This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

Home
Learn
Hindi
Vocabulary
खिलाना

A1 verb #4,000 most common 9 min read

खिलाना

khilana Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips खिलाना in 30 Seconds

Explanation खिलाना in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'खिलाना' (khilānā) is introduced as a simple action verb meaning 'to feed'. Learners focus on basic daily routines. You will mostly use it to talk about feeding pets, babies, or animals. The grammar is kept simple: 'I feed the dog' or 'Mother feeds the baby'. At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex idiomatic meanings. Just remember that it is the active version of 'eating'. If you are doing the action for someone else, use 'khilānā'. It follows standard verb conjugation patterns for '-nā' verbs. You will often see it paired with common nouns like 'khānā' (food), 'दूध' (milk - though 'pilanā' is better), and 'फल' (fruit).

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'खिलाना' in the past and future tenses. This is where the 'Ne-rule' becomes important. You will learn that 'मैंने बच्चे को खाना खिलाया' (I fed the baby) requires 'ne' because 'khilānā' is transitive. You also start to see it in the context of hospitality. For example, 'मैं आपको मिठाई खिलाऊँगा' (I will treat you to sweets). You should be able to distinguish between 'khānā' (to eat) and 'khilānā' (to feed) in conversation without pausing. You also learn to use it with 'ko' for the recipient of the food. This level also introduces the idea of 'feeding' as a part of social chores and responsibilities.

At the B1 level, you explore the causative nature of the verb more deeply. You understand that 'khilānā' is the first causative of 'khānā'. You also start encountering common idioms like 'कसम खिलाना' (to make someone swear) and 'रिश्वत खिलाना' (to bribe). Your sentences become more complex, involving compound verbs like 'खिला देना' (to finish feeding). You can describe cultural practices, such as feeding the poor or rituals involving food offerings. You also learn to navigate the homonym 'khilānā' (to make play), using context to differentiate between 'feeding a child' and 'playing with a child'.

At the B2 level, 'खिलाना' is used fluently in various registers. You can use it metaphorically in discussions about politics, social issues, or literature. For instance, 'जनता को झूठे सपने खिलाना' (feeding the public false dreams). You understand the subtle differences between 'khilānā' and its more formal counterparts like 'bhojan karānā'. You can handle complex grammatical structures, such as passive causative or using the verb in conditional 'if-then' sentences. You are also aware of regional variations and can understand the word when used in different dialects or slightly varied contexts like 'jimānā'.

At the C1 level, you possess a nuanced understanding of 'खिलाना'. You can use it to express subtle shades of meaning, such as the difference between nurturing and over-indulging. You are comfortable with the word's appearance in classical literature and poetry, where it might be used to describe nature (making flowers bloom - though technically from 'khilnā') or divine providence. You can engage in debates about corruption using terms like 'रिश्वतखोरी' and 'रिश्वत खिलाना' interchangeably but with an awareness of the idiomatic weight. Your use of the verb is indistinguishable from a native speaker, including the correct use of gender agreement in complex past-tense narratives.

At the C2 level, you have mastered the 'soul' of the word. You understand 'खिलाना' not just as a verb, but as a cultural concept of 'Anna Daan' (the gift of food). You can analyze its use in sociopolitical discourse, such as how certain ideologies 'feed' (khilāti hain) hatred or harmony. You can appreciate and use puns involving the various meanings of 'khilānā' (feeding, playing, blooming). Your command over the verb allows you to use it in highly formal speeches, creative writing, and academic discussions about linguistics, specifically the causative systems in Indo-Aryan languages. You can effortlessly switch between its literal, idiomatic, and metaphorical applications.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

खिलाना in 30 Seconds

To feed or give food.
Causative form of 'to eat'.
Used for people, animals, and metaphors.
Requires 'ko' for the recipient.

The Hindi verb खिलाना (Khilānā) is a cornerstone of Indian linguistic and social interaction. At its most fundamental level, it is the causative form of the verb 'खाना' (Khānā), which means 'to eat'. Therefore, 'खिलाना' literally translates to 'to cause to eat' or 'to feed'. However, in the context of Indian culture, where food is often viewed as a medium of love, hospitality, and religious merit, the word carries significantly more weight than its English counterpart. You will hear it used in the most intimate settings, such as a mother coaxing her child to take one more bite, to the most formal settings, such as a host ensuring their guests are well-fed. The act of feeding is not merely a biological necessity but a profound gesture of care.

Literal Meaning: To give food to a person or an animal; to nourish.
Causative Structure: In Hindi grammar, this is a first-level causative. It implies the subject is performing the action of feeding directly to the object.

