कमाई in 30 Seconds
- Kamai is a feminine Hindi noun meaning 'earnings' or 'income' derived from the verb 'Kamana'.
- It is used in daily life for personal income and in business for profits or box office collections.
- Grammatically, it requires feminine modifiers (e.g., 'acchi kamai', 'meri kamai') and is often associated with hard work.
- Synonyms include 'Aamdani' (common) and 'Aay' (formal), while 'Munafa' specifically refers to profit margins.
The Hindi word कमाई (Kamāī) is a feminine noun that primarily translates to 'earnings,' 'income,' or 'profit.' At its core, it represents the fruit of one's labor, whether that labor is physical, intellectual, or commercial. In the A2 level of Hindi learning, understanding 'Kamāī' is crucial because it moves beyond the simple verb 'Kamānā' (to earn) and introduces the concept of accumulated wealth or the result of an action.
- Linguistic Origin
- Derived from the Sanskrit root 'Karma' (action/work), evolving through Prakrit to the modern Hindi verb 'Kamānā'.
- Grammatical Gender
- Feminine. This is vital for adjective agreement (e.g., 'Achhi kamāī' - good earnings).
- Social Connotation
- Often associated with 'Mehnat' (hard work). To call something 'Mehnat ki kamāī' is a high compliment for honest wealth.
"ईमानदारी की कमाई में ही असली बरकत होती है।" (There is true blessing only in honest earnings.)
In a broader sense, 'Kamāī' isn't just about money. While 90% of the time it refers to financial gain, it can also refer to the 'earnings' of one's reputation or the 'results' of a long-term investment in relationships. For a learner, it is the bridge between talking about what you 'do' and what you 'have' as a result of that doing.
उसकी महीने की कमाई पचास हज़ार रुपये है।
The word carries a sense of sustainability. Unlike 'Inām' (prize) or 'Lottry' (lottery), 'Kamāī' implies a process. It is the steady stream of income that supports a household. When a shopkeeper talks about 'aaj ki kamāī', they are referring to the total profit or intake of that specific day.
- Contextual Usage
- Business: Profit/Turnover. Employment: Salary/Wages. Metaphorical: Merit/Good deeds.
इस फिल्म की कुल कमाई सौ करोड़ के पार हो गई।
Using कमाई correctly requires attention to its feminine gender and its role as a noun. Unlike the verb 'kamaana', which changes based on the subject, 'kamai' changes based on its role in the sentence (oblique cases) and governs the adjectives around it.
1. Possessive Structures
Since it is feminine, you must use 'ki' (की) when showing possession. For example, 'Ram's earnings' is 'Ram ki kamai'. Using 'ka' is a common mistake for beginners.
मेरी कमाई पिछले साल से बेहतर है। (My earnings are better than last year.)
2. Adjective Agreement
Adjectives must end in 'i' sounds to match 'kamai'. Words like 'acchi' (good), 'thodi' (little), 'bahut' (much), and 'gauravshali' (glorious) are common companions.
- अच्छी कमाई: Good income.
- मोटी कमाई: Fat/Large income (often used for high profits).
- हलाल की कमाई: Lawful/Honest earnings.
3. In Business Contexts
In a business setting, 'kamai' often replaces 'munafa' (profit) in casual conversation. While 'munafa' is technical, 'kamai' is what you'd say to a friend over tea.
त्योहारों के दौरान दुकानदारों की कमाई बढ़ जाती है। (During festivals, shopkeepers' earnings increase.)
4. Metaphorical Usage
You can 'earn' respect or 'earn' sins. In spiritual or social contexts, 'kamai' refers to the accumulation of non-monetary value.
- Punya ki Kamai
- The accumulation of spiritual merit through good deeds.
- Izzat ki Kamai
- The reputation earned through a lifetime of integrity.
You will encounter कमाई in various spheres of Indian life, from the bustling markets of Old Delhi to the high-rise corporate offices of Mumbai. It is a word that bridges the gap between the informal and formal economy.
