This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

Home
Learn
Hindi
Vocabulary
पिसा हुआ

A2 adjective #6,000 most common 10 min read

पिसा हुआ

pisa hua Top 6,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips पिसा हुआ in 30 Seconds

Explanation पिसा हुआ in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should recognize 'पिसा हुआ' (pisa hua) as a way to describe food. You might see it on a menu or a shopping list. Think of it as a single unit meaning 'ground' or 'powder'. At this stage, don't worry too much about the complex grammar of why it's 'pisa' vs 'pisi'. Just focus on the most common masculine use: 'पिसा हुआ मसाला' (ground spice). You will mostly hear this in the context of basic shopping. If you go to a market and point at a bag of powder, the seller might say 'पिसा हुआ है' (It is ground). Your goal is to understand that this word describes the *form* of the ingredient, distinguishing it from whole (sabut) items. You can use it in simple sentences like 'पिसा हुआ नमक' (ground salt) or 'पिसा हुआ चावल' (ground rice). It is a very practical word for survival Hindi in a kitchen or market setting.

At the A2 level, you need to start applying gender and number agreement. This is where 'पिसा हुआ' becomes 'पिसी हुई' for feminine nouns and 'पिसे हुए' for plural or oblique cases. You should be able to use the word to follow simple recipes or ask specific questions at a grocery store. For example, 'क्या आपके पास पिसी हुई मिर्च है?' (Do you have ground chili?). You should also understand the difference between 'पिसा हुआ' (ground) and 'साबुत' (whole). This level requires you to use the word in full sentences, such as 'मुझे पिसा हुआ धनिया चाहिए' (I need ground coriander). You are moving beyond just recognizing the word to actively using it to specify your needs in daily life. You should also be able to distinguish it from the verb 'पीसना' (to grind) so you don't accidentally say you are grinding something when you just want to buy it.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'पिसा हुआ' in a variety of contexts, including describing textures. You can now combine it with other adjectives like 'बारीक' (fine) or 'दरदरा' (coarse). For example, 'इसे थोड़ा दरदरा पिसा हुआ रहने दें' (Keep it a bit coarsely ground). You should also be able to use it in more complex sentence structures, such as 'पिसे हुए मसालों की खुशबू बहुत अच्छी होती है' (The aroma of ground spices is very good). At this stage, you might also encounter the word in metaphorical or literary contexts, though it's still primarily culinary. You understand the stative nature of 'हुआ' (hua) and how it functions to describe a completed state. Your vocabulary is expanding to include synonyms like 'चूर्ण' (powder) for specific contexts like medicine, and you know when to choose 'पिसा हुआ' over 'कुचला हुआ' (crushed).

At the B2 level, you can use 'पिसा हुआ' with precision in professional or technical discussions. If you are talking about food processing, nutrition, or even industrial manufacturing, this word remains relevant. You can discuss the merits of 'ताज़ा पिसा हुआ' (freshly ground) versus packaged goods. You should be able to handle the oblique case perfectly: 'पिसे हुए अनाज से बनी रोटियाँ स्वास्थ्यवर्धक होती हैं' (Rotis made from ground grain are healthy). You also start to recognize the word's appearance in more formal Hindi literature or news reports, perhaps describing 'पिसे हुए पत्थर' (crushed stones) in a construction project or 'पिसे हुए खनिज' (ground minerals) in a scientific report. Your understanding of the word is now integrated with a wider grasp of Hindi's participial adjectives, allowing you to use it fluently without pausing for gender agreement.

At the C1 level, 'पिसा हुआ' is a word you use with stylistic flair. You might use it metaphorically to describe a person's state of mind or social condition—someone who is 'पिसा हुआ' between two conflicting forces (like the 'grind' of poverty or bureaucracy). Your usage is nuanced; you know the subtle difference between 'पिसा हुआ' and 'पिसा-पिसाया' (which implies something already ground and ready, often used with a hint of convenience or lack of freshness). You can engage in deep culinary discussions about how the method of grinding (stone vs. machine) affects the 'पिसा हुआ' result. In writing, you use the term to add descriptive depth, perhaps in a short story where the smell of 'पिसी हुई इलायची' (ground cardamom) sets a specific scene. You are fully aware of all regional variations and can switch between formal and colloquial registers with ease.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 'पिसा हुआ' is absolute. You understand its etymological roots in Sanskrit (from the root 'piṣ') and can discuss its cognates in other Indo-Aryan languages. You can appreciate the word's use in classical poetry or high-level academic discourse where it might describe the 'pulverization' of ideas or substances in a philosophical sense. You can use the term in complex legal or technical documents related to the food industry or agriculture without error. You are also aware of very rare, archaic, or highly regional synonyms that might be used in specific dialects. For you, 'पिसा हुआ' is not just a vocabulary word but a small part of a vast linguistic web, and you can manipulate its use to achieve precise emotional or intellectual effects in your speech and writing.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

पिसा हुआ in 30 Seconds

Means 'ground' or 'powdered' in Hindi.
Derived from the verb 'peesna' (to grind).
Must agree with the gender and number of the noun.
Commonly used for spices, flour, and coffee.

