कम in 30 Seconds
- Means 'less' or 'few'.
- Does not change for gender.
- Used for both countable and uncountable nouns.
- Opposite of ज़्यादा (zyada - more).
The Hindi word 'कम' (kam) is an incredibly versatile and frequently used term that primarily translates to 'less', 'few', 'little', or 'short of' in English. It functions mainly as an adjective or an adverb, depending entirely on the context of the sentence. When you are learning Hindi, mastering 'कम' is essential because it is a foundational vocabulary word used in daily conversations to express quantity, degree, and comparison. Whether you are at a market negotiating prices, at a dinner table discussing food portions, or expressing your feelings about a particular situation, 'कम' is the go-to word for anything that is not enough or smaller in amount than expected.
- Quantity
- Used to denote a small amount of an uncountable noun, such as water, sugar, or time. For example, 'कम पानी' means 'less water'.
- Number
- Used to denote a small number of countable nouns, such as people, books, or days. For example, 'कम लोग' means 'few people'.
- Degree
- Used as an adverb to modify verbs or adjectives, indicating a lower intensity. For example, 'कम बोलना' means 'to speak less'.
In South Asian culture, modesty is highly valued, and you will often hear people using 'कम' to downplay their achievements or needs. For instance, a guest might say they want 'कम' food out of politeness, even if they are hungry. Understanding this cultural nuance is just as important as knowing the literal translation. Furthermore, 'कम' is often combined with other words to create new meanings, such as 'कमज़ोर' (weak, literally 'less strength') or 'कम से कम' (at least).
मुझे चाय में चीनी कम चाहिए। (I want less sugar in the tea.)
आज कक्षा में छात्र कम हैं। (There are few students in the class today.)
Another fascinating aspect of 'कम' is its use in comparative structures. When you want to say 'less than', you use the postposition 'से' (se) followed by 'कम'. For example, 'दस से कम' means 'less than ten'. This structure is ubiquitous in mathematics, shopping, and general descriptions. By mastering 'कम', you unlock a significant portion of Hindi's descriptive capabilities, allowing you to express nuances in quantity and degree with ease and confidence.
Using 'कम' in sentences is straightforward once you understand its placement rules. As an adjective, it generally precedes the noun it modifies. As an adverb, it typically precedes the verb or the adjective it modifies. This consistent placement makes it a very predictable and user-friendly word for beginners. Let us dive deep into the grammatical structures and sentence patterns that utilize 'कम'.
- Before a Noun (Adjective)
- When describing a noun, place 'कम' directly before it. Example: कम समय (less time), कम पैसे (less money).
- Before a Verb (Adverb)
- When describing an action, place 'कम' before the verb. Example: वह कम सोता है (He sleeps less).
- With 'से' for Comparison
- To say 'less than', use '[Noun/Pronoun] + से + कम'. Example: राम से कम (less than Ram).
One of the most common sentence structures you will encounter is the statement of inadequacy or deficiency. For instance, if you are cooking and realize you do not have enough salt, you would say 'नमक कम है' (Salt is less/There is less salt). Notice how 'कम' acts as the complement here, placed right before the 'to be' verb 'है'. This structure is the backbone of expressing needs and evaluating situations in Hindi.
मेरे पास समय बहुत कम है। (I have very little time.)
यह कीमत बहुत कम है। (This price is very low.)
Furthermore, 'कम' is heavily used in negative constructions and warnings. For example, a doctor might advise a patient, 'मीठा कम खाओ' (Eat less sweets). In this imperative sentence, 'कम' modifies the verb 'खाओ' (eat). Understanding how to weave 'कम' into commands, requests, and statements is a vital step in achieving fluency. It allows you to participate in nuanced conversations about lifestyle, health, economics, and daily planning without needing a massive vocabulary.
वह मुझसे कम लंबी है। (She is less tall than me / shorter than me.)
The word 'कम' is ubiquitous in the Hindi-speaking world. You will encounter it in virtually every domain of life, from the bustling street markets of Delhi to the formal boardrooms of Mumbai, and in the intimate settings of family dinners. Its simplicity and utility make it one of the most frequently spoken words in the language. Let us explore the specific contexts where 'कम' naturally arises and how it shapes everyday interactions.
- Shopping and Bargaining
- In Indian markets, bargaining is an art form. You will constantly hear phrases like 'भैया, थोड़ा कम करो' (Brother, reduce it a little) or 'दाम कम लगाइए' (Apply a lesser price). It is the ultimate negotiation tool.
