पुलिस स्टेशन
पुलिस स्टेशन in 30 Seconds
- Police station (noun, masculine)
- Used for reporting crimes and safety
- Direct loanword from English
- Synonym: Thana (थाना)
The Hindi term पुलिस स्टेशन (pulis sṭēśan) is a fascinating example of how modern Hindi seamlessly incorporates English vocabulary. While Hindi has more traditional terms like 'थाना' (thānā) or 'कोतवाली' (kotvālī), 'पुलिस स्टेशन' is universally understood and frequently used in both urban and semi-urban settings. It refers to the local office or headquarters of the police force where officers work, reports are filed, and law enforcement activities are coordinated. For an English speaker, the transition to using this word is effortless because it is a direct transliteration of the English 'Police Station'. However, the cultural weight and the procedural context in India might differ slightly from Western expectations.
- Daily Utility
- You will use this word when asking for directions, reporting a lost item like a passport or phone, or discussing safety and law. In India, the police station is often the first point of contact for any legal dispute or emergency.
क्या आप मुझे बता सकते हैं कि निकटतम पुलिस स्टेशन कहाँ है? (Can you tell me where the nearest police station is?)
In formal Hindi, you might encounter the term 'आरक्षी केंद्र' (ārakshī kēndra), but in 99% of spoken conversations, 'पुलिस स्टेशन' or 'थाना' is what you will hear. The word 'पुलिस' is feminine in Hindi grammar when referring to the force as a whole, but 'पुलिस स्टेशन' as a compound noun is masculine. Understanding this gender distinction is crucial for correct adjective and verb agreement. For example, you would say 'बड़ा पुलिस स्टेशन' (big police station) using the masculine 'बड़ा' rather than the feminine 'बड़ी'.
- Administrative Context
- Every police station in India has a specific jurisdiction. If you are involved in an incident, you must go to the specific police station that covers that geographical area. This is often referred to as the 'क्षेत्र' (kshetra) or 'इलाका' (ilākā) of the station.
हमें अपनी शिकायत दर्ज कराने के लिए पुलिस स्टेशन जाना होगा। (We will have to go to the police station to register our complaint.)
- Social Perception
- In Hindi cinema (Bollywood), the 'पुलिस स्टेशन' is a central setting for drama. It is often portrayed as a place of intense questioning, justice, or sometimes corruption. This has shaped the public imagination of the word, making it sound more intimidating than a simple administrative office.
शहर के मुख्य पुलिस स्टेशन के बाहर बहुत भीड़ थी। (There was a huge crowd outside the city's main police station.)
कल रात पुलिस स्टेशन में एक नया मामला दर्ज किया गया। (A new case was registered at the police station last night.)
Using 'पुलिस स्टेशन' (pulis sṭēśan) in a sentence requires an understanding of Hindi postpositions. Since it is a location, it is frequently paired with 'में' (in), 'से' (from), 'तक' (until/to), and 'के पास' (near). Because it is a masculine noun, any adjectives modifying it must end in the '-ā' sound (or '-ē' in the oblique case). For example, 'छोटा पुलिस स्टेशन' (small police station) becomes 'छोटे पुलिस स्टेशन में' (in the small police station). This section explores the grammatical nuances through various sentence structures.
- Direct Object Usage
- When the police station is the destination of a verb like 'जाना' (to go), you don't always need a postposition, but 'जाना' often implies movement towards it.
वह पुलिस स्टेशन गया है। (He has gone to the police station.)
When describing the location of an event, 'में' is essential. If you are reporting something, you might say you are 'at' the station, which is also translated as 'में' or 'पर'.
- Locative Case
- 'पुलिस स्टेशन में' is the most common way to say 'at/in the police station'.
क्या पुलिस स्टेशन में कोई अधिकारी मौजूद है? (Is there any officer present in the police station?)
मेरे घर के पास एक बहुत बड़ा पुलिस स्टेशन है। (There is a very big police station near my house.)
- Ablative Usage (From)
- Use 'से' to indicate coming from the station or receiving information from it.
मुझे पुलिस स्टेशन से फोन आया था। (I received a call from the police station.)
इस पुलिस स्टेशन की इमारत बहुत पुरानी है। (The building of this police station is very old.)
