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पीसना

A1 noun #3,500 most common 12 min read

पीसना

peesna Top 3,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips पीसना in 30 Seconds

Explanation पीसना in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'पीसना' (Peesna) as a basic action verb found in the kitchen. It simply means 'to grind'. You will mostly use it when talking about food preparation. For example, 'I grind spices' (Main masala peesta hoon). Think of it as the word you use for a blender or a mixer. At this stage, don't worry about the deep metaphors; just focus on the physical act of turning something hard (like a spice) into something soft or powdery. It is an important word because food is a big part of Indian culture, and 'पीसना' is a key step in cooking. You might hear it in simple instructions like 'Grind this' (Ise peeso). Remember that the 'ee' sound is long, like in the English word 'bee'.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'पीसना' in more complete sentences and understand its transitive nature. You will learn to use it with the postposition 'ne' in the past tense, such as 'मैंने नमक पीसा' (I ground the salt). You also start to recognize the word in the context of daily chores, like 'आटा पीसना' (grinding flour). You might notice that Hindi speakers use it for various textures—fine or coarse. You should also be able to understand simple imperatives in recipes, like 'अदरक-लहसुन पीसिए' (Please grind ginger-garlic). At this stage, you should also be careful not to confuse it with 'पिसना' (to be ground), although the difference is subtle. You are expanding your vocabulary to include the tools used for grinding, like a 'mixer' or 'chakki'.

At the B1 level, you can use 'पीसना' metaphorically. You might say someone is 'grinding' through their work or life. You understand idioms like 'दाँत पीसना' (to gnash teeth in anger). You also become comfortable with the causative form 'पिसवाना' (to have something ground). For example, 'I had the grain ground at the mill' (Maine chakki se anaaj pisvaya). Your understanding of the grammar becomes more solid, ensuring that the verb agrees with the object in past tense sentences. You can also describe the quality of the grinding using adverbs like 'बारीक' (fine) or 'दरदरा' (coarse). This level allows you to participate in conversations about cooking techniques or the difficulties of a job.

At the B2 level, you use 'पीसना' with more nuance and in more formal contexts. You can discuss the social implications of the word, such as how the poor are 'ground down' by the system. You understand the difference between 'पीसना' and its synonyms like 'कूटना' (to pound) or 'मसलना' (to mash) and can choose the right word for the situation. You are likely reading Hindi literature or news where 'पीसना' appears in descriptions of intense labor or suffering. You can handle complex sentence structures, such as 'If you don't grind the spices well, the curry won't taste good' (Agar tum masale achhi tarah nahi peesoge, toh curry swadisht nahi banegi). Your vocabulary includes related nouns like 'पिसान' (another word for flour/meal).

At the C1 level, you have a deep appreciation for the historical and cultural weight of 'पीसना'. You can analyze its use in poetry, such as the works of Kabir, where the 'chakki' (mill) is a metaphor for the universe. You understand the phonetic and etymological roots of the word. You can use the word in academic or professional discussions about industrial processes or socio-economic oppression. Your use of the word is precise, and you can switch between literal and figurative meanings effortlessly. You are also aware of regional variations or older forms of the word used in dialects. You can write detailed essays or give presentations where 'पीसना' is used to describe transformative processes in various fields.

At the C2 level, you have mastered 'पीसना' to the point of a native speaker. You can catch subtle puns, double meanings, or archaic references involving the word. You might use it in a philosophical context to describe the 'grinding' of time or the refinement of the soul through struggle. You are comfortable with all grammatical permutations, including rare passive constructions. You can distinguish between the various types of grinding stones and the specific verbs associated with them in different Indian languages' influence on Hindi. Your command over the word allows you to use it in creative writing to evoke specific sensory details or emotional states. You are a master of the idioms and can even create new, understandable metaphors using the root.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

पीसना in 30 Seconds

पीसना (Peesna) means to grind or crush into powder/paste.
It is a transitive verb commonly used in Indian cooking.
Metaphorically, it refers to hard work or being oppressed.
It is a masculine verbal noun when used in its infinitive form.

The Hindi word पीसना (Peesna) is a versatile term that primarily functions as a verb meaning 'to grind' or 'to crush,' but it also acts as a verbal noun (gerund) representing the act or process of grinding. In the culinary heart of India, this word is omnipresent. Whether it is transforming dried turmeric roots into a vibrant yellow powder or turning soaked lentils into a smooth batter for idlis, the action of पीसना is fundamental to the texture and flavor of the cuisine. Historically, this was done using a sil-batta (flat stone and pestle) or a chakki (stone mill), where the physical effort of the person was directly involved in the process. This physical labor is why the word carries such weight in the language. It implies a transformation of state—from coarse to fine, from hard to soft, or from whole to fragmented.

