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B1 adverb 10 min read

कठिनता से

kathinta se
Examples कठिनता से in 30 Seconds
Explanation कठिनता से in your Level:
At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn how to describe actions. You usually learn simple adjectives like 'hard' (कठिन) or 'easy' (आसान). While 'कठिनता से' might be a bit long for a beginner, you can understand it as 'with hard work'. At this stage, you might say 'I work hard' as 'मैं बहुत काम करता हूँ' (I do a lot of work). Learning 'कठिनता से' helps you start moving away from simple sentences to describing 'how' you do things. Think of it as adding a little more detail to your basic verbs. For example, if you say 'I read Hindi', that's A1. If you say 'I read Hindi with difficulty' (मैं कठिनता से हिंदी पढ़ता हूँ), you are starting to express your feelings and the reality of your learning process. It is a good word to recognize when your teacher speaks slowly about a difficult lesson.
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At the A2 level, you begin to use adverbs more frequently to provide context. You are familiar with the postposition 'से' (se) meaning 'with' or 'by'. 'कठिनता से' fits perfectly into the A2 grammar syllabus because it shows how a noun (कठिनता - difficulty) can be turned into an adverb. At this stage, you can use it to describe daily struggles, such as waking up early, traveling in heavy traffic, or learning complex grammar rules. You might use it in sentences like 'I reached the office with difficulty' (मैं कठिनता से दफ़्तर पहुँचा). It helps you build more complex sentences and explain why certain tasks took longer than expected. You should also start noticing the difference between this word and its simpler cousin 'मुश्किल से', which you probably hear more often in Bollywood songs or casual conversations.
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As a B1 learner, 'कठिनता से' should become a regular part of your formal vocabulary. At this level, you are expected to handle common situations in work and school and describe experiences and ambitions. 'कठिनता से' allows you to talk about perseverance. Instead of just saying a task was 'hard', you can describe how you accomplished it 'with difficulty', which sounds more professional and precise. You will encounter this word in intermediate reading passages about social issues, history, or science. You should be able to use it to describe abstract concepts, like 'understanding a difficult theory' or 'making a tough decision'. This is the level where you distinguish between the 'barely' meaning and the 'with great effort' meaning based on the context of the sentence. You are also expected to place it correctly before the verb in your writing.
At the B2 level, you are becoming a more fluent and nuanced speaker. You understand that 'कठिनता से' is a Tatsama word and carries a certain formal weight. You might use it in a debate or a formal presentation to emphasize the gravity of a situation. For example, you could discuss how a law was 'कठिनता से' passed in parliament, implying a long and contentious process. You are also able to compare it with other adverbs like 'कष्टपूर्वक' or 'प्रयत्नपूर्वक' (effortfully). At B2, you should be sensitive to the register—knowing that using 'कठिनता से' with your close friends might sound a bit stiff, but using it in an essay is perfect. You can also handle complex sentence structures where 'कठिनता से' modifies a participle or a gerund, such as 'कठिनता से प्राप्त की गई सफलता' (success achieved with difficulty).
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At the C1 level, you have a deep appreciation for the stylistic choices available in Hindi. You use 'कठिनता से' to create specific tones in your writing. You might use it to evoke a sense of traditional or scholarly authority. You understand its etymological roots and how it relates to other words in the 'कठिन' family. In C1 literature analysis, you might discuss how an author uses 'कठिनता से' to reflect a character's internal struggle with their cultural identity. You are also comfortable with the word in specialized contexts, such as legal judgments or philosophical treatises, where precision is paramount. You can use it in highly complex, multi-clause sentences without losing the flow of the narrative, and you can recognize when it is being used ironically or for rhetorical effect in political speeches.
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At the C2 level, your command of 'कठिनता से' is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker. You use it effortlessly in high-level academic writing, professional discourse, and creative literature. You understand the historical evolution of the word and its place within the broader Indo-Aryan linguistic tradition. You can use it to express the finest nuances of effort and struggle. For instance, you might use it to describe the 'hardly perceptible' changes in a language over centuries or the 'with great difficulty' attained peace in a war-torn region. You are also aware of how this word interacts with regional dialects and how it might be replaced by other terms in different parts of the Hindi-speaking world, yet you maintain it as a staple of your standard, formal lexicon. Your usage is always contextually perfect, enhancing the clarity and impact of your communication.
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Examples

कठिनता से in 30 Seconds

  • Formal adverb meaning 'with difficulty'.
  • Formed from the noun 'kathinta' + 'se'.
  • Used to emphasize struggle and effort.
  • Higher register alternative to 'mushkil se'.