In India, the word 'पुलिस स्टेशन' is ubiquitous. You will hear it in news broadcasts, see it on road signs, and encounter it in daily conversations. Because it's an English loanword, it bridges the gap between different linguistic groups in India. If you are in a cosmopolitan city like Mumbai, Delhi, or Bangalore, 'पुलिस स्टेशन' is the standard term. In rural areas, while 'थाना' remains popular, 'पुलिस स्टेशन' is equally understood due to the influence of media and official government signage.
- In the Media
- News anchors frequently use the term when reporting on crime or law enforcement updates. 'पुलिस स्टेशन के बाहर प्रदर्शन' (Protest outside the police station) is a common headline.
आज सुबह पुलिस स्टेशन में एक प्रेस कॉन्फ्रेंस बुलाई गई है। (A press conference has been called at the police station this morning.)
Public announcements at railway stations or crowded markets often include instructions to report suspicious activities to the nearest 'पुलिस स्टेशन'. This reinforces the word's status as a 'safety' keyword that every resident and traveler should know.
- On the Streets
- Blue and white signboards across Indian cities clearly mark the way to the 'Police Station / पुलिस स्टेशन'. Traffic police or local residents will use this term when giving you directions.
यहाँ से पास में ही एक पुलिस स्टेशन है, आप वहाँ जाकर मदद ले सकते हैं। (There is a police station nearby from here; you can go there and take help.)
- Official Documents
- When filling out forms for a visa, passport, or tenant verification in India, you will often see a field asking for your 'Nearest Police Station'.
फॉर्म पर अपने नजदीकी पुलिस स्टेशन का नाम लिखें। (Write the name of your nearest police station on the form.)
इंस्पेक्टर साहब अभी पुलिस स्टेशन में नहीं हैं। (The Inspector sir is not in the police station right now.)
While 'पुलिस स्टेशन' is an English loanword, learners often make specific mistakes regarding its gender, pronunciation, and the postpositions used with it. Because 'पुलिस' (the force) is feminine, many students mistakenly assume 'पुलिस स्टेशन' is also feminine. This is a common error that affects the entire sentence structure. Another mistake is using the wrong word for specific types of stations, such as confusing a 'पुलिस स्टेशन' with a 'पुलिस चौकी' (outpost) or a 'जेल' (jail).
- Gender Confusion
- Mistake: 'यह पुलिस स्टेशन अच्छी है' (This police station is good - feminine). Correct: 'यह पुलिस स्टेशन अच्छा है' (masculine). The gender of a compound noun usually follows the final word; 'स्टेशन' is masculine.
गलत: वह पुलिस स्टेशन बड़ी है। सही: वह पुलिस स्टेशन बड़ा है। (Wrong: That police station is big [fem]. Right: That police station is big [masc].)
Another frequent error is the pronunciation of 'स्टेशन'. In many Indian accents, a prosthetic 'i' or 'e' is added before 's' clusters, making it sound like 'is-tation' or 'es-tation'. While this is common, a learner should aim for the standard 'stēśan' sound.
- Postposition Errors
- Learners sometimes use 'को' when they should use 'में'. If you are physically inside the station, use 'में'. If you are sending something 'to' the station, 'को' might be appropriate, but 'तक' or 'में' is usually preferred for movement.
गलत: मैं पुलिस स्टेशन को जा रहा हूँ। सही: मैं पुलिस स्टेशन जा रहा हूँ। (Wrong: I am going to [to the] police station. Right: I am going [to] the police station.)
- Pluralization
- The plural of 'स्टेशन' remains 'स्टेशन' in the direct case but becomes 'स्टेशनों' in the oblique case (when followed by a postposition). Example: 'शहर के पुलिस स्टेशनों में' (In the police stations of the city).
सभी पुलिस स्टेशन हाई अलर्ट पर हैं। (All police stations are on high alert.)
वह पुलिस स्टेशन के सामने खड़ा है। (He is standing in front of the police station.)
Hindi offers several alternatives to 'पुलिस स्टेशन', depending on the level of formality and the specific type of police facility. Understanding these nuances will make your Hindi sound more natural and precise. The most common synonym is 'थाना' (thānā), which is the standard term used in many parts of North India. While 'पुलिस स्टेशन' is modern and urban, 'थाना' carries a more local, traditional feel. Here is a breakdown of similar words and how they compare.
