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नाली

A2 noun #4,500 most common 11 min read

नाली

naali Top 4,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips नाली in 30 Seconds

Explanation नाली in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'नाली' (Nali) is a simple noun you learn to identify basic household and street objects. It means 'drain'. You might use it in very short sentences like 'नाली साफ़ है' (The drain is clean) or 'नाली गंदी है' (The drain is dirty). At this stage, you only need to know that it is a feminine word and it is where water goes. You will see it in pictures of a street or a bathroom. It is a concrete noun, meaning it refers to something you can see and touch. Focus on the basic 'Nali' sound and its connection to water and cleaning. Don't worry about complex grammar yet; just remember 'Nali' = 'Drain'.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'नाली' in more practical, everyday contexts. You should be able to describe simple problems, like 'नाली जाम है' (The drain is blocked) or 'नाली से बदबू आ रही है' (A smell is coming from the drain). You will learn that it is a feminine noun, so you use 'बड़ी' (badi) instead of 'बड़ा' (bada). You might also encounter it in the plural form 'नालियाँ' (Naliyan) when talking about your neighborhood. This level focuses on survival Hindi, so knowing how to tell a landlord or a cleaner about a 'Nali' issue is a key skill. You also start to see it used with simple postpositions like 'में' (in) – 'नाली में कचरा है' (There is trash in the drain).

At the B1 level, you can discuss 'नाली' in the context of routines and local issues. You might talk about the 'नगर निगम' (Municipal Corporation) cleaning the 'नालियाँ' before the monsoon. You understand the difference between 'नाली' (small drain) and 'नाला' (large sewer). You can use more complex verbs like 'मरम्मत करना' (to repair) or 'ढकना' (to cover). For example, 'हमें खुली नालियों को ढकना चाहिए' (We should cover open drains). You also begin to understand how the word is used in common instructions or warnings. Your grammar becomes more accurate, correctly using 'नालियों' in the oblique plural case.

At the B2 level, you can use 'नाली' in broader discussions about sanitation, urban planning, and the environment. You might participate in a debate about 'जल-निकास' (drainage systems) and use 'नाली' to refer to the specific street-level infrastructure. You understand more technical collocations like 'नाली का ढलान' (drainage slope) or 'निकास प्रणाली' (exit system). You can also grasp the metaphorical use of the word, such as 'पैसे नाली में बहाना' (to throw money down the drain/waste money). You are comfortable using the word in various registers, from talking to a worker to writing a letter of complaint to a local official about blocked drains causing diseases like malaria.

At the C1 level, you have a nuanced understanding of 'नाली' and its synonyms. You can use it in academic or professional contexts, such as discussing 'सतही जल निकासी' (surface water drainage). You recognize the word in literature or high-level journalism where it might be used to symbolize urban decay or social neglect. You are proficient in the etymology of the word, linking it to its Sanskrit roots. You can switch between 'नाली', 'जल-मार्ग', and 'अपवाहिका' depending on the required level of formality. Your use of the word is grammatically perfect, and you can use it in complex idiomatic expressions with ease, understanding the cultural weight it carries in South Asian urban discourse.

At the C2 level, you master the word 'नाली' in all its literal, technical, and metaphorical glory. You can appreciate its use in poetry or philosophical prose where a 'Nali' might represent the lowest point of human existence or a necessary conduit for purification. You understand the historical evolution of drainage systems from the Indus Valley Civilization to modern times and can discuss this using the word 'Nali'. You can use the word to describe intricate biological structures or complex engineering channels without hesitation. Your command is such that you can play with the word's connotations, using it to create irony or deep social commentary in your writing or speech.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

नाली in 30 Seconds

Nali means a drain or gutter for wastewater.
It is a feminine noun in Hindi grammar.
Commonly used in household and urban sanitation contexts.
Smaller than a 'Nala' (large sewer) but larger than a 'Nal' (tap).

The Hindi word नाली (Nali) primarily refers to a channel, drain, or gutter designed to carry away wastewater, rainwater, or sewage. In the context of everyday Indian life, it is a word you will encounter frequently, especially in urban planning, household maintenance, and discussions about public hygiene. While its most literal translation is 'drain' or 'gutter,' its usage spans from the small grooves in a kitchen to the open drainage systems found along the streets of many South Asian cities. Understanding this word is crucial for navigating daily chores, interacting with municipal workers, or simply describing the infrastructure of a neighborhood.

Literal Meaning: A narrow conduit or pipe used for the drainage of fluids.
Household Context: Refers to the drain in the bathroom, kitchen sink, or the courtyard that leads water out of the house.
Urban Context: Refers to the roadside gutters that manage storm water and domestic runoff.

बारिश के कारण सड़क की नाली भर गई है। (Due to the rain, the roadside drain is full.)

