पीड़ित in 30 Seconds
- पीड़ित (pīṛit) means suffering or afflicted, commonly used for victims of diseases, disasters, or social injustice.
- It is a formal adjective that often follows the cause of suffering connected by the word 'se' (from).
- Unlike 'dukhī' (sad), it implies an external cause and is the standard term for 'victim' in legal and news contexts.
- It is an invariant adjective in modern Hindi, meaning it doesn't usually change for gender or number.
The Hindi word पीड़ित (pīṛit) is a profound adjective that translates primarily to 'suffering,' 'afflicted,' or 'victim.' Rooted in the Sanskrit word 'pīḍā' (pain/distress), it describes a state where an individual or a group is undergoing physical, mental, or social hardship. Unlike the word 'dukhī' (sad), which often refers to a temporary emotional state, 'pīṛit' carries a weight of endurance and often implies an external cause for the distress. It is a word you will encounter frequently in news reports, social discussions, and literature when discussing people affected by circumstances beyond their control.
- Core Concept
- The essence of being 'pīṛit' is the lack of agency in the face of suffering. It suggests that the person is a recipient of pain, whether from a disease, a natural disaster, or social injustice.
वह पिछले कई वर्षों से इस बीमारी से पीड़ित है। (He has been suffering from this disease for many years.)
In a social context, 'pīṛit' is the standard term for a 'victim.' In legal proceedings, the 'pīṛit pakṣ' (victim's side) refers to the party that has been wronged. This versatility makes it an essential word for reaching an intermediate level of Hindi. It allows you to move beyond simple descriptions of feelings to discussing complex human conditions and societal issues. When you use 'pīṛit,' you are acknowledging the gravity of someone's situation, showing a level of empathy and formal understanding of their plight.
- Etymological Nuance
- The Sanskrit root 'pīḍ' means to press or squeeze. Thus, 'pīṛit' literally describes someone who is 'pressed' or 'squeezed' by life's hardships, providing a vivid mental image of the burden they carry.
बाढ़ पीड़ित लोगों को सहायता की आवश्यकता है। (Flood-affected/suffering people need help.)
Furthermore, the word is often used in compound forms. For example, 'shoshit-pīṛit' (exploited and suffering) is a common phrase in political discourse regarding the marginalized sections of society. It signifies not just individual pain but a systemic condition of being oppressed. Understanding this word helps you decode the headlines of major Hindi newspapers like Navbharat Times or Dainik Jagran, where it is used daily to describe the state of citizens facing various crises.
- Frequency of Use
- In modern Hindi, 'pīṛit' is ubiquitous. It appears in roughly 15% of news articles related to social welfare, health, and law enforcement, making it a high-utility word for serious students of the language.
Using पीड़ित (pīṛit) correctly involves understanding its grammatical placement as an adjective that usually follows the cause of suffering, linked by the postposition 'से' (se - from/by). The standard sentence structure is: [Subject] + [Cause] + से + पीड़ित + [Verb/Auxiliary]. This structure is very consistent across various contexts, whether medical, environmental, or social.
- Medical Context
- When describing a patient, 'pīṛit' is used to specify the ailment. It sounds more formal and professional than simply saying someone 'has' a disease.
मेरे दादाजी मधुमेह से पीड़ित हैं। (My grandfather is suffering from diabetes.)
In social and news contexts, the word can be used as a pre-modifier for a noun. For instance, 'pīṛit mahilā' (victim woman) or 'pīṛit parivār' (suffering family). In these cases, it acts as a descriptive tag that immediately identifies the status of the person being discussed. This is particularly common in headlines where space is limited and clear identification is necessary.
- Legal and Formal Usage
- In legal documents, you will see 'pīṛit' used to refer to the complainant or the party that has suffered damages. It is the formal equivalent of 'victim'.
पुलिस पीड़ित का बयान दर्ज कर रही है। (The police are recording the victim's statement.)
When discussing natural disasters, 'pīṛit' is often combined with the name of the disaster to create a compound adjective. 'Bāṛh-pīṛit' (flood-affected), 'Akaāl-pīṛit' (famine-affected), or 'Būkaṃp-pīṛit' (earthquake-affected) are standard terms. This usage highlights the collective suffering of a geographic area or community, rather than just an individual.
- Abstract Suffering
- You can also use 'pīṛit' for abstract concepts like 'mānasik rūp se pīṛit' (mentally suffering/afflicted) or 'bhrashṭāchār se pīṛit' (suffering from corruption).
