At the A1 level, you don't need to use this long phrase yet, but it is good to recognize it. Think of it as three simple words: 'Kam' (Little), 'Bhugtan' (Pay), and 'Wala' (Thing/Person). If you see 'Kam Bhugtan', just know it means someone is not getting much money for their work. You might use simpler words like 'Kam Paisa' (Little money) instead. Focus on the word 'Kam' which you already know for 'less'. This phrase is like saying 'Little-pay-one'. At this stage, just try to remember that 'Bhugtan' is a formal word for 'money given for work'. You will mostly see this in simple sentences about jobs. Don't worry about the grammar of 'Wala' too much, just see it as a label.
At the A2 level, you are starting to describe things in more detail. You can use 'कम भुगतान वाला' to describe a job or a person. Remember the golden rule: 'Wala' changes! If you talk about a 'Naukri' (Job), which is feminine, say 'Kam bhugtan vālī naukri'. If you talk about 'Kaam' (Work), which is masculine, say 'Kam bhugtan vālā kaam'. You can use this to talk about why you might want to change your job or why a certain job is difficult. It helps you move beyond just saying 'good' or 'bad' and start talking about economic realities. You will hear this on the news or read it in simple Hindi stories about workers. It is a very useful phrase for basic social descriptions.
As a B1 learner, you should be able to use 'कम भुगतान वाला' comfortably in both speech and writing. You understand that 'Bhugtan' is more professional than 'Paisa'. You can use this phrase to discuss social issues like the 'Gig Economy' or 'Minimum Wage'. You should be careful with postpositions—remember that 'vālā' becomes 'vāle' when followed by words like 'mein' or 'se'. You can also start comparing jobs using this phrase. For example: 'This job is more low-paying than that one'. You are expected to use this term in semi-formal contexts, such as a job interview or a discussion about career paths. It shows you have a grasp of professional vocabulary and Hindi's adjectival agreement system.
At the B2 level, you should use 'कम भुगतान वाला' with nuance. You know when to use this versus the more formal 'अल्प-वेतन' (Alp-vetan) or the more casual 'कम पैसे वाला'. You can use it to describe abstract concepts like a 'low-paid economy' (कम भुगतान वाली अर्थव्यवस्था) or 'low-paid sectors' (कम भुगतान वाले क्षेत्र). Your grammar should be flawless, especially regarding the oblique case (vāle). You can use the phrase in complex sentences with relative clauses. For instance, 'Those sectors which are low-paid often have the most labor strikes'. You understand the social and political implications of the term and can use it to argue for better labor conditions in a debate or essay.
At the C1 level, 'कम भुगतान वाला' is a tool for precise expression. You use it to distinguish between types of remuneration. You might use it in a critique of economic policy, contrasting 'कम भुगतान वाला रोजगार' with 'उत्पादक रोजगार' (productive employment). You are aware of the stylistic choice between this phrase and its synonyms to set a specific tone. You can use it in literary analysis to describe the setting or character motivations. You understand its etymology and how the suffix 'wala' functions as a powerful derivational tool in Hindi. Your usage is indistinguishable from a native speaker's in professional settings, and you can handle the phrase in any grammatical construction, including complex passive or causative sentences.
At the C2 level, you have complete mastery over the term. You can use it with irony, metaphor, or in highly specialized economic discourses. You understand the subtle historical shifts in how labor has been described in Hindi. You might use the phrase in a high-level academic lecture or a sophisticated political commentary. You can play with the structure, perhaps creating new compound adjectives based on this pattern. You understand the cultural baggage of 'bhugtan' versus 'vetan' or 'majduri' and choose 'कम भुगतान वाला' precisely when you want to focus on the act of transaction in a modern, perhaps exploitative, context. You can translate complex English economic texts into Hindi using this and related terms with perfect idiomatic accuracy.

कम भुगतान वाला in 30 Seconds

  • Used to describe low-paying jobs or workers.
  • A compound adjective: kam (low) + bhugtan (payment) + wala (suffix).
  • Must agree with the noun's gender and number (wala/wali/wale).
  • Professional and standard term for economic discussions.
The Hindi phrase कम भुगतान वाला (kam bhugtān vālā) is a compound adjective used to describe jobs, roles, or sectors that provide low financial compensation. To understand its depth, we must break down its three constituent parts. First, कम (kam) translates to 'less' or 'low'. Second, भुगतान (bhugtān) is a formal noun meaning 'payment' or 'remuneration'. Third, वाला (vālā) is a versatile Hindi suffix that functions as an adjectivizer, turning the preceding noun or phrase into a descriptor meaning 'the one characterized by' or 'the one having'. Combined, they create a specific term for 'low-paid' or 'low-paying'. This term is essential in discussions regarding labor rights, economic disparity, and career choices. In an Indian socio-economic context, you will often hear this used when discussing the 'unorganized sector' (असंगठित क्षेत्र), where laborers often find themselves in कम भुगतान वाली नौकरियाँ (low-paying jobs). While the word is descriptive, it carries a weight of social reality, often used by activists, economists, and common people to highlight the struggle of making ends meet on a meager salary. It is more formal than simply saying 'sasta' (cheap), which would be offensive if applied to a person's labor. Instead, 'kam bhugtan wala' focuses on the transaction—the payment—rather than the value of the person.
Grammatical Function
It acts as an adjective and must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. For a masculine singular noun like 'kaam' (work), it remains 'vālā'. For a feminine singular noun like 'naukri' (job), it becomes 'vālī'. For plural nouns, it becomes 'vāle'.

शहर में कम भुगतान वाला काम मिलना बहुत आसान है, लेकिन गुजारा करना मुश्किल। (Finding low-paid work in the city is very easy, but surviving is difficult.)

