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कर लगाना

A2 verb #4,500 most common 10 min read

कर लगाना

kar lagana Top 4,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips कर लगाना in 30 Seconds

Explanation कर लगाना in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'kar' means 'tax' and 'lagana' means 'to put' or 'to apply'. Think of it as the government 'putting' a tax on things you buy. You might use simple sentences like 'Sarkar kar lagati hai' (The government imposes tax). Focus on the fact that 'kar' is a thing and 'lagana' is the action the government does. Don't worry too much about complex grammar yet; just remember that it's a way to say someone in charge is asking for money for the country.

At the A2 level, you should start using the postposition 'par' (on) with this phrase. You need to be able to say *what* the tax is being imposed on. For example, 'Sarkar chini par kar lagati hai' (The government imposes tax on sugar). You should also recognize the past tense 'lagaya'. At this stage, you are expected to understand that this is a formal way of speaking about money and rules. You might hear this in simple news headlines or in a social studies textbook.

By B1, you should be comfortable using 'kar lagana' in various tenses and moods. You should be able to discuss the *reasons* for taxing something, using structures like 'Pradushan kam karne ke liye, sarkar ko carbon par kar lagana chahiye' (To reduce pollution, the government should impose a tax on carbon). You should also start distinguishing between 'kar' (tax) and 'shulk' (fee/duty) and understand that 'kar lagana' is a transitive conjunct verb where 'kar' is the noun part.

At the B2 level, you can use the phrase in more abstract economic discussions. You should be able to handle passive constructions like 'Naye niyam ke antargat, sabhi vishisht sevayon par kar lagaya gaya hai' (Under the new rule, tax has been imposed on all specific services). You should also be familiar with compound words like 'Aaykar' (Income tax) and how they function with 'lagana'. Your vocabulary should include synonyms like 'adhirōpit karnā' for more formal writing.

At the C1 level, you should understand the socio-political implications of 'kar lagana'. You can use the phrase to debate complex topics like progressive taxation or international tax havens. You should be able to use the phrase fluently in professional environments, such as a law firm or a policy think-tank. You should also understand subtle nuances, such as the difference between 'kar lagana' (imposing) and 'kar ki dar nirdharit karna' (fixing the tax rate).

At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of the term. You can appreciate its etymological roots and use it in highly technical legal or economic discourse. You can write academic papers or deliver speeches on fiscal policy using 'kar lagana' and its most formal variants perfectly. You understand the historical evolution of the term from ancient Sanskrit texts to modern GST laws and can use it to explain complex financial instruments and their taxation frameworks.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

कर लगाना in 30 Seconds

Kar lagana means to officially impose or levy a tax on something, usually done by a government body.
It is a transitive verb phrase where 'kar' (tax) is the object and 'lagana' (to apply) is the action.
Commonly used in news, economics, and politics, it requires the postposition 'par' to indicate what is being taxed.
Synonymous with 'tax lagana' but more formal, it is essential for discussing laws and financial policies in Hindi.

The Hindi verb phrase कर लगाना (kar lagānā) is a foundational term in the realms of economics, governance, and daily civic life. To understand it fully, one must break it down into its constituent parts. The word kar (कर) translates directly to 'tax,' while lagānā (लगाना) is a versatile multi-purpose verb meaning 'to apply,' 'to fix,' 'to attach,' or 'to impose.' When combined, they form the specific action of a governing authority—be it a local municipality, a state government, or the central federal body—officially instituting a financial levy on goods, services, income, or property. This isn't just a casual 'putting' of something; it carries the weight of legal mandate and institutional power.

Formal Usage: In formal contexts, such as budget announcements or economic news reports, 'kar lagānā' is the standard way to describe the introduction of new fiscal policies. For example, 'The government decided to impose a tax on luxury cars' would be 'सरकार ने लग्जरी कारों पर कर लगाने का फैसला किया.'

The phrase is most commonly heard during the 'Union Budget' season in India (usually February), where the Finance Minister outlines how the state will generate revenue. However, its use isn't limited to the modern bureaucratic state. Historically, the word 'kar' has roots in Sanskrit, where it also meant 'hand' or 'doing.' The metaphorical connection is that the tax was the 'hand' of the ruler reaching into the production of the land to sustain the kingdom. Today, when you hear this phrase, it often triggers discussions about inflation, the cost of living, and public services. It is a 'transitive' verb phrase, meaning it always requires an object—the thing being taxed—usually followed by the postposition par (पर), meaning 'on'.

सरकार ने प्लास्टिक के उपयोग पर नया कर लगाना शुरू कर दिया है। (The government has started imposing a new tax on the use of plastic.)

