This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

Home
Learn
Hindi
Vocabulary
परीक्षा लेना

A2 verb #4,000 most common 6 min read

परीक्षा लेना

pareeksha lena Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips परीक्षा लेना in 30 Seconds

Explanation परीक्षा लेना in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should understand that 'Pariksha' means 'Exam' and 'Lena' means 'To take'. You will mostly see this in simple classroom contexts. The key thing to remember is that the teacher 'takes' the exam. You might hear 'Teacher pariksha lenge' (Teacher will take the exam). Focus on the basic meaning of testing someone and the simple future or present tense forms. Don't worry too much about complex grammar yet, just recognize that it involves an evaluation.

At A2, you need to master the 'Lena vs Dena' distinction. You should be able to say 'The teacher is taking my exam' (Teacher meri pariksha le rahe hain) and understand that it's different from you taking the exam. You should also start using the feminine postposition 'ki' correctly. You can use this phrase to talk about school life, simple job interviews, or driving tests. You are expected to conjugate 'lena' in past, present, and future tenses correctly with the feminine noun 'pariksha'.

At B1, you can use 'Pariksha lena' in more varied contexts, including metaphorical ones. You might describe a difficult situation as 'Zindagi meri pariksha le rahi hai' (Life is testing me). You should be comfortable with compound sentences and using the phrase in the passive voice or with modal verbs like 'padehga' (will have to). You can also start comparing it with synonyms like 'imtihan lena' and understand when to use which based on the person you are talking to.

At B2, you should understand the nuances of register. You can use 'Pariksha lena' in formal debates or essays about the education system. You should be able to use it in complex grammatical structures, such as 'Pariksha liye jane ke baad' (After the exam was taken). You also understand how it fits into idiomatic expressions and can use it to describe psychological testing or social experiments. Your usage should be fluid and natural, reflecting the authority of the examiner.

At C1, you use 'Pariksha lena' with sophisticated precision. You might use it in literary analysis to discuss how a character's morality is tested. You understand the historical and cultural weight of 'pariksha' (connected to the Sanskrit 'Parikshit'). You can use the phrase to discuss complex societal issues, such as how the law tests the patience of the poor. You are also aware of very formal alternatives like 'mulyankan' and use 'pariksha lena' only when appropriate for the tone.

At C2, you have a near-native grasp of the phrase. You can use it in high-level philosophical discourse, perhaps discussing the 'Agnipariksha' (test of fire) as a metaphor for extreme hardship. You can play with the word order for poetic effect or use it in subtle, ironic ways. You understand the deepest cultural connotations and can use the phrase to navigate any social or professional situation in the Hindi-speaking world with absolute confidence and nuance.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

परीक्षा लेना in 30 Seconds

Pariksha Lena means to administer a test.
Teacher takes (lena), student gives (dena).
It is used for academic and life tests.
Always use the feminine 'ki' with it.

The Hindi verb phrase परीक्षा लेना (parīkṣā lenā) is a foundational expression that every Hindi learner must master, especially because it involves a logical reversal from English. In English, a student 'takes' an exam. However, in Hindi, the roles are swapped: the teacher or examiner takes (lena) the exam, while the student gives (dena) the exam. Therefore, parīkṣā lenā specifically refers to the act of administering, conducting, or facilitating a test to assess someone else's knowledge, skills, or patience.

Primary Usage: It is most commonly used in academic settings where a teacher evaluates students. For example, 'Adhyapak ne chhatron ki pariksha li' (The teacher took the students' exam).

कल गुरुजी हमारी परीक्षा लेंगे। (Tomorrow the teacher will take our exam.)

Beyond the classroom, this phrase is applied to various life situations. It can refer to a driving test, a medical assessment, or even a metaphorical test of character. When life presents challenges, one might say that 'Zindagi meri pariksha le rahi hai' (Life is testing me). This metaphorical usage is frequent in Hindi literature, cinema, and daily conversation, emphasizing the trial-and-error nature of human existence.

Formal Context: In official documents, you might see 'aayojan karna' (to organize) for exams, but 'pariksha lena' remains the standard spoken and semi-formal verb.

कंपनी नए उम्मीदवारों की परीक्षा लेगी। (The company will test the new candidates.)

In summary, use this phrase whenever an evaluation is being performed by an external party. It signifies a power dynamic where the subject (the examiner) holds the authority to judge the object (the examinee). Its versatility across academic, professional, and spiritual domains makes it an essential part of the Hindi vocabulary for A2 learners and beyond.