The Hindi adverb कठिनता से (kaṭhintā se) is a sophisticated way to describe an action performed with significant effort, struggle, or against heavy odds. It is the adverbial form of the abstract noun 'कठिनता' (difficulty), which itself stems from the adjective 'कठिन' (hard/difficult). In the linguistic landscape of Hindi, this phrase is categorized as a Tatsama-derived construction, meaning it draws directly from Sanskrit roots. This gives it a formal, polished, and somewhat intellectual aura compared to its more common synonym, 'मुश्किल से' (mushkil se), which has Perso-Arabic origins. When you use 'कठिनता से', you are not just saying something was hard; you are emphasizing the process of overcoming that hardship.

Literal Meaning
With (से) difficulty (कठिनता).
Usage Context
Used in literature, formal reports, academic writing, and serious news broadcasts to describe arduous achievements.

Imagine a climber reaching the summit of Everest after days of storms. You wouldn't just say they reached the top; you would say they reached it कठिनता से. This highlights the grit and determination involved. It is also used to mean 'hardly' or 'scarcely' in contexts where the possibility of an event occurring was very low due to surrounding obstacles. For example, if a voice is barely audible over a loud crowd, one might say the voice was heard 'कठिनता से'.

उसने अपनी पुरानी आदतों को कठिनता से बदला। (He changed his old habits with great difficulty.)

Furthermore, the word carries a psychological weight. It suggests a conscious application of will. While 'आसानी से' (easily) implies a flow, 'कठिनता से' implies friction. In modern Hindi, while 'मुश्किल से' dominates daily conversation, 'कठिनता से' is the choice for writers who want to evoke a sense of gravity. It is frequently found in the works of great Hindi novelists like Premchand or in the preamble of legal documents where the complexity of a situation is being acknowledged. For a learner at the B1 level, mastering this word signals a transition from basic communicative competence to a more nuanced, expressive capability in Hindi.

भीड़ में मैंने उसे कठिनता से पहचाना। (I recognized him with difficulty in the crowd.)

In summary, 'कठिनता से' is an adverb of manner. It tells us 'how' the verb was performed. It requires the postposition 'से' to function. Without 'से', 'कठिनता' is just the noun 'difficulty'. This distinction is vital for grammatical accuracy. As you progress, you will notice that Hindi often uses this 'Noun + Postposition' structure to create adverbs, providing a modular and logical way to expand your descriptive range.

Using कठिनता से correctly involves understanding Hindi's word order and the role of postpositions. In a standard Hindi sentence (Subject-Object-Verb), the adverb usually sits right before the verb or the object it modifies. Because 'कठिनता से' is a multi-word adverbial phrase, its placement can slightly shift for emphasis, but its primary home is preceding the action. Let's break down its structural components and practical application.

Grammatical Structure
[Subject] + [Object] + [कठिनता से] + [Verb].

For instance, consider the sentence 'She climbed the mountain.' In Hindi, this is 'वह पहाड़ पर चढ़ी।' To add the nuance of difficulty, you insert the adverb: 'वह कठिनता से पहाड़ पर चढ़ी।' Here, the emphasis is on the arduous nature of the ascent. If you move it to the beginning—'कठिनता से वह पहाड़ पर चढ़ी'—the difficulty becomes the primary focus of the sentence, often used for dramatic effect in storytelling.

अंधेरे में मुझे रास्ता कठिनता से मिला। (In the dark, I found the way with difficulty.)

One interesting aspect of 'कठिनता से' is its use in negative or restrictive contexts, similar to the English 'barely'. For example, 'I could barely breathe' translates to 'मैं कठिनता से सांस ले पा रहा था।' In this context, it implies that the action was on the verge of failing. This 'barely' sense is very common in literature when describing physical exhaustion or sensory limitations. It is also important to note that 'कठिनता से' does not change based on the gender or number of the subject, as it is an indeclinable adverbial phrase (Avyaya-like behavior).