1. In the Marketplace (Bazaar)
Street vendors and small business owners use this word daily. You might hear a vegetable seller say, "Aaj toh koi kamai nahi hui" (There was no earning today), reflecting the daily-wage nature of their work.
2. News and Media
Financial news channels frequently use 'kamai' when discussing stock market gains or the box office collections of Bollywood movies. Headlines like "Salman Khan ki film ki record-tod kamai" (Record-breaking earnings of Salman Khan's film) are very common.
शेयर बाज़ार में निवेशकों की भारी कमाई हुई। (Investors made huge earnings in the stock market.)
3. Household Conversations
In families, 'kamai' is often discussed in the context of budgeting and future planning. Parents might talk about 'bachon ki kamai' (children's earnings) once they start working.
4. Government and Tax
While formal documents use 'Aay' (Income), tax consultants and common people discussing taxes will use 'kamai' to refer to their taxable income.
Even intermediate learners often stumble when using कमाई. Here are the most frequent errors and how to avoid them.
1. Gender Confusion
The most common mistake is treating 'kamai' as masculine. Because it refers to money (Paisa - masculine), learners often say 'Mera kamai'.
गलत: मेरा कमाई कम है।
सही: मेरी कमाई कम है।
2. Confusing with 'Kamaana'
'Kamaana' is the verb (to earn), while 'Kamai' is the noun (earnings). You cannot use 'Kamai' as an action word.
- Incorrect: Main paisa kamai karta hoon.
- Correct: Main paisa kamata hoon. (Verb)
- Correct: Yeh meri kamai hai. (Noun)
3. Using it for 'Salary' only
While 'Kamai' includes salary, it is broader. If you specifically mean the fixed monthly amount from an employer, 'Vetan' or 'Salary' is better. 'Kamai' implies the total intake, including side hustles or business profits.
4. Pluralization Errors
In Hindi, 'Kamai' is often used in the singular to represent the collective income. While 'Kamaiyan' exists, it is rarely used in daily speech. Stick to 'Kamai' even when talking about multiple sources of income.
Hindi has several words for income and profit, each with a specific nuance. Understanding these will make your Hindi sound more natural and precise.
- आमदनी (Aamdani)
- A very common synonym, often used interchangeably with 'Kamai'. It sounds slightly more formal and is of Persian origin.
- आय (Aay)
- The formal, Sanskrit-derived word for 'Income'. You will see this on government forms, bank statements, and in textbooks.
- मुनाफा (Munafa)
- Specifically means 'Profit'. While 'Kamai' is general, 'Munafa' is what remains after expenses.
- लाभ (Labh)
- The Hindi/Sanskrit word for 'Benefit' or 'Profit'. Used in formal business and religious contexts (e.g., 'Shubh-Labh').
- वेतन (Vetan)
- Specifically 'Salary'. It is the fixed 'Kamai' an employee receives.
उसकी आमदनी अच्छी है, लेकिन व्यापार में मुनाफा कम है। (His income is good, but the profit in business is low.)
When choosing between these, use Kamai for everyday talk about what people earn through effort. Use Aay for statistics, and Munafa when specifically talking about the margin in a deal.
How Formal Is It?
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Difficulty Rating
Grammar to Know
Examples by Level
यह मेरी कमाई है।
This is my earning.
Uses 'meri' because 'kamai' is feminine.
आपकी कमाई कितनी है?
How much is your earning?
Question form using 'kitni' (feminine).
आज की कमाई अच्छी है।
Today's earning is good.
Adjective 'acchi' matches 'kamai'.
पापा की कमाई घर के लिए है।
Father's earning is for the house.
Possessive 'ki' used with 'Papa'.
कम कमाई, ज़्यादा खर्च।
Less earning, more expense.
Contrast between 'kamai' and 'kharch'.
क्या यह तुम्हारी कमाई है?
Is this your earning?
Informal 'tumhari'.