वह रोज़ पक्षियों को दाना खिलाता है। (He feeds grain to the birds every day.)

Beyond the literal act of putting food in a mouth, 'खिलाना' extends to hospitality. In India, the phrase 'खाना खिलाना' (to feed a meal) is synonymous with hosting. If someone says, 'आज मैं तुम्हें खाना खिलाऊँगा' (Today I will feed you a meal), they are offering to treat you, often at their home or a restaurant. This usage underscores the social obligation and joy found in sharing sustenance. Furthermore, the word appears in religious contexts, where 'भोग खिलाना' (feeding the offering to the deity) or 'ब्राह्मणों को खिलाना' (feeding priests) are common ritualistic practices believed to bring spiritual benefits.

बच्चे को फल खिलाना ज़रूरी है। (It is important to feed the child fruit.)

In the modern urban context, 'खिलाना' is also used when discussing pets or even metaphorically. For instance, 'रिश्वत खिलाना' (to feed a bribe) is a common, though negative, idiomatic use. This demonstrates the versatility of the verb from nurturing a baby to corrupting a system. Understanding 'खिलाना' requires recognizing that it is an active, transitive verb that requires an object—someone or something is being fed. The richness of this word lies in its ability to bridge the gap between a simple physical act and a complex social transaction.

Using खिलाना correctly requires understanding its role as a transitive verb. The basic sentence structure usually follows: [Subject] + [Indirect Object (the one being fed) + को] + [Direct Object (the food)] + [Conjugated form of खिलाना]. Because it is a causative verb, the person receiving the food is marked with the postposition 'को' (ko). This is a crucial grammatical point for English speakers, who might be tempted to use different prepositions.

मैंने कुत्ते को हड्डी खिलाई। (I fed the dog a bone.)

In the past tense, since 'खिलाना' is transitive, the verb agrees with the direct object (the food) if the subject is followed by 'ने' (ne). In the example above, 'खिलाई' agrees with 'हड्डी' (feminine), not with 'मैंने'. This 'Ne-rule' is often the biggest hurdle for learners. If you are feeding 'आम' (mangoes - masculine plural), you would say 'मैंने उसे आम खिलाए' (I fed him mangoes).

Imperative Use: To a child: 'खाना खाओ' (Eat food) vs 'इसे खाना खिलाओ' (Feed him food).
Future Tense: 'मैं आपको मिठाई खिलाऊँगा' (I will feed/treat you with sweets).

Another nuance is the use of 'खिलाना' in compound verbs. Frequently, it is paired with 'देना' (dena - to give) to form 'खिला देना', which emphasizes the completion of the act. For example, 'मैंने बच्चे को दूध खिला दिया' (I have fed the baby the milk/finished feeding the baby). Note that for liquids, while 'पिलाना' (to make drink) is technically more accurate, 'खिलाना' is often used colloquially for infant feeding regardless of the food's consistency.

क्या आपने मेहमानों को खाना खिलाया? (Did you feed the guests?)

When using it with animals, the word 'दाना' (grain) or 'चारा' (fodder) is often the object. For humans, it can range from 'दवाई खिलाना' (to administer medicine) to 'जहर खिलाना' (to poison - literally to feed poison). This variety shows that 'खिलाना' covers any instance where one entity facilitates the ingestion of something by another entity. Mastery of this verb allows you to describe daily chores, medical care, and social events with precision.

In a typical Indian household, खिलाना is perhaps one of the most frequently used verbs. You will hear it most often in the kitchen and dining area. A mother might shout to her husband, 'जरा मुन्नू को खाना खिला दो' (Please feed Munnu). In this context, it implies the physical act of using a spoon or hand to put food into the child's mouth. It is a word of labor and love. In restaurants, you might hear a waiter ask, 'सर, आपको और क्या खिलाऊँ?' (Sir, what else should I serve/feed you?), though 'परसना' (to serve) is also used, 'खिलाना' sounds more personal and hospitable.

दादी पोते को कहानी सुनाते हुए खाना खिलाती है। (Grandmother feeds the grandson while telling a story.)

The word is also ubiquitous in religious and charitable settings. At a 'Langar' (community kitchen) or during 'Bhandara' (public feast), volunteers will ask, 'सबको खाना खिला दिया?' (Has everyone been fed?). Here, it represents the virtue of 'Seva' (service). You will also find it in Bollywood songs and movies, often used metaphorically to describe the sweetness of a relationship, such as 'अपने हाथों से खिलाना' (feeding with one's own hands), which is considered a high sign of affection between lovers or family members.

