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कृतघ्न

A2 adjective #6,000 most common 11 min read

कृतघ्न

Ungrateful; not acknowledging benefits received.

kritaghn Top 6,000

At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word 'कृतघ्न' (Kritaghna) often, as it is quite advanced. However, it is good to know that it means 'ungrateful.' Think of it as the opposite of saying 'thank you.' In very simple Hindi, we usually say 'शुक्रिया नहीं करना' (not doing thank you). But if you see this word in a storybook, remember it describes someone who is not a good friend because they forget the help they received. It is a 'heavy' word, like 'villain' in a movie. You can practice by just recognizing the word when you see the letters 'क-ृ-त-घ-्-न'. It's a special word for a person who is not nice after getting help.

At the A2 level, you are starting to learn more descriptive words for people's personalities. 'कृतघ्न' (Kritaghna) is an adjective you can use to describe a character in a story who is ungrateful. For example, if a lion helps a mouse, and the mouse later refuses to help the lion, the mouse is being 'कृतघ्न.' You should learn to pair it with the verb 'होना' (to be) or 'निकलना' (to turn out to be). For example, 'वह कृतघ्न है' (He is ungrateful). It is also important to learn its opposite, 'कृतज्ञ' (Kritagya - grateful), so you can describe both good and bad characters in your simple Hindi conversations or writing.

At the B1 level, you should be able to use 'कृतघ्न' (Kritaghna) in more complex sentences. You can use it to discuss relationships and moral choices. For example, you might write a sentence like, 'हमें कभी कृतघ्न नहीं होना चाहिए क्योंकि सहायता करने वाले का सम्मान करना ज़रूरी है' (We should never be ungrateful because it is important to respect the one who helps). You will also notice the word in Hindi news or formal letters. At this stage, you should also be comfortable with the abstract noun 'कृतघ्नता' (ingratitude). You might use it in a sentence like, 'उसकी कृतघ्नता देखकर मुझे दुख हुआ' (I felt sad seeing his ingratitude). This word helps you sound more sophisticated in your Hindi speaking.

At the B2 level, you can explore the nuances between 'कृतघ्न' and its synonyms like 'एहसान-फरामोश' or 'नमक-हराम.' You should understand that 'कृतघ्न' is a 'Tatsama' word, meaning it comes from Sanskrit and is used in formal, literary, or academic contexts. You might use it in an essay to analyze a historical figure or a literary character. For example, 'उसका कृतघ्न व्यवहार उसके पतन का कारण बना' (His ungrateful behavior became the cause of his downfall). You should also be able to use it in debates or formal discussions about ethics and society. Understanding the cultural depth of this word—how it relates to the Indian concept of 'Rina' (moral debt)—is expected at this level.

At the C1 level, you should have a masterly grasp of 'कृतघ्न' (Kritaghna). You can use it to discuss philosophical themes in Hindi literature or to provide deep commentary on social issues. You might use it metaphorically or in complex grammatical structures. For instance, you could discuss the 'कृतघ्नता' of a nation toward its heroes or the 'कृतघ्न' nature of time. You should also be able to recognize and use related Sanskrit-based vocabulary that follows the same 'ghna' (destroyer) pattern. Your usage should reflect an understanding of the word's gravity; you know exactly when to use 'कृतघ्न' for moral weight versus 'नमक-हराम' for a more visceral, emotional accusation of betrayal.

At the C2 level, 'कृतघ्न' (Kritaghna) is a tool for precise and high-level intellectual expression. You can use it to critique classical texts or to engage in high-level theological and philosophical debates in Hindi. You understand the word's evolution and its place in the linguistic hierarchy of Hindi. You can use it to create subtle shades of meaning in creative writing, perhaps contrasting 'कृतघ्नता' with 'कृतज्ञता' in a way that explores the complexities of human nature. Your pronunciation is perfect, and you can seamlessly switch between this formal term and its various synonyms depending on the register of the conversation, always choosing the one that conveys the exact emotional and moral tone required.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

कृतघ्न in 30 Seconds

Kritaghna is a formal Hindi adjective meaning 'ungrateful' or 'one who forgets favors.'
It is derived from Sanskrit and is the direct opposite of the word 'Kritagya' (grateful).
The word carries a strong moral weight and is often used in literature, news, and formal debates.
In casual conversation, words like 'ehsan-faramosh' or 'namak-haram' are more common alternatives.

The Hindi word कृतघ्न (Kritaghna) is a powerful and evocative adjective that goes far beyond the simple English translation of 'ungrateful.' Rooted deeply in Sanskrit, it describes a person who not only fails to express thanks but actively 'destroys' or 'kills' the memory of a favor or kindness done for them. In the cultural fabric of India, where the concept of Rina (moral debt) is paramount, being called a कृतघ्न is a significant character indictment. It is not a word you would use lightly for someone who simply forgot to say 'thank you' for a cup of tea. Instead, it is reserved for situations where a significant life-altering favor, mentorship, or act of loyalty has been met with cold indifference or, worse, betrayal. The word carries a heavy moral weight, suggesting a fundamental flaw in the individual's character and a lack of emotional intelligence or spiritual grounding.

Etymological Breakdown: The word is composed of two Sanskrit roots: Kṛta (done, referring to a deed or favor) and ghna (one who kills or destroys). Thus, a कृतघ्न is literally a 'slayer of deeds.'

समाज में कृतघ्न व्यक्ति का कोई सम्मान नहीं होता। (An ungrateful person has no respect in society.)