You will encounter पीड़ित (pīṛit) in a variety of high-stakes environments. The most common place is the news media. Whether it is a television broadcast reporting on a train accident or a newspaper article discussing the impact of inflation on the poor, 'pīṛit' is the go-to word to describe the affected population. It provides a sense of legitimacy and seriousness to the reporting.
- News Media
- Headlines often use 'pīṛit' to evoke sympathy and urgency. 'Bāṛh pīṛitoṃ ko rāhat sāmagrī bānṭī gayī' (Relief materials were distributed to flood victims) is a classic headline structure.
आज के समाचार में भूकंप पीड़ितों की मदद के लिए अपील की गई है। (In today's news, an appeal was made to help earthquake victims.)
Another common setting is the hospital or clinic. Doctors and healthcare workers use 'pīṛit' to describe patients suffering from chronic conditions. For example, a doctor might explain that a patient is 'asthma se pīṛit' (suffering from asthma). This medical usage is formal and precise. In government offices, especially those dealing with social welfare, you will hear about 'pīṛit varg' (the suffering/afflicted class), referring to those eligible for specific aid or subsidies.
- Legal and Police Context
- When a crime is reported, the police refer to the individual who was harmed as the 'pīṛit'. This is the official term used in FIRs (First Information Reports) and court testimonies.
अदालत ने पीड़ित को मुआवज़ा देने का आदेश दिया। (The court ordered compensation to be given to the victim.)
In literature and poetry, 'pīṛit' takes on a more metaphorical and emotional tone. Poets use it to describe the 'virah-pīṛit' (suffering from separation) lover or the 'sansār-pīṛit' (suffering from the world) soul seeking spiritual peace. This literary usage adds layers of depth to the word, moving it from the physical realm to the spiritual and emotional. If you listen to Hindi podcasts or watch serious documentaries, you will notice that 'pīṛit' is used to ground the conversation in reality and empathy.
- Everyday Conversation
- While formal, it is used in daily life to express serious concern. For example, 'Vah bechārā dukh se pīṛit hai' (That poor guy is suffering from grief).
One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with पीड़ित (pīṛit) is confusing it with the noun पीड़ा (pīṛā). While 'pīṛā' means 'pain' or 'suffering' (the thing itself), 'pīṛit' is the adjective describing the 'person' who feels that pain. You cannot say 'Mujhe pīṛit hai' (I have suffering); instead, you should say 'Main pīṛit hūm' (I am suffering) or 'Mujhe pīṛā hai' (I have pain).
- Mistake 1: Noun vs. Adjective
- Using 'pīṛit' where the noun 'pīṛā' is required. Remember: Pīṛā is what you have; Pīṛit is what you are.
Incorrect: उसे बहुत पीड़ित हो रहा है। (He is happening much suffering.)
Correct: उसे बहुत पीड़ा हो रही है। (He is experiencing much pain.)
Another common error is the incorrect use of postpositions. Learners often forget to use 'से' (se) to connect the cause of suffering to the word 'pīṛit'. For example, saying 'Bukhār pīṛit' is technically a compound, but in a full sentence, you must say 'Bukhār se pīṛit'. Without 'se', the sentence structure breaks down and sounds unnatural to native speakers.
- Mistake 2: Overusing in Casual Contexts
- Using 'pīṛit' for minor inconveniences. If you missed the bus, you are 'pareshān' (troubled), not 'pīṛit'. Using 'pīṛit' for small things can sound overly dramatic or even sarcastic.
Dramatic: मैं इस ट्रैफिक से पीड़ित हूँ। (I am suffering from this traffic.)
Natural: मैं इस ट्रैफिक से परेशान हूँ। (I am annoyed/troubled by this traffic.)
Gender agreement is a minor point of confusion. In extremely formal or Sanskritized Hindi, you might see 'pīṛitā' used for a female victim. However, in 99% of modern spoken and written Hindi, 'pīṛit' is treated as an invariant adjective. Attempting to feminize it as 'pīṛitā' in a casual conversation might sound archaic or overly literary. Stick to 'pīṛit' for everyone to remain safe and sound natural.
- Mistake 3: Confusing with 'Shikār'
- While both can mean victim, 'shikār' is often used for crimes or accidents ('Vah hādse kā shikār huā'), whereas 'pīṛit' is more about the ongoing state of suffering.
