लागू करना
लागू करना in 30 Seconds
- Means 'to implement' or 'to enforce'.
- Used for rules, laws, policies, and plans.
- Transitive verb: requires 'ने' in past tense.
- Highly common in news, politics, and business.
The Hindi verb लागू करना (laagoo karanaa) is a highly frequent and essential compound verb used to express the act of implementing, enforcing, or applying something, typically a rule, law, policy, or plan. It is derived from the adjective 'लागू' (applicable/enforced) and the verb 'करना' (to do). When you want to say that a government has put a new law into effect, or a school has started enforcing a new dress code, this is the exact phrase you need. Understanding this verb is crucial for navigating Indian news, official documents, and formal conversations.
- Literal Translation
- To make applicable; to do enforcement.
सरकार ने नया कानून लागू करना शुरू कर दिया है। (The government has started to implement the new law.)
In everyday contexts, you will often hear it in the passive or intransitive form as well: 'लागू होना' (to be implemented). However, 'लागू करना' specifically emphasizes the agent or the authority that is actively enforcing the rule. This distinction is vital for learners. The verb is transitive, meaning it takes a direct object, which is usually the policy or rule being enforced.
- Core Concept
- Transitioning an idea, rule, or policy from a theoretical state into active, practical enforcement.
प्रधानाचार्य ने स्कूल में नए नियम को लागू करना आवश्यक समझा। (The principal considered it necessary to implement the new rule in the school.)
The cultural context of this word is deeply tied to bureaucracy and administration in India. Whether it is the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) or a local municipal regulation regarding waste management, 'लागू करना' is the standard terminology. It carries a tone of authority and officialdom.
इस योजना को लागू करना आसान नहीं होगा। (Implementing this scheme will not be easy.)
- Usage Domain
- Primarily used in formal, administrative, legal, and professional contexts, though understood universally.
When learning this word, it is also helpful to recognize its synonyms, such as 'अमल में लाना' (to bring into practice), which is slightly more conversational or Urdu-influenced, whereas 'लागू करना' is standard Hindi. The verb conjugates based on the gender and number of the object in perfective tenses due to its transitive nature, which is a key grammatical point for learners to master.
हमें इन सुरक्षा उपायों को तुरंत लागू करना चाहिए। (We should implement these safety measures immediately.)
To truly master 'लागू करना', one must practice it with various objects: नियम (rule), कानून (law), नीति (policy), योजना (plan/scheme), and कर (tax). Each of these collocations forms the backbone of reading comprehension for Hindi newspapers and official broadcasts.
कंपनी ने घर से काम करने की नीति को फिर से लागू करना तय किया है। (The company has decided to re-implement the work-from-home policy.)
Using लागू करना correctly requires an understanding of Hindi verb conjugation, specifically regarding transitive verbs and the 'ने' (ne) particle in past tenses. Because 'लागू करना' is a transitive verb (सकर्मक क्रिया), the subject must take the postposition 'ने' in the perfective aspect (past tense), and the verb will agree with the direct object in gender and number.
- Grammar Rule 1: The 'ने' Construction
- In past tenses, use Subject + ने + Object + लागू किया/की/किए/कीं.
सरकार ने नई शिक्षा नीति लागू की। (The government implemented the new education policy. 'नीति' is feminine, so 'की' is used.)
It is crucial to know the gender of the noun you are implementing. For example, 'नियम' (rule) and 'कानून' (law) are masculine, while 'नीति' (policy) and 'योजना' (scheme) are feminine. This dictates whether you say 'लागू किया' or 'लागू की'.
पुलिस ने नया ट्रैफिक नियम लागू किया। (The police implemented the new traffic rule. 'नियम' is masculine, so 'किया' is used.)
In present and future tenses, the verb agrees with the subject, and the 'ने' particle is not used. This makes it simpler for beginners to use in future plans or general statements.
- Grammar Rule 2: Present and Future Tense
- Subject + Object + लागू करता है / लागू करेगा.
हम अगले महीने से यह सिस्टम लागू करेंगे। (We will implement this system from next month.)
Another important aspect of using this verb is knowing its intransitive counterpart: लागू होना (to be implemented / to apply). Use 'लागू होना' when the focus is on the rule itself, rather than who is enforcing it. This is extremely common in everyday speech.
यह नियम बच्चों पर लागू नहीं होता। (This rule does not apply to children.)