Culinary Application: In a kitchen setting, पीसना refers to using a mixer-grinder or traditional stones to prepare masalas. It is the essential step after cleaning and drying spices. For example, 'मसाला पीसना' (grinding spices) is a daily ritual in most Indian households.

मेरी दादी हर सुबह ताज़ा मसाला पीसना पसंद करती थीं। (My grandmother used to like grinding fresh spices every morning.)

Beyond the kitchen, पीसना enters the realm of metaphor and daily struggle. When someone says they are 'grinding' at work, or when a system is 'crushing' the poor, the Hindi language uses this same root. It evokes the image of two heavy stones pressing against each other, with the individual or the object caught in the middle. This figurative use is common in literature and social commentary to describe oppression, hard labor, or the relentless pressure of life. If you are caught between two difficult choices or two powerful opposing forces, you might say you are being 'ground down' (पिसना - the intransitive form, but related to the action of पीसना). Understanding this word requires recognizing both its literal necessity in food preparation and its emotional weight in describing the human condition.

Industrial Context: In factories or mills, the word is used for grinding wheat into flour (आटा पीसना) or crushing ores in mining operations. It signifies a large-scale mechanical process.

गेहूँ को बारीक पीसना बहुत ज़रूरी है ताकि रोटी नरम बने। (It is very important to grind the wheat finely so that the roti becomes soft.)

Furthermore, पीसना is used in medical contexts, such as 'दवाई पीसना' (grinding medicine) to make it easier to consume, especially in traditional Ayurveda where herbs are crushed into pastes. The word also appears in idioms related to anger, such as 'दाँत पीसना' (gnashing teeth), which visually represents the physical action of grinding one's teeth together in frustration or rage. This breadth of usage—from the domestic to the industrial, and from the physical to the psychological—makes it a cornerstone of Hindi vocabulary. It is a word that connects the sensory experience of touch and sound (the grit of the stone, the hum of the motor) with the abstract concepts of effort and endurance.

Figurative Usage: To describe someone working excessively without much reward: 'वह दिन-रात खुद को पीस रहा है' (He is grinding himself day and night).

गरीबों को इस व्यवस्था में पीसना बंद होना चाहिए। (The crushing of the poor in this system must stop.)

Using पीसना correctly involves understanding its role as a transitive verb. This means it requires an object—the thing that is being ground. In Hindi grammar, the infinitive form 'पीसना' also serves as a masculine noun. When you want to talk about the action itself as a subject or an object, you use this form. For instance, 'मसाला पीसना मुश्किल है' (Grinding spices is difficult). Here, 'मसाला पीसना' acts as the subject of the sentence. Because it is a transitive verb, it frequently appears in the perfective tense with the postposition 'ने' (ne) when the subject is an agent. For example, 'मैंने मिर्च पीसी' (I ground the chili). Notice how the verb 'पीसी' agrees with the feminine object 'मिर्च' rather than the subject 'मैंने'.

Direct Object Usage: The most common structure is [Subject] + [Object] + [Form of पीसना]. Example: 'वह दाल पीस रहा है' (He is grinding lentils).

क्या आपने काली मिर्च को अच्छी तरह से पीसना शुरू कर दिया है? (Have you started grinding the black pepper thoroughly?)

When using पीसना in instructions or recipes, it often appears in the imperative form. 'इसे बारीक पीस लें' (Grind this finely). The addition of 'लें' (take/auxiliary verb) suggests a completed action for one's own benefit. In more formal or passive-like constructions, you might encounter the word in its noun form combined with other verbs. For example, 'पीसने का काम' (the work of grinding). If you are describing a machine, you might say 'यह मशीन अनाज पीसने के लिए है' (This machine is for grinding grain). The oblique form 'पीसने' is used here because it is followed by the postposition 'के लिए'.

Imperative and Instructional: In recipes: 'अदरक और लहसुन को एक साथ पीसें' (Grind ginger and garlic together). The nasalized 'पीसें' is the polite imperative.

चटनी बनाने के लिए पुदीना पीसना ज़रूरी है। (Grinding mint is necessary to make chutney.)

A subtle but important distinction exists between पीसना (transitive: to grind something) and पिसना (intransitive: to be ground). Beginning learners often confuse these two. If you say 'मैं पिस रहा हूँ', it means 'I am being ground' (perhaps by life's hardships), whereas 'मैं पीस रहा हूँ' means 'I am grinding (something)'. In complex sentences involving causation, you might use 'पिसवाना' (to have something ground by someone else). For example, 'मैंने चक्की से आटा पिसवाया' (I had the flour ground at the mill). This causative chain is a vital part of mastering Hindi verb structures.

Compound Verb Usage: Often combined with 'डालना' to show intensity: 'उसने सारा मसाला पीस डाला' (He ground up all the spices completely).

पत्थर पर चंदन पीसना एक पुरानी परंपरा है। (Grinding sandalwood on a stone is an old tradition.)

