At the A1 level, you just need to know that 'gair-jimmedar' means 'irresponsible'. It is a long word, but you can break it into 'gair' and 'jimmedar'. You can use it in simple sentences like 'He is irresponsible' (Vah gair-jimmedar hai). At this stage, don't worry about the complex grammar; just treat it as a descriptive word for people who don't do their work. It is an important word because you might hear it when people talk about chores or homework. Think of it as the opposite of 'good' or 'hardworking' in a school context. You can use it to describe a friend who forgets to bring a ball to the park or a brother who doesn't clean his room. Even at this basic level, knowing this word helps you express negative traits simply and clearly. It's a useful adjective to have in your basic 'personality' vocabulary list.
At the A2 level, you should understand that 'gair-jimmedar' is an adjective that doesn't change for gender. This is great for you because you can use it for 'ladka' (boy) or 'ladki' (girl) without changing the ending. You can start pairing it with nouns like 'vyakti' (person) or 'baccha' (child). You should also recognize it in slightly longer sentences, like 'Mera dost gair-jimmedar hai' (My friend is irresponsible). This is the level where you distinguish between being 'bad' (bura) and being 'irresponsible' (gair-jimmedar). One is about character in general, the other is about how they handle tasks. You might also start to see the word in simple stories or news headlines. It's a key word for describing social behavior and expectations in daily life.
At the B1 level, you can start using 'gair-jimmedar' to describe abstract things like 'vyavahar' (behavior) or 'harkat' (act). You should also learn the noun form 'gair-jimmedari' (irresponsibility). For example, 'Mujhe tumhari gair-jimmedari pasand nahi' (I don't like your irresponsibility). You can use it to discuss social issues or work-related problems. At this level, you should be able to explain *why* someone is irresponsible using connectors like 'kyonki' (because). You are moving beyond simple labels and starting to use the word to build arguments or give feedback. You will also notice that this word is more formal than 'laparvah' and you can choose between them based on who you are talking to. Using 'gair-jimmedar' in a work setting shows you have a better grasp of professional Hindi.
At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using the adverbial form 'gair-jimmedarana' (irresponsibly). You can describe actions in detail: 'Usne gair-jimmedarana tareeke se car chalayi' (He drove the car in an irresponsible manner). You can also understand the word in the context of political debates or editorial articles. You should know its synonyms like 'uttardayitva-heen' and understand when to use the more Sanskritized version for formal writing. This is the stage where you use the word to criticize policies, environmental neglect, or corporate ethics. You can participate in discussions about 'social responsibility' (samajik jimmedari) and its opposite. Your vocabulary is now nuanced enough to use 'gair-jimmedar' to imply a breach of trust or a failure of a specific role.
At the C1 level, you can use 'gair-jimmedar' to explore complex philosophical or legal themes. You can discuss the nuances between 'negligence', 'recklessness', and 'irresponsibility' in Hindi. You will encounter this word in classical literature, high-level journalism, and legal documents. You should be able to use it in sophisticated sentence structures, such as conditional clauses: 'Yadi prashasan itna gair-jimmedar na hota, to sthiti bhayanak nahi hoti' (If the administration hadn't been so irresponsible, the situation wouldn't have been so dire). You also understand the cultural implications—how irresponsibility is viewed in the context of Indian family structures versus the individualistic professional world. You can use the word to write persuasive essays or deliver speeches on civic duties.
At the C2 level, you have a masterly grasp of 'gair-jimmedar' and its place in the linguistic history of Hindi-Urdu. You can identify its Persian roots and how it contrasts with Sanskrit equivalents in different literary registers. You can use it with precision in academic writing, legal defense, or high-level diplomacy. You understand the subtle sarcasm when someone is called 'gair-jimmedar' in a polite but firm way. You can play with the word in poetry or creative writing to evoke specific emotions of betrayal or disappointment. At this level, the word is not just a vocabulary item but a tool for subtle expression, allowing you to navigate the most complex social and professional hierarchies in the Hindi-speaking world with native-like fluency.

गैर-जिम्मेदार in 30 Seconds

  • An adjective meaning 'irresponsible'.
  • Formed by prefix 'gair-' (non-) and 'jimmedar' (responsible).
  • Used to criticize lack of duty or accountability.
  • Does not change form for gender or number.

The Hindi word गैर-जिम्मेदार (gair-jimmedār) is a powerful adjective used to describe someone or something that lacks a sense of duty, accountability, or reliability. To understand this word deeply, one must look at its morphological construction. It is a compound word consisting of the Persian prefix गैर- (gair-), which means 'non', 'un-', or 'without', and the noun जिम्मेदार (jimmedār), meaning 'responsible'. Therefore, the literal translation is 'non-responsible'. In daily Hindi, it carries a weightier connotation than just 'careless'. While a person might be 'careless' (laparvāh) about where they left their keys, they are 'gair-jimmedār' if they fail to pick up their child from school or ignore a major work deadline. It implies a moral or social failure to uphold one's obligations.

Social Context
In Indian society, where collective responsibility and family duty (dharma/kartavya) are highly valued, being called 'gair-jimmedār' is a significant criticism. It suggests that the individual is not contributing their share to the social fabric.

उसका व्यवहार बहुत गैर-जिम्मेदार था। (His behavior was very irresponsible.)

