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जवाब देना

A2 verb #1,000 most common 9 min read

जवाब देना

jawab dena Top 1,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips जवाब देना in 30 Seconds

Explanation जवाब देना in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'जवाब देना' (javāb denā) is introduced as a basic action verb. Learners should focus on the literal meaning: 'to give an answer.' At this stage, you are primarily using it in simple present and imperative forms. For example, 'जवाब दो' (Answer!) or 'मैं जवाब देता हूँ' (I answer). The focus is on recognizing the word 'जवाब' as 'answer' and 'देना' as the action of providing it. You will likely use it in the context of a classroom or a simple conversation where someone asks 'How are you?' and you 'jawab dete hain' (give an answer). It is important to start noticing that 'jawab' is a masculine noun, which will affect grammar later on. A1 learners should practice simple sentences like 'वह जवाब देता है' (He answers) and 'क्या आप जवाब देंगे?' (Will you answer?). The goal is to build the connection between a question (savāl) and an answer (javāb).

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'जवाब देना' in more varied tenses, especially the past tense. This is where the 'ne' (ने) rule becomes important. Since 'dena' is a transitive verb, you must say 'मैंने जवाब दिया' (I answered) instead of 'मैं जवाब दिया.' You also start to use postpositions like 'ka' (का) for the question being answered: 'सवाल का जवाब' (answer to the question). A2 learners should be able to handle basic social interactions, such as replying to an invitation or answering a phone call. You might also encounter the negative form 'जवाब नहीं देना' (not to answer) and use it to describe situations where someone was silent. The vocabulary expands to include 'मैसेज का जवाब देना' (answering a message) or 'ईमेल का जवाब देना' (answering an email). This level is about moving from isolated words to functional sentences that describe daily responses.

At the B1 level, you move beyond simple responses to more nuanced uses of 'जवाब देना.' You start to understand and use the idiomatic meaning of 'giving up' or 'failing,' particularly in mechanical or physical contexts. For example, 'मशीन ने जवाब दे दिया' (The machine stopped working). You also begin to use the word in more professional or semi-formal settings, such as 'इंटरव्यू में जवाब देना' (answering in an interview). B1 learners should be comfortable with complex sentence structures, like 'मुझे नहीं पता था कि क्या जवाब देना है' (I didn't know what to answer). You also start to distinguish between 'जवाब देना' and its more formal synonym 'उत्तर देना' (uttar denā), choosing the latter for written work or formal presentations. Your ability to use the verb in the subjunctive or conditional moods ('अगर वह जवाब देता...' - If he were to answer...) also develops at this stage.

At the B2 level, 'जवाब देना' is used in the context of accountability and detailed explanations. You might use it to mean 'to account for' or 'to be responsible for.' For instance, 'आपको अपने व्यवहार का जवाब देना होगा' (You will have to answer for your behavior). You are also expected to understand and use common idioms like 'मुँहतोड़ जवाब देना' (to give a crushing retort). B2 learners can follow debates or discussions where 'सवाल-जवाब' (question and answer) sessions occur and can participate by giving well-structured replies. You understand the subtle difference between 'palatkar javab dena' (talking back) and 'tark-sangat javab dena' (giving a logical answer). At this level, your usage of the verb reflects a deeper understanding of social dynamics and the power of words in a response.

At the C1 level, you use 'जवाब देना' with stylistic flair and precision. You can navigate highly formal or literary contexts where 'जवाब देना' might be replaced by 'प्रत्युत्तर देना' or 'स्पष्टीकरण देना' (to give an explanation). You understand the philosophical nuances of 'answering'—such as answering a 'call of conscience' or a 'higher power.' Your vocabulary includes related abstract nouns like 'जवाबदेही' (accountability) and 'लाजवाब' (matchless/beyond answer). You can analyze the use of the verb in classical Hindi literature or modern political rhetoric, noting how the choice of 'jawab' (Persian/Urdu root) versus 'uttar' (Sanskrit root) can signal the speaker's cultural or political alignment. You are also capable of using the verb in complex passive constructions or as part of intricate legal arguments.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 'जवाब देना' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You can use the verb to convey subtle irony, sarcasm, or profound depth. You understand the historical evolution of the term and its place within the vast landscape of Hindi-Urdu (Hindustani). You can engage in high-level intellectual discourse, providing 'sateek javab' (precise answers) to complex metaphysical or technical questions. You are also adept at using the verb in creative writing, perhaps personifying abstract concepts that 'answer' to the human condition. At this level, 'जवाब देना' is not just a verb but a tool for sophisticated expression, allowing you to manipulate tone, register, and cultural subtext to achieve specific communicative goals.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

