a burning sensation.' You can use it for your eyes (आँखें), stomach (पेट), or throat (गला). It's a very useful word for basic health-related conversations. You might also encounter it in simple stories to describe a character who is 'jealous' of another's toy or food, but focus on the physical meaning first as it is very concrete and easy to visualize.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'जलन' (Jalan) to describe social interactions and basic emotions. You should learn to use the structure 'A को B से जलन है' (A is jealous of B). This is a common way to talk about friends, siblings, or classmates. You will also learn that because 'जलन' is a feminine noun, the verbs around it must change. For example, 'थोड़ी जलन' (a little jealousy) uses the feminine 'थोड़ी.' You can start using it in sentences like 'उसे मेरी नई कार से जलन है' (He is jealous of my new car). At this stage, you are moving beyond just physical pain and starting to describe the 'heat' of human emotions in everyday life.

At the B1 level, you should be able to distinguish between 'जलन' (Jalan) and its more formal or specific synonyms like 'ईर्ष्या' (Irshya) or 'ग़ुस्सा' (Gussa). You will encounter 'जलन' in more varied contexts, such as news reports about social rivalry or in more detailed medical descriptions. You should also start using common collocations like 'सीने में जलन' (heartburn) and understand that this is the standard term for acid reflux. Your sentences should become more complex, such as 'अगर तुम मेहनत करोगे, तो दूसरों को जलन होना स्वाभाविक है' (If you work hard, it's natural for others to feel jealous). You are now using the word to describe cause-and-effect relationships in human behavior.

At the B2 level, you should understand the metaphorical and idiomatic uses of 'जलन.' You will hear it in Bollywood songs and dialogues where it might represent the 'burning' of desire or the 'stinging' of a betrayal. You should be comfortable using it in debates or discussions about society. For example, you might discuss how 'जलन' can be a destructive force in a community. You should also be able to use the derived adjective 'जलनखोर' (jealous person) correctly, though knowing it's slightly informal. At this stage, your vocabulary is rich enough to use 'जलन' to explain psychological motives in a story or a real-life situation, moving into the nuances of why someone might feel this way.

At the C1 level, you should have a deep understanding of the linguistic roots of 'जलन' and how it relates to the verb 'जलना' (to burn). You can analyze literature where 'जलन' is used as a motif for internal conflict. You should be able to compare 'जलन' with Persian-rooted words like 'हसद' (Hasad) and explain the subtle differences in register and tone. You might use 'जलन' in a professional medical context or a sophisticated social critique. Your mastery allows you to use the word with precision, choosing it over 'ईर्ष्या' when you want to emphasize the raw, 'burning' nature of the emotion rather than its abstract concept. You can also handle complex grammatical structures involving 'जलन' in passive or causative senses.

At the C2 level, you use 'जलन' (Jalan) with the fluency of a native speaker, recognizing its use in archaic poetry, modern slang, and technical medical jargon. You understand the philosophical implications of 'जलन' in Indian thought—how it is viewed as one of the 'vices' that clouds human judgment. You can discuss the etymological journey of the word from Sanskrit roots to its current multifaceted usage in modern Hindi and Urdu. You are also aware of regional variations in how the word might be pronounced or used in different dialects. Your usage is effortless, whether you are describing the precise chemical burn of a lab substance or the complex socio-political envy between nations.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

जलन in 30 Seconds

Jalan means 'burning'—physically (heat) or emotionally (jealousy).
It is a feminine noun, so use 'hoti hai' or 'ho rahi hai'.
Commonly used for medical symptoms like heartburn or skin stings.
A high-frequency word in daily social gossip and Hindi cinema.

The Hindi word जलन (Jalan) is a fascinating noun that captures two distinct yet related human experiences: the physical sensation of burning and the emotional sting of jealousy. Derived from the verb 'जलना' (Jalna), which means 'to burn,' this word perfectly illustrates how Hindi uses physical metaphors to describe internal emotional states. When you touch something hot or eat something too spicy, the sensation you feel is jalan. Similarly, when you see someone else succeeding and feel a prickle of resentment, that too is jalan. This dual usage is essential for English speakers to grasp because, in English, we usually separate 'burning' from 'envy' or 'jealousy.' In Hindi, the heat of a flame and the heat of envy are linguistically linked.