Understanding the nuances of lagānā is key for learners. In Hindi, lagānā implies an external force applying something onto a surface or a system. Just as you would 'apply' ointment to a wound or 'attach' a poster to a wall, the government 'attaches' a financial obligation to a transaction. This helps learners visualize the action: the tax is an added layer imposed from above onto the existing price or value of an item. Whether it's an income tax (आयकर), sales tax (बिक्री कर), or the modern Goods and Services Tax (GST), the action of instituting it remains kar lagānā. It is also important to note that this phrase is used for the *act* of imposition. If you want to talk about the *collection* of tax, you would use 'kar vasūlnā' (कर वसूलना).

Economic Context: Economists use this term when discussing 'Pigouvian taxes'—taxes intended to correct negative externalities, like pollution. When the state 'imposes a tax' on carbon, they are 'carbon par kar lagā rahe hain'.

क्या सरकार को जंक फूड पर कर लगाना चाहिए? (Should the government impose a tax on junk food?)

Using कर लगाना (kar lagānā) correctly requires a basic understanding of Hindi sentence structure, specifically the use of postpositions. The most important rule to remember is that you impose a tax *on* something. In Hindi, the 'on' is represented by the postposition par (पर). The structure usually follows: [Authority] + [Object] + पर (par) + [Tax Type] + कर (kar) + लगाना (lagānā).

Basic Structure: Subject (The Imposer) + Object (The Taxed) + पर + कर लगाना (The Action). For example: 'नगर निगम घरों पर कर लगाता है' (The Municipal Corporation imposes tax on houses).

Because lagānā is a transitive verb, its behavior changes in the past tense. In the perfective aspect (e.g., 'imposed'), the subject takes the postposition ne (ने), and the verb agrees with the object kar (which is masculine singular). Therefore, even if a female minister imposes the tax, you would say 'मंत्री ने कर लगाया' (The minister imposed tax). The verb lagāyā agrees with kar, not the minister.

पिछली सरकार ने चीनी पर बहुत अधिक कर लगाया था। (The previous government had imposed a very high tax on sugar.)

In future tense or when expressing necessity, the verb conjugates normally. 'The government will impose tax' becomes 'सरकार कर लगाएगी' (Sarkar kar lagāegī). Note that here, the verb agrees with the subject 'Sarkar' (which is feminine in Hindi). This distinction between past and future agreement is a common hurdle for A2-B1 learners but is crucial for sounding natural. You can also use the passive voice, which is very common in news headlines: 'पेट्रोल पर कर लगाया गया' (Tax was imposed on petrol). Here, the focus is entirely on the action and the object, omitting the government entirely.

Complex Sentences: You can use infinitives to express purpose: 'राजस्व बढ़ाने के लिए कर लगाना ज़रूरी है' (It is necessary to impose tax to increase revenue). Here, 'lagānā' acts as a verbal noun (gerund).

विदेशी सामानों पर कर लगाने से स्थानीय उद्योगों को लाभ होगा। (Imposing tax on foreign goods will benefit local industries.)

The phrase कर लगाना (kar lagānā) isn't something you'd typically use while ordering coffee or chatting about the weather, but it is ubiquitous in specific environments. The most prominent place is news broadcasting. Whether it's a 24-hour news channel like Aaj Tak or a serious newspaper like Dainik Jagran, any discussion regarding the national economy will feature this phrase prominently. During the 'Budget Session' of Parliament, you will hear politicians debating whether the government should 'kar lagānā' on the wealthy or provide relief to the middle class.

Political Rallies: Opposition leaders often use this phrase to criticize the ruling party, saying, 'यह सरकार केवल आम जनता पर कर लगाना जानती है' (This government only knows how to impose taxes on the common public).

Another common setting is the corporate office. Financial consultants, CAs (Chartered Accountants), and business owners frequently discuss the implications of new tax laws. They might say, 'If the government imposes a tax on this sector, our profit margins will shrink.' In this context, the phrase is used with analytical precision. You'll also find it in academic settings—specifically in economics and political science classrooms—where students study the history of taxation from the Mughal era to the British Raj and into modern India.

समाचार: वित्त मंत्री ने तंबाकू उत्पादों पर अतिरिक्त कर लगाने की घोषणा की है। (News: The Finance Minister has announced the imposition of an additional tax on tobacco products.)

In everyday life, you might hear it in heated debates at local tea stalls (chai ki tapri). Taxation is a deeply personal issue in India, and people often express their frustration with new taxes on fuel or essential commodities. They might complain, 'सरकार हर चीज़ पर कर लगा रही है!' (The government is imposing tax on everything!). This shows the phrase's transition from high-level policy talk to the grievances of the man on the street. Finally, legal documents and government notifications are filled with this phrase, usually in its most formal, Sanskritized forms.