Social Context: Treating friends: 'आज मेरी पदोन्नति हुई है, मैं सबको मिठाई खिलाऊँगा।' (I got promoted today, I will treat/feed everyone sweets.)
Medical Context: Nurses or caregivers: 'मरीज़ को समय पर दवाई खिला देना।' (Feed/administer the medicine to the patient on time.)

In the news or during political discussions, you might hear the darker side of the word: 'रिश्वत खिलाना' (feeding a bribe). This is a common slang for corruption. Similarly, 'कसम खिलाना' (to make someone eat an oath/to make someone swear) is a very common phrase in dramas. 'मैं तुम्हें तुम्हारी माँ की कसम खिलाता हूँ' (I make you swear on your mother). These idiomatic uses show how the concept of 'feeding' or 'causing to ingest' has been abstracted into various facets of Indian life, from the sacred to the profane.

For English speakers, the most common mistake is confusing खिलाना (Khilānā) with its root खाना (Khānā). While 'खाना' is 'to eat' (the subject does the action for themselves), 'खिलाना' is 'to feed' (the subject does the action for someone else). Saying 'मैं खाना खिला रहा हूँ' when you mean 'I am eating' is a frequent error. In that case, you are saying 'I am feeding [someone else]'. Always remember: if you are the one putting food in your own mouth, use 'खाना'. If you are the one putting food in someone else's mouth, use 'खिलाना'.

गलत: मैं बिल्ली को खाना खा रहा हूँ। (Wrong: I am eating the cat food.)
सही: मैं बिल्ली को खाना खिला रहा हूँ। (Right: I am feeding the cat.)

Another significant error involves the homonyms. 'खिलाना' is also the causative of 'खेलना' (to play). Therefore, 'बच्चों को खिलाना' could mean 'to feed the children' OR 'to make the children play' (or to play with them). Usually, the context clears this up—if there is food mentioned, it's 'feed'; if there's a game or a park mentioned, it's 'play'. However, a sentence like 'मैंने उसे खिलाया' (I fed him / I made him play) is ambiguous without context. Beginners often get confused when they see 'खिलाना' in a sports context.

The 'Ne' Postposition: Mistake: 'वह मुझे खाना खिलाया' (He fed me). Correct: 'उसने मुझे खाना खिलाया'. Because 'खिलाना' is transitive, 'ne' is required in the perfective tense.
Confusion with 'पिलाना': While you can 'feed' soup, in Hindi, liquids strictly use 'पिलाना' (to make drink). Using 'खिलाना' for water or juice sounds very unnatural.

Lastly, learners often forget the 'को' (ko) for the person being fed. In English, we say 'Feed the baby'. In Hindi, it must be 'बच्चे को खिलाओ' (Feed TO the baby). Omitting 'ko' makes the sentence grammatically incomplete. Also, be careful with the word 'खिलाना' and 'खिलना' (to bloom). 'खिलना' is intransitive—flowers bloom on their own. 'खिलाना' (to make bloom) is the causative. While spelled similarly, their meanings are worlds apart. Ensure you aren't accidentally saying you are 'blooming' a baby when you mean to 'feed' it!

While खिलाना is the most common word for feeding, several synonyms and related terms exist depending on the register and the specific nature of the feeding. Understanding these nuances will make your Hindi sound more sophisticated and natural. In formal or literary contexts, 'खिलाना' might be replaced by terms that sound more respectful or clinical.

भोजन कराना (Bhojan Karānā): This is a more formal version of 'खिलाना'. 'Bhojan' is the formal word for food/meal. You would use this in a wedding invitation or a religious text: 'ब्राह्मणों को भोजन कराना' (To provide a meal to priests).
आहार देना (Āhār Denā): Literally 'to give nourishment'. This is often used in medical or biological contexts, such as 'मरीज़ को उचित आहार देना' (Giving proper nourishment to the patient).
चुगाना (Chugānā): A specific verb used for birds. It refers to the act of a bird feeding its young or a person scattering grain for birds to peck.

चिड़िया अपने बच्चों को दाना चुगाती है। (The bird feeds grain to its chicks.)

There are also distinctions based on what is being 'fed'. For instance, 'पिलाना' (Pilānā) is the causative of 'पीना' (to drink). While English uses 'feed' for a baby's bottle, Hindi prefers 'दूध पिलाना' (to make drink milk). Mixing these up is a sign of a beginner. Furthermore, 'परसना' (Parasnā) means 'to serve'. If you are at a dinner party, you 'serve' the food to guests, you don't necessarily 'feed' them (put it in their mouths), although 'खिलाना' is still used broadly to mean 'to host for a meal'.