Contextual Nuance
In formal reports, you might see 'अल्प-वेतन' (alp-vetan), but in news broadcasts and general discourse, 'कम भुगतान वाला' strikes the perfect balance between being understood by the masses and maintaining a professional tone.

क्या आप इस कम भुगतान वाली परियोजना को स्वीकार करेंगे? (Will you accept this low-paying project?)

Societal Impact
The term is often linked to 'exploitation' (शोषण). When people talk about 'कम भुगतान वाला काम', they are often implying that the work is hard but the reward is insufficient.

मजदूरों को कम भुगतान वाले घंटों तक काम करना पड़ता है। (Laborers have to work for low-paid hours.)

यह क्षेत्र कम भुगतान वाला माना जाता है। (This sector is considered low-paying.)

हमें कम भुगतान वाले पदों को समाप्त करना चाहिए। (We should eliminate low-paid positions.)

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Using कम भुगतान वाला effectively requires an understanding of Hindi's gender and number agreement rules. Because the phrase ends in the suffix 'वाला' (vālā), it behaves exactly like an adjective ending in 'ā'. This is a critical point for learners: the ending changes to match the noun it describes. For example, if you are describing 'काम' (kaam - work), which is masculine singular, you say 'kam bhugtan vālā kaam'. However, if you describe 'नौकरी' (naukri - job), which is feminine singular, you must say 'kam bhugtan vālī naukri'. If you are referring to multiple jobs, 'नौकरियाँ' (naukriyān), it becomes 'kam bhugtan vālī naukriyān'. If describing masculine plural nouns like 'मजदूर' (majdoor - laborers), it becomes 'kam bhugtan vāle majdoor'. In a sentence, this phrase usually precedes the noun it modifies. For instance, 'वह एक कम भुगतान वाली नौकरी कर रहा है' (He is doing a low-paying job). It can also function as a predicate adjective: 'यह काम बहुत कम भुगतान वाला है' (This work is very low-paying). In this case, 'bhugtan vālā' describes the quality of the subject 'kaam'. Another important aspect is the word order. In English, we say 'low-paid workers'. In Hindi, the 'low-paid' part (कम भुगतान वाला) comes before the 'workers' (मजदूर). It is also common to see this phrase used in comparative sentences. For example, 'खेती का काम कारखाने के काम से कम भुगतान वाला है' (Farming work is lower-paying than factory work). Here, the comparison is marked by 'se' (than). Furthermore, when using postpositions (like 'mein', 'se', 'ko'), the 'वाला' ending changes to 'वाले' for masculine nouns. For example, 'कम भुगतान वाले काम में बहुत मेहनत है' (There is a lot of hard work in a low-paying job). Notice how 'vālā' became 'vāle' because of the postposition 'mein'. Mastering these subtle shifts is what separates a beginner from an intermediate B1 speaker.
Agreement Table
Masculine Singular: वाला (vālā) | Masculine Plural: वाले (vāle) | Feminine (Singular/Plural): वाली (vālī) | Oblique Case (with postpositions): वाले (vāle).

मेरे पिता ने कई कम भुगतान वाले काम किए। (My father did many low-paid jobs.)

क्या आपको लगता है कि शिक्षण एक कम भुगतान वाला पेशा है? (Do you think teaching is a low-paid profession?)

Sentence Structure
[Subject] + [कम भुगतान वाला/वाली/वाले] + [Noun] + [Verb]. Example: वह (Subject) + कम भुगतान वाली (Adjective) + नौकरी (Noun) + ढूँढ रहा है (Verb).

हमें कम भुगतान वाली अर्थव्यवस्था से बाहर निकलना होगा। (We must move out of a low-paid economy.)

यह इंटर्नशिप कम भुगतान वाली है लेकिन अनुभव के लिए अच्छी है। (This internship is low-paying but good for experience.)

उन्होंने कम भुगतान वाले कर्मचारियों की मदद की। (He helped the low-paid employees.)

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You will encounter कम भुगतान वाला in a variety of settings, ranging from formal news reports to kitchen-table discussions about finances. In the media, especially on Hindi news channels like NDTV India or Aaj Tak, journalists use this term when reporting on the 'Gig Economy' or the plight of migrant workers. You might hear a news anchor say, 'भारत में करोड़ों लोग कम भुगतान वाले क्षेत्रों में काम कर रहे हैं' (Millions of people in India are working in low-paid sectors). It is a staple of economic journalism, used to describe labor statistics and wage stagnation. In educational and career counseling environments, mentors might warn students about certain 'low-paying' career paths. For instance, 'कला के क्षेत्र में शुरुआत में कम भुगतान वाले काम मिल सकते हैं' (In the field of art, you might find low-paying work initially). This usage is instructional and cautionary. In political speeches, leaders often use the phrase to promise better wages. A politician might declare, 'हम कम भुगतान वाले रोजगार को उच्च वेतन वाले रोजगार में बदलेंगे' (We will transform low-paid employment into high-wage employment). This highlights the term's role in public policy and advocacy. Socially, you hear it when people compare their jobs. A person might complain to a friend, 'मेरी नौकरी बहुत कम भुगतान वाली है, मुझे कुछ और ढूँढना चाहिए' (My job is very low-paying, I should find something else). Here, it expresses personal dissatisfaction and financial stress. Finally, in the literary world—short stories or novels depicting the lives of the working class—authors use this phrase to set the scene of a character's struggle. It paints a picture of a life where effort does not match the reward.
Media Usage
Frequent in headlines regarding 'Minimum Wage' (न्यूनतम मजदूरी) and 'Labor Laws' (श्रम कानून).

समाचार: कम भुगतान वाले मजदूरों ने हड़ताल की। (News: Low-paid laborers went on strike.)

भाषण: हमें कम भुगतान वाले समाज को समृद्ध बनाना है। (Speech: We have to make a low-paid society prosperous.)