Legal Documents: Official gazettes might use the term 'धार्पित करना' (adhārpita karnā) for 'impose,' but 'कर लगाना' is the standard terminology used in the explanatory notes for the general public.

क्या आपको लगता है कि ऑनलाइन गेमिंग पर कर लगाना सही है? (Do you think it is right to impose a tax on online gaming?)

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when using कर लगाना (kar lagānā) is related to the preposition. In English, we say 'taxing someone' or 'imposing a tax on someone.' In Hindi, you must use par (पर). Forgetting this postposition or using a different one like ko (को) is a common A2-level mistake. For instance, saying 'Sarkar logo ko kar lagati hai' is incorrect; it must be 'Sarkar logo par kar lagati hai.'

Mistake 1: Wrong Postposition: Incorrect: सरकार गरीब जनता को कर लगाती है। (Wrong)
Correct: सरकार गरीब जनता पर कर लगाती है। (Right)

Another mistake involves the confusion between kar lagānā (to impose tax) and kar denā (to pay/give tax). Many learners accidentally say the government 'gives tax' when they mean 'imposes tax.' Remember: the government lagātī hai (imposes), while the citizen detā hai (pays/gives) or bhartā hai (fills/pays). Mixing these up can lead to confusing sentences where it sounds like the government is paying the citizens!

गलत: मैं अपनी आय पर कर लगाता हूँ। (Incorrect: I impose tax on my income.)
सही: मैं अपनी आय पर कर देता हूँ। (Correct: I pay tax on my income.)

There is also the issue of 'kar' vs. 'karnā'. Since 'kar' also means the root of the verb 'to do' (karnā), beginners sometimes get confused. 'Kar lagānā' is a specific economic term. If you just say 'kar lagā,' it might sound like an incomplete command to 'do something' and then 'apply something.' Always keep the two words close together to maintain the meaning of 'tax imposition.'

Mistake 2: Confusing 'Kar' with 'Work': In some dialects, 'kar' is used for 'work' (standard: kām). However, in the context of 'lagānā', it almost exclusively refers to tax. Don't use 'kar lagānā' if you mean 'to assign work'. Use 'kām lagānā' or 'kām par lagānā' instead.

सावधान: 'कर' और 'काम' के बीच भ्रमित न हों। कर लगाना केवल आर्थिक संदर्भ में उपयोग करें। (Caution: Do not confuse 'kar' and 'kaam'. Use 'kar lagana' only in economic contexts.)

While कर लगाना (kar lagānā) is the most standard term, Hindi offers several alternatives depending on the level of formality and the specific type of financial charge. The most common informal alternative is टैक्स लगाना (tax lagānā). Because of the heavy influence of English in India's financial sector, 'tax' is understood by almost everyone, from village shopkeepers to city bankers.

कर (Kar) vs. शुल्क (Shulk): 'Kar' is a general tax used for public revenue. 'Shulk' (शुल्क) refers to a 'fee' or 'duty'. For example, 'pravesh shulk' is an entry fee. You 'impose' a fee using 'shulk lagānā'.
कर (Kar) vs. जुर्माना (Jurmanā): 'Jurmanā' is a 'fine' or 'penalty'. While a tax is a regular levy, a fine is a punishment for breaking a law. You 'impose' a fine using 'jurmanā lagānā'.

In very formal or legal Sanskritized Hindi, you might encounter the word अधिरोपित करना (adhirōpit karnā). This is the direct translation of 'to impose' or 'to levy.' You will see this in the Constitution of India or in high-court judgments. It sounds extremely stiff and is never used in conversation. Another word is महसूल (mahsūl), which is of Arabic/Persian origin and was common in Urdu-influenced Hindi for 'customs' or 'tax,' though it is now somewhat dated.

तुलना: सरकार ने आयात पर सीमा शुल्क (customs duty) लगाया है, न कि केवल साधारण कर। (Comparison: The government has imposed customs duty on imports, not just a simple tax.)

When talking about specific taxes, the word 'kar' usually becomes a suffix. For example: Income Tax = Āykar (आयकर), Service Tax = Sēvākar (सेवाकर), Property Tax = Sampattikar (संपत्तिकर). In all these cases, the verb remains 'lagānā'. If you want to say 'to increase tax,' you use 'kar baṛhānā' (कर बढ़ाना), and for 'to reduce tax,' you use 'kar ghaṭānā' (कर घटाना). Knowing these variations allows you to discuss fiscal policy with much more nuance.

Summary of Alternatives: 1. टैक्स लगाना (Common/Informal)
2. शुल्क आरोपित करना (Formal/Fee)
3. महसूल लेना (Archaic/Customs)
4. लेवी लगाना (Technical/Levy)

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"भारत सरकार ने विलासिता की वस्तुओं पर 28% कर लगाने का निर्णय लिया है।"

Neutral

"क्या आपको लगता है कि पेट्रोल पर कर लगाना सही है?"