Finally, consider the metaphorical alternatives. Instead of 'रिश्वत खिलाना' (feeding a bribe), one might say 'रिश्वत देना' (giving a bribe), though the former is more idiomatic. In the context of 'making someone swear', 'कसम खिलाना' is the standard, but 'कसम दिलाना' (to make someone take an oath) is a common variant. Choosing the right word depends on whether you want to emphasize the physical act, the social service, or the formal obligation.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"कृपया अतिथियों को भोजन खिलाएं।"

Neutral

"बच्चे को खाना खिला दो।"

Informal

"चल, आज पार्टी खिला!"

Child friendly

"बेटा, गुड़िया को खाना खिलाओ।"

Slang

"उसने पुलिस को मोटा माल खिलाया।"

Fun Fact

In Hindi, almost every simple verb has a causative form like this. 'Khānā' becomes 'Khilānā', just as 'Pīnā' (drink) becomes 'Pilānā' (make drink). It's a very logical system!

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kʰɪ.lɑː.nɑː/

US /kʰɪ.lɑ.nɑ/

Primary stress is on the second syllable 'lā'.

Rhymes With

पिलाना (Pilānā - to make drink) दिलाना (Dilānā - to cause to give) मिलाना (Milānā - to mix/meet) हिलाना (Hilānā - to shake) जलाना (Jalānā - to burn) चलाना (Calānā - to drive) सुलाना (Sulānā - to put to sleep) भुलाना (Bhulānā - to forget)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'kh' as a simple 'k' (kilānā).
Making the first 'i' too long (khīlānā).
Confusing it with 'khilnā' (to bloom).
Confusing it with 'khelnā' (to play).
Dropping the aspiration.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Easy to recognize in texts, usually appears with food words.

Writing 3/5

Requires 'ne' rule knowledge and object-verb agreement in past tense.

Speaking 2/5

Commonly used, but avoid confusion with 'khelnā' (play).

Listening 2/5

Distinguishing from 'khānā' and 'khilnā' in fast speech is key.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

खाना (To eat) को (Postposition) दूध (Milk) बच्चा (Child) रोटी (Bread)

Learn Next

पिलाना (To make drink) पकाना (To cook) परसना (To serve) भूख (Hunger) स्वादिष्ट (Tasty)

Advanced

भोजन कराना (Formal feed) जिमाना (Regional feed) तृप्त (Satisfied) पोषण (Nutrition) व्यंजन (Cuisine)

Grammar to Know

Causative Verbs

खाना (Eat) -> खिलाना (Feed) -> खिलवाना (Have someone feed).

The 'Ne' Rule

मैंने (Subject + Ne) उसे खाना खिलाया (Verb agrees with food).

Ditransitive Verbs

Subject (I) + Indirect Object (Him) + Direct Object (Food) + Verb.

Compound Verbs with 'Denā'

खिला देना (to finish the act of feeding).

Agreement with Object

मैंने उसे रोटी (Fem) खिलाई vs मैंने उसे आम (Masc) खिलाया.

Examples by Level

माँ बच्चे को खाना खिलाती है।

The mother feeds the child.

Present continuous/habitual. 'Mā' is subject, 'bacche ko' is indirect object.

मैं कुत्ते को रोटी खिलाता हूँ।

I feed the dog bread.

Simple present. 'Kutte ko' indicates the recipient.

क्या तुम पक्षियों को दाना खिलाते हो?

Do you feed grain to the birds?

Interrogative sentence.

वह गाय को घास खिला रही है।

She is feeding grass to the cow.

Present continuous tense.

पापा मुझे फल खिलाते हैं।

Dad feeds me fruits.

Subject-verb agreement with 'Pāpā' (plural respect).

बिल्ली को दूध मत खिलाओ।

Don't feed the cat milk (use 'pila' for liquids, but common in A1).

Imperative negative.

बच्चे को चम्मच से खिलाओ।

Feed the child with a spoon.

Instrumental case 'se' (with).

आज हम गरीबों को खाना खिलाएंगे।

Today we will feed the poor.

Future tense.

मैंने आज सुबह कबूतरों को दाना खिलाया।

I fed the pigeons grain this morning.

Past tense with 'ne'. Verb 'khilāyā' agrees with 'dānā' (masculine).

उसने मुझे कल बहुत अच्छी मिठाई खिलाई।

He fed/treated me to very good sweets yesterday.