The Hindi term पिसा हुआ (pisa hua) is a compound adjective derived from the perfective participle of the verb पीसना (peesna), which means 'to grind' or 'to crush'. In its literal sense, it describes any substance that has been reduced to a powder, fine particles, or a paste-like consistency through a mechanical or manual process. For English speakers, this translates most directly to 'ground', 'powdered', or 'milled'. Understanding this word is crucial for navigating Indian culinary landscapes, as the texture of spices and grains defines the character of the cuisine.

Culinary Context: It is most frequently used to describe spices (masale), flour (aata), or coffee (coffee). For example, 'पिसा हुआ गरम मसाला' refers to ground garam masala.
State of Being: The addition of 'हुआ' (hua) emphasizes the completed state of the action. It isn't just 'grinding'; it is the 'already ground' result.

In Indian households, the distinction between whole spices (sabut masale) and ground spices (pise hue masale) is a daily linguistic necessity. While many modern urban Indians buy pre-packaged ground spices, traditional cooking often calls for spices to be ground fresh. Therefore, you will hear this word in grocery stores (kirana shops), kitchens, and while reading recipes. The word also carries a metaphorical weight in literature, sometimes describing a person who has been 'ground down' by the hardships of life, though this is less common in daily A2-level conversation.

बाज़ार से पिसा हुआ नमक मत लाना, साबुत नमक बेहतर होता है। (Do not bring ground salt from the market; whole salt is better.)

Historically, the process of grinding in India involved the 'sil-batta' (a flat stone and a pestle) or the 'chakki' (stone mill). Even as technology has shifted to electric mixers and grinders, the vocabulary has remained steadfast. When you ask for 'pisa hua' anything, you are specifying the texture. If you want it coarsely ground, you might add the qualifier 'दरदरा' (dardara), but 'pisa hua' generally implies a standard fine or medium grind suitable for immediate use in cooking or baking.

क्या आपके पास पिसा हुआ धनिया है? (Do you have ground coriander?)

Beyond food, the term can be applied to minerals or industrial materials. In a construction context, 'pisa hua chuna' (ground lime) or 'pisa hua kanch' (crushed/ground glass) might be used. However, for a learner, the kitchen and the market remain the primary domains. It is a functional, descriptive adjective that helps you differentiate between raw ingredients and processed ones. It is also important to note that 'pisa हुआ' is often shortened to just 'pisa' in fast speech, but 'pisa hua' is the grammatically complete and polite form to learn first.

Textural Nuance: The word implies a transformation. It suggests that something once solid and whole has been reduced to a form that is easier to blend or consume.

मुझे पिसा हुआ लहसुन चाहिए। (I need ground/pasted garlic.)

Using पिसा हुआ (pisa hua) correctly requires an understanding of Hindi's gender and number agreement system. Since 'पिसा' is an adjective derived from a verb, it changes its ending based on the noun it modifies. This is the most common hurdle for English speakers who are used to the invariant word 'ground'.

Masculine Singular: Use 'पिसा हुआ' for masculine nouns like Masala (spice mix), Namak (salt), or Gehun (wheat). Example: 'पिसा हुआ मसाला' (Ground spice).
Feminine Singular: Use 'पिसी हुई' (pisi hui) for feminine nouns like Mirch (chili), Haldi (turmeric), or Cheeni (sugar). Example: 'पिसी हुई हल्दी' (Ground turmeric).
Plural (Masculine): Use 'पिसे हुए' (pise hue) for plural masculine nouns. Example: 'पिसे हुए बादाम' (Ground almonds).

In a sentence, the adjective usually precedes the noun, just like in English. However, it can also appear after the noun in a predicative position. For instance, 'यह मसाला पिसा हुआ है' (This spice is ground). The 'हुआ' part acts as a stative marker, indicating that the state of being ground is currently true of the object.

मैंने पिसा हुआ चावल इस्तेमाल किया। (I used ground rice.)

When giving instructions, especially in a kitchen, you might use it to specify the required form of an ingredient. If a recipe says 'add ground ginger', you would say 'पिसा हुआ अदरक डालिए'. If you are at a coffee shop and want to know if they sell ground beans, you would ask, 'क्या आपके पास पिसी हुई कॉफ़ी है?' (Note: Coffee is often treated as feminine in Hindi).