मेरी पहली कमाई।
My first earning.
Ordinal adjective 'pahli' (feminine).
उसकी कमाई कम है।
His/Her earning is less.
Simple descriptive sentence.
मेहनत की कमाई मीठी होती है।
The earning of hard work is sweet.
Metaphorical use of 'meethi' (sweet).
शहर में कमाई के बहुत साधन हैं।
There are many means of earning in the city.
Plural 'saadhan' (means).
वह अपनी पूरी कमाई बचा लेता है।
He saves his entire earning.
Verb 'bacha lena' (to save).
दुकान की रोज़ की कमाई बढ़ गई है।
The shop's daily earning has increased.
Compound possessive 'dukan ki roz ki'.
बिना काम के कमाई नहीं होती।
There is no earning without work.
Negative construction 'nahi hoti'.
क्या आपकी कमाई से घर चलता है?
Does the house run on your earning?
Idiomatic 'ghar chalna' (to sustain a household).
उसने अपनी कमाई से कार खरीदी।
He bought a car with his earning.
Instrumental use of 'se'.
ईमानदार आदमी की कमाई साफ़ होती है।
An honest man's earning is clean.
Adjective 'saaf' (clean/honest).
त्योहारों के समय बाज़ार में अच्छी कमाई होती है।
During festivals, there is good earning in the market.
Temporal phrase 'tyoharon ke samay'.
उसकी कमाई का मुख्य ज़रिया खेती है।
The main source of his earning is farming.
Noun 'zariya' (source/means).
महंगाई के कारण कमाई कम पड़ने लगी है।
Due to inflation, earnings have started to fall short.
Causal phrase 'ke kaaran'.
विदेश जाकर उसकी कमाई दोगुनी हो गई।
By going abroad, his earning doubled.
Adjective 'doguni' (double).
फिल्म ने पहले ही दिन रिकॉर्ड कमाई की।
The film made record earnings on the very first day.
Usage in entertainment industry.
अपनी कमाई का कुछ हिस्सा दान करना चाहिए।
One should donate a part of their earning.
Modal 'chahiye' (should).
वह अपनी कमाई का हिसाब डायरी में लिखता है।
He writes the account of his earning in a diary.
Noun 'hisab' (account/calculation).
ज़्यादा कमाई के चक्कर में उसने गलत रास्ता चुना।
In the greed for more earnings, he chose the wrong path.
Idiomatic 'ke chakkar mein' (in the pursuit of).
कंपनी की सालाना कमाई में दस प्रतिशत की गिरावट आई है।
There has been a ten percent drop in the company's annual earnings.
Formal term 'saalana' (annual).
भ्रष्टाचार से की गई कमाई कभी सुख नहीं देती।
Earnings made through corruption never give happiness.
Passive-like construction 'ki gayi kamai'.
उसने अपनी मेहनत की कमाई से यह आलीशान बंगला बनाया।
He built this luxurious bungalow with his hard-earned money.
Adjective 'aalishan' (luxurious).
डिजिटल मार्केटिंग आजकल कमाई का एक बड़ा क्षेत्र बन गया है।
Digital marketing has become a major field of earning these days.
Noun 'kshetra' (field/area).
लेखक के लिए पाठकों का प्यार ही उसकी असली कमाई है।
For a writer, the love of readers is his true earning.
Metaphorical use of 'asli kamai'.
सरकार कमाई पर टैक्स लगाकर देश का विकास करती है।
The government develops the country by levying tax on earnings.
Participle 'lagakar' (by applying).
शेयर बाज़ार में कमाई के साथ-साथ जोखिम भी होता है।
In the stock market, along with earnings, there is also risk.
Conjunction 'ke saath-saath' (along with).
उसने अपनी पूरी उम्र की कमाई बच्चों की शिक्षा पर लगा दी।
He spent his entire life's earnings on his children's education.
Phrase 'umr ki kamai' (life's earnings).
