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कुढ़न

B1 noun 8 min read

कुढ़न

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips कुढ़न in 30 Seconds

Explanation कुढ़न in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word 'कुढ़न' (kuṛhan) often, as it describes a complex feeling. Instead, you might just say 'I am angry' (मैं गुस्सा हूँ - Main gussa hoon) or 'I am sad' (मैं दुखी हूँ - Main dukhi hoon). However, it is good to know that 'kuṛhan' is a type of 'bad feeling' in the mind. Think of it as when you are not happy about something but you don't shout. It is a 'small anger' that stays inside. If you see this word in a simple story, just remember it means someone is feeling a bit bitter or annoyed. You can remember it by the sound 'kuṛ-kuṛ', which is like the sound of something simmering on a stove. At this stage, focus on the fact that it is a feminine noun, so we say 'badi kuṛhan' (big resentment).

At the A2 level, you are starting to describe feelings in more detail. 'कुढ़न' (kuṛhan) is a useful word when 'gussa' (anger) is too strong and 'dukh' (sadness) is not quite right. You can use it to talk about everyday frustrations. For example, 'Mujhe kaam se kuṛhan ho rahi hai' (I am feeling resentful/vexed with work). This shows you understand that emotions aren't always loud. You might hear this word in family dramas or when people talk about their feelings. Remember the verb form 'kuṛhna' (to fret). If you see someone looking annoyed but not saying anything, you can say 'Tum kyun kuṛh rahe ho?' (Why are you fretting?). It's a great word to add to your vocabulary to sound more like a native speaker who understands subtle emotions.

As a B1 learner, you should be able to use 'कुढ़न' (kuṛhan) to describe internal conflicts. This is the level where you distinguish between 'jalan' (jealousy) and 'kuṛhan' (resentment). You can use it in sentences like 'Uski safalta dekhkar mere man mein kuṛhan paida hui' (Seeing his success, resentment arose in my mind). This word is perfect for discussing themes in books or movies. It describes a state of 'simmering' dissatisfaction. You should also be aware of the grammatical patterns, such as using it with 'man mein' (in the mind) or 'se' (due to). It is a feminine noun, so ensure your adjectives and verbs agree. For example, 'Purani kuṛhan' (old resentment). Using this word correctly shows you have reached an intermediate level of emotional intelligence in Hindi.

At the B2 level, 'कुढ़न' (kuṛhan) becomes a tool for nuanced expression in debates and essays. You can use it to describe social phenomena, such as the 'kuṛhan' felt by a specific group of people due to inequality. It is no longer just a personal feeling but a psychological state that can affect health or social harmony. You should be comfortable using it with complex verbs like 'panapna' (to flourish/breed) – 'Man mein kuṛhan panap rahi hai' (Resentment is breeding in the mind). You can also use it to contrast with other emotions like 'kshobh' (agitation) or 'santosh' (satisfaction). At this level, you understand that 'kuṛhan' often implies a lack of agency – the person feels resentful because they cannot change the situation. Your usage should reflect this depth of meaning.

For C1 learners, 'कुढ़न' (kuṛhan) is a word that appears frequently in high-level literature, psychological analysis, and sophisticated social commentary. You should be able to analyze the 'kuṛhan' of characters in classical Hindi literature, such as those in the stories of Premchand or the poetry of Nirala. You can use the word to describe the 'existential resentment' that comes from the human condition. In writing, you might use it as a metaphor for a decaying society or a stagnant relationship. You should also be familiar with idiomatic expressions and the subtle difference between 'kuṛhan' and 'vaimanasya' (hostility/enmity). Your mastery of this word involves using it to paint a detailed picture of a character's internal landscape, showing how silent resentment can lead to significant external consequences.

At the C2 level, you have a complete grasp of the philosophical and psychological underpinnings of 'कुढ़न' (kuṛhan). You can discuss its etymological roots and its evolution in Hindi prose. You might explore how 'kuṛhan' functions as a motif in post-independence Hindi literature to represent the disillusionment of the middle class. You can use the word in highly abstract contexts, such as 'the resentment of time' or 'the vexation of the soul.' Your command over the word allows you to use it with absolute precision, choosing it over five other synonyms because only 'kuṛhan' captures the exact blend of silence, duration, and internal heat that you wish to convey. You are also able to identify and use rare derived forms or archaic usages found in medieval texts if necessary.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

कुढ़न in 30 Seconds

Internal resentment or vexation that simmers quietly.
A feminine noun used for long-lasting bitterness.
Commonly used in literature to describe silent suffering.
Distinguished from loud anger by its internal nature.

The Hindi word कुढ़न (kuṛhan) is a deeply evocative noun that describes a specific type of internal emotional state. It isn't just 'anger' or 'sadness'; rather, it is a slow-burning feeling of resentment, vexation, or annoyance that often remains unspoken. Imagine a situation where you feel a sense of bitterness because something didn't go your way, or you feel slighted by someone, but you don't express it openly. That simmering feeling in your chest is kuṛhan. In English, we might translate it as 'resentment,' 'heart-burning,' or 'chagrin.' It carries a nuance of being 'eaten up from the inside' by one's own negative feelings.

