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मज़दूरी

A2 noun 10 min read

मज़दूरी

mazdoori

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips मज़दूरी in 30 Seconds

Explanation मज़दूरी in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'Majduri' as a simple word for 'work money' or 'pay' for a physical job. Think of it when you see someone building a wall or carrying bags. It is a feminine word. You can use it in simple sentences like 'Give majduri' (मजदूरी दो). At this stage, just focus on the fact that it means the money paid to a worker for a small job. It's different from a 'salary' because it's usually paid right after the work is done, like after a plumber fixes your sink. You will hear this word often in markets or near construction sites in India. Just remember the basic sound: Maj-doo-ree. It is a very important word if you want to get any small tasks done in a Hindi-speaking area. You don't need to know the complex grammar yet, just that it's a noun for labor payment. For example, if you hire someone to carry your luggage at a railway station, the money you give them is 'मज़दूरी'. It is a common, everyday word that everyone knows. Try to say 'मज़दूरी कितनी है?' (How much is the wage?) to practice.

At the A2 level, you should understand that 'मज़दूरी' (Majdūrī) is a feminine noun that refers to wages for manual labor. You should be able to use it with basic adjectives and verbs. For instance, 'आज की मज़दूरी' (today's wage) or 'मज़दूरी करना' (to do manual labor). You should start noticing the difference between this word and 'Vetan' (salary). 'Majduri' is usually for daily or weekly work, often involving physical effort. You might use it when talking about workers in a factory or on a farm. A key phrase at this level is 'न्यूनतम मज़दूरी' (minimum wage), which you might see in simple news headlines. You should also be aware that it comes from the word 'Majdur' (worker). When you use it in a sentence, make sure your verbs agree with its feminine gender. For example, 'मज़दूरी मिल गई' (The wage was received). At this level, you can describe a person's job simply by saying 'वह मज़दूरी करता है' (He does manual labor). This is a very practical word for daily life in India, especially when dealing with services.

At the B1 level, you can use 'मज़दूरी' in more complex social and economic contexts. You should be able to discuss labor issues, such as fair pay and working conditions. You can use the word in sentences that involve cause and effect, like 'महंगाई बढ़ने से मज़दूरी भी बढ़नी चाहिए' (With increasing inflation, wages should also increase). You should also understand the cultural weight of the word—how it represents the struggle of the working class. At this level, you should be comfortable using related terms like 'दिहाड़ी' (daily wage) and comparing them. You might also encounter the word in Hindi literature or movies where characters talk about their 'पसीने की मज़दूरी' (wages of their sweat/hard work), emphasizing the honesty of manual labor. You can use it to talk about employment trends or the migration of workers from villages to cities for 'मज़दूरी'. Your grammar should be more precise, handling postpositions easily: 'मज़दूरी के लिए' (for wages), 'मज़दूरी के बारे में' (about wages). This level requires you to see 'मज़दूरी' not just as a transaction, but as a concept of livelihood.

At the B2 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of 'मज़दूरी' in legal, political, and historical contexts. You can discuss the 'Minimum Wages Act' (न्यूनतम मज़दूरी अधिनियम) and its impact on the economy. You should be able to use the word in formal debates or essays about labor rights, exploitation, and social justice. You can distinguish between 'मज़दूरी' and 'पारिश्रमिक' (remuneration), knowing that the latter is more formal and academic. You should also be able to understand and use idioms or metaphors involving labor. For example, discussing how someone 'मज़दूरी की तरह काम करना' (working like a laborer) implies intense, grueling effort. You can analyze news reports about labor strikes or wage disputes with ease. At this stage, you should also be aware of the Persian roots of the word and how it fits into the larger vocabulary of Hindi-Urdu (Hindustani). You can express complex opinions, such as 'मज़दूरी का निर्धारण बाजार की ताकतों पर निर्भर नहीं होना चाहिए' (The determination of wages should not depend solely on market forces). This level moves beyond daily use into the realm of abstract social analysis.

At the C1 level, your use of 'मज़दूरी' should reflect a deep cultural and linguistic mastery. You can use the word in sophisticated literary analysis, perhaps discussing how the concept of 'मज़दूरी' is portrayed in the works of Munshi Premchand or other socially conscious writers. You should be able to navigate the subtle registers of the word, from the gritty reality of the street to the polished language of a policy document. You can use the word to discuss the 'dignity of labor' (श्रम की गरिमा) and how 'मज़दूरी' relates to social hierarchy in South Asia. You should be able to handle complex grammatical structures involving the word, including passive voice and conditional clauses. You might explore the etymological connection between 'मज़दूरी' and 'मज़द' (remuneration in Old Persian/Avestan). Your speech should be fluid, using the word naturally in discussions about economic theory, such as the 'surplus value of labor' (श्रम का अधिशेष मूल्य). At this level, 'मज़दूरी' is a tool for deep sociological and economic discourse, used with precision and cultural sensitivity.