Informal

"यार, सरकार हर चीज़ पर टैक्स लगा रही है, जीना मुश्किल हो गया है!"

Child friendly

"राजा ने अपनी प्रजा की मदद के लिए थोड़ा सा कर लगाया।"

Slang

"सरकार तो बस हमारी जेब पर कर लगाने में लगी है।"

Fun Fact

In many Indian languages, the word for 'hand' and 'tax' is the same (kar). This symbolizes the government's hand reaching into the citizen's pocket!

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kər lə.ɡɑː.nɑː/

US /kər lə.ɡɑ.nɑ/

Primary stress is on the second syllable of 'lagana' (gaa).

Rhymes With

घर (ghar) डर (dar) भर (bhar) नर (nar) पर (par) सर (sar) जाना (jaana) खाना (khaana)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'kar' like the English word 'car' (with a long 'aa'). It should be short.
Aspirating the 'k' in 'kar' (sounding like 'khar').
Making the 'l' in 'lagana' too dark/velarized.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to read in simple sentences, but can be found in complex legal texts.

Writing 4/5

Requires knowledge of the 'ne' construction and the postposition 'par'.

Speaking 3/5

Common in news and formal talk; easy to use once the 'par' rule is learned.

Listening 3/5

Very frequent in news broadcasts; clear pronunciation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

सरकार (Government) पैसा (Money) पर (On) लगाना (To apply/put) देना (To give)

Learn Next

राजस्व (Revenue) जीएसटी (GST) बजट (Budget) छूट (Exemption/Discount) महँगाई (Inflation)

Advanced

राजकोषीय नीति (Fiscal Policy) प्रत्यक्ष कर (Direct Tax) अप्रत्यक्ष कर (Indirect Tax) कर अपवंचन (Tax Evasion) कराधान ढांचा (Taxation Structure)

Grammar to Know

Conjunct Verbs with 'Lagana'

In 'kar lagana', 'kar' is a noun that combines with the verb 'lagana' to form a new meaning.

Ergative Case (Ne) in Past Tense

Sarkar ne kar lagaya. (The verb agrees with 'kar', not 'Sarkar').

Postposition 'Par'

Always use 'par' after the object being taxed: 'X par kar lagana'.

Feminine Subject Agreement

Sarkar (Fem.) kar lagati hai (Fem. verb in present tense).

Infinitive as Noun

Kar lagana (Imposing tax) is the subject here: 'Kar lagana zaroori hai'.

Examples by Level

राजा कर लगाता है।

The king imposes tax.

Simple Subject + Object + Verb.

सरकार कर लगाती है।

The government imposes tax.

Sarkar is feminine, so 'lagati' is used.

क्या वह कर लगाता है?

Does he impose tax?

Interrogative sentence.

वे कर नहीं लगाते।

They do not impose tax.

Negative sentence.

यहाँ कर लगाना मना है।

It is forbidden to impose tax here.

Infinitive used as a subject.

वह कर लगाना चाहता है।

He wants to impose tax.

Verb + 'chahta hai' (wants).

नया कर लगाना मुश्किल है।

Imposing a new tax is difficult.

Adjective 'mushkil' describing the action.

आप कर क्यों लगाते हैं?

Why do you impose tax?

Question word 'kyun'.

सरकार ने शराब पर कर लगाया।

The government imposed a tax on alcohol.

Past tense with 'ne'. 'Lagaya' agrees with 'kar'.

क्या आप कारों पर कर लगाएंगे?

Will you impose tax on cars?

Future tense.

हमें इस चीज़ पर कर लगाना चाहिए।

We should impose tax on this thing.

Use of 'chahiye' for suggestion.

वे हर साल नया कर लगाते हैं।

They impose a new tax every year.

Present habitual tense.

मिठाई पर कर लगाना गलत है।

It is wrong to impose tax on sweets.

Infinitive used as a noun.

मंत्री जी ने कर लगाने की बात की।

The minister talked about imposing tax.

Genitive construction 'lagane ki baat'.

सरकार पेट्रोल पर कर क्यों लगा रही है?

Why is the government imposing tax on petrol?

Present continuous tense.

उन्होंने कल नया कर लगाया।

They imposed a new tax yesterday.

Past tense with 'unhone'.

अगर सरकार कर लगाएगी, तो महँगाई बढ़ेगी।

If the government imposes tax, then inflation will increase.

Conditional sentence (If... then).

गरीबों पर कर लगाना उचित नहीं है।

It is not appropriate to impose tax on the poor.

Use of 'uchit' (appropriate).