अनिश्चित बाज़ार में कमाई के स्थिर स्रोत ढूँढना चुनौतीपूर्ण है।
Finding stable sources of earning in an uncertain market is challenging.
Complex sentence with 'sthir srot' (stable sources).
इस योजना का उद्देश्य ग्रामीण महिलाओं की कमाई में वृद्धि करना है।
The objective of this scheme is to increase the earnings of rural women.
Formal 'vriddhi' (increase).
बौद्धिक संपदा से होने वाली कमाई पर नए कानून लागू होंगे।
New laws will apply to earnings derived from intellectual property.
Technical term 'bauddhik sampada'.
उसकी साहित्यिक कमाई ने उसे अमर बना दिया।
His literary earnings (works) made him immortal.
Abstract use of 'sahityik' (literary).
पूँजीवादी व्यवस्था में कमाई का असमान वितरण एक गंभीर समस्या है।
Inequitable distribution of earnings is a serious problem in a capitalist system.
Socio-economic terminology.
उसने अपनी कमाई का एक बड़ा हिस्सा चैरिटी ट्रस्ट को वसीयत कर दिया।
He bequeathed a large portion of his earnings to a charity trust.
Verb 'vasiyat karna' (to bequeath).
क्या केवल भौतिक कमाई ही जीवन की सफलता का पैमाना है?
Is only material earning the yardstick of life's success?
Philosophical inquiry.
तकनीकी नवाचारों ने कमाई के नए आयाम खोल दिए हैं।
Technological innovations have opened new dimensions of earning.
Metaphorical 'aayam' (dimensions).
साधु के लिए संतोष ही परम कमाई है।
For a sage, contentment is the ultimate earning.
Superlative 'param' (ultimate).
उसकी कृतियों की कमाई आज भी उसके वंशजों को रॉयल्टी के रूप में मिलती है।
The earnings from his works are still received by his descendants as royalty.
Legal/inheritance context.
राजनीतिक शुचिता के बिना सत्ता की कमाई व्यर्थ है।
Without political purity, the earnings (gains) of power are futile.
High-level political discourse.
प्राचीन काल में युद्ध की कमाई अक्सर लूट के माल पर निर्भर थी।
In ancient times, the earnings of war often depended on booty.
Historical analysis.
पारिस्थितिक तंत्र की रक्षा ही आने वाली पीढ़ियों की असली कमाई होगी।
Protecting the ecosystem will be the true earning for future generations.
Environmental philosophy.
उसने अपनी लेखनी से जो कमाई की, वह धन-दौलत से परे थी।
What he earned through his writing was beyond wealth and riches.
Relative clause 'jo... wah'.
वैश्विक अर्थव्यवस्था में कमाई के प्रतिमान तेज़ी से बदल रहे हैं।
Paradigms of earning are changing rapidly in the global economy.
Academic 'pratiman' (paradigms).
मानवीय मूल्यों की कमाई ही समाज को संगठित रखती है।
The earning (cultivation) of human values keeps society organized.
Sociological abstract.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
कमाई करना (To earn)
कमाई होना (To have earnings)
कमाई में बरकत (Blessing in earnings)
दो वक्त की कमाई (Earnings for two meals)
हाथ की कमाई (Earnings from manual labor)
कमाई का साधन (Means of earning)
कमाई पर निर्भर (Dependent on earnings)
कमाई का लेखा-जोखा (Account of earnings)
कमाई में गिरावट (Drop in earnings)
कमाई का अवसर (Opportunity to earn)
Often Confused With
Idioms & Expressions
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Easily Confused
Sentence Patterns
How to Use It
Kamai is more personal and effort-oriented than 'Aay'.
Very high in daily spoken Hindi.
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Kamai is feminine.
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Use the verb 'kamana' for the action of earning.
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Ensure the 'i' is long.
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Usually we say loss 'in' earnings.
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Don't use them redundantly; salary IS the earning.
