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पीटना

A2 verb #5,000 most common 9 min read

पीटना

peetna Top 5,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips पीटना in 30 Seconds

Explanation पीटना in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know 'pīṭnā' as a word for hitting or beating. It is often used in very simple sentences about physical actions. For example, 'Vah dhol pīṭtā hai' (He beats the drum). At this stage, you should focus on the basic meaning and the present tense forms: pīṭtā (masculine), pīṭtī (feminine), and pīṭte (plural). Don't worry too much about complex grammar yet. Just remember that it involves striking something repeatedly. You might see it in children's stories where characters beat drums or in basic descriptions of people cleaning things. It's a concrete action verb that is easy to visualize. Try to associate it with the sound of a rhythmic 'thump-thump-thump.'

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'pīṭnā' in the past and future tenses. This is where the 'ne' (ने) rule becomes important. You should practice sentences like 'Mainne use pīṭā' (I beat him/it). You will also learn to use it with common objects like 'kapṛe' (clothes) or 'darī' (carpet). Understanding that 'pīṭnā' is a transitive verb is key at this level. You might also encounter it in simple stories where someone gets into a fight or a team wins a game. The focus is on expanding your ability to describe past events and future intentions using this verb. You should also be able to recognize the imperative form 'pīṭo' used for giving commands.

At the B1 level, you start to explore the metaphorical uses of 'pīṭnā.' You will learn phrases like 'match pīṭnā' (to win a match decisively) or 'gendbāzo ko pīṭnā' (to hammer the bowlers in cricket). Your grammar should become more fluid, using compound verbs like 'pīṭ denā' (to finish beating). You will also start to understand how 'pīṭnā' differs from other verbs like 'mārnā' or 'ṭhoknā.' At this stage, you can use the verb in more complex sentence structures, including conditional sentences ('If he doesn't listen, he might get beaten'). You are moving beyond simple physical actions into social and competitive contexts.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable with idiomatic expressions involving 'pīṭnā.' Phrases like 'sir pīṭnā' (to regret deeply) and 'dhindoṛā pīṭnā' (to boast or publicize) should become part of your active vocabulary. You will also understand the nuances of register—how 'pīṭnā' can sound informal or even a bit aggressive depending on the context. You should be able to follow news reports or movies where the word is used to describe social unrest or police actions. Your understanding of the 'ne' rule and object-verb agreement should be near-perfect, allowing you to handle complex sentences with multiple objects or passive constructions.

At the C1 level, you can appreciate the subtle nuances of 'pīṭnā' in literature and high-level discourse. You will see it used in poetic or highly descriptive prose to convey rhythm, violence, or deep emotion. You can distinguish between 'pīṭnā' and its more formal synonyms like 'prahār karnā' or 'āghāt pahun̄cānā.' You understand how the choice of this specific verb can color the entire tone of a sentence, making it more visceral or grounded. You can also use the word in abstract discussions about overcoming challenges ('beating the odds') or in technical discussions about percussion in Indian classical music, even if it's used to describe a specific, perhaps unrefined, technique.

At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of 'pīṭnā.' You can use it effortlessly in all its forms, from the most literal physical action to the most abstract metaphor. You are aware of its regional variations and slang uses across the Hindi-speaking world. You can use it in humor, irony, or sarcasm. For instance, you might use 'pīṭnā' to mock someone who is making too much noise about a small achievement. Your command of the grammar is automatic, and you can play with the word's meaning in creative writing or sophisticated debate. You understand the historical and cultural weight the word carries in Indian society, from traditional cleaning methods to the dynamics of power and discipline.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

पीटना in 30 Seconds

पीटना (pīṭnā) is a versatile Hindi verb meaning 'to beat' or 'to strike repeatedly.'
It is a transitive verb, requiring the 'ne' (ने) postposition for subjects in the past tense.
Common contexts include physical violence, cleaning rugs, and defeating opponents in sports.
It is also used in popular idioms like 'sir pīṭnā' (to regret) and 'dhindoṛā pīṭnā' (to boast).

