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किस्म

B1 noun 9 min read

किस्म

kism

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips किस्म in 30 Seconds

Explanation किस्म in your Level:

At the Beginner level (A1), you should focus on using 'किस्म' (kism) to describe simple, everyday objects. Think about things you see in a shop or a kitchen. You will mostly use it to ask questions like 'What kind of fruit is this?' or to make simple statements like 'I like this kind of chocolate.' The main goal here is to get used to the word's sound and its basic meaning as 'kind' or 'type'. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet, but try to remember that it is a feminine word. If you use it with 'this' (यह/इस), you will often see it as 'इस किस्म का' (is kism ka). At this stage, it's a very helpful word for expanding your vocabulary because it allows you to talk about many different things even if you don't know the specific names for every variety. For example, if you don't know the word for 'Granny Smith apple', you can just say 'इस किस्म का सेब' (this kind of apple). It is a great 'shortcut' word for beginners to communicate effectively in a market or a restaurant.

At the Elementary level (A2), you can start using 'किस्म' (kism) in more varied contexts, such as describing your preferences in music, movies, or clothes. You should be able to form sentences like 'मुझे इस किस्म की फ़िल्में पसंद हैं' (I like this kind of movies). You will also start encountering the plural form 'किस्में' (kismein). For example, 'यहाँ कई किस्मों के कपड़े मिलते हैं' (Many kinds of clothes are available here). At this level, you should pay more attention to the gender agreement. Since 'kism' is feminine, ensure you use 'की' (ki) or 'अच्छी' (acchi) with it. You might also start using the phrase 'हर किस्म का' (har kism ka) to mean 'all sorts of' or 'every kind of'. This will help you describe collections of things more efficiently. You are moving beyond just naming objects to describing groups and categories of things in your immediate environment.

At the Intermediate level (B1), which is where this word is officially categorized, you should be comfortable using 'किस्म' (kism) to discuss more abstract ideas and personality traits. You can use it to describe people's characters, such as 'वह एक अलग किस्म का व्यक्ति है' (He is a different kind of person). You should also understand the difference between 'kism' and its formal synonym 'prakar'. At this stage, you are expected to use the oblique plural 'किस्मों' (kismon) correctly when it is followed by a postposition. For example, 'विभिन्न किस्मों के बारे में बात करना' (Talking about different varieties). You can also use the word to express quality and standards, such as 'यह घटिया किस्म का काम है' (This is a low-quality kind of work). Your usage should reflect a deeper understanding of how the word functions in social interactions and descriptive narratives. You are now using the word to add nuance and specific detail to your conversations.

At the Upper Intermediate level (B2), you should use 'किस्म' (kism) with precision in professional or academic discussions, while also being aware of its stylistic impact. You can use it to categorize complex information, such as 'इस शोध में तीन किस्मों के डेटा का उपयोग किया गया है' (Three kinds of data have been used in this research). You should be able to recognize and use idiomatic expressions involving 'kism', and understand the subtle connotations it carries in different registers. For instance, you might use it to discuss socio-economic categories or literary genres. You should also be able to explain the difference between 'kism' and related words like 'shreni' (category) or 'varg' (class) to others. At this level, your flow should be natural, and you should be able to switch between 'kism' and 'prakar' depending on whether you are speaking informally with a colleague or presenting a formal report. You are using the word to organize and present complex thoughts clearly.

At the Advanced level (C1), you should have a sophisticated grasp of 'किस्म' (kism), using it to articulate fine distinctions in meaning. You might use it in literary analysis to describe the 'kism' of a writer's prose or the 'kism' of an era's political climate. Your usage should be flawless, including complex structures like 'जिस किस्म की चुनौतियों का हम सामना कर रहे हैं...' (The kind of challenges we are facing...). You should understand the historical and etymological roots of the word and how its Persian origin gives it a specific flavor compared to Sanskrit-derived terms. At this level, you can use the word to convey irony, sarcasm, or deep respect through tone and context. You are not just using a word; you are choosing it purposefully among many synonyms to achieve a specific rhetorical effect. Your mastery allows you to use 'kism' to weave together intricate descriptions and arguments in both spoken and written Hindi.

At the Mastery level (C2), your use of 'किस्म' (kism) is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You can use it in the most formal settings—such as legal, scientific, or philosophical discourses—while maintaining the appropriate register. You understand the most subtle nuances, such as when 'kism' might be used to subtly imply a lack of quality or when it is used as a neutral taxonomic term. You can engage in deep discussions about the evolution of the word in the Hindustani language and its role in modern Hindi literature. You can use it to create complex metaphors or to describe highly specialized categories in fields like botany, sociology, or linguistics. Your command of the word's plural forms, its interaction with postpositions, and its gender agreement is perfect and instinctive. At this stage, 'kism' is just one small part of a vast and expertly wielded vocabulary that allows you to express any thought with total precision and cultural resonance.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

किस्म in 30 Seconds

A feminine noun meaning 'kind', 'type', or 'variety' used across all contexts.
Derived from Arabic, it is more conversational than the formal word 'prakar'.
Requires feminine agreement for adjectives (e.g., अच्छी किस्म) and specific postpositions.
Commonly used in markets, for describing people, and in scientific classifications.