Using परीक्षा लेना (parīkṣā lenā) correctly requires an understanding of Hindi's transitive verb structure and the use of postpositions. The person being tested is usually followed by the postposition 'ki' (की) because 'pariksha' is a feminine noun. Thus, the structure is: [Examiner] + [Examinee] + की + परीक्षा + [Conjugated form of Lena].

Past Tense Nuance: In the past tense (Perfective aspect), 'lena' changes to 'li' because it agrees with the feminine noun 'pariksha', not the subject. For example: 'Maine uski pariksha li' (I took his exam).

शिक्षक ने छात्रों की परीक्षा ली। (The teacher took the students' exam.)

When using it in the continuous tense, you conjugate 'lena' as 'le raha/rahi/rahe'. For instance, 'Vah meri pariksha le raha hai' (He is testing me). This is often used when someone is questioning you intensely or trying to see how much you know.

Future Tense: In the future, it follows standard conjugation: 'leunga' (I will take), 'lenge' (they/we will take). 'Kya aap meri pariksha lenge?' (Will you test me?)

भगवान हमारे धैर्य की परीक्षा लेते हैं। (God tests our patience.)

Metaphorical sentences often omit the 'ki' if the 'pariksha' is a general concept rather than a specific person's test, but usually, the possessive link remains. Mastering these conjugations will help you avoid the common 'dena/lena' confusion and sound like a native speaker.

You will encounter परीक्षा लेना in several distinct environments in India and Hindi-speaking communities. The most obvious is the school or university setting. During 'Exam Season' (Pariksha ka samay), you will hear teachers discussing when they will 'take' the exam and students worrying about who will 'take' their oral viva (viva-voce).

Workplace & Hiring: In corporate offices, during recruitment, HR managers often say they need to 'test' the candidate's skills. 'Hum unka technical test/pariksha lenge.'

आज मेरा बॉस मेरी काबिलियत की परीक्षा लेगा। (Today my boss will test my capability.)

Another common sphere is Hindi cinema (Bollywood). Dramas often feature scenes where a protagonist's loyalty or love is 'put to the test.' A character might dramatically cry out, 'Meri pariksha mat lo!' (Don't test me!). This highlights the emotional and psychological weight the phrase can carry.

Spiritual & Philosophical: In religious discourses (Pravachans) or mythological shows like Ramayana and Mahabharata, gods are often depicted 'taking the test' of their devotees to prove their faith.

वक्त सबकी परीक्षा लेता है। (Time tests everyone.)

Whether it is a government official conducting a driving test ('driving license ki pariksha lena') or a parent testing a child's memory, this phrase is the go-to expression for any scenario involving evaluation.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make is using परीक्षा लेना when they actually mean परीक्षा देना. Because 'take' in English is used by the student, learners naturally translate 'I am taking an exam' to 'Main pariksha le raha hoon.' In Hindi, this sounds like you are the teacher grading papers!

The 'Lena vs. Dena' Rule: Teacher = Lena (Takes the paper from the student). Student = Dena (Gives the paper to the teacher).

गलत: मैं परीक्षा ले रहा हूँ (जब आप छात्र हों)।
सही: मैं परीक्षा दे रहा हूँ।

Another error involves gender agreement. 'Pariksha' is a feminine noun. Many learners use the masculine possessive 'ka' instead of the feminine 'ki'. Always say 'Uski pariksha' (His/her test) and never 'Uska pariksha'.

Misusing 'Imtihan': While 'Imtihan lena' is a synonym, 'Pariksha' is more common in formal/academic Hindi. Mixing registers in a formal application might look slightly out of place.

Lastly, learners sometimes forget the object marker 'ki'. You cannot say 'Main tum pariksha lunga.' You must say 'Main tumhari (your) pariksha lunga.' The possessive relationship between the examiner and the test of the examinee is crucial for grammatical accuracy.

While परीक्षा लेना is the standard term, Hindi offers several synonyms depending on the context and the level of formality. Understanding these will enrich your vocabulary and help you understand different registers of the language.

इम्तहान लेना (Imtihan Lena): This is the Urdu-origin equivalent. It is extremely common in poetry, songs, and daily conversation. It often sounds more romantic or dramatic than 'pariksha'.
जाँच करना (Jaanch Karna): Means 'to inspect' or 'to check'. Used in medical contexts (blood test) or technical inspections.