The Hindi verb पीटना (pīṭnā) primarily means 'to beat,' 'to hit,' or 'to strike.' It is a versatile transitive verb used in various contexts ranging from physical violence to household chores and even sports. Understanding its nuance is crucial because while it often implies a repetitive or forceful action, its severity changes based on the object being 'beaten.' For instance, beating a person is a serious matter, but beating a carpet to remove dust is a mundane task. The word carries a sense of impact and repetition that distinguishes it from a single slap (thappaṛ) or a general strike (mārnā).

Physical Action: To strike someone or something repeatedly with the hand, a stick, or another object.

पुलिस ने चोर को बुरी तरह पीटा। (The police beat the thief badly.)

In everyday Hindi, you might encounter this word when someone is talking about cleaning. Before the advent of modern vacuum cleaners, it was common to see people taking rugs outside and beating them with a stick to get the dust out. In this context, pīṭnā is purely functional. Furthermore, in the realm of music, specifically percussion, while bajānā (to play) is more common, pīṭnā can be used to describe a very aggressive or unskilled way of hitting a drum. It suggests a lack of rhythm and a focus on raw force.

Metaphorical Defeat: In sports or competitions, it can mean to defeat an opponent decisively.

हमारी टीम ने उन्हें मैच में पीटा। (Our team beat them in the match.)

Culturally, the word can also be found in idioms. For example, 'sir pīṭnā' (to beat one's head) expresses extreme grief, frustration, or regret. It visualizes the physical manifestation of emotional pain. Similarly, 'dhindoṛā pīṭnā' means to beat a drum to make an announcement, or metaphorically, to boast or broadcast something loudly to everyone. This shows that the word extends far beyond simple physical contact and reaches into the depths of emotional expression and social communication.

Percussion & Sound: Hiting a surface to produce a sound, often loudly or without much skill.

वह गुस्से में दरवाजा पीट रहा था। (He was beating the door in anger.)

Using पीटना correctly requires an understanding of Hindi verb conjugation and the use of the ergative marker ne. Since pīṭnā is a transitive verb (it takes an object), the subject of the sentence must be followed by ne when using the perfective aspect (past tenses). For example, 'I beat' is not 'main pīṭā' but 'mainne pīṭā.' This is a common hurdle for English speakers who are used to a more straightforward subject-verb relationship.

Present Continuous: Used for actions happening right now.

बच्चा ढोल पीट रहा है। (The child is beating the drum.)

In the present tense, the verb agrees with the subject in gender and number. 'Vah pīṭtā hai' (He beats) vs 'Vah pīṭtī hai' (She beats). However, in the past tense with ne, the verb agrees with the object. If you beat a rug (kālīn - masculine), it's 'mainne kālīn pīṭā.' If you beat a plate (thālī - feminine), it's 'mainne thālī pīṭī.' This object-verb agreement is a hallmark of Hindi grammar that learners must practice diligently.

Future Tense: Expressing intention or prediction.

अगर तुम सच नहीं बोलोगे, तो वह तुम्हें पीटेगा। (If you don't tell the truth, he will beat you.)

Another important aspect is the use of compound verbs. Hindi often combines a main verb with a helper verb to add shade or direction to the action. For pīṭnā, you might see pīṭ denā (to beat up/to finish beating). 'Usne use pīṭ diyā' implies the action was completed, perhaps as a favor or with a specific result in mind. This adds a layer of naturalness to your speech that simple verbs sometimes lack.

Imperative Form: Giving commands or instructions.

इस दरी को बाहर ले जाकर पीटो। (Take this rug outside and beat it.)

In the real world, पीटना is a word that echoes through various social settings. In a bustling Indian household, you might hear a mother jokingly (or sometimes seriously) threatening a mischievous child: "Zyādā sharārat karoge toh pīṭūngī!" (If you are too naughty, I will beat/spank you!). While corporal punishment is decreasing in modern urban settings, the vocabulary remains a staple of parental discipline in many traditional contexts.