You will encounter this word in various settings: from a teacher scolding a student for not submitting homework, to a politician accusing an opponent of 'gair-jimmedār' policy-making. It is a formal enough word to be used in newspapers and news broadcasts, yet common enough to be heard in a heated household argument. Unlike some adjectives that change based on gender (like 'achha' to 'achhi'), 'gair-jimmedār' remains invariant because it ends in a consonant. This makes it easier for learners to use without worrying about noun-adjective agreement in terms of gender. However, it can be pluralized in very specific poetic or archaic contexts, though in standard modern Hindi, it functions as a steady descriptor for both masculine and feminine nouns, as well as plural subjects.

Professional Context
In a workplace, this word describes a 'negligent' attitude. If a manager says 'aap gair-jimmedār hain', they are questioning your professional integrity, not just your speed of work.

सरकारी काम में गैर-जिम्मेदार रवैया बर्दाश्त नहीं किया जाएगा। (Irresponsible attitude in government work will not be tolerated.)

Using गैर-जिम्मेदार correctly requires understanding its placement within a sentence. As an adjective, it typically precedes the noun it modifies or follows a linking verb. For example, in 'gair-jimmedār vyakti' (irresponsible person), it acts as an attributive adjective. In 'vah vyakti gair-jimmedār hai' (that person is irresponsible), it acts as a predicative adjective. Because the word is derived from Urdu/Persian roots, it carries a certain level of sophistication and is preferred in formal writing over more colloquial terms like 'laparvah'.

Grammar Rule
This adjective does not change its form for gender or number. Whether you are talking about one boy, ten girls, or a abstract concept like 'behavior', the word remains 'gair-jimmedār'.

वे लोग कितने गैर-जिम्मेदार हैं! (How irresponsible those people are!)

When constructing complex sentences, you might see it paired with the suffix '-pan' to turn it into an abstract noun: 'gair-jimmedāri' (irresponsibility). Note the slight shift in the ending. 'Gair-jimmedār' is the person/action; 'gair-jimmedāri' is the quality itself. For instance, 'Aapki gair-jimmedāri hamein bhari padegi' (Your irresponsibility will cost us dearly). This distinction is vital for intermediate learners. In conversational Hindi, you might also hear it in response to a question: 'Kya vah bharosemand hai?' (Is he reliable?) - 'Nahi, vah bahut gair-jimmedār hai' (No, he is very irresponsible).

एक गैर-जिम्मेदार ड्राइवर ने दुर्घटना कर दी। (An irresponsible driver caused the accident.)

Furthermore, in the context of legal or official documents, 'gair-jimmedār' is used to describe negligence. If a company fails to follow safety protocols, their actions are labeled as 'gair-jimmedārana' (irresponsible - an adverbial/adjectival form often used for actions). This 'ana' suffix adds a sense of 'in the manner of'. Thus, 'gair-jimmedārana harkat' means 'an irresponsible act'. Mastering these variations allows the learner to move from basic A2 level communication to more nuanced B1/B2 levels of expression.

If you are watching Hindi news channels like Aaj Tak or NDTV, you will hear गैर-जिम्मेदार almost daily. It is a favorite among news anchors when discussing government failures, public negligence during health crises, or environmental pollution. For example, during a monsoon flood, an anchor might say, 'Prashasan ki gair-jimmedāri ke karan sheher doob gaya' (The city sank due to the administration's irresponsibility). It serves as a sharp tool for critique in the public sphere.

In Bollywood
In films, this word often appears in emotional confrontations. A father might call his rebellious son 'gair-jimmedār' because he refuses to join the family business or take life seriously. It emphasizes the clash between traditional values and individualistic behavior.

'तुम इतने गैर-जिम्मेदार कैसे हो सकते हो?' (How can you be so irresponsible?) - A common movie trope.

In the corporate world in India, during performance reviews, 'gair-jimmedār' might be used to describe a pattern of missed deadlines or lack of ownership. It is considered a serious negative feedback. Similarly, in educational institutions, it is used by principals and teachers in reports to parents. If a student is consistently absent without notice, they are labeled 'gair-jimmedār'. Unlike slang, this word is respected and understood across all age groups and social strata, making it a versatile addition to your vocabulary.

Social media also sees a high frequency of this word. On platforms like Twitter (X), users often use the hashtag #GairJimmedar to call out celebrities or public figures who make insensitive comments. It has become a cornerstone of 'accountability culture' in the Hindi-speaking digital world. Whether it's a debate about climate change or a local traffic violation, this word is the go-to term for expressing disappointment in someone's lack of duty.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when learning Hindi is confusing गैर-जिम्मेदार (gair-jimmedār) with लापरवाह (laparvāh). While both can be translated as 'irresponsible' or 'careless', they are not always interchangeable. 'Laparvah' specifically refers to a lack of care or attention—like forgetting an umbrella. 'Gair-jimmedār' refers to a failure of duty or accountability—like a doctor failing to show up for surgery. Using 'laparvah' in a situation that requires 'gair-jimmedār' can make your criticism sound too light or trivial.

Pronunciation Pitfall
Many learners struggle with the 'z' sound in 'jimme'. It is 'zimme' (with a dot under the 'j' in Devanagari: ज़), but many speakers pronounce it as a hard 'j'. While 'jimmedar' is widely accepted, the 'z' sound is considered more standard for the Persian-origin word.