Beyond the physical structure, 'Nali' can also refer to any narrow groove or channel in a more abstract or technical sense. For instance, in anatomy, it might be used to describe certain ducts, or in carpentry, to describe a carved-out channel in wood. However, its most common usage remains rooted in sanitation and water management. When a drain is blocked, you will hear the phrase 'नाली जाम है' (Nali jaam hai), a common grievance during the monsoon season in India. The word carries a neutral to slightly negative connotation depending on the cleanliness of the drain in question.

रसोई की नाली साफ़ करना ज़रूरी है। (It is important to clean the kitchen drain.)

In rural areas, 'Nali' might refer to the small irrigation channels that distribute water from a main source to different parts of a field. Here, the word takes on a more positive, life-giving association as it represents the flow of water to crops. Whether in the city or the countryside, the 'Nali' is a fundamental component of human settlement and resource management. Linguistically, it is a feminine noun, which influences the adjectives and verbs associated with it. For example, you would say 'बड़ी नाली' (Badi Nali - Big drain) using the feminine ending 'ee' on the adjective 'Bada'.

खेतों में पानी के लिए छोटी नालियाँ बनाई गई हैं। (Small channels have been made for water in the fields.)

Metaphorical Use: Sometimes used to describe something being wasted or 'going down the drain' (नाली में जाना).

उसकी सारी मेहनत नाली में चली गई। (All his hard work went down the drain.)

In summary, 'Nali' is an essential noun for describing the movement of water and waste. Its correct usage requires an understanding of its feminine gender and its distinction from larger waterways. Whether you are dealing with a plumber, talking to a neighbor about the rain, or reading about urban development, 'Nali' is the word you need to describe the veins of a city's sanitation system.

Using 'नाली' (Nali) correctly involves understanding its grammatical properties as a feminine noun and its typical collocations. In Hindi, the gender of the noun dictates the form of the surrounding adjectives and verbs. Since 'नाली' ends in 'ee', it follows the pattern of many feminine nouns, taking 'i' or 'ee' endings for modifiers. For example, 'the drain is dirty' becomes 'नाली गंदी है' (Nali gandi hai), where 'gandi' is the feminine form of 'ganda' (dirty).

Subject Position: नाली बंद है। (The drain is closed/clogged.) - Here, 'Nali' is the subject performing no action but being described.
Object Position: नगर निगम के कर्मचारी नाली साफ़ कर रहे हैं। (The municipal workers are cleaning the drain.) - Here, 'Nali' is the object of the verb 'saaf karna'.

क्या आपने नाली की मरम्मत की? (Did you repair the drain?)

When pluralizing 'Nali', it becomes 'नालियाँ' (Naliyan). This change is standard for feminine nouns ending in 'ee'. For example, 'The drains are overflowing' would be 'नालियाँ उफन रही हैं' (Naliyan ufan rahi hain). Notice how the verb 'rahi hain' also reflects the feminine plural subject. In the oblique case (when followed by a postposition like 'mein', 'se', or 'ko'), the singular remains 'नाली' but the plural becomes 'नालियों' (Naliyon). Example: 'नालियों में कचरा मत डालो' (Naliyon mein kachra mat dalo - Do not throw trash in the drains).

इन नालियों से बदबू आ रही है। (A bad smell is coming from these drains.)

Common verbs used with 'Nali' include 'साफ़ करना' (to clean), 'खोदना' (to dig), 'जाम होना' (to be clogged), and 'बहना' (to flow). If you are asking a plumber to look at a drain, you might say, 'भैया, बाथरूम की नाली देख लीजिए' (Brother, please look at the bathroom drain). If you are warning someone about an open drain on the street, you might say, 'सावधान, आगे नाली खुली है' (Be careful, the drain ahead is open).

मजदूर सड़क के किनारे नई नाली बना रहे हैं। (The laborers are making a new drain along the road.)

Compound Usage: नाली-नल (Drains and taps/pipes) is sometimes used to refer to plumbing systems in general.

बरसात से पहले नाली की सफाई ज़रूरी है। (Cleaning the drain before the rain is necessary.)

Mastering 'नाली' involves practicing these feminine agreements and becoming comfortable with the plural 'नालियाँ'. It is a practical word that reflects the infrastructure of daily life, and using it correctly will help you communicate effectively about maintenance, hygiene, and urban surroundings.

The word 'नाली' (Nali) is a staple of the Indian urban and rural soundscape. You will hear it in various settings, ranging from heated community meetings to casual household conversations. Perhaps the most frequent place you will hear it is during the monsoon season. News reports on television often use the word when discussing urban flooding, stating that 'नालियाँ कचरे से भरी हुई हैं' (the drains are filled with trash), leading to waterlogging on the streets.

Neighborhood Disputes: Neighbors often argue about whose responsibility it is to clean a shared drain or complain about a neighbor throwing garbage into the 'Nali'.
Municipal Announcements: Local government vehicles (Nagarpalika) use loudspeakers to remind citizens not to block drains to prevent mosquito breeding.