News & Media: Commonly used in crime reporting or social justice stories.

भीड़ ने चोर को पकड़कर खूब पीटा। (The crowd caught the thief and beat him a lot.)

In the context of Indian cinema (Bollywood), pīṭnā is a core component of action sequences. The hero often 'beats' the villains (gundo ko pīṭnā). You will hear this word in dialogues where a character challenges another's strength. It's also used in sports commentary, especially in cricket or wrestling. If a batsman is hitting the bowlers for many runs, a commentator might say, "Vah gendbāzo ko pīṭ rahā hai" (He is beating/hammering the bowlers).

Idiomatic Expressions: Used to describe frustration or public announcements.

अब सिर पीटने से क्या फायदा? (What is the use of beating your head now? - meaning why regret now?)

On the streets, you might hear it in the context of traditional drummers during festivals or weddings. While they 'play' the dhol, the physical action is often described as pīṭnā because of the intensity involved. Furthermore, in political rallies, supporters might 'beat' the drum of their party's achievements (apnī kamyābī kā dhindoṛā pīṭnā). It's a word that bridges the gap between the visceral physical world and the abstract world of achievement and social standing.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing पीटना (pīṭnā) with मारना (mārnā). While both can be translated as 'to hit' or 'to beat,' mārnā has a much wider range of meanings, including 'to kill.' If you say "Mainne use mārā," it could mean you hit him or you killed him (though context usually clarifies). Pīṭnā, however, specifically refers to the act of striking or beating and does not imply killing. Using pīṭnā provides more clarity if you only mean a physical thrashing.

Confusing with 'Bajānā': Using 'pīṭnā' for musical instruments can sound unrefined or aggressive.

Incorrect: वह गिटार पीट रहा है। (He is beating the guitar.)

Another mistake is the incorrect application of the ne rule. Since pīṭnā is transitive, beginners often forget to add ne to the subject in the past tense. Saying "Vah pīṭā" instead of "Usne pīṭā" is a glaring grammatical error. Additionally, learners often struggle with the object-verb agreement. If the object is plural, like 'kapṛe' (clothes), the verb must be plural: 'Usne kapṛe pīṭe' (He beat the clothes). If the object is feminine, like 'darī' (rug), it's 'Usne darī pīṭī.'

Overusing for 'Hitting': Not all hitting is 'pīṭnā'. A single slap or a push has different words.

Better: उसने मुझे थप्पड़ मारा। (He slapped me - using 'mārā' is better here than 'pīṭā'.)

Finally, avoid using pīṭnā for the beating of a heart. In English, we say "My heart is beating," but in Hindi, the heart 'throbs' or 'palpitates,' using the verb dhaṛaknā. Saying "Merā dil pīṭ rahā hai" would sound very strange to a native speaker, as it implies someone is physically striking your heart like a drum. Always use dhaṛaknā for biological rhythms.

Hindi has a rich vocabulary for 'striking' or 'hitting,' and choosing the right word depends on the intensity and the tool used. मारना (mārnā) is the most general term. It can be used for a single hit, a slap, or even killing. It's the 'Swiss Army knife' of hitting verbs. However, if you want to be more specific about a repetitive, forceful beating, pīṭnā is your best bet. It conveys a sense of duration that mārnā doesn't always have.

Comparison: Pīṭnā vs. Kūṭnā: Kūṭnā specifically means to crush or pound, like spices in a mortar and pestle. Slang-wise, it means a very thorough beating.

मसाले को अच्छी तरह कूटो। (Crush the spices well.)

Another alternative is ठोकना (ṭhoknā). This word implies hammering or driving something in, like a nail into a wall. In slang, it can also mean to beat someone up or to 'fix' someone. Then there is धुनना (dhunnā), which originally refers to carding cotton (beating it to clean it). Metaphorically, dhunnā means to give someone a sound thrashing, often used in literature or more colorful speech to describe a very effective beating.

Comparison: Pīṭnā vs. Thappaṛ Mārnā: Thappaṛ Mārnā is specifically to slap. 'Pīṭnā' is more general and usually involves multiple strikes.