At the C2 level, you possess a native-like grasp of 'मज़दूरी' and all its connotations. You can use it in highly specialized fields like labor law, economic history, or classical literature. You understand the most obscure idioms and historical references related to the word. You can write persuasive articles or deliver speeches where 'मज़दूरी' is used to evoke powerful emotions or to argue for systemic change. You can effortlessly switch between the colloquial 'मजदूरी' (with a 'j' sound) and the formal 'मज़दूरी' (with a 'z' sound) depending on the audience. You can analyze the evolution of the word from its Persian origins to its modern Hindi usage, including how it has been affected by globalization and the gig economy. You might discuss the 'मज़दूरी' of digital labor or intellectual effort in a metaphorical sense. Your understanding is so complete that you can play with the word's meaning in poetry or creative writing, using it to symbolize the human condition itself—the constant toil of life. At this level, the word is not just a part of your vocabulary; it is a part of your cultural identity in the Hindi language.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

मज़दूरी in 30 Seconds

मज़दूरी refers to wages for manual labor.
It is a feminine noun in Hindi grammar.
It is often paid daily or per specific task.
It is different from 'Vetan' (professional salary).

The Hindi word मज़दूरी (Majdūrī) is a fundamental term in the Indian economic and social landscape. At its core, it refers to the remuneration or payment given to a laborer in exchange for physical or manual work. Unlike the word 'salary' (which is often translated as वेतन - Vetan), मज़दूरी specifically carries the connotation of daily, weekly, or task-based wages. It is derived from the word मज़दूर (Majdūr), meaning 'laborer' or 'worker,' with the suffix '-ī' turning it into an abstract noun representing the act of labor or the compensation for it.

Economic Context: In economic discussions, मज़दूरी is used to describe the cost of labor. For example, when discussing the construction of a house, one might ask about the 'labor costs' involved, using this word. It represents the value of manual effort in the marketplace.
Social Context: Socially, the word is often linked to the working class. It appears frequently in literature and films that depict the struggles of the common man. It evokes a sense of hard, physical toil under the sun, often contrasted with the 'white-collar' office work. It is a word of dignity but also of struggle.
Legal Context: In legal and governmental terminology, you will encounter phrases like 'न्यूनतम मज़दूरी' (Minimum Wage). This is a critical term in labor laws and policy-making in India, ensuring that workers are not exploited and receive a fair baseline payment for their time and effort.

आज के समय में मज़दूरी की दरें बहुत बढ़ गई हैं। (In today's times, the rates of labor wages have increased significantly.)

When using this word, it is important to distinguish between the 'act' of working and the 'payment' for it. While it mostly refers to the payment, the phrase 'मज़दूरी करना' (to do labor) refers to the physical act of working as a laborer. This duality makes it a versatile word. For instance, a farmer might say he is going for मज़दूरी on someone else's field, meaning he is going to perform manual labor for a wage. This usage is extremely common in rural India where seasonal labor is a primary source of income for many families.

मिस्त्री ने अपनी मज़दूरी माँगी। (The mason asked for his labor payment.)

Furthermore, the word has a historical weight. During the industrialization of India, the concept of organized मज़दूरी led to the formation of labor unions. The word is thus central to political rhetoric regarding workers' rights. When you hear a politician speaking about the welfare of the poor, the word मज़दूरी is almost certain to appear as they discuss fair pay and better working conditions. It is not just a financial term; it is a human rights term in the South Asian context.

गरीब किसान अपनी मज़दूरी पर ही निर्भर रहता है। (The poor farmer depends solely on his labor wages.)

In summary, मज़दूरी is the lifeblood of the informal economy in India. It covers everything from the person carrying bricks at a construction site to the seasonal worker in a wheat field. Understanding this word gives you a window into the daily lives of millions of people. It is a word that commands respect for the effort it represents, and it is essential for anyone wanting to navigate the practical realities of life in a Hindi-speaking environment.

Using मज़दूरी correctly requires understanding its grammatical role as a feminine noun. Because it is feminine, any adjectives or verbs associated with it must reflect this gender. For example, you would say 'अच्छी मज़दूरी' (good wage) rather than 'अच्छा मज़दूरी'. This subtle distinction is vital for sounding like a native speaker.