You can also use adverbs to modify how something is implemented. Common adverbs include 'सख्ती से' (strictly), 'तुरंत' (immediately), and 'प्रभावी ढंग से' (effectively). Placing these right before the verb enhances your fluency and precision.
- Adverbial Modification
- Adverb + लागू करना (e.g., सख्ती से लागू करना - to implement strictly).
अदालत ने आदेश को सख्ती से लागू करने का निर्देश दिया। (The court directed to implement the order strictly.)
Finally, in formal writing, you might see the infinitive form used as a verbal noun, such as 'नियमों को लागू करना आवश्यक है' (Implementing the rules is necessary). Here, 'लागू करना' acts as the subject of the sentence.
The phrase लागू करना is ubiquitous in Hindi-speaking environments, particularly in contexts involving authority, governance, and organizational structure. If you consume Hindi media, you will encounter this phrase daily. It is a cornerstone of journalistic vocabulary.
- Context 1: News and Politics
- News anchors and journalists use it constantly when reporting on government actions, parliamentary decisions, and legal judgments.
प्रधानमंत्री ने आज रात से लॉकडाउन लागू करने की घोषणा की। (The Prime Minister announced the implementation of a lockdown from tonight.)
In the realm of politics, political parties often debate whether a certain policy should be implemented. You will hear phrases like 'जीएसटी लागू करना' (implementing GST) or 'नागरिकता कानून लागू करना' (implementing the citizenship law). It is central to discussions about civic life and national administration.
विपक्ष ने इस बिल को लागू करने का विरोध किया। (The opposition protested the implementation of this bill.)
Beyond national politics, you will hear this phrase in the workplace. Human Resources departments and management use it when introducing new company policies, dress codes, or working hours. It sets a formal tone that a decision has been finalized and must be followed.
- Context 2: Corporate and Workplace
- Used by management to announce new protocols or rules to employees.
मैनेजर ने ऑफिस में नया ड्रेस कोड लागू करने का फैसला किया है। (The manager has decided to implement a new dress code in the office.)
Schools and educational institutions also frequently use this term. Principals and teachers will talk about implementing discipline, new syllabi, or exam guidelines. It is a word that students learn early on as they navigate school rules.
बोर्ड ने परीक्षा के नए पैटर्न को लागू करने का निर्देश दिया है। (The board has directed the implementation of the new exam pattern.)
Finally, in everyday conversations, people might use it when discussing societal norms or personal boundaries, though it sounds slightly formal. For instance, a parent might jokingly say they are going to implement a 'no TV' rule at home. The versatility of the word across formal and semi-formal contexts makes it a highly valuable addition to your vocabulary.
- Context 3: Everyday Life
- Used playfully or seriously to talk about personal rules within a household or community.
मैंने अपने घर में जंक फूड न खाने का नियम लागू किया है। (I have implemented a rule of not eating junk food in my house.)
While लागू करना is a straightforward concept, learners frequently make specific grammatical and contextual errors when trying to use it. The most common mistake revolves around the confusion between the active form 'लागू करना' (to implement) and the passive/intransitive form 'लागू होना' (to be implemented / to apply).
- Mistake 1: Active vs. Passive Confusion
- Using 'लागू करना' when the subject is the rule itself, rather than the person enforcing it.
❌ Incorrect: यह नियम मुझ पर लागू करता है।
✅ Correct: यह नियम मुझ पर लागू होता है। (This rule applies to me.)
In the incorrect example above, the learner is directly translating 'applies' as an active verb. However, in Hindi, a rule 'happens to be applicable' (लागू होता है). You only use 'लागू करना' when an authority figure is doing the action.
✅ Correct: बॉस ने यह नियम लागू किया। (The boss implemented this rule.)
Another frequent error is incorrect gender agreement in the past tense. Because 'लागू करना' is a transitive verb, it requires the 'ने' construction in the past perfective tense. The verb must agree with the object, not the subject. Learners often default to masculine singular 'किया' regardless of the object.
- Mistake 2: Gender Agreement in Past Tense
- Failing to match the verb ending (किया/की) with the gender of the policy or rule.
❌ Incorrect: सरकार ने नई नीति लागू किया।
✅ Correct: सरकार ने नई नीति लागू की। (The government implemented the new policy. 'नीति' is feminine.)