Emotional Texture: Unlike 'gussa' (anger) which is explosive, kuṛhan is implosive. It is the psychological equivalent of embers that stay hot long after the fire has gone out.

उसकी बातों से मेरे मन में कुढ़न पैदा हो गई। (His words created a sense of resentment in my mind.)

Native speakers use this word to describe the bitterness that arises from envy, perceived injustice, or repeated small irritations. For example, if a colleague gets a promotion that you felt you deserved, you might not shout at them, but you will likely feel kuṛhan. It is a word often found in literature and serious conversation to describe complex human relationships where people harbor secret grudges. It is also used in a self-reflective way to describe the frustration one feels when they are unable to change a situation they dislike.

Usage Context: It is commonly used with verbs like 'होना' (to happen/to be) or 'पैदा करना' (to create/to give rise to).

In the vast landscape of Hindi emotions, कुढ़न sits between 'ईर्ष्या' (envy) and 'चिड़चिड़ापन' (irritability). While envy is specifically about wanting what someone else has, kuṛhan is the general feeling of being bothered and bitter about a situation. It is a very human emotion, often linked to the ego and the feeling of being undervalued. When you hear this word in a Bollywood movie or read it in a Premchand story, it usually signals a deep-seated psychological conflict within a character who is suffering in silence.

बिना वजह की कुढ़न सेहत के लिए अच्छी नहीं होती। (Unnecessary resentment is not good for health.)

The word is feminine in gender, which is crucial for grammatical agreement in sentences. You would say 'बड़ी कुढ़न' (great resentment) rather than 'बड़ा कुढ़न'. Understanding this word allows you to articulate feelings that are more sophisticated than simple anger. It is the hallmark of a B1-B2 level speaker to distinguish between 'main gussa hoon' (I am angry) and 'mere man mein kuṛhan hai' (There is a lingering resentment in my heart).

Using कुढ़न (kuṛhan) correctly requires understanding its role as a noun that describes an internal state. Because it's an abstract noun, it usually functions as the subject of a feeling or the object of an action within the mind. You don't 'do' kuṛhan; you 'have' it or it 'happens' to you.

Common Verb Pairings: 1. होना (Hona): To have/be resentment. 'मुझे कुढ़न हो रही है।' (I am feeling resentful.)
2. मिटाना (Mitana): To erase/remove resentment. 'अपने मन की कुढ़न मिटाओ।' (Erase the resentment in your heart.)

वह अपनी कुढ़न किसी को नहीं दिखाता। (He doesn't show his resentment to anyone.)

In complex sentences, kuṛhan often appears with the postposition 'से' (from/with) to describe the cause of an action. For example, 'कुढ़न से उसका चेहरा लाल हो गया' (His face turned red with resentment). Note that even though the face turned red, the 'kuṛhan' implies he isn't shouting; he's just visibly bothered internally.

Let's look at more formal constructions. If you are writing an essay or a formal letter, you might use it to describe social friction. 'समाज में बढ़ती कुढ़न चिंता का विषय है' (The increasing resentment in society is a matter of concern). Here, it moves from a personal emotion to a collective social state.

सफलता न मिलने पर मन में कुढ़न होना स्वाभाविक है। (It is natural to have resentment in the mind upon not achieving success.)

Another interesting way to use it is in the context of 'self-vexation.' When you are angry at yourself for making a mistake, but you can't do anything about it, that's kuṛhan. 'अपनी ही गलती पर उसे कुढ़न हो रही थी' (He was feeling resentful at his own mistake). This highlights the word's versatility in describing internal conflict.

Sentence Structure Tip: Use the structure: [Person] + को + [Reason] + से + कुढ़न + [Verb]. Example: 'राम को श्याम की प्रगति से कुढ़न है।' (Ram has resentment from/due to Shyam's progress.)

While you might not hear कुढ़न every five minutes in a casual street conversation (where people prefer 'gussa' or 'tension'), it is a staple in specific high-frequency areas of Hindi life. Understanding these contexts will help you recognize the emotional weight the word carries.

1. Literary and Dramatic Works: Hindi literature, especially the works of Munshi Premchand or modern novelists like Mannu Bhandari, uses kuṛhan to explore the internal lives of characters. It is the 'go-to' word to describe the silent suffering of a daughter-in-law in a joint family or a struggling farmer's hidden bitterness against the system.

उपन्यास के नायक के मन में समाज के प्रति गहरी कुढ़न थी। (The protagonist of the novel had deep resentment towards society.)

In daily life, you will hear it during 'serious talks' (gambhir baatcheet) between friends or family members. When someone is analyzing why a relationship is failing, they might say, 'तुम्हारे मन में मेरे लिए इतनी कुढ़न क्यों है?' (Why is there so much resentment in your heart for me?). It implies a deep-seated issue that hasn't been addressed.