Tips
Gender Check
Always remember 'Kamai' is feminine. Use 'ki' and 'acchi'. This is the most common mistake for beginners. Practice saying 'Meri kamai' ten times.
Synonym Power
Learn 'Aamdani' alongside 'Kamai'. They are like best friends in Hindi. Using both will make your vocabulary sound richer. You will hear both in movies and news.
Respect the Effort
When someone mentions 'Mehnat ki kamai', show respect. It's a value-laden phrase in India. It means the person is proud of their honesty. It's more than just a financial statement.
Daily Usage
Try using 'Kamai' when you talk about your day. Even if you are a student, your 'Kamai' could be the knowledge you gained. It's a great way to practice the word. Use it in your daily journal.
News Watch
Watch Hindi business news for 5 minutes. You will hear 'Kamai' at least three times. It's the best way to hear the natural pronunciation. Pay attention to the context of the word.
Sentence Building
Start with 'Meri kamai...' and add a description. For example, 'Meri kamai meri mehnat hai'. Simple sentences build confidence. Gradually add more complex adjectives.
Context Clues
If you hear 'Kamai' in a market, it's about profit. If you hear it in an office, it's about salary. The location changes the specific meaning slightly. Always look at the surroundings.
Idiom Alert
Learn 'Khoon-paseene ki kamai'. It means 'blood and sweat earnings'. It's a very powerful way to describe hard work. Use it to impress native speakers.
Safe Topics
Talk about 'Kamai' in general terms, not personal ones. Discussing the 'Kamai' of a famous movie is a safe conversation starter. It avoids being too personal or rude.
Regular Review
Review the word family: Kamana, Kamai, Kamau. Understanding how they relate helps you learn three words for one. It's an efficient way to expand your Hindi.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
KA-MA-I: 'KA' (Kaam/Work) leads to 'MA' (Maal/Money) which is 'I' (Income).
Word Origin
Cultural Context
Diwali is the primary festival for celebrating and praying for 'Kamai'.
The concept of 'Dasvandh' (giving 1/10th of kamai) is prevalent in Sikhism.
Avoid asking 'Aapki kamai kitni hai?' to strangers; it's considered rude.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Conversation Starters
"आपकी पहली कमाई क्या थी? (What was your first earning?)"
"क्या इस बिज़नेस में अच्छी कमाई है? (Is there good earning in this business?)"
"आजकल कमाई के नए तरीके क्या हैं? (What are the new ways of earning these days?)"
"क्या कमाई ही सब कुछ है? (Is earning everything?)"
"त्योहारों पर आपकी कमाई कैसी रहती है? (How are your earnings during festivals?)"
Journal Prompts
अपनी पहली कमाई का अनुभव लिखें। (Write about the experience of your first earning.)
ईमानदारी की कमाई क्यों ज़रूरी है? (Why is honest earning important?)
अगर आपकी कमाई दोगुनी हो जाए, तो आप क्या करेंगे? (If your earnings doubled, what would you do?)
क्या सोशल मीडिया कमाई का अच्छा ज़रिया है? (Is social media a good source of earning?)
मेरे जीवन की सबसे बड़ी कमाई (The biggest earning/achievement of my life).
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is feminine. You should say 'Meri kamai' and 'Acchi kamai'. This is because many Hindi nouns ending in 'i' are feminine. Always check the adjective ending to be sure. For example, 'Kitni kamai' not 'Kitna kamai'.
They are mostly synonyms. 'Kamai' is a native Hindi word and sounds more informal. 'Aamdani' comes from Persian and is very common in spoken Urdu-Hindi. You can use both interchangeably in most daily situations. However, 'Kamai' often emphasizes the effort behind the money.
Yes, you can. While 'Vetan' is the formal word for salary, 'Kamai' is a general term that includes salary. If someone asks about your 'Kamai', they are asking about all the money you bring in. It is very common to refer to one's paycheck as 'Kamai'.