जवाब देना in 30 Seconds

Javab dena means 'to answer' or 'to reply' in Hindi.
It is a compound verb using 'dena' (to give).
In the past tense, it uses the 'ne' particle with the subject.
It can also mean 'to break down' or 'to give up' idiomaticlly.

The Hindi verb जवाब देना (javāb denā) is a foundational compound verb that every learner must master. At its core, it means 'to answer' or 'to reply.' However, its usage spans a vast spectrum of human interaction, from a simple response to a question to the more complex act of being accountable or even a machine failing to function. The word 'जवाब' (javāb) is of Arabic origin, having entered Hindi through Persian influence, and it carries a sense of a 'fitting response' or a 'match.' When combined with the light verb 'देना' (denā), which means 'to give,' the literal translation is 'to give an answer.'

Daily Communication: In everyday life, you use this when someone asks you a question. Whether it is a teacher in a classroom or a friend asking about your day, 'जवाब देना' is the standard way to describe the act of responding. It is used for both verbal and written replies, such as answering an email or a text message.

क्या तुमने मेरे मैसेज का जवाब दिया? (Did you answer my message?)

Formal Contexts: In legal or official settings, 'जवाब देना' implies a formal rebuttal or a statement of defense. When a court asks for a 'jawab,' they are looking for a formal written response to an accusation. Here, the word takes on a weight of accountability.

Beyond human interaction, 'जवाब देना' has a fascinating idiomatic use in mechanical contexts. If an engine stops working or a person's health fails to the point of collapse, speakers say 'जवाब दे दिया' (gave up/stopped responding). This nuance is crucial for A2 learners moving toward B1, as it shows an understanding of how Hindi personifies objects and physical states. For example, 'मेरी कार ने बीच रास्ते में जवाब दे दिया' means 'My car gave up (broke down) in the middle of the road.'

बुढ़ापे में शरीर जवाब देने लगता है। (In old age, the body starts giving up.)

Social Nuance: In South Asian culture, not 'giving an answer' can be seen as a sign of respect (silence in front of elders) or a sign of extreme rudeness (ignoring a peer). The way you 'jawab dena'—your tone and choice of words—defines your social standing and 'tehzeeb' (etiquette).

Understanding 'जवाब देना' requires recognizing it as a transitive verb phrase. In the past tense, because it uses 'dena,' it follows the 'ne' construction. You don't just 'answer'; you 'give an answer' to a question (ka jawab dena) or to a person (ko jawab dena). This distinction in postpositions is a common hurdle for English speakers, who are used to the direct object 'answer me' or 'answer the question' without the 'give' component.

Using जवाब देना correctly involves understanding Hindi's compound verb structure. Since 'dena' (to give) is the operative verb, it dictates the conjugation. As a transitive verb, when used in the perfective (past) tense, the subject takes the 'ne' (ने) particle, and the verb agrees with the object 'जवाब' (which is masculine singular).

मैंने कल उसे जवाब दिया। (I gave [him/her] an answer yesterday.)

Present Continuous: To describe an ongoing action: 'वह फोन पर जवाब दे रहा है' (He is giving an answer on the phone). Here, 'dena' becomes 'de raha hai'.

Future Tense: 'मैं आपको कल जवाब दूँगा' (I will give you an answer tomorrow). Note how the 'ko' (को) is used for the person being addressed.

In imperative forms (commands), 'जवाब देना' is very common. 'जवाब दो!' (Answer!) is direct and can be seen as demanding. A more polite version would be 'जवाब दीजिए' (Please answer). In a classroom, a teacher might say, 'सब लोग एक साथ जवाब मत दो' (Everyone, don't answer all at once).

कृपया मेरे ईमेल का जवाब दीजिए। (Please reply to my email.)