Another common use is in the context of Ayurvedic medicine, where many herbs are consumed in their ground form. Doctors or practitioners might refer to 'पिसा हुआ आंवला' (ground amla) or 'पिसी हुई अश्वगंधा' (ground ashwagandha). In these contexts, the precision of the term ensures the patient knows they need the powder, not the whole root or fruit.

क्या यह पिसा हुआ चंदन है? (Is this ground sandalwood?)

Finally, consider the negative. If you want to say something is 'not ground' or 'whole', you would use 'साबुत' (sabut). Contrasting these two in your practice will help solidify the meaning. 'मुझे पिसा हुआ नहीं, साबुत जीरा चाहिए' (I don't want ground cumin, I want whole cumin). This contrast is the most practical way to use the word in a shopping scenario.

Sentence Structure Tip: Subject + [Adjective + Noun] + Verb. Example: 'राम पिसा हुआ आटा लाया।' (Ram brought ground flour.)

The word पिसा हुआ (pisa hua) is ubiquitous in the daily life of North India and other Hindi-speaking regions. If you walk into a traditional Kirana (grocery) store, you will see sacks or packets labeled with this term. Shopkeepers use it to distinguish between their stock. A customer might ask, 'Bhaiya, pisi hui mirch dena?' (Brother, give me some ground chili?). The shopkeeper might respond by asking how much of the 'pisa hua' material you need.

In modern supermarkets like Big Bazaar or Reliance Fresh, the packaging will often feature this word. It's used to indicate that the product is ready-to-use. For example, 'Pisa hua dhaniya' (Ground coriander) is a staple on the shelves. In television cooking shows—which are immensely popular in India—chefs like Sanjeev Kapoor or Kunal Kapur frequently use this term. They might say, 'Ab isme thoda pisa hua jeera daliye' (Now add some ground cumin to this).

मेरी दादी हमेशा पिसा हुआ मसाला ही पसंद करती हैं। (My grandmother always prefers ground spices.)

Another place you will encounter this word is at the 'Aata Chakki' (flour mill). Even in big cities, many people prefer to buy whole wheat and have it ground at a local mill. When they go to collect it, they are collecting 'pisa hua gehun' (ground wheat), which has now become 'aata' (flour). The conversation at the mill revolves around how 'fine' (barik) or 'coarse' (mota) the 'pisa hua' flour should be.

In the world of beauty and wellness, 'pisa hua' is used for natural face packs. You might hear someone suggest using 'pisi hui haldi' (ground turmeric) or 'pisa hua chandan' (ground sandalwood) for a skin treatment. This highlights the word's versatility beyond just food—it applies to anything that has been pulverized for a specific purpose.

Social Media & Blogs: On Hindi recipe blogs or YouTube channels, 'पिसा हुआ' is a standard part of the 'Ingredients' (सामग्री) list. It's a word you'll need to recognize instantly to follow a recipe.

यह पिसा हुआ नमक बहुत बारीक है। (This ground salt is very fine.)

Lastly, in formal or academic Hindi, the word might appear in geography or science textbooks when discussing 'pise hue khanij' (ground minerals) or the process of erosion where rocks are ground down. While the context changes, the core meaning of 'something reduced to powder' remains constant. Hearing it in these diverse settings—from a dusty street corner to a high-end kitchen—reinforces its status as a foundational A2 vocabulary word.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with पिसा हुआ (pisa hua) is failing to apply gender and number agreement. In English, 'ground' is used for everything—ground pepper, ground salt, ground almonds. In Hindi, you must pause and identify the gender of the noun. If you say 'पिसा हुआ हल्दी' (pisa hua haldi), a native speaker will understand you, but it sounds incorrect because 'Haldi' (turmeric) is feminine. The correct form is 'पिसी हुई हल्दी' (pisi hui haldi).

Another common error is confusing 'पिसा हुआ' (the adjective/state) with the verb 'पीसना' (to grind). For example, if you want to say 'I want ground coffee', some learners might mistakenly say 'मुझे कॉफ़ी पीसना चाहिए' (I should grind coffee). This changes the meaning entirely from a request for a product to an obligation to perform an action. Remember: 'पिसा हुआ' describes the *result*, not the *action*.

Incorrect: मुझे पिसा हुआ मिर्च दो। (Mirch is feminine)
Correct: मुझे पिसी हुई मिर्च दो।

A subtle mistake involves the use of 'हुआ' (hua). Beginners often forget to include 'हुआ' and just say 'पिसा मसाला'. While this is common in colloquial speech, omitting 'हुआ' in formal writing or when you want to be precise about the state of the object can make the sentence feel incomplete. 'हुआ' emphasizes that the grinding process is finished.