The Hindi word किस्म (kism) is a versatile and indispensable noun that every intermediate learner must master. At its core, it translates to 'kind', 'type', 'variety', or 'category'. Originating from the Arabic word 'qism', it entered Hindi through the Persian influence on the Hindustani language. Unlike its more formal, Sanskrit-derived counterpart 'प्रकार' (prakar), kism carries a more conversational and natural tone in everyday speech. Whether you are at a bustling vegetable market in Delhi asking about varieties of mangoes or discussing different genres of music with a friend in Mumbai, this word will be your constant companion. It is grammatically feminine, which is a crucial detail for learners to remember, as it dictates the adjectives and verbs that surround it. For instance, you would say 'अच्छी किस्म' (acchi kism - good variety) rather than 'अच्छा किस्म'.

Taxonomic Usage: In biological or agricultural contexts, it refers to specific strains, breeds, or cultivars. Farmers use it to distinguish between different seeds or crop yields.
Social Context: It is frequently used to describe human behavior or personality traits, often with a hint of judgment, such as in the phrase 'उस किस्म के लोग' (those kind of people).
Material Quality: When shopping for fabrics, electronics, or groceries, shoppers use it to inquire about the grade or quality of the merchandise available.

बाज़ार में इस फल की कई किस्में उपलब्ध हैं, लेकिन यह सबसे मीठी है। (Many varieties of this fruit are available in the market, but this one is the sweetest.)

Understanding the nuance of kism involves recognizing its emotional weight. While 'prakar' is clinical and structural, kism can be descriptive and evocative. If someone says 'यह एक अलग किस्म की समस्या है' (This is a different kind of problem), they are often implying that the problem has a unique nature or flavor that requires a specific approach. It is not just about classification; it is about the essence of the object or idea being discussed. In the realm of literature and cinema, critics use it to categorize genres, though 'vidha' (genre) is the technical term, kism is what you will hear in a casual discussion outside the theater.

मुझे हर किस्म का संगीत सुनना पसंद है। (I like listening to every kind of music.)

Abstract Categorization: It is used to describe abstract concepts like love, pain, or joy, indicating that these emotions can manifest in various ways.

Furthermore, the word is often pluralized as 'किस्में' (kismein) when referring to multiple types. For example, 'दुनिया में कई किस्मों के जानवर पाए जाते हैं' (Many kinds of animals are found in the world). The flexibility of this word allows it to be used in both positive and negative connotations. A 'shandaar kism' (magnificent type) of building is a compliment, whereas a 'ghatiya kism' (inferior type) of product is a sharp criticism. This range makes it a powerful tool for expressing specific opinions and observations in Hindi.

Mastering the sentence structure for किस्म (kism) requires careful attention to gender and postpositions. Since it is a feminine noun, any modifying adjective must take the feminine form. For example, 'this kind' becomes 'इस किस्म की' (is kism ki) and 'that kind' becomes 'उस किस्म की' (us kism ki). The use of the possessive postposition 'की' (ki) is mandatory when connecting 'kism' to the noun it is describing. For instance, in 'आम की किस्म' (variety of mango), the 'की' links the mango to its variety.

क्या आपके पास किसी और किस्म की चाय है? (Do you have any other kind of tea?)

When using the word in the plural, it changes to 'किस्में' (kismein) in the direct case and 'किस्मों' (kismon) in the oblique case (when followed by a postposition). For example: 'यहाँ कई किस्में हैं' (There are many varieties here) versus 'इन किस्मों में से एक चुनें' (Choose one from these varieties). This distinction is vital for grammatical accuracy. Notice how the verb 'चुनें' (choose) or the postposition 'में' (in) triggers the change to the oblique form.

Describing People: 'वह एक अजीब किस्म का आदमी है।' (He is a strange kind of man.) Note: Even when describing a man, 'kism' remains feminine, but the 'ka' (of) matches the gender of 'aadmi' (man).
Describing Quality: 'यह सबसे अच्छी किस्म का चावल है।' (This is the best quality rice.) Here, 'acchi' agrees with 'kism'.

वैज्ञानिक नई किस्मों की खोज कर रहे हैं। (Scientists are searching for new varieties.)

Another common pattern involves the phrase 'हर किस्म का' (har kism ka), meaning 'of every kind' or 'all sorts of'. This is used to indicate diversity or a wide range. For example, 'उस दुकान में हर किस्म का सामान मिलता है' (Every kind of item is available in that shop). This structure is very useful for summarizing a collection of different things without listing them all individually. It simplifies the sentence while adding a sense of completeness.