उसने अपनी हंसी कठिनता से रोकी। (He suppressed his laughter with great effort.)

When comparing it to 'मुश्किल से', 'कठिनता से' often feels more deliberate. If you say 'मैंने मुश्किल से खाना खाया', it might mean you were busy and barely had time. If you say 'मैंने कठिनता से खाना खाया', it might imply you were very ill and the act of eating itself was a physical struggle. This subtle difference in 'type of difficulty' is what allows advanced learners to paint more precise pictures with their words. In academic Hindi, you will see it paired with verbs like 'प्राप्त करना' (to achieve/obtain) or 'समझना' (to understand), emphasizing the intellectual labor involved in the task.

Common Verb Pairings
चलना (to walk), बोलना (to speak), जीतना (to win), स्वीकार करना (to accept).

While you might hear 'मुश्किल से' (mushkil se) in a bustling Mumbai market or a casual Delhi cafe, कठिनता से is the word of the library, the newsroom, and the formal stage. It is ubiquitous in 'Shuddh Hindi' (Pure Hindi) circles. If you tune into All India Radio or watch news channels like DD News, you will frequently hear reporters describing government negotiations or scientific achievements using this phrase. It provides a level of dignity to the struggle being described.

दोनों देशों के बीच समझौता कठिनता से हुआ। (The agreement between the two countries was reached with great difficulty.)

In the world of Hindi literature, from the classic tales of Munshi Premchand to modern literary critics, 'कठिनता से' is used to describe the internal conflicts of characters. It is used when a character has to make a choice that goes against their nature, or when they are enduring societal pressure. For instance, a character might 'कठिनता से' admit a mistake, suggesting that their ego was a major barrier. This emotional depth is why the word remains a favorite among writers.

Academic textbooks are another primary source for this word. Whether it is a science book explaining how a certain element is 'कठिनता से' found in nature, or a history book describing how a revolution was 'कठिनता से' sustained, the word serves as a marker of objective analysis. It removes the colloquial flavor and replaces it with a factual assessment of effort. Even in formal business emails, if you want to emphasize that a task was particularly challenging but you managed to complete it, using 'कठिनता से' can subtly highlight your hard work without sounding like you are complaining.

इस दुर्लभ धातु को कठिनता से निकाला जाता है। (This rare metal is extracted with great difficulty.)

Lastly, you will encounter it in legal and administrative Hindi. Official documents, court rulings, and government circulars use 'कठिनता से' because it is unambiguous and fits the formal lexicon required by the state. If you are preparing for a Hindi proficiency exam like the JLPT equivalent for Hindi or a government job in India, mastering this word is essential because it appears frequently in reading comprehension passages involving social issues or formal narratives.

The most common mistake learners make is confusing the adjective कठिन (kathin) with the adverb कठिनता से (kathinta se). In English, 'hard' can be both an adjective ('The task is hard') and an adverb ('He works hard'). In Hindi, these roles are strictly separated. You cannot say 'वह कठिन काम करता है' to mean 'He works with difficulty'; that would mean 'He does a hard job'. To describe the manner of working, you MUST use the adverbial form.

Incorrect
वह कठिन बोलता है। (He speaks hard - makes no sense in Hindi.)
Correct
वह कठिनता से बोलता है। (He speaks with difficulty.)

Another frequent error is the omission of the postposition 'से'. Learners often remember the noun 'कठिनता' (difficulty) but forget that Hindi requires the postposition to link the noun to the verb as an adverb. Saying 'वह कठिनता चला' is grammatically incomplete; it must be 'वह कठिनता से चला'. Think of 'से' as the '-ly' in English adverbs like 'difficultly' (though we usually say 'with difficulty').

गलती: मैं कठिन से समझा। (Incorrect: I understood from hard.)

सही: मैं कठिनता से समझा। (Correct: I understood with difficulty.)

A subtle mistake involves register. While 'कठिनता से' is correct, using it in a very casual setting (like with friends at a party) might make you sound overly formal or robotic. In those situations, 'मुश्किल से' (mushkil se) or even 'बड़ी मुश्किल से' (bari mushkil se) is much more natural. It's like saying 'I arduously retrieved my keys' instead of 'I finally found my keys'. Both are correct, but the context matters.