Finally, consider the adverbial use. You can describe how something is ground using adjectives turned adverbs like 'बारीक' (fine) or 'दरदरा' (coarse). 'मसाले को दरदरा पीसना' means to grind the spices coarsely. This level of detail is essential for accurate communication in culinary or technical contexts. Whether you are writing a story about a hard-working laborer or a recipe for a spicy curry, 'पीसना' provides the linguistic foundation for describing transformative effort.

You will encounter पीसना in a variety of real-world environments, ranging from the mundane to the highly dramatic. The most common place is, of course, the Indian kitchen. If you are watching a Hindi cooking show on YouTube or television, you will hear the host say 'अब हम इन मसालों को पीसेंगे' (Now we will grind these spices) almost every few minutes. The sound of the mixer-grinder in an Indian home is often preceded by the question, 'क्या मसाला पीस लिया?' (Have the spices been ground?). In local markets (mandis), you might see shops with signs saying 'यहाँ शुद्ध मसाले पीसे जाते हैं' (Pure spices are ground here). The smell of freshly ground coriander or cumin is a sensory anchor for this word.

The Local Flour Mill (Chakki): In many Indian neighborhoods, people still take their grain to a 'Atta Chakki'. You will hear people saying, 'मुझे गेहूँ पिसवाने जाना है' (I have to go to get the wheat ground). The word 'पीसना' is the core activity of these small but vital businesses.

चक्की की आवाज़ और आटा पीसना गाँव की याद दिलाता है। (The sound of the mill and grinding flour reminds me of the village.)

In Bollywood movies and Hindi television dramas, पीसना often takes a darker, more metaphorical turn. Characters might talk about how the city 'grinds' people down. A famous dialogue from the movie 'Sholay' involves the threat of 'grinding' (chakki peesing), which became a cult catchphrase. Here, it refers to the hard labor performed in prison. When a villain is angry, the camera might zoom in on their face as they 'दाँत पीसना' (gnash their teeth) in fury. In news reports about economic hardship, you might hear journalists describe how the middle class is 'being ground' between rising prices and static wages, using the related form 'पिसना'.

In Literature and Poetry: Poets use the imagery of the 'Chakki' (mill) to describe the cycle of life and death or the passage of time. Kabir, the famous mystic poet, has a well-known verse about the 'moving millstone' (chalti chakki).

वक्त सबको अपनी चक्की में पीसना जानता है। (Time knows how to grind everyone in its mill.)

In everyday office talk, you might hear a colleague complain, 'मैं इस काम में खुद को पीस रहा हूँ' (I am grinding myself in this work), signifying burnout or extreme effort. In religious contexts, specifically in temples, you might see or hear about 'चंदन पीसना' (grinding sandalwood) to create the paste used for tilaks. The word is also heard in medical shops where pharmacists might discuss 'दवाई को बारीक पीसना' for a specific formulation. Whether it's the literal sound of a stone on stone or the metaphorical crushing of spirits, 'पीसना' is a word that resonates through the various layers of Indian life and society.

Traditional Medicine: Ayurvedic practitioners often emphasize the method of grinding herbs to maintain their potency: 'जड़ी-बूटियों को धीरे-धीरे पीसना चाहिए' (Herbs should be ground slowly).

One of the most frequent errors for Hindi learners is confusing the transitive verb पीसना (Peesna) with its intransitive counterpart पिसना (Pisna). This is a classic example of the transitive-intransitive verb pairs in Hindi. पीसना requires an agent who is doing the grinding (e.g., 'मैं मसाला पीस रहा हूँ' - I am grinding spices). In contrast, पिसना describes what is happening to the object without focusing on who is doing it (e.g., 'मसाला पिस रहा है' - The spices are being ground). If you accidentally say 'मैं पिस रहा हूँ' when you mean you are grinding spices, you are actually saying 'I am being ground,' which might lead to some confused looks!

Transitive vs. Intransitive: Wrong: 'वह गेहूँ पिस रहा है' (He is being ground like wheat). Correct: 'वह गेहूँ पीस रहा है' (He is grinding wheat).

मसाला पीसना (Transitive) vs मसाला पिसना (Intransitive).

Another common mistake involves the use of the 'Ne' (ने) postposition in the past tense. Since पीसना is a transitive verb, the subject must take 'ne' in the perfective tenses. Beginners often forget this and say 'मैं मसाला पीसा' instead of the correct 'मैंने मसाला पीसा'. Additionally, the verb must agree with the object. So, if you ground turmeric (feminine), it should be 'मैंने हल्दी पीसी' (I ground turmeric), not 'मैंने हल्दी पीसा'. This gender agreement with the object in the presence of 'ne' is a hurdle for many students.

Agreement Errors: Mistake: 'मैंने मिर्च पीसा' (I ground chili - masculine verb). Correct: 'मैंने मिर्च पीसी' (I ground chili - feminine verb, matching 'मिर्च').