If you walk into a traditional Indian 'Sabzi Mandi' (vegetable market), किस्म is one of the most frequent words you will encounter. Vendors will shout about the different varieties of potatoes, onions, or seasonal fruits they have. A customer might ask, 'यह किस किस्म का आलू है?' (What kind of potato is this?), to which the vendor might reply, 'यह पहाड़ी किस्म है' (This is a mountain variety). In this context, the word is synonymous with origin and quality, helping the buyer decide based on their specific culinary needs.

दादी हमेशा पुरानी किस्म के कपड़ों की तारीफ करती हैं। (Grandmother always praises the old variety/style of clothes.)

Beyond the marketplace, you will hear kism in news broadcasts and educational programs. When reporting on climate change, a news anchor might discuss how certain 'kismein' of crops are becoming extinct or how new hybrids are being developed to withstand heat. In school textbooks, especially in biology or geography, the word is used to categorize flora and fauna, soil types, and climate zones. It serves as a bridge between scientific classification and everyday language, making complex ideas accessible to the general public.

In Literature: Authors use it to set the scene or describe characters with precision. A 'rahasyamayi kism' (mysterious type) of atmosphere is a common trope in Hindi detective novels.
In Business: Product descriptions on websites or in catalogs often list 'upalabdh kismein' (available varieties) to showcase their range to potential customers.

Finally, in the digital age, social media influencers and tech reviewers use it to describe different models of gadgets or types of software. A YouTuber might say, 'बाज़ार में कई किस्म के स्मार्टफ़ोन हैं' (There are many kinds of smartphones in the market). This shows that while the word has ancient roots, it remains perfectly relevant and widely used in modern, tech-savvy Hindi. Its ability to adapt to new contexts—from ancient agriculture to modern electronics—is a testament to its linguistic importance.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make when using किस्म (kism) is misidentifying its grammatical gender. In English, 'kind' or 'type' is gender-neutral, but in Hindi, kism is strictly feminine. Many learners mistakenly say 'अच्छा किस्म' (accha kism) or 'बड़ा किस्म' (bada kism). The correct forms are 'अच्छी किस्म' (acchi kism) and 'बड़ी किस्म' (badi kism). This error is particularly noticeable to native speakers because it affects the entire agreement of the sentence. Always remember: 'Kism' is a girl!

गलत (Wrong): यह किस किस्म का फल है? (Wait, this is actually correct if the fruit is masculine! The confusion is real.)

Let's clarify the 'ka/ke/ki' confusion. The postposition after 'kism' depends on the gender of the noun that follows it, but the adjective before 'kism' depends on 'kism' itself. For example: 'अच्छी (F) किस्म (F) का (M) खाना (M)'. Here, 'acchi' matches 'kism', but 'ka' matches 'khana' (food). This 'sandwich' of gender agreement is one of the trickiest parts of Hindi grammar for non-native speakers. If you are describing a feminine noun, it would be 'अच्छी किस्म की मिठाई' (good variety of sweet).

Pluralization Errors: Learners often forget to use the oblique plural 'किस्मों' (kismon) when a postposition follows. Saying 'इन किस्में में' is incorrect; it must be 'इन किस्मों में'.
Overusing 'Kism': While 'kism' is common, using it for everything can sound repetitive. For scientific or very formal writing, remember to occasionally use 'प्रकार' (prakar) or 'श्रेणी' (shreni) for variety.

Another subtle mistake is using 'kism' when you actually mean 'quality' in a general sense (guna). While 'kism' implies a category that has a certain quality, if you want to say 'The quality of this work is high', 'काम की गुणवत्ता' (kaam ki gunvatta) is more precise than 'काम की किस्म'. 'Kism' is about classification, while 'gunvatta' is about the standard of excellence. Understanding this distinction will help you sound more like a sophisticated speaker.

While किस्म is a fantastic all-rounder, Hindi offers several other words that can be used depending on the level of formality and the specific context. The most prominent alternative is प्रकार (prakar). This word is derived from Sanskrit and is the standard term used in formal writing, speeches, and textbooks. If you are writing an essay or a business report, 'prakar' is often a safer, more professional choice. It is masculine, unlike 'kism', so you would say 'विभिन्न प्रकार के' (various types of).

किस्म (Kism) vs. प्रकार (Prakar): Use 'Kism' for daily life, markets, and describing people's vibes. Use 'Prakar' for science, mathematics, and formal documentation.
श्रेणी (Shreni): Translates to 'category', 'class', or 'rank'. Use this when there is a hierarchy involved, like 'first-class' or 'tax category'.
भेद (Bhed): Often means 'difference' or 'distinction', but can also mean 'variety' in certain philosophical or technical contexts.

पुस्तकालय में पुस्तकों को उनकी श्रेणी के अनुसार रखा गया है। (Books in the library are kept according to their category/class.)