Past tense. 'khilāī' agrees with 'mithāī' (feminine).

क्या आपने मेहमानों को खाना खिला दिया?

Did you finish feeding the guests?

Compound verb 'khilā denā' for completion.

माँ ने बच्चे को जबरदस्ती दवाई खिलाई।

The mother forced the child to take medicine.

Adverb 'zabardastī' used with the verb.

हम रोज़ शाम को मछलियों को आटा खिलाते थे।

We used to feed dough to the fish every evening.

Past habitual tense.

वह अपनी छोटी बहन को खाना खिला रही थी।

She was feeding her little sister.

Past continuous tense.

अगर तुम आओगे, तो मैं तुम्हें बिरयानी खिलाऊँगा।

If you come, I will feed/treat you to biryani.

Conditional sentence.

माली ने पौधों को खाद खिलाई।

The gardener 'fed' (applied) fertilizer to the plants.

Metaphorical use for plants.

पुलिसवाले को रिश्वत खिलाना कानूनन अपराध है।

Feeding (giving) a bribe to a policeman is a legal offense.

Idiomatic use: 'rishwat khilānā'.

उसने अपनी माँ की कसम खिलाकर सच उगलवाया।

He made him swear on his mother to get the truth out.

Idiomatic use: 'kasam khilānā'.

दादी हमेशा हमें कहानियाँ सुनाकर खाना खिलाती थीं।

Grandmother always used to feed us while telling stories.

Participle 'sunākar' (having told).

आजकल पालतू जानवरों को क्या खिलाना सबसे अच्छा है?

What is the best thing to feed pets these days?

Gerundive use of 'khilānā'.

उसने मुझे अपनी शादी में शाही खाना खिलाया।

He fed me a royal feast at his wedding.

Adjective 'shāhī' modifying 'khānā'.

क्या तुम मुझे बेवकूफ खिला रहे हो? (Rare slang)

Are you making a fool of me? (Literal: feeding me foolishness)

Metaphorical/Slangy usage.

डॉक्टर ने मरीज़ को हल्का खाना खिलाने की सलाह दी।

The doctor advised feeding the patient light food.

Infinitival phrase as an object.

उसने उसे धूल खिला दी।

He made him bite the dust (defeated him).

Idiom: 'dhūl khilānā'.

विज्ञापनों के ज़रिए कंपनियों ने हमें झूठ खिलाया है।

Companies have fed us lies through advertisements.

Metaphorical use in social critique.

जब तक मेहमान तृप्त न हो जाएँ, उन्हें खिलाते रहो।

Keep feeding the guests until they are satisfied.

Subjunctive 'ho jāen' and continuous 'khilāte raho'.

अनाथालय में बच्चों को खिलाना एक नेक काम है।

Feeding children in an orphanage is a noble deed.

Abstract noun usage of the infinitive.

उसने अपनी सारी संपत्ति जुए को खिला दी।

He fed all his wealth to gambling (wasted it).

Metaphorical use for waste/loss.

राजनीति में विरोधियों को मात खिलाना एक कला है।

In politics, making opponents taste defeat is an art.

Compound idiom 'māt khilānā'.

उसने मुझे ऐसी बात खिलाई कि मैं दंग रह गया।

He fed me such information that I was stunned.

Metaphorical use for information/rumors.

क्या सरकार जनता को सिर्फ वादे खिलाएगी?

Will the government only feed promises to the public?

Rhetorical question.

वह अपने अहंकार को खिलाना अच्छी तरह जानता है।

He knows well how to feed his ego.

Metaphorical use for emotions.

साहित्य समाज को वैचारिक भोजन खिलाने का सशक्त माध्यम है।

Literature is a powerful medium for feeding ideological food to society.

Highly formal and metaphorical.

भ्रष्टाचार की जड़ों को रिश्वत खिलाकर सींचा जाता है।

The roots of corruption are nurtured by feeding bribes.

Passive construction with a metaphor.

उसकी बातों ने मेरे संदेह को और अधिक खिला दिया।

His words fed my doubts even more.

Causative of 'khilnā' (to bloom/grow) or 'khilānā' (to feed).

गुरु ने शिष्य को ज्ञान का अमृत खिलाया।

The teacher fed the student the nectar of knowledge.

Poetic/Spiritual register.

क्या तुम उसे अपनी उँगलियों पर नचाना और खिलाना चाहते हो?

Do you want to make him dance and eat from your fingers?

Idiomatic expression of control.

इतिहास गवाह है कि सत्ता ने हमेशा जनता को अफीम खिलाई है।

History is witness that power has always fed opium to the masses.