Academic Context
Used in sociological studies to categorize 'Working Poor' (कामकाजी गरीब).

चर्चा: क्या यह कम भुगतान वाला काम आपकी योग्यता के लायक है? (Discussion: Is this low-paid work worth your qualification?)

साक्षात्कार: मैं अब और कम भुगतान वाला काम नहीं करना चाहता। (Interview: I don't want to do low-paid work anymore.)

रिपोर्ट: कम भुगतान वाले क्षेत्रों में महिलाओं की संख्या अधिक है। (Report: The number of women in low-paid sectors is higher.)

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One of the most frequent errors learners make is confusing कम भुगतान वाला with 'सस्ता' (sastā). While 'sastā' means 'cheap', it is almost exclusively used for goods and services, not for labor or wages. Calling a person's work 'sastā kaam' can sound derogatory or imply that the work is of low quality. 'Kam bhugtan vālā' is the correct, respectful way to describe the financial aspect of the job. Another mistake involves gender and number agreement. Beginners often stick to the masculine singular 'vālā' regardless of the noun. For example, saying 'kam bhugtan vālā naukri' is grammatically incorrect because 'naukri' is feminine. It must be 'kam bhugtan vālī naukri'. Similarly, for plural nouns like 'majdoor' (laborers), using 'vālā' instead of 'vāle' is a common slip. Learners also sometimes confuse 'bhugtan' (payment) with 'kharch' (expense). 'Kam kharch wala' would mean 'low expense' or 'economical', which is the opposite of what you want to say when describing a low-paying job. 'Bhugtan' refers to what you receive, while 'kharch' refers to what you spend. Misplacing the phrase in a sentence is another hurdle. In English, we can say 'The pay is low'. In Hindi, while you can say 'Bhugtan kam hai', using the adjective phrase 'kam bhugtan vālā' requires it to modify a noun. You cannot simply say 'Main kam bhugtan wala hoon' to mean 'I am low-paid'; you must say 'Main ek kam bhugtan wale kaam mein hoon' (I am in a low-paid job) or 'Mera vetan kam hai' (My salary is low). Finally, avoid using 'kam bhugtan wala' for things that are naturally free or volunteered. It is specifically for commercial or professional exchanges where money is expected but provided in small amounts.
Mistake: Adjective-Noun Mismatch
Incorrect: कम भुगतान वाला नौकरियाँ (Kam bhugtan vālā naukriyān) | Correct: कम भुगतान वाली नौकरियाँ (Kam bhugtan vālī naukriyān).

गलत: यह एक सस्ता काम है। (Wrong: This is a cheap job.) | सही: यह एक कम भुगतान वाला काम है। (Right: This is a low-paid job.)

Confusing 'Bhugtan' and 'Kharch'
कम भुगतान वाला = Low paying (Income side) | कम खर्च वाला = Low cost (Expense side).

सावधानी: कम भुगतान वाले के साथ हमेशा संज्ञा (noun) का प्रयोग करें।

गलत: वे कम भुगतान वाला हैं। | सही: वे कम भुगतान वाले कर्मचारी हैं।

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While कम भुगतान वाला is a widely used and versatile term, Hindi offers several alternatives depending on the register (formal vs. informal) and the specific nuance you wish to convey. 1. **अल्प-वेतन (Alp-vetan):** This is a highly formal, Sanskritized term. 'Alp' means 'small/little' and 'Vetan' means 'salary'. You will find this in government documents, academic papers, and formal news reports. It is less common in daily conversation but essential for B2/C1 level proficiency. 2. **कम पैसे वाला (Kam paise vālā):** This is the more colloquial, everyday version. 'Paise' literally means 'money'. It is used in casual settings among friends and family. For example, 'यह कम पैसे वाली नौकरी है' (This is a low-money job). It sounds less professional than 'kam bhugtan vālā'. 3. **मामूली वेतन वाला (Māmūlī vetan vālā):** 'Māmūlī' means 'nominal' or 'insignificant'. This phrase emphasizes that the salary is so low it is almost negligible. It carries a slightly more negative or dismissive tone. 4. **न्यूनतम मजदूरी वाला (Nyūntam majdūrī vālā):** This specifically refers to 'minimum wage' work. 'Nyūntam' means 'minimum' and 'Majdūrī' means 'daily wages/labor'. Use this when discussing legal standards or manual labor. 5. **बिना फायदे वाला (Binā fāyde vālā):** While it literally means 'without profit/benefit', it is sometimes used to describe work that doesn't pay well enough to be worthwhile. Comparing these: 'Kam bhugtan vālā' is the 'Goldilocks' term—not too formal like 'Alp-vetan', and not too casual like 'Kam paise vālā'. It is the standard term used in professional yet accessible Hindi.
Comparison Table
कम भुगतान वाला: Standard/Professional | अल्प-वेतन: Highly Formal/Academic | कम पैसे वाला: Informal/Colloquial | मामूली: Emphasizes insignificance.

सरकारी रिपोर्ट में इसे अल्प-वेतन श्रेणी में रखा गया है। (In the government report, it has been kept in the low-salary category.)

दोस्त से: यार, यह बहुत कम पैसे वाला काम है। (To a friend: Buddy, this is a very low-money job.)

Antonyms
उच्च भुगतान वाला (High-paying) | अच्छा वेतन वाला (Good salary) | आकर्षक (Attractive/Lucrative).

वह एक उच्च भुगतान वाली नौकरी की तलाश में है। (She is looking for a high-paying job.)

यह एक मामूली सा काम है। (This is a very minor/low-paid task.)

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How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word 'Bhugtan' originally referred to the completion of an experience or the settling of a debt, not just a salary. This is why it sounds more formal and 'final' than just 'paise' (money).