Incorrect: वह काम के लिए गैर-जिम्मेदार है (if you mean he is just messy). Correct: वह काम के लिए लापरवाह है।

Another mistake is the placement of the hyphen. While often written as 'गैर-जिम्मेदार', in rapid typing or informal text, people often omit the hyphen (गैरजिम्मेदार). However, as a learner, using the hyphen or a space helps you recognize the two components of the word. Also, avoid using 'un-responsible' as a direct translation in your head; think of it as 'void of responsibility'. Using the word 'gair-jimmedār' for objects is also a mistake; it is almost exclusively used for people, their actions, or their attitudes. You wouldn't call a broken chair 'gair-jimmedār', but you would call the carpenter who made it that way.

Lastly, be careful with the suffix '-ana'. Learners sometimes say 'vah gair-jimmedārana hai' when they should say 'vah gair-jimmedār hai'. Use '-ana' only when describing the *manner* of an action or a specific behavior (like 'harkat' or 'vyavahar'), not the person themselves. Saying 'He is irresponsibly' is the English equivalent of that mistake. Stick to the base word 'gair-jimmedār' for people to stay safe and grammatically correct.

To expand your Hindi vocabulary beyond गैर-जिम्मेदार, you should learn its synonyms and related terms. Each has a slightly different shade of meaning. For instance, लापरवाह (laparvāh) is the most common alternative, focusing on the lack of care. If someone is 'carefree' in a negative way, you might use बेपरवाह (beparvāh), which implies they don't care about the consequences at all. This is often used in songs to describe a lover's heart, but in real life, it can also mean reckless.

Comparison: Gair-jimmedar vs. Asavdhan
'Asavdhan' (असावधान) means 'un-alert' or 'inattentive'. It is a more technical or formal term used in safety warnings. 'Gair-jimmedar' is a character flaw; 'Asavdhan' is a temporary state of not paying attention.

Synonym: उत्तरदायित्वहीन (Uttardayitva-heen) - This is the pure Sanskrit (Tatsam) version of 'gair-jimmedar', used in extremely formal or literary contexts.

Another interesting word is उदंड (udand), which means 'insolent' or 'naughty' in a way that ignores responsibility. This is usually reserved for children or students. On the other hand, if you want to describe someone who is 'unreliable', you use अविश्वसनीय (avishvasniya). While an irresponsible person is often unreliable, the words focus on different aspects: one on the lack of duty, the other on the lack of trust. Understanding these nuances helps you choose the perfect word for the situation.

Antonyms
The direct opposite is 'Jimmedar' (Responsible). Other opposites include 'Kartavyanishth' (Devoted to duty) and 'Sachet' (Conscious/Aware).

In some dialects, you might hear ढीला (dhīlā), literally meaning 'loose'. In a metaphorical sense, a 'dhila' person is someone who is slack in their duties. While colloquial, it conveys a similar sense of irresponsibility in a more casual, often derogatory way. By learning these alternatives, you not only understand 'gair-jimmedār' better but also gain the ability to navigate different registers of the Hindi language, from the streets of Delhi to the halls of a government office.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The suffix '-dar' is found in many English words borrowed from Persian, like 'Chakidar' or 'Zamindar'. It literally means 'the one who has' something.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɡɛːɾ.d͡ʒɪm.meː.d̪aːɾ/
US /ɡɛr.dʒɪm.me.dɑːr/
Primary stress is on the first syllable of 'jim-me-dar'.
Rhymes With
ईमानदार (Imandar - honest) वफादार (Wafadar - loyal) समझदार (Samajhdar - wise) शानदार (Shandar - magnificent) दमदार (Damdar - powerful) किराएदार (Kirayedar - tenant) दुकानदार (Dukandar - shopkeeper) थानेदार (Thanedar - police officer)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing the 'd' in 'dar' as a hard English 'D'.
  • Missing the double 'm' sound in 'jimme'.
  • Pronouncing 'gair' as 'guy-er'.
  • Using a hard 'J' instead of a soft 'Z' sound if trying to sound more Urdu-influenced.
  • Shortening the final 'a' in 'dar'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The word is long and hyphenated, which might be tricky for beginners to parse initially.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct placement of the dot (nukta) in some scripts and proper spelling of the double 'm'.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation is straightforward once you master the soft 'd' and the 'gair' prefix.

Listening 2/5

Easily recognizable due to its distinct 'gair' prefix.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

जिम्मेदार काम लोग नहीं है

Learn Next

जिम्मेदारी लापरवाह कर्तव्य अधिकार जवाबदेही

Advanced

उत्तरदायित्व असावधानी प्रमाद उपेक्षा विमुख

Grammar to Know

Prefix 'Gair-'

Used to negate the meaning of Persian/Arabic origin nouns/adjectives (e.g., Gair-kanuni, Gair-hazir).

Invariant Adjectives

Adjectives ending in consonants like 'r' in 'Gair-jimmedar' do not change for gender/number.

Noun Formation with '-i'

Adding 'i' to 'Gair-jimmedar' creates the abstract noun 'Gair-jimmedari'.

Adverbial Suffix '-ana'

Adding '-ana' creates 'Gair-jimmedarana', describing the quality of an action.

Compound Hyphenation

Prefixes like 'Gair' are often hyphenated in formal Hindi writing.

Examples by Level

1

वह लड़का गैर-जिम्मेदार है।

That boy is irresponsible.

Simple Subject + Adjective + Verb construction.

2

मेरा कुत्ता गैर-जिम्मेदार नहीं है।

My dog is not irresponsible.

Negative sentence using 'nahin'.