Physical Context: In a medical or physical sense, जलन refers to irritation, inflammation, or a burning sensation. It is commonly used to describe symptoms like heartburn (सीने में जलन), skin irritation from a rash, or the stinging sensation after cutting green chilies. If you visit a doctor in India, you might say, 'मेरे पेट में जलन हो रही है' (I have a burning sensation in my stomach).
Emotional Context: Emotionally, जलन translates to jealousy or envy. It is more common in daily conversation than the formal word 'ईर्ष्या' (Irshya). It describes the feeling of bitterness one might have toward another person's achievements, possessions, or luck. It is often used with the verb 'होना' (to happen/to be) or 'करना' (to do/to feel).

धूप की वजह से मेरी त्वचा पर जलन हो रही है। (My skin is burning because of the sun.)

Understanding the register of jalan is key. While it is a common word, using it to describe someone's character as 'jealous' (जालनखोर - Jalankhor) can be quite informal or even slightly derogatory. In poetic or Bollywood contexts, jalan often represents the 'fire' of unrequited love or the 'burning' desire to see a beloved, though this is a more metaphorical extension. However, in 90% of daily interactions, you will use it for acid reflux or social envy.

तुम्हारी कामयाबी देखकर लोगों को जलन होगी। (People will feel jealous seeing your success.)

Grammar Note: The word is a feminine noun. Therefore, adjectives and verbs associated with it will take feminine forms (e.g., 'हो रही है' instead of 'हो रहा है').

To master this word, you must practice distinguishing the context. If someone points to their chest and says 'jalan,' they likely need an antacid. If they point to a neighbor's new car and say 'jalan,' they are discussing human nature. This versatility makes जलन a high-frequency word in the Hindi vocabulary, bridging the gap between the biological and the psychological.

Using जलन (Jalan) correctly requires understanding its role as a subject or an object in a sentence. Since it is a feminine noun, the verb agreement is crucial. Let's look at the primary ways to construct sentences using this word in various contexts.

Structure 1: Expressing a Sensation (Subject + Mein + Jalan + Hona): This is the most common way to describe physical discomfort.
Example: 'मेरे गले में जलन हो रही है' (There is a burning sensation in my throat). Here, 'jalan' is the thing that is happening ('ho rahi hai').
Structure 2: Expressing Jealousy Toward Someone (A + Ko + B + Se + Jalan + Hona): To say 'A is jealous of B,' you use the postposition 'se' (from/with).
Example: 'राहुल को मुझसे जलन है' (Rahul is jealous of me). Literally: 'To Rahul, from me, there is burning.'

ज़्यादा मिर्च खाने से पेट में जलन होने लगती है। (Eating too many chilies causes a burning sensation in the stomach.)

In more complex sentences, jalan can be used to describe the atmosphere or a person's motive. For instance, 'उसकी बातों में जलन साफ दिखती है' (Jealousy is clearly visible in his words). This implies that the tone or content of what someone said was motivated by envy.

क्या आपको आँखों में जलन महसूस हो रही है? (Are you feeling a burning sensation in your eyes?)

When using it as an object of 'mitana' (to erase/quench), it usually refers to ending a feeling of envy or soothing a physical burn. For example: 'दवा ने मेरी जलन कम कर दी' (The medicine reduced my burning sensation). By practicing these structures—physical location vs. social relation—you will be able to use jalan naturally in any conversation.

The word जलन (Jalan) is ubiquitous in Hindi-speaking environments, appearing in contexts ranging from the mundane to the highly dramatic. Knowing where you'll encounter it helps in recognizing the speaker's intent immediately.

