खतरा in 30 Seconds
- Khatra is the primary Hindi word for danger and risk, used in both physical and abstract contexts across all levels of formality.
- It is a masculine noun that requires the oblique form 'khatre' when used with postpositions like 'mein', 'se', or 'ka'.
- Common idioms include 'khatra mol lena' (taking a risk) and 'khatra mandrana' (a looming threat), which are essential for natural speech.
- Synonyms like 'jokhim' (risk) and 'sankat' (crisis) offer nuanced alternatives depending on whether the context is financial, environmental, or personal.
The Hindi word खतरा (Khatra) is a masculine noun that translates primarily to 'danger,' 'risk,' or 'threat.' At its core, it signifies the possibility of suffering harm, injury, loss, or any negative consequence. Whether you are navigating a busy street in Delhi or discussing the volatility of the stock market, 'khatra' is the go-to term to express that something is unsafe. It is a loanword from Arabic (via Persian), which explains its presence in many North Indian languages and Urdu. Understanding 'khatra' is essential for survival and navigation in a Hindi-speaking environment, as it appears on warning signs, in news reports, and in daily cautionary advice.
- Physical Danger
- Refers to immediate bodily harm, such as a high-voltage wire or a wild animal.
- Abstract Risk
- Refers to non-physical threats like financial loss, reputational damage, or legal jeopardy.
- Environmental Threat
- Used in the context of climate change or natural disasters like floods and earthquakes.
In a linguistic sense, 'khatra' is versatile. It can be a looming shadow (khatra mandrana) or a calculated move (khatra mol lena). It is not just about the presence of evil, but the probability of it. When a doctor says there is no 'khatra,' they mean the patient is out of the critical zone. When a soldier speaks of 'khatra,' they refer to the enemy's proximity. It is a word that demands attention and usually triggers a 'fight or flight' response in the listener.
"इस सड़क पर रात में गाड़ी चलाना एक बड़ा खतरा है।" (Driving on this road at night is a big danger.)
"बाढ़ का खतरा अभी टला नहीं है।" (The danger of the flood has not yet passed.)
"धूम्रपान स्वास्थ्य के लिए खतरा है।" (Smoking is a threat to health.)
"उसकी जान को खतरा हो सकता है।" (His life could be in danger.)
"बिना तैयारी के परीक्षा देना एक खतरा है।" (Taking the exam without preparation is a risk.)
Using 'खतरा' (Khatra) correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as a masculine noun and its common verbal pairings. Since it is a noun, it can be the subject or object of a sentence. For example, 'Khatra badh raha hai' (The danger is increasing). Here, 'badh raha hai' agrees with the masculine gender of 'khatra'. When you want to say someone is 'in danger,' you use the postposition 'mein' (in): 'Wah khatre mein hai.' Notice how 'khatra' changes to 'khatre' in the oblique case before the postposition.
- Khatra Hona (To be a danger)
- Used to describe a state. 'Yahan sher ka khatra hai' (There is danger of a lion here).
- Khatra Mol Lena (To take a risk)
- Used when someone knowingly enters a dangerous situation. 'Usne apni naukri ka khatra mol liya' (He risked his job).
- Khatra Talna (Danger to pass)
- Used when a threat is no longer present. 'Ab khatra tal gaya hai' (Now the danger has passed).
In formal writing, you might see 'khatra' used with adjectives like 'bhayanak' (terrible), 'gandhir' (serious), or 'asann' (imminent). In casual conversation, people often say 'Koi khatra nahi' (No danger/No worries) to reassure someone. It's also common in political discourse to talk about 'desh ko khatra' (danger to the country). When using it with 'se' (from), it indicates the source of danger: 'Aag se khatra' (Danger from fire).
"क्या यहाँ कोई खतरा है?" (Is there any danger here?)
"हमें किसी भी खतरे के लिए तैयार रहना चाहिए।" (We should be ready for any danger.)