क्या आपने कभी कर लगाने के बारे में सोचा है?

Have you ever thought about imposing tax?

Perfect tense with 'socha hai'.

सरकार विलासिता की वस्तुओं पर कर लगा रही है।

The government is imposing tax on luxury items.

Use of 'vilasita' (luxury).

बिना सोचे-समझे कर लगाना हानिकारक हो सकता है।

Imposing tax without thinking can be harmful.

Adverbial phrase 'bina soche-samajhe'.

हमें केवल अमीरों पर कर लगाना चाहिए।

We should only impose tax on the rich.

Use of 'keval' (only).

नगर निगम ने घरों पर कर लगाने का निर्णय लिया।

The Municipal Corporation decided to impose tax on houses.

Compound verb 'nirnay liya'.

कर लगाने से पहले जनता की राय लेनी चाहिए।

Public opinion should be taken before imposing tax.

Use of 'se pehle' (before).

सरकार ने पर्यावरण को बचाने के लिए कार्बन कर लगाया है।

The government has imposed a carbon tax to save the environment.

Purpose clause with 'ke liye'.

विदेशी निवेश को रोकने के लिए कर लगाना एक तरीका है।

Imposing tax is a way to stop foreign investment.

Infinitive as a subject complement.

क्या उच्च आय वालों पर कर लगाना न्यायपूर्ण है?

Is it just to impose tax on high-income earners?

Adjective 'nyaypurn' (just/fair).

बजट में कई नई सेवाओं पर कर लगाने का प्रस्ताव है।

There is a proposal to impose tax on several new services in the budget.

Use of 'prastav' (proposal).

कर लगाने की प्रक्रिया पारदर्शी होनी चाहिए।

The process of imposing tax should be transparent.

Use of 'pardarshi' (transparent).

सरकार ने अचानक कर लगाकर सबको चौंका दिया।

The government surprised everyone by suddenly imposing a tax.

Conjunctive participle 'lagakar'.

बिना कानून के कर लगाना असंवैधानिक है।

Imposing tax without law is unconstitutional.

Use of 'asavaidhanik' (unconstitutional).

आयातित माल पर कर लगाने से स्वदेशी व्यापार बढ़ेगा।

Imposing tax on imported goods will increase indigenous trade.

Use of 'aayatit' (imported) and 'swadeshi' (local/indigenous).

प्रगतिशील कराधान के तहत, अमीरों पर अधिक कर लगाना अनिवार्य है।

Under progressive taxation, it is mandatory to impose more tax on the rich.

Technical term 'pragatishil karadhan'.

सरकार को डिजिटल अर्थव्यवस्था पर कर लगाने की चुनौतियों का सामना करना पड़ रहा है।

The government is facing challenges in imposing tax on the digital economy.

Complex phrase 'samna karna pad raha hai'.

पूंजीगत लाभ पर कर लगाना वित्तीय स्थिरता के लिए आवश्यक हो सकता है।

Imposing tax on capital gains may be necessary for financial stability.

Technical term 'punjigat labh' (capital gains).

विरासत पर कर लगाने की बहस फिर से शुरू हो गई है।

The debate on imposing inheritance tax has started again.

Use of 'virasat' (inheritance/heritage).

अप्रत्यक्ष कर लगाने से मुद्रास्फीति पर सीधा प्रभाव पड़ता है।

Imposing indirect taxes has a direct impact on inflation.

Technical term 'apratyaksh kar' (indirect tax).

राज्य सरकारों को कृषि आय पर कर लगाने का अधिकार है।

State governments have the right to impose tax on agricultural income.

Use of 'adhikar' (right/authority).

कर लगाने की शक्ति का दुरुपयोग नहीं किया जाना चाहिए।

The power to impose tax should not be misused.

Passive voice 'nahin kiya jana chahiye'.

वैश्विक स्तर पर न्यूनतम कॉर्पोरेट कर लगाने की योजना बन रही है।

A plan is being made to impose a minimum corporate tax globally.

Use of 'vaishvik' (global) and 'nyuntam' (minimum).

राजकोषीय घाटे को कम करने के लिए कर लगाना एक अपरिहार्य कदम है।

Imposing tax is an inevitable step to reduce the fiscal deficit.

High-level vocabulary: 'rajkoshiya ghata' and 'apariharya'.

सरकार द्वारा विलासिता उपभोग पर कर लगाना सामाजिक समानता की दिशा में एक प्रयास है।

The imposition of tax on luxury consumption by the government is an effort towards social equality.

Nominalized construction 'sarkar dwara... kar lagana'.

क्या सीमा पार ई-कॉमर्स लेनदेन पर कर लगाना तकनीकी रूप से संभव है?

Is it technically feasible to impose tax on cross-border e-commerce transactions?