- थाना (Thānā)
- This is the most direct synonym. In rural areas and smaller towns, it is the dominant term. It is also a masculine noun. Example: 'थाने में रिपोर्ट लिखवाओ' (File a report in the Thana).
गाँव का थाना यहाँ से दो किलोमीटर दूर है। (The village police station is two kilometers away from here.)
Another term you might encounter is 'चौकी' (chaukī). A 'चौकी' is smaller than a 'पुलिस स्टेशन'. It is usually a sub-post that reports to a main station. Think of it as a neighborhood police booth.
- पुलिस चौकी (Pulis Chaukī)
- A small police outpost or booth. It is a feminine noun. Example: 'बाज़ार में एक पुलिस चौकी है' (There is a police outpost in the market).
रेलवे स्टेशन पर एक पुलिस चौकी बनी हुई है। (A police outpost is built at the railway station.)
पुरानी दिल्ली की कोतवाली बहुत प्रसिद्ध है। (The Kotwali of Old Delhi is very famous.)
- आरक्षी केंद्र (Ārakshī Kēndra)
- This is the highly formal, Sanskritized Hindi term for a police station. You will mostly see this on government letterheads or in official news reports. It is rarely used in conversation.
सरकारी आदेश में इसे आरक्षी केंद्र लिखा गया है। (In the government order, it has been written as 'Arakshi Kendra'.)
अपराधी को पुलिस स्टेशन ले जाया गया। (The criminal was taken to the police station.)
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
In India, the police uniform color 'Khaki' is actually a Persian word meaning 'dust-colored', which was adopted during the British Raj.
Pronunciation Guide
- Adding an 'i' sound before Station (i-station)
- Pronouncing 'Police' as 'Poo-liss' with a heavy 'u'.
Difficulty Rating
Very easy as it is a direct loanword from English.
Requires knowledge of Devanagari script but follows standard spelling.
Pronunciation is almost identical to English.
Easily recognizable in conversation.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Compound Noun Gender
In 'पुलिस स्टेशन', the gender is determined by 'स्टेशन' (Masculine).
Oblique Case pluralization
'पुलिस स्टेशन' remains the same in plural unless followed by a postposition: 'पुलिस स्टेशनों में'.
Adjective Agreement
'बड़ा पुलिस स्टेशन' (Masc) vs 'बड़ी पुलिस चौकी' (Fem).
Postposition 'में' for location
Use 'में' to indicate being inside the station.
Causative Verbs with Police
'लिखवाना' (to have written) is used when the officer writes the report for you.
Examples by Level
पुलिस स्टेशन कहाँ है?
Where is the police station?
'कहाँ' (where) is used for asking locations.
यह पुलिस स्टेशन है।
This is a police station.
'यह' (this) is a demonstrative pronoun.
पुलिस स्टेशन बड़ा है।
The police station is big.
'बड़ा' (big) matches the masculine gender of 'स्टेशन'.
वहाँ पुलिस स्टेशन है।
The police station is there.
'वहाँ' means 'there'.
क्या यह पुलिस स्टेशन है?
Is this a police station?
'क्या' at the beginning makes it a yes/no question.
पुलिस स्टेशन पास है।
The police station is near.
'पास' means 'near'.
पुलिस स्टेशन साफ़ है।
The police station is clean.
'साफ़' (clean) is an adjective.
नमस्ते, पुलिस स्टेशन जाना है।
Hello, I need to go to the police station.
'जाना है' expresses a need or intention to go.
मैं पुलिस स्टेशन जा रहा हूँ।
I am going to the police station.
Present continuous tense for masculine subject.
पुलिस स्टेशन में एक सिपाही है।
There is a constable in the police station.
'में' (in) is the locative postposition.
मेरे घर के पास पुलिस स्टेशन है।
There is a police station near my house.
'के पास' means 'near'.
वह पुलिस स्टेशन से आया है।
He has come from the police station.
'से' (from) is the ablative postposition.
पुलिस स्टेशन का फ़ोन नंबर क्या है?
What is the phone number of the police station?
'का' (of) shows possession/association.
हम पुलिस स्टेशन के अंदर हैं।
We are inside the police station.
'के अंदर' means 'inside'.
पुलिस स्टेशन आज खुला है।
The police station is open today.
'खुला' means 'open'.
नया पुलिस स्टेशन बहुत सुंदर है।
The new police station is very beautiful.