In historical and literary contexts, कृतघ्न is often used to describe traitors or those who turn against their benefactors. For example, in ancient Indian epics like the Mahabharata or Ramayana, the ethics of gratitude are frequently discussed, and the state of being कृतघ्न is portrayed as one of the most difficult sins to atone for. Unlike 'unthankful,' which sounds like a temporary state of mind, कृतघ्न implies a deep-seated personality trait. When you hear this word in modern Hindi, it is likely in a formal speech, a serious drama, or a high-stakes political debate where one party is accusing another of forgetting the support they received during their early days.

Social Context: In Indian families, the relationship between parents and children, or teachers and students, is built on the foundation of 'Kritagyata' (gratitude). To act against this is to be कृतघ्न.

वह अपने गुरु के प्रति कृतघ्न निकला। (He turned out to be ungrateful toward his teacher.)

Furthermore, the word is often contrasted with its antonym, कृतज्ञ (Kritagya), which means grateful. Understanding both helps a learner grasp the full spectrum of moral character as described in Hindi. The use of the 'ghna' suffix is common in Sanskrit-derived Hindi words to denote destruction, such as in 'shatrughna' (destroyer of enemies). Recognizing this pattern helps intermediate learners decode more complex vocabulary. The word is also gender-neutral in its adjective form, though it can be used to refer to men or women by changing the surrounding sentence structure. In academic writing, it is used to analyze characters in literature who betray their mentors, making it a staple for anyone studying Hindi at a university level.

इतिहास कृतघ्न लोगों को कभी माफ नहीं करता। (History never forgives ungrateful people.)

Common Usage: Often paired with words like 'व्यवहार' (behavior) or 'व्यक्ति' (person).

उसका कृतघ्न व्यवहार सबको दुखी कर गया। (His ungrateful behavior made everyone sad.)

क्या तुम इतने कृतघ्न हो सकते हो? (Can you be so ungrateful?)

Using कृतघ्न (Kritaghna) correctly requires an understanding of its register and the severity of the situation it describes. Since it is a 'Tatsama' word (borrowed directly from Sanskrit), it carries a formal and serious tone. In everyday spoken Hindi, you might hear 'एहसान-फरामोश' (ehsan-faramosh) or simply 'स्वार्थी' (swarthi - selfish), but कृतघ्न is the choice for literature, formal debates, and moral teachings. When constructing a sentence, कृतघ्न functions as an adjective that usually precedes the noun it describes or follows a linking verb. For instance, 'वह एक कृतघ्न मित्र है' (He is an ungrateful friend) or 'उसका आचरण कृतघ्न है' (His conduct is ungrateful).

Grammar Point: The word does not change its form based on the gender of the subject in standard Hindi. However, the abstract noun form is 'कृतघ्नता' (Kritaghnata), which is feminine.

सहायता पाने के बाद मुकर जाना कृतघ्नता है। (To deny help after receiving it is ingratitude.)

When using it in a sentence, consider the 'why.' Why is the person being called ungrateful? Usually, there is a preceding act of kindness. A common sentence pattern is: '[Act of Kindness] के बावजूद, वह [Name/Pronoun] कृतघ्न निकला।' (Despite the [Act of Kindness], he/she turned out to be ungrateful). This structure highlights the contrast between the favor and the response. In more advanced usage, the word can be used metaphorically. For example, 'कृतघ्न समय' (ungrateful time) might refer to a period that yields no results despite hard work, though this is rare and highly literary.

Formal Usage: In legal or formal complaints, one might describe an employee who stole from a company as 'कृतघ्न कर्मचारी' (an ungrateful employee).

राजा ने कृतघ्न सेनापति को देश से निकाल दिया। (The king banished the ungrateful general from the country.)

Learners often struggle with the pronunciation of the consonant cluster 'ghna' (घ्न). It is a combination of the voiced aspirated velar stop 'gh' and the dental nasal 'n'. Practice saying 'gh' (as in ghost, but with more breath) and then immediately transitioning to 'n'. Mastering this pronunciation will make your Hindi sound much more authentic and sophisticated. In writing, ensure the 'half-gh' is correctly attached to the 'na' (घ + न = घ्न). This visual representation is a hallmark of many formal Hindi words, and recognizing it will help you read high-level texts more easily.

क्या तुम अपने माता-पिता के प्रति कृतघ्न हो सकते हो? (Can you be ungrateful toward your parents?)

Literary Example: Many Hindi poems contrast the 'Kritagya' (grateful heart) with the 'Kritaghna' (ungrateful mind) to discuss human nature.

उसकी कृतघ्नता की कहानी पूरे गाँव में प्रसिद्ध थी। (The story of his ingratitude was famous in the whole village.)

एक कृतघ्न व्यक्ति कभी सुखी नहीं रह सकता। (An ungrateful person can never stay happy.)

You are most likely to encounter कृतघ्न (Kritaghna) in environments that demand formal or 'Shuddh' (pure) Hindi. This includes Hindi news broadcasts, especially during political commentary where one leader might accuse another of betraying their party or mentor. For example, a news anchor might say, 'विपक्ष ने मुख्यमंत्री को कृतघ्न कहा' (The opposition called the Chief Minister ungrateful). It is also a staple in Bollywood period dramas and mythological shows like Mahabharat or Ramayan, where characters engage in high-stakes moral dilemmas. In these shows, the word is delivered with great emphasis to highlight the villainy of a character.

Media Influence: In Hindi cinema, while 'ehsan-faramosh' is more common in street-style dialogue, कृतघ्न is used in scripts that aim for a more dignified or classic feel.