उसने उसे एक थप्पड़ मारा। (He gave him a slap.)

For formal or literary contexts, you might use प्रहार करना (prahār karnā), which means 'to launch an attack' or 'to strike a blow.' This is much more formal than pīṭnā and is commonly found in history books or news headlines about military actions. Understanding these synonyms allows you to tailor your Hindi to the specific situation, whether you're describing a kitchen task, a sports victory, or a formal report.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word 'pīṭnā' is related to the word for 'basket' (piṭārī) in some contexts, as baskets were often made by beating and weaving fibers.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈpiːt.nɑː/

US /ˈpit.nɑ/

Primary stress is on the first syllable 'Pī'.

Rhymes With

जीतना (jītnā - to win) बीतना (bītnā - to pass time) रीतना (rītnā - to become empty) सींचना (sīnchnā - to irrigate) खींचना (khīnchnā - to pull) छींटना (chīnṭnā - to sprinkle) घसीटना (ghasīṭnā - to drag) पीटना (pīṭnā - itself)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 't' as a dental 't' (like in 'thin') instead of retroflex (like in 'stop').
Shortening the 'ī' sound to 'i' (pitna instead of pīṭnā).
Aspirating the 'p' (making it sound like 'ph').

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The word is common and easy to recognize in text.

Writing 3/5

Requires knowledge of the 'ne' rule in past tense.

Speaking 3/5

Retroflex 't' can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 2/5

Clear, distinct sound in most dialects.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

मारना कपड़े ढोल हाथ डंडा

Learn Next

पिटना पिटवाना जीतना हारना लड़ना

Advanced

प्रहार आघात ध्वस्त पराजित

Grammar to Know

Ergative Marker 'ne'

मैंने (Main + ne) उसे पीटा।

Object-Verb Agreement

मैंने साड़ियाँ (fem. pl.) पीटीं।

Compound Verbs

उसने उसे पीट दिया (Complete action).

Passive Voice

उसे पीटा गया (He was beaten).

Causative Verbs

मैंने उसे पिटवाया (I had him beaten).

Examples by Level

वह ढोल पीटता है।

He beats the drum.

Present simple: Subject (he) + Object (drum) + Verb (beats).

बच्चा मेज़ पीट रहा है।

The child is beating the table.

Present continuous: Subject + Object + Verb (is beating).

क्या तुम कालीन पीटते हो?

Do you beat the carpet?

Interrogative present simple.

मैं ढोल नहीं पीटती।

I (female) do not beat the drum.

Negative present simple for a female subject.

वे दरवाज़ा पीट रहे हैं।

They are beating the door.

Present continuous with plural subject.

राम ज़ोर से पीटता है।

Ram beats loudly.

Subject + Adverb + Verb.

माँ कपड़े पीटती है।

Mother beats the clothes.

Present simple habit.

शोर मत मचाओ और मेज़ मत पीटो।

Don't make noise and don't beat the table.

Negative imperative.

मैंने कल कालीन पीटा।

I beat the carpet yesterday.

Past perfective with 'ne'. Verb agrees with masculine object 'kālīn'.

उसने चोर को डंडे से पीटा।

He beat the thief with a stick.

Past tense with instrument 'se' (with).

क्या तुमने उसे पीटा?

Did you beat him?

Interrogative past tense.

हमने बहुत सारे ढोल पीटे।

We beat many drums.

Past tense, verb agrees with plural object 'dhol'.

वह उसे ज़रूर पीटेगा।

He will definitely beat him.

Future tense with emphasis 'zarūr'.

सीता ने अपनी साड़ी पीटी।

Sita beat her saree.

Past tense, verb agrees with feminine object 'sāṛī'.

धोबी कपड़े पीट रहा था।

The washerman was beating the clothes.

Past continuous.

तुमने उसे क्यों पीटा?

Why did you beat him?

Question word 'kyon' in past tense.

भारतीय टीम ने ऑस्ट्रेलिया को बुरी तरह पीटा।

The Indian team beat Australia badly.