Learners also sometimes confuse 'पिसा हुआ' with 'कुचला हुआ' (kuchla hua), which means 'crushed' or 'mashed'. While they are similar, 'पिसा हुआ' usually implies a finer, more uniform texture (like powder or a smooth paste), whereas 'कुचला हुआ' implies a coarser, more irregular texture (like crushed garlic or mashed potatoes). Using the wrong one might lead to the wrong texture in a dish.

Oblique Case Error: If you are talking about something *in* the ground spice, you must use 'पिसे हुए'. Incorrect: 'पिसा हुआ मसाले में...' Correct: 'पिसे हुए मसाले में...'

Lastly, watch out for the spelling. The 'प' (p) has a 'short i' sound (पि), not a 'long ee' sound. If you pronounce it as 'पीसा हुआ' (peesa hua), it sounds like the past tense verb 'he/she ground' rather than the adjective 'ground'. The short 'i' sound is crisp and quick.

While पिसा हुआ (pisa hua) is the most versatile term for 'ground', there are several alternatives depending on the texture and context. Knowing these will help you sound more like a native speaker and allow you to be more specific in your descriptions.

चूर्ण (Choorn): This is a more formal or Ayurvedic term for 'powder'. You'll see it on medicine bottles. For example, 'Triphala Choorn'. It is almost always a very fine powder.
पाउडर (Powder): The English loanword 'powder' is extremely common in urban India. People often say 'Coffee powder' or 'Chili powder' instead of 'pisi hui mirch'.
बारीक (Baareek): This means 'fine'. It's often used alongside 'pisa hua' to describe the quality. 'Bahut baareek pisa hua' means 'very finely ground'.
दरदरा (Dardara): The opposite of 'baareek'. It means 'coarsely ground'. If you want black pepper that isn't a fine powder, you ask for 'dardari pisi hui kali mirch'.

Another related word is पेस्ट (Paste). When ginger or garlic is ground with a little water, it becomes a 'paste'. While you could call it 'pisa hua adrak', it's more common to use the English word 'paste' in modern kitchens. However, the traditional term would be 'पिसान' (pisaan), though this is now quite rare and regional.

मुझे दरदरा पिसा हुआ अनाज चाहिए। (I want coarsely ground grain.)

In some contexts, कुचला हुआ (kuchla hua) is a better fit. This means 'crushed' or 'bruised'. If a recipe asks you to crush cardamom pods slightly rather than turning them into powder, 'kuchla hua' is the word to use. Similarly, मथा हुआ (matha hua) is used for things that are churned or whisked, like yogurt (dahi).

For learners, sticking to 'पिसा हुआ' is safe and accurate for 90% of situations involving ground substances. As you advance, you can start adding texture adjectives like 'baareek' or 'dardara' to refine your requests. Just remember the gender agreement rule applies to all these participle-based adjectives!

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The English word 'pestle' (as in mortar and pestle) shares a distant Indo-European connection with the same concept of crushing/grinding.

Pronunciation Guide

UK pɪsɑː huːɑː

US pɪsɑ huɑ

Stress is slightly more on the first syllable 'pi' and the first syllable of 'hua'.

Rhymes With

घिसा हुआ (ghisa hua - rubbed/worn) लिखा हुआ (likha hua - written) दिखा हुआ (dikha hua - seen) बिका हुआ (bika hua - sold) रुका हुआ (ruka hua - stopped) सिखा हुआ (sikha hua - learned) बिखा हुआ (bikha hua - scattered) झुका हुआ (jhuka hua - bent)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'pi' as 'pee' (long vowel).
Omitting the 'h' sound in 'hua'.
Not changing the ending for feminine nouns.
Aspirating the 'p' sound like English 'pie'.
Merging 'pisa' and 'hua' into one word without a pause.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in lists and labels.

Writing 3/5

Requires attention to gender agreement and the 'hua' suffix.

Speaking 3/5

Agreement must be fast in conversation.

Listening 2/5

Distinctive sound, usually clear in context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

पीसना हुआ मसाला आटा नमक

Learn Next

दरदरा बारीक चूर्ण साबुत मिश्रण

Advanced

पिसान कुचला हुआ मथा हुआ पिसा-पिसाया

Grammar to Know

Adjectival Participles

पिसा हुआ (Ground), लिखा हुआ (Written)

Gender/Number Agreement

पिसा (M), पिसी (F), पिसे (Pl)

Oblique Case with Postpositions

पिसे हुए मसाले में (In the ground spice)

Use of 'Hua' as a Stative Marker

यह पिसा हुआ है (It is in a ground state)

Verb to Adjective Transformation

पीसना (To grind) -> पिसा हुआ (Ground)

Examples by Level

यह पिसा हुआ नमक है।

This is ground salt.

Simple subject + adjective + noun + verb.

पिसा हुआ मसाला कहाँ है?

Where is the ground spice?

Question form.