फिल्म के संवाद में उसे कृतघ्न कहकर पुकारा गया। (He was addressed as ungrateful in the film's dialogue.)

Another place you will hear this word is in educational settings. Teachers often use it when discussing ethics or moral science (Naitik Shiksha). They might tell stories of animals who were more grateful than humans to illustrate the concept of कृतघ्नता. In religious discourses (Pravachan), gurus frequently use this word to describe the human tendency to forget God's blessings during times of prosperity. If you attend a Hindi literature festival or a poetry slam (Kavi Sammelan), you will find poets using this word to describe unrequited love or the coldness of modern society.

Literature: Classic writers like Munshi Premchand and Jaishankar Prasad often used कृतघ्न to create complex, morally ambiguous characters.

समाचार पत्र ने उसे एक कृतघ्न नेता बताया। (The newspaper described him as an ungrateful leader.)

In professional settings, while rare, it might appear in a formal evaluation or a letter of reprimand. For example, if a business partner breaches a contract after being given a significant advantage, the legal correspondence might refer to their 'unconscionable and ungrateful' actions using this term. However, in most office environments, people prefer more neutral terms like 'गैर-जिम्मेदार' (irresponsible) or 'अविश्वसनीय' (unreliable). Understanding the 'vibe' of कृतघ्न—one of deep moral disapproval—will help you recognize it as a red flag whenever it is used in a conversation or a text.

धार्मिक प्रवचन में कृतघ्नता को एक पाप माना गया है। (In religious sermons, ingratitude is considered a sin.)

Daily Life: You might hear a parent say this to a rebellious child in a moment of extreme hurt, though it is quite dramatic.

क्या तुम जानते हो कि कृतघ्न होने का क्या अर्थ है? (Do you know what it means to be ungrateful?)

उसने अपनी कृतघ्नता से सबको हैरान कर दिया। (He surprised everyone with his ingratitude.)

The most common mistake learners make with कृतघ्न (Kritaghna) is confusing it with its exact opposite: कृतज्ञ (Kritagya). Because both words start with 'Krita' (meaning 'done'), and both are formal adjectives, it is very easy to swap them. However, calling someone कृतघ्न when you mean to thank them would be a significant social blunder! Remember: 'Gya' (ज्ञ) comes from the root for 'knowledge' or 'acknowledgment,' while 'Ghna' (घ्न) comes from the root for 'killing.' So, कृतज्ञ is 'one who knows/acknowledges the deed,' and कृतघ्न is 'one who kills the deed.'

Spelling and Writing: Mistyping the conjunct 'घ्न' as 'घन' (ghan - cloud/cube) or 'घना' (ghana - dense) is common. Ensure the 'gh' is 'half' (without the vertical bar) and attached to the 'na'.

गलत: वह बहुत कृतज्ञ है (जब आप बुरा कहना चाहते हों)। सही: वह कृतघ्न है।

Another mistake is using the word in too casual a context. If a friend forgets to bring you a chocolate they promised, calling them कृतघ्न will sound overly dramatic, almost as if you are acting in a 19th-century play. In such cases, use 'भूलक्कड़' (forgetful) or 'लापरवाह' (careless). कृतघ्न implies a moral failing of a much higher order. Furthermore, learners often forget that कृतघ्न is an adjective. They might try to use it as a noun, like 'He is a kritaghna.' While this works in English ('He is an ungrateful'), in Hindi, it's better to say 'वह एक कृतघ्न व्यक्ति है' (He is an ungrateful person) or simply 'वह कृतघ्न है' (He is ungrateful).

Pronunciation Pitfall: Avoid pronouncing it as 'Krit-ag-na'. The 'gh' and 'n' must blend together quickly. It sounds more like 'Krit-agh-na'.

सावधान! कृतघ्न और कृतज्ञ के बीच का अंतर याद रखें। (Attention! Remember the difference between ungrateful and grateful.)

Lastly, some learners try to pluralize the word by adding 'ओं' (on) at the end, like 'कृतघ्नों' (kritaghnon). While this is grammatically possible when using the adjective as a substantive noun in the oblique case (e.g., 'कृतघ्नों की मदद मत करो' - Don't help the ungrateful ones), it is better for beginners to stick to using it as a simple adjective modifying a plural noun, like 'कृतघ्न लोग' (ungrateful people). This keeps the sentence structure simpler and reduces the chance of making a declension error. Also, be careful not to confuse it with 'Kritrim' (artificial), which also starts with 'Kri' but has a completely different meaning.

लोग अक्सर कृतघ्न को 'कृतघन' लिख देते हैं। (People often write 'kritaghan' instead of 'kritaghna'.)

Register Check: Avoid using कृतघ्न in slang or very casual text messages unless you are being intentionally ironic or dramatic.

उसकी कृतघ्नता ने मित्रता को समाप्त कर दिया। (His ingratitude ended the friendship.)

क्या तुम इतने कृतघ्न हो कि धन्यवाद भी नहीं कह सकते? (Are you so ungrateful that you can't even say thank you?)

Hindi is a language rich with synonyms, often drawing from both Sanskrit and Persian/Urdu roots. While कृतघ्न (Kritaghna) is the formal Sanskrit-derived term, its most common Urdu-derived counterpart is एहसान-फरामोश (Ehsan-faramosh). This word is widely used in daily conversation, Bollywood movies, and literature. 'Ehsan' means favor, and 'faramosh' means forgotten. So, someone who is 'ehsan-faramosh' has forgotten the favors done for them. It has a slightly more emotional, less academic ring to it than कृतघ्न.