Learners also sometimes confuse 'लागू करना' with 'लगाना' (to put/apply). While 'लगाना' can mean to apply a cream or put a poster on a wall, it is not used for abstract concepts like laws or policies, except in specific idioms like 'जुर्माना लगाना' (to impose a fine) or 'टैक्स लगाना' (to impose a tax). For rules and policies, 'लागू करना' is the precise term.
❌ Incorrect: स्कूल ने नया नियम लगाया।
✅ Correct: स्कूल ने नया नियम लागू किया। (The school implemented a new rule.)
Lastly, learners sometimes struggle with the pronunciation, pronouncing 'लागू' as 'लग्गू' (laggu) with a short 'a' and double 'g'. The correct pronunciation has a long 'a' (aa) and a long 'u' (oo): laa-goo. Ensuring the correct vowel length is crucial for sounding natural and being understood clearly in professional contexts.
- Mistake 3: Pronunciation
- Shortening the vowels. It must be a long 'A' and a long 'U'.
Pronounce it as ला-गू (laa-goo), not ल-गु (la-gu).
To enrich your Hindi vocabulary, it is helpful to know words that are similar to लागू करना. Depending on the exact context, register (formal vs. informal), and regional influence (Sanskritized Hindi vs. Urdu-influenced Hindi), you can use several alternatives. The most common alternative is अमल में लाना (amal mein laanaa).
- 1. अमल में लाना (Amal mein laanaa)
- To put into practice; to execute.
हमें इन विचारों को अमल में लाना चाहिए। (We should put these ideas into practice.)
While 'लागू करना' is often used for top-down rules (like laws), 'अमल में लाना' is frequently used for ideas, suggestions, or plans that need to be executed. It has an Urdu origin and sounds very natural in spoken Hindustani.
For highly formal, official, or written Hindi, you will encounter कार्यान्वित करना (kaaryaanvit karanaa). This is a pure Sanskrit-derived term used in government documents, academic papers, and highly formal news broadcasts. It literally means 'to translate into action'.
- 2. कार्यान्वित करना (Kaaryaanvit karanaa)
- To execute; to implement (Highly formal/Sanskritized).
परियोजना को अगले वर्ष कार्यान्वित किया जाएगा। (The project will be executed next year.)
Another related word is स्थापित करना (sthaapit karanaa), which means 'to establish'. While not a direct synonym, it is used in similar contexts when a new system or institution is being put into place. You establish a system, and then you implement its rules.
सरकार ने एक नई समिति स्थापित की है। (The government has established a new committee.)
If you are talking about forcing a rule upon someone against their will, you might use थोपना (thopanaa), which means 'to impose' or 'to thrust upon'. This has a strong negative connotation, unlike 'लागू करना', which is neutral.
- 3. थोपना (Thopanaa)
- To impose forcefully (Negative connotation).
अपने विचार दूसरों पर मत थोपो। (Do not impose your views on others.)
Finally, for starting a machine, a process, or a service, you use चालू करना (chaaloo karanaa) or शुरू करना (shuroo karanaa). Do not use 'लागू करना' for turning on a computer or starting a car. 'लागू करना' is strictly for abstract rules, policies, and systems.
कृपया मशीन चालू करें। (Please start the machine. - Do not use लागू करें here.)
How Formal Is It?
Difficulty Rating
Grammar to Know
Ergative Case ('ने' construction in past tense)
Compound Verbs (Noun/Adjective + करना)
Transitive vs. Intransitive Verbs (करना vs. होना)
Verb Agreement with Direct Object
Passive Voice (किया जाना)
Examples by Level
टीचर ने नया नियम लागू किया।
The teacher implemented a new rule.
Subject (टीचर) + ने + Object (नियम) + Verb (लागू किया).
हम यह नियम लागू करेंगे।
We will implement this rule.
Future tense. 'करेंगे' agrees with 'हम'.
क्या आप यह नियम लागू करते हैं?
Do you implement this rule?
Present simple tense for a general question.
पापा ने घर में नियम लागू किया।
Dad implemented a rule in the house.
Past tense with 'ने'.
मुझे यह नियम लागू करना है।
I have to implement this rule.
Infinitive + है expresses obligation (have to).
स्कूल ने ड्रेस कोड लागू किया।
The school implemented a dress code.
School acts as the subject with 'ने'.
वे कल से नियम लागू करेंगे।
They will implement the rule from tomorrow.
Future tense with a time marker (कल से).
नियम लागू करना अच्छा है।
Implementing rules is good.
Verb used as a noun (gerund) subject.
