This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

Home
Learn
Hindi
Vocabulary
रो देना

B1 verb 10 min read

रो देना

ro dena

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips रो देना in 30 Seconds

Explanation रो देना in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn about basic emotions. 'Ro dena' might seem a bit complicated because it has two words, but you can think of it as a special way to say 'cried suddenly.' In A1, you mostly use 'rona' (to cry). However, if you see 'ro diya' in a simple story, it just means the character started crying because they were sad or happy right at that moment. You don't need to worry about the grammar yet; just remember it's about tears. It is like saying 'I cried' but with a little more feeling. For example, 'Bacha ro diya' means 'The baby burst into tears.' It is a very common phrase in children's books and simple cartoons that you might watch to practice your Hindi. You will mostly see it in the past tense, so just look for 'ro diya' (for a boy) or 'ro di' (for a girl). It is a good word to know because it helps you describe how someone feels in a simple way. You can use it when you talk about a sad movie or a time you were very happy.

At the A2 level, you are learning more about how verbs work in Hindi. You already know 'rona' means to cry. 'Ro dena' is what we call a 'compound verb.' This means we take two verbs and put them together to make a new meaning. The second verb 'dena' (to give) doesn't mean 'to give' here. Instead, it tells us that the crying happened suddenly or all at once. It's like 'bursting' into tears. You will use this when you want to show that someone couldn't help themselves and just started crying. For example, if you are telling a friend about a movie, you can say 'Main ro diya' (I burst into tears). Remember, in the past tense, we use 'ro diya' for males and 'ro di' for females. You do NOT use 'ne' with this verb. So, say 'Vah ro diya,' not 'Usne ro diya.' This is a very important rule for A2 learners to practice. It makes your Hindi sound much more like a native speaker's because it shows you understand these special verb pairs. You can also use it in the future, like 'Vah ro degi' (She will burst into tears), if you think something will make her cry.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable with the concept of vector verbs. 'Ro dena' is a classic example where 'dena' acts as a vector to indicate spontaneity, completeness, or an outward expression of emotion. As an intermediate learner, you should use 'ro dena' instead of 'rona' when the context implies a sudden emotional transition. For instance, if you are describing a poignant moment in a story, 'ro dena' adds a layer of 'suddenness' that 'rona' lacks. 'Rona' can mean a long, continuous act of crying, but 'ro dena' is the event of starting to cry suddenly. You should also be careful with the grammar: despite 'dena' being a transitive verb, the compound 'ro dena' is intransitive. This means the subject does not take the 'ne' particle in the perfective (past) tense. Practice using it with conjunctive participles like 'dekhkar' (having seen) or 'sunkar' (having heard) to explain *why* someone burst into tears. This will help you build more complex and natural-sounding sentences. You might also notice it used in the negative to show emotional strength: 'Vah itni mushkil mein bhi nahi roya' (He didn't cry even in such difficulty).

At the B2 level, you are expected to understand the nuance of 'ro dena' compared to other compound verbs like 'ro padna.' While both mean to burst into tears, 'ro padna' often suggests an even more involuntary or sudden action than 'ro dena.' 'Ro dena' is the standard way to describe a release of emotion. You should be able to use this verb in various moods and aspects, including the subjunctive ('kahin vah ro na de' - lest he cry) and the conditional. At this stage, you should also be distinguishing between 'ro dena' (to burst into tears) and 'rula dena' (to make someone burst into tears). Notice how the vector 'dena' is used in both to emphasize the result. In your writing, use 'ro dena' to create emotional beats. For example, 'Uski baatein sunkar mera dil bhar gaya aur main ro diya' (Hearing his words, my heart filled up and I burst into tears). This shows a sophisticated control over emotional vocabulary. You should also be aware of the register; 'ro dena' is neutral and can be used in almost any context, from a casual chat to a formal news report.