मुझे पिसा हुआ चावल चाहिए।

I want ground rice.

Direct object with 'chahiye'.

वह पिसा हुआ बादाम खाता है।

He eats ground almonds.

Present habitual tense.

पिसा हुआ अदरक लाओ।

Bring ground ginger.

Imperative form.

क्या यह पिसा हुआ है?

Is this ground?

Yes/No question.

यह पिसा हुआ चीनी नहीं है।

This is not ground sugar.

Negative sentence (Note: Sugar can be masc/fem depending on dialect, here masc).

पिसा हुआ आटा अच्छा है।

The ground flour is good.

Adjective describing the quality.

मुझे पिसी हुई मिर्च चाहिए।

I want ground chili.

Feminine agreement: पिसी हुई.

क्या आपके पास पिसी हुई हल्दी है?

Do you have ground turmeric?

Feminine agreement for 'haldi'.

मैंने पिसा हुआ गरम मसाला खरीदा।

I bought ground garam masala.

Past tense with 'ne' construction.

पिसे हुए बादाम दूध में डालिए।

Put ground almonds in the milk.

Plural agreement: पिसे हुए.

वह पिसी हुई कॉफ़ी पसंद करती है।

She likes ground coffee.

Feminine agreement for 'coffee'.

बाज़ार में पिसा हुआ नमक मिलता है।

Ground salt is available in the market.

Passive-like habitual sense.

हमें पिसी हुई चीनी चाहिए, साबुत नहीं।

We want ground sugar, not whole.

Contrastive use.

यह पिसा हुआ अनाज बहुत ताज़ा है।

This ground grain is very fresh.

Emphasis on freshness.

इसे थोड़ा दरदरा पिसा हुआ रहने दें।

Let it remain a bit coarsely ground.

Using 'dardara' for texture.

पिसे हुए मसालों को डिब्बे में रखें।

Keep the ground spices in a container.

Oblique case: पिसे हुए मसालों.

क्या यह पिसा हुआ पत्थर है?

Is this ground stone?

Industrial context.

ताज़ा पिसा हुआ आटा ज़्यादा पौष्टिक होता है।

Freshly ground flour is more nutritious.

Comparative sentence.

उसने पिसी हुई इलायची की चाय बनाई।

She made tea with ground cardamom.

Feminine agreement + possession.

पिसा हुआ चूना दीवारों के लिए उपयोगी है।

Ground lime is useful for walls.

Functional description.

क्या आप पिसा हुआ लहसुन इस्तेमाल करते हैं?

Do you use ground/pasted garlic?

Habitual question.

पिसे हुए काजू से ग्रेवी गाढ़ी होती है।

Ground cashews make the gravy thick.

Cause and effect.

पिसे हुए मसालों की सुगंध पूरे घर में फैल गई।

The aroma of the ground spices spread throughout the house.

Oblique plural agreement.

आयुर्वेद में पिसा हुआ आंवला बहुत गुणकारी माना जाता है।

In Ayurveda, ground amla is considered very beneficial.

Formal/Medical context.

मशीन से पिसा हुआ आटा और हाथ की चक्की का आटा अलग होता है।

Machine-ground flour and hand-milled flour are different.

Complex comparison.

उसने पिसी हुई काली मिर्च का छिड़काव किया।

He sprinkled ground black pepper.

Feminine agreement for 'mirch'.

पिसा हुआ कांच बहुत खतरनाक हो सकता है।

Ground glass can be very dangerous.

Safety warning.

क्या यह बारीक पिसा हुआ बेसन है?

Is this finely ground gram flour?

Using 'barik' for precision.

पिसे हुए रसायनों को सावधानी से संभालें।

Handle the ground chemicals with care.

Technical instruction.

वह पिसी हुई जड़ी-बूटियों का लेप लगाता है।

He applies a paste of ground herbs.

Compound noun with feminine plural.

वह समाज की चक्की में पिसा हुआ इंसान है।

He is a man ground down in the mill of society.

Metaphorical usage.

पिसा हुआ सोना प्राचीन समय में सौंदर्य प्रसाधन के रूप में प्रयुक्त होता था।

Ground gold was used as a cosmetic in ancient times.

Historical/Academic register.

इस पिसे हुए मिश्रण की बनावट बिल्कुल मखमली है।

The texture of this ground mixture is absolutely velvety.

Descriptive precision.

पिसी हुई चीनी की तुलना में बूरा ज़्यादा दानेदार होता है।

Compared to ground sugar, 'boora' is more granular.

Nuanced culinary distinction.

उसके शब्द पिसे हुए ज़हर की तरह कड़वे थे।

His words were as bitter as ground poison.

Literary simile.

पिसे हुए खनिजों का निर्यात अर्थव्यवस्था के लिए महत्वपूर्ण है।

The export of ground minerals is important for the economy.