3

क्या आप गैर-जिम्मेदार हैं?

Are you irresponsible?

Interrogative sentence starting with 'kya'.

4

वह एक गैर-जिम्मेदार दोस्त है।

He is an irresponsible friend.

Adjective used before a noun.

5

तुम गैर-जिम्मेदार मत बनो।

Don't be irresponsible.

Imperative sentence using 'mat'.

6

यह काम गैर-जिम्मेदार है।

This work is irresponsible.

Using the adjective for a task.

7

वे बहुत गैर-जिम्मेदार हैं।

They are very irresponsible.

Plural subject with 'bahut' for emphasis.

8

राम गैर-जिम्मेदार लड़का है।

Ram is an irresponsible boy.

Proper noun + Adjective + Noun.

1

वह अपनी पढ़ाई को लेकर गैर-जिम्मेदार है।

He is irresponsible regarding his studies.

Using 'ko lekar' to indicate 'regarding'.

2

गैर-जिम्मेदार लोग कभी सफल नहीं होते।

Irresponsible people never succeed.

Adjective modifying a plural noun.

3

उसका व्यवहार गैर-जिम्मेदार था।

His behavior was irresponsible.

Past tense 'tha' with the adjective.

4

हमें गैर-जिम्मेदार नहीं होना चाहिए।

We should not be irresponsible.

Using 'chahiye' for 'should'.

5

एक गैर-जिम्मेदार ड्राइवर खतरनाक होता है।

An irresponsible driver is dangerous.

General statement about a type of person.

6

वह घर के कामों में गैर-जिम्मेदार है।

He is irresponsible in household chores.

Using 'mein' to show the field of irresponsibility.

7

क्या वह हमेशा इतनी गैर-जिम्मेदार रहती है?

Does she always stay this irresponsible?

Using 'rehti hai' for a habitual state.

8

यह एक गैर-जिम्मेदार फैसला था।

This was an irresponsible decision.

Modifying the noun 'faisla' (decision).

1

उसकी गैर-जिम्मेदारी की वजह से हमें नुकसान हुआ।

Because of his irresponsibility, we suffered a loss.

Using the noun form 'gair-jimmedari'.

2

इतना गैर-जिम्मेदार होना अच्छी बात नहीं है।

Being this irresponsible is not a good thing.

Using 'hona' (to be) as a gerund.

3

वह अपनी सेहत के प्रति गैर-जिम्मेदार है।

He is irresponsible towards his health.

Using 'ke prati' for 'towards'.

4

ऑफिस में गैर-जिम्मेदार रवैया नहीं चलेगा।

An irresponsible attitude won't work in the office.

Using 'ravaiya' (attitude) as the noun.

5

क्या आपको नहीं लगता कि आप गैर-जिम्मेदार हो रहे हैं?

Don't you think you are being irresponsible?

Continuous aspect 'ho rahe hain'.

6

उसने बहुत ही गैर-जिम्मेदार तरीके से जवाब दिया।

He replied in a very irresponsible manner.

Using 'tarike se' to form an adverbial phrase.

7

गैर-जिम्मेदार माता-पिता बच्चों का भविष्य बिगाड़ देते हैं।

Irresponsible parents spoil children's future.

Compound subject and transitive verb.

8

सरकार की गैर-जिम्मेदारी से जनता परेशान है।

The public is troubled by the government's irresponsibility.

Possessive 'ki' with 'gair-jimmedari'.

1

यह एक गैर-जिम्मेदार बयान है जो समाज में नफरत फैला सकता है।

This is an irresponsible statement that can spread hatred in society.

Relative clause 'jo...' modifying the noun phrase.

2

कंपनियों को अपने गैर-जिम्मेदार कचरा प्रबंधन के लिए दंडित किया जाना चाहिए।

Companies should be punished for their irresponsible waste management.

Passive voice 'kiya jana chahiye'.

3

उसने अपनी जिम्मेदारियों से भागकर गैर-जिम्मेदार होने का प्रमाण दिया।

By running away from his duties, he proved he was irresponsible.

Using 'kar' participle and 'praman' (proof).

4

सोशल मीडिया पर गैर-जिम्मेदार टिप्पणियां करना आम हो गया है।

Making irresponsible comments on social media has become common.

Gerund phrase as the subject.

5

क्या आप अपनी इस गैर-जिम्मेदार हरकत का स्पष्टीकरण दे सकते हैं?

Can you give an explanation for this irresponsible act of yours?

Using 'spashtikaran' (explanation).

6

इतने बड़े पद पर होकर भी वह गैर-जिम्मेदार बना हुआ है।

Despite being in such a high position, he remains irresponsible.

Using 'hokar bhi' (despite being).

7

जलवायु परिवर्तन के प्रति हमारा गैर-जिम्मेदार रवैया विनाशकारी होगा।

Our irresponsible attitude toward climate change will be disastrous.

Future tense 'hoga' with an abstract subject.

8

पुलिस ने उसे गैर-जिम्मेदार ड्राइविंग के लिए गिरफ्तार किया।

The police arrested him for irresponsible driving.

Using 'ke liye' to show cause.

1

नैतिक दृष्टि से, दूसरों की भावनाओं के प्रति गैर-जिम्मेदार होना अनुचित है।

From a moral perspective, being irresponsible toward others' feelings is improper.

Formal philosophical structure.

2

अदालत ने इसे पेशेवर गैर-जिम्मेदारी का मामला माना।

The court considered this a case of professional irresponsibility.

