कर्ज़ in 30 Seconds
- Karz is the Hindi word for debt or loan.
- It is a masculine noun used in both financial and emotional contexts.
- Common verbs used with it include 'lena' (take) and 'chukana' (repay).
- It is a key concept in Indian culture, representing both financial burden and moral duty.
The word कर्ज़ (Karz) is a fundamental noun in Hindi that primarily translates to 'debt' or 'loan'. Originating from Arabic roots, it has become deeply embedded in the Hindi-Urdu lexicon. It refers to something, typically money, that is borrowed and expected to be paid back. However, its usage extends beyond the purely financial realm into the emotional and moral spheres of life. In Indian society, the concept of being in debt is often viewed with a mix of practical necessity and moral weight. Whether you are discussing a formal bank loan or a personal favor from a friend, 'Karz' is the word that anchors the conversation.
- Financial Context
- In a bank or business setting, Karz refers to a formal loan. For example, 'Home Loan' is often referred to as 'Ghar ke liye karz'.
- Moral Obligation
- It is used metaphorically to describe a debt of gratitude. If someone saves your life, you might say you are under their 'Karz'.
मुझ पर आपका बहुत कर्ज़ है। (I am deeply indebted to you.)
Understanding 'Karz' requires recognizing the difference between it and 'Udhaar'. While both mean borrowing, 'Karz' often implies a more formal or substantial debt, whereas 'Udhaar' is frequently used for small, informal borrowings like getting a cup of sugar from a neighbor or buying groceries on credit at a local shop. In literature and Bollywood cinema, 'Karz' is a recurring theme, symbolizing the burdens of the past or the sacrifices made by parents that children feel they must repay. This cultural nuance makes the word much more than a financial term; it is a social contract.
किसान कर्ज़ के नीचे दबा हुआ है। (The farmer is burdened under debt.)
- Societal View
- In many Indian households, 'Karz' is seen as a 'bojh' (burden) that should be cleared as quickly as possible to maintain family honor.
क्या आपने अपना कर्ज़ चुका दिया? (Did you repay your loan?)
Using 'Karz' correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as a masculine noun. It is often paired with specific verbs to describe the lifecycle of a debt. The most common pairings are 'lena' (to take/borrow), 'dena' (to give/lend), 'chukana' (to repay), and 'maaf karna' (to forgive/waive). Because it ends in a consonant and is masculine, its form remains relatively stable, but it takes the oblique form 'karze' in plural contexts or with postpositions, though 'karz' is often used collectively.
- Taking a Loan
- उसने बैंक से कर्ज़ लिया। (He took a loan from the bank.) This is the standard way to express borrowing money.
मैं किसी का कर्ज़ नहीं रखना चाहता। (I don't want to keep anyone's debt.)
When discussing the state of being in debt, the postposition 'mein' (in) or 'tale' (under) is used. For example, 'Karz mein doobna' literally means 'to drown in debt', a common idiom for financial ruin. Conversely, 'Karz se mukti' means 'freedom from debt'. In formal writing, such as news reports about the economy, you will see 'Karz' used to describe national deficits or corporate liabilities. It is a versatile word that scales from a few rupees to billions.
- Repaying
- The verb 'utarna' (to take down/off) is also used for repaying: 'Karz utarna'. It gives the imagery of removing a heavy load from one's shoulders.
माँ-बाप का कर्ज़ कोई नहीं उतार सकता। (No one can repay the debt owed to parents.)
In complex sentences, you might use it to show cause and effect. 'Karz ki wajah se usne ghar bech diya' (Because of the debt, he sold the house). Notice how 'ki' (of) is used here because 'wajah' is feminine, but 'Karz' remains the object of the phrase. Whether in poetry or a loan application, the structural rules remain consistent, making it a reliable word for learners to master early on.