Finally, watch out for the placement. While Hindi word order is flexible, putting 'कठिनता से' after the verb is a common mistake for English speakers (e.g., 'वह चला कठिनता से'). While people will understand you, it sounds 'off'. Always try to place it before the verb: 'वह कठिनता से चला'. This follows the standard Hindi rhythm and makes your speech sound much more native.

Hindi is rich with synonyms for 'with difficulty', each carrying a slightly different shade of meaning or level of formality. Understanding these alternatives will help you choose the right word for the right situation. The most direct competitor to कठिनता से is मुश्किल से (mushkil se).

मुश्किल से (Mushkil se)
The most common, everyday term. It covers both 'with difficulty' and 'barely'. It's versatile and used by everyone regardless of the formality level.
कठिनाई से (Kathināī se)
Very similar to 'कठिनता से'. While 'कठिनता' is the quality of being hard, 'कठिनाई' often refers to the trouble or hardship faced. 'कठिनाई से' is extremely common in both formal and semi-formal Hindi.
भारी प्रयास से (Bhārī prayās se)
Literally 'with heavy effort'. This is used when you want to explicitly mention the amount of work put in, rather than just the difficulty of the task.

For extremely formal or poetic contexts, you might encounter कष्टपूर्वक (kaṣṭpūrvak), which means 'with pain' or 'laboriously'. This implies that the difficulty caused actual suffering or extreme discomfort. On the other end of the spectrum, if you want to say something was done 'with great difficulty' in a colloquial way, you might say रो-धोकर (ro-dhokar), literally 'after crying and washing (eyes)', implying a lot of whining or struggle was involved!

तुलना:
1. वह मुश्किल से पास हुआ। (He barely passed - common.)
2. उसने कठिनता से सफलता पाई। (He achieved success with difficulty - formal.)

Choosing between these depends on your goal. If you are writing a news article about a rescue operation, 'कठिनता से' or 'कठिनाई से' are your best bets. If you are telling a friend how hard it was to find a parking spot, stick to 'मुश्किल से'. If you are describing a hero's journey in a story, 'कष्टपूर्वक' adds a nice touch of drama. Understanding these registers is the hallmark of a B1-B2 learner.

In summary, while 'कठिनता से' is a specific and formal choice, knowing its family of synonyms allows you to navigate different social and literary settings in India with confidence. It is a word that commands respect for the effort it describes.

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Examples by Level

1

मैंने कठिनता से यह काम किया।

I did this work with difficulty.

Simple Subject-Adverb-Object-Verb structure.

2

वह कठिनता से हिंदी बोलता है।

He speaks Hindi with difficulty.

Adverb modifying the verb 'बोलना' (to speak).

3

बच्चा कठिनता से चल रहा है।

The child is walking with difficulty.

Continuous tense with the adverb.

4

मैं कठिनता से यहाँ पहुँचा।

I reached here with difficulty.

Past tense usage.

5

उसने कठिनता से अपना नाम लिखा।

He wrote his name with difficulty.

Adverb describing a specific action.

6

हम कठिनता से पहाड़ पर चढ़े।

We climbed the mountain with difficulty.

Plural subject with past tense.

7

क्या आपने कठिनता से इसे समझा?

Did you understand it with difficulty?

Interrogative sentence.

8

वह कठिनता से सो पाया।

He was able to sleep with difficulty.

Use of 'पाना' (to be able to).

1

भारी बारिश में मैं कठिनता से घर पहुँचा।

I reached home with difficulty in heavy rain.

Adding a circumstantial phrase (भारी बारिश में).

2

उसने कठिनता से अपनी पुरानी कार बेची।

He sold his old car with difficulty.

Transitive verb with object.

3

मरीज कठिनता से सांस ले रहा था।

The patient was breathing with difficulty.

Medical context usage.

4

अंधेरे कमरे में मैंने कठिनता से चाबी ढूँढी।

I found the key with difficulty in the dark room.

Locative phrase (अंधेरे कमरे में).

5

वह कठिनता से अपना गुस्सा शांत कर पाया।

He was able to calm his anger with difficulty.