To truly master पीड़ित (pīṛit), you must understand how it relates to other Hindi words for pain and suffering. Hindi has a rich vocabulary for expressing distress, and choosing the right word depends on the intensity, the cause, and the formality of the situation.
- Pīṛit vs. Dukhī
- 'Dukhī' is the most common word for 'sad' or 'unhappy.' It describes an internal emotional state. 'Pīṛit' is more objective and formal, usually implying that an external factor (illness, disaster, injustice) has caused the suffering.
वह फिल्म देखकर दुखी है। (He is sad after watching the movie.)
वह कैंसर से पीड़ित है। (He is suffering from cancer.)
Another important alternative is शिकार (shikār). While 'pīṛit' emphasizes the state of suffering, 'shikār' emphasizes the event of being victimized. 'Shikār' literally means 'prey' or 'hunt.' Thus, if someone is a 'victim of a scam,' they are 'dhokhāghaṛī kā shikār.' If they are 'suffering from the consequences' of that scam over time, they are 'pīṛit.'
- Pīṛit vs. Pareshān
- 'Pareshān' means troubled or worried. It is much lighter than 'pīṛit.' You are 'pareshān' by a loud neighbor, but you are 'pīṛit' by a systemic issue like poverty.
गरीबी से पीड़ित लोग। (People suffering from poverty.)
काम के बोझ से परेशान कर्मचारी। (Employee troubled by workload.)
In literary contexts, you might find व्यथित (vyathit). This word is very similar to 'pīṛit' but focuses more on mental agony and deep emotional distress. It is often used in poetry to describe a heart 'vyathit' by love or loss. While 'pīṛit' can be physical or social, 'vyathit' is almost always psychological. Finally, ग्रस्त (grast) is another synonym used specifically for being 'gripped' or 'seized' by something negative, like 'rog-grast' (gripped by disease) or 'vivaād-grast' (embroiled in controversy).
- Synonym Comparison
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- कष्टप्रद (kaṣṭaprad): Pain-giving (describes the situation, not the person).
- दुखिया (dukhiyā): A person who is constantly sad (more colloquial).
- मज़लूम (mazloom): Oppressed (Urdu origin, very common in poetry).
How Formal Is It?
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Fun Fact
The root 'pīḍ' is also related to the word 'pīḍhī' (generation) in some linguistic theories, suggesting the 'pressing' forward of time, though this is debated.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing 'ṛ' as a normal English 'r'.
- Aspirating the 'p' (making it sound like 'phi').
- Making the 't' too explosive (it should be soft and dental).
- Shortening the 'ī' into a short 'i'.
- Confusing it with 'pīṛā' (noun).
Difficulty Rating
Easy to recognize in news and formal texts.
Requires correct use of 'se' and understanding the adjective-noun boundary.
The retroflex 'ṛ' can be tricky for beginners.
Clear pronunciation in formal media.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Postposition 'se'
बीमारी *से* पीड़ित (Suffering *from* disease)
Adjective placement
पीड़ित *लोग* (Suffering *people*)
Oblique plural
पीड़ितों *को* (To the victims)
Invariant adjective
वह (स्त्री) पीड़ित है। (She is suffering - no change to pīṛit)
Compound formation
बाढ़-पीड़ित (Flood-victim)
Examples by Level
वह बुखार से पीड़ित है।
He is suffering from fever.
Uses 'se' to connect the cause.
बच्चा ठंड से पीड़ित था।
The child was suffering from the cold.
Past tense usage.
क्या आप दर्द से पीड़ित हैं?
Are you suffering from pain?
Interrogative form.
वे लोग भूख से पीड़ित हैं।
Those people are suffering from hunger.
Plural subject.
यह कुत्ता प्यास से पीड़ित है।
This dog is suffering from thirst.
Used for animals too.
मेरी बहन सिरदर्द से पीड़ित है।
My sister is suffering from a headache.
Feminine subject, but 'pīṛit' remains the same.
गाँव के लोग बाढ़ से पीड़ित थे।
The villagers were suffering from the flood.
Collective noun 'log'.
रामू बहुत दिनों से पीड़ित है।
Ramu has been suffering for many days.
Duration with 'se'.
बाढ़ पीड़ित लोगों को खाना मिला।
Flood-affected people got food.
Used as a compound adjective.
वह अपनी बीमारी से पीड़ित है।
She is suffering from her illness.