2. News and Editorials: Hindi news anchors and editorial writers use this word to describe political or social unrest. You might hear about the 'kuṛhan' of the youth regarding unemployment. This usage elevates the word from a personal feeling to a collective grievance.

Finally, you'll encounter it in psychological or self-help contexts. Hindi podcasts or YouTube videos about mental health often discuss how to deal with 'man ki kuṛhan' (resentment of the mind). It is framed as a toxic emotion that needs to be released through forgiveness or communication. Hearing it in these contexts helps you understand its modern application in the 'wellness' discourse of urban India.

Learning to use कुढ़न involves navigating some common linguistic traps. Because it is a nuanced emotion, many learners confuse it with similar-sounding or similar-meaning words.

Mistake 1: Confusing Gender: Many learners assume all abstract nouns ending in a consonant are masculine. However, कुढ़न is feminine. Avoid saying 'मेरा कुढ़न' (my - masc. resentment); the correct form is 'मेरी कुढ़न' (my - fem. resentment).

❌ Incorrect: बहुत गुस्सा और कुढ़न हुआ।
✅ Correct: बहुत गुस्सा और कुढ़न हुई।

Mistake 2: Overusing it for simple anger. If you are just mad because someone took your pen, 'kuṛhan' is too heavy a word. That is just 'gussa' (anger) or 'chidh' (irritation). Use 'kuṛhan' for feelings that have lasted for hours, days, or even years. It requires a 'simmering' period.

Mistake 3: Confusing it with 'Irshya' (Envy): While they often go together, they aren't the same. 'Irshya' is wanting what someone else has. 'Kuṛhan' is the bitter feeling you get because of that envy. You can have 'kuṛhan' without envy, for example, if you are stuck in a situation you hate.

Another mistake is using the verb 'कुढ़ना' (kuṛhna) incorrectly. Remember that the noun is 'kuṛhan' and the verb is 'kuṛhna'. You can say 'वह कुढ़ रहा है' (He is fretting/resenting), but you cannot say 'वह कुढ़न कर रहा है' (He is 'doing' resentment). The noun is usually something you 'feel' (mehsus karna) or 'have' (hona).

Hindi has a rich vocabulary for emotions. To use कुढ़न effectively, you should know how it compares to its cousins.

कुढ़न vs. जलन (Jalan): Jalan literally means 'burning' and is the common word for jealousy. Kuṛhan is broader; it's the internal vexation that might result from jealousy but also from general dissatisfaction.

उसे मेरी तरक्की से जलन है, और इसी वजह से उसके मन में कुढ़न रहती है। (He is jealous of my progress, and because of that, resentment stays in his mind.)

Another alternative is चिढ़ (Chidh). This is a lighter word, meaning 'irritation' or 'annoyance.' If someone's habit of clicking their pen bothers you, that's 'chidh.' If their habit makes you feel a deep, long-lasting bitterness, that's 'kuṛhan.'

Comparison Table

Gussa (Anger): Explosive, immediate.
Kuṛhan (Resentment): Internal, long-lasting.
Irshya (Envy): Directed at someone else's possessions/success.
Malaal (Regret/Grievance): A sense of 'it should have been different.'

In poetic contexts, you might find the word सोज़ (Soz), which comes from Persian and refers to a 'burning' or 'passion,' often of a sad nature. While 'kuṛhan' is more mundane and psychological, 'soz' is more romantic and artistic. Choosing between these words depends entirely on the 'mahaul' (atmosphere) you want to create in your speech or writing.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word 'kuṛhan' is onomatopoeic in a sense; the 'kuṛ-kuṛ' sound is often associated in Hindi with the sound of something boiling or simmering in a closed pot, which perfectly describes the emotion!

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈkʊɽ.ɦən/

US /ˈkʊr.hən/

The primary stress is on the first syllable 'Kuṛ'.

Rhymes With

चढ़न (chaṛhan - ascent) पढ़न (paṛhan - reading/study) गढ़न (gaṛhan - structure/build) बढ़न (baṛhan - growth) मढ़न (maṛhan - covering) सहन (sahan - tolerance) दहन (dahan - burning) गहन (gahan - deep/intense)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'ṛh' as a simple 'r'. Remember it's a retroflex flap with aspiration.
Making the 'u' sound too long (like 'koo'). It should be short as in 'put'.
Treating it as a masculine word in pronunciation-related grammar (e.g., saying 'mera kuṛhan' instead of 'meri').
Dropping the 'h' sound entirely, making it sound like 'kuṛan'.
Failing to flap the tongue for the 'ṛ' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Recognizing it in text is moderately easy if you know the root verb.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct feminine gender agreement and proper postposition usage.

Speaking 4/5

Pronouncing the 'ṛh' sound correctly is a challenge for beginners.