'नया' (new) agrees with masculine 'स्टेशन'.
मेरा बटुआ खो गया है, मुझे पुलिस स्टेशन जाना चाहिए।
My wallet is lost, I should go to the police station.
'चाहिए' (should) expresses obligation or advice.
पुलिस स्टेशन में रिपोर्ट लिखवाना ज़रूरी है।
It is necessary to get a report written in the police station.
'लिखवाना' is a causative verb (to get something written).
क्या आपने पुलिस स्टेशन को सूचना दी?
Did you inform the police station?
'सूचना देना' means 'to inform'.
पुलिस स्टेशन के बाहर बहुत भीड़ जमा थी।
A lot of crowd was gathered outside the police station.
'के बाहर' means 'outside'.
वह पुलिस स्टेशन में काम करता है।
He works in the police station.
Present simple tense for habitual action.
पुलिस स्टेशन से मेरा घर दूर नहीं है।
My house is not far from the police station.
'दूर' means 'far'.
आपको पुलिस स्टेशन में अपनी पहचान दिखानी होगी।
You will have to show your identity in the police station.
'होगी' expresses future necessity.
पुलिस स्टेशन के अधिकारी बहुत मददगार थे।
The officers of the police station were very helpful.
'मददगार' means 'helpful'.
पुलिस स्टेशन में संदिग्ध से पूछताछ की जा रही है।
The suspect is being interrogated in the police station.
Passive voice in present continuous tense.
इस मामले की जाँच स्थानीय पुलिस स्टेशन कर रहा है।
The local police station is investigating this matter.
'जाँच करना' means 'to investigate'.
पुलिस स्टेशन में एफ़आईआर दर्ज करने की प्रक्रिया क्या है?
What is the process for filing an FIR in the police station?
'दर्ज करना' means 'to register/file'.
सुरक्षा कारणों से पुलिस स्टेशन की घेराबंदी कर दी गई है।
The police station has been cordoned off for security reasons.
'घेराबंदी करना' means 'to cordon off' or 'besiege'.
पुलिस स्टेशन के रिकॉर्ड के अनुसार वह निर्दोष है।
According to the police station records, he is innocent.
'के अनुसार' means 'according to'.
कल रात पुलिस स्टेशन में एक नया मामला सामने आया।
A new case came to light in the police station last night.
'सामने आना' is a phrasal verb meaning 'to come to light'.
पुलिस स्टेशन के पास लगे सीसीटीवी कैमरों की जाँच की जा रही है।
The CCTV cameras installed near the police station are being checked.
Use of passive voice for ongoing actions.
वरिष्ठ अधिकारियों ने पुलिस स्टेशन का निरीक्षण किया।
Senior officers inspected the police station.
'निरीक्षण करना' means 'to inspect'.
पुलिस स्टेशन की कार्यप्रणाली में सुधार की तत्काल आवश्यकता है।
There is an urgent need for improvement in the functioning of the police station.
'कार्यप्रणाली' means 'functioning/methodology'.
पुलिस स्टेशन के भीतर मानवाधिकारों का उल्लंघन एक गंभीर चिंता का विषय है।
Violation of human rights within the police station is a matter of serious concern.
'उल्लंघन' means 'violation'.
पुलिस स्टेशन की स्वायत्तता को लेकर राजनीतिक बहस छिड़ गई है।
A political debate has broken out regarding the autonomy of the police station.
'स्वायत्तता' means 'autonomy'.
पुलिस स्टेशन में पारदर्शिता सुनिश्चित करने के लिए नए नियम बनाए गए हैं।
New rules have been made to ensure transparency in the police station.
'पारदर्शिता' means 'transparency'.
पुलिस स्टेशन और जनता के बीच विश्वास की कमी को दूर करना होगा।
The lack of trust between the police station and the public must be removed.
'विश्वास की कमी' means 'lack of trust'.
डिजिटलीकरण के माध्यम से पुलिस स्टेशन की दक्षता बढ़ाई जा सकती है।
The efficiency of the police station can be increased through digitalization.
'दक्षता' means 'efficiency'.
पुलिस स्टेशन के क्षेत्राधिकार के बाहर होने के कारण मामला खारिज कर दिया गया।
The case was dismissed because it was outside the jurisdiction of the police station.