You will encounter 'Karz' in a variety of daily life situations in India. In the bustling markets, you might hear a shopkeeper refusing credit by saying, 'Hum karz par maal nahi bechte' (We don't sell goods on credit/debt). In a middle-class household, dinner table conversations often revolve around 'EMI' and 'Karz' when discussing buying a new car or a flat. The word is ubiquitous because the economic reality of borrowing is a central part of modern Indian life.
- News & Media
- News headlines often feature 'Karz maafi' (debt waiver), especially regarding farmers' loans during election seasons.
सरकार ने किसानों का कर्ज़ माफ़ कर दिया। (The government waived the farmers' debt.)
In television dramas (soap operas), 'Karz' is a classic plot device. A family might be struggling to pay off a 'Karz' taken for a daughter's wedding or a medical emergency, leading to high-stakes drama. It is also a favorite word for lyricists. Many Bollywood songs use 'Karz' to describe the 'debt of love' or the 'debt of the motherland'. This emotional layering means that when you hear the word, you should listen for the tone—is it a stressful financial discussion or a sentimental expression of gratitude?
- Professional Settings
- In banks, you'll hear 'Karz ki dar' (interest rate) or 'Karz ki avadhi' (loan tenure).
क्या आप कर्ज़ के लिए आवेदन करना चाहते हैं? (Do you want to apply for a loan?)
Even in spiritual or philosophical discourses, 'Karz' appears. Gurus might talk about 'Pichle janam ka karz' (Debt from a previous life), explaining current misfortunes as the repayment of past actions. This wide range of usage—from the bank to the temple to the movie theater—makes 'Karz' one of the most culturally resonant words in the Hindi language.
For English speakers learning Hindi, the most common mistake is confusing 'Karz' with 'Udhaar'. While both relate to borrowing, 'Karz' is usually for money and implies a more formal obligation, often with interest. 'Udhaar' is more generic and can apply to objects (borrowing a pen) or small amounts of money between friends. Using 'Karz' to ask a friend for five rupees might sound overly dramatic or formal.
- Gender Confusion
- Learners often treat 'Karz' as feminine because it ends in a consonant that doesn't clearly signal gender. Remember: It is masculine. Avoid saying 'Bari karz' (Big debt); say 'Bada karz'.
गलत: उसकी कर्ज़ बहुत है। (Wrong gender)
सही: उसका कर्ज़ बहुत है। (Correct: His debt is a lot.)
Another mistake involves the pronunciation of the 'z' (ज़). English speakers often have no trouble with 'z', but many Hindi learners who are used to the 'j' sound in words like 'Jal' (water) might accidentally say 'Karj'. While 'Karj' is understood and used in some rural dialects, 'Karz' with the dot (nukta) under the 'ja' is the sophisticated, standard pronunciation. Precision here marks the difference between a beginner and an intermediate speaker.
- Verb Pairing
- Using the wrong verb like 'Karz khana' (to eat debt) is incorrect. You 'take' (lena) or 'repay' (chukana/utarna) debt.
सही: कर्ज़ उतारना मुश्किल है। (It is hard to repay the debt.)
Finally, be careful with the plural. While 'Karze' exists, native speakers often use 'Karz' as a collective noun. Saying 'Mere paas bahut saare karze hain' is grammatically okay but 'Mujh par bahut karz hai' sounds more natural. Over-pluralizing is a common trait of learners applying English 's' rules to Hindi nouns.
Hindi offers several synonyms for 'Karz', each with its own flavor and register. Choosing the right one depends on whether you are in a bank, a temple, or a friend's living room. The most formal and Sanskritized alternative is ऋण (Rin). You will find 'Rin' in legal documents, ancient scriptures, and formal banking terminology. It carries a sense of cosmic or legal duty.
- Karz vs. Rin
- 'Karz' is common parlance; 'Rin' is academic/legal. You'd say 'Karz' to a friend, but a bank might send a 'Rin' statement.
- Karz vs. Udhaar
- 'Udhaar' is for short-term borrowing or credit at a shop. 'Karz' is usually larger and more structured.
