कमीज़ in 30 Seconds
- कमीज़ (Kamiiz) means 'shirt' in Hindi and is a feminine noun.
- It is used for both formal Western shirts and traditional Indian tunics.
- Adjectives and possessives must agree with its feminine gender (e.g., मेरी कमीज़).
- The plural form is 'कमीज़ें' (direct) and 'कमीज़ों' (oblique).
The Hindi word कमीज़ (Kamiiz) is a fundamental noun in the Hindi language, primarily used to denote a 'shirt'. While it is a common everyday term, its linguistic journey and grammatical behavior offer a rich tapestry for learners. In the gender-binary system of Hindi grammar, कमीज़ is classified as a feminine noun. This is a crucial distinction for beginners, as it dictates the form of accompanying adjectives and verbs. For instance, you would say 'नीली कमीज़' (blue shirt) rather than 'नीला कमीज़', because the adjective must agree with the feminine gender of the noun.
- Grammatical Gender
- Feminine (स्त्रीलिंग). This affects possessives (मेरी कमीज़) and adjectives (लंबी कमीज़).
- Etymological Root
- Derived from the Arabic 'qamīṣ', which entered Hindi through Persian and was further influenced by the Portuguese 'camisa'.
- Plural Form
- कमीज़ें (Kamiizen) in the direct case; कमीज़ों (Kamiizon) in the oblique case.
"यह कमीज़ सूती कपड़े से बनी है और बहुत आरामदायक है।" (This shirt is made of cotton fabric and is very comfortable.)
Understanding 'कमीज़' requires looking beyond the simple English translation. In the Indian context, a 'Kamiiz' often refers to the upper garment of the 'Salwar-Kameez' suit worn by women, but in modern standard Hindi, it universally applies to Western-style button-down shirts as well. The word carries a sense of formality compared to a 'T-shirt' (टी-शर्ट) but is less formal than traditional 'Vastra' (वस्त्र). When you walk into a shop in Delhi or Mumbai, asking for a 'कमीज़' will immediately signal that you are looking for something with a collar and buttons, or a traditional tunic.
"उसकी कमीज़ का रंग फीका पड़ गया है।" (The color of his/her shirt has faded.)
In literature and poetry, 'कमीज़' can sometimes symbolize one's dignity or social standing. A ' फटी कमीज़' (torn shirt) is a common trope for poverty or struggle. Conversely, a 'सफ़ेद कमीज़' (white shirt) often represents bureaucratic authority or a clean slate. The word is versatile, appearing in idioms, daily chores (washing, ironing), and high-fashion discussions. Its pronunciation is straightforward, with a soft 'z' sound at the end, though in some rural dialects, it might be pronounced with a 'j' sound (कमीज), though 'z' is the standard Urdu-influenced pronunciation.
"क्या आपने मेरी नई कमीज़ देखी?" (Have you seen my new shirt?)
"बाज़ार से एक रेशमी कमीज़ ले आना।" (Bring a silk shirt from the market.)
"धोबी ने कमीज़ पर अच्छी इस्तरी की है।" (The washerman has ironed the shirt well.)
- Register
- Neutral/Standard. Used in both formal and informal settings.
- Colloquialism
- Often shortened to 'shirt' in urban Hinglish, but 'Kamiiz' remains the soulful choice for native speakers.
Using कमीज़ correctly involves mastering its feminine nature. Because it is feminine, any adjective modifying it must take the feminine form. For example, 'big shirt' is 'बड़ी कमीज़' (baṛī kamiiz), not 'बड़ा कमीज़'. Similarly, when using possessive pronouns, you use 'मेरी' (my), 'तुम्हारी' (your), or 'उसकी' (his/her). If you are describing the shirt's color, 'लाल' (red) stays the same because it's invariant, but 'पीला' (yellow) becomes 'पीली' (pīlī).