Daily Transactions: When you are hiring someone for a short-term task, you use this word to settle the price. You might say, "इस काम की मज़दूरी क्या होगी?" (What will be the labor charge for this work?). Here, the word acts as a synonym for 'service fee' or 'labor cost'.
Describing Livelihood: To describe how someone earns their living through manual work, you use the verb 'करना' (to do). For example, "वह शहर में मज़दूरी करता है" (He does manual labor in the city). This implies that he works as a daily wage laborer.

हमें समय पर मज़दूरी देनी चाहिए। (We should give the labor payment on time.)

Another common sentence pattern involves the word 'मिलना' (to receive). If a worker is talking about their pay, they might say, "मुझे आज की मज़दूरी मिल गई" (I received today's wage). Notice the feminine agreement in 'मिल गई'. This is a very common way to confirm payment in informal settings.

क्या आपने पेंटर की मज़दूरी तय कर ली है? (Have you fixed the labor payment for the painter?)

In formal reports or news, the word is often paired with 'दर' (rate) to form 'मज़दूरी दर' (wage rate). For example: "सरकार ने मज़दूरी दर में वृद्धि की है" (The government has increased the wage rate). This shows how the word scales from a simple street conversation to high-level economic policy discussions.

बिना मज़दूरी के काम करना शोषण है। (Working without wages is exploitation.)

Finally, consider the emotional weight of the word in sentences like "मेहनत की मज़दूरी" (the wages of hard work). This phrase is often used to emphasize that money earned through honest physical toil is more valuable or respectful than money gained through shortcuts. It reflects a deep-seated cultural value in Indian society regarding the sanctity of manual labor.

If you spend time in India, you will hear मज़दूरी in a variety of vibrant, real-world settings. It is not a word confined to textbooks; it is the language of the street, the farm, and the construction site. Understanding where it pops up will help you recognize it in the wild.

At Construction Sites (Chowks): In many Indian cities, there are 'Labor Chowks' where workers gather every morning. Here, you will hear contractors and workers bargaining over मज़दूरी. A worker might shout, "आज की मज़दूरी क्या दे रहे हो?" (What wage are you giving today?). This is the most raw and frequent use of the word.
In Rural Markets (Mandis): During the harvest season, the word is everywhere. Farmers discuss the मज़दूरी required to harvest wheat or rice. You'll hear it in tea stalls (chai tapris) where laborers discuss which landlord pays better मज़दूरी.

गाँव के लोग शहर जाकर मज़दूरी करते हैं। (Village people go to the city and do manual labor.)

You will also hear it on the news. India has several large-scale social welfare programs, the most famous being MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act). News reports frequently mention the मज़दूरी paid to beneficiaries under this scheme. If the government decides to increase the daily wage by 10 rupees, it becomes a major headline using this exact word.

दिहाड़ी मज़दूरी पर घर चलाना मुश्किल है। (It is difficult to run a household on daily wages.)

In Bollywood movies, particularly those made between the 1950s and 1980s, मज़दूरी was a central theme. Classic films like 'Naya Daur' or 'Coolie' feature protagonists who take pride in their मज़दूरी. The songs often use the word to symbolize the sweat and blood of the working man. Even today, in socially conscious cinema, the word is used to highlight the gap between the rich and the poor.

हड़ताल के कारण मजदूरों को मज़दूरी नहीं मिली। (Workers did not get their wages due to the strike.)

Lastly, you will hear it in domestic settings. If you are getting a room painted or a garden cleared, the person doing the work will likely say, "साहब, मज़दूरी थोड़ी बढ़ा दीजिए" (Sir, please increase the labor charge a bit). It's the standard term for negotiating pay for any manual task in a household.

While मज़दूरी is a common word, learners often trip over its specific usage and gender. Avoiding these common pitfalls will make your Hindi sound much more natural and precise.

Confusing Majdūr and Majdūrī: The most common mistake is using the person (मज़दूर) when you mean the wage (मज़दूरी), or vice-versa. Remember: Majdūr is the worker (noun, person), and Majdūrī is the wage or the work (noun, abstract). You cannot 'pay a worker' by saying 'I gave majdūr'; you say 'I gave majdūrī'.
Gender Agreement Errors: As mentioned before, मज़दूरी is feminine. Learners often use masculine verbs or adjectives because they associate 'labor' with masculine figures. Saying 'मज़दूरी अच्छा है' is incorrect; it must be 'मज़दूरी अच्छी है'.

गलत: उसकी मज़दूरी बहुत कम था। (Wrong: His wage was very low - masculine)
सही: उसकी मज़दूरी बहुत कम थी। (Correct: His wage was very low - feminine)

Another mistake is using मज़दूरी to describe a corporate salary. If you are an IT professional or a manager, you should use 'वेतन' (Vetan) or 'तनख्वाह' (Tankhwāh). Using मज़दूरी for a white-collar job can sound either very humble or slightly sarcastic/odd, as it specifically implies manual, physical labor.