Listening 3/5

Can be confused with 'jalan' or 'gussa' in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

गुस्सा (Anger) मन (Mind) होना (To be) जलन (Jealousy) दुख (Sadness)

Learn Next

द्वेष (Malice) ईर्ष्या (Envy) क्षोभ (Indignation) विरक्ति (Aversion) कुढ़ना (Verb form)

Advanced

वमनस्यता (Enmity) कुंठा (Frustration/Complex) अंतर्द्वंद्व (Inner conflict) आत्मग्लानी (Self-reproach) संताप (Anguish)

Grammar to Know

Feminine Noun Agreement

मेरी कुढ़न (My resentment), न कि मेरा कुढ़न।

Postposition 'से' for Cause

हार से कुढ़न हुई। (Resentment happened due to defeat.)

Abstract Nouns with 'होना'

कुढ़न होना (To feel/experience resentment).

Compound Verbs with 'लेना'/'देना'

कुढ़न पैदा कर देना (To create resentment).

Use of 'मन में' (In the mind)

मन में कुढ़न पालना (To harbor resentment in the mind).

Examples by Level

मुझे बहुत कुढ़न है।

I have much resentment.

Simple subject + noun + verb 'hai'.

क्या आपको कुढ़न हो रही है?

Are you feeling resentful?

Interrogative sentence with 'ho rahi hai'.

मन में कुढ़न मत रखो।

Don't keep resentment in your mind.

Imperative sentence using 'mat'.

यह एक बुरी कुढ़न है।

This is a bad resentment.

'Buri' is feminine to match 'kuṛhan'.

वह कुढ़न से रोने लगा।

He started crying out of resentment.

Use of 'se' to show cause.

मेरी कुढ़न कम हो गई।

My resentment decreased.

'Meri' and 'kam ho gayi' are feminine.

उसे छोटी बातों पर कुढ़न होती है।

She feels resentment over small things.

Habitual present tense.

कुढ़न अच्छी नहीं है।

Resentment is not good.

Simple negative statement.

काम की अधिकता से उसे कुढ़न होने लगी।

She started feeling resentful due to the excess of work.

Use of 'hone lagi' to show the start of a state.

तुम्हारी बातों में कुढ़न साफ दिखती है।

The resentment is clearly visible in your words.

Feminine agreement: 'dikhti hai'.

बिना किसी कारण के कुढ़न पालना गलत है।

It is wrong to nurture resentment without any reason.

Infinitival subject: 'palna' (to nurture).

उसकी आँखों में एक अजीब सी कुढ़न थी।

There was a strange resentment in her eyes.

Adjective 'ajeeb si' modifies 'kuṛhan'.

क्या तुम अपनी कुढ़न भूल सकते हो?

Can you forget your resentment?

Modal verb 'sakte ho' for ability.

पुरानी कुढ़न को खत्म करना चाहिए।

Old resentment should be finished.

Passive-like construction with 'chahiye'.

वह कुढ़न के मारे कुछ नहीं बोला।

He said nothing out of resentment.

Idiomatic use of 'ke maare' (due to).

घर में कुढ़न का माहौल था।

There was an atmosphere of resentment in the house.

'Ka' agrees with 'mahaul' (masc), not 'kuṛhan'.

उसकी सफलता ने मेरे भीतर एक गहरी कुढ़न पैदा कर दी।

His success created a deep resentment within me.

Transitive construction with 'paida kar di'.

समाज की असमानता देखकर मन में कुढ़न होती है।

Seeing the inequality of society, one feels resentment in the mind.

Participle 'dekhkar' (having seen).

वह अपनी कुढ़न को मुस्कुराहट के पीछे छुपा लेता है।

He hides his resentment behind a smile.

Compound verb 'chhupa leta hai'.

अगर तुम अपनी कुढ़न व्यक्त नहीं करोगे, तो यह तुम्हें बीमार कर देगी।

If you don't express your resentment, it will make you sick.

Conditional sentence 'agar... toh'.

अक्सर कुढ़न का कारण हमारी अपनी अपेक्षाएं होती हैं।

Often the cause of resentment is our own expectations.

Plural agreement 'hoti hain' with 'apekshaen'.

उसने अपनी कुढ़न निकालने के लिए मेहनत करना शुरू किया।

He started working hard to take out (channel) his resentment.

Infinitive of purpose 'nikalne ke liye'.

तुम्हारी इस कुढ़न का अंत क्या होगा?

What will be the end of this resentment of yours?

Genitive 'is kuṛhan ka'.

दोस्तों के बीच कुढ़न नहीं होनी चाहिए।

There should not be resentment between friends.

Negative obligation 'nahi honi chahiye'.

उसने वर्षों तक अपने दिल में कुढ़न पाले रखी।

He kept nurturing resentment in his heart for years.

Perfective participle 'paale rakhi' showing continued state.

राजनीतिक हार के बाद कार्यकर्ताओं में भारी कुढ़न देखी गई।

Heavy resentment was seen among workers after the political defeat.

Passive voice 'dekhi gayi'.

यह कुढ़न धीरे-धीरे नफरत में बदल रही है।

This resentment is slowly turning into hatred.

Progressive aspect 'badal rahi hai'.

मनोवैज्ञानिकों का मानना है कि कुढ़न मानसिक स्वास्थ्य के लिए हानिकारक है।

Psychologists believe that resentment is harmful to mental health.