Comparison: Kritaghna vs. Ehsan-faramosh: Kritaghna: Formal, Sanskrit-based, implies a moral sin, used in 'Shuddh' Hindi.
Ehsan-faramosh: Common, Urdu-based, emotionally charged, used in movies and daily life.

वह एक एहसान-फरामोश इंसान है। (He is an ungrateful person - common usage.)

Another related term is नमक-हराम (Namak-haram). This is a very strong, often insulting term. 'Namak' means salt, and 'haram' means forbidden or unfaithful. In Indian culture, 'eating someone's salt' means accepting their hospitality or employment, which creates a lifelong bond of loyalty. To be 'namak-haram' is to betray that loyalty. It is much harsher than कृतघ्न and is often used for traitors or employees who cheat their masters. On the milder side, you might use अकृतज्ञ (Akritagya), which is simply 'not grateful.' It lacks the 'killing the deed' intensity of कृतघ्न.

Synonym List: 1. एहसान-फरामोश (Ungrateful)
2. नमक-हराम (Disloyal/Traitorous)
3. अकृतज्ञ (Unthankful)
4. स्वार्थी (Selfish - often goes hand-in-hand)

हमें नमक-हराम नहीं होना चाहिए। (We should not be disloyal/ungrateful to those who feed us.)

When choosing between these words, consider your audience. If you are writing a formal essay or speaking in a professional Hindi setting, कृतघ्न is your best bet. If you are chatting with friends about a movie character, 'ehsan-faramosh' sounds more natural. If you are watching a high-octane Bollywood thriller, 'namak-haram' is likely what you'll hear. There is also the word बेमुरव्वत (Bemuravvat), which refers to someone who lacks consideration or kindness, often including ingratitude. By learning this cluster of words, you gain a deeper understanding of how Hindi speakers categorize and judge social behavior.

क्या वह सच में इतना अकृतज्ञ है? (Is he really so unthankful?)

Antonyms: The primary antonym is कृतज्ञ (Grateful). Others include आभारी (Obliged) and शुक्रगुज़ार (Thankful).

एक कृतज्ञ व्यक्ति हमेशा खुश रहता है। (A grateful person is always happy.)

मैं आपका सदा आभारी रहूँगा। (I will always be obliged/grateful to you.)

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The 'ghna' suffix is found in many powerful Hindi names and words. For instance, 'Shatrughna' (the name of Lord Rama's brother) means 'Destroyer of Enemies.' 'Kritaghna' is the moral equivalent—someone who destroys the good done to them.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /krɪˈtʌɡ.nə/

US /krɪˈtʌɡ.nə/

The primary stress is on the second syllable 'tagh'.

Rhymes With

शत्रुघ्न (Shatrughna) विघ्न (Vighna) नग्न (Nagna) मग्न (Magna) लग्न (Lagna) अग्न (Agna) संलग्न (Sanlagna) अविघ्न (Avighna)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'Krit-ghan' (two full syllables) instead of the conjunct 'ghna'.
Using a hard English 't' instead of the soft Hindi dental 't'.
Missing the aspiration in the 'gh' sound.
Confusing the spelling with 'Kritagya'.
Pronouncing 'Kri' as 'Kree' instead of the vocalic 'r' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

The conjunct 'ghna' can be tricky for beginners to recognize and read quickly.

Writing 5/5

Writing the half-'gh' attached to 'na' requires practice with Hindi ligatures.

Speaking 4/5

The aspiration in 'gh' followed by 'n' is a difficult sound for many English speakers.

Listening 3/5

In fast speech, the 'gh' might be subtle, but the context usually makes it clear.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

कृतज्ञ (Kritagya) उपकार (Upkar) मदद (Madad) धन्यवाद (Dhanyavad) व्यक्ति (Vyakti)

Learn Next

विश्वासघात (Vishwasghat) परोपकार (Paropkar) सहानुभूति (Sahanubhuti) अहंकार (Ahankar) संस्कार (Sanskar)

Advanced

कृतार्थ (Kritarth) कृतकृत्य (Kritakritya) अकृतज्ञता (Akritagyata) प्रत्युपकार (Pratyupkar) ऋणमुक्ति (Rinamukti)

Grammar to Know

Tatsama Adjectives

Kritaghna follows the rules of Sanskrit-derived adjectives, often remaining unchanged for gender.

Conjunct Consonants (Sanyukt Vyanjan)

The 'ghna' in Kritaghna is a conjunct where 'gh' is half and 'na' is full.

Abstract Nouns with '-ta' suffix

Adding '-ta' to 'Kritaghna' creates the feminine noun 'Kritaghnata'.

Oblique Case Plurals

When used as a noun in the oblique case, 'Kritaghna' becomes 'Kritaghnon'.

Antonym Formation with 'A-' prefix

While 'Kritaghna' is the opposite of 'Kritagya', 'Akritagya' is also used as a milder antonym.

Examples by Level

वह कृतघ्न है।

He is ungrateful.

Simple Subject + Adjective + Verb structure.

कृतघ्न मत बनो।

Don't be ungrateful.

Imperative sentence using 'mat' for prohibition.

क्या तुम कृतघ्न हो?

Are you ungrateful?

Interrogative sentence starting with 'Kya'.

वह लड़का कृतघ्न है।

That boy is ungrateful.

Demonstrative pronoun 'voh' used as 'that'.

कृतघ्न लोग अच्छे नहीं होते।

Ungrateful people are not good.