उसने दिन भर मज़दूरी की, फिर घर गया। (He did labor all day, then went home.)

Finally, be careful with the phrase 'मज़दूरी माँगना' (to ask for wages). In some contexts, it can sound demanding. However, for a worker, it is their right. As a learner, if you are paying someone, ensure you use the word respectfully. Saying "आपकी मज़दूरी कितनी हुई?" (How much was your labor charge?) is a polite way to ask for the bill after a manual task is done.

पसीने की मज़दूरी सबसे मीठी होती है। (The wages of sweat [hard work] are the sweetest.)

In summary: Check your gender agreement, don't confuse the worker with the wage, and keep the context to manual labor. Mastering these three points will ensure you use मज़दूरी like a pro.

Hindi has several words for 'payment' or 'earnings,' and knowing the nuances between them will help you choose the right word for the right situation. While मज़दूरी is specific to labor, here are its cousins:

वेतन (Vetan): This means 'Salary'. It is formal and usually refers to a monthly payment for professional or office work. You wouldn't call a CEO's pay मज़दूरी; you would call it वेतन.
तनख्वाह (Tankhwāh): A Persian-origin word for 'Salary.' It is very common in everyday speech and is used interchangeably with वेतन, but it sounds slightly more colloquial and warm.
दिहाड़ी (Dihāṛī): This specifically means 'Daily Wage'. While मज़दूरी can be for any duration of labor, दिहाड़ी is strictly for one day's work. Daily wage workers are often called 'दिहाड़ी मज़दूर'.

सरकारी नौकरी में वेतन अच्छा मिलता है, लेकिन मज़दूरी में अनिश्चितता होती है। (Government jobs give good salary, but in labor wages, there is uncertainty.)

Then there is 'मेहनताना' (Mehnatānā). This is a beautiful word that literally means 'reward for effort.' It is more respectful and can be used for artistic or professional services where you want to emphasize the effort put in rather than just the time. For example, you might pay an artist a मेहनताना for a painting.

उसने अपनी मेहनत का मेहनताना माँगा। (He asked for the reward for his hard work.)

In a legal context, you might also hear 'पारिश्रमिक' (Pārishramik). This is a highly formal Sanskritized word for 'remuneration.' You will see this in contracts or official government documents. It covers all types of work, but it is too formal for daily conversation. If you use पारिश्रमिक at a construction site, people might give you a puzzled look!

न्यूनतम मज़दूरी कानून का पालन करना अनिवार्य है। (It is mandatory to follow the minimum wage law.)

Understanding these distinctions helps you navigate the social hierarchy and etiquette of India. Choosing मज़दूरी for a laborer and वेतन for an office worker shows that you understand the cultural context of employment in the Hindi-speaking world.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The root 'mazd' is related to the Avestan word 'mizda', which is a cognate of the English word 'meed' (meaning reward) and the Greek 'misthos'. So, 'Majduri' and 'Meed' share an ancient ancestral link!

Pronunciation Guide

UK /məd͡z.d̪uː.riː/

US /məz.du.ri/

The stress is slightly on the second syllable 'du'.

Rhymes With

दूरी (Dūrī - Distance) मजबूरी (Majbūrī - Compulsion) पूरी (Pūrī - Complete/Fried Bread) चूरी (Chūrī - Bangle fragment) नूरी (Nūrī - Radiant) सूरी (Sūrī - A surname/musical term) कस्तूरी (Kastūrī - Musk) सिंदूरी (Sindūrī - Vermilion colored)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'z' as 'j' (Majduri instead of Mazduri).
Shortening the final 'i' sound.
Misplacing the dental 'd' with an alveolar 'd' (English 'd').
Ignoring the aspiration (though 'd' here is unaspirated).
Pronouncing the 'u' as a short 'u' instead of 'oo'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to read, common script and sounds.

Writing 3/5

The 'z' sound requires a dot (nuqta) under 'ja' (ज़).

Speaking 2/5

Simple pronunciation, though 'z' vs 'j' is a nuance.

Listening 2/5

Highly frequent in daily life, easy to catch.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

काम पैसा देना मजदूर मेहनत

Learn Next

वेतन तनख्वाह अधिकार कानून हड़ताल

Advanced

पारिश्रमिक शोषण मुद्रास्फीति उत्पादकता अर्थव्यवस्था

Grammar to Know

Feminine Noun Agreement

मज़दूरी अच्छी (F) है, न कि अच्छा (M)।

Compound Verbs with 'Karna'

मज़दूरी करना (To labor).