The phrase is 'Mehnat ki kamai'. 'Mehnat' means hard work, and 'ki' is the possessive marker. This is a very common and respected phrase in India. It implies that the money was earned honestly and through struggle. People take great pride in their 'Mehnat ki kamai'.
Yes, it is the standard word used by the media. You will often see headlines like 'Dangal ki kamai' (Earnings of the movie Dangal). It refers to the box office collection. In this context, it represents the total gross revenue. It is a very popular usage in entertainment news.
Technically, the plural is 'Kamaiyan', but it is rarely used. Usually, 'Kamai' acts as a collective noun. If you want to talk about different sources, you'd say 'Kamai के अलग-अलग स्रोत' (Different sources of earning). Using the singular form is safer and more natural for learners.
Mostly yes, but it can be metaphorical. You can 'earn' respect (Izzat ki kamai) or good deeds (Punya ki kamai). In these cases, it refers to the 'accumulation' of something valuable. It suggests that these non-monetary things are also a form of wealth. This is a more advanced, literary way to use the word.
The direct opposite is 'Kharch' (Expense). While 'Kamai' is what comes in, 'Kharch' is what goes out. Another opposite in a business context is 'Nuksan' (Loss). If you are not earning, you might be losing money. Understanding this pair helps in financial conversations.
You can say 'Main apni kamai bachata hoon' (I save my earnings). Here, 'bachata' is the verb for saving. It shows that 'Kamai' is the object being saved. This is a very common A2 level sentence structure. It's useful for talking about financial habits.
It is a fundamental word for survival Hindi. You need it to talk about jobs, business, and daily life. It helps you move from simple verbs to more complex noun-based sentences. Knowing 'Kamai' allows you to participate in basic economic social interactions. It is a high-frequency word in any Hindi-speaking environment.
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Summary
Kamai (कमाई) is the essential Hindi term for 'earnings.' It encompasses everything from a daily wage to corporate profits. Remember it is a feminine noun, so always use 'ki' and feminine adjectives. It carries a strong cultural sense of 'reward for effort.'
- Kamai is a feminine Hindi noun meaning 'earnings' or 'income' derived from the verb 'Kamana'.
- It is used in daily life for personal income and in business for profits or box office collections.
- Grammatically, it requires feminine modifiers (e.g., 'acchi kamai', 'meri kamai') and is often associated with hard work.
- Synonyms include 'Aamdani' (common) and 'Aay' (formal), while 'Munafa' specifically refers to profit margins.
Gender Check
Always remember 'Kamai' is feminine. Use 'ki' and 'acchi'. This is the most common mistake for beginners. Practice saying 'Meri kamai' ten times.
Synonym Power
Learn 'Aamdani' alongside 'Kamai'. They are like best friends in Hindi. Using both will make your vocabulary sound richer. You will hear both in movies and news.
Respect the Effort
When someone mentions 'Mehnat ki kamai', show respect. It's a value-laden phrase in India. It means the person is proud of their honesty. It's more than just a financial statement.
Daily Usage
Try using 'Kamai' when you talk about your day. Even if you are a student, your 'Kamai' could be the knowledge you gained. It's a great way to practice the word. Use it in your daily journal.
Related Content
Related Phrases
More work words
आचार संहिता
B1A set of rules outlining the responsibilities of, or proper practices for, an individual or organization.
आगे बढ़ाना
A2To make progress; to promote or advance something.
आहरित करना
B1To withdraw money; to take money out of an account.
आहिस्ता-आहिस्ता
B1Slowly, gradually; at a slow pace; in a gentle or unhurried manner.
आजीविका
B1Livelihood; a means of securing the necessities of life.
आंकड़े इकट्ठा करना
B1To gather facts and statistics for analysis.
आलेख तैयार करना
B1To draft a document; to prepare a written piece.
आलस्य से
B1Lazily; in a way that shows a lack of effort or enthusiasm.
आमदनी
A2Income, earnings
आने वाला कल
B1On the day after today.