Another important aspect is the negative construction. 'उसने कोई जवाब नहीं दिया' (He gave no answer). Notice that 'dena' remains at the end. In complex sentences, you might see 'जवाब देना मुश्किल है' (It is difficult to answer). This uses the infinitive form as a noun phrase. Mastering these variations allows you to navigate most social interactions in Hindi-speaking environments, from casual chats to professional emails.

You will hear जवाब देना everywhere in the Hindi-speaking world. It is not limited to any specific register. In Bollywood movies, it is a staple in dramatic scenes. A hero might shout, 'मुझे जवाब चाहिए!' (I want an answer!), or a villain might refuse to 'jawab dena' during an interrogation. The word carries a certain punch in these contexts, often symbolizing the search for truth or justice.

पुलिस के सामने उसने जवाब देने से मना कर दिया। (He refused to answer in front of the police.)

In the Office: In corporate India, Hinglish is common, but 'jawab dena' remains the standard for 'replying.' You'll hear managers say, 'क्लाइंट को जवाब देना है' (We have to reply to the client) or 'उसने अभी तक जवाब नहीं दिया' (He hasn't replied yet).

News and Media: On news channels, anchors often use the term 'जवाबदेही' (javābdēhī), which means accountability. They will ask politicians, 'क्या आप जनता को जवाब देंगे?' (Will you answer to the public?). This elevates the word from a simple reply to a civic duty.

In schools and colleges, 'जवाब देना' is the primary verb for participating in class. Students are encouraged to 'jawab do' even if they are unsure. If a student is quiet, a teacher might say, 'खड़े हो जाओ और जवाब दो' (Stand up and answer). This highlights the word's role in the educational hierarchy and the expectation of participation.

परीक्षा में सभी प्रश्नों का जवाब देना अनिवार्य है। (It is mandatory to answer all questions in the exam.)

Finally, in the digital age, 'जवाब देना' is used for replying to comments on social media, responding to WhatsApp pings, and even 'answering' a phone call (though 'phone uthana'—to pick up—is also common). When someone says 'उसने मेरा फोन नहीं उठाया,' it means they didn't pick up, but 'उसने जवाब नहीं दिया' means they picked up but didn't provide the information requested, or they didn't reply to a text.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is forgetting that जवाब देना is a compound verb requiring 'dena.' Learners often try to use 'jawab' as a verb itself, which is incorrect. You cannot say 'Main jawab-ta hoon'; you must say 'Main jawab deta hoon.'

The 'Ne' Particle Confusion: Because 'dena' is transitive, the past tense requires 'ne.' Beginners often say 'Main jawab diya' instead of the correct 'मैंने जवाब दिया' (Maine javāb diyā). This is a hallmark of an A2 learner moving toward B1—mastering the 'ne' with compound verbs.

Incorrect: वह मुझे जवाब किया। (He 'did' answer me.)
Correct: उसने मुझे जवाब दिया। (He 'gave' me an answer.)

Another common error is using the wrong postposition for the object. In English, we 'answer a question.' In Hindi, you give an answer *of* the question—'सवाल का जवाब देना' (savāl kā javāb denā). Using 'ko' for a question (savāl ko javāb denā) is a literal translation from English that sounds unnatural in Hindi. 'Ko' is reserved for the person you are answering.

गलत: सवाल को जवाब दो। (Wrong)
सही: सवाल का जवाब दो। (Right)

Lastly, learners sometimes struggle with the idiomatic 'breaking down' meaning. If you say 'Meri car ne jawab diya,' it means your car broke down. If you meant to say 'My car answered' (perhaps in a sci-fi context), you would need much more context to avoid being misunderstood as having a mechanical failure. Also, avoid using 'jawab dena' when you simply mean 'to talk back' in a disrespectful way; for that, 'zaban ladana' (fighting with the tongue) is more specific, though 'jawab dena' can be used if the context implies a defiant retort.

While जवाब देना is the most common way to say 'to answer,' Hindi offers several alternatives depending on the formality and context. Understanding these synonyms will help you refine your vocabulary and sound more like a native speaker.

उत्तर देना (Uttar denā): This is the Sanskrit-derived (Tatsama) equivalent. It is more formal and is frequently used in textbooks, exams, and formal speeches. While 'jawab' is common in speech, 'uttar' is the king of the written word. If you are writing a formal letter or taking a Hindi exam, 'uttar dena' is often preferred.