'क्षेत्राधिकार' means 'jurisdiction'.
पुलिस स्टेशन की छवि सुधारने के लिए सामुदायिक पुलिसिंग को बढ़ावा दिया जा रहा है।
Community policing is being promoted to improve the image of the police station.
'छवि' means 'image/reputation'.
पुलिस स्टेशन की दीवारों के भीतर जो कुछ भी घटित होता है, वह कानून की सूक्ष्म निगरानी में होना चाहिए।
Whatever happens within the walls of the police station should be under the microscopic scrutiny of the law.
'सूक्ष्म निगरानी' means 'microscopic scrutiny'.
पुलिस स्टेशन केवल एक इमारत नहीं, बल्कि राज्य की सत्ता का एक जीवंत प्रतीक है।
A police station is not just a building, but a living symbol of the state's power.
'जीवंत प्रतीक' means 'living symbol'.
औपनिवेशिक काल के दौरान पुलिस स्टेशन दमन का एक प्रमुख केंद्र हुआ करते थे।
During the colonial period, police stations used to be major centers of suppression.
'दमन' means 'suppression'.
पुलिस स्टेशन की नौकरशाही जटिलताओं ने अक्सर न्याय मिलने में देरी की है।
The bureaucratic complexities of the police station have often delayed justice.
'नौकरशाही जटिलता' means 'bureaucratic complexity'.
आधुनिक लोकतंत्र में पुलिस स्टेशन की भूमिका दंडात्मक से हटकर सुरक्षात्मक होनी चाहिए।
In a modern democracy, the role of the police station should shift from punitive to protective.
'दंडात्मक' (punitive) vs 'सुरक्षात्मक' (protective).
पुलिस स्टेशन के आंकड़ों का समाजशास्त्रीय विश्लेषण अपराध की बदलती प्रवृत्तियों को दर्शाता है।
Sociological analysis of police station data reflects changing trends in crime.
'समाजशास्त्रीय विश्लेषण' means 'sociological analysis'.
पुलिस स्टेशन के आंतरिक प्रशासन में जवाबदेही की संस्कृति को आत्मसात करना अनिवार्य है।
It is imperative to internalize a culture of accountability in the internal administration of the police station.
'जवाबदेही' means 'accountability'.
पुलिस स्टेशन की भौतिक संरचना को अधिक नागरिक-अनुकूल बनाने की दिशा में प्रयास किए जा रहे हैं।
Efforts are being made towards making the physical structure of the police station more citizen-friendly.
'नागरिक-अनुकूल' means 'citizen-friendly'.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— To file a report at the police station.
मैंने पुलिस स्टेशन में रिपोर्ट लिखवा दी है।
— To be summoned by the police station.
उसे पुलिस स्टेशन से बुलावा आया है।
— To make frequent trips to the police station (usually implies trouble or bureaucracy).
वह केस के सिलसिले में पुलिस स्टेशन के चक्कर काट रहा है।
— To inform the police station.
घटना के बाद पुलिस स्टेशन को सूचित किया गया।
— To surround/protest at the police station.
गुस्साई भीड़ ने पुलिस स्टेशन का घेराव किया।
— To mark one's presence at the station (often for parole or investigation).
उसे हर हफ्ते पुलिस स्टेशन में हाजिरी देनी पड़ती है।
— The station diary where daily events are logged.
यह बात पुलिस स्टेशन डायरी में दर्ज है।
— The area/jurisdiction of the police station.
यह पार्क इसी पुलिस स्टेशन के इलाके में आता है।
Often Confused With
Both use 'स्टेशन', but one is for trains and the other for police.
Sometimes people confuse 'स्टेशन' and 'स्टैंड' for transport, but police always use 'स्टेशन'.
A jail is for long-term detention; a station is for initial processing.
Idioms & Expressions
— To visit the police station (often used sarcastically to mean getting into trouble).
लगता है तुम्हें थाने के दर्शन करने पड़ेंगे।
Informal— The power/force of the police.
जब पुलिस की लाठी चलती है, तो सब ठीक हो जाता है।
Colloquial— The arrogance or authority of the uniform.
वह पुलिस स्टेशन में अपनी वर्दी का रौब दिखा रहा था।
Informal— To spend time in a police lockup.
गलत काम करोगे तो हवालात की हवा खानी पड़ेगी।
Slang— The long arm of the law (often associated with police reaching criminals).