Possessive 'apnī'.
पीड़ित परिवार को न्याय चाहिए।
The suffering family wants justice.
Used as a noun-modifier.
क्या वह मानसिक रूप से पीड़ित है?
Is he mentally suffering?
Adverbial phrase 'mānasik rūp se'.
भूकंप पीड़ित क्षेत्र में मदद पहुँची।
Help reached the earthquake-affected area.
Used with 'kshetra' (area).
वह गरीबी से पीड़ित किसान है।
He is a farmer suffering from poverty.
Descriptive adjective.
पीड़ित महिला ने पुलिस को बुलाया।
The victim woman called the police.
Specific victim identification.
हम सब प्रदूषण से पीड़ित हैं।
We are all suffering from pollution.
Inclusive 'hum sab'.
यह समाज भ्रष्टाचार से पीड़ित है।
This society is suffering from corruption.
Abstract noun 'bhrashṭāchār'.
पीड़ितों को सरकारी सहायता दी गई।
Government aid was given to the victims.
Plural noun form 'pīṛitoṃ'.
वह बचपन से ही इस रोग से पीड़ित था।
He was suffering from this disease since childhood.
Emphasis with 'hī'.
युद्ध पीड़ित बच्चों की हालत खराब है।
The condition of war-affected children is bad.
Genitive 'kī' showing possession.
न्यायालय ने पीड़ित पक्ष की बात सुनी।
The court heard the victim's side.
Formal term 'pīṛit pakṣ'.
वह अपने अतीत से पीड़ित है।
He is suffering from his past.
Metaphorical suffering.
सूखा पीड़ित किसानों ने विरोध किया।
Drought-affected farmers protested.
Compound 'sūkhā-pīṛit'.
क्या आप जानते हैं कि वह क्यों पीड़ित है?
Do you know why he is suffering?
Indirect question.
शोषित और पीड़ित वर्गों के लिए संघर्ष जारी है।
The struggle for the exploited and suffering classes continues.
Political terminology.
वह गंभीर अवसाद से पीड़ित पाई गई।
She was found to be suffering from severe depression.
Passive construction 'pāī gayī'.
पीड़ित की पहचान गुप्त रखी गई है।
The victim's identity has been kept secret.
Formal legal phrase.
आर्थिक मंदी से पीड़ित व्यापारियों ने चिंता जताई।
Traders suffering from the economic recession expressed concern.
Complex subject phrase.
वह समाज की रूढ़ियों से पीड़ित है।
She is suffering from the dogmas of society.
Sociological context.
आतंकवाद से पीड़ित परिवारों को सांत्वना दी गई।
Consolation was given to families suffering from terrorism.
Sensitive political context.
यह क्षेत्र दशकों से हिंसा से पीड़ित रहा है।
This region has been suffering from violence for decades.
Present perfect continuous sense.
पीड़ितों के पुनर्वास के लिए योजनाएँ बनाई गईं।
Plans were made for the rehabilitation of the victims.
Administrative vocabulary.
प्रेमचंद के उपन्यासों में पीड़ित मानवता का चित्रण है।
Premchand's novels depict suffering humanity.
Literary analysis.
वह अस्तित्वगत संकट से पीड़ित एक दार्शनिक है।
He is a philosopher suffering from an existential crisis.
Philosophical terminology.
पीड़ित की गवाही मामले में निर्णायक साबित हुई।
The victim's testimony proved decisive in the case.
Legal formal register.
सांप्रदायिकता से पीड़ित समाज कभी प्रगति नहीं कर सकता।
A society suffering from communalism can never progress.
Sociological critique.
वह अपनी अंतरात्मा की आवाज़ से पीड़ित था।
He was suffering from the voice of his conscience.
Abstract internal conflict.
पीड़ित पक्ष को त्वरित न्याय मिलना अनिवार्य है।
It is mandatory for the victim's side to get speedy justice.
Formal 'anivārya' (mandatory).
प्राकृतिक आपदाओं से पीड़ित क्षेत्रों का सर्वेक्षण किया गया।
A survey of areas suffering from natural disasters was conducted.
Technical reporting.
वह आधुनिकता की विसंगतियों से पीड़ित है।
He is suffering from the anomalies of modernity.
Intellectual discourse.
दलित साहित्य पीड़ित चेतना की मुखर अभिव्यक्ति है।
Dalit literature is a vocal expression of a suffering consciousness.
Academic literary theory.