Learners also sometimes confuse पीसना with कूटना (Kootna). While both involve breaking things down, कूटना specifically means 'to pound' or 'to beat' (like with a heavy pestle to break things into chunks), whereas पीसना means to reduce something to a fine powder or paste. If you use a mixer, you are definitely पीसना-ing. If you are using a mortar and pestle to roughly smash ginger, you are कूटना-ing. Using these interchangeably can make your Hindi sound slightly imprecise. Finally, be careful with the idiom 'दाँत पीसना'. It literally means grinding teeth, but it is exclusively used for anger. Using it to describe someone who grinds their teeth in their sleep (bruxism) is technically correct but might be misinterpreted as them being angry in their sleep!

गलती: अदरक पीसना (when you just want to crush/pound it). सही: अदरक कूटना।

While पीसना (Peesna) is the most common word for grinding, Hindi offers several synonyms and related terms that provide more specific nuances. Understanding these can help you sound more like a native speaker. The most closely related word is कूटना (Kootna), which means 'to pound' or 'to crush'. The difference lies in the method and the result. पीसना results in a fine powder or paste, often using a circular motion or a machine. कूटना involves vertical striking, usually with a mortar and pestle (khal-musal), and often results in a coarser texture. For example, you 'grind' (पीसना) wheat into flour, but you 'pound' (कूटना) garlic for a stir-fry.

पीसना vs. कूटना: Use पीसना for flour, fine spice powders, and smooth batters. Use कूटना for crushed ginger, garlic, or roughly broken peppercorns.

मसाले पीसना vs. इलायची कूटना।

Another alternative is मसलना (Masalna), which means 'to mash' or 'to crush with the hands or feet'. This is used when you apply pressure to something soft, like mashing boiled potatoes or crushing a leaf to release its scent. Unlike पीसना, which usually involves a tool or machine, मसलना is often done with the body. Then there is कुचलना (Kuchalna), which means 'to trample' or 'to crush' under something heavy. While पीसना is a controlled, productive process (like making flour), कुचलना often implies destruction, like a car crushing an object or a crowd trampling something. In metaphorical contexts, कुचलना is used for 'suppressing' a rebellion or 'crushing' someone's hopes.

मसलना vs. कुचलना: मसलना is 'to mash' (gentle/manual). कुचलना is 'to crush/trample' (heavy/destructive).

आलू मसलना (Mashing potatoes) vs. विद्रोह कुचलना (Crushing a rebellion).

In very formal or technical Hindi, you might encounter the word चूर्ण करना (Choorn karna), which literally means 'to pulverize' or 'to turn into powder'. This is often used in chemistry or Ayurvedic texts. For everyday conversation, however, पीसना remains the king. If you want to describe the act of chewing something hard into small pieces, you would use चबाना (Chabana). While the physical action of teeth is similar to grinding, the context is strictly eating. By choosing between पीसना, कूटना, मसलना, and कुचलना, you can convey the exact method, effort, and intent behind the action of crushing something.

Register Comparison: Neutral: पीसना. Formal/Technical: पेषण (Peshan). Colloquial: पीस-पास देना (to grind up quickly/roughly).

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"खाद्य प्रसंस्करण इकाई में अनाज को वैज्ञानिक विधि से पीसना अनिवार्य है।"

Neutral

"कृपया मसाले को थोड़ा और पीस लें।"

Informal

"अरे, जल्दी से मिर्च पीस दे यार!"

Child friendly

"देखो, छोटी चिड़िया कैसे दाना पीस रही है!"

Slang

"बॉस ने तो मुझे काम में पीस डाला है।"

Fun Fact

The word has remained virtually unchanged in its core meaning for thousands of years, reflecting the unchanging nature of the physical task it describes.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈpiːsnɑː/

US /ˈpisnə/

Primary stress is on the first syllable 'Pee'.

Rhymes With

सीखना (Seekhna) खींचना (Kheenchna) भीगना (Bheegna) चीखना (Cheekhna) दीखना (Deekhna) रीझना (Reejhna) सींचना (Seenchna) पीसना (Peesna)

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'p' with too much air (as in English 'pin'). Keep it soft.
Shortening the 'ee' sound to 'i' (making it sound like 'pisna', which is the intransitive form).
Over-emphasizing the 's' sound.
Nasalizing the final 'a' when it shouldn't be.
Confusing it with 'peena' (to drink).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The word is common and easy to recognize in text.

Writing 3/5

Requires understanding of the 'ne' rule and object agreement in the past tense.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward but requires long vowel clarity.