तुम भाग नहीं सकते, कानून के हाथ लंबे हैं।
Common— Fear of the police (Khaki refers to the uniform).
अपराधियों में खाकी का डर होना चाहिए।
Colloquial— To settle a matter (often implies doing so at the station through unofficial means).
उसने पुलिस स्टेशन में ही मामला रफा-दफा कर दिया।
Informal— Cat and mouse game (often between police and criminals).
पुलिस और चोरों के बीच चूहे-बिल्ली का खेल चल रहा है।
Common— To tighten the noose (police catching up to someone).
पुलिस ने अपराधी पर अपना शिकंजा कस लिया है।
Formal/Journalistic— To harass or trouble greatly (can be used for police or by police).
चोरों ने पुलिस स्टेशन की नाक में दम कर रखा है।
InformalEasily Confused
They mean the same thing.
'थाना' is the traditional Hindi word, 'पुलिस स्टेशन' is the English loanword. 'थाना' is very common in rural areas.
गाँव का थाना छोटा है।
Both involve police.
A 'चौकी' (Chauki) is a small outpost; a 'पुलिस स्टेशन' is a full-sized station.
बाज़ार में एक छोटी पुलिस चौकी है।
Both are police offices.
'कोतवाली' usually refers to the main central station of a city.
हम कोतवाली जा रहे हैं।
Both are official buildings.
'मुख्यालय' (Headquarters) is the main office for a whole district or state, not a local station.
पुलिस मुख्यालय यहाँ से दूर है।
Both are at the station.
'हवालात' is specifically the lock-up room inside the station.
उसे रात भर हवालात में रखा गया।
Sentence Patterns
[Location] पुलिस स्टेशन कहाँ है?
नजदीकी पुलिस स्टेशन कहाँ है?
मैं [Action] के लिए पुलिस स्टेशन जा रहा हूँ।
मैं मदद के लिए पुलिस स्टेशन जा रहा हूँ.
अगर [Condition], तो पुलिस स्टेशन जाना पड़ेगा।
अगर बटुआ नहीं मिला, तो पुलिस स्टेशन जाना पड़ेगा.
पुलिस स्टेशन के अधिकारियों ने [Action] किया है।
पुलिस स्टेशन के अधिकारियों ने जाँच शुरू की है.
पुलिस स्टेशन की [Noun] को लेकर [Noun] जताई जा रही है।
पुलिस स्टेशन की कार्यप्रणाली को लेकर चिंता जताई जा रही है.
यह अनिवार्य है कि पुलिस स्टेशन में [Noun] का पालन किया जाए।
यह अनिवार्य है कि पुलिस स्टेशन में मानवाधिकारों का पालन किया जाए.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
Very High
-
यह पुलिस स्टेशन बहुत बड़ी है।
→
यह पुलिस स्टेशन बहुत बड़ा है।
The word 'स्टेशन' is masculine, so the adjective must be 'बड़ा', not 'बड़ी'.
-
मैं पुलिस स्टेशन को जा रहा हूँ।
→
मैं पुलिस स्टेशन जा रहा हूँ।
In Hindi, you don't usually need 'ko' when going to a physical building or location.
-
पुलिस स्टेशन में रिपोर्ट करो।
→
पुलिस स्टेशन में रिपोर्ट लिखवाओ।
While 'report karo' is understood, 'report likhvao' (get a report written) is the more natural native expression.
-
पुलिस स्टेशन का सिपाही अच्छी है।
→
पुलिस स्टेशन का सिपाही अच्छा है।
'सिपाही' (constable) is a masculine noun, so the adjective should be 'अच्छा'.
-
मेरा घर पुलिस स्टेशन के पास में है।
→
मेरा घर पुलिस स्टेशन के पास है।
Adding 'mein' after 'ke paas' is redundant and slightly incorrect in standard Hindi.
Tips
Gender Rule
Always treat 'पुलिस स्टेशन' as a masculine noun. Use 'मेरा', 'बड़ा', and 'था' with it.
Synonym
Learn 'थाना' (thānā) alongside 'पुलिस स्टेशन' to understand locals better.
Respectful Address
When speaking to someone at the station, use 'जी' (e.g., Inspector ji) to show respect.
Emergency Number
In India, dial 100 or 112 to reach the police station services instantly.