1. At the Pharmacy or Clinic: This is the most 'literal' place. Patients will describe 'सीने में जलन' (heartburn/acid reflux) or 'हाथ-पैरों में जलन' (burning in hands and feet). Pharmacists will often ask, 'कहाँ जलन हो रही है?' (Where is the burning?).
2. In Daily Social Gossip: Hindi speakers often discuss social dynamics using this word. You might hear, 'वह तुम्हारी तरक्की से जलता है' (He burns/is jealous of your progress) or 'यह सब जलन का खेल है' (This is all a game of jealousy). It's a staple word in office politics discussions.

सीने में जलन के लिए कौन सी दवा अच्छी है? (Which medicine is good for heartburn?)

In Bollywood movies and TV serials (Soap Operas), jalan is a driving force of the plot. Characters are often portrayed as being consumed by jalan toward a sibling or a rival. You'll hear dramatic dialogues like, 'तुम्हारी आँखों में मेरे लिए सिर्फ जलन है!' (There is only jealousy for me in your eyes!).

Lastly, you'll hear it in the kitchen. When someone is frying dried red chilies, the pungent smoke causes 'आँखों और नाक में जलन' (burning in the eyes and nose). A cook might warn you, 'मिर्च मत छूना, हाथ में जलन होगी' (Don't touch the chilies, your hands will burn). From the dinner table to the doctor's office, jalan is a word that connects the physical world to the emotional one.

For English speakers, the word जलन (Jalan) can be tricky because it covers two concepts that are distinct in English. Here are the most common pitfalls to avoid when learning and using this word.

Mistake 1: Confusing Gender: Many learners assume all nouns ending in 'n' are masculine. However, jalan is feminine. Saying 'जलन हो रहा है' (masculine) is a common error. The correct form is 'जलन हो रही है' (feminine).
Mistake 2: Jalan vs. Gussa (Anger): Sometimes learners use jalan when they actually mean anger. Jealousy involves wanting what someone else has or feeling spiteful about their success. Anger (ग़ुस्सा) is a reaction to being wronged. Ensure you aren't using jalan just to mean 'feeling bad' about someone.

Incorrect: मुझे उससे जलन हो रहा है।
Correct: मुझे उससे जलन हो रही है।

Another mistake is overusing jalan in formal writing. While it's perfectly fine for speech, in a formal psychological or academic context, words like 'ईर्ष्या' (Irshya) or 'द्वेष' (Dvesh) are preferred. Jalan can sound a bit colloquial or 'street-level' when discussing deep philosophical concepts.

Finally, don't confuse jalan (noun) with jalna (verb). You 'feel' jalan, but you 'burn' (jalna). If you say 'Main jalan hoon,' it sounds like you are saying 'I am a burning sensation.' You should say 'Mujhe jalan hai' (I have/feel a burning sensation/jealousy).

While जलन (Jalan) is the most versatile word, Hindi has several synonyms that offer specific nuances. Understanding these will help you choose the right word for the right situation.

1. ईर्ष्या (Irshya): Context: Formal/Literary.
Difference: This is the pure translation of 'envy.' It does NOT have a physical meaning. You would never use Irshya for a stomach ache.
2. हसद (Hasad): Context: Urdu-influenced/Common speech.
Difference: Primarily used for malicious envy. It carries a slightly heavier, more negative connotation than jalan.
3. डाह (Daah): Context: Rural/Old Hindi.
Difference: A very strong word for burning jealousy, often used in old literature or folk songs.

Comparison:
Physical: सिर्फ जलन (Only Jalan)
Emotional: जलन, ईर्ष्या, या हसद (Jalan, Irshya, or Hasad)

If you want to describe a physical sensation without using jalan, you might use 'चुनचुनाहट' (chunchunahat) for a tingling/stinging burn or 'तपन' (tapan) for heat/radiant burning. However, jalan remains the most common and easily understood term across all dialects of Hindi.

In summary, while alternatives exist, jalan is your 'Swiss Army Knife' word. It covers the doctor's office and the neighbor's backyard equally well. Just remember that its synonym 'Irshya' is strictly emotional, whereas 'Jalan' is both physical and emotional.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In many Indo-European languages, the concept of jealousy is linked to heat or vision (like 'envy' from 'invidere' - to look upon). Hindi chose the metaphor of 'internal combustion' or burning.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /dʒə.lən/

US /dʒʌ.lən/

The stress is equal on both syllables, but the first syllable 'ja' is slightly more emphasized in flow.