In terms of verbs, the action applied to the shirt also reflects its gender in certain tenses. In the past tense with transitive verbs, the focus shifts, but in simple present or continuous, the verb agrees with the subject. However, if 'कमीज़' is the subject, the verb is feminine: 'कमीज़ सूख रही है' (The shirt is drying). Notice the 'रही' (rahī) which is the feminine continuous marker.
- Wearing: पहनना (Pahanna). 'मैं कमीज़ पहन रहा हूँ' (I am wearing a shirt).
- Taking off: उतारना (Utaarna). 'अपनी कमीज़ उतारो' (Take off your shirt).
- Washing: धोना (Dhona). 'माँ कमीज़ धो रही हैं' (Mother is washing the shirt).
- Ironing: इस्तरी करना (Istari karna). 'कमीज़ पर इस्तरी कर दो' (Iron the shirt).
When talking about sizes, Hindi speakers use 'नाप' (naap) or 'साइज़' (size). You might say, 'यह कमीज़ मुझे छोटी है' (This shirt is small for me). Note the use of 'मुझे' to indicate how it fits the person. For pluralization, remember the 'en' sound: 'मेरे पास पाँच कमीज़ें हैं' (I have five shirts). If you add a preposition like 'में' (in) or 'पर' (on), the word changes to the oblique form 'कमीज़ों': 'इन कमीज़ों का रंग अच्छा है' (The color of these shirts is good).
You will encounter the word कमीज़ in a variety of everyday environments across India and the Hindi-speaking world. The most common place is a clothing store (कपड़े की दुकान). Shopkeepers will often ask, "आपको किस तरह की कमीज़ चाहिए?" (What kind of shirt do you want?). You'll hear it in tailor shops (दर्ज़ी की दुकान) where measurements are taken for a custom-fit 'Kamiiz'. Tailors might discuss the 'collar' (कॉलर), 'astin' (sleeves - आस्तीन), or 'button' (बटन) of the shirt.
In a household setting, 'कमीज़' is a staple of daily conversation regarding chores. A mother might tell her child, "अपनी गंदी कमीज़ बदलो" (Change your dirty shirt). On laundry day, you'll hear discussions about which 'कमीज़' needs more starch (कलफ़) or which one has a stubborn stain (दाग). In offices and formal environments, the 'सफ़ेद कमीज़' (white shirt) is often mentioned as part of a professional dress code, especially for interviews or official ceremonies.
In Bollywood movies and songs, 'कमीज़' often appears in romantic or descriptive contexts. A famous song might describe the 'remi' (silken) texture of a 'Kamiiz'. In literature, authors use the condition of a character's 'कमीज़' to subtly indicate their economic status or the physical toll of a journey. Even in news reports, when describing a person's appearance, 'कमीज़' is the standard term used for their upper garment. It is a word that bridges the gap between the traditional 'Kurta' and the modern 'T-shirt', occupying the broad middle ground of 'formal-to-semi-formal' attire.
The most frequent mistake learners make with कमीज़ is misidentifying its gender. Many students assume that because it doesn't end in the typical feminine 'ī' sound, it must be masculine. They might say "मेरा कमीज़" (mera kamiiz) instead of the correct "मेरी कमीज़" (merī kamiiz). This error cascades into adjective agreement, leading to phrases like "नीला कमीज़" instead of "नीली कमीज़". Always associate 'Kamiiz' with feminine adjectives.
Another common error is in pluralization. Learners often try to pluralize it like masculine nouns (keeping it the same) or using 'o' prematurely. The direct plural is 'कमीज़ें' (kamiizen). You only use 'कमीज़ों' (kamiizon) when a postposition (like 'ko', 'me', 'se', 'ka') follows the word. For example: "कमीज़ें यहाँ हैं" (The shirts are here) vs. "कमीज़ों को अलमारी में रखो" (Put the shirts in the cupboard).