Marxist metaphor (opium of the masses).

उसने अपने दुखों को पाल-पोसकर खिलाया है।

He has nurtured and fed his sorrows.

Personification of emotions.

इस फिल्म ने दर्शकों को मनोरंजन का भरपूर डोज़ खिलाया।

This film fed the audience a full dose of entertainment.

Colloquial but sophisticated metaphor.

उपभोक्तावाद की संस्कृति हमें निरंतर अतृप्ति खिला रही है।

The culture of consumerism is constantly feeding us insatiability.

Philosophical abstract usage.

उसकी लेखनी ने युगों-युगों तक पाठकों को प्रेरणा खिलाई है।

His writing has fed inspiration to readers for ages.

High literary style.

क्या हम अपनी आने वाली पीढ़ियों को केवल प्रदूषण खिलाएंगे?

Will we only feed pollution to our future generations?

Environmental critique.

उसने अपने अंतर्मन के राक्षसों को खिलाना बंद कर दिया है।

He has stopped feeding the demons of his inner self.

Psychological metaphor.

पूंजीवाद ने श्रम को केवल जीवित रहने भर का निवाला खिलाया।

Capitalism fed labor only enough morsels to survive.

Socio-economic analysis.

उसने अपनी खामोशी से सबको हैरत खिला दी।

He fed (gave) everyone astonishment with his silence.

Unique poetic construction.

धर्म के नाम पर नफरत खिलाना सबसे बड़ा पाप है।

Feeding hatred in the name of religion is the greatest sin.

Ethical statement.

उसकी आँखों ने मुझे एक नया सपना खिलाया।

Her eyes fed (gave) me a new dream.

Romantic/Poetic metaphor.

Common Collocations

खाना खिलाना

दवाई खिलाना

रिश्वत खिलाना

कसम खिलाना

दाना खिलाना

मिठाई खिलाना

जहर खिलाना

चारा खिलाना

फल खिलाना

भरपेट खिलाना

Common Phrases

खिलाना-पिलाना

— To take care of someone's food and drink needs; hospitality.

मेहमानों को अच्छे से खिलाना-पिलाना।

मार खिलाना

— To cause someone to be beaten (causative of getting beaten).

उसने अपनी गलती से सबको मार खिलाई।

धूल खिलाना

— To defeat someone badly.

भारतीय टीम ने विपक्षी को धूल खिला दी।

जेल की हवा खिलाना

— To send someone to jail.

पुलिस तुम्हें जेल की हवा खिलाएगी।

ठोकरें खिलाना

— To make someone wander or suffer.

किस्मत ने उसे बहुत ठोकरें खिलाईं।

मुँह मीठा खिलाना

— To give sweets for a happy occasion.

चलो, अब सबका मुँह मीठा खिलाओ।

हवा खिलाना

— To take someone out for fresh air (metaphorical feeding).

बच्चे को बाहर की हवा खिला लाओ।

गोली खिलाना

— To give a pill or, metaphorically, to shoot.

शिकारी ने शेर को गोली खिला दी।

चक्कर खिलाना

— To make someone feel dizzy or to confuse them.

इस सवाल ने मुझे चक्कर खिला दिए।

लालच खिलाना

— To tempt someone with greed.

उसने उसे पैसे का लालच खिलाया।

Often Confused With

खिलाना vs खाना (Khānā)

To eat (self). Use 'khilānā' for feeding others.

खिलाना vs खिलना (Khilnā)

To bloom (flowers). It is intransitive.

खिलाना vs खेलना (Khelnā)

To play. The causative is also 'khilānā', so use context!

Idioms & Expressions

"रिश्वत खिलाना"

— To bribe someone to get work done.

बिना रिश्वत खिलाए काम नहीं होता।

Informal

"कसम खिलाना"

— To make someone swear an oath.

उसने मुझे सच बोलने की कसम खिलाई।

Neutral

"धूल खिलाना"

— To defeat an opponent decisively.

कुश्ती में उसने पहलवान को धूल खिला दी।

Colloquial

"हवा खिलाना"

— To take out for a walk or to deceive someone.

वह मुझे बस हवा खिला रहा है, काम नहीं करेगा।

Slang/Informal

"जूतियां खिलाना"

— To humiliate someone or make them suffer.

उसने अपने व्यवहार से जूतियां खिलाईं।

Vulgar/Informal

"दिन में तारे खिलाना"

— To shock or stun someone (usually by a blow).