Postposition 'Ke Liye'

मज़दूरी के लिए (For wages).

Oblique Case

मज़दूरी में (In wages) - no change in spelling.

Ne Rule in Past Tense

उसने मज़दूरी माँगी (She asked for wages) - verb agrees with 'majduri'.

Examples by Level

आज की मज़दूरी क्या है?

What is today's wage?

Simple question with 'kya' (what).

उसकी मज़दूरी दो।

Give his wage.

Imperative sentence using 'do' (give).

मज़दूरी कम है।

The wage is low.

Subject + Adjective + Verb (is).

मुझे मज़दूरी चाहिए।

I want my wage.

Using 'chahiye' for 'want/need'.

यह तुम्हारी मज़दूरी है।

This is your wage.

Demonstrative pronoun 'yeh' (this).

क्या मज़दूरी मिल गई?

Did you get the wage?

Interrogative with 'mil gayi' (received).

मज़दूरी अच्छी है।

The wage is good.

Feminine agreement: 'achhi' (good).

राम मज़दूरी करता है।

Ram does manual labor.

Present simple: 'karta hai'.

वह रोज़ मज़दूरी के लिए शहर जाता है।

He goes to the city every day for labor work.

Use of postposition 'ke liye' (for).

पेंटर ने अपनी मज़दूरी माँगी।

The painter asked for his labor charge.

Past tense with 'ne' and 'maangi'.

यहाँ मज़दूरी की दरें क्या हैं?

What are the wage rates here?

Genitive case 'majduri ki' (of labor).

मज़दूरी समय पर देनी चाहिए।

Wages should be given on time.

Using 'chahiye' for obligation.

बिना मज़दूरी के काम मत करो।

Don't work without wages.

Negative imperative 'mat karo'.

उसकी मज़दूरी बहुत कम थी।

His wage was very low.

Past tense feminine 'thi'.

क्या आपने मज़दूरी तय कर ली?

Did you fix the wage?

Compound verb 'tay kar li'.

वह मज़दूरी करके अपना घर चलाता है।

He runs his house by doing manual labor.

Participle 'karke' (by doing).

महंगाई के कारण मज़दूरी बढ़ानी पड़ी।

The wages had to be increased due to inflation.

Compulsion in past 'badhani padi'.

मज़दूरी के अधिकार के लिए लड़ना ज़रूरी है।

It is necessary to fight for the right to wages.

Infinitive as subject 'ladna'.

गाँव में मज़दूरी कम मिलती है।

Wages are lower in the village.

Adverbial 'kam' (less/low).

उसे अपनी मेहनत की पूरी मज़दूरी नहीं मिली।

He didn't get the full wage for his hard work.

Negative past 'nahi mili'.

मज़दूरी का भुगतान नकद में किया गया।

The payment of wages was made in cash.

Passive construction 'kiya gaya'.

वह अपनी मज़दूरी का हिसाब रख रहा है।

He is keeping an account of his wages.

Present continuous 'rakh raha hai'.

अच्छी मज़दूरी मिलने से जीवन आसान हो जाता है।

Life becomes easy by getting good wages.

Condition 'milne se'.

क्या सरकार ने न्यूनतम मज़दूरी तय की है?

Has the government fixed the minimum wage?

Present perfect 'tay ki hai'.

मज़दूरी में असमानता एक बड़ी सामाजिक समस्या है।

Inequality in wages is a big social problem.

Abstract noun usage.

श्रमिक संघ मज़दूरी बढ़ाने की माँग कर रहे हैं।

Labor unions are demanding a wage hike.

Compound subject 'shramik sangh'.

मज़दूरी का निर्धारण कार्य की प्रकृति पर निर्भर करता है।

The determination of wages depends on the nature of the work.

Formal verb 'nirbhar karta hai'.

बिना किसी कटौती के मज़दूरी मिलनी चाहिए।

Wages should be received without any deduction.

Postpositional phrase 'bina kisi'.

मज़दूरी की दरों में क्षेत्रीय भिन्नता पाई जाती है।

Regional variations are found in wage rates.

Passive voice 'payi jati hai'.

उसने अपनी मज़दूरी का बड़ा हिस्सा घर भेज दिया।

He sent a large part of his wages home.

Compound verb 'bhej diya'.

शोषण के विरुद्ध मज़दूरी कानून का सहारा लें।

Take the help of labor laws against exploitation.

Imperative 'sahara lein'.

मज़दूरी केवल पैसा नहीं, सम्मान भी है।

Wages are not just money, but also respect.

Correlative 'keval... bhi'.

मज़दूरी और उत्पादकता के बीच गहरा संबंध है।

There is a deep connection between wages and productivity.