Another interesting word is तरह (tarah). While it primarily means 'way' or 'manner', it is often used as a synonym for 'kind' in phrases like 'इस तरह के लोग' (this kind of people). However, 'tarah' is more about the behavior or appearance, while 'kism' is about the inherent nature. If you say 'उसकी तरह', you mean 'like him', but if you say 'उस किस्म का', you mean 'of that specific category'.

Lastly, for biological varieties, you might encounter the word प्रजाति (prajati), which specifically means 'species'. While you could say 'पेड़ों की किस्म' (kind of trees), a botanist would say 'पेड़ों की प्रजाति'. Knowing when to use these specific terms will elevate your Hindi from 'functional' to 'fluent'. Each of these words adds a different flavor to your sentence, allowing you to be precise about whether you are talking about a casual variety, a formal type, a hierarchical category, or a biological species.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"कृषि विभाग ने धान की उन्नत किस्मों का वितरण शुरू किया है।"

Neutral

"मुझे इस किस्म का कपड़ा बहुत पसंद आया।"

Informal

"तू किस किस्म का आदमी है बे?"

Child friendly

"देखो बच्चों, इस बागीचे में कितने किस्म के फूल हैं!"

Slang

"एकदम घटिया किस्म का सीन है भाई।"

Fun Fact

The word 'kismat' (fate) comes from the same Arabic root, meaning the 'portion' or 'share' of life that is allotted to you by destiny.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kɪsm/

US /kɪsm/

The stress is equal on the single syllable. There is no rising or falling intonation required within the word itself.

Rhymes With

जिस्म (jism - body) नज़्म (nazm - poem) बज़्म (bazm - assembly) हज़्म (hazm - digestion) जज़्म (jazm - determination) रस्म (rasm - custom) चस्म (chasm - eye - poetic) भस्म (bhasm - ash)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'kisam' (adding a vowel between s and m).
Confusing the 'k' with a 'q' (uvular) sound, though in its Arabic root it is 'q', in standard Hindi it is 'k'.
Nasalizing the 'i' sound.
Making the 's' sound like 'sh'.
Dropping the 'm' sound at the end.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize, but requires understanding of gender for context.

Writing 4/5

Tricky to remember the feminine plural and oblique forms.

Speaking 3/5

Natural to use once you master the 'ka/ki' agreement.

Listening 2/5

Very common and usually clearly pronounced in many contexts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

क्या (kya) कौन (kaun) फल (phal) चीज़ (cheez) लोग (log)

Learn Next

प्रकार (prakar) श्रेणी (shreni) गुणवत्ता (gunvatta) विशेषता (visheshtha) विविधता (vividhta)

Advanced

वर्गीकरण (vargikaran - classification) प्रजाति (prajati - species) नस्ल (nasl - breed) विविध (vividh - diverse)

Grammar to Know

Feminine Noun Agreement

अच्छी किस्म (Correct) vs अच्छा किस्म (Incorrect).

Oblique Plural Formation

किस्मों + में = किस्मों में.

Possessive Postposition Usage

आम (M) की (F) किस्म (F).

Adjective-Noun Harmony

विभिन्न (Invariant) किस्में (F. Plural).

Interrogative Adjective 'Kis'

किस किस्म का? (Using 'kis' as the oblique form of 'kaun/kya').

Examples by Level

यह किस किस्म का फल है?

What kind of fruit is this?

'किस' is the oblique form of 'क्या' used here with 'किस्म'.

मुझे इस किस्म की चॉकलेट पसंद है।

I like this kind of chocolate.

'पसंद' takes the direct object, 'किस्म' is feminine.

क्या आपके पास दूसरी किस्म है?

Do you have another variety?

'दूसरी' is the feminine form of 'दूसरा' to match 'किस्म'.

यह अच्छी किस्म का चावल है।

This is a good variety of rice.

'अच्छी' matches 'किस्म', 'का' matches 'चावल'.

वहाँ हर किस्म के फूल हैं।

There are every kind of flowers there.

'हर किस्म के' acts as an adjective phrase for 'फूल' (plural).

यह किस किस्म की चाय है?

What kind of tea is this?

'की' matches 'चाय' (feminine).

मुझे वह किस्म नहीं चाहिए।

I don't want that variety.

Simple negative sentence using 'चाहिए'.

यह एक नई किस्म है।

This is a new variety.

'नई' is feminine to match 'किस्म'.

बाज़ार में आम की कई किस्में मिलती हैं।

Many varieties of mango are found in the market.

'किस्में' is the plural form of 'किस्म'.

मुझे इस किस्म के गाने अच्छे लगते हैं।

I like these kinds of songs.

'अच्छे लगते हैं' expresses preference for plural 'गाने'.

वह किस किस्म की फ़िल्में देखता है?

What kind of movies does he watch?

Interrogative sentence in present simple.

दुकानदार ने मुझे तीन किस्में दिखाईं।

The shopkeeper showed me three varieties.

'दिखाईं' agrees with the feminine plural object 'किस्में'.

हमें अच्छी किस्म के बीज चाहिए।

We need good variety seeds.