प्रत्युत्तर देना (Pratyuttar denā): This is an even more formal version, often translated as 'to retort' or 'to provide a counter-reply.' You will mostly encounter this in literature or high-level legal and political discourse. It implies a direct response to a specific point made by someone else.

शिक्षक ने छात्र के प्रश्न का उत्तर दिया। (The teacher answered the student's question.)

In casual 'Hinglish' (Hindi + English), many people simply say 'reply dena' or 'response dena.' For example, 'उसने मेरे मैसेज का रिप्लाई नहीं दिया' (He didn't reply to my message). While not 'pure' Hindi, this is extremely common in urban areas and among the youth. Another related term is 'प्रतिक्रिया देना' (pratikriyā denā), which means 'to react' or 'to give feedback.' This is used when the response isn't necessarily an answer to a question but a reaction to an event or a statement.

पलटकर जवाब देना (Palatkar javāb denā): This specifically means 'to talk back' or 'to answer back' defiantly. It carries a negative connotation of being disrespectful to an elder or authority figure. 'बड़ों को पलटकर जवाब नहीं देना चाहिए' (One should not talk back to elders).

Choosing between these depends on your audience. Use 'jawab dena' for 90% of your daily needs. Use 'uttar dena' when you want to sound educated or are in a formal setting. Use 'reply dena' when chatting with friends on WhatsApp. By knowing these distinctions, you can tailor your Hindi to fit the social environment perfectly.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"प्रार्थी ने न्यायालय में अपना जवाब दाखिल किया।"

Neutral

"उसने मेरे सवाल का जवाब दिया।"

Informal

"अरे, जवाब तो दे!"

Child friendly

"बेटा, अच्छी तरह से जवाब दो।"

Slang

"उसने तो कतई ज़हर जवाब दिया! (He gave a killer answer!)"

Fun Fact

The word 'लाजवाब' (lā-javāb) uses the Persian prefix 'lā' (no/without) to mean 'without an answer,' which in Hindi evolved to mean 'matchless' or 'superb' because nothing can compare to it.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /dʒə.vɑːb deː.nɑː/

US /dʒə.vɑːb deɪ.nɑː/

The primary stress is on the second syllable of 'javāb' (vāb).

Rhymes With

खि़ताब देना (khitāb denā) गुलाब देना (gulāb denā) हिसाब देना (hisāb denā) शराब देना (sharāb denā) नवाब देना (nawāb denā) अज़ाब देना (azāb denā) सवाब देना (sawāb denā) रुवाब देना (ruwāb denā)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'v' as a hard English 'v' (it should be softer).
Shortening the 'aa' in 'javāb'.
Pronouncing 'dena' as 'deena' (it should be 'day-na').
Stress on the first syllable 'ja'.
Merging the two words into one without a slight pause.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in text as it appears frequently.

Writing 3/5

Requires knowledge of the 'ne' particle in past tense.

Speaking 2/5

Simple to pronounce but requires correct postpositions.

Listening 2/5

Commonly heard in media and daily life.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

सवाल देना करना क्या कौन

Learn Next

पूछना बताना समझाना चुप बात

Advanced

जवाबदेही प्रत्युत्तर स्पष्टीकरण प्रतिक्रिया

Grammar to Know

Transitive Verbs in Past Tense

मैंने जवाब दिया (Maine javāb diyā).

Compound Verbs with 'Dena'

उसने मुझे जाने दिया (He let me go - similar structure).

Postposition 'Ka' with Nouns

सवाल का जवाब (Answer of the question).

Imperative Mood

जवाब दीजिए (Please answer).

Infinitive as Noun

जवाब देना अच्छी बात है (Answering is a good thing).

Examples by Level

जवाब दो।

Answer!

Imperative form of the verb.

मैं जवाब देता हूँ।

I answer.

Present simple tense, masculine.

वह जवाब देती है।

She answers.

Present simple tense, feminine.

क्या आप जवाब देंगे?

Will you answer?

Future tense, polite form.

इसका जवाब क्या है?

What is the answer to this?

Using 'jawab' as a noun.

जवाब मत दो।

Don't answer.

Negative imperative.

वह सही जवाब है।

That is the correct answer.

Simple sentence with an adjective.