पुलिस ने नया ट्रैफिक नियम लागू किया है।
The police have implemented a new traffic rule.
Present perfect tense (लागू किया है).
यह नियम मुझ पर लागू नहीं होता।
This rule does not apply to me.
Intransitive use (लागू होना) meaning 'to apply'.
सरकार ने प्लास्टिक पर बैन लागू किया।
The government implemented a ban on plastic.
Past perfective with a specific policy (बैन).
हमें ऑफिस में यह नीति लागू करनी चाहिए।
We should implement this policy in the office.
Obligation with 'चाहिए'. 'करनी' agrees with feminine 'नीति'.
क्या यह नियम सब पर लागू होता है?
Does this rule apply to everyone?
Question using the intransitive form.
मैनेजर ने नया टाइमटेबल लागू किया।
The manager implemented a new timetable.
Standard past tense construction.
नियमों को सख्ती से लागू करना ज़रूरी है।
It is necessary to implement the rules strictly.
Use of adverb 'सख्ती से' (strictly).
उन्होंने कल से नई व्यवस्था लागू की।
They implemented the new system from yesterday.
'की' agrees with the feminine object 'व्यवस्था' (system).
सरकार अगले महीने से नई कर नीति लागू करने जा रही है।
The government is going to implement a new tax policy from next month.
Present continuous with 'ने जा रही है' (going to).
इस योजना को लागू करने में कई मुश्किलें आ रही हैं।
Many difficulties are arising in implementing this scheme.
Infinitive + में (in implementing).
कंपनी ने वर्क फ्रॉम होम की नीति फिर से लागू कर दी है।
The company has re-implemented the work from home policy.
Compound verb 'कर दी है' for completion.
यदि आप नियम लागू नहीं करेंगे, तो कोई नहीं मानेगा।
If you do not implement the rule, no one will obey.
Conditional sentence (यदि... तो).
अदालत ने आदेश दिया कि कानून तुरंत लागू किया जाए।
The court ordered that the law be implemented immediately.
Passive subjunctive (लागू किया जाए).
यह फैसला पूरे देश में समान रूप से लागू होगा।
This decision will be implemented uniformly across the whole country.
Intransitive future tense (लागू होगा).
पर्यावरण की रक्षा के लिए कड़े नियम लागू करना समय की मांग है।
Implementing strict rules to protect the environment is the need of the hour.
Complex subject phrase using the infinitive.
उन्होंने बिना किसी पूर्व सूचना के यह नियम लागू कर दिया।
They implemented this rule without any prior notice.
Use of prepositional phrase 'बिना किसी पूर्व सूचना के'.
जीएसटी को सफलतापूर्वक लागू करना सरकार के लिए एक बड़ी चुनौती थी।
Implementing GST successfully was a big challenge for the government.
Verbal noun phrase as the subject of a past tense sentence.
हालांकि कानून पारित हो गया है, लेकिन इसे अभी तक जमीनी स्तर पर लागू नहीं किया गया है।
Although the law has been passed, it has not yet been implemented at the grassroots level.
Contrastive conjunction (हालांकि... लेकिन) and passive voice.
नई शिक्षा नीति को लागू करने के लिए शिक्षकों का प्रशिक्षण आवश्यक है।
Training of teachers is necessary to implement the new education policy.
Purpose clause with 'के लिए'.
विपक्ष का आरोप है कि सरकार अपनी विचारधारा को जबरन लागू कर रही है।
The opposition alleges that the government is forcibly implementing its ideology.
Reported speech structure (आरोप है कि).
अंतरराष्ट्रीय संधियों को घरेलू कानूनों के माध्यम से लागू किया जाना चाहिए।
International treaties should be implemented through domestic laws.
Passive obligation (लागू किया जाना चाहिए).
प्रशासन ने सुनिश्चित किया कि लॉकडाउन के नियम सख्ती से लागू हों।
The administration ensured that lockdown rules were strictly implemented.
Subjunctive mood after 'सुनिश्चित किया कि' (ensured that).
इस प्रावधान को पूर्वव्यापी प्रभाव से लागू किया जाएगा।
This provision will be implemented with retrospective effect.
Advanced vocabulary 'पूर्वव्यापी प्रभाव' (retrospective effect).
नीतियां बनाना आसान है, परंतु उन्हें प्रभावी ढंग से लागू करना कठिन है।
Making policies is easy, but implementing them effectively is difficult.