Confusion between 'Kamiiz' and 'Kurta' is also prevalent. While they both refer to upper garments, a 'Kurta' is typically longer, often lacks a full front button opening, and is more traditional. Calling a formal office shirt a 'Kurta' sounds slightly off, just as calling a traditional knee-length Kurta a 'Kamiiz' might be technically acceptable in the 'Salwar-Kameez' context but feels less precise in modern Hindi. Finally, watch the pronunciation of the 'z'. It is a 'z' sound (as in 'zebra'), not a 'j' sound (as in 'jug'). While 'kamij' is heard in some dialects, 'kamiiz' is the standard and more sophisticated pronunciation.
To expand your vocabulary, it's helpful to look at words related to कमीज़. The most immediate relative is कुर्ता (Kurta). While a 'Kamiiz' is often a Western-style shirt, a 'Kurta' is the traditional Indian tunic, usually collarless or with a Mandarin collar, and typically longer. Another related term is टी-शर्ट (T-shirt), which is used exactly as in English for casual knit wear. For a more formal or literary term for 'clothing' or 'garment' in general, you might encounter वस्त्र (Vastra) or पोशाक (Poshak).
If you are looking for synonyms in a more Urdu-inflected context, लिबास (Libaas) refers to an outfit or attire. In terms of parts of the shirt, you should know आस्तीन (Aasteen) for sleeves and कॉलर (Collar) or गला (Gala) for the neck/collar area. A 'half-sleeved shirt' is called an आधी आस्तीन वाली कमीज़. For the fabric, you might hear सूती (Sooti) for cotton, रेशमी (Reshmi) for silk, or ऊनी (Ooni) for woolen. Understanding these nuances helps you specify exactly what kind of 'Kamiiz' you are talking about.
In the context of women's clothing, 'Kamiiz' is almost always paired with सलवार (Salwar) or चुड़ीदार (Churidar). In this specific pair, the 'Kamiiz' is the top. If the top is very short, it might be called a कुर्ती (Kurti), which is the feminine diminutive of 'Kurta'. Knowing the difference between a 'Kamiiz', a 'Kurta', and a 'Kurti' will make your Hindi sound much more natural and culturally aware.
How Formal Is It?
Difficulty Rating
Grammar to Know
Feminine noun adjective agreement
Oblique case pluralization with postpositions
Possessive pronoun agreement (merī/tumhārī)
Transitive verb usage in past tense (ne rule application)
Invariant vs. Variant adjectives
Examples by Level
यह एक सफ़ेद कमीज़ है।
This is a white shirt.
Note that 'सफ़ेद' is an invariant adjective, but 'कमीज़' is feminine.
मेरी कमीज़ कहाँ है?
Where is my shirt?
Uses 'मेरी' (feminine) to agree with 'कमीज़'.
यह कमीज़ नीली है।
This shirt is blue.
The adjective 'नीली' ends in 'ī' to match the feminine noun.
मुझे यह कमीज़ पसंद है।
I like this shirt.
The subject is 'मुझे' (to me), and 'पसंद' is the state.
वह एक छोटी कमीज़ है।
That is a small shirt.
'छोटी' is the feminine form of 'छोटा' (small).
आपकी कमीज़ सुंदर है।
Your shirt is beautiful.
'सुंदर' is invariant, but 'आपकी' is feminine.
यह कमीज़ साफ़ है।
This shirt is clean.
'साफ़' means clean.
क्या यह आपकी कमीज़ है?
Is this your shirt?
Basic question structure with 'क्या'.
मैं बाज़ार से नई कमीज़ लाया हूँ।
I have brought a new shirt from the market.
Present perfect tense.
इस कमीज़ की कीमत क्या है?
What is the price of this shirt?
Uses 'की' (feminine possessive) because of 'कीमत'.
मुझे एक सूती कमीज़ चाहिए।
I want a cotton shirt.
'सूती' (cotton) describes the material.
वह रोज़ अपनी कमीज़ धोता है।
He washes his shirt every day.
Habitual present tense.
यह कमीज़ बहुत तंग है।
This shirt is very tight.
'तंग' means tight.
मेरे पास तीन नीली कमीज़ें हैं।
I have three blue shirts.
Plural form 'कमीज़ें'.