Formal conjunction 'aur'.

न्यूनतम मज़दूरी के अभाव में गरीबी उन्मूलन असंभव है।

In the absence of minimum wage, poverty eradication is impossible.

Formal postposition 'ke abhav mein'.

मज़दूरी का न्यायसंगत वितरण समाज के लिए आवश्यक है।

Just distribution of wages is necessary for society.

Sanskritized vocabulary 'nyayasangat'.

औद्योगिकीकरण ने मज़दूरी के ढांचे को बदल दिया है।

Industrialization has changed the structure of wages.

Present perfect 'badal diya hai'.

मज़दूरी के लिए होने वाले संघर्ष का इतिहास लंबा है।

The history of the struggle for wages is long.

Complex noun phrase.

क्या मज़दूरी की वृद्धि मुद्रास्फीति के अनुरूप है?

Is the increase in wages in line with inflation?

Formal comparison 'ke anurup'.

मज़दूरी के माध्यम से ही श्रमिक की क्रय शक्ति बढ़ती है।

It is only through wages that a worker's purchasing power increases.

Emphatic 'hi' and 'ke madhyam se'.

मज़दूरी का मुद्दा अक्सर राजनीतिक रूप ले लेता है।

The issue of wages often takes a political form.

Idiomatic 'roop le leta hai'.

मज़दूरी के दार्शनिक पहलुओं पर विचार करना अनिवार्य है।

It is mandatory to consider the philosophical aspects of labor wages.

Highly formal 'anivarya' (mandatory).

पूंजीवाद में मज़दूरी का मूल्य श्रम के शोषण पर आधारित हो सकता है।

In capitalism, the value of wages can be based on the exploitation of labor.

Conditional/Modal 'ho sakta hai'.

मज़दूरी की दरों का वैश्विक अर्थव्यवस्था पर व्यापक प्रभाव पड़ता है।

Wage rates have a widespread impact on the global economy.

Formal verb 'prabhav padta hai'.

श्रमिकों के आत्मसम्मान को मज़दूरी की राशि से नहीं मापा जा सकता।

A worker's self-respect cannot be measured by the amount of wages.

Passive modal 'nahi mapa ja sakta'.

मज़दूरी के ऐतिहासिक विकास ने आधुनिक श्रम कानूनों की नींव रखी।

The historical development of wages laid the foundation for modern labor laws.

Metaphorical 'neev rakhi'.

मज़दूरी का समाजशास्त्रीय अध्ययन वर्ग संघर्ष को उजागर करता है।

The sociological study of wages highlights class struggle.

Academic 'ujagar karta hai'.

डिजिटल युग में मज़दूरी की परिभाषा निरंतर बदल रही है।

In the digital age, the definition of wages is constantly changing.

Continuous 'badal rahi hai'.

मज़दूरी के प्रति समाज का दृष्टिकोण संवेदनशीलता की माँग करता है।

Society's attitude towards labor wages demands sensitivity.

Abstract subject 'drishtikon'.

Common Collocations

न्यूनतम मज़दूरी

मज़दूरी करना

मज़दूरी देना

मज़दूरी माँगना

मज़दूरी दर

मज़दूरी का हिसाब

पसीने की मज़दूरी

मज़दूरी मिलना

मज़दूरी बढ़ाना

मज़दूरी तय करना

Common Phrases

अपनी मज़दूरी लो

— Take your wages. Used when finishing a transaction.

काम खत्म हुआ, अपनी मज़दूरी लो।

मज़दूरी कितनी हुई?

— How much is the labor charge? Used to ask for the bill.

मिस्त्री जी, मज़दूरी कितनी हुई?

मज़दूरी पर रखना

— To hire someone on wages.

उसने दो आदमियों को मज़दूरी पर रखा।

मज़दूरी से पेट पालना

— To earn a livelihood through manual labor.

वह मज़दूरी से अपना पेट पालता है।

मज़दूरी मारना

— To cheat someone of their wages. (Colloquial)

किसी गरीब की मज़दूरी मत मारो।

आज की मज़दूरी

— Today's wage.

आज की मज़दूरी लेकर घर जाओ।

पूरी मज़दूरी

— Full wages.

उसे उसकी पूरी मज़दूरी मिलनी चाहिए।

मज़दूरी और भत्ता

— Wages and allowance.

उसे मज़दूरी और भत्ता दोनों मिलते हैं।

मेहनत-मज़दूरी

— Hard work and labor. (Compound phrase)

मेहनत-मज़दूरी करके उसने बच्चों को पढ़ाया।

मज़दूरी की किल्लत

— Shortage of labor/wages.