Compound verb 'शांत करना'.

6

भीड़ की वजह से हम कठिनता से आगे बढ़े।

Due to the crowd, we moved forward with difficulty.

Reasoning phrase (की वजह से).

7

उसने कठिनता से अपनी पढ़ाई पूरी की।

She completed her studies with difficulty.

Focus on long-term effort.

8

मैंने कठिनता से टिकट बुक किया।

I booked the ticket with difficulty.

Modern context (online booking).

1

वैज्ञानिकों ने कठिनता से इस रहस्य को सुलझाया।

Scientists solved this mystery with great difficulty.

Formal subject (वैज्ञानिकों ने).

2

उसने कठिनता से समाज में अपनी पहचान बनाई।

He built his identity in society with difficulty.

Abstract concept (identity).

3

दोनों पक्षों ने कठिनता से शांति समझौते पर हस्ताक्षर किए।

Both sides signed the peace treaty with difficulty.

Formal political context.

4

मैं कठिनता से उसकी बातों का अर्थ समझ पाया।

I could understand the meaning of his words with difficulty.

Intellectual effort.

5

उसने कठिनता से अपने डर पर काबू पाया।

He overcame his fear with great difficulty.

Emotional/Psychological context.

6

यह दुर्लभ पौधा कठिनता से हिमालय में मिलता है।

This rare plant is found with difficulty in the Himalayas.

Describing scarcity/hardly.

7

उसने कठिनता से अपनी भावनाओं को छिपाया।

She hid her emotions with difficulty.

Internal struggle.

8

गवाह ने कठिनता से अदालत में सच बोला।

The witness spoke the truth in court with difficulty.

Legal context.

1

अर्थव्यवस्था में मंदी के कारण लोग कठिनता से गुजारा कर रहे हैं।

Due to the recession in the economy, people are making ends meet with difficulty.

Socio-economic context.

2

लेखक ने कठिनता से अपनी पांडुलिपि को अंतिम रूप दिया।

The author finalized his manuscript with great difficulty.

Professional creative process.

3

सरकार ने कठिनता से नए कानून को लागू किया।

The government implemented the new law with difficulty.

Administrative context.

4

इतने शोर में मैं कठिनता से अपना ध्यान केंद्रित कर सका।

In so much noise, I could focus with difficulty.

Focus on concentration.

5

उसने कठिनता से अपने प्रतिद्वंद्वी को पराजित किया।

He defeated his opponent with great difficulty.

Competitive context.

6

इतिहासकारों ने कठिनता से इन प्राचीन लिपियों को पढ़ा।

Historians read these ancient scripts with difficulty.

Academic/Research context.

7

उसने कठिनता से अपनी कंपनी को दिवालिया होने से बचाया।

He saved his company from bankruptcy with difficulty.

Business struggle.

8

यह सच कठिनता से स्वीकार किया गया।

This truth was accepted with difficulty.

Passive voice usage.

1

दार्शनिक ने कठिनता से अस्तित्व के प्रश्नों का उत्तर ढूँढा।

The philosopher found the answer to existential questions with difficulty.

Philosophical/High-level abstract.

2

सांस्कृतिक परिवर्तनों को समाज कठिनता से आत्मसात करता है।

Society assimilates cultural changes with difficulty.

Sociological analysis.

3

उसने कठिनता से अपनी अंतरात्मा की आवाज़ सुनी।

He heard the voice of his conscience with difficulty.

Metaphorical usage.

4

वैज्ञानिक प्रयोग के परिणामों को कठिनता से प्रमाणित किया जा सका।

The results of the scientific experiment could be verified with difficulty.

Complex passive structure.

5

राजनीतिक अस्थिरता के बीच शांति कठिनता से बहाल हुई।

Peace was restored with difficulty amidst political instability.

Political science terminology.

6

उसने कठिनता से अपने जीवन के बिखरे हुए टुकड़ों को समेटा।

He gathered the scattered pieces of his life with difficulty.

Literary metaphor.

7

इस उपन्यास की जटिलता को पाठक कठिनता से समझ पाते हैं।

Readers understand the complexity of this novel with difficulty.

Literary criticism.