Rhymes With

चलन (Chalan - custom) पवन (Pawan - wind) गगन (Gagan - sky) भवन (Bhawan - building) मन (Man - mind) वचन (Vachan - promise) नमन (Naman - salutation) जतन (Jatan - effort)

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'j' like a Spanish 'j' (h-sound). It must be a hard 'j' like 'judge'.
Making the final 'n' nasal (like 'jalan' in French). It should be a clear 'n' where the tongue touches the roof of the mouth.
Stretching the vowels too long. Both 'a' sounds are short.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The word is short and common, easy to recognize in text.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering the feminine gender for correct verb agreement.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers.

Listening 2/5

Very high frequency word, easy to spot in conversation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

जलना (To burn) आग (Fire) दर्द (Pain) होना (To be) पेट (Stomach)

Learn Next

ईर्ष्या (Formal Envy) एसिडिटी (Acidity) महसूस (Feel) स्वभाव (Nature) नफरत (Hatred)

Advanced

द्वेष (Malice) मत्सर (Philosophy of envy) दाह (Literary burning) कुंठा (Frustration)

Grammar to Know

Feminine Noun Agreement

Jalan (f) + Hoti hai (f).

Postposition 'Se' for Envy

Mujhe usse (from him) jalan hai.

Compound Verbs with 'Hona'

Jalan hona vs Jalan karna.

Indirect Verb Construction

Mujhe jalan ho rahi hai (To me, burning is happening).

Adjective Placement

Thodi (a little) jalan.

Examples by Level

मेरे पेट में जलन है।

There is a burning sensation in my stomach.

Simple 'Subject + Mein + Jalan + Hai' structure.

आँखों में जलन क्यों हो रही है?

Why are my eyes burning?

Interrogative sentence using 'kyon'.

मिर्च से जलन होती है।

Chilies cause a burning sensation.

Habitual present tense with 'hoti hai'.

यह क्रीम जलन कम करती है।

This cream reduces the burning.

Feminine agreement: 'kam karti hai'.

धूप से जलन हुई।

The sun caused a burn/sting.

Past tense 'hui'.

मुझे जलन हो रही है।

I am feeling a burning sensation.

Present continuous tense.

क्या यहाँ जलन है?

Is there a burning sensation here?

Basic yes/no question.

पानी से जलन कम होगी।

Water will reduce the burning.

Future tense 'hogi'.

उसे मुझसे जलन है।

He is jealous of me.

Using 'se' for the object of jealousy.

बच्चों में जलन हो सकती है।

There can be jealousy among children.

Modal 'sakti hai' (can be).

तुम्हें जलन क्यों हो रही है?

Why are you feeling jealous?

Applying the physical sensation verb to an emotion.

जलन अच्छी बात नहीं है।

Jealousy is not a good thing.

Negation 'nahin hai'.

मुझे तुम्हारी सफलता से जलन नहीं है।

I am not jealous of your success.

Abstract noun usage.

उसके दिल में बहुत जलन है।

There is a lot of jealousy in his heart.

Metaphorical location 'dil mein'.

क्या यह जलन दवा से ठीक होगी?

Will this burning be cured by medicine?

Future tense with 'theek hogi'.

जलन की वजह से वह सो नहीं सका।

He couldn't sleep because of the burning.

Using 'ki vajah se' (because of).

सीने में जलन अक्सर एसिडिटी के कारण होती है।

Heartburn is often caused by acidity.

Use of 'akshar' (often) and 'ke kaaran' (due to).

उसकी बातों से जलन साफ़ झलकती है।

Jealousy is clearly reflected in his words.

Verb 'jhalakti hai' (reflects/shows).

जलन को काबू में रखना ज़रूरी है।

It is important to keep jealousy under control.