Parallel structure comparing two infinitive actions.
संवैधानिक संशोधनों को लागू करने की प्रक्रिया में व्यापक राजनीतिक आम सहमति की आवश्यकता होती है।
The process of implementing constitutional amendments requires broad political consensus.
Complex noun phrase 'लागू करने की प्रक्रिया'.
न्यायपालिका ने कार्यपालिका को फटकार लगाई क्योंकि वह अदालत के आदेशों को लागू करने में विफल रही।
The judiciary reprimanded the executive because it failed to implement the court's orders.
Complex sentence with subordinate causal clause.
आर्थिक सुधारों को लागू करते समय समाज के सबसे कमजोर वर्गों के हितों की रक्षा की जानी चाहिए।
While implementing economic reforms, the interests of the weakest sections of society must be protected.
Adverbial participle phrase 'लागू करते समय' (while implementing).
यह देखना दिलचस्प होगा कि क्या नई सरकार पिछली सरकार द्वारा लागू की गई योजनाओं को जारी रखेगी।
It will be interesting to see whether the new government will continue the schemes implemented by the previous government.
Relative clause functioning as an adjective 'लागू की गई' (implemented).
कॉर्पोरेट प्रशासन के नए मानदंडों को लागू करने से पारदर्शिता में उल्लेखनीय वृद्धि हुई है।
Implementing the new norms of corporate governance has led to a significant increase in transparency.
Causal relationship expressed with 'से' (by/from implementing).
नीति-निर्माताओं को यह समझना चाहिए कि किसी भी योजना को शून्य में लागू नहीं किया जा सकता; इसके लिए एक मजबूत बुनियादी ढांचे की आवश्यकता होती है।
Policymakers must understand that no scheme can be implemented in a vacuum; it requires a robust infrastructure.
Idiomatic expression 'शून्य में' (in a vacuum) with passive voice.
श्रम कानूनों को लागू करने में राज्य सरकारों की भूमिका अत्यंत महत्वपूर्ण है, क्योंकि श्रम समवर्ती सूची का विषय है।
The role of state governments in implementing labor laws is extremely crucial, as labor is a subject on the concurrent list.
Academic/legal context with specific terminology (समवर्ती सूची).
पर्यावरणीय मानकों को सख्ती से लागू किए बिना सतत विकास का लक्ष्य प्राप्त करना एक कोरी कल्पना मात्र है।
Without strictly implementing environmental standards, achieving the goal of sustainable development is merely a pipe dream.
Negative conditional phrase 'लागू किए बिना' (without implementing).
विधि के शासन को केवल सैद्धांतिक रूप से स्वीकार करना पर्याप्त नहीं है; इसे इसके समग्र रूप में लागू करना अपरिहार्य है।
Merely accepting the rule of law theoretically is not enough; implementing it in its entirety is indispensable.
Highly formal vocabulary (सैद्धांतिक, अपरिहार्य) with balanced clauses.
सार्वजनिक नीति के कार्यान्वयन के संदर्भ में, 'लागू करना' केवल एक प्रशासनिक कृत्य नहीं, बल्कि एक राजनीतिक वक्तव्य भी है।
In the context of public policy execution, 'implementing' is not merely an administrative act, but also a political statement.
Metalinguistic discussion of the word itself.
जब तक सत्ता का विकेंद्रीकरण नहीं होता, तब तक जमीनी स्तर पर किसी भी कल्याणकारी योजना को प्रभावी ढंग से लागू करना एक दुःस्वप्न बना रहेगा।
Unless power is decentralized, effectively implementing any welfare scheme at the grassroots level will remain a nightmare.
Complex conditional 'जब तक... तब तक' (unless/until).
अंतरराष्ट्रीय मानवाधिकार संधियों के प्रावधानों को घरेलू क्षेत्राधिकार में लागू करने की विधिक पेचीदगियां अक्सर संप्रभुता के सवालों से टकराती हैं।
The legal complexities of implementing the provisions of international human rights treaties in domestic jurisdiction often clash with questions of sovereignty.
Advanced legal and political science terminology.
तकनीकी नवाचारों को विनियामक ढांचे के भीतर लागू करने की चुनौती यह है कि कानून हमेशा तकनीक से एक कदम पीछे रहता है।
The challenge of implementing technological innovations within a regulatory framework is that the law is always one step behind technology.
Abstract conceptual discussion.