क्या आप इस कमीज़ पर इस्तरी कर सकते हैं?
Can you iron this shirt?
Use of 'सकना' (can).
उसने अपनी कमीज़ पर चाय गिरा दी।
He/She spilled tea on his/her shirt.
Compound verb 'गिरा दी'.
अगर आप यह कमीज़ पहनेंगे, तो आप अच्छे लगेंगे।
If you wear this shirt, you will look good.
Conditional sentence.
इन पुरानी कमीज़ों को दान कर दो।
Donate these old shirts.
Oblique plural 'कमीज़ों' because of the postposition 'को'.
दर्ज़ी मेरी कमीज़ सी रहा है।
The tailor is sewing my shirt.
Present continuous tense.
मुझे ऐसी कमीज़ चाहिए जिसकी आस्तीन लंबी हो।
I want a shirt that has long sleeves.
Relative clause using 'जिसकी'.
उसने अपनी कमीज़ के बटन बंद किए।
He fastened the buttons of his shirt.
Possessive 'के' agrees with masculine plural 'बटन'.
यह कमीज़ धोने के बाद सिकुड़ गई।
This shirt shrank after washing.
Verb 'सिकुड़ना' (to shrink).
क्या आपके पास इससे बड़ी कमीज़ है?
Do you have a shirt larger than this?
Comparative structure.
मैंने कल अपनी पसंदीदा कमीज़ खो दी।
I lost my favorite shirt yesterday.
Past tense with 'खो दी'.
हालाँकि कमीज़ महँगी थी, फिर भी मैंने उसे खरीद लिया।
Although the shirt was expensive, I still bought it.
Concessive clause with 'हालाँकि... फिर भी'.
इस कमीज़ का कपड़ा बहुत ही मुलायम और आरामदायक है।
The fabric of this shirt is very soft and comfortable.
Descriptive adjectives.
इंटरव्यू के लिए आपको एक साफ़-सुथरी कमीज़ पहननी चाहिए।
You should wear a neat and clean shirt for the interview.
Modal 'चाहिए' with feminine 'पहननी'.
उसने अपनी कमीज़ की आस्तीनें ऊपर चढ़ा लीं।
He rolled up his shirt sleeves.
Idiomatic action of rolling up sleeves.
यह कमीज़ मेरे दादाजी की याद दिलाती है।
This shirt reminds me of my grandfather.
Idiom 'याद दिलाना'.
कमीज़ का रंग धूप में फीका पड़ गया है।
The color of the shirt has faded in the sun.
Passive-like construction 'फीका पड़ गया'.
वह हमेशा अपनी कमीज़ के कॉलर खड़े रखता है।
He always keeps his shirt collars popped.
Habitual description.
बिना इस्तरी की हुई कमीज़ पहनना अच्छा नहीं लगता।
It doesn't look good to wear an unironed shirt.
Participle 'की हुई' as an adjective.
उसकी फटी हुई कमीज़ उसकी गरीबी की दास्तां बयां कर रही थी।
His torn shirt was telling the story of his poverty.
Literary usage.
आजकल के फैशन में ढीली-ढाली कमीज़ों का चलन फिर से बढ़ गया है।
In today's fashion, the trend of loose-fitting shirts has increased again.
Discussion of trends using 'चलन'.
उसने अपनी कमीज़ उतारकर बहती नदी में फेंक दी।
He took off his shirt and threw it into the flowing river.
Absolutive 'उतारकर'.
कमीज़ की सिलाई इतनी बारीक है कि जोड़ दिखाई ही नहीं देते।
The stitching of the shirt is so fine that the seams are not even visible.
Result clause with 'इतनी... कि'.
राजनीति में 'सफ़ेद कमीज़' अक्सर ईमानदारी का ढोंग करने के लिए पहनी जाती है।
In politics, a 'white shirt' is often worn to pretend honesty.
Metaphorical/Social commentary.
उसने अपनी कमीज़ के बटन इस तरह बंद किए जैसे वह किसी युद्ध पर जा रहा हो।
He buttoned his shirt as if he were going to war.