Listening 3/5

Must distinguish between 'Peesna' and 'Pisna' in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

मसाला (Masala) आटा (Atta) करना (Karna) हाथ (Haath) मशीन (Machine)

Learn Next

पिसना (Pisna) पिसवाना (Pisvaana) कूटना (Kootna) मसलna (Masalna) चक्की (Chakki)

Advanced

पेषण (Peshan) चूर्ण (Choorn) नश्वरता (Nashvarta) शोषण (Shoshan) चक्की-गेत (Chakki-geet)

Grammar to Know

Transitive Verb Agreement

मैंने (Subject) हल्दी (Object - Fem) पीसी (Verb - Fem).

Infinitive as Noun

मसाला पीसना (Subject) स्वास्थ्य के लिए अच्छा है।

Causative Verbs

पीसना (To grind) -> पिसवाना (To get someone to grind).

Intransitive Pair

पीसना (To grind) vs पिसना (To be ground).

Absolutive Case

मसाला पीसकर (After grinding) कढ़ाई में डालो।

Examples by Level

मैं मसाला पीसता हूँ।

I grind spices.

Present simple tense, masculine subject.

इसे पीस लो।

Grind this.

Imperative with 'lo' for completion.

क्या तुम नमक पीस सकते हो?

Can you grind the salt?

Modal verb 'sakna' with infinitive.

माँ हल्दी पीस रही हैं।

Mother is grinding turmeric.

Present continuous, feminine honorific.

मसाला पीसना आसान है।

Grinding spices is easy.

Infinitive used as a noun (subject).

वह मिर्च पीसती है।

She grinds chili.

Present simple, feminine subject.

हमें गेहूँ पीसना है।

We have to grind wheat.

Infinitive + 'hai' to show obligation.

धीरे-धीरे पीसो।

Grind slowly.

Adverb + Imperative.

मैंने कल मसाला पीसा।

I ground the spices yesterday.

Past tense with 'ne', verb agrees with masculine 'masala'.

उसने दाल अच्छी तरह पीसी।

She ground the lentils well.

Past tense, verb 'peesi' agrees with feminine 'daal'.

चटनी के लिए पुदीना पीसिए।

Please grind mint for the chutney.

Polite imperative.

मशीन से अनाज पीसना जल्दी होता है।

Grinding grain with a machine is fast.

Instrumental case 'se' + infinitive noun.

क्या आपने काली मिर्च पीसी?

Did you grind the black pepper?

Interrogative past tense with 'ne'.

वह मसाला पीसने लगी।

She started grinding the spices.

Inceptive compound 'lagne lagi'.

मसाला पीसने के बाद पानी डालो।

After grinding the spices, add water.

Oblique infinitive 'peesne' + 'ke baad'.

तुम बहुत बारीक पीसते हो।

You grind very finely.

Adverbial use of 'baareek'.

वह गुस्से में अपने दाँत पीसने लगा।

He started gnashing his teeth in anger.

Idiomatic use of 'daant peesna'.

मैंने चक्की वाले से आटा पिसवाया।

I had the flour ground by the mill-man.

Causative verb 'pisvaya'.

मसाला पीसने की मशीन खराब हो गई है।

The machine for grinding spices has broken down.

Genitive 'ki' linking noun 'peesne' and 'machine'.

वह दिन-भर खुद को काम में पीसता रहता है।

He keeps grinding himself in work all day.

Metaphorical use; frequentative compound 'peesta rehta hai'.

पत्थर पर मसाला पीसना एक कला है।

Grinding spices on a stone is an art.

Infinitive noun as a subject.

हमें यह दवा बारीक पीसनी चाहिए।

We should grind this medicine finely.

Should (chahiye) construction; verb agrees with feminine 'dava'.

बिना पीसे हुए मसाले ज़्यादा समय तक चलते हैं।

Unground spices last longer.

Perfect participle 'peese hue' used as an adjective.

क्या तुम मुझे मसाला पीसना सिखा सकते हो?

Can you teach me how to grind spices?

Double object construction.

गरीब जनता महंगाई की चक्की में पीस रही है।

The poor people are being ground in the mill of inflation.

Metaphorical use; note that 'pis rahi' is intransitive here, but derived from the concept.

उसने अपनी सारी मेहनत इस प्रोजेक्ट में पीस डाली।

He ground all his hard work into this project.

Compound verb 'pees daali' showing intensity/completion.

मसाले को दरदरा पीसना ही बेहतर होता है।

It is better to grind the spices coarsely.

Adverb 'dardara' meaning coarse.

इस कारखाने में पत्थर पीसने का काम होता है।

Stone grinding work is done in this factory.

Noun phrase 'patthar peesne ka kaam'.

वह अपनी समस्याओं को पीसकर पी गया।

He ground up his problems and drank them (overcame them).

Absolutive 'peeskar' + metaphorical 'pee gaya'.

चंदन पीसने की खुशबू पूरे कमरे में फैल गई।

The aroma of grinding sandalwood spread throughout the room.

Complex subject phrase.

क्या आपने कभी सिल-बट्टे पर मसाला पीसने की कोशिश की है?

Have you ever tried grinding spices on a flat stone?