Subordinate clause starting with 'ki'.

उसकी चुप्पी उसकी कुढ़न का प्रमाण थी।

His silence was proof of his resentment.

Equative sentence with 'pramaan' (proof).

बिना संवाद के कुढ़न और भी बढ़ती जाती है।

Without communication, resentment keeps increasing even more.

Continuous compound verb 'badhti jaati hai'.

उसकी बातों में छिपी कुढ़न को पहचानना मुश्किल नहीं था।

It wasn't difficult to recognize the resentment hidden in his words.

Adjectival participle 'chhipi' (hidden).

हमें अपनी कुढ़न को रचनात्मकता में बदलना चाहिए।

We should transform our resentment into creativity.

Use of 'ko... mein badalna'.

प्रेमचंद की कहानियों में शोषित वर्ग की कुढ़न का सजीव चित्रण मिलता है।

In Premchand's stories, one finds a vivid depiction of the resentment of the exploited class.

Complex genitive structure.

अतुलित महत्वाकांक्षा अक्सर अंतहीन कुढ़न को जन्म देती है।

Unbridled ambition often gives birth to endless resentment.

Literary vocabulary like 'atulit' (unbridled).

उसकी कुढ़न का मूल कारण उसकी अपनी असुरक्षा की भावना थी।

The root cause of his resentment was his own sense of insecurity.

Abstract noun 'asuraksha' (insecurity).

लेखक ने समाज की बौद्धिक कुढ़न पर तीखा प्रहार किया है।

The author has made a sharp attack on the intellectual resentment of society.

Present perfect tense 'prahaar kiya hai'.

यह केवल व्यक्तिगत कुढ़न नहीं, बल्कि एक सामूहिक आक्रोश का रूप ले चुकी है।

This is not just personal resentment, but has taken the form of collective outrage.

Correlative conjunction 'na keval... balki'.

दशकों की कुढ़न ने उसे एक अंतर्मुखी और चिड़चिड़ा व्यक्ति बना दिया था।

Decades of resentment had made him an introverted and irritable person.

Past perfect with multiple adjectives.

क्षमा का अभाव ही कुढ़न का सबसे बड़ा पोषक तत्व है।

The lack of forgiveness is the biggest nutrient for resentment.

Metaphorical usage of 'poshak tatva'.

उसकी कुढ़न उसकी कलात्मक अभिव्यक्ति में बाधा बन रही थी।

His resentment was becoming an obstacle in his artistic expression.

Abstract subject with progressive verb.

अस्तित्ववादी दर्शन में कुढ़न को अक्सर मानवीय विवशता के परिणाम के रूप में देखा जाता है।

In existentialist philosophy, resentment is often seen as a result of human helplessness.

Technical philosophical terminology.

उसकी आत्मा की कुढ़न ने उसकी शारीरिक कांति को भी फीका कर दिया था।

The resentment of his soul had even faded his physical radiance.

Highly poetic/literary 'kaanti' (radiance).

इतिहास गवाह है कि दबी हुई कुढ़न ही क्रांतियों का बीज बनती है।

History is witness that suppressed resentment becomes the seed of revolutions.

Idiomatic 'itihas gawah hai'.

उसकी कुढ़न इतनी सघन थी कि वह संवाद के हर प्रयास को विफल कर देती थी।

His resentment was so dense that it would foil every attempt at dialogue.

Result clause with 'itni... ki'.

साहित्यिक आलोचना में कुढ़न को अक्सर एक 'नकारात्मक उत्प्रेरक' माना गया है।

In literary criticism, resentment has often been considered a 'negative catalyst'.

Academic passive construction.

वह अपनी कुढ़न के चक्रव्यूह में इस कदर फँस गया था कि बाहर निकलना असंभव था।

He was so trapped in the labyrinth of his resentment that escaping was impossible.

Metaphorical use of 'chakravyuh' (labyrinth).

कुढ़न का यह अंतहीन सिलसिला अंततः आत्म-विनाश की ओर ले जाता है।

This endless series of resentment ultimately leads toward self-destruction.

Abstract noun phrase as subject.

उसकी सूक्ष्म कुढ़न को केवल एक मँजा हुआ पारखी ही समझ सकता था।

Only a seasoned connoisseur could understand his subtle resentment.

Nuanced adjectives 'sukshm' and 'manja hua'.

Common Collocations

मन में कुढ़न

गहरी कुढ़न

कुढ़न पैदा होना

कुढ़न मिटाना

बेवजह की कुढ़न

कुढ़न से भरा

पुरानी कुढ़न

कुढ़न का कारण

अंदरूनी कुढ़न

कुढ़न होना

Common Phrases

कुढ़न पालना

— To nurture or harbor resentment over a long period. It implies keeping the feeling alive intentionally.

किसी के प्रति कुढ़न पालना खुद को सजा देने जैसा है।

कुढ़न निकलना

— To express or vent resentment that has been building up. Often used when someone finally speaks their mind.