Adjective modifying a plural noun 'log'.

मेरी बिल्ली कृतघ्न नहीं है।

My cat is not ungrateful.

Negative sentence using 'nahin'.

यह कृतघ्न व्यवहार है।

This is ungrateful behavior.

Adjective modifying the noun 'vyavahar'.

वह कृतघ्न क्यों है?

Why is he ungrateful?

Interrogative sentence with 'kyon' (why).

मदद के बाद वह कृतघ्न निकला।

After help, he turned out to be ungrateful.

Use of 'nikla' to mean 'turned out to be'.

कृतघ्न व्यक्ति के मित्र नहीं होते।

An ungrateful person does not have friends.

Possessive structure using 'ke... nahin hote'.

उसने कृतघ्न होकर बात की।

He spoke in an ungrateful manner.

Using 'hokar' as an adverbial phrase.

हमें कृतघ्नता से बचना चाहिए।

We should avoid ingratitude.

Use of 'chahiye' for 'should'.

वह अपने गुरु के लिए कृतघ्न था।

He was ungrateful toward his teacher.

Postposition 'ke liye' used for 'toward/for'.

कृतघ्न होना एक बुरी बात है।

Being ungrateful is a bad thing.

Gerundial use of 'hona' as the subject.

क्या तुम उसे कृतघ्न मानते हो?

Do you consider him ungrateful?

Verb 'maanna' meaning 'to consider/believe'.

उसकी कृतघ्नता ने सबको दुखी किया।

His ingratitude made everyone sad.

Noun 'Kritaghnata' as the subject.

इतनी बड़ी सहायता के बाद भी वह कृतघ्न बना रहा।

Even after such great help, he remained ungrateful.

Use of 'bana raha' to mean 'remained'.

एक कृतघ्न बेटा अपने माता-पिता का सम्मान नहीं करता।

An ungrateful son does not respect his parents.

Adjective 'Kritaghna' modifying 'beta' (son).

समाज कृतघ्न लोगों को पसंद नहीं करता।

Society does not like ungrateful people.

Direct object 'Kritaghna logon ko'.

उसने अपनी कृतघ्नता का प्रमाण दिया है।

He has given proof of his ingratitude.

Use of 'praman' (proof).

कृतघ्न मित्र से अच्छा एक ईमानदार दुश्मन है।

An honest enemy is better than an ungrateful friend.

Comparative structure using 'se achha'.

क्या आपने कभी किसी कृतघ्न व्यक्ति की मदद की है?

Have you ever helped an ungrateful person?

Present perfect tense with 'kisi' (anyone/someone).

उसकी कृतघ्नता की कोई सीमा नहीं है।

There is no limit to his ingratitude.

Idiomatic expression 'koi seema nahin' (no limit).

कृतघ्न होना मानवता के खिलाफ है।

Being ungrateful is against humanity.

Postposition 'ke khilaf' (against).

राजनीति में कृतघ्नता एक आम बात हो गई है।

Ingratitude has become a common thing in politics.

Noun 'Kritaghnata' as a social concept.

वह इतना कृतघ्न है कि उसने धन्यवाद तक नहीं कहा।

He is so ungrateful that he didn't even say thank you.

Use of 'itna... ki' (so... that).

कृतघ्नता का फल हमेशा कड़वा होता है।

The fruit of ingratitude is always bitter.

Metaphorical use of 'phal' (fruit/result).

इतिहास में कई कृतघ्न राजाओं का वर्णन मिलता है।

Descriptions of many ungrateful kings are found in history.

Passive-style construction 'varnan milta hai'.

उसकी कृतघ्नता ने हमारे बीच की दीवार खड़ी कर दी।

His ingratitude created a wall between us.

Idiomatic use of 'deewar khadi karna'.

एक कृतघ्न व्यक्ति कभी भी सच्चा सुख प्राप्त नहीं कर सकता।

An ungrateful person can never achieve true happiness.

Use of 'prapt karna' (to achieve/obtain).

हमें कृतघ्नता के बजाय कृतज्ञता अपनानी चाहिए।

We should adopt gratitude instead of ingratitude.

Postposition 'ke bajay' (instead of).

उसने अपने उपकारी के साथ कृतघ्नता का व्यवहार किया।

He behaved with ingratitude toward his benefactor.

Use of 'upkari' (benefactor).

कृतघ्नता आत्मा के पतन का प्रथम सोपान है।

Ingratitude is the first step in the downfall of the soul.

Highly formal/literary vocabulary like 'sopan' (step).

साहित्य में कृतघ्न पात्रों का चित्रण अक्सर जटिल होता है।

The portrayal of ungrateful characters in literature is often complex.

Use of 'chitran' (portrayal) and 'jatil' (complex).

उसकी कृतघ्नता ने उसे समाज में पूरी तरह से अलग-थलग कर दिया।

His ingratitude completely isolated him in society.

Compound verb 'alag-thalag karna' (to isolate).

क्या हम प्रकृति के प्रति कृतघ्न नहीं हो रहे हैं?

Are we not becoming ungrateful toward nature?

Rhetorical question in the continuous tense.

कृतघ्नता एक ऐसा दोष है जिसे कोई भी धर्म स्वीकार नहीं करता।

Ingratitude is a flaw that no religion accepts.

Relative clause 'jise... nahin karta'.

उसके कृतघ्न आचरण ने उसकी वर्षों की प्रतिष्ठा धूमिल कर दी।

His ungrateful conduct tarnished his years of reputation.