'अच्छी' matches 'किस्म', 'के' matches 'बीज' (plural).

इस शहर में हर किस्म के लोग रहते हैं।

Every kind of people live in this city.

'रहते हैं' agrees with the plural subject 'लोग'.

यह किस किस्म की परेशानी है?

What kind of trouble is this?

'परेशानी' is feminine, hence 'की'.

वहाँ दो किस्मों के सेब थे।

There were two kinds of apples there.

Oblique plural 'किस्मों' because of the postposition 'के'.

वह एक अजीब किस्म का आदमी है, किसी से बात नहीं करता।

He is a strange kind of man; he doesn't talk to anyone.

'अजीब किस्म का' describes the character of the man.

हमें इस किस्म की समस्याओं का समाधान ढूंढना होगा।

We will have to find a solution to these kinds of problems.

'समस्याओं' is feminine plural; 'की' links it to 'किस्म'.

क्या आप जानते हैं कि यह किस किस्म की मिट्टी है?

Do you know what kind of soil this is?

'मिट्टी' is feminine, so 'की' is used.

इस किताब में हर किस्म की कहानियाँ हैं।

There are every kind of stories in this book.

'कहानियाँ' is feminine plural; 'की' matches the gender.

वह हमेशा घटिया किस्म के बहाने बनाता है।

He always makes low-quality (lame) excuses.

'घटिया किस्म के' describes the 'बहाने' (excuses).

इस इलाके में कई किस्मों के पक्षी पाए जाते हैं।

Many varieties of birds are found in this area.

'पाए जाते हैं' is the passive construction.

मुझे पुरानी किस्म के फर्नीचर बहुत पसंद हैं।

I really like old-fashioned/variety furniture.

'फर्नीचर' is treated as a masculine plural noun here.

यह किस किस्म की राजनीति है?

What kind of politics is this?

Used here to express skepticism or judgment.

वैज्ञानिकों ने गेहूँ की एक नई किस्म विकसित की है जो सूखे में भी उग सकती है।

Scientists have developed a new variety of wheat that can grow even in drought.

Complex sentence with a relative clause 'जो...'

उसकी बातों में एक अलग किस्म की कड़वाहट थी।

There was a different kind of bitterness in his words.

'कड़वाहट' is an abstract feminine noun.

हमें यह समझना होगा कि हर किस्म के निवेश में जोखिम होता है।

We must understand that there is risk in every kind of investment.

'निवेश' is masculine; 'में' triggers the oblique case.

इस संग्रहालय में प्राचीन किस्म के अस्त्र-शस्त्र रखे गए हैं।

Ancient kinds of weapons are kept in this museum.

'अस्त्र-शस्त्र' is a compound masculine plural noun.

वह अपनी किस्म का इकलौता कलाकार है।

He is a one-of-a-kind artist.

Idiomatic use meaning 'unique'.

बाज़ार की बदलती हुई किस्मों ने व्यापार को प्रभावित किया है।

The changing varieties of the market have affected business.

Abstract use of 'varieties' referring to market trends.

विभिन्न किस्मों के डेटा का विश्लेषण करना चुनौतीपूर्ण हो सकता है।

Analyzing various kinds of data can be challenging.

'डेटा' is used as a masculine collective noun.

लेखक ने समाज की हर किस्म की बुराइयों पर प्रहार किया है।

The author has attacked every kind of evil in society.

'बुराइयों' is feminine plural oblique.

उनकी विचारधारा में एक विशेष किस्म की कट्टरता दिखाई देती है।

A specific kind of fanaticism is visible in their ideology.

Advanced abstract categorization.

यह फिल्म मानवीय संवेदनाओं की विभिन्न किस्मों को उजागर करती है।

This film highlights various kinds of human emotions/sensibilities.

'संवेदनाओं' is a sophisticated term for feelings.

प्रकृति की विविधता को समझने के लिए हमें इसकी हर किस्म का सम्मान करना होगा।

To understand nature's diversity, we must respect its every kind/aspect.

Philosophical usage of the term.

सरकारी नीतियों ने कृषि की पारंपरिक किस्मों को खतरे में डाल दिया है।

Government policies have endangered traditional varieties of agriculture.

Context of socio-political critique.

उसने जिस किस्म की भाषा का प्रयोग किया, वह असहनीय था।

The kind of language he used was unbearable.

Relational 'जिस... वह' structure.

आधुनिक युग में रिश्तों की नई-नई किस्में सामने आ रही हैं।

In the modern era, new kinds of relationships are emerging.

Metaphorical use for social structures.

दार्शनिकों ने सत्य की कई किस्मों पर चर्चा की है।

Philosophers have discussed many kinds of truth.

High-level abstract noun usage.

वह एक ऐसी किस्म की शांति की तलाश में है जो दुनिया में कहीं नहीं मिलती।

He is in search of a kind of peace that is not found anywhere in the world.

Complex descriptive sentence.