जवाब आसान है।

The answer is easy.

Subject-Adjective-Verb structure.

मैंने उसे जवाब दिया।

I answered him.

Past tense with 'ne' particle.

उसने मेरे सवाल का जवाब दिया।

He answered my question.

Use of 'ka' for the question.

क्या तुमने मैसेज का जवाब दिया?

Did you answer the message?

Past tense question.

वह फोन पर जवाब दे रहा है।

He is answering on the phone.

Present continuous tense.

हमें कल जवाब देना होगा।

We will have to answer tomorrow.

Future obligation (hoga).

उसने कोई जवाब नहीं दिया।

He gave no answer.

Negative past tense.

जवाब देना ज़रूरी है।

It is important to answer.

Infinitive as a subject.

वे लोग जवाब दे रहे थे।

Those people were answering.

Past continuous tense.

मेरी कार ने जवाब दे दिया।

My car gave up (broke down).

Idiomatic use for mechanical failure.

मुझे नहीं पता कि क्या जवाब देना है।

I don't know what to answer.

Indirect question with infinitive.

उसने बहुत सोच-समझकर जवाब दिया।

He answered very thoughtfully.

Adverbial phrase modifying the verb.

आपको ईमेल का जवाब तुरंत देना चाहिए।

You should answer the email immediately.

Use of 'chahiye' for advice.

अगर तुम जवाब देते, तो अच्छा होता।

If you had answered, it would have been good.

Conditional sentence.

वह हर बात का जवाब देता है।

He answers everything (talks back).

Habitual present.

जवाब देने से पहले सोचो।

Think before answering.

Oblique infinitive before a postposition.

उसका जवाब सुनकर मैं हैरान रह गया।

I was surprised to hear his answer.

Conjunctive participle (sun-kar).

उसने मंत्री को मुँहतोड़ जवाब दिया।

He gave a crushing retort to the minister.

Use of the idiom 'muh-tod javab'.

आपको अपनी गलतियों का जवाब देना पड़ेगा।

You will have to answer for your mistakes.

Future obligation with 'padega'.

उसने पलटकर जवाब देने की हिम्मत की।

He dared to talk back.

Compound verb 'himmat karna'.

बिना सोचे-समझे जवाब देना खतरनाक हो सकता है।

Answering without thinking can be dangerous.

Gerundial use of the verb.

क्या आप इन आरोपों का जवाब देंगे?

Will you answer these allegations?

Formal future question.

उसका शरीर अब जवाब दे रहा है।

His body is now giving up (failing).

Idiomatic use for health.

उसने बड़ी चतुराई से जवाब दिया।

He answered very cleverly.

Manner adverbial.

जवाब देना तो दूर, उसने मेरी तरफ देखा भी नहीं।

Let alone answering, he didn't even look at me.

Correlative structure 'to door'.

लेखक ने समाज की कुरीतियों को अपनी कलम से जवाब दिया।

The author answered the social evils with his pen.

Metaphorical usage.

न्यायालय ने सरकार से इस मामले पर जवाब माँगा है।

The court has sought an answer from the government on this matter.

Formal legal context.

उसकी खामोशी ही उसका सबसे बड़ा जवाब थी।

His silence itself was his biggest answer.

Abstract philosophical usage.

विपक्ष ने सरकार के दावों का कड़ा जवाब दिया।

The opposition gave a tough reply to the government's claims.

Political register.

परिस्थितियों ने उसे जवाब देने पर मजबूर कर दिया।

Circumstances forced him to answer.

Causative-like structure with 'majboor karna'.

वह अपनी अंतरात्मा को क्या जवाब देगा?

What answer will he give to his conscience?

Introspective usage.

इस जटिल प्रश्न का जवाब देना टेढ़ी खीर है।

Answering this complex question is a difficult task.

Use of the idiom 'tedhi kheer'.

उसने तर्कों के साथ जवाब देकर सबको चुप करा दिया।

He silenced everyone by answering with logic.

Instrumental usage (tarkon ke saath).

इतिहास इन क्रूरताओं का जवाब ज़रूर माँगेगा।

History will surely demand an answer for these cruelties.

Personification of history.

उनकी कला ही उनके आलोचकों को जवाब देती है।

Their art itself answers their critics.

Abstract subject.