Use of 'dhoomil karna' (to tarnish/blur).

कृतघ्नता का अंधकार कृतज्ञता के प्रकाश से ही मिट सकता है।

The darkness of ingratitude can only be erased by the light of gratitude.

Metaphorical and poetic structure.

वह कृतघ्नता की साक्षात् मूर्ति है।

He is the living personification of ingratitude.

Idiom 'sakshat moorti' (living personification).

कृतघ्नता की पराकाष्ठा तब होती है जब कोई अपने ही रक्षक पर वार करे।

The height of ingratitude is when someone attacks their own protector.

Use of 'parakashta' (zenith/height).

दार्शनिक दृष्टिकोण से, कृतघ्नता स्वयं के अस्तित्व के प्रति अज्ञानता है।

From a philosophical perspective, ingratitude is ignorance toward one's own existence.

Complex philosophical sentence structure.

उसकी कृतघ्नता ने मानवीय संवेदनाओं के प्रति मेरे विश्वास को झकझोर दिया।

His ingratitude shook my faith in human sensibilities.

Use of 'jhakjhor dena' (to shake deeply).

कृतघ्न व्यक्ति उस शाखा को काटता है जिस पर वह स्वयं बैठा होता है।

An ungrateful person cuts the branch on which he himself is sitting.

Classic metaphorical proverb structure.

मध्यकालीन काव्यों में कृतघ्नता को विश्वासघात का पर्याय माना गया है।

In medieval poetry, ingratitude is considered a synonym for betrayal.

Academic use of 'paryay' (synonym).

उसकी कृतघ्नता ने यह सिद्ध कर दिया कि कृतज्ञता सिखाने से नहीं, संस्कार से आती है।

His ingratitude proved that gratitude comes from values, not from being taught.

Contrastive structure using 'nahin... se aati hai'.

कृतघ्नता के विष से समाज का ताना-बाना बिखर जाता है।

The fabric of society unravels with the poison of ingratitude.

Metaphorical use of 'tana-bana' (fabric/texture).

यदि हम कृतघ्न हैं, तो हम अपने पूर्वजों के ऋण को नकार रहे हैं।

If we are ungrateful, we are denying the debt to our ancestors.

Conditional 'Yadi... toh' structure.

Common Collocations

कृतघ्न व्यक्ति

कृतघ्न व्यवहार

कृतघ्न संतान

कृतघ्न निकलना

कृतघ्न होना

घोर कृतघ्न

कृतघ्न आचरण

कृतघ्न मित्र

कृतघ्नता का भाव

कृतघ्न समाज

Common Phrases

कृतघ्नता सबसे बड़ा पाप है।

वह कृतघ्न निकला।

कृतघ्न न बनो।

कृतघ्न व्यक्ति का कोई घर नहीं होता।

उपकार को भूलना कृतघ्नता है।

कृतघ्नता का बदला।

इतिहास कृतघ्नों को याद नहीं रखता।

कृतघ्नता की हद।

कृतघ्न मन।

कृतघ्न व्यवहार की निंदा।

Often Confused With

कृतघ्न vs कृतज्ञ (Kritagya)

The most common confusion. Remember 'Gya' is good (grateful), 'Ghna' is bad (ungrateful).

कृतघ्न vs कृतकृत्य (Kritakritya)

Means 'satisfied' or 'having done one's duty.' Sounds similar but has a positive meaning.

कृतघ्न vs कृत्रिम (Kritrim)

Means 'artificial' or 'fake.' Only similar in the first syllable 'Kri'.

Idioms & Expressions

"जिस थाली में खाना उसी में छेद करना"

To bite the hand that feeds you. Literally: To make a hole in the plate you eat from.

वह जिस थाली में खाता है, उसी में छेद करता है; वह बहुत कृतघ्न है।

Informal/Idiomatic

"दूध का कर्ज न चुकाना"

To fail to repay the debt of one's upbringing/mother's milk. A form of ingratitude.

वह इतना कृतघ्न है कि उसने दूध का कर्ज भी नहीं चुकाया।

Emotional/Cultural

"नमक-हरामी करना"

To be unfaithful to one's provider. Used as a verb for being ungrateful.

मालिक के साथ नमक-हरामी करना कृतघ्नता की निशानी है।

Common

"आस्तीन का साँप"

A snake in the grass. A treacherous person who is ungrateful for the protection given.

वह तो आस्तीन का साँप निकला, कितना कृतघ्न है!

Informal

"उपकार को मिट्टी में मिलाना"

To reduce a favor to dust. To completely disregard someone's help.

उसने मेरे सारे उपकारों को मिट्टी में मिला दिया, वह बहुत कृतघ्न है।

Literary

"पीठ में छुरा घोंपना"

To stab in the back. Often the ultimate act of a 'Kritaghna' person.

उस कृतघ्न मित्र ने मेरी पीठ में छुरा घोंपा।

Common

"मतलब निकल गया तो पहचानते नहीं"

Once the purpose is served, they don't recognize you. Describes opportunistic ingratitude.

उसका मतलब निकल गया, अब वह कृतघ्न बन गया है।

Informal

"एहसान को लात मारना"

To kick a favor away. To reject kindness with contempt.

उसने मेरे एहसान को लात मार दी, वह कृतघ्न है।

Informal/Harsher

"गरज मिटते ही भूल जाना"

To forget as soon as the need is over. A specific type of ingratitude.