इस उपन्यास की संरचना में एक अनूठी किस्म की जटिलता विद्यमान है।

A unique kind of complexity exists in the structure of this novel.

Literary criticism register.

वैश्वीकरण ने सांस्कृतिक अभिव्यक्तियों की किस्मों को संकुचित कर दिया है।

Globalization has narrowed the varieties of cultural expressions.

Sociological discourse register.

न्यायालय ने इस अपराध को एक दुर्लभ किस्म की श्रेणी में रखा है।

The court has placed this crime in a rare kind of category.

Legal/Judicial register.

उनकी कविता में रहस्यवाद की एक गहरी किस्म झलकती है।

A deep kind of mysticism is reflected in his poetry.

Aesthetic analysis register.

बाज़ार की प्रवृत्तियों का विश्लेषण करते समय हमें हर सूक्ष्म किस्म के बदलाव पर ध्यान देना चाहिए।

While analyzing market trends, we should pay attention to every subtle kind of change.

Economic analysis register.

यह शोध पत्र भाषाई विविधताओं की उन किस्मों की पड़ताल करता है जो अब विलुप्त होने की कगार पर हैं।

This research paper investigates those kinds of linguistic diversities that are now on the verge of extinction.

Academic research register.

सत्ता की इस नई किस्म ने नागरिक अधिकारों की परिभाषा ही बदल दी है।

This new kind of power has changed the very definition of civil rights.

Political science register.

ब्रह्मांड की उत्पत्ति के विषय में वैज्ञानिकों ने कई किस्मों के सिद्धांतों का प्रतिपादन किया है।

Scientists have propounded many kinds of theories regarding the origin of the universe.

Scientific/Cosmological register.

Common Collocations

अच्छी किस्म

घटिया किस्म

हर किस्म का

नई किस्म

पुरानी किस्म

अजीब किस्म

विभिन्न किस्में

किसी किस्म का

एक ही किस्म

अपनी किस्म का

Common Phrases

किस किस्म का?

— What kind of? Used to ask for specific details about an object or person.

यह किस किस्म का मज़ाक है?

हर किस्म की सुविधा

— Every kind of facility. Used in advertising for hotels or apartments.

यहाँ हर किस्म की सुविधा उपलब्ध है।

एक अलग किस्म का

— A different kind of. Used to highlight something unique or unusual.

उसकी आवाज़ में एक अलग किस्म का जादू है।

इसी किस्म का

— Of this very kind. Used to point out similarities.

मुझे भी इसी किस्म का फोन चाहिए।

घटिया किस्म की हरकत

— An inferior/low act. Used to criticize someone's behavior.

यह बहुत घटिया किस्म की हरकत थी।

अच्छी किस्म की पैदावार

— Good quality yield. Used in agricultural contexts.

इस साल अच्छी किस्म की पैदावार हुई है।

अजीब किस्म के लोग

— Strange kind of people. A common way to express social confusion.

दुनिया में अजीब किस्म के लोग भरे पड़े हैं।

विभिन्न किस्मों में उपलब्ध

— Available in various varieties. Common in commerce.

यह शर्ट विभिन्न किस्मों में उपलब्ध है।

अपनी किस्म का इकलौता

— The only one of its kind. Used for unique items or people.

यह महल अपनी किस्म का इकलौता है।

किसी भी किस्म का

— Any kind of. Often used in legal or prohibitive contexts.

किसी भी किस्म का नशा हानिकारक है।

Often Confused With

किस्म vs किस्मत (Kismat)

Kism means 'type/variety', while Kismat means 'fate/luck'. They share a root but are used very differently.

किस्म vs कसम (Kasam)

Kasam means 'oath/promise'. It sounds slightly similar but has no semantic relation to 'kism'.

किस्म vs किस्सा (Kissa)

Kissa means 'story/anecdote'. A learner might confuse 'kismein' (varieties) with 'kisse' (stories).

Idioms & Expressions

"अपनी किस्म का इकलौता होना"

— To be unique or one of a kind. It implies there is no comparison.

उसका गाने का अंदाज़ अपनी किस्म का इकलौता है।

Neutral

"घटिया किस्म का"

— Used as an idiom for something or someone very low-standard or immoral.

वह एक घटिया किस्म का चोर है।

Informal

"अजीब किस्म का नमूना"

— A strange specimen. Often used sarcastically for a person with weird habits.

तुम्हारा दोस्त तो अजीब किस्म का नमूना है।

Slang/Informal

"हर किस्म के पापड़ बेलना"

— While 'papad belna' is the main idiom, adding 'har kism ke' emphasizes doing all sorts of hard work.

इस नौकरी के लिए मैंने हर किस्म के पापड़ बेले हैं।

Informal

"एक ही किस्म के सिक्के के दो पहलू"

— Two sides of the same coin (kind). Implies two things are fundamentally the same.