Subjunctive 'जैसे... हो'.
इस पुरानी कमीज़ के धागे अब कमज़ोर हो चुके हैं।
The threads of this old shirt have now become weak.
Perfective aspect.
उसने अपनी कमीज़ पर लगे दाग को छुपाने की नाकाम कोशिश की।
He made a failed attempt to hide the stain on his shirt.
Complex noun phrase.
कमीज़ का अस्तित्व केवल तन ढंकने तक सीमित नहीं है, यह व्यक्तित्व का प्रतिबिंब भी है।
The existence of a shirt is not limited to covering the body; it is also a reflection of personality.
Philosophical/Academic register.
साहित्य में 'मैली कमीज़' अक्सर समाज के शोषित वर्ग का प्रतीक बनकर उभरती है।
In literature, a 'dirty shirt' often emerges as a symbol of the exploited class of society.
Symbolism analysis.
उसकी कमीज़ की सिलवटों में उसके दिन भर की थकान साफ़ झलक रही थी।
The fatigue of his entire day was clearly visible in the wrinkles of his shirt.
Metaphorical use of 'सिलवटें' (wrinkles).
औपनिवेशिक काल के दौरान, कमीज़ के पहनावे में आए बदलावों ने भारतीय समाज के आधुनिकिकरण को दर्शाया।
During the colonial period, changes in the attire of the shirt reflected the modernization of Indian society.
Historical/Sociological context.
कमीज़ के कॉलर की अकड़ उसके अहंकार का जीवंत उदाहरण थी।
The stiffness of his shirt collar was a living example of his arrogance.
Personification of an object's attribute.
उसने अपनी फटी कमीज़ को जिस गरिमा के साथ पहना था, वह काबिले-तारीफ़ था।
The dignity with which he wore his torn shirt was commendable.
Abstract noun 'गरिमा' (dignity).
वैश्वीकरण ने कमीज़ के उत्पादन और उपभोग की परिभाषा को पूरी तरह बदल दिया है।
Globalization has completely changed the definition of shirt production and consumption.
Economic discourse.
कमीज़ के रेशों में बुनी हुई कहानियाँ अक्सर अनसुनी रह जाती हैं।
The stories woven into the fibers of a shirt often remain unheard.
Poetic/Metaphorical register.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Often Confused With
A Kurta is usually longer and more traditional, while a Kamiiz can be a Western shirt.
A Kurti is a shorter version of a Kurta, specifically for women.
Very different! 'Kameena' is a slang insult meaning mean or despicable. Don't mix them up!
Idioms & Expressions
Easily Confused
Sentence Patterns
How to Use It
It's feminine! (Meri kamiiz, acchi kamiiz).
Kamiizen (direct), Kamiizon (oblique).
- मेरा कमीज़
- दो कमीज़
- नीला कमीज़
- कमीज़ों यहाँ हैं
- मैं कमीज़ पहनता हूँ (for 'I am wearing')
Tips
Gender Check
Always pair 'Kamiiz' with 'Meri' (my) instead of 'Mera'. This is the most common mistake for beginners.
Loanwords
While 'Shirt' is common in cities, using 'Kamiiz' makes your Hindi sound more authentic and rich.
Traditional Wear
In an ethnic context, 'Kameez' refers to a tunic. Don't be surprised if it's much longer than a Western shirt.
The 'Z' Sound
The dot under the 'j' (ज़) indicates a 'z' sound. Try to buzz like a bee to get it right.
Size Matters
When shopping, ask for 'बड़ी' (bigger) or 'छोटी' (smaller) sizes, keeping the feminine agreement.
Ironing
The word for iron is 'इस्तरी' (istari). 'कमीज़ पर इस्तरी करना' is a very common phrase.
Sleeves
Learn 'आधी आस्तीन' (half sleeve) and 'पूरी आस्तीन' (full sleeve) to specify your preference.
Pluralization
Remember the dot (bindu) on 'कमीज़ें'. It represents the nasal 'n' sound.