Script practice
Practice writing the half 'sa' in स्टेशन (स्टे) to improve your handwriting.
Clear Pronunciation
Avoid adding an 'i' before 'station'. Say 'stē-śan' clearly.
Context Clues
If you hear 'रिपोर्ट' (report) or 'शिकायत' (complaint), the word 'पुलिस स्टेशन' is likely to follow.
Easy Link
It's a gift word! It's the same as English. Just focus on the sentence structure around it.
Community Policing
Many stations now have 'Help Desks' for tourists; look for those signs.
FIR Importance
Remember that an FIR is 'दर्ज' (registered) at the 'पुलिस स्टेशन'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think: 'Police' + 'Station'. It's exactly the same as English, just written in Devanagari script. If you know English, you already know this word!
Visual Association
Imagine the blue and white signs found all over India that say 'Police Station' in both English and Hindi.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to use 'पुलिस स्टेशन' in three sentences today: one asking for its location, one describing its size, and one saying you are going there.
Word Origin
A compound of the English words 'Police' (from Middle French police, from Latin politia) and 'Station' (from Latin statio).
Original meaning: A place where police officers are stationed.
Indo-European (via English loanwords into Hindi).Cultural Context
Be aware that for some locals, the police station can be an intimidating place due to historical issues with authority.
In the West, police stations are often seen as purely administrative. In India, they are also social hubs for local conflict resolution.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Reporting a theft
- मेरा सामान चोरी हो गया है।
- मुझे रिपोर्ट लिखवानी है।
- क्या यहाँ कोई इंस्पेक्टर है?
- एफआईआर दर्ज कर लीजिए।
Asking for directions
- पुलिस स्टेशन किस तरफ है?
- क्या यह रास्ता पुलिस स्टेशन जाता है?
- कितनी दूर है?
- क्या मैं पैदल जा सकता हूँ?
Verification services
- मुझे पासपोर्ट वेरिफिकेशन के लिए आना है।
- क्या मेरे कागज़ात तैयार हैं?
- किस अधिकारी से मिलना होगा?
- कितना समय लगेगा?
Emergency
- बचाओ!
- पुलिस स्टेशन को फोन करो!
- जल्दी पुलिस भेजिए!
- यहाँ एक्सीडेंट हो गया है।
Legal discussion
- यह मामला किस पुलिस स्टेशन का है?
- क्या आरोपी पुलिस स्टेशन में है?
- हमें वकील की ज़रूरत है।
- जमानत कब होगी?
Conversation Starters
"क्षमा कीजिए, क्या आप जानते हैं कि सबसे पास वाला पुलिस स्टेशन कहाँ है?"
"क्या आपने कभी पुलिस स्टेशन में रिपोर्ट दर्ज कराई है?"
"मेरे घर के ठीक सामने एक पुलिस स्टेशन है, क्या आपके घर के पास भी है?"
"क्या आपको लगता है कि पुलिस स्टेशन की सुरक्षा और बढ़ानी चाहिए?"
"कल पुलिस स्टेशन के पास बहुत भीड़ क्यों थी?"
Journal Prompts
आज मैंने रास्ते में एक पुलिस स्टेशन देखा। वह कैसा दिखता था?
अगर मुझे पुलिस स्टेशन जाना पड़े, तो मैं क्या कहूँगा?
भारत के पुलिस स्टेशन और मेरे देश के पुलिस स्टेशन में क्या अंतर है?
एक कहानी लिखें जो एक पुलिस स्टेशन से शुरू होती है।
पुलिस स्टेशन हमारे समाज के लिए क्यों ज़रूरी हैं?
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is masculine. Even though 'पुलिस' (the force) is feminine, 'स्टेशन' is masculine, and the gender of compound nouns in Hindi usually follows the second word.
Yes, almost everyone understands the English term 'Police Station' even if they don't speak English fluently.
There is no functional difference; they are synonyms. 'Thana' is the traditional Hindi/Urdu word, while 'Police Station' is the English loanword.
You can say 'Sabse paas wala police station kahaan hai?' (Where is the nearest police station?).
FIR stands for First Information Report. It is the formal document written at a police station when you report a crime.
No, with verbs of movement like 'jaana' (to go), the postposition 'ko' is usually omitted for places. Just say 'Main police station ja raha hoon'.