वह कृतघ्न है, अपनी गरज मिटते ही सबको भूल जाता है।

Common

"पले-बढ़े कहीं और, गाए कहीं और"

Raised somewhere, praising somewhere else. Used for ungrateful people who switch loyalties.

वह कृतघ्न है, यहाँ पला-बढ़ा और अब दूसरों की तारीफ करता है।

Folk/Colloquial

Easily Confused

कृतघ्न vs कृतज्ञ (Kritagya)

Both start with 'Krita' and are formal adjectives.

Kritagya means grateful (positive), while Kritaghna means ungrateful (negative). Think of 'Ghna' as 'Gun' (destroying).

मैं कृतज्ञ हूँ (I am grateful) vs वह कृतघ्न है (He is ungrateful).

कृतघ्न vs नमक-हराम (Namak-haram)

Both mean ungrateful.

Kritaghna is formal and Sanskrit-based; Namak-haram is informal, harsher, and Urdu-based, specifically implying betrayal of a provider.

राजा ने कृतघ्न सेवक को सजा दी (Formal) vs वह नमक-हराम है (Harsher).

कृतघ्न vs अकृतज्ञ (Akritagya)

Both are formal words for ungrateful.

Akritagya is a simple negation (not grateful), while Kritaghna is a more intense, descriptive term (destroyer of deeds).

वह थोड़ा अकृतज्ञ है (He's a bit unthankful) vs वह घोर कृतघ्न है (He's deeply ungrateful).

कृतघ्न vs शत्रुघ्न (Shatrughna)

Same ending '-ghna'.

Shatrughna means 'destroyer of enemies' (a name), while Kritaghna means 'destroyer of favors' (a bad trait).

शत्रुघ्न राम के भाई थे (Shatrughna was Rama's brother).

कृतघ्न vs विघ्न (Vighna)

Similar 'ghna' sound/spelling.

Vighna means 'obstacle' or 'hindrance,' not a personality trait.

काम में विघ्न मत डालो (Don't put obstacles in the work).

Sentence Patterns

वह [Noun] कृतघ्न है।

वह आदमी कृतघ्न है।

कृतघ्न [Noun] मत बनो।

कृतघ्न मित्र मत बनो।

[Person] बहुत कृतघ्न निकला।

मेरा नौकर बहुत कृतघ्न निकला।

उसकी कृतघ्नता ने [Result] कर दिया।

उसकी कृतघ्नता ने हमें हैरान कर दिया।

कृतघ्नता [Philosophical Statement] है।

कृतघ्नता आत्मा का रोग है।

[Action] के बावजूद [Person] की कृतघ्नता [Adjective] है।

इतने त्याग के बावजूद उसकी कृतघ्नता असहनीय है।

[Person] के प्रति कृतघ्न होना [Verb].

माता-पिता के प्रति कृतघ्न होना पाप है।

क्या तुम कृतघ्न हो?

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Medium. It is common in literature and news but rare in casual street slang.

Common Mistakes

Using 'Kritagya' instead of 'Kritaghna'. → वह कृतघ्न है (He is ungrateful).
This is a 180-degree error. Kritagya is grateful; Kritaghna is ungrateful. Always double-check!
Pronouncing it as 'Krit-ghan'. → Kritagh-na.
The 'gh' and 'n' are a single conjunct. Pronouncing them as two separate syllables 'gha' and 'na' is incorrect.
Spelling it as 'कृतघना'. → कृतघ्न.
Adding an 'aa' sound at the end is wrong. The word ends in a short 'a' (schwa) sound, written as a full 'na' in the conjunct.
Using it for small, trivial things. → वह शुक्रिया कहना भूल गया (He forgot to say thanks).
Kritaghna is for serious moral failings. Using it for a friend forgetting a small favor is socially awkward.
Confusing 'Kritaghna' (adjective) with 'Kritaghnata' (noun). → उसकी कृतघ्नता (His ingratitude) vs वह कृतघ्न है (He is ungrateful).
Use the '-ta' version for the abstract concept and the base version for the person.

Tips

The 'Ghna' is Gone

Remember that 'Ghna' sounds like 'Gone'. A Kritaghna person thinks your help is 'Gone' and doesn't need to be remembered.

Adjective Usage

Kritaghna is an adjective. You can place it before a noun (Kritaghna vyakti) or after a linking verb (Voh kritaghna hai).

Weight of the Word

Understand that this word is 'heavy'. Using it in a light situation will make you sound like a character in a Shakespearean play.

Aspiration Check

Make sure you breathe out a bit when saying the 'gh' in 'ghna'. If you say a plain 'g', it might sound like 'Kritagna', which isn't a word.

The Root 'Krita'

Many Hindi words start with 'Krita' (done). Learning this will help you understand words like Kriti (work), Karta (doer), and Kritagya (grateful).

Conjunct Practice

Practice writing the 'ghna' conjunct. It appears in other common words like 'Vighna' (obstacle), so it's a useful shape to master.

Polite Alternatives

If you want to be less harsh, use 'Akritagya' (not grateful) instead of 'Kritaghna' (destroyer of favors).

Movie Dialogues

Watch the movie 'Namak Haraam' (1973) to see the emotional context of ingratitude and betrayal in Indian culture.

Literary Context

When you see 'Kritaghna' in a book, look for the 'Upkar' (favor) that was done earlier in the story. It will always be there.

Sanskrit Roots

Knowing that 'ghna' means 'killer' helps you decode words like 'Shatrughna' (enemy-killer) or 'Vritraghna' (slayer of Vritra).

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Krita' as 'Credit' and 'Ghna' as 'Gone'. A Kritaghna person is someone for whom your 'Credit is Gone'—they don't remember it!