डॉक्टर ने मेरी आँखों की जाँच की। (The doctor tested/checked my eyes.)

For a more formal or academic tone, you might use मूल्यांकन करना (Mulyankan Karna) which means 'to evaluate' or 'to assess'. This is used in professional reports and educational policy discussions.

Comparison Table

Word	Best For
Pariksha Lena	General/School
Imtihan Lena	Dramatic/Colloquial
Jaanch Karna	Medical/Technical
Parakhna	Character/Quality

Choosing the right word depends on whether you are in a classroom (Pariksha), a hospital (Jaanch), or a movie scene (Imtihan). However, 'Pariksha lena' is the safest and most understood choice in almost any scenario.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word 'Pariksha' is also the name of a famous king in Hindu mythology, Parikshit, whose name means 'the examined one' because he was tested by fate from birth.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /pə.ɾiːk.ʂɑː le.nɑː/

US /pə.rik.ʃɑ le.nɑ/

Stress is on the second syllable of 'Pariksha' (rik) and the first syllable of 'Lena' (Le).

Rhymes With

शिक्षा लेना (Shiksha Lena) दीक्षा लेना (Deeksha Lena) भिक्षा लेना (Bhiksha Lena) प्रतीक्षा करना (Prateeksha Karna) समीक्षा करना (Sameeksha Karna) देना (Dena) कहना (Kehna) रहना (Rehna)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'ksha' as 'khya'.
Making the 'r' sound like an American 'r' instead of a flap.
Shortening the 'ee' in Pariksha.
Pronouncing 'Lena' as 'Leena'.
Nasalizing the 'a' in 'Lena' unnecessarily.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in text.

Writing 3/5

Requires correct gender agreement (ki/li).

Speaking 4/5

Difficult because of the English logic reversal (Lena/Dena).

Listening 2/5

Commonly heard and easy to pick up.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

परीक्षा (Exam) लेना (To take) देना (To give) शिक्षक (Teacher) छात्र (Student)

Learn Next

परिणाम (Result) सफल होना (To succeed) विफल होना (To fail) अग्नि परीक्षा (Ordeal)

Advanced

मूल्यांकन (Evaluation) परीक्षण (Testing) कसौटी (Touchstone)

Grammar to Know

Transitive Verb Agreement

In 'Maine pariksha li', 'li' agrees with 'pariksha' (fem), not 'Maine'.

Possessive Postposition 'Ki'

Always 'Ram ki pariksha', never 'Ram ka pariksha'.

Compound Verbs with Lena

Lena usually indicates an action directed towards the self or authority.

Future Tense Conjugation

Main lunga, Hum lenge, Tum loge, Vah lega.

Imperative Mood

Meri pariksha mat lo! (Don't test me!)

Examples by Level

शिक्षक परीक्षा लेते हैं।

The teacher takes the exam.

Simple present tense with plural respect for teacher.

क्या आप मेरी परीक्षा लेंगे?

Will you take my exam?

Future tense interrogative.

आज मेरी परीक्षा है।

Today is my exam.

Simple sentence using 'is'.

वह परीक्षा ले रहा है।

He is taking the exam (as an examiner).

Present continuous tense.

माँ मेरी परीक्षा लेती हैं।

Mother tests me (takes my test).

Habitual present tense.

कल परीक्षा मत लेना।

Don't take the exam tomorrow.

Imperative negative.

सर ने परीक्षा ली।

Sir took the exam.

Past tense, 'li' agrees with feminine 'pariksha'.

यह एक छोटी परीक्षा है।

This is a small test.

Adjective 'chhoti' agrees with feminine 'pariksha'.

शिक्षक ने हमारी गणित की परीक्षा ली।

The teacher took our math exam.

Past tense with specific subject.

वह मेरी सब्र की परीक्षा ले रहा है।

He is testing my patience.

Metaphorical use of 'sabr' (patience).

क्या डॉक्टर आपकी आँखों की परीक्षा लेंगे?

Will the doctor test your eyes?

Using 'pariksha' for a medical test.

पुलिस वाले ने मेरा ड्राइविंग टेस्ट (परीक्षा) लिया।

The policeman took my driving test.

Official context.

हमें उनकी परीक्षा लेनी चाहिए।

We should test them.

Using 'chahiye' (should).

वे हर हफ्ते एक परीक्षा लेते हैं।

They take a test every week.