खेती के लिए मज़दूरी की किल्लत है।

Often Confused With

मज़दूरी vs मज़दूर

The person (worker) vs the wage (majduri).

मज़दूरी vs मजबूरी

Means 'compulsion' or 'helplessness'. Sounds similar but very different meaning.

मज़दूरी vs दूरी

Means 'distance'. Only shares the ending sound.

Idioms & Expressions

"पसीने की कमाई"

— Hard-earned money (often used for majduri).

यह मेरे पसीने की कमाई है, इसे बर्बाद मत करो।

Common

"मज़दूरी का हक"

— Right to wages; implies that labor must be paid.

हर इंसान को अपनी मज़दूरी का हक मिलना चाहिए।

Social/Political

"हाथ की सफ़ाई"

— Skill of the hand (often leads to higher majduri).

इस मिस्त्री के हाथ की सफ़ाई के लिए ज़्यादा मज़दूरी देनी पड़ती है।

Colloquial

"पेट का सवाल"

— A matter of survival (why people do majduri).

सब पेट का सवाल है, इसलिए मज़दूरी करनी पड़ती है।

Informal

"खून-पसीना एक करना"

— To work extremely hard.

उसने मज़दूरी में खून-पसीना एक कर दिया।

Literary/Dramatic

"मिट्टी में मिलना"

— To work in the soil/hard labor (sometimes used for majduri).

किसान दिन भर मिट्टी में मिलकर मज़दूरी करता है।

Poetic

"दो जून की रोटी"

— Two meals a day (the goal of earning majduri).

मज़दूरी करके वह दो जून की रोटी कमाता है।

Common

"कंधे से कंधा मिलाना"

— To work together (often in labor context).

मजदूरों ने कंधे से कंधा मिलाकर काम किया।

Formal/Inspirational

"मज़दूरी का फल"

— The fruit/result of labor.

आज उसे अपनी मज़दूरी का फल मिल गया।

Philosophical

"जी तोड़ मेहनत"

— Back-breaking hard work.

उसने घर बनाने में जी तोड़ मेहनत की।

Common

Easily Confused

मज़दूरी vs मजबूरी (Majbūrī)

Phonetically similar.

Majbūrī means helplessness/compulsion; Majdūrī means labor wages.

यह मेरी मजबूरी है कि मुझे मज़दूरी करनी पड़ती है। (It is my helplessness that I have to do labor.)

मज़दूरी vs वेतन (Vetan)

Both mean payment for work.

Vetan is for professional/monthly jobs; Majduri is for manual/daily labor.

ऑफिस में वेतन मिलता है, खेत में मज़दूरी।

मज़दूरी vs मेहनत (Mehnat)

Related concepts.

Mehnat is 'hard work' (the effort); Majduri is the 'wage' (the result/payment).

मेहनत करोगे तो मज़दूरी मिलेगी।

मज़दूरी vs काम (Kaam)

Often used together.

Kaam is 'work' (the task); Majduri is the 'pay' for that task.

काम खत्म, अब मज़दूरी दो।

मज़दूरी vs दिहाड़ी (Dihari)

Both refer to labor pay.

Dihari is specifically 'daily' pay; Majduri is a broader term for labor wages.

उसे 500 रुपये दिहाड़ी मज़दूरी मिलती है।

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] [Majduri] [Verb]

यह मेरी मज़दूरी है।

[Subject] [Majduri] [Karta Hai]

वह मज़दूरी करता है।

[Reason] [Majduri] [Verb-Padi]

काम की वजह से मज़दूरी देनी पड़ी।

[Concept] [Ke Liye] [Verb]

मज़दूरी के लिए संघर्ष करना।

[Abstract Subject] [Majduri] [Verb-Complex]

मज़दूरी का निर्धारण कठिन कार्य है।

[Metaphorical Pattern]

जीवन की मज़दूरी चुकाना।

[Interrogative] [Majduri] [Verb]

कितनी मज़दूरी हुई?

[Negative] [Majduri] [Verb]

उसे मज़दूरी नहीं मिली।

Word Family

Nouns

मज़दूर (Worker)

मज़दूरी (Wage/Labor)

मज़दूरी-दर (Wage rate)

Verbs

मज़दूरी करना (To do labor)

Adjectives

मज़दूर-वर्ग (Working class)

मेहनत

श्रम

दिहाड़ी

काम

रोजी

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily conversation and news.

Common Mistakes

मज़दूरी अच्छा है। → मज़दूरी अच्छी है।
Majduri is feminine, so the adjective must be 'achhi'.
मैंने मज़दूर दिया। → मैंने मज़दूरी दी।
You give the wage (majduri), not the person (majdur).
मेरा मज़दूरी कहाँ है? → मेरी मज़दूरी कहाँ है?
Possessive pronoun must be feminine 'meri'.
वह मज़दूरी है। → वह मज़दूर है।
If you are describing a person, use 'Majdur'.
उसने मज़दूरी किया। → उसने मज़दूरी की।
The verb 'karna' in past tense must agree with the feminine 'majduri'.