- Food and Dining
- When being served food, guests often use 'कम' to dictate portion sizes. Saying 'चावल कम देना' (Give less rice) or 'तीखा कम रखना' (Keep it less spicy) is standard practice.
- Health and Medicine
- Doctors frequently use 'कम' when advising patients. 'वजन कम करो' (Lose weight / Make weight less) or 'तनाव कम लें' (Take less stress) are common medical directives.
Beyond practical daily uses, 'कम' features prominently in media and entertainment. In Bollywood movies, you might hear dramatic dialogues like 'मैं किसी से कम नहीं!' (I am no less than anyone!), which is a powerful expression of self-worth and defiance. News anchors use it to report on statistics, such as 'बारिश कम हुई है' (There has been less rain) or 'मुद्रास्फीति कम हो रही है' (Inflation is decreasing). This demonstrates the word's flexibility across informal and formal registers.
भैया, इसके दाम कुछ कम कीजिए ना। (Brother, please reduce its price a bit.)
आजकल वह कम बोलता है। (Nowadays he speaks less.)
In the workplace, 'कम' is used to discuss productivity, resources, and time management. A manager might complain about 'कम बजट' (low budget) or 'कम कर्मचारी' (few employees). Thus, whether you are a tourist navigating a bazaar, an expatriate working in an Indian office, or a student consuming Hindi literature and cinema, 'कम' is a word that will constantly echo in your environment, serving as a critical linguistic anchor for your comprehension.
While 'कम' is a relatively simple word, English speakers often make predictable mistakes when trying to integrate it into their Hindi sentences. These errors usually stem from direct translation habits, where the nuances of English grammar are incorrectly mapped onto Hindi. By being aware of these common pitfalls, you can significantly accelerate your path to fluency and sound much more like a native speaker.
- Confusing 'कम' with 'छोटा' (Small)
- English speakers sometimes use 'कम' when they mean 'small' in physical size. 'कम' refers to quantity or degree, not physical dimensions. For a small box, use 'छोटा डब्बा' (chhota dabba), not 'कम डब्बा'.
- Incorrect Placement in Sentences
- Because English often places adverbs at the end of a sentence (e.g., 'He speaks less'), learners might say 'वह बोलता है कम'. The correct Hindi structure places the adverb before the verb: 'वह कम बोलता है'.
- Overusing 'कम' instead of 'थोड़ा' (A little)
- While they are similar, 'थोड़ा' (thoda) means 'a little' or 'some', whereas 'कम' strictly means 'less' or 'deficient'. If you want some water, say 'थोड़ा पानी चाहिए'. If you want less water than what is offered, say 'कम पानी चाहिए'.
Another frequent error involves comparative sentences. In English, we say 'less than him'. A learner might directly translate this to 'कम से वह' or 'कम उससे'. The correct Hindi postpositional structure is '[Object] + से + कम'. Therefore, it must be 'उससे कम' (us-se kam). Forgetting the 'से' (se) or placing it after 'कम' disrupts the grammatical logic of Hindi.
Incorrect: यह कम कमरा है। (Trying to say: This is a small room.)
Correct: यह छोटा कमरा है। (This is a small room.)
Finally, learners sometimes struggle with pluralization. Unlike adjectives that end in 'आ' (aa) and change to 'ए' (e) for masculine plurals (like अच्छा -> अच्छे), 'कम' is invariable. It never changes its form, regardless of the gender or number of the noun it modifies. So, it is 'कम लड़का' (less boy - though logically weird), 'कम लड़कियाँ' (fewer girls), and 'कम पानी' (less water). The word remains exactly the same. Remembering this invariable nature actually saves you from unnecessary conjugation stress!
Expanding your vocabulary involves understanding the nuances between similar words. While 'कम' is the most generic and widely used term for 'less' or 'few', Hindi offers several other words that convey related concepts but carry slightly different shades of meaning, formality, or specific use cases. Knowing when to use these alternatives will elevate your Hindi from basic to intermediate and advanced levels.
- थोड़ा (Thoda) - A little / Some
- This is the closest relative to 'कम'. While 'कम' implies a deficiency or a comparative 'less', 'थोड़ा' simply means a small amount without necessarily implying it is not enough. Example: 'मुझे थोड़ा पानी चाहिए' (I need some water).