टीवी पर खबर आई कि शहर की नालियाँ जाम हैं। (The news on TV said that the city's drains are clogged.)

In the construction industry, architects, engineers, and laborers use 'Nali' constantly. You will hear them discussing the 'Nali ka dhalan' (the slope of the drain) to ensure water flows correctly. On a construction site, a supervisor might shout, 'नाली सही से बनाओ!' (Make the drain properly!). Similarly, when calling a plumber (Plumber-waala), the word is indispensable. You might explain, 'सिंक की नाली से पानी नहीं जा रहा' (Water is not going through the sink drain).

प्लम्बर ने कहा कि नाली में कुछ फँसा है। (The plumber said something is stuck in the drain.)

In rural India, the word is heard in the context of farming. Farmers discuss the 'Nali' that brings water from the tube well to their wheat or rice fields. You might hear a farmer say, 'नाली टूट गई है, पानी बह रहा है' (The channel has broken, water is leaking out). This usage is vital for agricultural coordination and survival. Additionally, in literature or films depicting gritty realism or poverty, 'Nali' is often mentioned to describe the living conditions in slums or neglected areas, emphasizing the presence of open sewage.

गाँव में सिंचाई के लिए नई नाली खोदी गई। (A new channel was dug for irrigation in the village.)

Environmental Discussions: Activists talk about 'Nali' when discussing how plastic waste enters the oceans through city drains.

बच्चे नाली के पास खेल रहे थे। (The children were playing near the drain.)

In all these contexts, 'Nali' is a word that anchors the speaker in the physical reality of their environment. Whether it's a matter of hygiene, engineering, or agriculture, the 'Nali' is a constant presence in the conversation of the subcontinent.

One of the most common mistakes learners make with the word 'नाली' (Nali) is confusing it with its masculine counterpart 'नाला' (Nala). While both refer to drainage, the scale is vastly different. A 'Nali' is a small drain, like the one in your bathroom or a narrow gutter on a small street. A 'Nala' is a large, often open, canal-like sewer or a natural stream. Using 'Nala' for a kitchen sink drain would sound quite absurd to a native speaker.

Gender Agreement Errors: Mistake: 'नाली गंदा है' (Nali ganda hai). Correct: 'नाली गंदी है' (Nali gandi hai). Because Nali is feminine, the adjective must end in 'ee'.
Pronunciation Confusion: Confusing 'Nali' (नाली) with 'Nali' (नली - tube/pipe). While related, 'Nali' (short 'a') usually refers to medical tubes or gun barrels, whereas 'Naali' (long 'aa') is the drain.

गलत: सड़क पर बड़ा नाली है। (Wrong: There is a big drain on the road - uses masculine 'bada'.)

Another mistake involves the plural form. Learners sometimes say 'नालीयाँ' with a long 'ee' sound kept intact, but in standard Hindi writing and speech, the long 'ee' (ी) of 'Nali' shortens to 'i' (ि) when the plural suffix '-yaan' is added, resulting in 'नालियाँ' (Naliyan). This is a subtle phonetic shift that marks a more advanced speaker. Furthermore, using 'Nali' to describe a water tap is a mistake; the word for tap is 'Nal' (नल), which is masculine.

सही: सड़क पर बड़ी नाली है। (Correct: There is a big drain on the road - uses feminine 'badi'.)

Contextual mistakes also occur when learners use 'Nali' for a river or a stream. A river is 'Nadi' (नदी). While 'Nali' and 'Nadi' sound similar, calling the Ganges a 'Nali' would be a significant error and potentially offensive. 'Nali' is strictly for man-made or very small natural channels used for drainage. Lastly, avoid using 'Nali' in very formal literary contexts where a word like 'Jal-Nikas' (water exit/drainage) might be more appropriate for a technical report.

गलत: इस नाली में मछलियाँ हैं। (Wrong: There are fish in this drain - unless it's a very unusual drain! Usually, you mean 'Nadi' or river.)

Oblique Case Error: Mistake: 'नालियाँ में' (Naliyan mein). Correct: 'नालियों में' (Naliyon mein). Plural nouns change their ending before postpositions.

सावधान: नाली और 'नल' में अंतर समझें। (Caution: Understand the difference between 'drain' and 'tap'.)

By paying attention to these gender rules and scale distinctions, you can avoid the most common pitfalls and sound much more like a native speaker when discussing household or urban issues.

While 'नाली' (Nali) is the most common word for a drain, several other words can be used depending on the size, purpose, and formality of the situation. Understanding these alternatives will help you choose the right word for the right context, whether you are talking to a plumber or writing a formal complaint to the city council.

नाला (Nala): A large sewer or a natural stream. Use this for the massive conduits that run through a city or the streams that form during heavy rains.
मोहरी (Mohri): A more traditional or regional word for a small drain opening, often used in older houses to refer to the hole where water exits a room.
जल-निकास (Jal-Nikas): Literally 'water exit'. This is a formal, Sanskritized term used in engineering, urban planning, and official documents.