मैंने उससे कुछ पैसे उधार लिए। (I borrowed some money from him - Informal/Small amount.)
Another related word is देनदारी (Dendari), which means 'liabilities' or 'dues'. This is used in accounting and business contexts to describe the total amount one is liable to pay. Then there is लोन (Loan). Interestingly, the English word 'Loan' is now extremely common in urban India. People often say 'Home Loan' or 'Car Loan' rather than using 'Karz'. However, 'Karz' remains the word of choice for emotional or metaphorical debts.
- Comparison Table
- - **Karz**: General/Emotional (Middle register) - **Rin**: Formal/Scriptural (High register) - **Udhaar**: Informal/Credit (Low register) - **Loan**: Modern/Urban (Hinglish)
भारतीय संस्कृति में 'पितृ ऋण' का बहुत महत्व है। (In Indian culture, the 'debt to ancestors' is very important.)
Understanding these alternatives allows you to navigate different social layers in India. While 'Karz' will get you through most situations, knowing when to switch to 'Udhaar' for a small favor or 'Rin' for a serious discussion about duties will make your Hindi sound much more authentic and nuanced.
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
In the original Arabic, the root implies that by giving a loan, you are 'cutting' a part of your wealth for someone else's use temporarily.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing it as 'Kar-ja' (adding an 'a' at the end).
- Pronouncing 'z' as 'j' (Karj).
- Aspirating the 'k' (like 'Kh-arz').
- Making the 'r' too soft or silent.
- Stressing the 'a' too much.
Difficulty Rating
Easy to recognize in text due to its short length and frequent appearance.
Requires remembering the 'nukta' (dot) under 'z' for correct spelling.
Simple to pronounce if the 'z' sound is mastered.
Commonly heard in media and daily life.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Masculine Noun Agreement
Mera karz (My debt), Bada karz (Big debt).
Postposition 'Se' for Source
Bank se karz (Loan from bank).
Postposition 'Par' for Burden
Mujh par karz (Debt on me).
Compound Verb Construction
Karz chuka dena (To completely repay debt).
Oblique Form in Plural
Karzon ka bojh (The burden of debts).
Examples by Level
यह मेरा कर्ज़ है।
This is my loan.
'Mera' is masculine to match 'Karz'.
क्या आपके पास कर्ज़ है?
Do you have a loan?
A simple question using 'paas'.
मुझे कर्ज़ चाहिए।
I need a loan.
Using 'chahie' for necessity.
उसने कर्ज़ लिया।
He took a loan.
Past tense of 'lena'.
राम कर्ज़ देता है।
Ram gives loans.
Present simple tense.
कर्ज़ बुरा है।
Debt is bad.
Simple adjective-noun agreement.
पाँच सौ रुपये का कर्ज़।
A loan of five hundred rupees.
Using 'ka' for possession/amount.
छोटा कर्ज़।
Small loan.
Adjective 'Chhota' matches masculine 'Karz'.
मुझे अपना कर्ज़ चुकाना है।
I have to repay my loan.
'Chukana' is the verb for repaying.
उसने बैंक से कर्ज़ लिया।
He took a loan from the bank.
Using 'se' (from) with the source.
क्या तुम कर्ज़ वापस करोगे?
Will you return the loan?
Future tense of 'karna'.
कर्ज़ लेना आसान नहीं है।
Taking a loan is not easy.
Gerundial use of 'Karz lena'.
उस पर बहुत कर्ज़ है।
He has a lot of debt.
Using 'par' (on) to show burden.
मेरे पिता ने कर्ज़ लिया था।
My father had taken a loan.
Past perfect tense.
बिना कर्ज़ के घर बनाओ।
Build a house without debt.
Using 'ke bina' (without).
कर्ज़ की रकम कितनी है?
How much is the loan amount?
'Rakam' is feminine, hence 'ki'.
वह कर्ज़ के जाल में फँस गया है।
He is caught in the trap of debt.
Metaphorical use of 'jaal' (trap).