आज उसकी सारी कुढ़न निकल गई।

कुढ़न में रहना

— To live in a state of constant resentment or vexation. Describes a lifestyle or personality trait.

वह हमेशा कुढ़न में ही रहता है।

कुढ़न की आग

— The 'fire' of resentment. A metaphorical way to describe how resentment consumes a person.

कुढ़न की आग उसे अंदर ही अंदर जला रही थी।

कुढ़न का जहर

— The 'poison' of resentment. Used to describe how resentment ruins relationships or health.

उसके मन में कुढ़न का जहर भर गया है।

कुढ़न का शिकार

— A victim of resentment. Someone who is suffering because they can't let go of bitter feelings.

बेचारा अपनी ही कुढ़न का शिकार हो गया।

कुढ़न महसूस करना

— To feel resentment. The standard way to describe experiencing this emotion.

उसने हार के बाद बहुत कुढ़न महसूस की।

कुढ़न दिखाना

— To show resentment. Usually used in the negative to say someone is hiding it.

वह कभी अपनी कुढ़न नहीं दिखाता।

कुढ़न की वजह

— The reason for resentment. A common phrase in analytical conversations.

तुम्हारी कुढ़न की असली वजह क्या है?

कुढ़न से चेहरा लाल होना

— To have a face red with resentment. Describes a physical manifestation of the internal state.

कुढ़न से उसका चेहरा लाल हो गया था।

Often Confused With

कुढ़न vs कठिन (Kathin)

A common mistake for beginners. 'Kathin' means difficult, while 'kuṛhan' is resentment. They sound slightly similar to untrained ears.

कुढ़न vs करुण (Karun)

Means 'pitiful' or 'compassionate.' Don't confuse the 'ku' sound.

कुढ़न vs कुढ़ना (Kuṛhna)

This is the verb. Remember that 'kuṛhan' is the noun (the feeling) and 'kuṛhna' is the action (to feel it).

Idioms & Expressions

"अंदर ही अंदर कुढ़ना"

— To fret or smolder internally without expressing it. This is the verb form used idiomatically.

वह अपमान सहकर अंदर ही अंदर कुढ़ता रहा।

Common

"खून जलाना"

— Literally 'to burn one's blood,' meaning to worry or fret excessively (often out of resentment).

उसकी बातों पर अपना खून क्यों जलाते हो?

Informal/Idiomatic

"मन मसोस कर रह जाना"

— To suppress one's feelings or desires out of frustration or resentment.

जब उसे टिकट नहीं मिला, तो वह मन मसोस कर रह गया।

Literary/Common

"दाँत पीसना"

— To gnash one's teeth in silent anger or resentment.

वह कुढ़न के मारे दाँत पीस रहा था।

Neutral

"हाथ मलते रह जाना"

— To be left in a state of regret and resentment after missing an opportunity.

अवसर निकल गया और वह हाथ मलता रह गया।

Common

"छाती पर मूँग दलना"

— To do something specifically to annoy or create resentment in someone else.

वह जानबूझकर मेरी छाती पर मूँग दल रहा है।

Informal/Idiomatic

"तिल-तिल कर जलना"

— To burn slowly (metaphorically), experiencing constant internal resentment.

वह ईर्ष्या और कुढ़न में तिल-तिल कर जल रही थी।

Poetic/Literary

"मन मैला करना"

— To harbor ill-will or resentment towards someone, tainting the relationship.

छोटी बातों पर अपना मन मैला मत करो।

Neutral

"गाँठ बाँधना"

— To hold a grudge or keep resentment 'tied' in one's mind.

उसने मेरी बात की गाँठ बाँध ली और कुढ़न पाल ली।

Common

"ज़हर उगलना"

— To speak words full of resentment and bitterness.

वह सबके सामने ज़हर उगल रहा था।

Informal

Easily Confused

कुढ़न vs जलन (Jalan)

Both involve internal 'burning' feelings.

Jalan is usually specific to jealousy (wanting what others have). Kuṛhan is a broader sense of being vexed or bitter about any situation.

मुझे उसकी कार से जलन है (Jealousy), लेकिन मुझे इस नौकरी से कुढ़न है (Resentment).

कुढ़न vs गुस्सा (Gussa)

Both are negative emotions.

Gussa is an outward explosion of anger. Kuṛhan is an inward, quiet simmering of bitterness.

उसने गुस्से में चिल्लाया, लेकिन मन में कुढ़न भी थी।

कुढ़न vs ईर्ष्या (Irshya)

Both are related to envy.

Irshya is the formal noun for envy. Kuṛhan is the emotional state of being bothered by it.

ईर्ष्या एक भावना है, कुढ़न उसकी प्रतिक्रिया है।

कुढ़न vs चिढ़ (Chidh)

Both mean annoyance.

Chidh is temporary and often about small things. Kuṛhan is deeper and lasts longer.

उसे शोर से चिढ़ है, पर अपनी गरीबी से कुढ़न है।

कुढ़न vs दुख (Dukh)

Both make you feel bad.