You will encounter 'खतरा' in a variety of settings, ranging from high-stakes news broadcasts to everyday warnings from parents. In public spaces, 'khatra' is ubiquitous on signage. At railway crossings, electricity substations, or construction sites, you will see the word written in bold red letters, often accompanied by the skull and crossbones symbol. This is the most literal and urgent use of the word, signaling immediate physical peril.
- News and Media
- News anchors frequently use it when reporting on weather alerts, border tensions, or health epidemics. 'Cyclone ka khatra' is a common headline.
- Movies and Dramas
- In Bollywood action films, the hero might say, 'Meri jaan khatre mein hai' (My life is in danger), or the villain might warn, 'Tumne mujhse dushmani mol lekar khatra bulaya hai'.
- Daily Life
- Parents use it to warn children: 'Bijli ke taar ko mat chhuo, khatra hai' (Don't touch the electric wire, it's dangerous).
In the corporate world, 'khatra' is used to discuss market risks. Financial advisors might talk about 'nivesh mein khatra' (risk in investment). Even in sports, a commentator might say a team is in 'khatra' of losing the match if they don't score soon. The word's ability to scale from a minor trip-and-fall warning to a national security threat makes it one of the most high-frequency nouns in the Hindi language.
"सावधान! आगे खतरा है।" (Caution! Danger ahead.)
Learners of Hindi often make a few specific errors when using 'खतरा' (Khatra). The most common mistake is confusing 'khatra' with 'darr' (fear). While they are related, 'khatra' is the objective danger, and 'darr' is the subjective emotion. You can feel 'darr' because of a 'khatra', but you cannot say 'There is a fear on the road' when you mean 'The road is dangerous'.
- Gender Errors
- Since 'khatra' ends in 'a', many learners correctly identify it as masculine, but they forget to apply the oblique rule. Saying 'Khatra mein' is wrong; it must be 'Khatre mein'.
- Confusing with 'Musibat'
- 'Musibat' means trouble or difficulty. While a 'khatra' can lead to 'musibat', they aren't identical. 'Khatra' is the threat; 'musibat' is the problem once it has arrived.
- Overusing 'Dangerous'
- In English, we use 'dangerous' as an adjective. In Hindi, learners often try to use 'khatra' as an adjective. You cannot say 'Wah khatra aadmi hai'. You must say 'Wah khatarnak aadmi hai' (using the adjective form).
Another mistake is the literal translation of 'taking a risk'. English speakers might say 'risk lena', which is actually becoming common in Hinglish, but the authentic Hindi expression is 'khatra mol lena'. Using 'lena' alone sounds slightly unnatural to native ears in a formal context. Additionally, ensure you don't confuse 'khatra' with 'khat' (letter) or 'khatta' (sour), which sound somewhat similar to beginners.
Hindi has several synonyms and related terms for 'खतरा' (Khatra), each with a slightly different nuance. Depending on whether you are in a legal, poetic, or everyday setting, you might choose a different word to express the concept of risk or danger.
- जोखिम (Jokhim)
- This is the most direct synonym for 'risk', especially in financial or professional contexts. 'Jokhim uthana' is to take a risk.
- संकट (Sankat)
- This means 'crisis' or 'distress'. It implies a more severe, often large-scale danger, like a 'jal sankat' (water crisis).
- आपदा (Aapda)
- Specifically refers to a 'disaster' or 'calamity', usually natural (prakritik aapda).
- भय (Bhay)
- A formal word for 'fear' or 'threat'. Often used in literature or formal warnings.
While 'khatra' is the most common and versatile, 'jokhim' is preferred in business. If you are talking about a life-threatening situation, 'jaan ka khatra' is standard. If you are talking about a threat to the environment, 'paryavaran ke liye sankat' might sound more sophisticated. Understanding these nuances helps in achieving a higher CEFR level of fluency, allowing you to match your vocabulary to the specific context of the conversation.
"व्यापार में जोखिम तो होता ही है।" (There is always risk in business.)