पीड़ित व्यक्ति की मौन चीख को समझना ही मानवता है।
Understanding the silent scream of a suffering person is true humanity.
Poetic and philosophical.
वैश्विक महामारी से पीड़ित विश्व अब बदल चुका है।
The world, suffering from a global pandemic, has now changed.
Global context.
पीड़ितों के अधिकारों का हनन किसी भी सूरत में स्वीकार्य नहीं है।
Violation of victims' rights is not acceptable in any situation.
Human rights legal register.
वह अपनी ही महत्वाकांक्षाओं से पीड़ित होकर रह गया।
He ended up suffering from his own ambitions.
Tragic literary theme.
समाज के हाशिए पर खड़े पीड़ित लोगों की आवाज़ बुलंद करनी होगी।
The voice of the suffering people standing on the margins of society must be raised.
Activist rhetoric.
पीड़ित की मनोवैज्ञानिक स्थिति का विश्लेषण अत्यंत जटिल है।
The analysis of the victim's psychological state is extremely complex.
Scientific/Psychological register.
विस्थापन से पीड़ित समुदायों की सांस्कृतिक पहचान खतरे में है।
The cultural identity of communities suffering from displacement is in danger.
Anthropological context.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— Justice for the victim. Used in legal and social movements.
पीड़ित को न्याय मिलना चाहिए।
— Help for the victims. Common in charity and government work.
सरकार पीड़ितों की सहायता कर रही है।
— Flood-affected area. Used in geography and news.
यह एक बाढ़ पीड़ित क्षेत्र है।
— Suffering from mental agony. Used in psychology.
वह मानसिक पीड़ा से पीड़ित है।
— Rehabilitation of victims. Used in policy making.
पीड़ितों का पुनर्वास ज़रूरी है।
Often Confused With
Pīṛā is the noun (pain); Pīṛit is the adjective (suffering).
Sounds slightly similar but means a scholar or priest.
Means 'tortured' or 'harassed', which is a more intense form of pīṛit.
Idioms & Expressions
— The sigh of a sufferer. It implies that the pain of an innocent will bring bad luck to the oppressor.
पीड़ित की आह कभी खाली नहीं जाती।
Literary— One struck by grief. Describes someone completely broken by sorrow.
वह बेचारा दुख का मारा पीड़ित है।
Colloquial— Victim of cruelty. Used in Urdu-influenced Hindi poetry.
वह ज़ुल्म का पीड़ित था पर झुका नहीं।
Poetic— Victim of fate. Used when someone has constant bad luck.
वह अपनी किस्मत का पीड़ित है।
Common— Victim of society. Used in social reform contexts.
वह समाज का पीड़ित है, अपराधी नहीं।
Social— Victim of time/circumstances. Implies suffering due to bad timing.
हम सब वक्त के पीड़ित हैं।
Philosophical— Victim of a chaotic/lawless place. Reference to a famous play.
इस भ्रष्ट शहर में हर कोई पीड़ित है।
Literary— The cry of the victim. A call for help that must be heard.
क्या कोई पीड़ित की पुकार सुनेगा?
Dramatic— A suffering heart. Used in romantic or tragic contexts.
उसका पीड़ित हृदय रो उठा।
Literary— To burn in pain (often used with pīṛit).
वह अपनी पीड़ा में पीड़ित होकर जल रहा है।
MetaphoricalEasily Confused
Both mean victim.
Shikār is the act of being caught or targeted; Pīṛit is the state of suffering.
वह ठगी का शिकार हुआ और अब आर्थिक तंगी से पीड़ित है।
Both mean afflicted.
Grast implies being 'gripped' or 'consumed' by something (e.g., debt-ridden).
वह कर्ज से ग्रस्त है।
Both relate to pain.
Dukhī is internal sadness; Pīṛit is often external affliction.
वह अपनी हार से दुखी है।
Both relate to trouble.
Pareshān is light/daily trouble; Pīṛit is serious/deep suffering.
मैं शोर से परेशान हूँ।
Both evoke sympathy.
Bechārā is an informal word for 'poor fellow'; Pīṛit is a formal descriptor.