Dukh is sadness or pain. Kuṛhan has an element of 'anger' or 'bitterness' mixed in.

पिता की मृत्यु पर दुख हुआ, पर जायदाद न मिलने पर कुढ़न।

Sentence Patterns

मुझे कुढ़न है।

[Reason] से कुढ़न हो रही है।

शोर से कुढ़न हो रही है।

मेरे मन में [Person] के लिए कुढ़न है।

मेरे मन में उसके लिए कुढ़न है।

[Event] ने कुढ़न पैदा कर दी।

हार ने कुढ़न पैदा कर दी।

कुढ़न के कारण [Result] हुआ।

कुढ़न के कारण वह बीमार हो गया।

[Person] अपनी कुढ़न छुपा रहा है।

वह अपनी कुढ़न छुपा रहा है।

यह कुढ़न [Abstract Concept] का प्रतीक है।

यह कुढ़न सामाजिक अन्याय का प्रतीक है।

कुढ़न की सघनता ने [Complex Result] कर दिया।

कुढ़न की सघनता ने संवाद को असंभव बना दिया।

Word Family

Nouns

कुढ़न Resentment (Feminine)

Verbs

कुढ़ना To fret, to smolder, to be resentful

कुढ़ाना To vex or tease someone else, to cause them resentment

Adjectives

कुढ़ा Resentful, vexed (usually used as 'kuṛha hua')

कुढ़नशील Prone to resentment (rare/formal)

चिड़चिड़ापन (Irritability)

ईर्ष्या (Envy)

जलन (Jealousy)

द्वेष (Malice)

असंतोष (Dissatisfaction)

How to Use It

frequency

Medium-High, especially in written Hindi and serious discussions.

Common Mistakes

Using 'मेरा कुढ़न' (Mera kuṛhan) → मेरी कुढ़न (Meri kuṛhan)
'कुढ़न' is a feminine noun, so the possessive pronoun must be feminine.
Using 'kuṛhan' for physical pain. → Use 'dard' or 'jalan'.
'Kuṛhan' is only for mental/emotional states, not physical sensations.
Saying 'Main kuṛhan hoon'. → Mujhe kuṛhan hai / Main kuṛh raha hoon.
You can't 'be' a noun in this way in Hindi. You either 'have' the feeling or you are 'doing' the verb.
Confusing 'कुढ़न' with 'कठिन' (Kathin). → Use 'kuṛhan' for resentment and 'kathin' for difficult.
These words sound similar to beginners but have completely different meanings.
Using 'kuṛhan' for a quick burst of anger. → Use 'gussa'.
'Kuṛhan' implies a duration; it's a slow-burning feeling, not a sudden flash.

Tips

Remember the Gender

Always treat 'कुढ़न' as feminine. This means adjectives like 'gari' (deep) become 'gahri' and verbs end in 'i'. Example: 'Gahri kuṛhan hui.'

Verb vs. Noun

Don't confuse the noun 'कुढ़न' (resentment) with the verb 'कुढ़ना' (to fret). Use the noun when describing the feeling as a thing, and the verb when describing the act of feeling it.

Nuanced Expression

Use 'kuṛhan' to describe feelings that are silent. If someone is shouting, they have 'gussa'. If they are quiet and bitter, they have 'kuṛhan'.

Literary Context

When reading Hindi stories, look for 'kuṛhan' to understand a character's internal struggle. It's a key word in Indian realism literature.

The Flap

The 'ṛh' sound is unique. Practice by saying 'ra' but with your tongue hitting the top of your mouth quickly.

Pairing with 'Man'

It sounds very natural to say 'man mein kuṛhan' (resentment in the mind). This is a very common idiomatic way to use the word.

Tone Matters

In speech, 'kuṛhan' is often said with a slight sigh or a downward inflection, reflecting the heavy nature of the emotion.

B1 Milestone

Mastering this word is a sign that you are moving beyond basic survival Hindi into emotional and psychological expression.

Simmering Pot

Think of a pot with a tight lid. The pressure building up inside without escaping is 'kuṛhan'.

Self-Reflection

You can use it for yourself: 'Mujhe apni is aadat se kuṛhan hai' (I have resentment/vexation towards this habit of mine).

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Curtain' (sounds like Kuṛhan). Imagine someone hiding behind a curtain, secretly feeling bitter and resentful while watching a party they weren't invited to. The 'Curtain' hides their 'Kuṛhan'.

Visual Association

Imagine a pot of water on a very low flame. No steam is coming out, but the water is slowly getting hotter and hotter. This 'simmer' is the visual representation of kuṛhan.

Word Web

Internal Bitter Silent Feminine Simmering Resentment Vexation Embers

Challenge

Try to identify one thing today that caused you a tiny bit of 'kuṛhan'. Write it down in a Hindi sentence: 'मुझे [चीज़] से कुढ़न हुई।'

Word Origin

Derived from the Hindi verb 'कुढ़ना' (kuṛhna). The verb itself has roots in Middle Indo-Aryan, likely connected to the idea of 'smoldering' or 'burning slowly.' It is related to the Sanskrit root 'कुध्' (krudh) meaning 'to be angry,' but evolved to describe a more passive, internal state.