क्या विज्ञान मृत्यु के रहस्यों का जवाब दे पाएगा?

Will science be able to answer the mysteries of death?

Philosophical inquiry.

उसने अपनी चुप्पी से जो जवाब दिया, वह शब्दों से परे था।

The answer he gave through his silence was beyond words.

Complex relative clause.

प्रकृति के प्रकोप का जवाब देना मनुष्य के बस में नहीं है।

It is not within man's power to answer the wrath of nature.

High formal register.

उसने दार्शनिक अंदाज़ में जवाब देते हुए जीवन की नश्वरता पर प्रकाश डाला।

Answering in a philosophical manner, he shed light on the ephemerality of life.

Participle phrase (dete hue).

सत्य का जवाब केवल सत्य ही हो सकता है।

The only answer to truth can be truth itself.

Tautological philosophical statement.

उसने अपनी पूरी ज़िंदगी इस एक सवाल का जवाब ढूँढने में लगा दी।

He spent his whole life trying to find the answer to this one question.

Gerundial phrase (dhundne mein).

Common Collocations

सही जवाब

गलत जवाब

तुरंत जवाब देना

मुँहतोड़ जवाब

सवाल का जवाब

लिखित जवाब

ईमेल का जवाब

संतोषजनक जवाब

जवाब माँगना

जवाब दे जाना

Common Phrases

जवाब दो!

— A direct command to answer.

मैं तुमसे कुछ पूछ रहा हूँ, जवाब दो!

कोई जवाब नहीं

— No response or 'no answer'.

वहाँ से कोई जवाब नहीं आया।

जवाब देना पड़ेगा

— Expressing necessity or accountability.

तुम्हें इस बात का जवाब देना पड़ेगा।

सोचकर जवाब देना

— To answer after thinking.

जल्दबाज़ी मत करो, सोचकर जवाब देना।

जवाब देने की ज़रूरत नहीं

— No need to answer.

फालतू बातों का जवाब देने की ज़रूरत नहीं है।

एक शब्द में जवाब देना

— To answer in one word.

हाँ या ना में जवाब दो।

उल्टा जवाब देना

— To give a rude or contrary answer.

वह हमेशा उल्टा जवाब देता है।

जवाब की प्रतीक्षा

— Waiting for an answer.

मैं आपके जवाब की प्रतीक्षा कर रहा हूँ।

गोल-मोल जवाब देना

— To give an evasive or vague answer.

उसने गोल-मोल जवाब देकर बात टाल दी।

जवाब तैयार रखना

— To keep an answer ready.

कल की मीटिंग के लिए जवाब तैयार रखना।

Often Confused With

जवाब देना vs उत्तर देना

While synonymous, 'Uttar' is more formal and Sanskrit-based.

जवाब देना vs बताना

Means 'to tell'. You tell a story, but you answer a question.

जवाब देना vs कहना

Means 'to say'. 'Javab dena' is a specific type of saying.

Idioms & Expressions

"मुँहतोड़ जवाब देना"

— To give a crushing or effective retort.

भारतीय सेना ने दुश्मनों को मुँहतोड़ जवाब दिया।

Common

"जवाब दे जाना"

— To stop working, to fail, or to be exhausted.

पुरानी मशीन ने अब जवाब दे दिया है।

Colloquial

"जवाब न होना"

— To be matchless or incomparable.

उसकी खूबसूरती का कोई जवाब नहीं है।

Poetic/Common

"सवाल गेंहूँ जवाब चना"

— To give an irrelevant answer (lit. question wheat, answer chickpeas).

मैंने कुछ और पूछा, उसने कुछ और कहा—सवाल गेंहूँ जवाब चना।

Folk/Idiomatic

"लाजवाब कर देना"

— To leave someone speechless with a brilliant answer or performance.

उसकी दलीलों ने सबको लाजवाब कर दिया।

Formal

"जवाब तलबी करना"

— To demand an explanation or to call to account.

बॉस ने उससे देरी के लिए जवाब तलबी की।

Formal/Legal

"ईंट का जवाब पत्थर से देना"

— To give a tit-for-tat response, often more forceful than the original provocation.

हमें ईंट का जवाब पत्थर से देना आता है।

Common

"जवाब से लाचार होना"

— To be unable to answer.