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kəm bʱʊɡ.t̪aːn vɑː.lɑː/
US /kəm bʊɡ.tɑːn vɑː.lɑː/
Primary stress is on the first syllable of 'bhugtan' (bhug-) and the first syllable of 'wala' (wa-).
Rhymes With
काम (kaam) नाम (naam) दाम (daam) सलाम (salaam) इनाम (inaam) तमाम (tamaam) आराम (aaraam) लगाम (lagaam)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 'Bh' as a simple 'B'.
  • Pronouncing 't' as an alveolar 't' (like 'tea') instead of a dental 't' (tip of tongue to teeth).
  • Using a short 'a' in 'wala' instead of a long 'aa'.
  • Confusing 'v' with a hard 'w'.
  • Misplacing the stress on 'kam'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to read if you know the components, but looks long.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct gender/number agreement which can be tricky.

Speaking 3/5

Phonetically straightforward but needs practice with the 'bh' sound.

Listening 3/5

Common in news and formal talk, easy to distinguish.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

कम (kam) काम (kaam) पैसा (paisa) देना (dena) वाला (wala)

Learn Next

वेतन (vetan) मजदूरी (majduri) शोषण (shoshan) अर्थव्यवस्था (arthvyavastha) न्यूनतम (nyuntam)

Advanced

अल्प-वेतन (alp-vetan) पारिश्रमिक (parishramik) मानदेय (maandey) भत्ता (bhatta) असंगठित क्षेत्र (asangathit kshetra)

Grammar to Know

Adjectival Agreement with 'Wala'

कम भुगतान वाला (M.S.), कम भुगतान वाली (F.S./P.), कम भुगतान वाले (M.P./Oblique).

Oblique Case Transition

कम भुगतान वाला काम -> कम भुगतान वाले काम में (due to 'mein').

Compound Adjective Formation

Using 'Noun + Wala' to create descriptive phrases.

Position of Adjectives

The adjective phrase always precedes the noun it modifies.

Comparison with 'Se'

यह नौकरी उस नौकरी से कम भुगतान वाली है।

Examples by Level

1

यह कम भुगतान वाला काम है।

This is a low-paid task.

Simple subject-predicate structure.

2

मुझे कम भुगतान वाली नौकरी नहीं चाहिए।

I do not want a low-paying job.

'Wali' matches the feminine 'Naukri'.

3

क्या वह कम भुगतान वाला है?

Is that low-paying?

Interrogative sentence.

4

यह एक कम भुगतान वाली जगह है।

This is a low-paying place.

'Jagah' (place) is feminine, so 'Wali'.

5

वहाँ कम भुगतान वाले लोग रहते हैं।

Low-paid people live there.

'Log' is plural, so 'Wale'.

6

कम भुगतान वाला काम मुश्किल होता है।

Low-paid work is difficult.

General statement.

7

मेरा भाई कम भुगतान वाला काम करता है।

My brother does low-paid work.

Present simple tense.

8

यह कम भुगतान वाला क्षेत्र है।

This is a low-paid sector.

'Kshetra' (sector) is masculine.

1

शहर में कई कम भुगतान वाली नौकरियाँ हैं।

There are many low-paying jobs in the city.

Plural feminine agreement.

2

वह कम भुगतान वाले काम से खुश नहीं है।

He is not happy with the low-paid work.

'Wale' used because of postposition 'se'.

3

क्या आप कम भुगतान वाली नौकरी करेंगे?

Will you do a low-paying job?

Future tense.

4

हमें कम भुगतान वाले मजदूरों की मदद करनी चाहिए।

We should help low-paid laborers.

Oblique plural agreement.

5

यह कम भुगतान वाला काम बहुत थका देने वाला है।

This low-paid work is very tiring.

Descriptive adjectives.

6

उसने कम भुगतान वाली नौकरी छोड़ दी।

She left the low-paying job.

Past tense.

7

कम भुगतान वाले काम में समय ज्यादा लगता है।

Low-paid work takes more time.

'Wale' with postposition 'mein'.

8

मेरे पास सिर्फ कम भुगतान वाला विकल्प है।

I only have a low-paying option.

Masculine singular agreement.

1

शिक्षण को अक्सर एक कम भुगतान वाला पेशा माना जाता है।

Teaching is often considered a low-paid profession.

Passive construction with 'maana jaata hai'.

2

कम भुगतान वाली नौकरियों के कारण लोग पलायन कर रहे हैं।

People are migrating because of low-paying jobs.

Causal relationship using 'ke kaaran'.

3

यदि यह कम भुगतान वाला काम है, तो मैं इसे नहीं करूँगा।

If this is a low-paid task, then I won't do it.

Conditional 'Yadi... toh' sentence.

4

सरकार कम भुगतान वाले क्षेत्रों में सुधार करना चाहती है।

The government wants to improve low-paid sectors.

Infinitive 'sudhaar karna'.

5

कम भुगतान वाले कर्मचारियों को अक्सर बोनस नहीं मिलता।

Low-paid employees often do not get a bonus.

Negative habitual present.

6

क्या आपने कभी कम भुगतान वाली परियोजना पर काम किया है?

Have you ever worked on a low-paying project?

Present perfect interrogative.

7

यह कम भुगतान वाली नौकरी मेरे खर्चों के लिए पर्याप्त नहीं है।

This low-paying job is not enough for my expenses.

Agreement with 'Naukri'.

8

कम भुगतान वाले काम में विकास की संभावना कम होती है।

There is less possibility of growth in low-paid work.

Abstract noun 'sambhavna'.

1

अर्थव्यवस्था में कम भुगतान वाले रोजगार की भरमार है।

There is a glut of low-paid employment in the economy.

Use of 'bharmaar' (abundance/glut).

2

कम भुगतान वाली अर्थव्यवस्था में क्रय शक्ति कम हो जाती है।

In a low-paid economy, purchasing power decreases.

Economic terminology 'kray shakti'.