Perfective interrogative with 'koshish ki'.

आटा पीसने की प्रक्रिया बहुत पुरानी है।

The process of grinding flour is very old.

Formal 'prakriya' (process).

कबीर की साखी में चलती चक्की का पीसना संसार की नश्वरता को दर्शाता है।

The grinding of the moving mill in Kabir's verse shows the transience of the world.

Literary analysis context.

उपनिवेशवाद ने भारतीय अर्थव्यवस्था को पूरी तरह से पीस दिया था।

Colonialism had completely ground down the Indian economy.

Historical/Political metaphor.

लेखक ने समाज के निचले तबके के पीसने का मार्मिक वर्णन किया है।

The author has given a touching description of the grinding (oppression) of the lower strata of society.

Gerund 'peesne' used for oppression.

इस मशीन की दक्षता अनाज को बारीक पीसने की क्षमता पर निर्भर करती है।

The efficiency of this machine depends on its ability to grind grain finely.

Technical/Formal vocabulary ('dakshata', 'nirdhar').

आयुर्वेद में जड़ी-बूटियों को पीसने की विधि का विशेष महत्व है।

In Ayurveda, the method of grinding herbs holds special importance.

Specialized medical context.

वह अपनी महत्वाकांक्षाओं की चक्की में खुद ही पीसता रहा।

He kept grinding himself in the mill of his own ambitions.

Reflexive metaphor.

बिना सोचे-समझे किसी को पीसना न्याय नहीं है।

To crush someone without thought is not justice.

Abstract moral context.

इस चूर्ण को बनाने के लिए सामग्री को कई बार पीसना पड़ता है।

To make this powder, the ingredients have to be ground several times.

Compulsion 'padta hai' with repetitive action.

समय के पहिये का अनवरत पीसना ही नियति है।

The relentless grinding of the wheel of time is destiny itself.

Philosophical/High literary register.

उसकी बातों में शब्दों को पीस-पीसकर बोलने की एक अजीब आदत थी।

He had a strange habit of grinding out words as he spoke.

Onomatopoeic/Descriptive repetition 'pees-peeskar'.

प्रशासनिक तंत्र की धीमी चक्की में आम आदमी पिसता ही रहता है।

The common man keeps getting ground in the slow mill of the administrative machinery.

Sophisticated political metaphor.

इस धातु को पीसना लगभग असंभव कार्य है।

Grinding this metal is an almost impossible task.

Scientific/Material science context.

साधना के मार्ग पर अहंकार को पीसना अनिवार्य है।

On the path of spiritual practice, it is mandatory to grind down the ego.

Spiritual/Metaphorical context.

उसकी आँखों में दाँत पीसने जैसी तल्खी थी।

There was a bitterness in his eyes like the gnashing of teeth.

Simile involving the idiom.

इतिहास के पन्नों में कई सभ्यताएँ वक्त की चक्की में पीस दी गईं।

In the pages of history, many civilizations were ground in the mill of time.

Passive metaphorical construction.

बारीक पीसने से पदार्थ का सतही क्षेत्रफल बढ़ जाता है।

Grinding finely increases the surface area of the substance.

Academic/Scientific register.

Synonyms

कुचलना चूर्ण करना दलना महीन करना मसलना

Antonyms

साबुत छोड़ना जोड़ना

Common Collocations

मसाला पीसना

आटा पीसना

दाँत पीसना

बारीक पीसना

दरदरा पीसना

चंदन पीसना

दवाई पीसना

पत्थर पीसना

चक्की में पीसना

एक साथ पीसना

Common Phrases

पीसकर रख देना

— To grind something and keep it ready, or metaphorically to utterly destroy someone.

मैंने मसाला पीसकर रख दिया है।

पीसने वाली मशीन

— A grinding machine or mixer-grinder.

नई पीसने वाली मशीन बहुत अच्छी है।

हाथ से पीसना

— To grind by hand using traditional tools.

हाथ से पीसना अब कम हो गया है।

मसाला पीसने का पत्थर

— The stone used for grinding spices (sil-batta).

यह पत्थर मसाला पीसने के लिए है।

पीसने की आवाज़

— The sound of grinding.

मिक्सर के पीसने की आवाज़ बहुत तेज़ है।

बारीक पिसा हुआ

— Finely ground (adjective phrase).

मुझे बारीक पिसा हुआ नमक चाहिए।

दरदरा पिसा हुआ

— Coarsely ground (adjective phrase).

दरदरा पिसा हुआ मसाला स्वाद बढ़ाता है।

पीसने की विधि

— The method of grinding.

हर मसाले की पीसने की विधि अलग होती है।

पीसने का शुल्क

— The fee for grinding (at a mill).

आटा पीसने का शुल्क बढ़ गया है।

पीसने में समय लगना

— Taking time to grind.