शहर का नाला उफान पर है। (The city's large sewer is overflowing.)

In a medical context, 'नली' (Nali - with a short 'a') is used to mean a tube or a duct. For example, 'Swaas-nali' (श्वसनली) means the windpipe or trachea. It is important to distinguish this from 'Naali' (नाली - with a long 'aa') which is our word for drain. Another related word is 'नहर' (Nahar), which means a canal used for large-scale irrigation or transport. While a 'Nali' might be a small channel in a field, a 'Nahar' is a major waterway built by the government.

डॉक्टर ने मरीज की श्वास नली की जाँच की। (The doctor checked the patient's windpipe.)

If you want to sound more technical, you can use 'अपवाह' (Apvah), which means drainage or runoff in a geographical sense. However, in common speech, 'Nali' remains the king. For a blocked drain, you might also hear 'गटर' (Gutter), which is a direct loanword from English and is widely understood in urban areas. Using 'Gutter' often implies a more modern, underground pipe system compared to the more general 'Nali'.

सरकारी रिपोर्ट में जल-निकास व्यवस्था की आलोचना की गई। (The government report criticized the water drainage system.)

खाँचा (Khancha): A groove or slot, often used in carpentry or mechanics where 'Nali' might also be used to describe a channel.

लकड़ी में एक नाली बनाई गई है। (A groove has been made in the wood.)

Choosing the right synonym adds precision to your Hindi. While 'Nali' will get you through most situations, knowing 'Nala', 'Jal-Nikas', and 'Nali' (tube) will make you a more versatile communicator.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient Sanskrit literature, 'Nala' was also the name of a famous king, but in the context of objects, it always signified something hollow. The transition from 'hollow reed' to 'drain' reflects the historical use of reeds and pipes for water transport.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈnɑː.li/

US /ˈnɑ.li/

The stress is slightly on the first syllable 'Naa'.

Rhymes With

गाली (Gaali - Abuse) जाली (Jaali - Net/Fake) काली (Kaali - Black) थाली (Thaali - Plate) माली (Maali - Gardener) लाली (Laali - Redness) बाली (Baali - Earring) खाली (Khaali - Empty)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'Nalli' (double 'l'), which sounds like 'bone marrow' or 'pipe'.
Making the first 'a' short, sounding like 'Nully'.
Ending with a short 'i' instead of a long 'ee'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The word is easy to read but requires distinguishing between 'Nali' and 'Nali' (tube).

Writing 3/5

Pluralization rules (Nali -> Naliyan) can be tricky for beginners.

Speaking 2/5

Simple pronunciation, though dental 'n' and 'l' need care.

Listening 2/5

Very common word, easy to pick up in context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

पानी (Water) साफ़ (Clean) गंदा (Dirty) सड़क (Road) घर (House)

Learn Next

नाला (Large sewer) कचरा (Garbage) प्लम्बर (Plumber) बीमारी (Disease) सफाई (Cleaning)

Advanced

जल-निकास (Drainage system) अपशिष्ट (Waste) प्रदूषण (Pollution) नियोजन (Planning) संरचना (Structure)

Grammar to Know

Feminine nouns ending in 'ee' change to 'iyan' in plural.

नाली (Nali) -> नालियाँ (Naliyan)

Adjectives must match the feminine gender of 'Nali'.

गंदी नाली (Gandi Nali), not गंदा नाली.

In the oblique plural, 'iyan' changes to 'iyon'.

नालियों में (Naliyon mein)

Verbs in the past tense with 'ne' agree with the object if it is 'Nali'.

उसने नाली साफ़ की (Usne nali saaf ki).

Possessive pronouns must be feminine.

उसकी नाली (Uski nali)

Examples by Level

यह नाली है।

This is a drain.

Simple 'This is' structure with a feminine noun.

नाली साफ़ करो।

Clean the drain.

Imperative sentence using the base form of the verb.

नाली छोटी है।

The drain is small.

Feminine adjective 'chhoti' matches 'Nali'.

पानी नाली में है।

The water is in the drain.

Use of the postposition 'mein' (in).

नाली कहाँ है?

Where is the drain?

Basic interrogative sentence.

वह नाली गंदी है।

That drain is dirty.

Feminine adjective 'gandi' matches 'Nali'.

नाली में कचरा है।

There is trash in the drain.

Subject-Locative-Object structure.

मेरी नाली साफ़ है।

My drain is clean.

Feminine possessive 'meri' matches 'Nali'.

बाथरूम की नाली जाम हो गई है।

The bathroom drain has become clogged.

Present perfect tense with feminine subject.

क्या आप नाली साफ़ कर सकते हैं?

Can you clean the drain?

Use of 'sakna' (can) for ability/request.

सड़क की नालियाँ खुली हैं।

The roadside drains are open.