3

श्रमिक संघ कम भुगतान वाले ढाँचे के खिलाफ विरोध कर रहे हैं।

Labor unions are protesting against the low-paid structure.

Compound noun 'shramik sangh'.

4

उन्होंने कम भुगतान वाली भूमिका को एक चुनौती के रूप में स्वीकार किया।

He accepted the low-paying role as a challenge.

Phrase 'ke roop mein' (as a).

5

कम भुगतान वाले पदों पर काम करने वालों की स्थिति दयनीय है।

The condition of those working in low-paid positions is pitiable.

Genitive construction 'waalo ki sthiti'.

6

क्या कम भुगतान वाला काम हमेशा शोषण का प्रतीक होता है?

Is low-paid work always a symbol of exploitation?

Philosophical inquiry.

7

हमें इस कम भुगतान वाली मानसिकता को बदलना होगा।

We must change this low-paying mindset.

Abstract usage of 'maansikta'.

8

कम भुगतान वाले काम के बावजूद, वह बहुत मेहनती है।

Despite the low-paid work, he is very hardworking.

Contrast using 'ke baavjood'.

1

यह नीति कम भुगतान वाले श्रम पर निर्भरता को बढ़ावा देती है।

This policy encourages reliance on low-paid labor.

Formal vocabulary 'shram' and 'nirbharta'.

2

कम भुगतान वाली नौकरियों का जाल अक्सर गरीबी चक्र को बनाए रखता है।

The trap of low-paying jobs often sustains the cycle of poverty.

Metaphorical 'jaal' (trap/web).

3

वैश्वीकरण ने कुछ क्षेत्रों को कम भुगतान वाला बना दिया है।

Globalization has made some sectors low-paying.

Causative sense 'bana diya hai'.

4

कम भुगतान वाले कार्यबल का कौशल विकास एक बड़ी चुनौती है।

Skill development of the low-paid workforce is a major challenge.

Compound noun 'karyabal' (workforce).

5

इस शोध पत्र में कम भुगतान वाली श्रेणियों का विश्लेषण किया गया है।

This research paper analyzes low-paying categories.

Academic passive voice.

6

कम भुगतान वाले अनुबंधों में अक्सर सामाजिक सुरक्षा की कमी होती है।

Low-paid contracts often lack social security.

Formal term 'anubandh' (contract).

7

वह कम भुगतान वाली वास्तविकता से भागना चाहता है।

He wants to escape the low-paying reality.

Abstract noun 'vaastavikta'.

8

कम भुगतान वाले बाज़ार में प्रतिस्पर्धा बहुत अधिक है।

Competition is very high in the low-paid market.

Economic context 'pratispardha'.

1

कम भुगतान वाली अर्थव्यवस्था का संरचनात्मक विश्लेषण अनिवार्य है।

A structural analysis of a low-paid economy is essential.

Highly formal academic Hindi.

2

क्या कम भुगतान वाला श्रम आधुनिक दासता का एक स्वरूप है?

Is low-paid labor a form of modern slavery?

Rhetorical/Philosophical question.

3

कम भुगतान वाली प्रवृत्तियाँ सामाजिक स्थिरता के लिए खतरा हैं।

Low-paying trends are a threat to social stability.

Plural feminine 'pravrittiyan'.

4

इस क्षेत्र का कम भुगतान वाला स्वरूप निवेश को बाधित करता है।

The low-paying nature of this sector hinders investment.

Advanced verb 'baadhit karna'.

5

कम भुगतान वाले प्रतिमानों को बदलने के लिए क्रांतिकारी सुधार चाहिए।

Revolutionary reforms are needed to change low-paid paradigms.

Loan word 'pratimaan' (paradigm).

6

पूँजीवाद अक्सर कम भुगतान वाले श्रम की उपलब्धता पर फलता-फूलता है।

Capitalism often thrives on the availability of low-paid labor.

Critical theory terminology.

7

कम भुगतान वाली नौकरियों की व्यापकता एक वैश्विक संकट है।

The prevalence of low-paying jobs is a global crisis.

Abstract noun 'vyaapakta'.

8

कम भुगतान वाले वर्गों का सशक्तिकरण ही वास्तविक विकास है।

The empowerment of low-paid classes is true development.

Political slogan style.

Synonyms

अल्प-वेतन कम पैसे वाला मामूली वेतन वाला न्यूनतम मजदूरी वाला कम आय वाला सस्ता श्रम गरीब छोटा

Antonyms

उच्च भुगतान वाला अच्छे वेतन वाला आकर्षक महंगा

Common Collocations

कम भुगतान वाली नौकरी
कम भुगतान वाला क्षेत्र
कम भुगतान वाले कर्मचारी
कम भुगतान वाला पेशा
कम भुगतान वाली श्रेणी
कम भुगतान वाला अनुबंध
कम भुगतान वाला बाज़ार
कम भुगतान वाली अर्थव्यवस्था
कम भुगतान वाली भूमिका
कम भुगतान वाला विकल्प

Common Phrases

कम भुगतान वाला काम

— Work that pays very little.

यह कम भुगतान वाला काम मेरी जरूरतों को पूरा नहीं करता।

कम भुगतान वाले घंटे

— Hours of work that are not well compensated.

वह कई कम भुगतान वाले घंटों तक मेहनत करता है।

कम भुगतान वाली सेवा

— A service provided for a low fee.

यह एक कम भुगतान वाली सेवा है।

कम भुगतान वाले पद

— Job positions that have a low salary scale.

कंपनी में कई कम भुगतान वाले पद खाली हैं।

कम भुगतान वाला स्तर

— A low level of payment/remuneration.

यहाँ भुगतान का स्तर बहुत कम है।

कम भुगतान वाली परियोजना

— A project with a small budget or fee.