Metaphorical use in sports.

वह अपनी सफलता का ढिंढोरा पीट रहा है।

He is beating the drum of his success.

Idiomatic use: 'dhindoṛā pīṭnā'.

अगर वह झूठ बोलेगा, तो उसे पीटा जाएगा।

If he lies, he will be beaten.

Passive future construction.

उसने गुस्से में अपना सिर पीट लिया।

He beat his head in anger.

Idiomatic use for regret/frustration.

धोबी ने सारे कपड़े पीट-पीट कर साफ़ कर दिए।

The washerman cleaned all the clothes by beating them repeatedly.

Reduplicated verb 'pīṭ-pīṭ' for repetitive action.

भीड़ ने उसे पीटने की कोशिश की।

The crowd tried to beat him.

Infinitive 'pīṭne' as an object of 'koshish kī'.

वह सारा दिन ढोल पीटता रहता है।

He keeps beating the drum all day.

Continuative aspect 'pīṭtā rahtā hai'.

तुम्हें उसे नहीं पीटना चाहिए था।

You should not have beaten him.

Modal 'chāhiye' in the past.

पुलिस ने प्रदर्शनकारियों को पीटना शुरू कर दिया।

The police started beating the protesters.

Inceptive construction: 'pīṭnā shurū kar diyā'.

वह अपनी पुरानी बातों का रोना पीटता रहता है।

He keeps crying over/beating the drum of his old issues.

Idiomatic: 'ronā pīṭnā' (to lament).

इस हार के बाद वे अपना सिर पीट रहे हैं।

They are beating their heads after this defeat.

Idiomatic expression for collective regret.

उसने अपनी मेहनत से रिकॉर्ड पीट दिया।

He beat the record with his hard work.

Metaphorical use for breaking a record.

क्या उसे पीटने से समस्या हल हो जाएगी?

Will beating him solve the problem?

Gerundial use as a subject.

उसे पीटे जाने का डर था।

He was afraid of being beaten.

Passive infinitive 'pīṭe jāne'.

बल्लेबाज़ ने गेंदबाज़ों को जमकर पीटा।

The batsman beat the bowlers thoroughly.

Sports slang for aggressive play.

वह बिना वजह ढोल पीट रहा था।

He was beating the drum without reason.

Adverbial phrase 'binā vajah'.

इतिहास गवाह है कि अन्याय करने वालों को समय ने हमेशा पीटा है।

History is witness that time has always beaten those who do injustice.

Highly metaphorical/philosophical use.

उसकी बातों में सच्चाई कम और ढिंढोरा पीटना ज़्यादा था।

There was less truth in his words and more beating of the drum (boasting).

Abstract comparison.

भीड़ का न्याय अक्सर निर्दोषों को पीट देता है।

Mob justice often beats (harms) the innocent.

Social commentary.

वह अपनी किस्मत को पीट रहा है।

He is beating (cursing) his fate.

Idiomatic use for blaming one's destiny.

लेखक ने अपनी कलम से समाज की बुराइयों को पीटा है।

The writer has beaten the evils of society with his pen.

Literary metaphor.

बिना सोचे-समझे किसी को पीटना कायरता है।

Beating someone without thinking is cowardice.

Abstract noun phrase as subject.

उसने अपनी पुरानी आदतों को पीट-पीट कर निकाल दिया।

He beat out his old habits (with great effort).

Metaphorical for self-improvement.

संगीतकार ने तबले पर थाप नहीं पीटी, बल्कि जादू बिखेरा।

The musician didn't just beat the rhythm on the tabla, but spread magic.

Contrast between 'pīṭnā' (crude) and art.

सत्ता के गलियारों में अक्सर सच को पीट दिया जाता है।

In the corridors of power, truth is often beaten down.

Passive voice in a political metaphor.

उसकी हार का ढिंढोरा पूरे शहर में पीटा गया।

The drum of his defeat was beaten throughout the city.

Passive idiomatic expression.