Visual Association

Imagine a person cutting a bridge that they just walked across. The bridge represents the help they received, and by cutting it, they are being 'Kritaghna' to the bridge-builder.

Word Web

कृतज्ञ (Opposite) उपकार (The favor) पाप (Sin) नमक-हराम (Synonym) संस्कार (Values) धोखा (Deceit) समाज (Society) चरित्र (Character)

Challenge

Try to write three sentences describing a villain in a movie using the word 'कृतघ्न'. Then, write three sentences about a hero using the antonym 'कृतज्ञ'.

Word Origin

The word 'Kritaghna' is a Tatsama word, meaning it is borrowed directly from Sanskrit into Hindi without any phonetic changes. It is a compound of two words: 'Kṛta' and 'Ghna'.

Original meaning: 'Kṛta' means 'done' or 'a deed/favor,' and 'Ghna' means 'one who kills' or 'one who destroys.' Therefore, the original meaning is 'one who kills a deed' or 'one who destroys the memory of a favor.'

Indo-Aryan (Sanskrit branch).

Cultural Context

Be careful when calling someone 'Kritaghna' directly. It is a very strong accusation and can end a friendship or cause a serious argument.

In English, 'ungrateful' can be used for small things (e.g., 'You're ungrateful for this dinner'). In Hindi, 'Kritaghna' is much heavier, more like 'recreant' or 'base'.

The Mahabharata: Many characters discuss the sin of being 'Kritaghna'. Premchand's stories: Often feature 'Kritaghna' characters to highlight social injustice. Bollywood Song 'Dushman Na Kare Dost Ne Wo Kaam Kiya Hai': Describes the actions of a 'Kritaghna' friend.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Family Betrayal

कृतघ्न संतान
माता-पिता के प्रति कृतघ्न
बुढ़ापे में कृतघ्नता
घर का कृतघ्न सदस्य

Political Betrayal

कृतघ्न नेता
पार्टी के प्रति कृतघ्नता
कृतघ्न राजनीति
जनता के प्रति कृतघ्न

Professional Situations

कृतघ्न कर्मचारी
मालिक के प्रति कृतघ्न
कृतघ्न व्यवहार
संस्था के प्रति कृतघ्नता

Moral/Religious Lessons

कृतघ्नता एक पाप है
ईश्वर के प्रति कृतघ्न
कृतघ्नता का दंड
कृतघ्न हृदय

Classical Literature

कृतघ्न पात्र
कृतघ्नता का चित्रण
राजा और कृतघ्न सेवक
कृतघ्नता की कहानी

Conversation Starters

"क्या आपको लगता है कि आजकल लोग ज़्यादा कृतघ्न हो गए हैं?"

"क्या आपने कभी किसी कृतघ्न व्यक्ति का सामना किया है?"

"इतिहास का सबसे कृतघ्न पात्र कौन है, आपके अनुसार?"

"कृतघ्नता और स्वार्थ में क्या अंतर है?"

"हम बच्चों को कृतघ्न होने से कैसे बचा सकते हैं?"

Journal Prompts

आज मैंने एक ऐसी स्थिति देखी जहाँ कोई बहुत कृतघ्न था। वह क्या था और मुझे कैसा लगा?

क्या मैं कभी किसी के प्रति कृतघ्न रहा हूँ? मैं उसे कैसे सुधार सकता हूँ?

कृतघ्नता समाज के ताने-बाने को कैसे नुकसान पहुँचाती है? विस्तार से लिखें।

कृतज्ञता और कृतघ्नता के बीच के संघर्ष पर एक छोटी कहानी लिखें।

यदि मुझे किसी कृतघ्न व्यक्ति को पत्र लिखना हो, तो मैं क्या कहूँगा?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is less common in casual street talk, where 'ehsan-faramosh' is preferred. However, it is very common in movies, books, and formal speeches. You will definitely hear it if you watch Hindi news or dramas.

Yes, as an adjective, 'Kritaghna' is gender-neutral. You would say 'वह कृतघ्न है' for both a man and a woman. If you use the noun form 'Kritaghnata' (ingratitude), it is always feminine.

'Kritaghna' is a formal, polite (though serious) way to say ungrateful. 'Namak-haram' is much harsher, almost an insult, and specifically implies that someone has betrayed the person who provided them with food or a job.

It is a conjunct consonant. Pronounce the 'gh' (like in ghost) half-way and immediately move to 'na'. It should sound like one syllable 'ghna' rather than 'ga-na'.

Yes, culturally it is considered one of the worst character flaws. In Indian philosophy, gratitude is a core virtue, and 'Kritaghna' is seen as a sign of a low-quality or unrefined character.

The direct opposite is 'Kritagya' (कृतज्ञ), which means grateful. It's important not to confuse the two!

Usually, it is used for humans because it implies a moral choice. However, in fables (like Aesop's fables translated into Hindi), an ungrateful animal might be described as 'कृतघ्न'.

There is no single verb. We use the phrase 'कृतघ्न होना' (to be ungrateful) or 'कृतघ्नता करना' (to act with ingratitude).

It would be very aggressive. In business, it's better to use more professional terms like 'असहयोग' (non-cooperation) or 'अनुबंध का उल्लंघन' (breach of contract). Only use 'Kritaghna' if you want to make a strong moral accusation.

It is written as क + ऋ (kri) + त (ta) + घ्न (ghna). The 'ghna' is a combination of a half 'gh' and a full 'n'.