- ज़रा (Zara) - Just a little / A bit
- This word is of Persian/Urdu origin and is often used in polite requests or to indicate a very tiny amount or a brief moment. Example: 'ज़रा सुनिए' (Just listen a bit / Excuse me) or 'ज़रा सा नमक' (Just a tiny bit of salt).
- अल्प (Alp) - Minimal / Scanty (Formal)
- This is a highly formal, Sanskrit-derived word used in literature, news, and official documents. You will rarely hear it in street conversation. Example: 'अल्पसंख्यक' (Minority - literally 'minimal number').
Understanding the antonyms is equally important. The direct opposite of 'कम' is 'ज़्यादा' (zyada) or 'अधिक' (adhik), both meaning 'more' or 'much'. 'ज़्यादा' is the everyday conversational word, while 'अधिक' is slightly more formal and frequently used in writing. When you practice 'कम', always try to build sentences with its opposite to reinforce the comparative structure in your mind.
मुझे कम नहीं, ज़्यादा चाहिए। (I do not want less, I want more.)
यह बहुत कम है, थोड़ा और दीजिए। (This is very little, please give a little more.)
In summary, while 'कम' is your reliable workhorse for expressing 'less', seasoning your vocabulary with 'थोड़ा' for polite requests and 'ज़रा' for tiny amounts will make your Hindi sound much more natural and expressive. Always consider the context: are you negotiating a price, asking for a favor, or writing an academic essay? Choose your word accordingly to strike the perfect tone.
Fun Fact
Because 'कम' is a Persian prefix meaning 'less', Hindi has adopted dozens of compound words using it. For example, 'कमज़ोर' literally translates to 'less force' (kam = less, zor = force), which means 'weak'. It is a testament to how languages blend!
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing it with a long 'a' like in 'calm'. It should be short like 'come'.
- Adding a breathy 'h' sound after the 'k' (kham). It is an unaspirated 'k'.
- Elongating the 'm' sound at the end unnecessarily.
- Confusing it with 'काम' (kaam), which means 'work' and has a long 'a' sound.
- Pronouncing it like the English word 'cam' (as in camera).
Examples by Level
मुझे कम पानी चाहिए।
I want less water.
'कम' acts as an adjective modifying the uncountable noun 'पानी'.
यहाँ लोग कम हैं।
There are few people here.
'कम' acts as a predicative adjective for the countable noun 'लोग'.
चाय में चीनी कम है।
There is less sugar in the tea.
Used to indicate a deficiency in a mixture.
मेरे पास पैसे कम हैं।
I have less money.
Used with 'के पास' (possession) to indicate lack of funds.
दाम कम करो।
Reduce the price.
Used with the verb 'करना' to mean 'to reduce'.
आज समय कम है।
There is less time today.
Modifying the abstract noun 'समय' (time).
यह कम है।
This is less.
Used as a standalone complement.
कम खाओ।
Eat less.
Used as an adverb modifying the imperative verb 'खाओ'.
वह मुझसे कम बोलता है।
He speaks less than me.
Comparative structure using 'मुझसे' (than me).
कम से कम एक रोटी खा लो।
Eat at least one roti.
Idiomatic phrase 'कम से कम' meaning 'at least'.
दस से कम बच्चे आए हैं।
Less than ten children have come.
Used with numbers and 'से' for numerical comparison.
आज गर्मी कल से कम है।
Today the heat is less than yesterday.
Comparing weather conditions across days.
मुझे कम तीखा खाना पसंद है।
I like less spicy food.
Modifying another adjective 'तीखा' (spicy).
उसने काम कम किया।
He did less work.
Used in the past tense modifying the noun 'काम'.
टीवी कम देखो।
Watch less TV.
Adverbial use in an imperative sentence.
दुकान में सामान कम है।
There is less stock in the shop.
Describing quantity of collective noun 'सामान'.
अब उसके जीतने की उम्मीद कम है।
Now there is less hope of him winning.
Modifying an abstract noun 'उम्मीद' (hope).
वह बहुत कमज़ोर हो गया है।
He has become very weak.
'कम' used as a prefix in 'कमज़ोर' (weak).
खर्चा कम करने की कोशिश करो।
Try to reduce expenses.
Using 'कम करना' as a transitive verb phrase.
उसे कम मत समझना।
Do not underestimate him.
Idiomatic usage meaning 'to consider less/inferior'.
बारिश की वजह से उत्पादन कम हुआ।
Production decreased due to the rain.