Infinitive 'rakhna' as a subject.

पड़ोसियों की नई कार देखकर उसे जलन हुई।

He felt jealous seeing the neighbors' new car.

Participle 'dekhkar' (having seen).

इस मरहम से जलन तुरंत दूर हो जाएगी।

This ointment will remove the burning immediately.

Adverb 'turant' (immediately).

समाज में जलन और नफरत बढ़ रही है।

Jealousy and hatred are increasing in society.

Compound subject 'jalan aur nafrat'.

क्या आपको प्याज़ काटते समय जलन होती है?

Do you feel a burning sensation while cutting onions?

Time clause 'kaatte samay'.

वह जलन के मारे लाल हो गया।

He turned red with jealousy.

Idiomatic 'ke maare' (due to/out of).

जलन एक ऐसी आग है जो इंसान को अंदर से जला देती है।

Jealousy is a fire that burns a person from within.

Relative clause 'jo... deti hai'.

उसने जलन में आकर मेरा काम बिगाड़ दिया।

He ruined my work out of jealousy.

Compound verb 'jalan mein aakar' (coming into jealousy).

जलन की भावना रिश्तों को कमज़ोर कर देती है।

The feeling of jealousy weakens relationships.

Abstract phrase 'jalan ki bhavna'.

डॉक्टर ने पूछा कि जलन कब से हो रही है।

The doctor asked how long the burning has been happening.

Indirect speech with 'ki'.

उसकी कामयाबी के पीछे छिपी जलन को पहचानो।

Recognize the jealousy hidden behind his success.

Imperative 'pehchano'.

जलन के कारण वह अपनी उपलब्धियों का आनंद नहीं ले पाया।

Due to jealousy, he couldn't enjoy his own achievements.

Negative ability 'nahin le paaya'.

साबुन आँखों में चला गया, जिससे बहुत जलन हुई।

Soap got into the eyes, which caused a lot of burning.

Relative pronoun 'jis-se' (from which).

वह जलनखोर स्वभाव का व्यक्ति है।

He is a person of a jealous nature.

Using the derivative 'jalankhor'.

साहित्य में जलन को अक्सर एक विनाशकारी शक्ति के रूप में चित्रित किया गया है।

In literature, jealousy is often portrayed as a destructive force.

Passive voice 'chitrit kiya gaya hai'.

आध्यात्मिक मार्ग पर जलन सबसे बड़ी बाधा मानी जाती है।

Jealousy is considered the biggest obstacle on the spiritual path.

Feminine superlative 'sabse badi'.

त्वचा की जलन को कम करने के लिए प्राकृतिक उपचार बेहतर होते हैं।

Natural remedies are better for reducing skin irritation.

Genitive 'tvacha ki jalan'.

उसकी आँखों में जलन नहीं, बल्कि एक गहरी ईर्ष्या थी।

In his eyes, there wasn't just burning, but a deep envy.

Contrast 'nahin, balki' (not, but rather).

जलन की तीव्रता व्यक्ति के आत्मविश्वास पर निर्भर करती है।

The intensity of jealousy depends on a person's self-confidence.

Verb 'nirbhar karti hai' (depends on).

जब जलन तर्क पर हावी हो जाए, तो फैसले गलत होते हैं।

When jealousy overpowers logic, decisions go wrong.

Conditional 'jab... toh'.

अत्यधिक मिर्च के सेवन से आंतों में जलन की समस्या हो सकती है।

Excessive consumption of chilies can cause intestinal burning issues.

Formal vocabulary 'atyadhik' and 'sevan'.

जलन को त्यागकर ही मन की शांति प्राप्त की जा सकती है।

Peace of mind can only be achieved by giving up jealousy.

Passive 'prapt ki ja sakti hai'.

जलन की सूक्ष्म परतें मानवीय मनोविज्ञान का एक जटिल हिस्सा हैं।

The subtle layers of jealousy are a complex part of human psychology.

Plural feminine 'sukshm paraten' (subtle layers).