How Formal Is It?
Difficulty Rating
Grammar to Know
Oblique case for nouns ending in -a
Agreement of adjectives with masculine nouns
Compound verbs with 'lena' and 'hona'
Examples by Level
यहाँ खतरा है।
There is danger here.
Simple subject + verb.
खतरा! आगे मत जाओ।
Danger! Don't go ahead.
Imperative sentence.
क्या कोई खतरा है?
Is there any danger?
Interrogative sentence.
बिजली से खतरा है।
There is danger from electricity.
Use of 'se' (from).
कोई खतरा नहीं है।
There is no danger.
Negative sentence.
वह खतरा है।
That is a danger.
Demonstrative pronoun.
सावधान, खतरा!
Caution, danger!
Exclamatory usage.
पानी का खतरा।
Danger of water.
Possessive 'ka'.
जंगल में शेर का खतरा है।
There is danger of a lion in the forest.
Locative 'mein' + possessive 'ka'.
वह खतरे में है।
He/She is in danger.
Oblique form 'khatre' before 'mein'.
यह काम खतरे से भरा है।
This work is full of danger.
Phrase 'khatre se bhara'.
हमें खतरे से बचना चाहिए।
We should avoid danger.
Modal verb 'chahiye'.
वहाँ जाने में खतरा हो सकता है।
There could be danger in going there.
Possibility with 'ho sakta hai'.
तेज़ गाड़ी चलाना एक खतरा है।
Driving fast is a danger.
Gerund as subject.
बच्चे को खतरे से दूर रखो।
Keep the child away from danger.
Imperative with 'se door'.
रात में यहाँ बहुत खतरा होता है।
There is a lot of danger here at night.
Adverb of time 'raat mein'.
उसने अपनी जान का खतरा मोल लिया।
He took a risk with his life.
Idiom 'khatra mol lena'.
अब बाढ़ का खतरा टल गया है।
Now the danger of flood has passed.
Verb 'talna' (to pass/be averted).
धूम्रपान स्वास्थ्य के लिए बड़ा खतरा है।
Smoking is a big threat to health.
Use of 'ke liye' (for).
क्या आपको लगता है कि यहाँ कोई खतरा है?
Do you think there is any danger here?
Complex sentence with 'ki'.
पुलिस ने खतरे की चेतावनी दी।
The police gave a danger warning.
Compound noun 'khatre ki chetavni'.
बिना हेलमेट के बाइक चलाना खतरे से खाली नहीं है।
Riding a bike without a helmet is not free from danger.
Idiomatic 'khatre se khali nahi'.
शहर पर हमले का खतरा मंडरा रहा है।
The threat of an attack is hovering over the city.
Idiom 'khatra mandrana'.
हमें इस खतरे को गंभीरता से लेना चाहिए।
We should take this threat seriously.
Adverbial phrase 'gambhirta se'.
जलवायु परिवर्तन पूरी दुनिया के लिए एक गंभीर खतरा है।
Climate change is a serious threat to the whole world.
Abstract noun usage.
कंपनी को भारी आर्थिक खतरे का सामना करना पड़ रहा है।
The company is facing a heavy economic risk.
Compound verb 'samna karna pad raha hai'.
उसकी चुप्पी खतरे की घंटी हो सकती है।
His silence could be a warning sign (alarm bell).
Metaphor 'khatre ki ghanti'.
आतंकवाद वैश्विक शांति के लिए एक बड़ा खतरा है।
Terrorism is a big threat to global peace.
Formal political vocabulary.
जैसे ही खतरा बढ़ा, लोग सुरक्षित स्थानों की ओर भागने लगे।
As soon as the danger increased, people started running towards safe places.
Correlative 'jaise hi... vaise hi'.
सरकार ने खतरे को भांपते हुए रेड अलर्ट जारी कर दिया।
Sensing the danger, the government issued a red alert.