Yes, it is called 'Mahila Police Station'.
The SHO is the officer in charge of a police station. In Hindi, they are often called 'Thana In-charge' or 'Thanedar'.
Yes, it is used for 'Railway Station' (रेलवे स्टेशन) and 'Fire Station' (फ़ायर स्टेशन).
It is written as 'पुलिस स्टेशन'.
Test Yourself 200 questions
Write 'Where is the police station?' in Hindi.
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Write 'I am going to the police station.' in Hindi.
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Write 'I lost my phone, I need to go to the police station.' in Hindi.
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Write 'The police station is investigating the thief.' in Hindi.
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Write 'There is a need for transparency in the police station.' in Hindi.
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Write 'This is a big police station.' in Hindi.
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Write 'The police station is near my house.' in Hindi.
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Write 'Can you give me the police station's number?' in Hindi.
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Write 'The report was registered in the police station.' in Hindi.
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Write 'Community policing can improve the station's image.' in Hindi.
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Write 'Police station' in Hindi script.
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Write 'He is in the police station.' in Hindi.
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Write 'Go to the police station and ask for help.' in Hindi.
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Write 'The officer is not in the police station.' in Hindi.
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Write 'The jurisdiction of this station is very large.' in Hindi.
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Write 'Small police station' in Hindi.
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Write 'Call the police station.' in Hindi.
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Write 'Many people are outside the police station.' in Hindi.
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Write 'The suspect is being questioned at the station.' in Hindi.
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Write 'We must increase the efficiency of the police station.' in Hindi.
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Say 'Police Station' in Hindi.
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Ask 'Where is the nearest police station?' in Hindi.
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Say 'I want to go to the police station to report a theft.'
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Describe a police station building in 3 sentences in Hindi.
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Discuss the importance of police stations in a city in Hindi.
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Say 'This is a police station.'
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Say 'Call the police station.'
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Say 'My house is near the police station.'
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Say 'The officer is interrogating the suspect in the station.'
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Say 'Transparency is essential in police station work.'
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Say 'Big station'.
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Say 'I am coming from the station.'
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Say 'Is there a police station nearby?'
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Say 'The police station record is updated.'
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Say 'The station's jurisdiction covers the whole district.'
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Say 'Hello' to a policeman.
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Say 'I am inside the station.'
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Say 'Wait for me at the police station.'
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Say 'They are inspecting the police station.'
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Say 'Police station reforms are necessary for democracy.'
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Listen to: 'Pulis station kahaan hai?' What is the last word?
Listen to: 'Main station ja raha hoon.' Who is going?
Listen to: 'Thane mein report likhvao.' Which synonym was used?
Listen to: 'Jaanch jaari hai.' What does it mean?
Listen to: 'Dakshta badhaani hogi.' What needs to be increased?
Listen to: 'Bada pulis station.' Is it small?
Listen to: 'Station ke paas.' What does 'paas' mean?
Listen to: 'Madad ke liye phone karo.' Why should you call?
Listen to: 'Sipahi bahar hai.' Where is the constable?
Listen to: 'Chhavi sudharni chahiye.' What should be improved?
Listen to: 'Namaste.' What is the greeting?
Listen to: 'Station mein.' What does 'mein' mean?
Listen to: 'Report darj ho gayi.' Is the report filed?
Listen to: 'Prabhari se milo.' Who should you meet?
Listen to: 'Kshētrādhikār kya hai?' What is being asked?
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Summary
'पुलिस स्टेशन' is the most common way to say 'police station' in modern Hindi. It is a masculine noun. Example: 'पुलिस स्टेशन पास है' (The police station is near).
- Police station (noun, masculine)
- Used for reporting crimes and safety
- Direct loanword from English
- Synonym: Thana (थाना)
Gender Rule
Always treat 'पुलिस स्टेशन' as a masculine noun. Use 'मेरा', 'बड़ा', and 'था' with it.
Synonym
Learn 'थाना' (thānā) alongside 'पुलिस स्टेशन' to understand locals better.
Respectful Address
When speaking to someone at the station, use 'जी' (e.g., Inspector ji) to show respect.
Emergency Number
In India, dial 100 or 112 to reach the police station services instantly.
Example
चोर को पुलिस स्टेशन ले जाया गया।
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अहिंसा
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अजनबी
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