दार्शनिक दृष्टिकोण से जलन स्वयं के प्रति असंतोष का प्रतिबिंब है।

From a philosophical perspective, jealousy is a reflection of dissatisfaction with oneself.

Formal phrase 'darshanik drishtikon' (philosophical perspective).

रासायनिक जलन के मामलों में तत्काल चिकित्सा सहायता अनिवार्य है।

In cases of chemical burns, immediate medical assistance is mandatory.

Technical term 'rasayanik jalan'.

उसकी बातों में निहित जलन को अनदेखा करना असंभव था।

It was impossible to ignore the inherent jealousy in his words.

Adjective 'nihit' (inherent/embedded).

जलन की आग में झुलसकर उसने अपना ही नुकसान कर लिया।

Being scorched in the fire of jealousy, he caused his own downfall.

Participial phrase 'jhulaskar' (having been scorched).

प्रतिद्वंद्विता जब जलन का रूप ले ले, तो वह रचनात्मक नहीं रहती।

When rivalry takes the form of jealousy, it no longer remains constructive.

Subjunctive 'le le'.

जलन का उन्मूलन केवल आत्म-साक्षात्कार से ही संभव है।

The eradication of jealousy is only possible through self-realization.

High-register word 'unmulan' (eradication).

जलन की यह टीस उसे रात भर बेचैन रखती थी।

This sting of jealousy kept him restless all night.

Specific noun 'tees' (sharp pain/sting).

Synonyms

ईर्ष्या डाह कुढ़न द्वेष हसद

Antonyms

संतोष खुशी सहानुभूति

Common Collocations

सीने में जलन

पेट में जलन

आँखों में जलन

जलन महसूस करना

जलन होना

जलन मिटाना

जलन पैदा करना

गहरी जलन

जलन की भावना

हल्की जलन

Common Phrases

जलन के मारे

— Out of jealousy or due to burning.

वह जलन के मारे कुछ बोल नहीं पाया।

जलन की आग

— The fire of jealousy (metaphorical).

वह जलन की आग में जल रहा है।

जलनखोर इंसान

— A jealous person (slightly derogatory).

उस जलनखोर इंसान से दूर रहो।

जलन का कारण

— The cause of burning/jealousy.

आपकी जलन का कारण क्या है?

जलन से लाल होना

— To turn red with envy or heat.

गुस्से और जलन से उसका चेहरा लाल हो गया।

जलन कम होना

— Reduction in burning or envy.

अब मेरी जलन काफी कम हो गई है।

जलन होना स्वाभाविक है

— It is natural to feel jealous.

इतनी बड़ी जीत पर दूसरों को जलन होना स्वाभाविक है।

अंदरूनी जलन

— Internal burning or deep-seated envy.

उसे कोई बीमारी नहीं, बस अंदरूनी जलन है।

जलन की दवा

— Medicine for burning (physical) or a 'cure' for envy.

जलन की दवा तो सिर्फ संतोष है।

जलन महसूस होना

— To feel a burning sensation.

क्या आपको यहाँ जलन महसूस हो रही है?

Often Confused With

जलन vs जल (Jal)

Jal means water. Jalan means burning. They sound similar but are opposites in effect!

जलन vs जाल (Jaal)

Jaal means a net or a trap. Don't confuse the long 'aa' with the short 'a' in Jalan.

जलन vs जल्दी (Jaldi)

Jaldi means quickly. It starts with the same 'Jal-' sound.

Idioms & Expressions

"खून जलना"

— To be very angry or jealous to the point of suffering.

उसकी फिजूलखर्ची देखकर मेरा खून जलता है।

Informal

"कलेजे में जलन होना"

— To feel extreme envy or heartbreak.

उसकी सफलता देखकर मेरे कलेजे में जलन होने लगी।

Colloquial

"आग में घी डालना"

— To make someone's jealousy or anger worse.

पुरानी बातें याद दिलाकर उसने जलन की आग में घी डाल दिया।

Common

"बदन में आग लगना"

— To be extremely jealous or furious.