Participle 'bhampte hue' (sensing).
यह नीति देश की एकता के लिए खतरा पैदा कर सकती है।
This policy could create a threat to the country's unity.
Verb 'paida karna' (to create/produce).
खतरे के बावजूद, पर्वतारोही आगे बढ़ते रहे।
Despite the danger, the climbers kept moving forward.
Prepositional phrase 'ke bawajood'.
तकनीकी प्रगति के साथ-साथ साइबर अपराध का खतरा भी बढ़ गया है।
Along with technological progress, the threat of cybercrime has also increased.
Conjunction 'ke saath-saath'.
लुप्तप्राय प्रजातियों के अस्तित्व पर खतरा मंडरा रहा है।
A threat is hovering over the existence of endangered species.
Formal term 'astitva' (existence).
हमें संभावित खतरों का पहले से ही आकलन कर लेना चाहिए।
We should assess potential threats in advance.
Formal verb 'aakalan karna' (to assess).
यह बयान सांप्रदायिक सद्भाव के लिए खतरा बन सकता है।
This statement could become a threat to communal harmony.
Sociopolitical terminology.
खतरे की आशंका ने पूरे इलाके में दहशत फैला दी।
The apprehension of danger spread panic throughout the area.
Noun 'aashanka' (apprehension).
किसी भी बड़े निवेश में अंतर्निहित खतरों को नजरअंदाज नहीं किया जा सकता।
In any large investment, inherent risks cannot be ignored.
Adjective 'antarnihit' (inherent).
विपक्ष ने इस कानून को लोकतंत्र के लिए खतरा बताया है।
The opposition has called this law a threat to democracy.
Reported speech/Formal claim.
उसकी लापरवाही ने सबको खतरे में डाल दिया।
His negligence put everyone in danger.
Causative sense 'khatre mein daal diya'.
आर्टिफिशियल इंटेलिजेंस का अनियंत्रित विकास मानवता के लिए अस्तित्वगत खतरा हो सकता है।
The uncontrolled development of AI could be an existential threat to humanity.
Academic/Scientific register.
लेखक ने अपनी पुस्तक में आधुनिक समाज के नैतिक पतन के खतरों को रेखांकित किया है।
The author has highlighted the dangers of the moral decline of modern society in his book.
Literary analysis register.
राजनीतिक अस्थिरता के इस दौर में गृहयुद्ध का खतरा गहराता जा रहा है।
In this era of political instability, the threat of civil war is deepening.
Metaphorical verb 'gehrata jana'.
संस्कृति के बाजारीकरण से भाषाई विविधता पर खतरा उत्पन्न हो गया है।
The commercialization of culture has created a threat to linguistic diversity.
Complex abstract nouns.
वैज्ञानिकों ने चेतावनी दी है कि समुद्री स्तर का बढ़ना तटीय शहरों के लिए एक अपरिहार्य खतरा है।
Scientists have warned that rising sea levels are an inevitable threat to coastal cities.
Adjective 'apariharya' (inevitable).
परमाणु हथियारों का प्रसार विश्व शांति के लिए सबसे बड़ा आसन्न खतरा है।
The proliferation of nuclear weapons is the biggest imminent threat to world peace.
Formal term 'prasaar' (proliferation).
उसकी कूटनीतिक चालों ने दुश्मन के लिए एक नया खतरा पैदा कर दिया।
His diplomatic maneuvers created a new threat for the enemy.
Strategic vocabulary.
यह शोध उन खतरों की ओर इशारा करता है जिन्हें अब तक अनदेखा किया गया था।
This research points towards those dangers which were ignored until now.
Relative clause 'jinhe... tha'.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Often Confused With
Idioms & Expressions
Easily Confused
Sentence Patterns
How to Use It
Always change to 'khatre' before postpositions.
Khatarnak is the adjective; khatra is the noun.