8

भाषा के क्रमिक विकास को कठिनता से रेखांकित किया जा सकता है।

The gradual evolution of language can be outlined with difficulty.

Linguistic academic context.

1

मानवीय चेतना के रहस्यों को विज्ञान कठिनता से भेद पा रहा है।

Science is penetrating the mysteries of human consciousness with great difficulty.

Metaphorical verb 'भेदना' (to pierce/penetrate).

2

वैश्विक न्याय की अवधारणा को कठिनता से धरातल पर उतारा जा सकता है।

The concept of global justice can be brought to reality with difficulty.

Idiomatic expression 'धरातल पर उतारना'.

3

शून्य की अनंतता को गणितीय रूप से कठिनता से परिभाषित किया जाता है।

The infinity of zero is defined mathematically with difficulty.

Theoretical mathematics context.

4

सत्य और असत्य के बीच की महीन रेखा को कठिनता से पहचाना जा सकता है।

The fine line between truth and falsehood can be identified with difficulty.

Nuanced philosophical distinction.

5

ऐतिहासिक पूर्वाग्रहों को कठिनता से मिटाया जा सकता है।

Historical prejudices can be erased with difficulty.

Societal/Historical critique.

6

ब्रह्मांड की उत्पत्ति के क्षणों को कठिनता से कल्पित किया जा सकता है।

The moments of the universe's origin can be imagined with difficulty.

Astrophysical context.

7

कलाकार ने कठिनता से अपनी मौन पीड़ा को कैनवास पर उतारा।

The artist expressed his silent suffering on canvas with difficulty.

Expressive literary style.

8

संसदीय लोकतंत्र की मर्यादाओं को कठिनता से अक्षुण्ण रखा गया है।

The dignities of parliamentary democracy have been kept intact with difficulty.

High-level political vocabulary (अक्षुण्ण).

Common Collocations

कठिनता से प्राप्त करना
कठिनता से समझना
कठिनता से चलना
कठिनता से सांस लेना
कठिनता से स्वीकार करना
कठिनता से मिलना
कठिनता से बोलना
कठिनता से जीतना
कठिनता से पहचानना
कठिनता से गुजरना

Common Phrases

बड़ी कठिनता से

— With very great difficulty. Adds emphasis.

बड़ी कठिनता से हमने आग बुझाई।

अत्यंत कठिनता से

— With extreme difficulty. Used in very formal writing.

अत्यंत कठिनता से लक्ष्य प्राप्त हुआ।

कठिनता से ही सही

— Even if with difficulty (implies it happened eventually).

कठिनता से ही सही, पर काम हो गया।

कठिनता से बचाना

— To save something with great effort.

उसने डूबते बच्चे को कठिनता से बचाया।

कठिनता से गुजरना

— To pass through a difficult time.

परिवार कठिनता से गुज़र रहा है।

कठिनता से उभरना

— To emerge or recover with difficulty.

देश संकट से कठिनता से उभरा।

कठिनता से मनाना

— To persuade someone with great difficulty.

मैंने उसे कठिनता से मनाया।

कठिनता से सहना

— To endure something with difficulty.

उसने यह अपमान कठिनता से सहा।

कठिनता से सीखना

— To learn something with difficulty.

मैंने कठिनता से कार चलाना सीखा।

कठिनता से रोकना

— To stop or prevent something with difficulty.

उसने बहते आंसू कठिनता से रोके।

Idioms & Expressions

"लोहे के चने चबाना"

— To perform a task with extreme difficulty (equivalent idiom).

परीक्षा पास करना लोहे के चने चबाने जैसा था।

Informal/Idiomatic
"पसीना बहाना"

— To work very hard (often results in doing something 'kathinta se').

उसने सफलता के लिए बहुत पसीना बहाया।

Common
"नाक चने चबवाना"

— To make someone do something with great difficulty.

विपक्षी टीम ने हमें नाक चने चबवा दिए।

Informal
"एड़ी-चोटी का ज़ोर लगाना"

— To exert every possible effort (to do something 'kathinta se').

उसने घर खरीदने के लिए एड़ी-चोटी का ज़ोर लगा दिया।

Common
"जान हथेली पर रखना"

— To do something with extreme risk and difficulty.

सैनिकों ने जान हथ

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