हमें अपना कर्ज़ समय पर देना चाहिए।
We should give our debt on time.
Using 'chahie' for moral obligation.
कर्ज़ माफी से किसानों को मदद मिली।
Farmers got help from debt waiver.
Compound noun 'Karz maafi'.
उसने अपनी पढ़ाई के लिए कर्ज़ लिया।
He took a loan for his studies.
Using 'ke liye' (for).
ज़्यादा कर्ज़ लेना खतरनाक हो सकता है।
Taking too much debt can be dangerous.
Using 'ho sakta hai' (can be).
उसने अपना सारा कर्ज़ उतार दिया।
He paid off all his debt.
'Utar dena' is a phrasal verb for paying off.
क्या आप पर कोई कर्ज़ बाकी है?
Is there any debt remaining on you?
'Baaki' means remaining.
कर्ज़ के कारण वह परेशान रहता है।
He remains worried because of debt.
Using 'ke kaaran' (due to).
देश का कर्ज़ दिन-ब-दिन बढ़ता जा रहा है।
The country's debt is increasing day by day.
Continuous progression 'badhta ja raha hai'.
बैंक ने कर्ज़ की ब्याज दरें बढ़ा दी हैं।
The bank has increased the interest rates on loans.
'Byaaj darein' is plural feminine.
कर्ज़ लेना व्यक्तिगत निर्णय होता है।
Taking a loan is a personal decision.
Formal sentence structure.
वह अपने माता-पिता के कर्ज़ को कभी नहीं भूलता।
He never forgets the debt (of gratitude) to his parents.
Metaphorical use for emotional debt.
कंपनी कर्ज़ में डूबी हुई है।
The company is drowned in debt.
Idiomatic expression 'doobi hui'.
कर्ज़ चुकाने की उसकी क्षमता कम है।
His capacity to repay the debt is low.
'Kshamta' (capacity) is feminine.
बिना सोचे-समझे कर्ज़ लेना मूर्खता है।
Taking a loan without thinking is foolishness.
Adverbial phrase 'bina soche-samjhe'.
सरकार को विदेशी कर्ज़ कम करना होगा।
The government will have to reduce foreign debt.
Future necessity 'karna hoga'.
यह फिल्म पिछले जन्म के कर्ज़ की कहानी है।
This film is a story of debt from a previous life.
Spiritual/Karmic context.
समाज के प्रति हमारा भी कुछ कर्ज़ है।
We also have some debt towards society.
Social responsibility context.
कर्ज़ की समस्या ने कई परिवारों को नष्ट कर दिया।
The problem of debt destroyed many families.
Abstract noun 'Samasya'.
उसने अपनी ईमानदारी से सबका कर्ज़ जीत लिया।
He won over everyone's debt (gratitude) with his honesty.
Poetic/Abstract usage.
कर्ज़ वसूली की प्रक्रिया काफी लंबी है।
The process of debt recovery is quite long.
Legal/Financial term 'Vasuli'.
क्या हम कभी कुदरत का कर्ज़ उतार पाएंगे?
Will we ever be able to pay back the debt to nature?
Environmental/Philosophical context.
कर्ज़ का बोझ इंसान की कमर तोड़ देता है।
The burden of debt breaks a person's back.
Proverbial expression.
उसने कर्ज़ के बदले अपनी ज़मीन गिरवी रख दी।
He mortgaged his land in exchange for a loan.
Using 'ke badle' (in exchange for).
इतिहास गवाह है कि कर्ज़ साम्राज्यों के पतन का कारण बना।
History is witness that debt became the cause of the downfall of empires.
High formal/Academic register.
उसकी कविताओं में जीवन के कर्ज़ का गहरा चित्रण है।
There is a deep depiction of life's debt in his poems.
Literary analysis register.
कर्ज़ और नैतिकता के बीच का द्वंद्व शाश्वत है।
The conflict between debt and morality is eternal.
Philosophical register.