Legal terminology 'peshevar' (professional).

3

एक लेखक के रूप में, भ्रामक जानकारी फैलाना गैर-जिम्मेदार माना जाता है।

As a writer, spreading misleading information is considered irresponsible.

Passive construction 'mana jata hai'.

4

उसकी गैर-जिम्मेदार जीवनशैली ने उसके स्वास्थ्य और रिश्तों को नष्ट कर दिया।

His irresponsible lifestyle destroyed his health and relationships.

Complex subject with 'lifestyle' (jeevansheli).

5

यह कहना गैर-जिम्मेदार होगा कि शिक्षा का कोई महत्व नहीं है।

It would be irresponsible to say that education has no importance.

Hypothetical 'hoga' (it would be).

6

आर्थिक क्षेत्र में गैर-जिम्मेदार निवेश से बचना चाहिए।

One should avoid irresponsible investments in the economic sector.

Formal advisory tone.

7

अधिकारियों की गैर-जिम्मेदार चुप्पी ने संकट को और गहरा कर दिया।

The irresponsible silence of the officials deepened the crisis.

Metaphorical use of 'chuppi' (silence).

8

मीडिया को गैर-जिम्मेदार सनसनीखेज खबरों से दूर रहना चाहिए।

Media should stay away from irresponsible sensationalist news.

Compound adjective 'sansanikhez' (sensationalist).

1

लोकतांत्रिक मूल्यों के प्रति ऐसी गैर-जिम्मेदार उदासीनता चिंतनीय है।

Such irresponsible indifference toward democratic values is a matter of concern.

Advanced vocabulary 'udasinta' (indifference) and 'chintaniya' (concerning).

2

इतिहास गवाह है कि शासकों की गैर-जिम्मेदारी साम्राज्यों के पतन का कारण बनी।

History is witness that the irresponsibility of rulers caused the downfall of empires.

Literary style 'itihas gawah hai'.

3

वैज्ञानिक अनुसंधान में गैर-जिम्मेदार प्रयोगों के गंभीर परिणाम हो सकते हैं।

Irresponsible experiments in scientific research can have serious consequences.

Academic context.

4

उन्होंने अपने कर्तव्यों का पालन करने के बजाय गैर-जिम्मेदार आनंद को चुना।

Instead of fulfilling his duties, he chose irresponsible pleasure.

Using 'ke bajaye' (instead of).

5

क्या यह गैर-जिम्मेदार व्यवहार केवल व्यक्तिगत है या इसके पीछे कोई गहरी साजिश है?

Is this irresponsible behavior merely personal, or is there a deeper conspiracy behind it?

Complex inquiry.

6

मानवता के भविष्य के साथ ऐसा गैर-जिम्मेदार खिलवाड़ अक्षम्य है।

Such irresponsible playing with the future of humanity is unforgivable.

Strong emotive language 'akshamy' (unforgivable).

7

संपादक ने लेख को बहुत ही गैर-जिम्मेदार और पक्षपाती पाया।

The editor found the article very irresponsible and biased.

Professional critique.

8

उसकी गैर-जिम्मेदार उदारता ने अंततः उसे कंगाल बना दिया।

His irresponsible generosity eventually left him bankrupt.

Oxymoronic pairing 'gair-jimmedar udarta'.

Synonyms

लापरवाह असावधान उत्तरदायित्वहीन बेपरवाह गैर-जवाबदेह ढीला अविश्वसनीय उदंड

Antonyms

जिम्मेदार कर्तव्यनिष्ठ सचेत भरोसेमंद

Common Collocations

गैर-जिम्मेदार व्यवहार
गैर-जिम्मेदार रवैया
गैर-जिम्मेदार बयान
गैर-जिम्मेदार नागरिक
गैर-जिम्मेदार माता-पिता
गैर-जिम्मेदार ड्राइविंग
गैर-जिम्मेदार फैसला
गैर-जिम्मेदार पत्रकारिता
गैर-जिम्मेदार खर्च
गैर-जिम्मेदार चुप्पी

Common Phrases

इतना गैर-जिम्मेदार मत बनो

— Don't be so irresponsible. Used as a direct warning.

इतना गैर-जिम्मेदार मत बनो, समय पर आओ।

गैर-जिम्मेदार हरकत

— An irresponsible act or stunt.

यह तुम्हारी सबसे बड़ी गैर-जिम्मेदार हरकत थी।

पूरी तरह से गैर-जिम्मेदार

— Completely irresponsible.

उसका जवाब पूरी तरह से गैर-जिम्मेदार था।

बेहद गैर-जिम्मेदार

— Extremely irresponsible.

यह एक बेहद गैर-जिम्मेदार रवैया है।

गैर-जिम्मेदार ठहराना

— To hold someone irresponsible or blame them.

पुलिस ने उसे हादसे के लिए गैर-जिम्मेदार ठहराया।

गैर-जिम्मेदार साबित होना

— To prove to be irresponsible.

वह अंत में गैर-जिम्मेदार साबित हुआ।

गैर-जिम्मेदार ढंग से

— In an irresponsible manner.

उसने बहुत ही गैर-जिम्मेदार ढंग से काम किया।

गैर-जिम्मेदार होने का आरोप

— Allegation of being irresponsible.

उस पर गैर-जिम्मेदार होने का आरोप लगा है।

गैर-जिम्मेदार तत्वों

— Irresponsible elements (often referring to troublemakers).