Frequency adverb 'har hafte'.

मेरी बहन मेरी परीक्षा ले रही थी।

My sister was testing me.

Past continuous tense.

क्या शिक्षक कल परीक्षा ले सकते हैं?

Can the teacher take the exam tomorrow?

Using 'sakte' (can) for possibility.

कठिन समय हमेशा हमारी हिम्मत की परीक्षा लेता है।

Hard times always test our courage.

Abstract noun 'himmat' (courage).

जब तक शिक्षक परीक्षा नहीं लेते, छात्र नहीं पढ़ते।

Until the teacher takes the exam, students don't study.

Conditional 'Jab tak... tab tak'.

इंटरव्यू लेने वाला आपकी काबिलियत की परीक्षा लेगा।

The interviewer will test your capability.

Agentive noun 'lene wala'.

क्या आपने कभी किसी की परीक्षा ली है?

Have you ever tested anyone?

Present perfect tense.

सरकार को इस नई नीति की परीक्षा लेनी होगी।

The government will have to test this new policy.

Compulsion 'hogi'.

अगर आप मेरी परीक्षा लेंगे, तो मैं फेल हो जाऊँगा।

If you test me, I will fail.

Conditional sentence.

बिना परीक्षा लिए हमें किसी पर भरोसा नहीं करना चाहिए।

We should not trust anyone without testing them.

Conjunctive participle 'liye'.

समाज अक्सर महिलाओं के धैर्य की परीक्षा लेता है।

Society often tests the patience of women.

Social context usage.

प्रशिक्षक ने खिलाड़ियों की शारीरिक क्षमता की कड़ी परीक्षा ली।

The instructor took a tough test of the players' physical capacity.

Use of adjective 'kadi' (tough).

यह सॉफ्टवेयर आपकी सुरक्षा प्रणाली की परीक्षा लेगा।

This software will test your security system.

Technical context.

अदालत ने गवाह की सच्चाई की गहराई से परीक्षा ली।

The court deeply tested the truthfulness of the witness.

Adverbial phrase 'gehrai se'.

किसी भी नेता की परीक्षा संकट के समय में होती है।

The test of any leader happens in times of crisis.

Passive-like structure.

वैज्ञानिकों ने वैक्सीन के प्रभाव की परीक्षा लेने का निर्णय लिया।

Scientists decided to test the effect of the vaccine.

Infinitive 'lene ka'.

क्या आपको लगता है कि यह फिल्म दर्शकों की बुद्धि की परीक्षा लेती है?

Do you think this film tests the intelligence of the audience?

Complex clause with 'ki'.

प्रबंधक ने मेरी ईमानदारी की परीक्षा लेने के लिए जाल बिछाया।

The manager set a trap to test my honesty.

Purpose clause 'lene ke liye'.

उसने मेरी वफादारी की परीक्षा ली और मैं उसमें सफल रहा।

He tested my loyalty and I succeeded in it.

Compound sentence.

इतिहास अक्सर महान सभ्यताओं की परीक्षा लेता है।

History often tests great civilizations.

Philosophical subject.

लेखक ने अपनी पुस्तक में समाज के नैतिक मूल्यों की परीक्षा ली है।

The author has tested the moral values of society in his book.

Literary context.

नियति ने उसे ऐसी परिस्थितियों में डाल दिया जो उसके चरित्र की परीक्षा ले रही थीं।

Destiny put him in situations that were testing his character.

Relative clause 'jo'.

यह शोध परियोजना हमारे धैर्य और संसाधन दोनों की परीक्षा लेगी।

This research project will test both our patience and resources.

Coordinating conjunction 'aur'.

बिना कठिन परीक्षा लिए किसी को स्वर्ण पदक नहीं दिया जाता।

A gold medal is not given to anyone without taking a tough test.

Passive construction.

राजनीतिक अस्थिरता देश के लोकतंत्र की परीक्षा ले रही है।

Political instability is testing the country's democracy.

Abstract political usage.

गुरु ने शिष्य की एकाग्रता की परीक्षा लेने हेतु उसे जंगल भेजा।

The teacher sent the disciple to the forest to test his concentration.

Formal purpose marker 'hetu'.

आज की अर्थव्यवस्था मध्यम वर्ग की बचत की परीक्षा ले रही है।

Today's economy is testing the savings of the middle class.

Economic context.