Using 'कम होना' to indicate a decrease or drop.
यह कम अक्ल की बात है।
This is a matter of little intelligence.
Used as an adjective phrase 'कम अक्ल' (foolish/less intelligent).
मेरी दिलचस्पी इस काम में कम हो गई है।
My interest in this work has lessened.
Describing the waning of an emotion or state.
उसकी उम्र कम है, लेकिन तजुर्बा ज़्यादा।
His age is less, but experience is more.
Contrasting 'कम' with its antonym 'ज़्यादा'.
वह किसी भी मामले में तुमसे कम नहीं है।
She is no less than you in any matter.
Idiomatic expression of equality 'किसी से कम नहीं'.
सरकार ने करों को कम करने का फैसला किया है।
The government has decided to reduce taxes.
Formal use in a political/economic context.
दवा का असर धीरे-धीरे कम हो रहा है।
The effect of the medicine is slowly decreasing.
Describing a gradual process with 'धीरे-धीरे'.
कमोबेश स्थिति नियंत्रण में है।
More or less, the situation is under control.
Using the Perso-Arabic compound 'कमोबेश' (more or less).
हमें अपने कार्बन फुटप्रिंट को कम करना होगा।
We have to reduce our carbon footprint.
Used in environmental and modern contexts.
उसकी सफलता कम समय में मिली।
His success was achieved in a short time.
'कम' translating to 'short' when applied to time.
कम बोलना और ज़्यादा सुनना एक अच्छी आदत है।
Speaking less and listening more is a good habit.
Using infinitives 'बोलना' and 'सुनना' as gerunds.
वजन कम करने के लिए उसने योग शुरू किया।
He started yoga to lose weight.
'वजन कम करना' is the standard translation for 'losing weight'.
साहित्य में इस शब्द का प्रयोग कम ही देखने को मिलता है।
The use of this word is rarely seen in literature.
'कम ही' implies 'rarely' or 'seldom'.
यह योजना कम लागत में अधिक मुनाफा देने वाली है।
This scheme will give more profit at a lower cost.
Professional economic phrasing ('कम लागत' - low cost).
उसकी कमज़ोरी ही उसकी सबसे बड़ी ताकत बन गई।
His weakness itself became his biggest strength.
Using the derivative noun 'कमज़ोरी' (weakness).
देश में बेरोजगारी की दर कम होने के आसार हैं।
There are signs of the unemployment rate decreasing in the country.
Formal journalistic structure ('कम होने के आसार').
उसने कम शब्दों में बहुत गहरी बात कह दी।
He said a very profound thing in few words.
Expressing conciseness ('कम शब्दों में').
कमोबेश सभी लोग इस प्रस्ताव से सहमत थे।
More or less everyone agreed with this proposal.
Advanced vocabulary 'कमोबेश' used smoothly in context.
संसाधनों की कमी के बावजूद उन्होंने परियोजना पूरी की।
Despite the lack of resources, they completed the project.
Using the noun form 'कमी' (lack/shortage).
इस बीमारी के लक्षण शुरुआत में बहुत कम दिखाई देते हैं।
The symptoms of this disease are very faintly visible in the beginning.
'कम' indicating intensity or visibility.
आधुनिक जीवनशैली में संतोष की भावना निरंतर कम होती जा रही है।
In the modern lifestyle, the feeling of contentment is continuously decreasing.
Complex philosophical statement using continuous aspect ('कम होती जा रही है').
यह तर्क किसी भी दृष्टिकोण से कमज़ोर नहीं ठहराया जा सकता।
This argument cannot be deemed weak from any perspective.
Passive voice construction with the derivative 'कमज़ोर'.
उनकी कला में न्यूनतमवाद का प्रभाव है, जहाँ कम ही अधिक है।
Their art is influenced by minimalism, where less is more.
Translating the idiom 'less is more' ('कम ही अधिक है').
कम-नज़र लोगों को यह बारीकी समझ नहीं आएगी।
Short-sighted people will not understand this nuance.
Using the poetic/Urdu compound 'कम-नज़र' (short-sighted/lacking vision).
संभावनाओं के कम होने पर भी उसने हार नहीं मानी।
Even with the diminishing of possibilities, he did not give up.
Gerundive use of 'कम होना' with postpositions.
इस ग्रंथ में वर्णित सिद्धांत कमोबेश आज भी प्रासंगिक हैं।
The principles described in this text are more or less relevant even today.