शहर में कुछ गैर-जिम्मेदार तत्व सक्रिय हैं।

गैर-जिम्मेदार सोच

— Irresponsible thinking.

यह आपकी गैर-जिम्मेदार सोच का नतीजा है।

Often Confused With

गैर-जिम्मेदार vs लापरवाह

Laparvah means careless (lack of attention); Gair-jimmedar means irresponsible (lack of duty).

गैर-जिम्मेदार vs असावधान

Asavdhan means inattentive; Gair-jimmedar is a deeper character trait.

गैर-जिम्मेदार vs बेपरवाह

Beparvah often means carefree or reckless, sometimes used positively in songs.

Idioms & Expressions

"जिम्मेदारी से पल्ला झाड़ना"

— To wash one's hands of responsibility. Related to being gair-jimmedar.

काम मुश्किल होते ही उसने पल्ला झाड़ लिया।

Informal
"आंखें मूंद लेना"

— To turn a blind eye (a form of being gair-jimmedar).

अफसर ने भ्रष्टाचार पर आंखें मूंद लीं।

Neutral
"हवा में तीर चलाना"

— To do something without any responsibility or plan.

बिना सोचे-समझे हवा में तीर चलाना गैर-जिम्मेदार है।

Informal
"सोया रहना"

— Literally 'to remain asleep'; figuratively to be neglectful of duties.

जब घर में आग लगी थी, तब प्रशासन सोया हुआ था।

Colloquial
"पीठ दिखाना"

— To turn one's back on duty.

मुसीबत के समय पीठ दिखाना गैर-जिम्मेदार लोगों का काम है।

Neutral
"हाथ पर हाथ धरे बैठना"

— To sit idle instead of taking responsibility.

सब कुछ बर्बाद हो रहा है और तुम हाथ पर हाथ धरे बैठे हो!

Common
"तेल लेने जाना"

— To not care about something (very informal way of being gair-jimmedar).

उसकी जिम्मेदारी तेल लेने गई, वह तो बस सोता रहता है।

Slang
"कान पर जूं न रेंगना"

— To be completely indifferent to warnings or duties.

इतनी शिकायतों के बाद भी उसके कान पर जूं नहीं रेंगी।

Idiomatic
"अपनी खिचड़ी अलग पकाना"

— To do one's own thing without considering collective responsibility.

टीम वर्क के समय अपनी खिचड़ी अलग पकाना गैर-जिम्मेदार है।

Common
"घोड़े बेचकर सोना"

— To sleep soundly, often implying neglect of important duties.

कल परीक्षा है और वह घोड़े बेचकर सो रहा है।

Informal

Easily Confused

गैर-जिम्मेदार vs गैर-हाजिर

Both start with 'Gair-'.

Gair-hazir means absent; Gair-jimmedar means irresponsible.

Vah aaj gair-hazir hai kyonki vah gair-jimmedar hai.

गैर-जिम्मेदार vs गैर-कानूनी

Both start with 'Gair-'.

Gair-kanuni means illegal; Gair-jimmedar means irresponsible.

Chori karna gair-kanuni aur gair-jimmedar hai.

गैर-जिम्मेदार vs जिम्मेदार

Opposite meaning but same root.

One is responsible, the other is not.

Vah jimmedar hai, tum nahi.

गैर-जिम्मेदार vs अविश्वसनीय

Both imply you can't rely on the person.

Avishvasniya focuses on trust; Gair-jimmedar focuses on duty.

Vah gair-jimmedar hai, isliye avishvasniya hai.

गैर-जिम्मेदार vs उदंड

Both describe bad behavior.

Udand is for naughty kids; Gair-jimmedar is for anyone failing a duty.

Udand bacha gair-jimmedar ho sakta hai.

Sentence Patterns

A1

[Person] gair-jimmedar hai.

Ravi gair-jimmedar hai.

A2

[Person] [Task] mein gair-jimmedar hai.

Vah padhai mein gair-jimmedar hai.

B1

[Noun] ki gair-jimmedari [Result].

Uski gair-jimmedari se nuksan hua.

B1

Itna gair-jimmedar mat bano.

Itna gair-jimmedar mat bano, bhai.

B2

[Action] gair-jimmedarana hai.

Aisa kehna gair-jimmedarana hai.

B2

[Person] ko gair-jimmedar thehrana.

Unhone mujhe gair-jimmedar thehraya.

C1

[Abstract Noun] ke prati gair-jimmedar.

Kartavyon ke prati gair-jimmedar.

C2

[Complex Clause], isliye vah gair-jimmedar hai.

Usne sab kuch jante hue bhi kuch nahi kiya, isliye vah gair-jimmedar hai.

Word Family

Nouns

जिम्मेदारी (Jimmedari - Responsibility)
गैर-जिम्मेदारी (Gair-jimmedari - Irresponsibility)

Verbs

जिम्मेदारी लेना (Jimmedari lena - To take responsibility)
जिम्मेदारी निभाना (Jimmedari nibhana - To fulfill responsibility)

Adjectives

जिम्मेदार (Jimmedar - Responsible)
गैर-जिम्मेदार (Gair-jimmedar - Irresponsible)
गैर-जिम्मेदाराना (Gair-jimmedarana - Irresponsible manner)

Related

लापरवाह
कर्तव्य
जवाबदेह
भरोसा
लापरवाही

How to Use It

frequency

Common in news, workplaces, and serious social discussions.