फ्रीलांसर अक्सर कम भुगतान वाली परियोजनाएँ नहीं लेते।

कम भुगतान वाले लाभ

— Benefits associated with low-paying roles (often ironic).

कम भुगतान वाले काम में कोई खास लाभ नहीं हैं।

कम भुगतान वाली मज़दूरी

— Low daily wages.

गाँव में कम भुगतान वाली मज़दूरी पर लोग काम करते हैं।

कम भुगतान वाला मज़दूर

— A low-paid laborer.

वह एक कम भुगतान वाला मज़दूर है।

कम भुगतान वाली स्थिति

— A low-paying financial situation.

मैं इस कम भुगतान वाली स्थिति से निकलना चाहता हूँ।

Often Confused With

कम भुगतान वाला vs सस्ता (sasta)

Sasta means cheap for objects. Using it for work can be rude.

कम भुगतान वाला vs कम खर्च वाला (kam kharch wala)

Means low-cost/economical. Refers to spending, not earning.

कम भुगतान वाला vs छोटा (chota)

Means small. Can imply low pay but is vague and sometimes insulting.

Idioms & Expressions

"कौड़ियों के दाम काम करना"

— To work for pennies; to work for almost nothing.

वह आजकल कौड़ियों के दाम काम कर रहा है।

Informal/Idiomatic
"पेट काटना"

— To starve oneself or cut expenses severely due to low pay.

कम भुगतान वाले काम की वजह से उसे पेट काटना पड़ता है।

Common Idiom
"खून-पसीना एक करना"

— To work extremely hard (often used in the context of low pay).

वह कम भुगतान वाले काम के लिए खून-पसीना एक कर रहा है।

General
"हाथ तंग होना"

— To be tight on money/broke due to low income.

कम भुगतान वाली नौकरी की वजह से मेरा हाथ तंग रहता है।

Colloquial
"नाम मात्र का वेतन"

— Salary in name only; a very small amount.

उसे नाम मात्र का वेतन मिलता है।

Formal
"ऊँट के मुँह में जीरा"

— A drop in the ocean; something insufficient (like a small pay for a lot of work).

उसकी मेहनत के आगे यह भुगतान ऊँट के मुँह में जीरे जैसा है।

Proverb
"दिन-रात एक करना"

— To work day and night.

कम भुगतान वाले काम के लिए वह दिन-रात एक कर देता है।

Common
"गुज़ारा करना"

— To barely manage or survive.

कम भुगतान वाली नौकरी में गुज़ारा करना मुश्किल है।

Neutral
"मुफ्त के भाव"

— Almost for free (used for labor).

वह मुफ्त के भाव काम करवा रहे हैं।

Informal
"धूल फाँकना"

— To wander in search of work or struggle financially.

कम भुगतान वाले काम छोड़ने के बाद वह धूल फाँक रहा है।

Metaphorical

Easily Confused

कम भुगतान वाला vs वेतन (vetan)

Both relate to pay.

'Bhugtan' is any payment/settlement, 'Vetan' is specifically a monthly salary.

मेरा वेतन कम है vs यह कम भुगतान वाला प्रोजेक्ट है।

कम भुगतान वाला vs मजदूरी (majduri)

Both relate to pay.

'Majduri' is daily wages for manual labor. 'Bhugtan' is broader.

उसकी मजदूरी कम है।

कम भुगतान वाला vs आय (aay)

Both relate to money earned.

'Aay' is total income (from all sources). 'Bhugtan' is the specific payment for a task.

मेरी वार्षिक आय कम है।

कम भुगतान वाला vs कीमत (keemat)

Both mean 'price/value'.

'Keemat' is the price of an object. 'Bhugtan' is the act of paying for labor.

इस किताब की कीमत कम है।

कम भुगतान वाला vs मुफ्त (muft)

Opposite of paid.

Low-paid is still paid; 'muft' is free.

यह काम मुफ्त नहीं है, बस कम भुगतान वाला है।

Sentence Patterns

A1

यह [Noun] कम भुगतान वाला है।

यह काम कम भुगतान वाला है।

A2

वह कम भुगतान वाली [Noun] करता है।

वह कम भुगतान वाली नौकरी करता है।

B1

[Noun] एक कम भुगतान वाला पेशा है।

खेती एक कम भुगतान वाला पेशा है।

B1

कम भुगतान वाले [Noun] को [Verb] चाहिए।

कम भुगतान वाले मजदूरों को अधिकार मिलना चाहिए।

B2

कम भुगतान वाली [Noun] के कारण [Result] है।

कम भुगतान वाली नौकरियों के कारण गरीबी है।

C1

[Policy] कम भुगतान वाले [Noun] पर आधारित है।

यह मॉडल कम भुगतान वाले श्रम पर आधारित है।

C2

क्या [Noun] कम भुगतान वाली वास्तविकता का परिणाम है?

क्या यह हड़ताल कम भुगतान वाली वास्तविकता का परिणाम है?

B2

यद्यपि यह कम भुगतान वाला है, फिर भी...

यद्यपि यह कम भुगतान वाला है, फिर भी मैं इसे करूँगा।

Word Family

Nouns

भुगतान (bhugtān - payment)
भुगतानकर्ता (bhugtānkartā - payer)
भुगतान-प्रणाली (bhugtān-praṇālī - payment system)

Verbs

भुगतान करना (bhugtān karnā - to pay)
भुगतान पाना (bhugtān pānā - to receive payment)

Adjectives

भुगतान योग्य (bhugtān yogya - payable)
भुगतान शुदा (bhugtān shudā - paid)

Related

वेतन (vetan - salary)
मजदूरी (majduri - wages)
आय (aay - income)
महंगाई (mahangai - inflation)
गरीबी (garibi - poverty)

How to Use It

frequency

High in economic and social contexts.