वह अपनी कुंठाओं को दूसरों पर पीटकर निकालता है।

He vents his frustrations by beating them out on others.

Psychological context.

क्या मानवीय संवेदनाओं को इस तरह पीटना उचित है?

Is it right to beat (suppress/harm) human emotions this way?

Ethical questioning.

उसने अपनी गरीबी को अपनी मेहनत से पीट दिया।

He beat his poverty with his hard work.

Metaphorical for overcoming adversity.

शब्दों को पीटने से कविता नहीं बनती।

Beating words (forcing them) doesn't make a poem.

Literary criticism.

समाज ने उसे इतना पीटा कि वह पत्थर बन गया।

Society beat him so much that he became like a stone.

Metaphorical for hardening due to trauma.

समय की मार ने उसे बुरी तरह पीटा था।

The strike of time had beaten him badly.

Personification of time.

Common Collocations

ढोल पीटना

कालीन पीटना

बुरी तरह पीटना

सिर पीटना

ढिंढोरा पीटना

रिकॉर्ड पीटना

कपड़े पीटना

दरवाज़ा पीटना

छाती पीटना

गेंदबाज़ों को पीटना

Common Phrases

पीटना शुरू करना

— To start beating. Used for the beginning of an action.

उसने अचानक उसे पीटना शुरू कर दिया।

पीट-पीट कर मारना

— To beat to death. A very violent expression.

भीड़ ने उसे पीट-पीट कर मार डाला।

खूब पीटना

— To beat a lot. Emphasizes the intensity.

आज उसे स्कूल में खूब पीटा गया।

बिना वजह पीटना

— To beat without reason. Highlights injustice.

तुमने उसे बिना वजह क्यों पीटा?

डंडे से पीटना

— To beat with a stick. Specifies the instrument.

उसने कुत्ते को डंडे से पीटा।

हाथों से पीटना

— To beat with hands. Specifies manual action.

वह गुस्से में मेज़ को हाथों से पीट रहा था।

पीटने की धमकी

— Threat of beating. Common in parenting or arguments.

उसने मुझे पीटने की धमकी दी।

ज़ोर-ज़ोर से पीटना

— To beat loudly/strongly. Describes the sound/force.

वह ज़ोर-ज़ोर से ढोल पीट रहा था।

मिलकर पीटना

— To beat together. Used for a group action.

सबने मिलकर चोर को पीटा।

पीट देना

— To finish the act of beating. A compound verb.

उसने उसे पीट दिया।

Often Confused With

पीटना vs मारना

Mārnā can mean to kill; pīṭnā only means to beat.

पीटना vs पिटना

Piṭnā is the passive/intransitive form (to be beaten).

पीटना vs पीना

Pīnā means to drink; don't confuse the 't' sound!

Idioms & Expressions

"सिर पीटना"

— To regret something deeply or to be in great despair.

अब सिर पीटने से क्या होगा?

Common

"ढिंढोरा पीटना"

— To announce something loudly or to boast about oneself.

वह अपनी नई कार का ढिंढोरा पीट रहा है।

Common

"छाती पीटना"

— To mourn or show extreme grief publicly.

बेटे की मौत पर माँ छाती पीट रही थी।

Emotive

"लकीर पीटना"

— To follow old traditions blindly or to work on something that is already over.

पुरानी बातों को लेकर लकीर पीटने से कोई फायदा नहीं।

Literary

"अपना सा मुँह लेकर रह जाना (related to being beaten/defeated)"

— To be humiliated after a defeat.

मैच हारने के बाद वह अपना सा मुँह लेकर रह गया।

Common

"रोन पीटकर"

— With great difficulty or after much complaining.

उसने रोना पीटकर अपना काम पूरा किया।

Informal

"पापड़ बेलना (often occurs with pīṭnā contexts)"

— To go through great hardships.

नौकरी पाने के लिए उसने बहुत पापड़ बेले।

Common

"गला पीटना"

— To shout or scream till one's throat hurts.

वह मदद के लिए गला पीट रहा था।

Colloquial

"किस्मत पीटना"

— To curse one's bad luck.