Tips

Gender Check

Always remember 'मज़दूरी' is feminine. Use 'थी', 'है', 'मिलेगी' accordingly.

Respect Labor

In India, paying wages promptly is highly valued. Use the word respectfully.

Persian Root

Knowing it comes from Persian 'Mazdur' helps you remember other related words.

The Nuqta

Try to pronounce the 'z' correctly to sound more like a native speaker.

Daily Rates

Wages vary by city. Ask 'यहाँ मज़दूरी क्या है?' to know local rates.

Compound Phrases

Use 'मेहनत-मज़दूरी' to add a more natural flavor to your writing.

Listen for 'J'

Don't be confused if some people say 'Majduri' with a J; it's a common dialectal variation.

White Collar vs Blue Collar

Keep 'Majduri' for blue-collar tasks to avoid awkward social situations.

Task vs Time

'Majduri' can be for a whole project or just a day's work.

Practice Daily

Identify one 'Majduri' situation every day to reinforce the word.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Mason' (Maj-) who 'Does' (-du-) 'Real' (-ri) work for pay. Maj-du-ri.

Visual Association

Imagine a worker at a construction site receiving a stack of coins at sunset. The coins represent 'Majduri'.

Word Web

Money Worker Sweat Daily Construction Farm Payment Effort

Challenge

Try to use 'मज़दूरी' three times today: once when talking about a plumber, once about a construction worker, and once about a gardener.

Word Origin

The word is derived from the Persian word 'Mazdūr' (مزدور), which means a worker or laborer. The Persian root 'mazd' (مزد) means reward, pay, or price. It entered Hindi through the long period of Persian linguistic influence in North India (Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire).

Original meaning: Reward or payment for work.

Indo-Iranian (via Persian influence on Indo-Aryan Hindi).

Cultural Context

Always use the word with respect. While 'Majdur' is a proud identity for many, avoid using it in a way that demeans physical labor.

In English, we often use 'wages' or 'labor charge'. 'Majduri' is less formal than 'remuneration'.

The film 'Naya Daur' (1957) highlights the struggle for fair labor. The MGNREGA scheme is the world's largest 'Majduri' guarantee program. Premchand's story 'Kafan' depicts the grim reality of those living on daily wages.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Construction Site

मज़दूरी क्या है?
सीमेंट उठाओ
दीवार बनाओ
हिसाब करो

Home Repair

पेंट की मज़दूरी
नल ठीक करो
पैसे लो
कल आना

Farming

फसल काटना
खेत में काम
दिहाड़ी
अनाज

Market/Railway Station

कुली
सामान उठाना
कितने पैसे?
मज़दूरी ज़्यादा है

News/Politics

न्यूनतम मज़दूरी
गरीबी
हक
बढ़ोतरी

Conversation Starters

"क्या आपको लगता है कि शहर में मज़दूरी ज़्यादा है?"

"आपके यहाँ मज़दूरी की दर क्या चल रही है?"

"क्या मज़दूरों को समय पर मज़दूरी मिलती है?"

"न्यूनतम मज़दूरी के बारे में आपका क्या विचार है?"

"क्या आपने कभी किसी काम के लिए मज़दूरी दी है?"

Journal Prompts

आज मैंने एक मज़दूर को काम करते देखा, उसकी मज़दूरी के बारे में सोचें।

क्या मज़दूरी केवल शारीरिक श्रम के लिए होनी चाहिए? अपने विचार लिखें।

अगर आप एक दिन मज़दूरी करें, तो आपको कैसा लगेगा?

आपके देश में मज़दूरी के नियम क्या हैं?

मेहनत और मज़दूरी के संबंध पर एक छोटा लेख लिखें।

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is feminine. You say 'achhi majduri' and 'majduri mili'.

No, it's better to use 'Vetan' or 'Tankhwah'. 'Majduri' is for manual labor.

It means 'Minimum Wage'. It's a legal term for the lowest pay allowed.

You can say: 'Aapki majduri kitni hui?'

'Majdur' is the person (laborer), 'Majduri' is the money (wage).

Yes, it is one of the most common words in India for daily transactions.

It means to work as a manual laborer.

Like the 'z' in 'zebra' or 'zoo'.

Yes, sometimes it refers to the act of laboring, as in 'Majduri par jaana' (going for labor work).

'Mehnatana' is a more respectful alternative.