जब उसने मेरी बुराई की, तो मेरे बदन में आग लग गई।

Informal

"छाती पर साँप लोटना"

— To be intensely jealous of someone else's good fortune.

मेरी लॉटरी की खबर सुनकर पड़ोसियों की छाती पर साँप लोटने लगे।

Common

"जल-भुनकर राख होना"

— To be consumed by jealousy or anger.

वह मेरी तरक्की देखकर जल-भुनकर राख हो गया।

Informal

"जलन की पट्टी पढ़ाना"

— To incite jealousy in someone.

तुम उसे मेरे खिलाफ जलन की पट्टी पढ़ा रहे हो।

Slang

"अपनी खिचड़ी अलग पकाना"

— To stay aloof due to jealousy or pride.

जलन की वजह से उसने अपनी खिचड़ी अलग पकानी शुरू कर दी।

Common

"मिट्टी में मिलना"

— To be destroyed (often by one's own jealousy).

उसकी जलन ने उसे मिट्टी में मिला दिया।

Common

"आँखों का काँटा"

— Someone who causes jealousy or irritation.

वह अपनी कामयाबी की वजह से सबकी आँखों का काँटा बन गया है।

Common

Easily Confused

जलन vs Irshya

Both mean jealousy.

Irshya is only emotional and formal. Jalan is emotional and physical and common.

Mujhe jalan hai (common). Mujhe irshya hai (formal).

जलन vs Gussa

Both are negative emotions.

Gussa is anger. Jalan is envy.

Main gussa hoon (I am angry). Mujhe jalan hai (I am jealous).

जलन vs Dard

Both are physical sensations.

Dard is general pain. Jalan is specifically a burning sensation.

Sar mein dard (headache). Pet mein jalan (heartburn).

Sentence Patterns

Mujhe [Body Part] mein jalan hai.

Mujhe gale mein jalan hai.

[Person] ko [Person] se jalan hai.

Ram ko Shyam se jalan hai.

[Action] se jalan hoti hai.

Dhoop mein nikalne se jalan hoti hai.

Jalan ke maare [Result].

Jalan ke maare woh rone laga.

Jalan ki [Noun] ...

Jalan ki teevrata badh gayi.

[Abstract Concept] mein jalan ka hona ...

Sahitya mein jalan ka hona swabhavik hai.

Any

Kya jalan hai?

Any

Jalan kam ho gayi.

Word Family

Nouns

जल (Jal - water, though etymologically different, often confused)

जलनखोर (Jalankhor - jealous person)

जलावतनी (Jalawatni - exile, rare)

Verbs

जलना (Jalna - to burn)

जलाना (Jalana - to set on fire/to make someone jealous)

जल भुनना (Jal-bhunna - to be very jealous)

Adjectives

जलता हुआ (Jalta hua - burning)

जलनशील (Jalansheel - flammable/jealous)

आग (Aag - fire)

गर्मी (Garmi - heat)

ईर्ष्या (Irshya - envy)

राख (Raakh - ash)

धुआँ (Dhuan - smoke)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily speech.

Common Mistakes

Using 'jalan' as a masculine noun. → जलन हो रही है (Jalan ho rahi hai)
Jalan is feminine, so the verb must match.
Using 'par' instead of 'se' for jealousy. → उससे जलन (Usse jalan)
In Hindi, you feel jealousy 'from' someone, not 'on' them.
Using 'jalan' to mean a literal flame. → आग (Aag)
Jalan is the sensation, not the fire itself.
Confusing 'jalan' with 'jal' (water). → जलन (Burning)
They are unrelated despite looking similar.
Saying 'Main jalan hoon'. → मुझे जलन है (Mujhe jalan hai)
You don't 'be' the sensation; you 'have' it.

Tips

Gender Check

Always pair 'jalan' with feminine verb endings like -i or -een. This is the most common mistake for learners.

The Root Word

Remember the verb 'jalna' (to burn). If you know the verb, the noun 'jalan' becomes much easier to remember.

Social Nuance

In India, 'jalan' is often linked to the 'evil eye'. Be aware that people might be sensitive about this topic.