Plural feminine 'Naliyan' with plural verb 'hain'.

नाली से बहुत बदबू आ रही है।

A lot of bad smell is coming from the drain.

Present continuous tense 'aa rahi hai'.

बच्चे नाली के पास मत खेलो।

Children, don't play near the drain.

Negative imperative 'mat' with postposition 'ke paas'.

उसने नाली में पानी डाला।

He/She poured water into the drain.

Past tense with 'ne' construction.

यह नाली बहुत पुरानी है।

This drain is very old.

Feminine adjective 'purani' matches 'Nali'.

नाली की मरम्मत करनी होगी।

The drain will have to be repaired.

Future obligation 'karni hogi' (feminine).

नगर निगम को नालियों की सफाई करनी चाहिए।

The municipal corporation should clean the drains.

Use of 'chahiye' (should) with oblique plural 'naliyon'.

बारिश के पानी के लिए एक नई नाली बनाई गई है।

A new drain has been made for rainwater.

Passive construction 'banayi gayi hai'.

नाली रुकने से सड़क पर पानी भर गया।

Due to the drain stopping, water filled the road.

Gerund 'rukne se' (due to stopping).

हमें नालियों में प्लास्टिक नहीं फेंकना चाहिए।

We should not throw plastic in the drains.

Obligation with plural oblique 'naliyon'.

रसोई की नाली से धीरे-धीरे पानी जा रहा है।

Water is going slowly from the kitchen drain.

Adverb 'dhire-dhire' (slowly).

मिस्त्री नाली का ढलान ठीक कर रहा है।

The mason is fixing the slope of the drain.

Present continuous tense.

खुली नालियों की वजह से मच्छर पैदा होते हैं।

Mosquitoes are born because of open drains.

Causal phrase 'ki vajah se'.

पुरानी नालियों को बदलकर पाइप लगाए जा रहे हैं।

Old drains are being replaced with pipes.

Conjunctive participle 'badalkar' (having changed).

शहर की जल-निकास प्रणाली में नालियों की भूमिका महत्वपूर्ण है।

The role of drains is important in the city's drainage system.

Formal vocabulary like 'pranali' and 'bhumika'.

भारी वर्षा के दौरान नालियाँ उफनने लगती हैं।

During heavy rain, the drains start overflowing.

Inceptive compound verb 'ufanne lagti hain'.

सरकार ने नालियों के सौंदर्यीकरण का प्रोजेक्ट शुरू किया है।

The government has started a project for the beautification of drains.

Compound noun 'saundaryikaran' (beautification).

औद्योगिक कचरा नालियों के माध्यम से नदियों में मिल जाता है।

Industrial waste meets the rivers through the drains.

Postpositional phrase 'ke madhyam se' (through).

नालियों की नियमित सफाई न होने से बीमारियाँ फैलती हैं।

Diseases spread due to lack of regular cleaning of drains.

Negative gerundial phrase 'safai na hone se'.

क्या आपने नाली के ढक्कन की मजबूती की जाँच की?

Did you check the strength of the drain cover?

Complex possessive 'Nali ke dhakkan ki mazbuti'.

खेतों में पानी पहुँचाने के लिए कच्ची नालियाँ बनाई जाती हैं।

Unpaved channels are made to bring water to the fields.

Passive voice 'banayi jati hain'.

गंदी नालियों का पानी सड़कों पर बहना एक आम समस्या है।

Dirty drain water flowing on the roads is a common problem.

Infinitive as a subject 'bahna'.

शहरी नियोजन में नालियों के जाल का वैज्ञानिक प्रबंधन आवश्यक है।

Scientific management of the network of drains is essential in urban planning.

High-level vocabulary: 'niyojan', 'prabandhan'.

खुली नालियों से निकलने वाली गैसें स्वास्थ्य के लिए हानिकारक हो सकती हैं।

Gases emanating from open drains can be harmful to health.

Participial adjective 'nikalne wali'.

प्राचीन सिंधु घाटी सभ्यता की नालियाँ आज भी शोध का विषय हैं।

The drains of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization are still a subject of research.

Historical reference with complex genitive.

नालियों के अवरुद्ध होने से शहरी बाढ़ की स्थिति उत्पन्न हो जाती है।

Urban flood situations arise due to the clogging of drains.

Sanskritized verb 'avruddh hona' (to be blocked).

अपशिष्ट प्रबंधन के अभाव में नालियाँ प्रदूषण का मुख्य स्रोत बन गई हैं।

In the absence of waste management, drains have become a major source of pollution.

Phrase 'ke abhav mein' (in the absence of).

लेखक ने समाज की बुराइयों की तुलना एक गंदी नाली से की है।

The author has compared the evils of society to a dirty drain.

Metaphorical usage in a literary context.

नालियों की ढलान का सटीक मापन जल-निकासी की दक्षता सुनिश्चित करता है।

Accurate measurement of the drain's slope ensures the efficiency of drainage.