वह बेचारा बहुत बीमार है।
Sentence Patterns
[Subject] [Cause] से पीड़ित है।
राम बुखार से पीड़ित है।
[Cause]-पीड़ित [Noun] को [Object] चाहिए।
बाढ़-पीड़ित लोगों को मदद चाहिए।
पीड़ितों के लिए [Organization] ने [Action] किया।
पीड़ितों के लिए सरकार ने कैंप लगाया।
[Subject] [Abstract Noun] से पीड़ित पाया गया।
वह भ्रष्टाचार से पीड़ित पाया गया।
पीड़ित पक्ष की [Noun] [Adjective] साबित हुई।
पीड़ित पक्ष की दलील मज़बूत साबित हुई।
[Noun] पीड़ित चेतना का [Noun] है।
यह पुस्तक पीड़ित चेतना का दर्पण है।
क्या आप [Cause] से पीड़ित हैं?
क्या आप दर्द से पीड़ित हैं?
वह [Time] से पीड़ित रहा है।
वह बचपन से पीड़ित रहा है।
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
High in news, law, and medicine; Moderate in daily life.
-
Mujhe pīṛit hai.
→
Main pīṛit hūm.
You cannot 'have' an adjective; you 'are' an adjective. Use 'pīṛā' if you want to say 'I have pain'.
-
Bukhār pīṛit.
→
Bukhār se pīṛit.
In a full sentence, the postposition 'se' is required to link the cause.
-
Vah pīṛitā hai. (Casual)
→
Vah pīṛit hai.
The feminine 'pīṛitā' is too formal/archaic for regular conversation.
-
Using pīṛit for a lost pen.
→
Using pareshān for a lost pen.
'Pīṛit' is for serious suffering, not minor inconveniences.
-
Confusing pīṛit with pīṭit.
→
Pīṛit (suffering) vs Pīṭit (beaten).
The 'ṛ' vs 'ṭ' sound changes the meaning completely.
Tips
The 'Se' Connection
Always pair 'pīṛit' with 'se' when you want to say what someone is suffering from. It's the bridge between the pain and the person.
News Headlines
When reading Hindi news, look for 'pīṛit' in the first few words of a headline; it quickly tells you who the story is about.
Tone Matters
Since 'pīṛit' is a heavy word, use a lower, more serious tone of voice when speaking it to show empathy.
Avoid Redundancy
Don't say 'Dukh se pīṛit dukhī'. Just 'Dukh se pīṛit' is enough and more powerful.
Social Context
In India, 'pīṛit' is often associated with the marginalized. Using it shows you understand social dynamics.
Courtroom Hindi
If you ever watch a Hindi legal drama, 'pīṛit pakṣ' is the term for the prosecution's side (the victim's side).
Doctor Talk
In a Hindi hospital, a doctor won't just say you're sick; they'll say you're 'pīṛit' by a specific condition.
Premchand Connection
Read Premchand's stories to see how 'pīṛit' is used to describe the struggles of rural India.
Retroflex Check
Listen for the difference between 'pīṛit' and 'pīṭit' (beaten). The 'ṛ' is key to the meaning.
Suffix 'it'
Many Hindi adjectives end in 'it' (likhit, jīvit). Group them together to remember the pattern.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'Period' of pain. A 'Pīṛit' person is going through a 'Period' of suffering. The 'Pī' sounds like 'Pain'.
Visual Association
Imagine someone carrying a heavy 'Pillar' (Pī) on their back. They are 'pīṛit' (pressed down) by the weight.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to use 'pīṛit' in three different sentences today: one about a cold, one about the news, and one about a friend's problem.
Word Origin
From the Sanskrit root 'पीड्' (pīḍ), which belongs to the tenth conjugation of Sanskrit verbs.
Original meaning: To press, squeeze, or give pain. It evolved to describe any form of suffering, whether physical or mental.
Indo-Aryan family, derived from Vedic Sanskrit.Cultural Context
Be careful when using 'pīṛit' for people with disabilities; instead, use more modern, respectful terms like 'divyāng' unless specifically discussing their suffering.
In English, we might use 'victim,' 'sufferer,' or 'affected.' 'Pīṛit' covers all three depending on the context.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Hospital
- मरीज किस बीमारी से पीड़ित है?