युद्ध की विभीषिका मानवता के अंतःकरण की कठोरतम परीक्षा लेती है।

The horror of war takes the harshest test of humanity's conscience.

High-level vocabulary (Vibhishika, Antahkaran).

समय की कसौटी पर हर विचारधारा की परीक्षा ली जाती है।

Every ideology is tested on the touchstone of time.

Idiomatic 'Samay ki kasauti'.

अध्यात्म में, माया साधक के संकल्प की परीक्षा लेती है।

In spirituality, Maya (illusion) tests the seeker's resolve.

Theological context.

क्या विज्ञान कभी चेतना की सीमाओं की परीक्षा ले पाएगा?

Will science ever be able to test the limits of consciousness?

Existential question.

सत्ता का नशा अक्सर इंसान के विवेक की परीक्षा लेता है।

The intoxication of power often tests a person's wisdom.

Metaphorical 'Nasha'.

प्रकृति अपनी विनाशकारी शक्तियों द्वारा मानव की सहनशीलता की परीक्षा लेती है।

Nature tests human endurance through its destructive powers.

Instrumental case 'dwara'.

साहित्यिक आलोचना में, आलोचक कृति की प्रासंगिकता की परीक्षा लेता है।

In literary criticism, the critic tests the relevance of the work.

Academic terminology.

मृत्यु का भय ही जीवन के प्रति हमारे प्रेम की असली परीक्षा लेता है।

The fear of death itself takes the real test of our love for life.

Emphatic 'hi'.

Synonyms

इम्तहान लेना जाँच करना परखना मूल्यांकन करना आकलन करना टेस्ट लेना सवाल-जवाब करना कसौटी पर कसना

Antonyms

परीक्षा देना अनदेखा करना पास करना छूट देना

Common Collocations

कठिन परीक्षा लेना

मौखिक परीक्षा लेना

धैर्य की परीक्षा लेना

प्रवेश परीक्षा लेना

अंतिम परीक्षा लेना

ईमानदारी की परीक्षा लेना

शारीरिक परीक्षा लेना

अचानक परीक्षा लेना

साक्षात्कार (इंटरव्यू) लेना

योग्यता की परीक्षा लेना

Common Phrases

परीक्षा का समय

— Exam time/season.

परीक्षा का समय नज़दीक है।

परीक्षा की तैयारी

— Preparation for the exam.

मैं परीक्षा की तैयारी कर रहा हूँ।

परीक्षा फल

— Exam result.

परीक्षा फल कल आएगा।

अग्नि परीक्षा

— A very difficult trial/ordeal.

यह मेरे लिए अग्नि परीक्षा है।

परीक्षा केंद्र

— Exam center.

आपका परीक्षा केंद्र कहाँ है?

परीक्षा शुल्क

— Exam fee.

परीक्षा शुल्क जमा कर दो।

परीक्षा भवन

— Exam hall.

छात्र परीक्षा भवन में हैं।

प्रतियोगी परीक्षा

— Competitive exam.

वह प्रतियोगी परीक्षा की तैयारी कर रहा है।

वार्षिक परीक्षा

— Annual exam.

हमारी वार्षिक परीक्षा मार्च में है।

छमाही परीक्षा

— Half-yearly exam.

छमाही परीक्षा शुरू हो गई है।

Often Confused With

परीक्षा लेना vs परीक्षा देना

Means 'to take an exam' (student's perspective). This is the most common confusion.

परीक्षा लेना vs परीक्षण करना

Means 'to test/experiment' (scientific/technical), like testing a machine.

परीक्षा लेना vs पूछताछ करना

Means 'to interrogate' or 'to inquire', usually by police.

Idioms & Expressions

"अग्नि परीक्षा देना/लेना"

— To go through or put someone through a severe test.

सीता को अग्नि परीक्षा देनी पड़ी।

Literary/Mythological

"कसौटी पर उतरना"

— To pass a test of quality or truth.

वह मेरी उम्मीदों की कसौटी पर उतरा।

Formal

"लोहे के चने चबाना"

— To face an extremely difficult test.

यह परीक्षा पास करना लोहे के चने चबाना है।

Informal

"दूध का दूध पानी का पानी होना"

— To reveal the truth through a test.

परीक्षा सब सच सामने ला देगी, दूध का दूध पानी का पानी हो जाएगा।

Colloquial

"आँखों में धूल झोंकना"

— To cheat during a test.