Complex interrogative with 'takniki rup se sambhav'.

कर लगाने के सामाजिक-आर्थिक निहितार्थों का गहन विश्लेषण आवश्यक है।

A thorough analysis of the socio-economic implications of imposing tax is necessary.

Sanskritized compound 'samajik-arthik nihitarth'.

अत्यधिक कर लगाने से कर चोरी और काले धन की समस्या उत्पन्न हो सकती है।

Excessive imposition of tax can lead to tax evasion and the problem of black money.

Complex cause-and-effect structure.

राजस्व संग्रहण के लिए कर लगाना राज्य की संप्रभुता का प्रतीक है।

Imposing tax for revenue collection is a symbol of the state's sovereignty.

Use of 'samprabhuta' (sovereignty).

कर लगाने की विधायी शक्ति संविधान के अनुच्छेद 265 द्वारा नियंत्रित है।

The legislative power to impose tax is controlled by Article 265 of the Constitution.

Legal/Constitutional terminology.

पर्यावरण प्रदूषण पर कर लगाना 'प्रदूषणकर्ता भुगतान' सिद्धांत पर आधारित है।

Imposing tax on environmental pollution is based on the 'polluter pays' principle.

Use of theoretical principles in Hindi.

Common Collocations

नया कर लगाना

अतिरिक्त कर लगाना

भारी कर लगाना

आयकर लगाना

बिक्री कर लगाना

सेवा कर लगाना

संपत्ति कर लगाना

उपकर (Cess) लगाना

कर लगाने का अधिकार

कर लगाने की शक्ति

Common Phrases

कर लगाने का प्रस्ताव

— A proposal to impose a tax. Used in legislative contexts.

बजट में नए कर लगाने का प्रस्ताव रखा गया।

कर लगाने की दर

— The rate at which tax is imposed. Used in economic analysis.

कर लगाने की दर बहुत ऊँची है।

कर लगाने का विरोध

— Opposition to the imposition of tax. Used in political news.

व्यापारियों ने नए कर लगाने का विरोध किया।

कर लगाने की प्रक्रिया

— The procedure of imposing tax. Used in bureaucratic contexts.

कर लगाने की प्रक्रिया जटिल है।

कर लगाने का फैसला

— The decision to impose tax. Used in administrative news.

सरकार ने कर लगाने का फैसला वापस ले लिया।

कर लगाने की सीमा

— The limit or threshold for imposing tax.

आयकर लगाने की सीमा बढ़ा दी गई है।

कर लगाने का आधार

— The basis for imposing a tax.

कर लगाने का आधार पारदर्शी होना चाहिए।

कर लगाने की शक्ति

— The power to levy taxes.

राज्य के पास कर लगाने की शक्ति होती है।

कर लगाने का उद्देश्य

— The objective behind imposing a tax.

कर लगाने का मुख्य उद्देश्य राजस्व प्राप्त करना है।

कर लगाने का प्रभाव

— The impact of imposing a tax.

कर लगाने का प्रभाव बाज़ार पर पड़ेगा।

Often Confused With

कर लगाना vs कर देना (kar dena)

Means 'to pay tax'. Don't use it when you mean the government is 'imposing' it.

कर लगाना vs काम लगाना (kaam lagana)

Means 'to assign work'. 'Kar' can sometimes be confused with 'kaam' (work) by beginners.

कर लगाना vs कर करना (kar karna)

Grammatically incorrect. 'Kar' is the noun, 'lagana' is the specific verb for imposition.

Idioms & Expressions

"कर की मार"

— The 'hit' or burden of tax. Used when taxes are very high.

मध्यम वर्ग कर की मार झेल रहा है।

Journalistic

"कर का बोझ"

— The burden of tax. Similar to 'tax burden'.

आम आदमी पर कर का बोझ बढ़ता जा रहा है।

Neutral

"कर चोरी करना"

— To evade taxes. Literally 'to do tax theft'.

कर चोरी करना एक अपराध है।

Neutral

"कर का जाल"

— The 'web' or 'net' of tax. Used for complex tax systems.

व्यापारी कर के जाल में फँस गए हैं।

Metaphorical

"कर का दायरा"

— The scope or ambit of tax.

सरकार कर का दायरा बढ़ाना चाहती है।

Formal

"कर की चोरी रोकना"

— To prevent tax evasion.

नए कानून का लक्ष्य कर की चोरी रोकना है।

Formal

"कर का भुगतान"

— Payment of tax.

समय पर कर का भुगतान करना ज़रूरी है।

Formal

"कर राहत"

— Tax relief.

सरकार ने किसानों को कर राहत दी है।

Neutral

"कर प्रणाली"

— Tax system/regime.