Original meaning: To burn internally or to smolder without a flame.

Indo-Aryan

Cultural Context

Be careful when accusing someone of having 'kuṛhan'; it can imply they are small-minded or jealous. It is a sensitive word.

English speakers might use 'resentment' or 'grudge,' but 'kuṛhan' feels more like a physical sensation of being 'vexed.'

Munshi Premchand's short stories (e.g., 'Godan') often feature characters consumed by kuṛhan. Bollywood songs about heartbreak often mention the 'burning' of the heart, which is a poetic form of kuṛhan. Modern Hindi web series like 'Panchayat' use this word to describe the frustrations of rural life.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Professional Jealousy

प्रमोशन न मिलने की कुढ़न
सहकर्मी से कुढ़न
काम का श्रेय न मिलने की कुढ़न
ऑफिस की राजनीति और कुढ़न

Family Disputes

पुरानी पारिवारिक कुढ़न
भाई-बहनों के बीच कुढ़न
ससुराल की कुढ़न
मनमुटाव और कुढ़न

Personal Failure

अपनी गलतियों पर कुढ़न
हार के बाद की कुढ़न
अधूरे सपनों की कुढ़न
स्वयं से कुढ़न

Social Inequality

अमीर-गरीब के बीच की कुढ़न
व्यवस्था के प्रति कुढ़न
समाज की कुढ़न
अन्याय से पैदा हुई कुढ़न

Romantic Relationships

अतीत की कुढ़न
पार्टनर से छुपी हुई कुढ़न
रिश्ते में कड़वाहट और कुढ़न
कुढ़न को दूर करना

Conversation Starters

"क्या आपको कभी किसी की सफलता देखकर कुढ़न महसूस हुई है?"

"हम अपने मन की कुढ़न को कैसे दूर कर सकते हैं?"

"क्या आपको लगता है कि कुढ़न और ईर्ष्या एक ही चीज़ हैं?"

"जब आप कुढ़न महसूस करते हैं, तो आप क्या करते हैं?"

"क्या आपने कभी किसी कहानी में कुढ़न का कोई पात्र पढ़ा है?"

Journal Prompts

आज के दिन की ऐसी कौन सी बात थी जिसने आपके मन में थोड़ी सी कुढ़न पैदा की?

क्या कोई ऐसी पुरानी कुढ़न है जिसे आप आज छोड़ना चाहते हैं? विस्तार से लिखें।

कुढ़न और शांति के बीच के अंतर को अपने शब्दों में समझाएं।

एक काल्पनिक पात्र के बारे में लिखें जो अपनी कुढ़न की वजह से परेशान है।

क्या कुढ़न कभी सकारात्मक हो सकती है? क्या यह हमें बेहतर करने के लिए प्रेरित कर सकती है?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is almost always negative. It describes a state of bitterness and internal vexation that is considered harmful to one's peace of mind. In Hindi culture, harboring 'kuṛhan' is seen as a burden that a person should try to let go of through forgiveness or acceptance.

This is a retroflex aspirated flap. Place your tongue on the roof of your mouth, flap it down quickly (that's the 'ṛ'), and simultaneously release a puff of air (that's the 'h'). It sounds like a breathy 'd' or 'r'. Practice with words like 'paṛhna' (to study) first.

No, 'kuṛhan' is strictly for emotional and mental states. For physical irritation (like a skin rash), you would use words like 'khujli' (itching) or 'jalan' (burning sensation). 'Kuṛhan' is about the 'burning' of the soul or mind.

It is a feminine noun. This is important for sentence construction. You must say 'achhi kuṛhan' (though kuṛhan is rarely 'good'!) or 'kuṛhan hoti hai' (resentment happens - feminine verb ending).

'Jalan' literally means burning and is the common word for jealousy. 'Kuṛhan' is more about the internal state of being vexed. You can have 'kuṛhan' because you are stuck in traffic, but you wouldn't usually have 'jalan' for traffic unless you are jealous of the cars moving faster!

No, that's incorrect. You should say 'mujhe kuṛhan ho rahi hai' (I am feeling resentment) or 'main kuṛh raha hoon' (I am fretting). 'Kuṛhan' is the noun, not an adjective you can apply directly to yourself with 'main... hoon'.

Yes, it is very common in formal literature, news editorials, and psychological discussions. It is considered a more precise and sophisticated word than 'gussa' (anger).

The most common verbs are 'hona' (to be/happen), 'paida karna' (to create), 'palna' (to nurture/harbor), 'mitana' (to erase), and 'nikalna' (to vent/express).

Not necessarily. You can feel 'kuṛhan' towards a situation, towards yourself for making a mistake, or even towards fate. However, it is most commonly used in the context of interpersonal relationships.

The best opposites are 'santosh' (contentment), 'shanti' (peace), or 'kshama' (forgiveness). These states represent the absence of the bitter, simmering feeling that defines 'kuṛhan'.