उसने एक घूँसे में उसे दिन में तारे खिला दिए।

Colloquial

"मुँह की खिलाना"

— To cause someone to face an embarrassing defeat.

सेना ने दुश्मनों को मुँह की खिलाई।

Neutral

"लोहे के चने खिलाना"

— To give someone a very hard time.

शिवाजी ने मुगलों को लोहे के चने खिलाए।

Literary

"जहर खिलाना"

— To ruin someone's mind with bad thoughts.

वह तुम्हारे कान में जहर खिला रहा है।

Metaphorical

"लड्डू खिलाना"

— To give good news or celebrate.

पास होने की खुशी में लड्डू तो खिलाओ!

Friendly

Easily Confused

खिलाना vs खिलना

Similar spelling and sound.

Khilnā is 'to bloom' (intransitive), Khilānā is 'to feed' (transitive).

फूल खिल रहे हैं (Flowers are blooming) vs माँ बच्चे को खिला रही है (Mother is feeding the child).

खिलाना vs खेलना

The causative of 'play' is also 'khilānā'.

Context: Food vs Games.

वह बच्चे को खाना खिला रही है (Feeding) vs वह बच्चे को पार्क में खिला रही है (Making play).

खिलाना vs पिलाना

Both involve giving sustenance.

Khilānā is for solids, Pilānā is for liquids.

रोटी खिलाओ (Feed bread) vs पानी पिलाओ (Give water).

खिलाना vs परसना

Both happen at mealtime.

Parasnā is 'to serve' on a plate; Khilānā is 'to feed' into the mouth or host.

खाना परसो (Serve food) vs खाना खिलाओ (Feed).

खिलाना vs दिलाना

Rhyming causative verbs.

Dilānā is 'to cause to give/get', Khilānā is 'to feed'.

उसे पेन दिलाओ (Get him a pen) vs उसे खाना खिलाओ (Feed him).

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] [Recipient] को [Food] खिलाता है।

मैं बिल्ली को दूध खिलाता हूँ।

[Subject] ने [Recipient] को [Food] खिलाया।

उसने मुझे मिठाई खिलाई।

[Subject] [Recipient] को [Food] खिला रहा है।

माँ बच्चे को खिचड़ी खिला रही है।

[Subject] को [Recipient] को [Food] खिलाना चाहिए।

आपको गरीबों को खाना खिलाना चाहिए।

[Subject] [Recipient] को [Metaphor] खिला रहा है।

वह उसे झूठ खिला रहा है।

बिना [Food] खिलाए [Action]...

बिना खाना खिलाए उसे मत जाने दो।

[Abstract Noun] [Recipient] को [Action] खिलाता है।

अहंकार इंसान को ठोकरें खिलाता है।

[Recipient] को [Food] खिलाना [Virtue] है।

भूखे को खिलाना पुण्य है।

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely common in daily speech.

Common Mistakes

Main baccha khilā rahā hūn. → Main bacche ko khilā rahā hūn.
You must use 'ko' for the person being fed, otherwise it sounds like you are feeding the baby to someone else!
Main pānī khilā rahā hūn. → Main pānī pilā rahā hūn.
Use 'pilānā' for liquids, 'khilānā' for solids.
Usne mujhe khānā khilāyā (when he ate). → Usne khānā khāyā.
Don't use the causative 'khilānā' if the person ate by themselves.
Mā ne bacche ko roti khilāyā. → Mā ne bacche ko roti khilāī.
In past tense with 'ne', the verb must agree with 'roti' (feminine).
Phūl khilā rahe hain (Flowers are blooming). → Phūl khil rahe hain.
'Khilnā' is for blooming. 'Khilānā' would mean someone is making the flowers bloom.

Tips

The Ko Rule

Always remember the recipient of the food needs 'ko'. 'Bacche ko khilāo' (Feed the baby).

Hospitality

Using 'khilānā' when inviting someone over sounds very warm and welcoming.

Birds

Use 'chugānā' specifically for birds to sound like a pro.

Homonym Alert

If you are in a park, 'khilānā' likely means 'making play'. If in a kitchen, it means 'feeding'.

Bribery

'Rishwat khilānā' is a must-know idiom for understanding Hindi news.

Past Tense Agreement

In 'Usne mujhe roti khilai', the verb 'khilai' is feminine because 'roti' is feminine.

Aspiration

Don't forget the 'h' in 'kh'. It's not 'k-ilānā', it's 'kh-ilānā'.

Mnemonic

Kh-ilānā: The 'Kh' is for 'Khānā' (food).

Completion

Use 'khilā denā' when you want to emphasize that the feeding task is finished.