वह अपनी गलती पर जवाब से लाचार था।

Literary

"बगलें झाँकना (जवाब न होने पर)"

— To look around helplessly when one has no answer.

जब सच सामने आया, तो वह बगलें झाँकने लगा।

Common

"ज़बान को लगाम देना (जवाब न देने के लिए)"

— To hold one's tongue instead of answering back.

कभी-कभी ज़बान को लगाम देना ही बेहतर होता है।

Common

Easily Confused

जवाब देना vs सवाल

It is the opposite (Question).

Saval is the question asked; Jawab is the response given.

उसने सवाल किया, मैंने जवाब दिया।

जवाब देना vs जिम्मेदार

Related to accountability.

Jimmedar is an adjective (responsible); Jawab dena is the action of being accountable.

तुम जिम्मेदार हो, तुम्हें जवाब देना होगा।

जवाब देना vs प्रतिक्रिया

Means reaction.

Pratikriya is a general reaction; Jawab is a specific answer to a query.

उसकी प्रतिक्रिया अच्छी थी।

जवाब देना vs हल

Means solution.

Hal is the solution to a problem; Jawab is the answer to a question.

इस पहेली का हल क्या है?

जवाब देना vs सुझाव

Means suggestion.

Sujhav is proactive advice; Jawab is reactive response.

उसने एक सुझाव दिया।

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] [Javab] [Deta/Deti] [Hai].

मैं जवाब देता हूँ।

[Subject] + ne [Javab] [Diya].

उसने जवाब दिया।

[Subject] [Object] ka [Javab] [Dega].

वह मेरे सवाल का जवाब देगा।

[Subject] ko [Javab] [Dena] [Padega].

तुम्हें जवाब देना पड़ेगा।

[Abstract Subject] [Javab] [Deta] [Hai].

वक्त जवाब देता है।

[Subject] [Adverb] [Javab] [Dete hue]...

उसने मुस्कुराते हुए जवाब दिया।

[Subject] [Javab] [Nahin] [Deta].

वह जवाब नहीं देता।

[Javab] [Dena] [Adjective] [Hai].

जवाब देना मुश्किल है।

Word Family

Nouns

जवाब Answer/Reply

जवाबदेही Accountability

जवाबदेह Accountable person

Verbs

जवाब देना To answer

जवाब माँगना To demand an answer

Adjectives

लाजवाब Matchless/Speechless

जवाबदेह Responsible/Accountable

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily speech.

Common Mistakes

मैं जवाब किया। → मैंने जवाब दिया।
Using 'karna' instead of 'dena' and forgetting the 'ne' particle.
सवाल को जवाब दो। → सवाल का जवाब दो।
Using 'ko' for a question instead of 'ka'.
वह मुझे जवाब दी। → उसने मुझे जवाब दिया।
Matching the verb with the female subject instead of the masculine noun 'jawab'.
Jawab-ta hoon. → Jawab deta hoon.
Trying to conjugate 'jawab' as a verb directly.
उसने जवाब नहीं बोला। → उसने जवाब नहीं दिया।
Using 'bolna' (to speak) instead of 'dena' (to give) with 'jawab'.

Tips

Past Tense Mastery

Always use 'ne' with the subject when using 'jawab diya'. Practice: 'Maine jawab diya', 'Usne jawab diya'.

Formal vs Informal

Use 'jawab' with friends and 'uttar' in exams or formal letters to show your range.

Politeness

Add 'ji' or use 'dijiye' to be polite: 'Javab dijiye' instead of 'Javab do'.

Silence is an Answer

In India, sometimes not answering is a way to avoid conflict. Understand the context of silence.

Mechanical Failure

If your laptop stops working, you can jokingly say 'Mere laptop ne jawab de diya'.

Email Etiquette

In emails, use 'Aapke javab ki pratiksha mein' (Waiting for your reply) at the end.

News Watching

Listen for 'jawabdehi' on Hindi news to understand the concept of political accountability.

Hinglish

Don't be afraid to use 'reply dena' in casual chats; it's very natural today.

The 'J' Link

Link 'Javab' with 'Just'—as in 'Just give me an answer!'