Abstract nouns: 'mapan', 'dakshata'.

जनता की भागीदारी के बिना नालियों की स्वच्छता बनाए रखना असंभव है।

Maintaining the cleanliness of drains is impossible without public participation.

Complex sentence with 'ke bina' (without).

नालियों का यह उलझा हुआ तंत्र महानगर की अदृश्य धमनियों के समान है।

This tangled system of drains is like the invisible arteries of the metropolis.

Sophisticated metaphor comparing infrastructure to anatomy.

सभ्यता का विकास इस बात पर निर्भर करता है कि वह अपनी नालियों का प्रबंधन कैसे करती है।

The development of a civilization depends on how it manages its drains.

Philosophical statement on infrastructure.

राजनीतिक भ्रष्टाचार ने विकास के धन को एक अनंत नाली में धकेल दिया है।

Political corruption has pushed the funds for development into an infinite drain.

Extended metaphor for systemic waste.

पारिस्थितिक तंत्र में नालियों द्वारा बहाया गया रसायन अपूरणीय क्षति पहुँचाता है।

Chemicals washed away by drains cause irreparable damage to the ecosystem.

Environmental science terminology: 'paristhitik tantra'.

नालियों की संरचना में आया बदलाव शहरी वास्तुकला के क्रमिक विकास को दर्शाता है।

The change in the structure of drains reflects the gradual evolution of urban architecture.

Complex subject 'sangrachna mein aaya badlav'.

क्या हम नालियों के इस दूषित जल को पुनर्चक्रण के योग्य बना सकते हैं?

Can we make this contaminated water from the drains fit for recycling?

Technical term 'punarchakran' (recycling).

साहित्य में 'नाली' अक्सर यथार्थवाद के चरम चित्रण के लिए प्रयुक्त होती है।

In literature, 'Nali' is often used for the extreme depiction of realism.

Literary analysis terminology.

नालियों के प्रति हमारा दृष्टिकोण हमारी नागरिक चेतना का दर्पण है।

Our attitude towards drains is a mirror of our civic consciousness.

Abstract concept 'nagrik chetna' (civic consciousness).

Common Collocations

नाली साफ़ करना

नाली जाम होना

खुली नाली

नाली का ढलान

नाली खोदना

नाली का कीड़ा

पक्की नाली

नाली का पानी

नाली ढकना

नाली की मरम्मत

Common Phrases

नाली में गिरना

— To fall into a drain. Often used literally for accidents.

अंधेरे में उसका पैर फिसल गया और वह नाली में गिर गया।

नाली में बहाना

— To flush away or waste something. Often used for money or effort.

उसने सारा पैसा जुए में नाली में बहा दिया।

नाली साफ़ रखना

— To keep the drain clean. A common civic instruction.

अपने घर के सामने की नाली साफ़ रखना आपकी जिम्मेदारी है।

नाली की बदबू

— The stench of the drain. A common urban complaint.

नाली की बदबू से मोहल्ले वाले परेशान हैं।

नाली का जाल

— A network of drains. Used in urban planning.

पूरे शहर में नालियों का जाल बिछा हुआ है।

नाली की गहराई

— The depth of the drain. Used in engineering.

इस नाली की गहराई दो फीट है।

नाली का मुहाना

— The mouth or opening of a drain.

नाली के मुहाने पर जाली लगा दी गई है।

कच्ची नाली

— An unpaved, earthen drain. Common in villages.

बारिश में कच्ची नाली बह गई।

नाली अवरुद्ध होना

— A formal way to say the drain is blocked.

प्लास्टिक बैग्स के कारण नाली अवरुद्ध हो गई है।

नाली का पानी निकालना

— To pump out or drain water from a channel.

पंप की मदद से नाली का पानी निकाला जा रहा है।

Often Confused With

नाली vs नाला (Nala)

Confused based on size; Nala is a massive sewer, Nali is a small drain.

नाली vs नल (Nal)

Confused based on sound; Nal is a tap, Nali is a drain.

नाली vs नदी (Nadi)

Confused based on sound; Nadi is a river, Nali is a man-made drain.

Idioms & Expressions

"पैसे नाली में फेंकना"

— To waste money on useless things. It implies total loss.

महंगी कार खरीदना पैसे नाली में फेंकने जैसा है।

Informal

"नाली का कीड़ा"

— A person with a very low character or someone who thrives in filth/corruption.

मैं उस नाली के कीड़े से बात नहीं करना चाहता।

Slang/Insulting

"मेहनत नाली में जाना"

— For hard work to be completely wasted or produce no result.

परीक्षा रद्द होने से मेरी साल भर की मेहनत नाली में चली गई।

Informal

"नाली से निकलकर नाले में गिरना"

— To go from a bad situation to a worse one (similar to 'out of the frying pan into the fire').