Common Mistakes
  • Using 'gair-jimmedari' as an adjective. Vah gair-jimmedar hai.

    Gair-jimmedari is the noun (irresponsibility); Gair-jimmedar is the adjective (irresponsible).

  • Changing the ending to 'gair-jimmedari' for a girl. Vah ladki gair-jimmedar hai.

    The adjective does not change for gender.

  • Using 'laparvah' for a medical error. Doctor gair-jimmedar tha.

    'Laparvah' is too weak for professional negligence.

  • Pronouncing 'gair' as 'ga-ir'. Gair (rhymes with 'hair').

    It's a single syllable sound for the prefix.

  • Saying 'vah gair-jimmedarana hai'. Vah gair-jimmedar hai.

    '-ana' is for actions/manners, not people.

Tips

The 'Gair' Rule

Remember 'Gair' means 'Anti' or 'Non'. If you see 'Gair', the word is usually the opposite of the second part.

Workplace Hindi

If you need to criticize a colleague professionally, 'gair-jimmedar' is the safest and most effective word.

The Soft D

Make sure your tongue touches your upper teeth for the 'd' in 'dar'. It shouldn't sound like 'door'.

Suffix Power

Learn '-dar' words together: Jimmedar, Imandar, Shandar. They all follow the same pattern.

No Gender Stress

Since it ends in a consonant, don't worry about changing the ending for 'he' or 'she'.

News Watch

Watch a 5-minute Hindi news clip; you are likely to hear this word if they are talking about the government.

Social Weight

In India, calling someone 'gair-jimmedar' is a serious moral judgment. Use it sparingly with friends.

Hyphenation

Using the hyphen helps clarify the meaning for readers, especially in academic or formal writing.

Nuance Check

Ask yourself: Is this a lack of care (laparvah) or a lack of duty (gair-jimmedar)?

Emphasis

Say 'Bilkul gair-jimmedar' to sound more natural when you are frustrated.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Gair' as 'Gear'. If you are in the 'Wrong Gear' (Gair), you can't drive 'Jim's Car' (Jimmedar) properly. You are being irresponsible!

Visual Association

Imagine a person sleeping in a hammock while a giant 'To-Do' list burns right next to them. Label the person 'Gair-jimmedar'.

Word Web

Duty Neglect Careless Accountability Trust Failure Job Lazy

Challenge

Try to find three news headlines today that could use the word 'gair-jimmedar' to describe the situation.

Word Origin

Formed from the Persian prefix 'gair' and the Arabic-origin noun 'jimmedar'.

Original meaning: 'Gair' means other/non/without. 'Jimma' (Arabic) means protection/custody/responsibility. '-dar' is a Persian suffix meaning 'holder'. So, 'one who does not hold responsibility'.

Indo-Aryan (Hindi) with heavy Perso-Arabic influence (Hindustani).

Cultural Context

Calling someone 'gair-jimmedar' is a direct attack on their character. Use it carefully in social settings as it can be offensive.

English speakers often use 'irresponsible' for both minor and major things. In Hindi, 'gair-jimmedar' is usually reserved for things that have actual consequences.

Used frequently in 'Mann Ki Baat' by PM Modi to discuss civic duties. Commonly heard in 'Saas-Bahu' serials when a daughter-in-law is criticized. Featured in many motivational speeches about 'Leadership vs. Irresponsibility'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Workplace

  • Deadline miss karna gair-jimmedar hai.
  • Gair-jimmedar karmachari.
  • Kaam ke prati gair-jimmedar.
  • Professional gair-jimmedari.

Family

  • Gair-jimmedar beta.
  • Ghar ke prati gair-jimmedar.
  • Bachon ke liye gair-jimmedar.
  • Paisa kharch karne mein gair-jimmedar.

Politics

  • Gair-jimmedar vipaksh.
  • Gair-jimmedar bhashan.
  • Sarkar ki gair-jimmedari.
  • Janta ke prati gair-jimmedar.

Driving

  • Gair-jimmedar driving.
  • Sadak par gair-jimmedar.
  • Gair-jimmedarana tareeke se car chalana.
  • Durghatna ka karan gair-jimmedari.

Environment

  • Pradushan ke prati gair-jimmedar.
  • Plastic ka gair-jimmedar upyog.
  • Paryavaran ki gair-jimmedari.
  • Pani ki gair-jimmedar barbadi.

Conversation Starters

"क्या आपको लगता है कि आजकल के युवा गैर-जिम्मेदार हैं? (Do you think today's youth are irresponsible?)"

"अगर कोई ऑफिस में गैर-जिम्मेदार हो, तो क्या करना चाहिए? (If someone is irresponsible in the office, what should be done?)"

"क्या आपने कभी कोई गैर-जिम्मेदार काम किया है? (Have you ever done something irresponsible?)"

"गैर-जिम्मेदार लोगों से कैसे निपटना चाहिए? (How should one deal with irresponsible people?)"

"एक गैर-जिम्मेदार नागरिक की क्या पहचान है? (What is the identity of an irresponsible citizen?)"

Journal Prompts

लिखिए कि जब आपने किसी को बहुत गैर-जिम्मेदार पाया, तो आपको कैसा लगा। (Write about how you felt when you found someone very irresponsible.)

क्या तकनीक हमें ज्यादा गैर-जिम्मेदार बना रही है? अपने विचार लिखिए। (Is technology making us more irresponsible? Write your thoughts.)