Daily Routine

Every time you reply to a text, say 'Main jawab de raha hoon' to yourself.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Java' (the programming language) + 'B' (the second letter). You give a 'Java-B' (Javāb) when someone asks you a coding question.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant letter 'Q' (Question) being met by a giant letter 'A' (Answer). The 'A' is being handed over like a gift (dena).

Word Web

सवाल (Question) उत्तर (Answer) चिट्ठी (Letter) फोन (Phone) ईमेल (Email) सच (Truth) गलत (Wrong) सही (Right)

Challenge

Try to answer three questions in Hindi today using the phrase 'मैं जवाब देता हूँ' or 'मैंने जवाब दिया'.

Word Origin

The word 'जवाब' (javāb) originates from the Arabic root 'J-W-B', which pertains to 'answering' or 'responding.' It entered Hindi via Persian during the medieval period.

Original meaning: In Arabic, 'jawāb' refers to a response that corresponds or matches a question.

Afro-Asiatic (Arabic) -> Indo-European (Persian/Hindi).

Cultural Context

Be careful with 'palatkar javab dena' (talking back), as it can be very offensive to elders in a traditional South Asian context.

English speakers might find the 'give an answer' structure redundant, as they just say 'answer.' Remember that in Hindi, 'jawab' is the thing and 'dena' is the action.

The movie 'Jawab' (1942), a classic of Indian cinema. The famous Urdu couplet: 'Humne unko jawab kya diya, unhone toh sawal hi badal diya' (What answer did I give them, they changed the question itself). The concept of 'Sawal-Jawab' in Qawwali music performances.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Classroom

हाथ उठाओ और जवाब दो
सही जवाब क्या है?
सबको जवाब देना है
गलत जवाब मत दो

Office

ईमेल का जवाब दें
क्लाइंट को जवाब देना है
जवाब की डेडलाइन
लिखित जवाब चाहिए

Phone Call

फोन का जवाब दो
उसने जवाब नहीं दिया
मैसेज का जवाब
बाद में जवाब दूँगा

Legal/Police

जवाब दाखिल करना
सवालों का जवाब देना
जवाबदेही तय करना
झूठा जवाब देना

Mechanical Failure

इंजन ने जवाब दे दिया
बैटरी जवाब दे रही है
मशीन जवाब दे गई
शरीर जवाब दे रहा है

Conversation Starters

"क्या आप मेरे सवाल का जवाब दे सकते हैं?"

"उसने कल आपको क्या जवाब दिया?"

"इंटरव्यू में जवाब देना कैसा रहा?"

"क्या आपने अभी तक उस ईमेल का जवाब दिया?"

"अगर कोई आपसे यह पूछे, तो आप क्या जवाब देंगे?"

Journal Prompts

आज आपने किस कठिन सवाल का जवाब दिया?

क्या कभी आपकी कार या फोन ने बीच रास्ते में जवाब दिया है?

किसी ऐसे समय के बारे में लिखें जब आपने बहुत चतुराई से जवाब दिया हो।

क्या आपको लगता है कि हर सवाल का जवाब देना ज़रूरी है?

एक काल्पनिक संवाद लिखें जहाँ दो लोग बहस कर रहे हैं और एक-दूसरे को जवाब दे रहे हैं।

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

The noun 'जवाब' is masculine. Therefore, in the past tense, the verb 'दिया' is masculine singular. Example: 'मैंने जवाब दिया' (not 'दी').

No, 'जवाब करना' is incorrect. In Hindi, you 'give' (dena) an answer, you don't 'do' (karna) it.

'Javab' is of Arabic/Persian origin and is common in spoken Hindi. 'Uttar' is of Sanskrit origin and is more formal/academic.

You say 'मुझे जवाब दो' (Mujhe javāb do).

You say 'सवाल का जवाब दो' (Savāl kā javāb do).

It usually means something broke down or failed, like an engine or a person's health.

Yes, but 'phone uthana' (to pick up) is more common for the physical act. 'Javab dena' implies responding to what was said.

Yes, in phrases like 'उसका कोई जवाब नहीं' (He has no match/He is incomparable).

Both are transliterations of 'जवाब देना'. The 'v' sound is halfway between English 'v' and 'w'.

You say 'मैं आपके जवाब का इंतज़ार कर रहा हूँ' (Main āpke javāb kā intazār kar rahā hūṅ).