दाल पीसने में समय लगता है।

Often Confused With

पीसना vs पिसना (Pisna)

The intransitive version meaning 'to be ground'. 'I am grinding' vs 'I am being ground'.

पीसना vs पीना (Peena)

Means 'to drink'. Only one letter different, but a completely different meaning.

पीसना vs पीटना (Peetna)

Means 'to beat'. Sounds similar but involves hitting, not grinding.

Idioms & Expressions

"दाँत पीसना"

— To be extremely angry or frustrated.

उसकी बदतमीजी देख कर मैं दाँत पीसकर रह गया।

Common

"चक्की में पीसना"

— To suffer hardship or be caught in a difficult situation.

वह दो परिवारों के झगड़े की चक्की में पीस रहा है।

Common

"पीस डालना"

— To crush completely, often used for enemies or obstacles.

हमारी सेना ने दुश्मन को पीस डाला।

Strong

"आटा पीसना"

— Literally grinding flour, but sometimes used to denote useless or repetitive hard labor.

वह बस दिन भर आटा पीसता रहता है, फल कुछ नहीं मिलता।

Metaphorical

"हवा पीसना"

— To do something useless or futile (literally 'grinding air').

उससे बात करना हवा पीसने जैसा है।

Rare/Literary

"पानी पीसना"

— Another idiom for doing something futile (literally 'grinding water').

यह योजना तो पानी पीसने के समान है।

Rare

"पीस-पीस कर बोलना"

— To speak very slowly and with great effort or emphasis.

वह अपनी बात पीस-पीस कर बोल रहा था।

Descriptive

"चक्की पीसना"

— A euphemism for serving a prison sentence with hard labor.

उसे दस साल तक जेल की चक्की पीसनी पड़ी।

Colloquial

"मसाला पीसना"

— Sometimes used to mean 'to prepare' or 'to exaggerate' a story.

वह हर बात में मसाला पीस कर बताता है।

Slang-ish

"पत्थर पर दूब जमना/पीसना"

— To do the impossible (contextually related to the effort of grinding).

उसका मानना है कि वह पत्थर पर भी दूब पीस सकता है।

Rare

Easily Confused

पीसना vs कूटना

Both involve breaking down solids.

Peesna is for fine powder/paste; Kootna is for coarse pounding.

मसाला पीसना vs लहसुन कूटना।

पीसना vs मसलना

Both involve pressure.

Peesna uses tools/mills for hard things; Masalna uses hands for soft things.

गेहूँ पीसना vs केला मसलना।

पीसना vs कुचलना

Both mean to crush.

Peesna is productive/culinary; Kuchalna is often destructive/accidental.

हल्दी पीसना vs चींटी कुचलना।

पीसना vs चबाना

Teeth perform a grinding action.

Chabana is strictly for eating/mastication.

खाना चबाना vs दाँत पीसना (anger).

पीसना vs काटना

Both prepare food.

Katna is to cut with a blade; Peesna is to grind into powder/paste.

सब्जी काटना vs मसाला पीसना।

Sentence Patterns

मैं [Object] पीसता हूँ।

मैं मसाला पीसता हूँ।

मैंने [Object] पीसा/पीसी।

मैंने दाल पीसी।

[Object] पीसना [Adjective] है।

हल्दी पीसना कठिन है।

वह [Object] पीसने लगा।

वह मिर्च पीसने लगा।

[Object] को [Adverb] पीसें।

मसाले को बारीक पीसें।

[Noun] की चक्की में पीसना।

गरीबी की चक्की में पीसना।

[Abstract Noun] को पीसना अनिवार्य है।

अहंकार को पीसना अनिवार्य है।

[Object] पीसने वाली मशीन।

अनाज पीसने वाली मशीन कहाँ है?

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in culinary, industrial, and idiomatic contexts.

Common Mistakes

मैं पिस रहा हूँ (when grinding spices) → मैं पीस रहा हूँ
The first means 'I am being ground', the second means 'I am grinding'.
मैंने मिर्च पीसा → मैंने मिर्च पीसी
In past tense with 'ne', the verb must agree with the feminine object 'मिर्च'.
उसने मसाला पीसा है (without 'ne') → उसने मसाला पीसा है
Actually, beginners often say 'वह मसाला पीसा है'. Transitive past requires 'ne'.
Using 'पीसना' for mashing potatoes. → आलू मसलना
Peesna is for grinding hard things into powder/paste. Masalna is for mashing soft things.
Using 'पीसना' for drinking. → पीना
The words are very similar. Don't confuse 'to drink' with 'to grind'.

Tips

Object Agreement

In the past tense with 'ne', remember the verb matches the thing being ground. 'मैंने मिर्च (fem) पीसी' vs 'मैंने नमक (masc) पीसा'.

Texture Matters

Use 'बारीक' (baareek) for fine powder and 'दरदरा' (dardara) for coarse texture. This is vital for recipes!