Highly formal academic sentence structure.
उनका योगदान किसी भी ऐतिहासिक पैमाने पर कम नहीं आंका जाना चाहिए।
Their contribution should not be underestimated on any historical scale.
Advanced passive construction 'कम नहीं आंका जाना चाहिए' (should not be underestimated).
कमखर्ची एक गुण है, परंतु कंजूसी एक अवगुण।
Frugality is a virtue, but stinginess is a vice.
Using the derivative noun 'कमखर्ची' (frugality) in a philosophical contrast.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— At least. Used to set a minimum threshold.
कम से कम मुझे बता तो देते। (At least you could have told me.)
— Very little or very few. Used to emphasize scarcity.
मेरे पास बहुत कम पैसे हैं। (I have very little money.)
— A little less. Often used in bargaining.
भैया, कुछ कम करो। (Brother, make it a little less.)
— More or less / fluctuating.
दाम कम ज़्यादा होते रहते हैं। (Prices keep going up and down.)
— Foolish or dim-witted. (Literally: less intellect).
वह कम अक्ल इंसान है। (He is a foolish person.)
— Weak. (Literally: less strength).
बीमारी के बाद वह कमज़ोर हो गया। (He became weak after the illness.)
— Unfortunate or wretched. Used as a mild curse word.
कमबख़्त बारिश शुरू हो गई। (The wretched rain started.)
— Few days are left. Used when a deadline is approaching.
परीक्षा के लिए दिन कम बचे हैं। (Few days are left for the exam.)
Idioms & Expressions
— No less than anyone. Used to express confidence or equality in skill/worth.
हमारी बेटियां किसी से कम नहीं हैं। (Our daughters are no less than anyone.)
neutral— Eat less, swallow sorrow (tolerate). A proverb advising moderation and patience.
बुजुर्ग कहते हैं, कम खाना गम खाना। (Elders say, eat less and be tolerant.)
informal— To underestimate someone or something.
दुश्मन को कभी कम मत आंकना। (Never underestimate the enemy.)
neutral— To fall short or be insufficient.
पार्टी में खाना कम पड़ गया। (The food fell short at the party.)
neutral— To have poor eyesight.
उसे रात में कम दिखाई देता है। (He has poor vision at night.)
neutral— To be hard of hearing.
दादाजी को अब कम सुनाई देता है। (Grandpa is hard of hearing now.)
neutral— In a nutshell / briefly.
कम शब्दों में कहूँ तो, यह एक बुरा विचार है। (In a nutshell, this is a bad idea.)
formal— Do at least this much. A plea for minimal help.
मेरे लिए कम से कम इतना तो कर दो। (Do at least this much for me.)
informal— Even if it is less, it is okay.
कम ही सही, पर अपना तो है। (Even if it is less, at least it is ours.)
neutralWord Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of the English word 'COME'. When you tell a dog to 'COME', you want the distance between you and the dog to be LESS. 'कम' (sounds like come) means LESS.
Visual Association
Imagine a volume dial on a speaker. You turn it down to make the sound 'कम' (less). Visualize the letters K-A-M written on the 'volume down' button.
Word Origin
The word 'कम' (kam) originates from the Persian language (كم), where it carries the exact same meaning of 'less' or 'little'. It entered the Indian subcontinent during the centuries of Persianate rule (such as the Mughal Empire) and became deeply integrated into Hindustani (Hindi-Urdu).
Original meaning: In Persian, it meant 'little, few, scarce, or deficient'.
Indo-Iranian (Persian loanword into Indo-Aryan).Summary
'कम' (kam) is the universal Hindi word for 'less' or 'few'. It never changes its form. Example: 'कम पानी' (less water).
- Means 'less' or 'few'.
- Does not change for gender.
- Used for both countable and uncountable nouns.
- Opposite of ज़्यादा (zyada - more).
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Phrases
More general words
आभार व्यक्त करना
B1To express gratitude or thankfulness.
आचरण करना
C1To conduct oneself; behave in a particular way.
आगे
A1Forward; ahead.
आगे बढ़ना
A2To move forward or progress.
आगामी
B1Happening in the near future; upcoming or next.
आह्वान करना
B1To call, to summon, to request someone's presence.
आज रात
A2The night of the present day; tonight.
आजमाना
A2To make an attempt or effort to do something; to test.
आक्रमण करना
B2To begin military operations against a country or group.
आखिरी
A2Last, final.