Common Mistakes
  • कम भुगतान वाला नौकरी कम भुगतान वाली नौकरी

    Naukri is feminine, so the suffix must be 'wali'.

  • सस्ता काम कम भुगतान वाला काम

    'Sasta' is for objects; 'Kam bhugtan wala' is for labor/pay.

  • कम भुगतान वाला में... कम भुगतान वाले में...

    When a postposition like 'mein' follows, 'wala' changes to 'wale' (oblique case).

  • कम खर्च वाला नौकरी कम भुगतान वाली नौकरी

    'Kharch' is expense; 'Bhugtan' is payment received.

  • वे कम भुगतान वाला हैं। वे कम भुगतान वाले कर्मचारी हैं।

    The adjective needs a noun to modify, and must be plural 'wale' for 've' (they).

Tips

Master the Suffix

Learn how 'wala' functions. It is one of the most useful suffixes in Hindi for creating adjectives on the fly.

Pair with Nouns

Always keep a list of common nouns that go with this phrase, like 'kaam', 'naukri', 'pesha', and 'kshetra'.

News Exposure

Watch Hindi news reports on labor or the economy to hear this phrase used in real-time.

The 'Bh' Sound

Focus on the voiced aspirated 'Bh'. It is a signature sound of Hindi that English speakers often struggle with.

Formal Writing

In very formal essays, try swapping this with 'अल्प-वेतन' to show off your advanced vocabulary.

Check the Noun

Before you speak, identify if the noun is masculine or feminine. This is the #1 mistake with this phrase.

Be Respectful

Use this term when discussing the financial struggles of others to remain empathetic and professional.

Use with Idioms

Combine it with idioms like 'pet kaatna' to sound more like a native speaker.

Compare and Contrast

Use 'se' to compare different jobs. It’s a great way to practice B1 level grammar.

Daily Sentences

Try to make one sentence a day about your work or a job you see in your city using this phrase.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Kam' as 'Calm' (but low energy/money), 'Bhugtan' sounds like 'Book-Tan' (paying for a book), and 'Wala' is like 'Wall-ah' (the one at the wall). A 'Calm Book-Tan Wall-ah' is a low-paid worker.

Visual Association

Imagine a very small paycheck (Kam Bhugtan) being handed to a person (Wala). The smallness of the check is the key visual.

Word Web

काम (Work) पैसा (Money) नौकरी (Job) मजदूर (Laborer) वेतन (Salary) गरीबी (Poverty) मेहनत (Hard work) बचत (Savings)

Challenge

Try to describe three different jobs in your city using 'कम भुगतान वाला' and 'उच्च भुगतान वाला' while ensuring correct gender agreement.

Word Origin

The phrase is a combination of Hindi/Persian and Sanskrit roots. 'Kam' comes from Persian 'kam' (little/few). 'Bhugtan' is derived from the Sanskrit root 'bhuj' meaning to enjoy or consume, which evolved into the concept of 'settlement' or 'payment'. 'Wala' is an Indo-Aryan suffix used to denote possession or agency.

Original meaning: Low (kam) settlement/enjoyment (bhugtan) having (wala).

Indo-Aryan (Hindi) with Persian influence.

Cultural Context

Always use 'कम भुगतान वाला' instead of 'सस्ता' (cheap) when referring to a person's labor to avoid being offensive.

Similar to 'low-wage worker' or 'working poor' in English-speaking countries, but with a specific focus on the transactional nature of the pay.

Used in Bollywood films like 'Peepli Live' to describe rural poverty. Commonly found in the writings of Premchand, who depicted the life of the low-paid peasantry. Frequent in the speeches of Indian labor leaders like B.R. Ambedkar.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Job Search

  • क्या यह कम भुगतान वाली नौकरी है?
  • मैं कम भुगतान वाला काम नहीं चाहता।
  • शुरुआत में कम भुगतान वाला काम मिलता है।
  • कम भुगतान वाले विज्ञापनों से बचें।

News/Economy

  • कम भुगतान वाले क्षेत्रों में संकट।
  • मजदूरों को कम भुगतान वाला वेतन मिल रहा है।
  • कम भुगतान वाली अर्थव्यवस्था का प्रभाव।
  • कम भुगतान वाले पदों में कटौती।

Personal Finance

  • मेरी नौकरी कम भुगतान वाली है।
  • कम भुगतान वाले काम में बचत नहीं होती।
  • कम भुगतान वाली स्थिति से कैसे निकलें?
  • यह काम बहुत कम भुगतान वाला है।

Sociology

  • कम भुगतान वाले वर्गों का संघर्ष।
  • कम भुगतान वाला श्रम और गरीबी।
  • कम भुगतान वाली नौकरियों में महिलाएँ।
  • कम भुगतान वाले ढाँचे में बदलाव।

Contracts

  • कम भुगतान वाला अनुबंध।
  • कम भुगतान वाली शर्तें।
  • कम भुगतान वाला प्रोजेक्ट।
  • कम भुगतान वाली फीस।

Conversation Starters

"क्या आपको लगता है कि भारत में शिक्षण एक कम भुगतान वाला पेशा है?"

"आपने अपनी पहली कम भुगतान वाली नौकरी में क्या सीखा?"

"क्या आप किसी कम भुगतान वाले काम को अनुभव के लिए स्वीकार करेंगे?"

"कम भुगतान वाले क्षेत्रों में सुधार के लिए सरकार को क्या करना चाहिए?"

"क्या आपके देश में भी कुछ क्षेत्र बहुत कम भुगतान वाले माने जाते हैं?"

Journal Prompts

अपनी किसी ऐसी नौकरी के बारे में लिखें जो बहुत कम भुगतान वाली थी।

क्या कम भुगतान वाला काम हमेशा बुरा होता है? अपने विचार व्यक्त करें।

यदि आपको एक कम भुगतान वाला लेकिन पसंदीदा काम मिले, तो क्या आप उसे करेंगे?