- Khatra mein
- Wah khatra rasta hai
- Mujhe khatra lag raha hai
- Badi khatra
- Khatra lena
Tips
Oblique Rule
Always change 'khatra' to 'khatre' when using 'mein', 'se', or 'ka'. This is a common mistake for beginners. Practice saying 'khatre mein' repeatedly to build the habit. It applies to all masculine nouns ending in -a.
Adjective vs Noun
Use 'khatra' for the thing (the danger) and 'khatarnak' for the description (dangerous). You can say 'The danger is big' (Khatra bada hai) or 'The road is dangerous' (Rasta khatarnak hai). Don't mix them up! Use 'khatarnak' for people, places, and things.
Aspiration
The 'kh' in 'khatra' is aspirated, meaning you should feel a puff of air. It's not a soft 'k' like in 'kite'. Practice by holding a piece of paper in front of your mouth; it should move when you say 'kha'. This makes your Hindi sound much more authentic.
Taking Risks
To say 'take a risk', use the verb 'mol lena'. 'Mol' means price, so you are literally 'buying danger'. It implies that you are doing something risky on purpose. This is a very common and useful idiom for B1+ learners.
Signage
If you see a sign with a skull and crossbones in India, it will almost always say 'खतरा'. Even if you can't read the rest of the sign, knowing this word can keep you safe. It's often written in red paint on walls or metal plates.
Abstract Use
Don't limit 'khatra' to just physical things. Use it for 'khatra to democracy', 'khatra to your job', or 'khatra to a relationship'. It's a very versatile word for any kind of threat. This helps in moving from A2 to B1 level.
News Keywords
In Hindi news, 'khatra' is a high-frequency keyword. When you hear it, pay attention to the words before it to know what the threat is. Usually, it's 'baadh' (flood), 'bhukamp' (earthquake), or 'hamla' (attack). This is great for listening practice.
Using Jokhim
If you are in a business meeting, try using 'jokhim' instead of 'khatra'. It sounds more professional and specific to financial risk. 'Is business mein bada jokhim hai' sounds better than 'khatra' in a corporate setting.
Intensifiers
To say 'very dangerous', you can use 'bada khatra' or 'bhayanak khatra'. For 'slight risk', use 'mamuli khatra'. Using these adjectives with 'khatra' will make your writing more descriptive and precise.
The 'R' sound
The 'ra' at the end of 'khatra' is a single tap of the tongue against the roof of the mouth. It's not a long, rolling 'r'. Keep it short and crisp to sound like a native speaker. The stress is slightly more on the first syllable.
Memorize It
Visual Association
A red triangle with a skull and crossbones.
Word Origin
Arabic
Cultural Context
The phrase 'Khatre ke nishan se upar' is used every year to describe rising river levels.
Signs usually have a skull and crossbones with 'खतरा' in Hindi and 'DANGER' in English.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Conversation Starters
"क्या आपको लगता है कि इस शहर में कोई खतरा है?"
"आपने अपनी ज़िंदगी में सबसे बड़ा खतरा कब मोल लिया?"
"क्या नई तकनीक हमारे लिए खतरा है?"
"पहाड़ों पर अकेले जाने में क्या-क्या खतरे हो सकते हैं?"
"क्या आप जोखिम (risk) लेना पसंद करते हैं?"
Journal Prompts
एक ऐसी घटना के बारे में लिखें जब आप खतरे में थे।
क्या खतरा मोल लेना हमेशा बुरा होता है? अपने विचार लिखें।
आने वाले समय में पर्यावरण के लिए सबसे बड़ा खतरा क्या है?
अगर आपको किसी खतरे की चेतावनी देनी हो, तो आप कैसे देंगे?
क्या डर और खतरा एक ही चीज़ हैं? विस्तार से लिखें।
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is a masculine noun. This is important for verb agreement and adjective use. For example, you say 'bada khatra' (big danger), not 'badi khatra'. All verbs following it will take the masculine form.