एक ऐसी घटना के बारे में लिखिए जब आपकी गैर-जिम्मेदारी से किसी को परेशानी हुई। (Write about an incident when someone faced trouble due to your irresponsibility.)

जिम्मेदार और गैर-जिम्मेदार व्यक्ति के बीच पांच अंतर लिखिए। (Write five differences between a responsible and an irresponsible person.)

समाज में गैर-जिम्मेदारी को कैसे कम किया जा सकता है? (How can irresponsibility be reduced in society?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, it is suitable for formal contexts like news, office reports, and official documents, but it is also used in daily speech.

No, 'gair-jimmedar' is an invariant adjective. You can say 'Vah ladki gair-jimmedar hai' and 'Vah ladka gair-jimmedar hai'.

'Laparvah' is usually about small things like forgetting a pen. 'Gair-jimmedar' is about failing a duty, like not taking care of a pet.

No, 'gair' is a prefix. It must be attached to another word to make sense.

The noun form is 'gair-jimmedari' (गैर-जिम्मेदारी).

'Laparvah' is shorter but has a slightly different meaning. There is no common one-word Hindi slang for this that isn't regional.

In formal writing, yes. In casual texting, people often write it as one word: 'gairjimmedar'.

No, it is almost always used for people, their attitudes, or their specific actions.

It comes from the Arabic word 'dhimma', which refers to a legal or moral obligation.

Yes, it describes the way an action is done. For example, 'He drove irresponsibly' (Usne gair-jimmedarana dhang se car chalayi).

Test Yourself 180 questions

writing

Translate to Hindi: 'He is an irresponsible driver.'

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writing

Translate to Hindi: 'Don't be irresponsible.'

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writing

Use 'gair-jimmedari' in a Hindi sentence.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'gair-jimmedar' and 'ravaiya' (attitude).

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writing

Translate to Hindi: 'Irresponsible people fail.'

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writing

Describe a politician's statement as irresponsible in Hindi.

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writing

Translate to Hindi: 'He drove irresponsibly.'

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writing

Explain why someone is 'gair-jimmedar' in one Hindi sentence.

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writing

Translate: 'Irresponsibility is bad for society.'

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writing

Write a dialogue where someone is accused of being irresponsible.

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writing

Translate: 'Professional irresponsibility is a crime.'

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writing

Write a sentence using 'bilkul' and 'gair-jimmedar'.

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writing

Translate: 'Your irresponsible act caused a loss.'

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writing

Translate: 'Children should not be irresponsible.'

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writing

Describe a messy room using the word 'gair-jimmedar'.

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writing

Translate: 'Irresponsible behavior will not be tolerated.'

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writing

Translate: 'Why are you so irresponsible?'

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writing

Translate: 'He proved to be irresponsible.'

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writing

Translate: 'An irresponsible decision can ruin everything.'

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writing

Write a formal complaint sentence about irresponsibility.

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speaking

Pronounce: गैर-जिम्मेदार

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speaking

Say 'He is irresponsible' in Hindi.

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speaking

Ask 'Are you irresponsible?' in Hindi.

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speaking

Say 'Don't be irresponsible' in Hindi.

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speaking

Say 'Irresponsible behavior' in Hindi.

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speaking

Pronounce the noun form: गैर-जिम्मेदारी

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speaking

Say 'He is very irresponsible' with emphasis.

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speaking

Say 'I don't like irresponsibility' in Hindi.

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Say 'Irresponsible driving is dangerous' in Hindi.

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speaking

Use 'gair-jimmedar' in a sentence about a student.

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Say 'This is an irresponsible statement' in Hindi.

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Say 'You are irresponsible toward your health.'

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Say 'Stop being irresponsible' in Hindi.

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Pronounce the adverb form: गैर-जिम्मेदाराना

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speaking

Say 'It was an irresponsible decision.'

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speaking

Say 'He is an irresponsible citizen.'

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speaking

Say 'Irresponsibility leads to failure.'

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speaking

Ask 'Why are you being so irresponsible today?'

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speaking

Say 'Irresponsible attitude is not good for office.'

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speaking

Say 'He is a completely irresponsible person.'

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listening

Listen to the word: 'Gair-jimmedar'. What does it mean?

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listening

Does the speaker sound happy or upset when saying 'gair-jimmedar'?

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listening

Identify the noun in the audio: 'Uski gair-jimmedari se nuksan hua.'

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listening

Is the person in the audio talking about a boy or a girl? 'Vah ladki gair-jimmedar hai.'

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listening

What is the subject of the irresponsibility in: 'Vah padhai mein gair-jimmedar hai'?

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listening

Listen and repeat: 'Gair-jimmedarana dhang se'.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

What happened because of irresponsibility in the audio? 'Gair-jimmedari se accident hua.'

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Is the statement positive? 'Sarkar gair-jimmedar hai.'

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen and identify the prefix.

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listening

How many times did you hear 'gair-jimmedar' in the news clip?

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listening

Listen to 'Jimmedar' vs 'Gair-jimmedar'. Which one is responsible?

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listening

What is the tone of 'Itna gair-jimmedar mat bano'?

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listening

Translate the audio: 'Vah ek gair-jimmedar neta hai.'

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listening

Identify the adjective in: 'Gair-jimmedar vyavahar achha nahi hai.'

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listening

What is the speaker's emotion? 'Tumhari gair-jimmedari ne sab bigad diya!'

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

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