उसने परीक्षा में शिक्षक की आँखों में धूल झोंकी।

Informal

"मैदान मारना"

— To win or succeed in a difficult test.

उसने परीक्षा में मैदान मार लिया।

Informal

"हाथ कंगन को आरसी क्या"

— The truth needs no test when it is obvious.

तुम पास हो गए, अब और परीक्षा क्या? हाथ कंगन को आरसी क्या?

Proverb

"दाल गलना"

— To succeed in a scheme or test.

यहाँ तुम्हारी दाल नहीं गलेगी, हम तुम्हारी परीक्षा लेंगे।

Informal

"पसीने छूटना"

— To be very nervous during a test.

परीक्षा के नाम से ही उसके पसीने छूटने लगे।

Informal

"दिन-रात एक करना"

— To study extremely hard for a test.

उसने परीक्षा के लिए दिन-रात एक कर दिया।

Common

Easily Confused

परीक्षा लेना vs देना (Dena)

English 'take' = Hindi 'dena' for students.

Dena is for the person providing the answers. Lena is for the person providing the questions.

मैंने कल परीक्षा दी।

परीक्षा लेना vs जाँच (Jaanch)

Both involve testing.

Jaanch is checking for errors or health issues. Pariksha is evaluating knowledge or character.

डॉक्टर ने खून की जाँच की।

परीक्षा लेना vs इम्तहान (Imtihan)

They mean the same thing.

Imtihan is Urdu-based and more common in songs/informal talk. Pariksha is Sanskrit-based and more formal.

ज़िंदगी इम्तहान लेती है।

परीक्षा लेना vs परख (Parakh)

Both mean 'test'.

Parakh is the noun for 'judgment' or 'discernment'. Lena is the action.

हीरे की परख जोहरी ही जानता है।

परीक्षा लेना vs अभ्यास (Abhyas)

Both relate to study.

Abhyas is 'practice'. Pariksha is the final 'test'.

मैं अभ्यास कर रहा हूँ।

Sentence Patterns

[Teacher] [Exam] [Lena].

शिक्षक परीक्षा लेते हैं।

[Subject] ने [Examinee] की परीक्षा ली।

राम ने मेरी परीक्षा ली।

[Abstract Noun] [Subject] की परीक्षा लेता है।

वक्त हमारी परीक्षा लेता है।

[Subject] को परीक्षा लेनी पड़ी।

मैनेजर को मेरी परीक्षा लेनी पड़ी।

बिना [Exam] लिए, [Result] नहीं मिलता।

बिना परीक्षा लिए, नौकरी नहीं मिलती।

[Metaphor] [Subject] के [Quality] की परीक्षा लेती है।

विपत्ति मनुष्य के धैर्य की परीक्षा लेती है।

Mixed

क्या आप [Exam] लेंगे?

क्या आप परीक्षा लेंगे?

Mixed

परीक्षा लेना बंद करो!

Word Family

Nouns

परीक्षा (Exam)

परीक्षक (Examiner)

परीक्षार्थी (Examinee/Candidate)

Verbs

परीक्षा लेना (To test)

परीक्षा देना (To take a test)

परीक्षण करना (To experiment/test)

Adjectives

परीक्षित (Tested)

प्रायोगिक (Experimental)

प्रश्न (Question)

उत्तर (Answer)

परिणाम (Result)

सफलता (Success)

विफलता (Failure)

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in all spheres of life.

Common Mistakes

Main pariksha le raha hoon (as a student). → Main pariksha de raha hoon.
Students 'give' exams in Hindi logic.
Usne mera pariksha liya. → Usne meri pariksha li.
'Pariksha' is feminine; possessive and verb must match.
Main tum pariksha lunga. → Main tumhari pariksha lunga.
Need the possessive 'ki' (hidden in 'tumhari').
Teacher ne pariksha diya. → Teacher ne pariksha li.
Teachers don't 'give' exams to themselves; they 'take' them from students.
Using 'Pariksha' for a blood test. → Using 'Jaanch' for a blood test.
Medical tests are usually 'jaanch'.

Tips

Gender Agreement

Always remember 'Pariksha' is feminine. Use 'ki' and 'li'.

The Reverse Rule

Think of the physical action: The teacher 'takes' the paper from you at the end. So Teacher = Lena.

Formal vs Informal

Use 'Pariksha' for school and 'Imtihan' for dramatic life situations.

Don't translate literally

If you translate 'I take a test' word-for-word, you will be wrong.