भारत की कर प्रणाली में सुधार की ज़रूरत है।

Formal

"कर लाभ"

— Tax benefit.

बीमा खरीदने पर कर लाभ मिलता है।

Neutral

Easily Confused

कर लगाना vs कर (Kar) vs. काम (Kaam)

Both relate to 'doing' or 'work' in some contexts.

'Kar' in this phrase specifically means 'tax'. 'Kaam' means 'work'. You cannot say 'kaam lagana' to mean taxing.

मुझे काम करना है (I have to work) vs सरकार को कर लगाना है (The government has to impose tax).

कर लगाना vs लगाना (Lagana) vs. डालना (Dalna)

Both can mean 'to put'.

'Lagana' is for official application or attachment. 'Dalna' is for physically dropping something inside. You don't 'dalna' a tax.

नमक डालना (to put salt) vs कर लगाना (to impose tax).

कर लगाना vs शुल्क (Shulk) vs. कर (Kar)

Both are money paid to authorities.

'Kar' is a general tax for revenue. 'Shulk' is a fee for a specific service (like a library fee).

प्रवेश शुल्क (Entry fee) vs आयकर (Income tax).

कर लगाना vs जुर्माना (Jurmana) vs. कर (Kar)

Both are compulsory payments.

'Jurmana' is a punishment for a crime. 'Kar' is a standard civic duty.

हेलमेट न पहनने पर जुर्माना (Fine for no helmet) vs बिक्री कर (Sales tax).

कर लगाना vs लगान (Lagaan) vs. कर (Kar)

Both mean tax/revenue.

'Lagaan' is specifically historical land revenue. 'Kar' is the modern general term for all taxes.

किसानों ने लगान दिया (Farmers gave land tax) vs सरकार ने जीएसटी लगाया (Govt imposed GST).

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] कर लगाता है।

सरकार कर लगाती है।

[Subject] ने [Object] पर कर लगाया।

पुलिस ने शराब पर कर लगाया।

[Object] पर कर लगाना [Adjective] है।

चीनी पर कर लगाना ज़रूरी है।

अगर [Condition], तो [Subject] कर लगाएगा।

अगर राजस्व कम हुआ, तो सरकार कर लगाएगी।

[Technical Term] के तहत कर लगाना [Reason] है।

जीएसटी के तहत कर लगाना पारदर्शी है।

[Noun Phrase] पर कर लगाने के [Noun] निहितार्थ हैं।

कार्बन पर कर लगाने के गहरे आर्थिक निहितार्थ हैं।

Any

क्या [Object] पर कर लगाना चाहिए?

क्या इंटरनेट पर कर लगाना चाहिए?

Any

[Subject] [Object] पर कर नहीं लगा सकता।

पंचायत इस चीज़ पर कर नहीं लगा सकती।

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely frequent in news and non-fiction.

Common Mistakes

Sarkar logo ko kar lagati hai. → Sarkar logo par kar lagati hai.
You must use 'par' (on) because tax is imposed *on* people/things, not *to* them.
Maine kar lagaya. → Maine kar diya.
Citizens don't 'lagana' (impose) tax; they 'dena' (pay) tax.
Sarkar ne kar lagayi. → Sarkar ne kar lagaya.
'Kar' is masculine, so the verb 'lagaya' must be masculine, even if 'Sarkar' is feminine.
Kar karna zaroori hai. → Kar lagana zaroori hai.
'Kar karna' is not a standard phrase for imposing tax. 'Lagana' is the required verb.
Sarkar tax ko lagati hai. → Sarkar tax lagati hai.
In conjunct verbs like 'kar lagana', you usually don't put 'ko' between the noun and the verb.

Tips

Watch the 'Ne'!

In the past tense, don't forget 'ne' with the subject. 'Sarkar ne kar lagaya' is the only correct way to say 'The government imposed tax'.

Compound it

Notice how 'kar' often attaches to other words like 'aay' (income) to form 'aaykar'. This is a very common pattern in Hindi.

Use 'Tax' in cities

If you are in a big city like Delhi or Mumbai, saying 'tax lagana' will make you sound more like a local than the formal 'kar lagana'.

Budget Season

Listen to the Hindi news in February. You will hear 'kar lagana' hundreds of times. It's the best time to practice listening for this word.

Formal Writing

In essays, use 'kar adhirōpit karnā' for extra points. It shows a high level of vocabulary.

Think 'Apply'

Remember 'lagana' means to apply. You are applying a tax onto a price. This helps remember the 'par' postposition.

Don't say 'Kar Karna'

Many learners try to translate 'to tax' as 'kar karna'. This is incorrect. It must be 'kar lagana'.

Global vs Local

Use 'Sima Shulk' for customs duty (international) and 'Kar' for local taxes.