Economic/Formal context.

क्या यह पिसा हुआ चंदन असली है?

Is this ground sandalwood authentic?

Context of authenticity/quality.

उसने पिसे हुए बादामों की एक महीन परत बिछाई।

She laid down a fine layer of ground almonds.

Detailed action description.

दार्शनिक रूप से, वह स्वयं को नियति द्वारा पिसा हुआ अनुभव करता था।

Philosophically, he felt himself ground down by destiny.

High-level abstract thought.

पिसे हुए अभ्रक की चमक पेंट में एक विशेष आभा जोड़ती है।

The luster of ground mica adds a special glow to the paint.

Technical/Scientific precision.

उसकी रचनाओं में 'पिसा हुआ' शब्द अक्सर शोषण का प्रतीक होता है।

In his works, the word 'ground' often symbolizes exploitation.

Literary analysis.

पिसे हुए पदार्थों के कणों का आकार उत्पाद की गुणवत्ता निर्धारित करता है।

The particle size of ground substances determines the product's quality.

Formal industrial standard.

पिसी हुई जड़ी-बूटियों का अर्क निकालने की प्रक्रिया जटिल है।

The process of extracting the essence of ground herbs is complex.

Technical process description.

यह पिसा हुआ मसाला अपनी शुद्धता के लिए प्रसिद्ध है।

This ground spice is famous for its purity.

Marketing/Formal register.

पिसे हुए कोयले का उपयोग बिजली उत्पादन में किया जाता है।

Pulverized (ground) coal is used in power generation.

Industrial/Environmental context.

उसने पिसे हुए रत्नों से एक अद्भुत चित्र बनाया।

He created a wonderful painting using ground gemstones.

Artistic/Creative context.

Common Collocations

पिसा हुआ मसाला

पिसी हुई मिर्च

पिसा हुआ नमक

बारीक पिसा हुआ

ताज़ा पिसा हुआ

पिसा हुआ बादाम

पिसा हुआ पत्थर

पिसा हुआ चूना

पिसी हुई चीनी

दरदरा पिसा हुआ

Common Phrases

पिसा हुआ मिलना

— To be available in ground form.

बाज़ार में सब कुछ पिसा हुआ मिलता है।

पिसा हुआ होना

— To be in a ground state.

यह मसाला पहले से ही पिसा हुआ है।

पिसा हुआ चाहिए

— To need something ground.

मुझे पिसा हुआ चावल चाहिए।

पिसा हुआ लाना

— To bring something ground.

दुकान से पिसा हुआ धनिया लाना।

पिसा हुआ डालना

— To add something ground (to a dish).

सब्जी में पिसा हुआ गरम मसाला डालो।

पिसा हुआ रखना

— To keep something ground.

हमेशा पिसा हुआ नमक घर में रखें।

पिसा हुआ बेचना

— To sell ground products.

वह शुद्ध पिसा हुआ आटा बेचता है।

पिसा हुआ खरीदना

— To buy ground products.

पिसा हुआ मसाला खरीदना आसान है।

पिसा हुआ बनाना

— To make something ground (by grinding).

इसे पिसा हुआ बना दो।

पिसा हुआ देखना

— To see something ground.

मैंने वहां पिसा हुआ कांच देखा।

Often Confused With

पिसा हुआ vs पीसना

This is the verb 'to grind'. Use 'पिसा हुआ' for the description of the object.

पिसा हुआ vs पिसाना

This means 'to cause to grind'. It's a causative verb, not an adjective.

पिसा हुआ vs पिसना

This is the intransitive verb 'to be ground'. It describes the process, not the final state.

Idioms & Expressions

"दो पाटों के बीच पिसना"

— To be caught between two powerful forces or opposing sides.

वह अपनी पत्नी और माँ के बीच पिसा हुआ महसूस करता है।

Metaphorical

"चक्की में पिसना"

— To endure great hardship or exploitation.

गरीब आदमी महंगाई की चक्की में पिसा हुआ है।

Metaphorical

"पिसा-पिसाया मिलना"

— To get something without having to work for it; ready-made.

आजकल सब कुछ पिसा-पिसाया मिल जाता है, मेहनत कोई नहीं करना चाहता।

Colloquial

"जी जान से पिसना"

— To work extremely hard (like a grinder).

वह परीक्षा के लिए जी जान से पिसा हुआ है।

Informal

"पिसी हुई बात"

— Something that has been discussed repeatedly; a stale topic.

यह तो पिसी हुई बात है, कुछ नया बताओ।

Rare/Slang

"धूल में पिसना"

— To be completely ruined or humiliated.

उसका घमंड धूल में पिसा हुआ है।

Literary

"पिसे हुए को पीसना"

— To do something redundant; to waste effort on something already done.