Compliments
A great way to start a conversation is saying 'आपकी कमीज़ बहुत अच्छी है!'
Global Word
Knowing it comes from Arabic/Portuguese helps you see the connections between world languages.
Memorize It
Word Origin
Arabic/Persian
Cultural Context
White shirts are often associated with political leaders in India.
In formal Indian settings, keeping the shirt ironed and buttons done up is highly valued.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Conversation Starters
"आपकी कमीज़ बहुत अच्छी है, कहाँ से ली?"
"क्या मुझे एक नीली कमीज़ मिल सकती है?"
"क्या यह कमीज़ सूती है?"
"आपकी कमीज़ का साइज़ क्या है?"
"क्या मैं यह कमीज़ पहनकर देख सकता हूँ?"
Journal Prompts
आज आपने कौन से रंग की कमीज़ पहनी है?
अपनी पसंदीदा कमीज़ के बारे में लिखें।
क्या आपको कमीज़ पहनना पसंद है या टी-शर्ट?
अगर आप एक कमीज़ डिज़ाइन करते, तो वह कैसी होती?
कपड़े की दुकान में कमीज़ खरीदने का अपना अनुभव लिखें।
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is feminine. You should always use feminine adjectives and verbs with it.
In modern Hindi, they are often used interchangeably, but 'Kamiiz' is the native word and can also refer to a traditional tunic.
The plural is 'कमीज़ें' (kamiizen) in the direct case.
Yes, men use 'Kamiiz' for formal button-down shirts.
The standard pronunciation is 'Kamiiz' with a 'z' sound, though 'Kamij' is heard in some dialects.
It is a traditional outfit where the 'Kameez' is the long top and 'Salwar' is the trouser.
You say 'मैंने कमीज़ पहनी है' (I am in the state of wearing) or 'मैं कमीज़ पहन रहा हूँ' (I am putting it on).
The singular oblique is 'कमीज़' (no change), but the plural oblique is 'कमीज़ों'.
Yes, it is standard and appropriate for all levels of formality.
Common materials include 'सूती' (cotton), 'रेशमी' (silk), and 'टेरिलिन' (terylene).
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Summary
Mastering 'कमीज़' is a gateway to understanding Hindi's feminine noun patterns. Always pair it with feminine markers like 'merī' or 'nīlī' to sound like a native speaker and distinguish it from the masculine 'kurta'.
- कमीज़ (Kamiiz) means 'shirt' in Hindi and is a feminine noun.
- It is used for both formal Western shirts and traditional Indian tunics.
- Adjectives and possessives must agree with its feminine gender (e.g., मेरी कमीज़).
- The plural form is 'कमीज़ें' (direct) and 'कमीज़ों' (oblique).
Gender Check
Always pair 'Kamiiz' with 'Meri' (my) instead of 'Mera'. This is the most common mistake for beginners.
Loanwords
While 'Shirt' is common in cities, using 'Kamiiz' makes your Hindi sound more authentic and rich.
Traditional Wear
In an ethnic context, 'Kameez' refers to a tunic. Don't be surprised if it's much longer than a Western shirt.
The 'Z' Sound
The dot under the 'j' (ज़) indicates a 'z' sound. Try to buzz like a bee to get it right.
Example
उसने एक नीली कमीज़ पहनी हुई है।
Related Content
More daily_life words
आभूषण
B2Jewelry; personal ornaments, such as necklaces, rings, or bracelets.
आजकल
A2At the present time, in contrast with the past.
आँखें
A2Eyes; the organs of sight.
आखिर में
B1Finally, after a long time, typically when there has been difficulty.
आलमारी
B1Cupboard/Wardrobe; a cabinet with shelves or a tall piece of furniture for clothes.
आराम करना
A1To rest
आत्मनिर्भर होना
B1To be self-reliant; to be independent.
आठवां
B2Eighth; constituting number eight in a sequence.
आधी रात
A2Midnight.
आवश्यक होना
B2To be necessary, essential, or required.