पुरानी नौकरी छोड़ी तो नई में और भी समस्याएँ आ गईं, यह तो नाली से निकलकर नाले में गिरना हुआ।

Informal

"नाली साफ़ करना (Metaphorical)"

— To clear out corruption or mess in an organization.

नए मैनेजर ने आते ही ऑफिस की नाली साफ़ कर दी (भ्रष्ट लोगों को निकाल दिया)।

Slang

"गंदी नाली का कीड़ा"

— A more emphatic version of 'Nali ka keeda', implying extreme moral degradation.

वह गंदी नाली का कीड़ा है, उस पर भरोसा मत करो।

Slang/Insulting

"नाली में मुँह मारना"

— To indulge in very low or shameful acts for small gains.

चंद रुपयों के लिए उसने नाली में मुँह मारा।

Informal/Crude

"नाली की तरह बहना"

— For something to flow out uncontrollably and wastefully.

पार्टी में शराब नाली की तरह बह रही थी।

Informal

"नाली का ढक्कन होना"

— To be a person who covers up or hides dirty secrets.

वह तो अपने मालिक के पापों पर नाली का ढक्कन बना बैठा है।

Informal

"नाली छानना"

— To search in very unlikely or dirty places; to be desperate.

खोई हुई अँगूठी के लिए उसने पूरी नाली छान मारी।

Informal

Easily Confused

नाली vs नली (Nali)

Almost identical spelling and sound.

Nali (short a) means a tube/pipe/duct. Naali (long aa) means a drain/gutter.

उसकी श्वास नली में खाना फँस गया। (Food got stuck in his windpipe.)

नाली vs नल्ली (Nalli)

Similar sound.

Nalli refers to bone marrow or a cylindrical pipe/spool.

वह नल्ली निहारी खा रहा है। (He is eating bone marrow stew.)

नाली vs नाल (Naal)

Root word similarity.

Naal means a horseshoe or an umbilical cord.

घोड़े की नाल गिर गई। (The horseshoe fell off.)

नाली vs नीली (Neeli)

Rhyming sound.

Neeli means 'blue' (feminine).

उसने नीली साड़ी पहनी है। (She is wearing a blue saree.)

नाली vs खाली (Khaali)

Rhyming sound.

Khaali means 'empty'.

गिलास खाली है। (The glass is empty.)

Sentence Patterns

यह [Adjective] नाली है।

यह छोटी नाली है।

[Noun] की नाली [Adjective] है।

बाथरूम की नाली गंदी है।

[Subject] को नाली [Verb] चाहिए।

हमे नाली साफ़ करनी चाहिए।

नाली [Verb]-ने की वजह से [Problem] हुआ।

नाली रुकने की वजह से बदबू आ रही है।

नालियों का [Noun] [Adjective] होना चाहिए।

नालियों का जाल व्यवस्थित होना चाहिए।

नाली [Metaphorical Context] का प्रतीक है।

नाली शहरी जीवन की विद्रूपता का प्रतीक है।

नाली में [Noun] मत डालो।

नाली में कचरा मत डालो।

क्या नाली की [Noun] हो गई है?

क्या नाली की मरम्मत हो गई है?

Word Family

Nouns

नाला (Nala - Large drain)

नली (Nali - Tube/Duct)

नाल (Naal - Horseshoe/Channel)

Verbs

नाली बनाना (Nali banana - To make a drain)

नाली निकालना (Nali nikalna - To draw a channel)

Adjectives

नालीदार (Nalidar - Grooved/Channelled)

जल-निकास (Drainage)

गटर (Gutter)

सफाई (Cleaning)

पाइप (Pipe)

मल (Excrement/Waste)

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in daily life, especially in urban areas.

Common Mistakes

Using 'Nala' for a small drain. → Use 'Nali'.
Nala is masculine and refers to a large canal; Nali is feminine and refers to a small drain.
Saying 'Nali ganda hai'. → Say 'Nali gandi hai'.
Adjectives must agree with the feminine gender of Nali.
Saying 'Naliyan mein' for 'in the drains'. → Say 'Naliyon mein'.
Nouns ending in 'ee' change to 'iyon' in the oblique plural (before postpositions).
Confusing 'Nali' with 'Nal' (tap). → Nal = Tap, Nali = Drain.
One is a source of water, the other is an exit.
Writing 'नालीयाँ' with a long 'ee'. → Write 'नालियाँ' with a short 'i'.
The vowel shortens in the plural form in Hindi grammar.

Tips

Gender Agreement

Always pair 'Nali' with feminine adjectives like 'gandi', 'saaf', 'badi', or 'lambi'. Never use 'ganda' or 'bada'.

Size Matters

If you can jump over it easily, it's a 'Nali'. If it requires a bridge, it's a 'Nala'.

The 'Aa' Sound

Ensure the first vowel is long (aa). If you say it short, it sounds like 'Nali' (tube), which might confuse people in a non-technical context.