वह दिन-रात अपनी किस्मत पीटता रहता है।

Common

"ढोल पीटना (Metaphorical)"

— To make a big deal out of something.

छोटी सी बात का ढोल मत पीटो।

Informal

Easily Confused

पीटना vs पिटना (piṭnā)

Sounds very similar.

Piṭnā is intransitive (to be beaten), pīṭnā is transitive (to beat).

वह पिट गया (He got beaten) vs उसने पीटा (He beat).

पीटना vs मारना (mārnā)

Both translate as 'to hit'.

Mārnā is broader and can mean to kill; pīṭnā is specifically about striking repeatedly.

उसने मच्छर मारा (He killed the mosquito).

पीटना vs बजाना (bajānā)

Both used for instruments.

Bajānā is the standard 'to play'; pīṭnā implies a rough or loud striking.

वह गिटार बजाता है (He plays guitar).

पीटना vs ठोकना (ṭhoknā)

Both involve striking.

Ṭhoknā is for hammering or fixing something in place.

कील ठोकना (To hammer a nail).

पीटना vs कूटना (kūṭnā)

Both involve repetitive hitting.

Kūṭnā is for crushing or grinding (spices).

अदरक कूटना (To crush ginger).

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] [Object] pīṭtā hai.

राम ढोल पीटता है।

[Subject] ne [Object] pīṭā.

मैंने कालीन पीटा।

[Subject] [Object] pīṭ rahā hai.

वह रिकॉर्ड पीट रहा है।

[Subject] [Object] pīṭne vālā hai.

वह उसे पीटने वाला है।

[Object] ko pīṭā gayā.

चोर को पीटा गया।

[Subject] [Object] pīṭne lagā.

वह ढोल पीटने लगा।

[Subject] [Idiom] pīṭ rahā hai.

वह अपनी किस्मत पीट रहा है।

[Abstract Concept] ko pīṭnā.

अन्याय को पीटना ज़रूरी है।

Word Family

Nouns

पिटाई Beating/Thrashing (e.g., उसकी पिटाई हुई)

पीटन The act of beating (rarely used alone)

Verbs

पिटना To be beaten (Passive/Intransitive form)

पिटवाना To cause someone to be beaten (Causative form)

Adjectives

पिटा हुआ Beaten (e.g., पिटा हुआ रास्ता - a beaten path)

मार

ठोक-ठाक

धुलाई

चोट

प्रहार

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in daily speech, news, and sports.

Common Mistakes

Mainne dil pīṭā. → Merā dil dhaṛak rahā hai.
Hearts throb (dhaṛaknā), they don't get 'beaten' like drums.
Vah pīṭā. → Usne pīṭā.
Forgot the 'ne' marker for a transitive verb in the past tense.
Mainne thālī pīṭā. → Mainne thālī pīṭī.
The verb must agree with the feminine object 'thālī'.
Usne mujhe mārā (meaning beat up). → Usne mujhe pīṭā.
While 'mārā' is okay, 'pīṭā' is more specific for a beating.
Vah guitar pīṭ rahā hai. → Vah guitar bajā rahā hai.
Guitars are 'played' (bajānā), not 'beaten' (pīṭnā) unless you are destroying them.

Tips

The 'ne' Rule

Always remember that in the past tense, the verb agrees with the object, not the subject, because of 'ne'.

Idiom Alert

Learn 'dhindoṛā pīṭnā' to describe someone who brags too much. It's very common!

Retroflex T

Make sure your 'ṭ' is retroflex. Practice by saying 'tea' but with your tongue further back.

Sports Usage

Use it when your favorite team wins by a large margin to sound more natural.

Household Hint

If you see someone cleaning a rug with a stick, the verb is 'pīṭnā'.

Drumming

While 'bajānā' is to play, 'pīṭnā' describes the physical act of hitting the drum surface.

Sensitivity

Avoid using this word playfully regarding people unless you are very close to them.