- वह दर्द से पीड़ित है।
- पीड़ित को दवा दें।
- लक्षणों से पीड़ित।
News Report
- बाढ़ पीड़ित इलाके।
- पीड़ितों के लिए मुआवज़ा।
- पीड़ित ने बयान दिया।
- हिंसा से पीड़ित शहर।
Courtroom
- पीड़ित पक्ष के वकील।
- पीड़ित को न्याय मिला।
- पीड़ित की गवाही।
- पीड़ित के अधिकार।
Social Work
- पीड़ितों की सेवा।
- गरीबी से पीड़ित लोग।
- पीड़ितों का पुनर्वास।
- पीड़ित महिला केंद्र।
Literature
- पीड़ित हृदय की व्यथा।
- समाज का पीड़ित वर्ग।
- पीड़ित मानवता।
- विरह से पीड़ित प्रेमी।
Conversation Starters
"क्या आप जानते हैं कि वह किस बीमारी से पीड़ित है?"
"बाढ़ पीड़ितों की मदद के लिए हम क्या कर सकते हैं?"
"क्या आपको लगता है कि पीड़ित को न्याय मिलेगा?"
"वह अपने काम के बोझ से बहुत पीड़ित लग रहा है, है ना?"
"क्या आपने आज की खबर में भूकंप पीड़ितों के बारे में सुना?"
Journal Prompts
किसी ऐसे समय के बारे में लिखें जब आप किसी छोटी बीमारी से पीड़ित थे।
अगर आप किसी पीड़ित व्यक्ति की मदद करना चाहते हैं, तो आप क्या करेंगे?
समाज में सबसे अधिक पीड़ित वर्ग कौन सा है और क्यों?
क्या न्याय हमेशा पीड़ित के पक्ष में होता है? अपने विचार लिखें।
एक कहानी लिखें जिसका मुख्य पात्र 'पीड़ित' से 'विजेता' बनता है।
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, 'pīṛit' is used for both men and women in modern Hindi. While 'pīṛitā' exists in formal Sanskritized Hindi, 'pīṛit' is the standard for all genders.
Yes, you can say 'prem-pīṛit' (suffering from love), though 'vyathit' or 'dukhī' might be more common in songs.
Use 'shikār' for the event (victim of a crime) and 'pīṛit' for the person's state (the suffering victim).
Yes, it is quite formal and is the standard word used in news, law, and medical contexts.
It is a retroflex flap. Curl your tongue back and flick it against the roof of your mouth as you say the sound.
Usually, yes, if you are naming the cause. E.g., 'Fever *se* pīṛit'. If used as a title like 'Flood victims', you can just say 'Bāṛh pīṛit'.
Yes, an animal suffering from a disease or thirst can be described as 'pīṛit'.
Extremely. You will hear it every day if you listen to Hindi news or read newspapers.
The most direct opposite would be 'sukhī' (happy/well) or 'svasth' (healthy).
Yes, you can say 'Hinsa-pīṛit shahar' (A violence-suffering city).
Test Yourself 98 questions
Write a sentence using 'पीड़ित' and 'बुखार'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'The victims of the flood need help.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Pronounce 'पीड़ित' focusing on the retroflex 'ṛ'.
Read this aloud:
You said:
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Listen to: 'पीड़ित को न्याय मिलना चाहिए।' What should the victim get?
/ 98 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The word 'पीड़ित' (pīṛit) is essential for moving beyond basic Hindi to discussing serious topics like health, law, and social issues. Example: 'Bāṛh pīṛit' (Flood victim) shows how it identifies someone by their struggle.
- पीड़ित (pīṛit) means suffering or afflicted, commonly used for victims of diseases, disasters, or social injustice.
- It is a formal adjective that often follows the cause of suffering connected by the word 'se' (from).
- Unlike 'dukhī' (sad), it implies an external cause and is the standard term for 'victim' in legal and news contexts.
- It is an invariant adjective in modern Hindi, meaning it doesn't usually change for gender or number.
The 'Se' Connection
Always pair 'pīṛit' with 'se' when you want to say what someone is suffering from. It's the bridge between the pain and the person.
News Headlines
When reading Hindi news, look for 'pīṛit' in the first few words of a headline; it quickly tells you who the story is about.
Tone Matters
Since 'pīṛit' is a heavy word, use a lower, more serious tone of voice when speaking it to show empathy.
Avoid Redundancy
Don't say 'Dukh se pīṛit dukhī'. Just 'Dukh se pīṛit' is enough and more powerful.
Example
बाढ़ पीड़ितों को तुरंत मदद की ज़रूरत है।
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आभारी
A2Thankful, obliged, feeling or showing gratitude.
आभारी होना
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आभार सहित
B1Gratefully; with gratitude; thankfully.
आभारपूर्वक
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आघात पहुँचना
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