Short 'a'

Keep the 'a' in 'kar' very short. If you say 'kaar', people might think you are talking about a car.

Lagaan Connection

If you've seen the movie 'Lagaan', remember that 'Lagaan' is just an old word for 'Kar'. They are both imposed using 'lagana'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the government 'CAR-rying' (Kar) away your money by 'LAGGING' (Lagana) behind your paycheck.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant hand (Kar means hand) placing (Lagana) a heavy weight labeled '%' onto a loaf of bread.

Word Web

Kar (Tax) Lagana (Impose) Sarkar (Government) Paisa (Money) Par (On) Niyam (Rule) Janta (Public) Aay (Income)

Challenge

Try to write three things you think the government should 'kar lagana' on to save the planet, and three things they should not.

Word Origin

The word 'kar' (कर) comes from the Sanskrit root 'kṛ' (कृ), which means 'to do' or 'to make'. In ancient Sanskrit, 'kar' also meant 'hand'. The extension to 'tax' comes from the idea of a 'tribute' or 'portion of produce' given to the king's hand.

Original meaning: Hand / Action / Tribute

Indo-Aryan

Cultural Context

Taxation is a sensitive political topic in India. Use the term neutrally unless you are intentionally being critical (e.g., using 'thopna' instead of 'lagana').

Unlike in some Western countries where 'taxing' can mean 'exhausting', in Hindi 'kar lagana' is strictly financial/legal.

The movie 'Lagaan' (which means land tax/revenue). Chanakya's Arthashastra (Ancient Indian treatise on statecraft and taxes). Common Hindi news slogan: 'Mehangai ki maar' (The hit of inflation, often caused by taxes).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

News / Media

नया कर लगाया गया
कर लगाने की घोषणा
कर लगाने का विरोध
अतिरिक्त कर लगाना

Legal / Official

कर लगाने की विधायी शक्ति
अधिरोपित करना
कर लगाने का अधिकार
संवैधानिक प्रावधान

Business / Office

कॉर्पोरेट कर लगाना
कर लगाने का प्रभाव
लागत पर कर
कर लाभ

Personal Finance

आय पर कर लगाना
बचत पर कर
कर से बचना
कर भुगतान

History

लगान लगाना
नमक पर कर लगाना
ऐतिहासिक कर
राजा द्वारा कर

Conversation Starters

"क्या आपको लगता है कि अमीरों पर ज़्यादा कर लगाना चाहिए?"

"आपकी राय में, क्या जंक फूड पर कर लगाना स्वास्थ्य के लिए अच्छा है?"

"अगर आप वित्त मंत्री होते, तो आप किस चीज़ पर कर लगाते?"

"क्या आपको पता है कि सरकार ने नया सर्विस टैक्स लगाया है?"

"क्या पुराने ज़माने में कर लगाना आज की तुलना में कठिन था?"

Journal Prompts

आज मैंने समाचार में सुना कि सरकार पेट्रोल पर कर लगाने वाली है। इसके बारे में मेरे विचार ये हैं...

अगर मैं एक नया देश बनाऊं, तो मैं किन चीज़ों पर कर लगाऊंगा और क्यों?

कर लगाने के फायदे और नुकसान के बारे में एक छोटा लेख लिखें।

क्या शिक्षा और स्वास्थ्य सेवाओं पर कर लगाना उचित है? अपने तर्क दें।

मेरे देश में कर लगाने की प्रणाली कैसी है? क्या इसमें सुधार की ज़रूरत है?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

In this specific combination, yes. However, 'kar' by itself can mean 'hand' (literary) or be the root of 'karna' (to do). 'Lagana' has dozens of meanings. But together, they almost always mean 'to impose tax'.

Yes, in 90% of daily conversations, 'tax lagana' is perfectly fine and very common in India. 'Kar lagana' is better for exams, formal writing, and understanding news broadcasts.

'Kar' is masculine. This is important for past tense agreement: 'Sarkar ne kar lagaya' (not lagayi).

The opposite is 'kar hatana' (to remove tax) or 'kar mukt karna' (to make tax-free).

Income tax is 'Aaykar' (आयकर). To say 'impose income tax', you say 'aaykar lagana'.

'Par' means 'on'. In Hindi logic, you place or apply a tax *on* a product or person, so 'par' is the necessary bridge.

No, for fines you use 'jurmana lagana'. Using 'kar' for a punishment would be confusing.

Usually, only an authority like a government or a king can 'kar lagana'. An individual cannot impose a tax.

It means to impose the Goods and Services Tax. It's a very common modern usage of the 'lagana' verb.

Yes, but in formal Urdu, 'tax aayid karna' (टैक्स आयद करना) is more common, though 'tax lagana' is understood.