यह तर्क दिया जा सकता है कि औपनिवेशिक काल के कानूनों को समकालीन लोकतांत्रिक व्यवस्था में ज्यों का त्यों लागू करना संवैधानिक नैतिकता के विरुद्ध है।
It can be argued that implementing colonial-era laws as they are in a contemporary democratic setup is against constitutional morality.
Passive introductory clause 'यह तर्क दिया जा सकता है कि'.
आपातकालीन शक्तियों को लागू करने का विशेषाधिकार कार्यपालिका के पास है, परंतु इसकी न्यायिक समीक्षा संभव है।
The prerogative to implement emergency powers lies with the executive, but its judicial review is possible.
Formal constitutional discourse.
सामाजिक न्याय की अवधारणा को केवल संहिताबद्ध करना ही पर्याप्त नहीं है, बल्कि इसे संस्थागत तंत्र के माध्यम से लागू करना ही इसकी वास्तविक कसौटी है।
Merely codifying the concept of social justice is not sufficient; implementing it through institutional mechanisms is its true test.
Correlative conjunctions 'केवल... ही नहीं, बल्कि...'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Often Confused With
Idioms & Expressions
Easily Confused
Sentence Patterns
How to Use It
Do not use 'लागू करना' for physical objects. You cannot 'लागू करना' a poster on a wall or a cream on your face. It is strictly for abstract concepts like rules, laws, policies, systems, and plans.
- Using 'लागू करना' instead of 'लागू होना' when saying 'This rule applies to me'.
- Forgetting the 'ने' particle in the past tense (e.g., saying 'सरकार नियम लागू किया' instead of 'सरकार ने...').
- Using the masculine 'किया' for feminine objects like 'नीति' (policy) in the past tense.
- Using 'लागू करना' for physical application, like applying cream (which should be 'लगाना').
- Pronouncing it with short vowels (lagu) instead of long vowels (laa-goo).
Tips
The 'Ne' Rule
Always remember that 'लागू करना' is transitive. If you are talking about the past (implemented), you must put 'ने' after the subject. Example: बॉस ने नियम लागू किया।
Collocations are Key
Memorize this verb with its most common partners: नियम (rule), कानून (law), and नीति (policy). Saying 'नियम लागू करना' as a single chunk will improve your fluency.
Stretch the Vowels
Both syllables in 'लागू' have long vowels. Say 'LAA-GOO'. Stretching the sounds makes your Hindi sound much more authentic and clear.
Not for Physical Objects
Never use this verb for physical actions. You cannot 'लागू' a band-aid or a poster. It is strictly for abstract, systemic things like rules and plans.
News Indicator
When watching Hindi news, the word 'लागू' is a massive indicator that a new government decision has taken effect. Pay attention to the noun right before it.
Active vs. Passive
If you want to say a rule applies to you, do not use 'करना'. Say 'यह मुझ पर लागू होता है' (It applies to me). 'करना' means someone is forcing the rule.
Formal Synonyms
If you are writing a formal essay or a professional email, you can impress your reader by using 'कार्यान्वित करना' instead of 'लागू करना', though both are correct.
Corporate Hindi
In an Indian office, HR will always use this term for new policies. 'नई लीव पॉलिसी लागू हो गई है' (The new leave policy has been implemented).
Gender Agreement
Because of the 'ने' rule, you must know the gender of what is being implemented. Rule (नियम) is masculine -> किया. Policy (नीति) is feminine -> की.
Adverb Placement
Put adverbs like 'तुरंत' (immediately) right before the verb. 'इसे तुरंत लागू करो' (Implement this immediately). It sounds very natural and commanding.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of LAw GOO. The LAw is like GOO that sticks to everyone once the government decides to IMPLEMENT it.
Word Origin
Hindustani
Cultural Context
Highly formal, but universally understood. Standard in news and official communication.
In Urdu-heavy regions or older texts, 'अमल में लाना' (amal mein laanaa) or 'नाफ़िज़ करना' (naafiz karanaa) might be preferred, but 'लागू करना' is the modern standard across India.
Implies authority. The person or entity doing the 'लागू करना' holds power over those who must follow the rule.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Conversation Starters
"क्या आपको लगता है कि यह नया नियम लागू करना सही है?"
"सरकार को प्रदूषण कम करने के लिए कौन से नियम लागू करने चाहिए?"
"आपके ऑफिस में हाल ही में कौन सी नई नीति लागू की गई है?"