ऋणग्रस्तता की यह स्थिति आर्थिक नीतियों की विफलता दर्शाती है।
This state of indebtedness reflects the failure of economic policies.
Sanskritized term 'Ringrastata' for indebtedness.
उसने अपने अस्तित्व का कर्ज़ अपनी कला के माध्यम से चुकाया।
He repaid the debt of his existence through his art.
Existential/Poetic context.
कर्ज़ केवल धन का नहीं, भावनाओं का भी होता है।
Debt is not only of money, but also of emotions.
Nuanced philosophical statement.
क्या संप्रभु कर्ज़ का संकट वैश्विक मंदी का संकेत है?
Is the sovereign debt crisis a sign of a global recession?
Macroeconomic context.
उसकी वसीयत में कर्ज़ के निपटारे का स्पष्ट उल्लेख था।
There was a clear mention of the settlement of debt in his will.
Legal/Probate register.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Often Confused With
Sounds similar but means 'Duty'. Don't confuse financial debt with moral duty, though they are related.
Sounds similar but means 'Request' or 'Submission' (often used in poetry).
Sounds similar but means 'Need' or 'Self-interest'.
Idioms & Expressions
— To be up to one's neck in debt.
वह जुए की वजह से कर्ज़ में गले-गले तक है।
Informal— To fulfill an obligation or pay back a favor.
उसने अपनी मेहनत से माँ का कर्ज़ उतारा।
Common— To take a loan and have no intention of returning it.
वह सबका कर्ज़ खाकर बैठा है।
Informal/Criticism— The debt of death (inescapable fate).
यह तो मौत का कर्ज़ है, सबको चुकाना है।
Philosophical— The debt a child owes to their mother for raising them.
मैं अपने दूध का कर्ज़ कैसे चुकाऊँगा?
Emotional/Cultural— Debt described as a disease (leprosy) that ruins life.
कर्ज़ का कोढ़ इंसान को खत्म कर देता है।
Literary— To take a new loan to pay an old one (Debt trap).
वह एक कर्ज़ उतारने के लिए दूसरा कर्ज़ ले रहा है।
Financial/Common— The debt one owes to their homeland/soil.
सैनिक मिट्टी का कर्ज़ चुकाते हैं।
PatrioticEasily Confused
Both involve borrowing.
Udhaar is for credit or small items; Karz is for substantial loans.
चीनी उधार लेना vs बैंक से कर्ज़ लेना.
Related to loans.
Kist is the 'installment', Karz is the 'total debt'.
मैंने कर्ज़ की पहली किस्त दी।
Always comes with loans.
Byaaj is 'interest', Karz is 'principal/debt'.
कर्ज़ पर ब्याज ज़्यादा है।
Exact synonym.
Rin is the formal Sanskrit word; Karz is the common Arabic-origin word.
Legal documents use Rin.
Related to owing.
Dendari is a general accounting term for liabilities.
व्यापार में देनदारी बढ़ गई।
Sentence Patterns
Mujhe [Amount] ka karz chahiye.
मुझे एक लाख का कर्ज़ चाहिए।
Usne [Source] se karz liya.
उसने बैंक से कर्ज़ लिया।
Main apna karz [Time] tak chuka dunga.
मैं अपना कर्ज़ अगले साल तक चुका दूँगा।
[Subject] karz ke bojh tale daba hai.
वह कर्ज़ के बोझ तले दबा है।
Karz maafi se [Group] ko rahat mili.
कर्ज़ माफ़ी से किसानों को राहत मिली।
Karz ki samasya arthvyavastha ke liye chunauti hai.
कर्ज़ की समस्या अर्थव्यवस्था के लिए चुनौती है।
Kya aap par koi karz hai?
क्या आप पर कोई कर्ज़ है?
Karz lena acchi baat nahi hai.
कर्ज़ लेना अच्छी बात नहीं है।
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
Very high in both spoken and written Hindi.
-
Uski karz
→
Uska karz
Karz is masculine, so the possessive pronoun must be 'Uska'.