Pīṭnā vs. Kūṭnā

Remember: spices are 'kūṭnā', carpets are 'pīṭnā'.

Repetition

The verb implies more than one hit. For a single hit, 'mārnā' is often better.

Pīṭ Denā

Using 'pīṭ denā' instead of just 'pīṭnā' makes your Hindi sound more advanced and native-like.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a 'Pete' (Pīṭ) who loves to 'beat' his drums. Pīṭ-nā sounds like 'Pete-na'.

Visual Association

Picture a washerman (dhobi) rhythmically striking clothes against a large stone. The sound 'pīṭ-pīṭ' matches the action.

Word Web

Drum Carpet Thief Match Record Head (Regret) Clothes Stick

Challenge

Try to use 'pīṭnā' in three different ways today: one for cleaning, one for sports, and one for music.

Word Origin

Derived from the Sanskrit root 'पिष्' (piṣ) or 'पिट्' (piṭ), meaning to crush, pound, or strike. It has evolved through Prakrit into modern Hindi.

Original meaning: To pound or crush into small pieces.

Indo-Aryan

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'pīṭnā' regarding people, as it can imply violence or corporal punishment, which is a sensitive topic.

In English, 'beat' is used similarly for drums and sports, but 'pīṭnā' is more specific to the physical strike than 'defeat.'

The idiom 'Dhindoṛā pīṭnā' appears in many Bollywood songs. Classic movies often feature 'pīṭnā' in the context of village justice. Poetry uses 'pīṭnā' to describe the sound of rain on a roof.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Laundry

कपड़े पीटना
पत्थर पर पीटना
धोबी घाट
साफ़ करना

Music

ढोल पीटना
ताल पीटना
ज़ोर से बजाना
थाप देना

Sports

मैच पीटना
रिकॉर्ड पीटना
गेंदबाज़ को पीटना
बुरी तरह हराना

Discipline/Crime

चोर को पीटना
डंडे से पीटना
पिटाई करना
पुलिस द्वारा पीटना

Regret

सिर पीटना
किस्मत पीटना
अब क्या फायदा
पछताना

Conversation Starters

"क्या तुमने कभी ढोल पीटा है?"

"अगर कोई तुम्हारा फोन चुरा ले, तो क्या तुम उसे पीटोगे?"

"तुम्हारी पसंदीदा टीम ने कल किसे पीटा?"

"क्या पुराने ज़माने में शिक्षक बच्चों को पीटते थे?"

"तुम अपनी सफलता का ढिंढोरा कैसे पीटते हो?"

Journal Prompts

लिखिए कि जब आपने पहली बार ढोल पीटा था तो आपको कैसा लगा।

क्या आपको लगता है कि बच्चों को पीटना गलत है? अपने विचार लिखिए।

एक ऐसी घटना के बारे में लिखिए जब किसी ने रिकॉर्ड पीटा हो।

अगर आप अपनी किस्मत पीट रहे हैं, तो उसे बदलने के लिए क्या करेंगे?

धोबी घाट के दृश्य का वर्णन करें जहाँ कपड़े पीटे जा रहे हैं।

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No. It is frequently used for cleaning rugs, playing drums, or winning in sports. Context determines the meaning.

Mārnā is general and can mean 'to kill.' Pīṭnā is 'to beat' or 'to strike repeatedly.' Use pīṭnā for a thrashing.

Since it's transitive, use 'ne' with the subject. 'Mainne dhol pīṭā' (I beat the drum).

No, use 'dhaṛaknā' for the heart. 'Pīṭnā' would sound like someone is hitting your heart.

It is neutral. It can be used in news reports (formal) or at home (informal).

It is an idiom meaning to regret something deeply or to be frustrated.

The passive form is 'piṭnā' (short 'i'). Example: 'Vah piṭ gayā' (He got beaten).

Yes, it's common in sports to say someone 'beat' (pīṭ diyā) a previous record.

Yes, specifically the action of striking clothes against a stone to clean them.

Words like 'sahlānā' (to stroke gently) or 'rakṣā karnā' (to protect) are opposites.