"अगर आप प्रधानमंत्री होते, तो कौन सा कानून लागू करते?"
"क्या स्कूल में मोबाइल फोन बैन लागू करना चाहिए?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time a new rule was implemented at your school or workplace and how people reacted.
If you could implement one law in your country, what would it be and why?
Discuss the difficulties a government faces when trying to implement a new tax policy.
Describe a personal rule you have implemented in your own life to stay healthy.
Explain the difference between making a rule and implementing it.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsलागू करना is an active, transitive verb meaning 'to implement'. It is used when a person or authority enforces a rule. लागू होना is an intransitive or passive verb meaning 'to be implemented' or 'to apply'. You use it when the rule itself is the subject, like 'This rule applies to me' (यह नियम मुझ पर लागू होता है).
No, you cannot. लागू करना is only used for abstract concepts like rules, laws, policies, and plans. For starting a car or a machine, you should use चालू करना (chaaloo karanaa) or स्टार्ट करना (start karanaa).
Because लागू करना is a transitive verb. In the past perfective tense, the subject takes the 'ने' particle, and the verb must agree with the direct object. The word 'नीति' (policy) is feminine in Hindi. Therefore, the verb becomes 'की' to match the feminine object.
Yes, it is generally formal and is standard vocabulary in news, government, and corporate environments. However, it is universally understood and can be used in everyday conversation when talking about rules, like a parent implementing a rule at home.
A very common synonym is अमल में लाना (amal mein laanaa), which means to put into practice. In highly formal or academic Hindi, you can use कार्यान्वित करना (kaaryaanvit karanaa).
You can say सख्ती से लागू करना (sakhtee se laagoo karanaa). 'सख्ती से' means strictly or rigorously. For example, 'नियमों को सख्ती से लागू किया जाना चाहिए' (Rules should be implemented strictly).
Yes, as an adjective, लागू means applicable or in force. For example, 'यह नियम यहाँ लागू है' means 'This rule is applicable here' or 'This rule is in force here'.
Yes, absolutely. 'टैक्स लागू करना' means to implement or impose a tax. You can also use 'टैक्स लगाना', which is equally common and correct.
The opposite would be to cancel or revoke a rule. Common antonyms are रद्द करना (radd karanaa - to cancel), समाप्त करना (samaapt karanaa - to end), or हटाना (hataanaa - to remove).
It is pronounced with a long 'a' and a long 'u': laa-goo. Make sure not to shorten the vowels to 'la-gu', as that sounds unnatural to native speakers.
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Summary
Use 'लागू करना' (laagoo karanaa) when an authority figure puts a rule or policy into action. Remember it is a transitive verb, so in the past tense, the subject takes 'ने' and the verb agrees with the rule being implemented.
- Means 'to implement' or 'to enforce'.
- Used for rules, laws, policies, and plans.
- Transitive verb: requires 'ने' in past tense.
- Highly common in news, politics, and business.
The 'Ne' Rule
Always remember that 'लागू करना' is transitive. If you are talking about the past (implemented), you must put 'ने' after the subject. Example: बॉस ने नियम लागू किया।
Collocations are Key
Memorize this verb with its most common partners: नियम (rule), कानून (law), and नीति (policy). Saying 'नियम लागू करना' as a single chunk will improve your fluency.
Stretch the Vowels
Both syllables in 'लागू' have long vowels. Say 'LAA-GOO'. Stretching the sounds makes your Hindi sound much more authentic and clear.
Not for Physical Objects
Never use this verb for physical actions. You cannot 'लागू' a band-aid or a poster. It is strictly for abstract, systemic things like rules and plans.
Related Content
Related Phrases
More work words
आचार संहिता
B1A set of rules outlining the responsibilities of, or proper practices for, an individual or organization.
आगे बढ़ाना
A2To make progress; to promote or advance something.
आहरित करना
B1To withdraw money; to take money out of an account.
आहिस्ता-आहिस्ता
B1Slowly, gradually; at a slow pace; in a gentle or unhurried manner.
आजीविका
B1Livelihood; a means of securing the necessities of life.
आंकड़े इकट्ठा करना
B1To gather facts and statistics for analysis.
आलेख तैयार करना
B1To draft a document; to prepare a written piece.
आलस्य से
B1Lazily; in a way that shows a lack of effort or enthusiasm.
आमदनी
A2Income, earnings
आने वाला कल
B1On the day after today.