Treating Friends

'Party khilānā' is the standard way to ask a friend to treat you because of good news.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a 'KHI-ld' (child) being 'LA-id' (laid) in a high chair to be fed. KHI-LA-nā.

Visual Association

A mother bird putting a worm into a baby bird's open beak. That action is 'khilānā'.

Word Web

Food Baby Spoon Bribe Sweets Animal Mother Hospitality

Challenge

Try to use 'khilānā' in three different ways today: one for an animal, one for a child, and one idiomatic (like 'mithāī khilānā').

Word Origin

Derived from the Sanskrit root 'khād' (खाद्), meaning 'to eat' or 'to chew'.

Original meaning: The act of causing another to consume or masticate food.

Indo-Aryan -> Prakrit -> Old Hindi -> Modern Standard Hindi.

Cultural Context

Be careful with 'rishwat khilānā' (bribery) in formal settings; it's a blunt accusation. Using 'khilānā' for people with disabilities or the elderly should be done with respect, often preferring 'bhojan karānā'.

In English, 'feed' can sound clinical or animal-focused. In Hindi, 'khilānā' is warm, emotional, and used for everyone from babies to honored guests.

The Bollywood song 'Khao Piyo Aish Karo' focuses on eating, but the culture focuses on 'Khilānā'. Religious stories of Krishna being fed butter (Makhan) by Yashoda.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Parenting

दूध खिलाना (to feed milk)
ज़बरदस्ती खिलाना (to force feed)
हाथ से खिलाना (to feed by hand)
समय पर खिलाना (to feed on time)

Pets

कुत्ते को खिलाना (to feed the dog)
बिस्कुट खिलाना (to feed biscuits)
दाना डालना/खिलाना (to feed grain)
हड्डी खिलाना (to feed a bone)

Hospitality

मिठाई खिलाना (to treat with sweets)
दावत खिलाना (to host a feast)
भरपेट खिलाना (to feed until full)
घर का खाना खिलाना (to feed home-cooked food)

Crime/Corruption

रिश्वत खिलाना (to bribe)
पैसे खिलाना (to feed money/bribe)
जहर खिलाना (to poison)
चोरी का माल खिलाना (to feed stolen goods)

Medical

दवाई खिलाना (to give medicine)
गोली खिलाना (to give a pill)
सिरप पिलाना (to give syrup)
हल्का खाना खिलाना (to feed light food)

Conversation Starters

"क्या आपने आज अपने पालतू जानवर को खिलाया?"

"आप मेहमानों को क्या खिलाना पसंद करते हैं?"

"क्या आपको बचपन में माँ अपने हाथ से खाना खिलाती थी?"

"अगर मैं आपके शहर आऊँ, तो आप मुझे क्या खिलाएंगे?"

"क्या हमें सड़कों पर रहने वाले जानवरों को खाना खिलाना चाहिए?"

Journal Prompts

आज मैंने किसे खाना खिलाया और मुझे कैसा लगा?

मेरे देश में मेहमानों को खिलाने की क्या परंपराएं हैं?

क्या मैंने कभी किसी को कोई 'कसम' खिलाई है?

बचपन की एक याद जब किसी ने मुझे बड़े प्यार से खिलाया था।

भ्रष्टाचार और 'रिश्वत खिलाना' विषय पर अपने विचार लिखें।

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Technically no. For water, milk, or juice, you should use 'pilanā' (to make drink). However, for very young babies, some people use 'khilānā' generally for all feeding.

It is a common idiom meaning 'to bribe'. Literally, it means 'to feed a bribe'. It is used in informal and journalistic contexts.

Sometimes. You can say 'khād khilānā' (to feed fertilizer), but 'pānī denā' (to give water) is more common for watering.

You don't. In Hindi, you just say 'Main khā rahā hūn' (I am eating). 'Khilānā' always implies an object other than yourself.

It depends on the object. 'Khilāyā' (masc), 'Khilāī' (fem), 'Khilāe' (masc plural), 'Khilāīn' (fem plural).

It is neutral. For very formal situations, like feeding guests at a gala, 'bhojan karānā' is preferred.

Yes, it is the causative of 'khilnā' (to bloom), but in daily life, it 95% of the time means 'to feed'.

Look for the object. If the object is 'khānā' (food), it's feed. If the object is 'khilaunā' (toy) or 'football', it's play.

Yes, it follows the standard '-nā' verb conjugation patterns in Hindi.

Yes, metaphorically you can say 'galat jānkārī khilānā' (feeding wrong information), but it's less common than in English.