Social Importance

In India, 'Pariksha' is a very serious word. Use it with respect to the context.

Context Clues

If you hear 'lena', look for the person in authority.

Compound Verbs

Practice using it with 'padega' (will have to) for common exam stress expressions.

Teacher Taker

Teacher = Taker = Lena. Student = Giver = Dena.

Hinglish usage

'Test lena' is perfectly fine in casual conversation.

Interviews

In a job context, use it to describe the evaluation process.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a teacher 'taking' away your freedom with a test. Teacher = Lena (Take).

Visual Association

Imagine a teacher's hand reaching out to 'take' a paper from a student's desk.

Word Web

School Teacher Stress Grades Paper Pencil Result Evaluation

Challenge

Write three sentences about a time a teacher 'took' your exam using the past tense 'li'.

Word Origin

Derived from Sanskrit 'Parīkṣā' (परीक्षण), which comes from the roots 'pari' (around) and 'iksh' (to see/look).

Original meaning: To look around thoroughly, to inspect, or to investigate.

Indo-Aryan (Sanskrit origin).

Cultural Context

Be careful using 'Pariksha' in high-stress situations as it can trigger anxiety for some students.

Unlike English where 'taking a test' is the student's job, in Hindi, it's the teacher's job.

The 'Agnipariksha' of Sita in the Ramayana. The 'Yaksha Prashna' where a Yaksha tests Yudhishthira. The movie 'Pareeksha' (2020) about the Indian education system.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

School/University

आज परीक्षा है।
शिक्षक परीक्षा ले रहे हैं।
कल कौन परीक्षा लेगा?
परीक्षा कब होगी?

Job Interview

आपका इंटरव्यू (परीक्षा) कब है?
कंपनी परीक्षा लेगी।
क्या यह कठिन परीक्षा है?
योग्यता की परीक्षा।

Spiritual/Life

ईश्वर परीक्षा लेता है।
धैर्य की परीक्षा।
मुश्किल समय परीक्षा लेता है।
सच्चाई की परीक्षा।

Driving/Skills

ड्राइविंग की परीक्षा।
क्या उसने परीक्षा ली?
लाइसेंस के लिए परीक्षा।
कौशल की परीक्षा।

Medical

खून की जाँच (परीक्षा)।
आँखों की परीक्षा।
स्वास्थ्य की परीक्षा।
रिपोर्ट कब आएगी?

Conversation Starters

"क्या आपके शिक्षक अक्सर सरप्राइज परीक्षा लेते हैं?"

"क्या आपको लगता है कि परीक्षा लेना किसी की बुद्धिमत्ता जाँचने का सही तरीका है?"

"क्या कभी किसी ने आपकी ईमानदारी की परीक्षा ली है?"

"अगर आपको किसी की परीक्षा लेनी हो, तो आप क्या पूछेंगे?"

"क्या आपको परीक्षा देने से डर लगता है या परीक्षा लेने से?"

Journal Prompts

आज मेरी ज़िंदगी ने मेरी किस तरह से परीक्षा ली? मैंने क्या सीखा?

एक ऐसे शिक्षक के बारे में लिखें जो बहुत कठिन परीक्षा लेते थे।

क्या हमें समाज में परीक्षा लेने की प्रणाली को बदलना चाहिए? क्यों?

अगर ईश्वर आपकी परीक्षा ले, तो आप उसे क्या साबित करना चाहेंगे?

परीक्षा लेने और परीक्षा देने के बीच के अंतर को अपने शब्दों में समझाएं।

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No. As a student, you must say 'Main pariksha de raha hoon'. Using 'le raha hoon' implies you are the teacher or examiner.

It is feminine. This is why we say 'Pariksha li' and 'Meri pariksha'.

The Urdu word is 'Imtihan' (इम्तहान).

You say 'Kisi ke sabr (or dhairya) ki pariksha lena'.

Usually, 'Jaanch' (जाँच) is used for medical tests, but 'Pariksha' can be used in a very general sense.

It literally means 'test of fire'. It is used to describe an extremely difficult and defining trial.

Yes, 'Test lena' is very common in Hinglish (Hindi-English mix).

The examiner is called 'Pareekshak' (परीक्षक).

The examinee is called 'Pareeksharthi' (परीक्षार्थी).

Sometimes, but 'Saakshatkaar' is the formal word for interview. However, an interview is a type of 'pariksha'.