Polite Requests

When asking someone to clean a drain, use 'kripya' (please) or the polite verb form 'kijiye' to avoid sounding rude.

Plural Spelling

Remember to change the 'ee' (ी) to 'i' (ि) when writing 'नालियाँ' (Naliyan). This is a common spelling rule for feminine nouns.

Civic Sense

In India, talking about 'Nali' is often linked to 'Swachhta' (cleanliness). Using the word shows you are aware of your surroundings.

Wasting Effort

You can use 'Nali mein jana' to describe any wasted effort, like 'Meri mehnat nali mein gayi' (My hard work went down the drain).

Technical Term

In a formal report, use 'Jal-nikas' instead of 'Nali' to refer to drainage systems.

Open Drains

Always look out for 'khuli nali' (open drains) while walking on Indian streets, especially at night.

Gutter vs Nali

While 'Gutter' is understood, 'Nali' is more versatile and covers everything from a small groove to a street channel.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Nali' as 'Narrow Liquid path'. The 'Na' stands for Narrow and 'Li' for Liquid.

Visual Association

Imagine a long, narrow line (Nali) on the side of a road where water flows. The shape of the 'l' in Nali looks like a long pipe.

Word Web

Drain Gutter Water Waste Cleaning Sanitation Street Pipe

Challenge

Try to find three 'Nali' in your house (kitchen, bathroom, balcony) and label them in your mind as 'Kitchen ki Nali', etc.

Word Origin

Derived from the Sanskrit word 'नली' (Nali) or 'नल' (Nala), which originally referred to a hollow reed, a tube, or a cylindrical object.

Original meaning: A hollow reed or tube.

Indo-Aryan

Cultural Context

Avoid using 'Nali ka keeda' (drain worm) as it is a harsh personal insult. Also, be aware that manual scavenging (cleaning drains by hand) is a sensitive and illegal practice in India.

English speakers might just say 'the drain', but in Hindi, 'Nali' specifically evokes the image of the narrow street-side gutters common in many Asian cities.

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Government sanitation campaign) Indus Valley Civilization (Ancient drainage systems) Slumdog Millionaire (Depicting urban drainage infrastructure)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At Home

सिंक की नाली
बाथरूम की नाली
नाली जाम है
नाली साफ़ कर दो

On the Street

सड़क की नाली
खुली नाली
नाली में कचरा
नाली का ढक्कन

During Monsoon

नाली उफन रही है
पानी भर गया है
नाली की सफाई
कीचड़ और नाली

With a Plumber

नाली खोल दो
पाइप बदल दो
नाली से रिसाव
मरम्मत की ज़रूरत

Farming

खेत की नाली
पानी का बहाव
नाली बनाना
सिंचाई की नाली

Conversation Starters

"क्या आपके इलाके की नालियाँ साफ़ हैं?"

"बारिश में आपकी गली की नाली भर जाती है क्या?"

"क्या हमें खुली नालियों को ढक देना चाहिए?"

"आपने आखिरी बार बाथरूम की नाली कब साफ़ की थी?"

"आपके शहर में जल-निकास की व्यवस्था कैसी है?"

Journal Prompts

आज मैंने अपने घर के पास एक खुली नाली देखी और मुझे लगा कि...

अगर मैं शहर का मेयर होता, तो मैं नालियों की समस्या को कैसे सुलझाता?

स्वच्छ भारत अभियान में नालियों की सफाई का महत्व क्या है?

बारिश के दिनों में नालियों के कारण होने वाली समस्याओं का वर्णन करें।

अपने बचपन की किसी ऐसी घटना के बारे में लिखें जब आप या आपका कोई खिलौना नाली में गिर गया था।

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is a feminine noun. You can remember this because it ends in 'ee', a common trait for feminine words in Hindi. Example: 'Badi Nali' (Big drain).

Size is the main difference. 'Nali' is a small drain or gutter (feminine). 'Nala' is a large sewer or stream (masculine). You use 'Nali' for a kitchen sink and 'Nala' for a city-wide sewage canal.

You say 'नाली जाम है' (Nali jaam hai). 'Jaam' is the common word for blocked or stuck in this context.

Usually, 'Nali' (with a short 'a') is used for technical tubes or pipes. 'Naali' (with a long 'aa') almost always refers to a drain for wastewater.

The plural is 'नालियाँ' (Naliyan). Note that the long 'ee' sound shortens when you add the plural ending.

You say 'नाली साफ़ करो' (Nali saaf karo). If you are being polite, say 'नाली साफ़ कीजिये' (Nali saaf kijiye).

Yes, but usually it's 'नली' (short 'a'). For example, 'Swaas-nali' for windpipe or 'Mutra-nali' for urethra.

It means to waste money completely, as if you are flushing it down a drain. It is used when someone spends money on something that gives no return.

It means an 'open drain'. These are common in many parts of India where the drainage system is not underground.

It is spelled as नाली (Na + aa + La + ee).