Doctor's Visit

If you are in India and have stomach issues, 'pet mein jalan' is the most important phrase to tell your doctor.

Tone Matters

When using 'jalan' for jealousy, a softer tone makes it sound like a psychological observation; a harsh tone makes it an insult.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Jalan' as 'Jail-on'. When you are jealous, you feel like your mind is in a burning 'jail' of your 'own' making.

Visual Association

Imagine a person eating a bright red chili (physical jalan) and then looking at a neighbor's new sports car with the same painful expression (emotional jalan).

Word Web

Fire Heartburn Envy Spicy Stomach Success Rivalry Heat

Challenge

Try to use 'jalan' in two sentences today: one about something you ate and one about a character in a movie you watched.

Word Origin

Derived from the Sanskrit root 'ज्वल्' (Jval), which means to burn, flame, or be bright. In Middle Indo-Aryan, it evolved into 'jala' and eventually the modern Hindi 'jalan'.

Original meaning: The original meaning was strictly related to physical fire and combustion. The emotional mapping of 'burning' to 'jealousy' developed as a metaphorical extension in the Prakrit languages.

Indo-Aryan family, daughter of Sanskrit, sister to Punjabi and Bengali.

Cultural Context

Calling someone 'jalankhor' (jealous) is an insult. Use it carefully. When describing physical pain, it is a neutral medical term.

English speakers might find it odd to use the same word for a burnt finger and a jealous heart, but it's similar to the English slang 'to be salty' or 'to burn with envy'.

The song 'Jalan' from various Bollywood films. Kabir's poetry often mentions 'jalna' in the context of the ego burning. Common TV serial title tropes often involve 'Jalan' or 'Irshya'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Doctor's

सीने में जलन
पेशाब में जलन
जलन की दवा
कब से जलन है?

In the Kitchen

हाथ में जलन
आँखों में जलन
मिर्च की जलन
जलन कम करो

Socializing

उससे जलन है
जलन की बात
कोई जलन नहीं
जलन क्यों?

Weather

धूप की जलन
गर्मी से जलन
त्वचा की जलन
जलन हो रही है

Emotional Support

जलन मत करो
जलन छोड़ दो
जलन बुरी है
जलन का त्याग

Conversation Starters

"क्या आपको मसालेदार खाना खाने के बाद जलन होती है?"

"क्या आपको लगता है कि जलन एक स्वाभाविक भावना है?"

"अगर किसी को आपसे जलन हो, तो आप क्या करेंगे?"

"आँखों की जलन के लिए आप क्या घरेलू उपाय करते हैं?"

"क्या आपने कभी किसी की सफलता पर जलन महसूस की है?"

Journal Prompts

आज मुझे किस बात से जलन हुई और क्यों?

जब मुझे शारीरिक जलन होती है, तो मैं कैसा महसूस करता हूँ?

जलन की भावना को कम करने के तीन तरीके लिखें।

क्या जलन कभी सकारात्मक हो सकती है? अपने विचार लिखें।

अपने जीवन के एक ऐसे पल के बारे में लिखें जब आपने जलन पर विजय पाई।

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, for a literal fire, we use 'aag'. 'Jalan' is the *sensation* or the *emotion* produced, not the fire itself.

No, it's a standard noun. However, accusing someone of having 'jalan' can be seen as a mild social insult.

The most common way is 'सीने में जलन' (Seene mein jalan).

It is feminine. You must say 'jalan hoti hai'.

You can use 'jalan hona' or the verb 'jalna' (to burn).

Yes, 'धूप से जलन' (Dhoop se jalan) is perfect for describing the sting of a sunburn.

Jalan is a Hindi word; Hasad is Urdu. Hasad is only emotional, whereas Jalan is both physical and emotional.

Say 'मुझे जलन नहीं है' (Mujhe jalan nahin hai).

Usually, 'khujli' is used for itching. 'Jalan' is used if the skin feels like it's stinging or burning.

Yes, it's a common, slightly informal way to call someone a 'jealous type' of person.