Movie Reference

Watch the 'Chakki peesing' scene from the movie Sholay to see a famous comedic use of the word.

Long Vowel

The 'ee' in Peesna is long. If you say it too short, it sounds like 'Pisna' (to be ground), which changes the meaning.

Social Justice

In news or literature, 'पीसना' is often used to describe how the poor are treated by powerful systems.

Causative Form

If you go to a shop to get flour, use 'पिसवाना' (pisvaana). 'मुझे आटा पिसवाना है'.

Anger Management

'दाँत पीसना' is a great way to describe someone's visible rage without saying they are shouting.

Traditional Tools

Learn the word 'सिल-बट्टा' (sil-batta). It is the traditional flat stone used for 'पीसना' in villages.

Medical Use

In traditional medicine, 'पीसना' is the standard way to prepare herbs for consumption.

Batter Prep

When making Dosa or Idli, the act of making the wet batter from lentils is also called 'पीसना'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Piece' of spice being ground into many 'Pieces'. Pees-na helps you make small pieces.

Visual Association

Imagine the two heavy stones of a traditional Indian 'Chakki' rotating and crushing golden wheat into white flour.

Word Web

Kitchen Spices Hard Work Mill Flour Teeth Blender Stone

Challenge

Try to describe five things in your kitchen that require 'पीसना' (grinding) to be used.

Word Origin

Derived from the Sanskrit root 'पिष्' (piṣ), which means to crush, grind, or pulverize.

Original meaning: The act of crushing grain or medicine into small particles.

Indo-Aryan

Cultural Context

Be careful when using it metaphorically to avoid sounding overly dramatic unless intended.

In English, 'the daily grind' perfectly captures the metaphorical meaning of 'पीसना' as hard, repetitive work.

The movie 'Sholay' (1975) and its famous 'Chakki peesing' dialogue. Kabir's Doha: 'Chalti Chakki Dekh Kar, Diya Kabira Roy...' Premchand's stories often describe the 'पीसना' of the peasantry.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Kitchen

मसाला पीसना
बारीक पीसना
मिक्सर में पीसना
चटनी पीसना

Mill

गेहूँ पीसना
पिसाई कितनी है?
आटा पीसना
चक्की चलना

Emotions

दाँत पीसना
गुस्से में पीसना
मन मसोस कर रह जाना

Workplace

खुद को पीसना
काम की चक्की
दिन-रात पीसना

Medicine

दवाई पीसना
जड़ी-बूटी पीसना
बारीक चूर्ण

Conversation Starters

"क्या आप घर पर मसाला पीसना पसंद करते हैं या बाज़ार से खरीदते हैं?"

"क्या आपने कभी पारंपरिक सिल-बट्टे पर मसाला पीसने की कोशिश की है?"

"आपके देश में अनाज पीसने के लिए कौन सी मशीनें इस्तेमाल होती हैं?"

"क्या आपको लगता है कि ऑफिस का काम लोगों को पीस रहा है?"

"मसाला पीसने के बाद उसकी खुशबू आपको कैसी लगती है?"

Journal Prompts

आज मैंने रसोई में मसाला पीसना सीखा। यह अनुभव कैसा था?

क्या आप कभी किसी स्थिति में खुद को 'चक्की में पिसता' हुआ महसूस करते हैं? विस्तार से लिखें।

आधुनिक मशीनों ने 'पीसना' जैसे कठिन कामों को कितना आसान बना दिया है?

अपनी पसंदीदा चटनी बनाने के लिए आप कौन-कौन सी चीज़ें पीसते हैं?

भारतीय संस्कृति में 'पीसना' शब्द के सामाजिक महत्व पर विचार करें।

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Peesna (पीसना) is transitive, meaning you are grinding something. Pisna (पिसना) is intransitive, meaning something is being ground. For example, 'I grind' vs 'It is being ground'.

Yes, 'मिक्सर में पीसना' is the standard way to say you are using a blender or mixer-grinder.

It is primarily a verb, but like all Hindi infinitives, it can function as a masculine verbal noun (gerund), meaning 'the act of grinding'.

It is an idiom meaning to gnash one's teeth in extreme anger or frustration.

You use the adverb 'दरदरा' (dardara). So, 'दरदरा पीसना' means to grind coarsely.

No, it is used for solids that are turned into powder or paste. If you are mixing liquids, use 'घोलना' (gholna) or 'मिलाना' (milana).

It depends on the object. For a masculine object, it is 'पीसा' (peesa). For a feminine object, it is 'पीसी' (peesi).

While 'कुचलना' (kuchalna) is more common, 'पीस देना' can be used for utter destruction in a metaphorical sense.

A 'Chakki' is a mill, traditionally made of two stones, used for 'पीसना' grain into flour.

It is a neutral word used in all contexts. For a highly formal/Sanskritized version, 'पेषण' (peshan) is used.