कम भुगतान वाली अर्थव्यवस्था समाज को कैसे प्रभावित करती है?

भविष्य में कम भुगतान वाले रोजगार की स्थिति क्या होगी?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It can be used for both. You can say 'कम भुगतान वाला काम' (low-paid work) or 'कम भुगतान वाले कर्मचारी' (low-paid employees). The meaning shifts slightly to describe either the task or the person performing it.

'Alp-vetan' is very formal and mostly used in writing or official reports. 'Kam bhugtan wala' is the standard term used in speech and news. Both mean low-paid.

Yes, because 'नौकरी' (naukri - job) is a feminine noun in Hindi. So it must always be 'कम भुगतान वाली नौकरी'.

No, for a cheap product, use 'सस्ता' (sasta). 'कम भुगतान वाला' is specifically for labor, services, or projects where someone is being paid.

No, it is a factual and professional way to describe low pay. It is much more polite than saying 'sasta' or 'chota'.

You can say 'सबसे कम भुगतान वाला' (sabse kam bhugtan wala).

Not usually. 'Bhugtan' implies a formal settlement of dues. For tips, use 'Inaam' or just 'Paise'.

Yes, to describe a 'low-wage country' in an economic context.

For masculine nouns, it is 'कम भुगतान वाले' (kam bhugtan wale). For feminine nouns, it remains 'कम भुगतान वाली' (kam bhugtan wali).

Yes, it is often used in movies that deal with social issues, poverty, or the struggles of the common man.

Test Yourself 192 questions

writing

Translate into Hindi: 'I don't like low-paid work.'

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writing

Translate into Hindi: 'She is doing a low-paying job.'

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writing

Write a sentence using 'कम भुगतान वाले कर्मचारी'.

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writing

Translate into Hindi: 'This is a low-paid sector.'

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writing

Use 'कम भुगतान वाली' with the word 'परियोजना' (project).

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writing

Translate into English: 'कम भुगतान वाले काम में विकास नहीं है।'

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writing

Write a formal sentence about 'Alp-vetan'.

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writing

Translate into Hindi: 'Are you happy with this low-paid job?'

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writing

Write a sentence comparing two jobs using 'kam bhugtan wala'.

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writing

Translate into Hindi: 'The lowest paid workers are here.'

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writing

Translate into Hindi: 'I want to leave this low-paid reality.'

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writing

Use 'कम भुगतान वाले' in a sentence with 'mein' (in).

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writing

Translate into Hindi: 'Teaching is a low-paid profession.'

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writing

Translate into English: 'कम भुगतान वाली अर्थव्यवस्था खतरनाक है।'

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writing

Write a sentence using 'कम भुगतान वाला विकल्प'.

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writing

Translate into Hindi: 'Low-paid labor is a problem.'

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writing

Use 'कम भुगतान वाली' with 'मजदूरी'.

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writing

Translate into Hindi: 'They are helping low-paid people.'

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writing

Write a sentence about a 'low-paid contract'.

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writing

Translate into Hindi: 'Why is this job low-paid?'

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speaking

Say 'Low-paid job' in Hindi with correct feminine agreement.

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speaking

Explain why 'naukri' takes 'wali' and 'kaam' takes 'wala'.

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speaking

Describe your first job using 'कम भुगतान वाला'.

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speaking

Ask someone if their job is low-paid.

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speaking

Pronounce 'Bhugtan' correctly focusing on the 'Bh' sound.

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speaking

Use 'कम भुगतान वाला' in a sentence about the economy.

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speaking

Tell a friend not to take a low-paying job.

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speaking

Explain the difference between 'sasta' and 'kam bhugtan wala'.

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speaking

Use the word 'Alp-vetan' in a formal sentence.

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speaking

Say 'The workers are low-paid' in Hindi.

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speaking

Express dissatisfaction with pay using 'Kam bhugtan wala'.

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speaking

Talk about a low-paid sector in your country.

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speaking

Ask a career counselor about low-paying professions.

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speaking

Use 'wala' to describe a person who is low-paid.

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speaking

Practice the oblique form in 'कम भुगतान वाले काम में'.

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speaking

Say 'I don't want a low-paid internship.'

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speaking

Discuss the 'minimum wage' using 'Nyuntam Majduri'.

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speaking

Use 'sabse' to say 'the lowest paid project'.

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speaking

Describe a character in a book who is low-paid.

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speaking

Explain the mnemonic 'Calm Book-Tan Wall-ah'.

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listening

Listen and write down: 'कम भुगतान वाली नौकरी'

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listening

Identify the phrase in: 'आजकल बहुत से लोग कम भुगतान वाले काम कर रहे हैं।'

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listening

Is the speaker talking about a job or a person? 'वह कम भुगतान वाला है।'

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listening

What number of payments is mentioned? 'कम भुगतान'

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listening

Listen for the gender: 'कम भुगतान वाली...'

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listening

Transcribe the full sentence: 'यह एक कम भुगतान वाला क्षेत्र है।'

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listening

What is the formal word heard? 'अल्प-वेतन'

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listening

Identify the postposition after the phrase: 'कम भुगतान वाले काम से...'

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listening

Does the speaker sound happy or sad about the 'bhugtan'?

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listening

What is the noun being described? 'कम भुगतान वाले मजदूर'

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listening

Listen and identify the error: 'कम भुगतान वाला नौकरियाँ'

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listening

What category is mentioned? 'कम भुगतान वाली श्रेणी'

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listening

Is it 'Kam' or 'Kaam' first? 'कम भुगतान वाला'

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listening

Identify the plural: 'कम भुगतान वाले कर्मचारी'

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listening

Translate the heard sentence: 'यह बहुत कम भुगतान वाला है।'

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/ 192 correct

Perfect score!

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