तुम पिसे हुए को पीस रहे हो, यह काम पहले ही हो चुका है।

Proverbial

"पिस कर रह जाना"

— To be reduced to nothing; to be helpless.

वह हालातों के आगे पिस कर रह गया।

Emotional

"बारीक पीसना"

— To interrogate or examine someone very thoroughly.

पुलिस ने चोर को बहुत बारीक पीसा।

Slang

"पिसान होना"

— To be completely exhausted.

काम की वजह से मेरा पिसान हो गया।

Regional

Easily Confused

पिसा हुआ vs कुचला हुआ

Both imply reducing size.

Pisa hua is powder/paste; Kuchla hua is irregular pieces/mashed.

लहसुन पिसा हुआ (paste) vs लहसुन कुचला हुआ (crushed pieces).

पिसा हुआ vs कटा हुआ

Both describe processed food.

Kata hua means 'cut' or 'chopped' with a knife.

कटा हुआ प्याज (chopped onion) vs पिसा हुआ प्याज (onion paste).

पिसा हुआ vs घुला हुआ

Both describe fine states.

Ghula hua means 'dissolved' in a liquid.

पानी में घुला हुआ नमक (salt dissolved in water).

पिसा हुआ vs फेंटा हुआ

Used in cooking.

Phenta hua means 'whisked' or 'beaten' (like eggs).

फेंटा हुआ अंडा (beaten egg).

पिसा हुआ vs छना हुआ

Often follows grinding.

Chana hua means 'sifted' or 'filtered'.

छना हुआ आटा (sifted flour).

Sentence Patterns

यह [Noun] पिसा हुआ है।

यह नमक पिसा हुआ है।

मुझे [Adjective] [Noun] चाहिए।

मुझे पिसी हुई मिर्च चाहिए।

[Adverb] पिसा हुआ [Noun] इस्तेमाल करें।

बारीक पिसा हुआ आटा इस्तेमाल करें।

[Noun] को [Adjective] पिसा हुआ रहने दें।

जीरे को दरदरा पिसा हुआ रहने दें।

पिसे हुए [Noun] में [Something] मिलाएं।

पिसे हुए बादाम में दूध मिलाएं।

ताज़ा पिसा हुआ [Noun] [Quality] होता है।

ताज़ा पिसा हुआ मसाला खुशबूदार होता है।

[Metaphorical Subject] [Force] में पिसा हुआ है।

वह राजनीति में पिसा हुआ है।

पिसे हुए [Noun] की [Property] [Result] है।

पिसे हुए खनिजों की शुद्धता महत्वपूर्ण है।

Word Family

Nouns

पिसान (pisaan - flour/grinding)

पीसाई (peesai - the act or cost of grinding)

चक्की (chakki - grinder)

Verbs

पीसना (peesna - to grind)

पिसवाना (piswaana - to cause to be ground)

पिसना (pisna - to be ground)

Adjectives

पिसा (pisa - ground)

पिसाऊ (pisau - suitable for grinding)

आटा

मैदा

मसाला

चूर्ण

बारीक

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely common in culinary and daily shopping contexts.

Common Mistakes

पिसा हुआ मिर्च → पिसी हुई मिर्च
Mirch is feminine, so the adjective must be feminine.
मुझे कॉफ़ी पीसना चाहिए → मुझे पिसी हुई कॉफ़ी चाहिए
The first sentence says 'I should grind coffee', the second says 'I want ground coffee'.
पिसा हुआ मसालों में → पिसे हुए मसालों में
The oblique case is required before the postposition 'में'.
पीसा हुआ (Long ee) → पिसा हुआ (Short i)
The pronunciation error changes the grammatical feel of the word.
Using 'पिसा हुआ' for mashed potatoes. → मथा हुआ या कुचला हुआ आलू
Grinding is for powder/paste; mashing is different.

Tips

Check the Noun

Before you say 'pisa hua', identify if the noun is masculine or feminine. This is the #1 mistake learners make.

Learn the Contrast

Always learn 'पिसा हुआ' along with 'साबुत' (whole). It helps you remember the meaning by contrast.

Market Survival

If you are unsure of the word, just say 'powder'—most Indians will understand. But using 'पिसा हुआ' will get you more respect!

Texture Matters

Add 'बारीक' (fine) or 'दरदरा' (coarse) to be specific in recipes. It makes a big difference in the dish.

Short 'i'

Keep the 'i' in 'pisa' short. If you make it long, it sounds like a different verb form.

Sanskrit Root

Remember the root 'piṣ'. It's the same root that gives us many words related to crushing in Indian languages.

Kitchen Sounds

Watch Hindi cooking videos. You will hear this word constantly when they list ingredients.