-
Karj (with j sound)
→
Karz (with z sound)
The standard pronunciation uses the 'z' sound from the Arabic root.
-
Karz khana
→
Karz lena
You 'take' a loan, you don't 'eat' it in Hindi grammar.
-
Udhaar for bank loans
→
Karz for bank loans
Udhaar is too informal for a million-dollar bank transaction.
-
Karz chukani hai
→
Karz chukana hai
The verb must agree with the masculine gender of 'Karz'.
Tips
Gender Agreement
Always remember Karz is masculine. Say 'Uska karz' not 'Uski karz'.
Formal vs Informal
Use 'Rin' in writing and 'Karz' in speaking to sound more natural.
The Nukta
Pay attention to the dot under the 'z'. It changes the sound from 'j' to 'z'.
Emotional Debt
Use 'Karz' to show deep respect or gratitude to someone who helped you.
Verb Pairing
Pair 'Karz' with 'lena' for taking and 'chukana' for repaying.
Hinglish
Don't be afraid to use 'Loan' in big cities; it's very common.
Spelling
Write it as कर्ज़, not कर्ज, for the most accurate representation.
Context Clues
If you hear 'Bank', it's financial. If you hear 'Maa', it's emotional.
Easy Recall
Think of 'Karz' as 'Cost' that you have to pay back later.
Drowning in Debt
Use 'Karz mein doobna' to describe someone in a financial crisis.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Karz' as 'Cars'. If you want to buy many **Cars**, you might need to take a **Karz** (loan).
Visual Association
Imagine a person carrying a heavy sack of coins on their back. The sack is labeled 'KARZ'.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to write three sentences about a time you borrowed something, using 'Karz' for money and 'Udhaar' for an object.
Word Origin
The word 'Karz' comes from the Arabic word 'qard' (قرض), which means 'to cut' or 'to sever'. In a financial sense, it implies cutting off a piece of one's property to give to another as a loan.
Original meaning: A loan, specifically one without interest in Islamic tradition (Qard al-Hasan), though in Hindi it generalises to all loans.
Afro-Asiatic (Arabic) -> Indo-Aryan (Hindi/Urdu).Cultural Context
Be sensitive when discussing 'Karz' with someone, as financial debt can be a source of great shame or stress in South Asian families.
In English-speaking cultures, 'debt' is often seen as a financial tool. In Hindi, 'Karz' carries a heavier emotional weight of 'being beholden'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At the Bank
- मुझे कर्ज़ चाहिए।
- ब्याज दर क्या है?
- कितने समय के लिए कर्ज़ मिलेगा?
- कागज़ात क्या चाहिए?
Between Friends
- क्या तुम मुझे कर्ज़ दे सकते हो?
- मैं अगले महीने चुका दूँगा।
- मुझ पर पहले से ही कर्ज़ है।
- पैसे की तंगी है।
News/Politics
- कर्ज़ माफ़ी की घोषणा।
- विदेशी कर्ज़ का संकट।
- अर्थव्यवस्था और कर्ज़।
- किसानों का कर्ज़।
Family Discussion
- हमें कर्ज़ नहीं लेना चाहिए।
- कर्ज़ उतारना ज़रूरी है।
- घर का कर्ज़ खत्म हो गया।
- बचत करो, कर्ज़ मत लो।
Philosophical
- माँ का कर्ज़।
- पिछले जन्म का कर्ज़।
- इंसानियत का कर्ज़।
- मिट्टी का कर्ज़।
Conversation Starters
"क्या आपने कभी बैंक से कर्ज़ लिया है? (Have you ever taken a loan from a bank?)"
"आजकल कर्ज़ लेना बहुत आसान हो गया है, क्या आप सहमत हैं? (Taking a loan has become very easy nowadays, do you agree?)"
"कर्ज़ माफ़ी के बारे में आपकी क्या राय है? (What is your opinion on debt waivers?)"
"क्या बच्चों को अपने माता-पिता का कर्ज़ चुकाना चाहिए? (Should children repay the debt of their parents?)"