हार और जीत एक ही किस्म के सिक्के के दो पहलू हैं।

Literary

"पुरानी किस्म का खयालात"

— Old-fashioned thinking. Refers to someone with conservative or outdated views.

मेरे दादाजी पुरानी किस्म के खयालात वाले इंसान हैं।

Neutral

"किस किस्म की मिट्टी से बना होना"

— What kind of clay someone is made of. Refers to someone's inner strength or character.

पता नहीं वह किस किस्म की मिट्टी से बना है, कभी हार नहीं मानता।

Poetic/Literary

"घटिया किस्म की राजनीति"

— Dirty or low-level politics. Used to describe manipulative behavior.

दफ्तर में घटिया किस्म की राजनीति चल रही है।

Neutral

"अच्छी किस्म का इंसान"

— A good-natured or high-quality human being. A high compliment.

वह वाकई एक अच्छी किस्म का इंसान है।

Neutral

"नई किस्म का तमाशा"

— A new kind of drama/spectacle. Used when a new problem or annoying situation arises.

अब यह किस किस्म का नया तमाशा है?

Informal

Easily Confused

किस्म vs प्रकार (Prakar)

Both mean 'type/kind'.

Prakar is masculine and formal (Sanskrit-derived). Kism is feminine and conversational (Arabic-derived).

यह एक प्रकार का पौधा है। (Formal) vs यह एक किस्म का पौधा है। (Neutral)

किस्म vs तरह (Tarah)

Both can be translated as 'kind' in English.

Tarah usually means 'manner/way' or 'like'. Kism refers to a category or variety.

उसकी तरह बनो (Be like him) vs उस किस्म का इंसान (That kind of person).

किस्म vs नस्ल (Nasl)

Both refer to varieties.

Nasl is specifically for biological breeds or races. Kism is for any category of objects or ideas.

कुत्ते की नस्ल (Breed of dog) vs आम की किस्म (Variety of mango).

किस्म vs श्रेणी (Shreni)

Both mean category.

Shreni implies a rank, class, or formal classification system.

प्रथम श्रेणी (First class) vs अच्छी किस्म (Good variety).

किस्म vs वर्ग (Varg)

Both mean group or class.

Varg is often used for mathematical squares, social classes, or biological groups in a very technical way.

समाज का उच्च वर्ग (High class of society).

Sentence Patterns

यह [Noun] की [Adjective] किस्म है।

यह सेब की अच्छी किस्म है।

मुझे [Adjective] किस्म के [Noun] पसंद हैं।

मुझे इस किस्म के गाने पसंद हैं।

वह एक [Adjective] किस्म का [Noun] है।

वह एक अजीब किस्म का आदमी है।

वैज्ञानिक [Noun] की नई किस्में [Verb] रहे हैं।

वैज्ञानिक गेहूँ की नई किस्में खोज रहे हैं।

[Abstract Noun] की विभिन्न किस्मों को [Verb]।

मानवीय संवेदनाओं की विभिन्न किस्मों को समझें।

[Topic] की संरचना में एक [Adjective] किस्म की [Noun] विद्यमान है।

उपन्यास की संरचना में एक अनूठी किस्म की जटिलता विद्यमान है।

हर किस्म का [Noun] यहाँ उपलब्ध है।

हर किस्म का कपड़ा यहाँ उपलब्ध है।

क्या आपके पास किसी और किस्म की [Noun] है?

क्या आपके पास किसी और किस्म की चाय है?

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in spoken North Indian Hindi and Urdu.

Common Mistakes

यह अच्छा किस्म का फल है। → यह अच्छी किस्म का फल है।
'Kism' is feminine, so the adjective 'accha' must be 'acchi'.
इन किस्में में से एक लो। → इन किस्मों में से एक लो।
Before a postposition like 'mein', the plural 'kismein' must change to the oblique form 'kismon'.
वह किस किस्म की आदमी है? → वह किस किस्म का आदमी है?
While 'kism' is feminine, the postposition after it must agree with the following noun 'aadmi' (masculine).
मेरी किस्म बहुत अच्छी है। (meaning fate) → मेरी किस्मत बहुत अच्छी है।
Confusing 'kism' (type) with 'kismat' (fate/luck).
विभिन्न किस्म के पौधों। → विभिन्न किस्मों के पौधे।
Pluralization error: 'Vibhinn' should be followed by the plural 'kismein/kismon'.

Tips

Remember the Gender

Always treat 'kism' as feminine. This is the single most important rule to avoid sounding like a beginner. Say 'acchi kism', not 'accha kism'.

Pair with 'Ka/Ki'

When connecting 'kism' to another noun, use 'ki' if the adjective precedes it, but the 'ka/ke/ki' after 'kism' depends on the next noun. Example: 'acchi (f) kism (f) ka (m) phal (m)'.

Use in Markets

Practice using this word at fruit or fabric stalls. It's the most natural way to ask about varieties and will impress native speakers.

Formal vs Informal

In a job interview or a presentation, try to use 'prakar'. In a cafe with friends, stick to 'kism'.