Beyond Food

Don't be surprised to hear it in construction or medicine. The concept is always 'pulverized'.

Oblique Case

Remember to use 'पिसे हुए' if there is a postposition like 'में' after the noun.

Freshness

In India, 'freshly ground' (ताज़ा पिसा हुआ) is a major selling point for food quality.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Pizza' (sounds like 'Pisa'). Imagine a pizza made of 'ground' wheat flour. Pisa = Pizza = Ground flour.

Visual Association

Imagine a traditional stone 'chakki' (grinder) with white powder (pisa hua aata) coming out of the sides.

Word Web

आटा मसाला नमक चीनी मिर्च हल्दी कॉफ़ी बादाम

Challenge

Go to your kitchen and label three things that are 'पिसा हुआ' and three things that are 'साबुत' (whole).

Word Origin

Derived from the Sanskrit root 'piṣ' (पिष्), meaning to crush, grind, or pulverize. This root is ancient and found in the Rigveda.

Original meaning: The original meaning in Sanskrit was to crush with a stone or to pound.

Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European family.

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but be aware that 'pisa hua' can be used metaphorically for the oppressed, so use it carefully in social contexts.

In English-speaking cultures, 'ground' is a generic term. In Hindi, the choice between 'pisa hua' and 'choorn' reflects a choice between kitchen use and medicinal use.

Kabir's poem about the 'Chakki' (grinder) of life. Bollywood songs mentioning 'pisi hui mehndi' (ground henna) for brides. Traditional proverbs about being 'ground between two stones'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Grocery Shopping

पिसा हुआ मसाला कहाँ है?
पिसी हुई मिर्च चाहिए।
क्या यह ताज़ा पिसा हुआ है?
आधा किलो पिसा हुआ आटा देना।

Cooking Instructions

पिसा हुआ अदरक डालिए।
पिसी हुई इलायची मिलाएं।
इसे बारीक पिसा हुआ होना चाहिए।
पिसा हुआ नमक छिड़कें।

Ayurveda/Health

पिसा हुआ आंवला लें।
पिसी हुई हल्दी दूध में डालें।
पिसा हुआ चूर्ण पानी के साथ लें।
जड़ी-बूटियों को पिसा हुआ रखें।

Construction/Industry

पिसा हुआ चूना लाओ।
पिसा हुआ पत्थर यहाँ डालें।
पिसा हुआ कांच खतरनाक है।
पिसा हुआ कोयला इस्तेमाल करें।

Metaphorical/Hardship

वह गरीबी में पिसा हुआ है।
मैं काम के बीच पिसा हुआ हूँ।
जनता महंगाई में पिसी हुई है।
दो पाटों के बीच पिसा हुआ।

Conversation Starters

"क्या आप बाज़ार से पिसा हुआ मसाला खरीदते हैं या घर पर पीसते हैं?"

"आपको पिसी हुई कॉफ़ी पसंद है या साबुत बीन्स?"

"क्या आपके देश में पिसा हुआ चावल ज़्यादा इस्तेमाल होता है?"

"क्या आपने कभी पत्थर की चक्की का पिसा हुआ आटा खाया है?"

"सब्जी में पिसा हुआ गरम मसाला कब डालना चाहिए?"

Journal Prompts

आज मैंने रसोई में कौन-कौन सी पिसी हुई चीज़ें देखीं? (List 5 items)

क्या मुझे लगता है कि ताज़ा पिसा हुआ खाना ज़्यादा अच्छा होता है? क्यों?

एक बार जब मैं दो समस्याओं के बीच 'पिसा हुआ' महसूस कर रहा था...

बाज़ार में मिलने वाले पिसे हुए मसालों के फायदे और नुकसान लिखें।

अपनी पसंदीदा डिश के बारे में लिखें जिसमें पिसा हुआ बादाम या काजू डलता हो।

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, it can be used for anything ground, like stones, glass, or minerals. However, food is the most common context.

Hindi adjectives must agree with the gender of the noun. 'Mirch' (chili) is feminine, so we use 'पिसी हुई'.

Yes, in casual speech 'hua' is often dropped, but 'पिसा हुआ' is more complete and formal.

The most common opposite is 'साबुत' (sabut), which means whole or unbroken.

You say 'ताज़ा पिसा हुआ' (taaza pisa hua).

No, it's an English loanword, but it's used very frequently in India, often replacing 'पिसा हुआ'.

It means 'coarsely ground', where the particles are still somewhat large and gritty.

You say 'बारीक पिसा हुआ' (baareek pisa hua).

In Hindi, 'coffee' is usually treated as feminine, so you would say 'पिसी हुई कॉफ़ी'.

Yes, for masculine plural nouns, it becomes 'पिसे हुए' (pise hue), like 'पिसे हुए बादाम'.