"बिना कर्ज़ के घर खरीदना मुश्किल क्यों है? (Why is it difficult to buy a house without a loan?)"
Journal Prompts
लिखिए कि आप कर्ज़ के बारे में क्या सोचते हैं। (Write about what you think about debt.)
क्या आप पर किसी का कोई भावनात्मक कर्ज़ है? (Do you have any emotional debt towards someone?)
अगर आपको एक करोड़ का कर्ज़ मिले, तो आप क्या करेंगे? (If you got a loan of 10 million, what would you do?)
कर्ज़ मुक्त जीवन जीने के फायदे बताइए। (Explain the benefits of living a debt-free life.)
क्या शिक्षा के लिए कर्ज़ लेना सही है? (Is it right to take a loan for education?)
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsKarz is typically used for formal loans involving money, often with interest. Udhaar is used for informal borrowing, like credit at a shop or a small favor from a friend.
Karz is a masculine noun. You should use masculine adjectives and pronouns with it, like 'Bada Karz' or 'Mera Karz'.
You can say 'Karz chukana' or 'Karz utarna'. Both are common and correct.
Yes, it is often used metaphorically for debts of gratitude, like 'Maa ka karz' (debt to one's mother).
It means 'debt waiver'. It is a common term in Indian politics referring to the cancellation of loans, usually for farmers.
Yes, the English word 'Loan' is very common in urban Hindi (Hinglish), especially for bank-related products.
It is pronounced like the English 'z' in 'zebra'. Some people pronounce it like 'j', but 'z' is the standard.
It literally means 'to drown in debt', implying that someone has so much debt they cannot manage it.
The Sanskrit-derived synonym is 'Rin' (ऋण).
No, for objects like books, use 'Udhaar lena' or 'Maangna'. Karz is specifically for value or money.
Test Yourself 180 questions
Write a sentence in Hindi: 'I took a loan from the bank.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence in Hindi: 'He has to repay the debt.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Say 'Debt is a burden' in Hindi.
Read this aloud:
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Identify the word: 'Karz'
Translate: 'The debt is increasing.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'I don't have any debt.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Say 'I need to pay the loan' in Hindi.
Read this aloud:
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Listen and write: 'Karz'
Translate: 'The bank waived the debt.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'I am in debt.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Say 'I will pay the loan tomorrow' in Hindi.
Read this aloud:
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Listen and choose: 'Karz' (Money/Food/Water)
Translate: 'The debt was waived by the government.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'I am under your debt.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Say 'I have no debt' in Hindi.
Read this aloud:
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Listen and identify: 'Chukana' (Repay/Take/Give)
Translate: 'We should not take too much debt.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'The interest on the loan is high.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Say 'I am debt-free now' in Hindi.
Read this aloud:
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Listen and identify: 'Mera Karz' (My debt/His debt/Your debt)
Translate: 'He is a debtor.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'Give me a loan.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Say 'Loan amount' in Hindi.
Read this aloud:
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Listen and identify: 'Bank se karz'
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The word 'Karz' (कर्ज़) is essential for discussing finances and deep personal obligations in Hindi. Example: 'Main apna karz chuka dunga' (I will repay my debt) shows its common use in daily life.
- Karz is the Hindi word for debt or loan.
- It is a masculine noun used in both financial and emotional contexts.
- Common verbs used with it include 'lena' (take) and 'chukana' (repay).
- It is a key concept in Indian culture, representing both financial burden and moral duty.
Gender Agreement
Always remember Karz is masculine. Say 'Uska karz' not 'Uski karz'.
Formal vs Informal
Use 'Rin' in writing and 'Karz' in speaking to sound more natural.
The Nukta
Pay attention to the dot under the 'z'. It changes the sound from 'j' to 'z'.
Emotional Debt
Use 'Karz' to show deep respect or gratitude to someone who helped you.
Example
उस पर बहुत कर्ज़ है।
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