While both mean risk or danger, 'khatra' is more general and often refers to physical harm. 'Jokhim' is specifically used for 'risk' in business, finance, or calculated decisions. You 'mol lena' a khatra, but you 'uthana' a jokhim.
The adjective form is 'khatarnak'. For example, 'khatarnak rasta' means 'dangerous road'. You cannot use 'khatra' as an adjective directly to describe a noun like 'road'.
It becomes 'khatre' in the oblique case. This happens whenever a postposition follows it, such as 'khatre mein' (in danger), 'khatre se' (from danger), or 'khatre ka' (of danger).
Yes, 'khatra' is a common word in both Hindi and Urdu. It comes from Arabic roots and is used identically in both languages. It is understood by almost everyone in the Indian subcontinent.
Yes, in modern 'Hinglish' or casual conversation, people often say 'risk lena'. However, in proper Hindi, the phrase is 'khatra mol lena' or 'jokhim uthana'. Using the Hindi versions sounds more natural.
It literally means 'the bell of danger'. Idiomatically, it means a warning sign or an alarm bell that something bad is about to happen. It's used just like 'alarm bells' in English.
It is written as खतरा. The first letter is 'kha' (ख), followed by 'ta' (त), and then 'ra' (रा). Make sure to include the dot (nukta) under 'kha' if you want to be very precise, though it's often omitted.
It is a neutral word. It can be used in very informal settings (like warning a friend) and also in very formal settings (like a government safety report or news broadcast).
The plural is 'khatre'. In the oblique plural (with postpositions), it becomes 'khatron'. For example, 'khatron se khelna' means 'playing with dangers'.
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Summary
Mastering 'खतरा' (Khatra) is vital for safety and expressing risk in Hindi. It transitions from a simple warning sign at A1 to a complex tool for discussing existential and strategic threats at C2. Always remember its masculine gender and the 'khatre' oblique shift.
- Khatra is the primary Hindi word for danger and risk, used in both physical and abstract contexts across all levels of formality.
- It is a masculine noun that requires the oblique form 'khatre' when used with postpositions like 'mein', 'se', or 'ka'.
- Common idioms include 'khatra mol lena' (taking a risk) and 'khatra mandrana' (a looming threat), which are essential for natural speech.
- Synonyms like 'jokhim' (risk) and 'sankat' (crisis) offer nuanced alternatives depending on whether the context is financial, environmental, or personal.
Oblique Rule
Always change 'khatra' to 'khatre' when using 'mein', 'se', or 'ka'. This is a common mistake for beginners. Practice saying 'khatre mein' repeatedly to build the habit. It applies to all masculine nouns ending in -a.
Adjective vs Noun
Use 'khatra' for the thing (the danger) and 'khatarnak' for the description (dangerous). You can say 'The danger is big' (Khatra bada hai) or 'The road is dangerous' (Rasta khatarnak hai). Don't mix them up! Use 'khatarnak' for people, places, and things.
Aspiration
The 'kh' in 'khatra' is aspirated, meaning you should feel a puff of air. It's not a soft 'k' like in 'kite'. Practice by holding a piece of paper in front of your mouth; it should move when you say 'kha'. This makes your Hindi sound much more authentic.
Taking Risks
To say 'take a risk', use the verb 'mol lena'. 'Mol' means price, so you are literally 'buying danger'. It implies that you are doing something risky on purpose. This is a very common and useful idiom for B1+ learners.
Related Content
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
More general words
आभार व्यक्त करना
B1To express gratitude or thankfulness.
आचरण करना
C1To conduct oneself; behave in a particular way.
आगे
A1Forward; ahead.
आगे बढ़ना
A2To move forward or progress.
आगामी
B1Happening in the near future; upcoming or next.
आह्वान करना
B1To call, to summon, to request someone's presence.
आज रात
A2The night of the present day; tonight.
आजमाना
A2To make an attempt or effort to do something; to test.
आक्रमण करना
B2To begin military operations against a country or group.
आखिरी
A2Last, final.