Listen for 'Kismein'

Train your ear to catch the plural 'kismein' in news reports about agriculture or technology; it's a very common keyword.

Kism = Kind

Both start with 'K'. Associate them together to never forget the meaning.

Judging Character

Be aware that 'is kism ke log' can be a bit strong. Use it carefully when describing people you don't like.

Variety is Key

In long descriptions, use 'kism-kism ke' to mean 'varied' or 'diverse' to add flavor to your writing.

The 'M' Ending

Ensure the 'm' at the end of 'kism' is short and clean. Don't add an extra 'uh' sound at the end.

Ask Questions

Start conversations by asking 'Aapko kis kism ka... pasand hai?' It's a great open-ended question for any topic.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the word 'KISS'. If you KISS a 'M' (Mango), you are tasting a specific 'KISM' (variety) of fruit.

Visual Association

Imagine a large sorting machine with different bins labeled 'KISM A', 'KISM B', and 'KISM C' where different types of objects are being categorized.

Word Web

Type Variety Kind Category Sort Class Species Grade

Challenge

Try to go through your kitchen and name at least five different 'kismein' of food items you have (e.g., varieties of pulses, spices, or grains).

Word Origin

Borrowed from Persian 'qism', which originates from the Arabic root 'q-s-m' (ق-س-م) meaning 'to divide' or 'to share'.

Original meaning: A division, a part, or a portion of a whole.

Afroasiatic (Arabic) -> Indo-European (Persian) -> Indo-Aryan (Hindi/Urdu).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'is kism ke log' (these kind of people) as it can sound derogatory or stereotyping depending on the tone.

English speakers often use 'kind' and 'type' interchangeably. In Hindi, 'kism' is the perfect bridge for both, but it feels more 'organic' than the English 'category'.

Used in countless Bollywood songs to describe the 'kism' of a lover's beauty. Common in Premchand's literature to describe the varied social classes of rural India. Frequently used in Indian agricultural news (DD Kisan channel).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Market/Shopping

किस किस्म का है?
सबसे अच्छी किस्म दिखाओ।
ये सब एक ही किस्म के हैं?
कोई और किस्म है?

Describing People

अजीब किस्म का आदमी।
अच्छी किस्म का इंसान।
वह किस किस्म का है?
उस किस्म के लोग।

Hobbies/Interests

हर किस्म का संगीत।
इस किस्म की फ़िल्में।
किस्म-किस्म की किताबें।
खेलों की विभिन्न किस्में।

Agriculture/Nature

फसलों की किस्में।
मिट्टी की किस्म।
बीजों की नई किस्म।
पौधों की किस्में।

Problem Solving

एक नई किस्म की मुसीबत।
किस किस्म की परेशानी है?
हर किस्म का समाधान।
इस किस्म की चुनौतियाँ।

Conversation Starters

"आपको किस किस्म का खाना सबसे ज्यादा पसंद है?"

"क्या आपने कभी इस किस्म का फल चखा है?"

"आजकल बाज़ार में किस किस्म के फोन चल रहे हैं?"

"आप किस किस्म की किताबें पढ़ना पसंद करते हैं?"

"क्या आपके शहर में विभिन्न किस्मों के पेड़-पौधे हैं?"

Journal Prompts

आज आपने किस किस्म के नए लोगों से मुलाकात की? उनके बारे में लिखें।

अपने पसंदीदा संगीत की किस्मों के बारे में विस्तार से वर्णन करें।

अगर आप एक नई किस्म का आविष्कार कर सकें, तो वह क्या होगा?

क्या आपको लगता है कि समाज में 'पुरानी किस्म' के मूल्य अभी भी महत्वपूर्ण हैं?

बाज़ार की उन किस्मों के बारे में लिखें जो आपको सबसे ज्यादा आकर्षित करती हैं।

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is strictly feminine. You should always use feminine adjectives and postpositions with it, such as 'acchi kism' or 'kism ki'.

The direct plural is 'kismein' (किस्में). When followed by a postposition, it becomes 'kismon' (किस्मों).

Yes, it is very common to use it to describe a 'type' of person, such as 'voh ek alag kism ka aadmi hai' (he is a different kind of man).

Use 'prakar' in formal writing, exams, or scientific contexts. Use 'kism' in daily conversations, shopping, and casual talk.

Indirectly, yes. Phrases like 'acchi kism' imply high quality, but the word itself means 'variety' or 'type'.

Yes, it is a very common word in Urdu and is used in exactly the same way as in Hindi.

It means 'of every kind' or 'all sorts of'. It is used to describe a wide variety of things.

You can use the idiomatic phrase 'apni kism ka iklauta' (अपनी किस्म का इकलौता).

Yes, you can say 'ek alag kism ka pyar' (a different kind of love).

Yes, they share the same Arabic root meaning 'to divide'. Kism is a 'division/type', and Kismat is your 'allotted portion/fate'.