At the C1 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of the 'V1 + dena' construction and how it functions across the Hindi lexicon. 'Ro dena' is not just a vocabulary item but a part of a larger system of expressing suddenness and completion. You should be able to analyze why a writer chose 'ro dena' over 'phaphak padna' or 'sisakna' in a literary text. 'Ro dena' provides a certain directness and emotional honesty. You can use it in complex narrative structures, perhaps in the passive voice or in more abstract contexts. For instance, you might use it metaphorically or in poetic descriptions. You should also be comfortable with the causative forms and how they interact with vector verbs to create specific emotional effects. Your usage should reflect an understanding of the rhythm of the sentence; 'ro dena' often serves as a powerful concluding action in a sequence of events. You should also be able to discuss the cultural implications of the word—how it relates to the concept of 'bhāv' and emotional expression in South Asian society. At this level, your goal is to use 'ro dena' with the same instinctive timing as a native speaker.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 'ro dena' should be absolute, including its most subtle literary and idiomatic applications. You understand that 'ro dena' is more than just a verb; it's a marker of a specific type of human vulnerability. You can distinguish its use in different dialects and historical periods of Hindi literature. You might explore how the 'dena' vector contrasts with 'uthna' or 'baithna' in other compound verbs to appreciate the 'outward' directionality of 'ro dena.' You can use it in high-level academic discussions about linguistics or in creative writing to evoke a specific emotional landscape. You are also aware of how 'ro dena' interacts with other particles like 'hi' or 'toh' to add emphasis ('Vah toh ro hi diya'). Your mastery allows you to use the word with irony, sarcasm, or profound gravity. You can also translate complex English concepts like 'breaking down' or 'losing it' into the appropriate Hindi equivalent, choosing 'ro dena' when it best fits the emotional weight of the original. At this stage, the word is a tool in your repertoire that you use with precision, elegance, and a deep understanding of its psychological resonance.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

रो देना in 30 Seconds

A compound verb meaning 'to burst into tears' suddenly.
Uses 'dena' as a vector verb to show spontaneity.
Intransitive: does NOT take the 'ne' particle in past tense.
Commonly used in emotional storytelling and daily life.

The Hindi verb रो देना (ro denā) is a compound verb that translates most accurately to 'to burst into tears' or 'to break down crying.' While the base verb रोना (ronā) simply means 'to cry,' the addition of the vector verb देना (denā)—which literally means 'to give'—transforms the meaning significantly. In Hindi grammar, vector verbs like देना are used to indicate that an action happened suddenly, spontaneously, or was directed outward. When you use रो देना, you are describing a moment where emotions became uncontrollable, and the act of crying happened as a sudden release. It is less about the continuous act of weeping and more about the specific moment the tears started flowing unexpectedly.

Emotional Spontaneity: This term is used when someone is overcome by a sudden surge of feeling, whether it be sadness, relief, or even extreme happiness. It implies a lack of pre-meditation.
Grammatical Structure: As a compound verb, only the second part (देना) conjugates for tense, gender, and number, while the first part (रो) remains in its root form.

वह फिल्म देखकर रो दिया। (He burst into tears after watching the movie.)

Native speakers use this expression in various social contexts. For instance, if a child drops their ice cream, they might रो देना. If an adult receives heartbreaking news, they might रो देना. The nuance is the transition from a state of not crying to crying. In literature and Bollywood cinema, this phrase is ubiquitous for depicting high melodrama. It captures the essence of a 'breaking point.' Unlike 'रोना,' which can describe a long-term state (e.g., 'He has been crying for hours'), रो देना is usually an event. It marks the 'start' or the 'outburst' itself. Understanding this distinction is vital for B1 learners moving toward fluency, as it allows for more precise emotional expression.

इतनी खुशी हुई कि मैं रो दी। (I was so happy that I burst into tears.)

Furthermore, the use of देना as a vector suggests that the 'crying' was released or 'given out' to the world. It contrasts with लेना (lenā), which would suggest an action done for oneself. In Hindi, you would never say 'ro lena' in this context because crying is naturally an outward expression. This linguistic logic helps learners understand the broader system of Hindi compound verbs. Whether it is a result of a tragic loss or an overwhelming surprise, रो देना encapsulates the human experience of losing emotional composure. It is a very human verb, deeply rooted in the expressive nature of South Asian culture, where emotions are often shared and visible rather than suppressed.

Using रो देना (ro denā) correctly requires a firm grasp of Hindi's perfective aspect and the conjugation of the auxiliary verb 'denā.' Since this verb usually describes a completed action of bursting into tears, you will most frequently encounter it in the past tense. However, it can be used in the future to predict an emotional reaction or in the conditional to describe hypothetical situations. Let's look at the mechanics of its usage across different grammatical landscapes.

Past Tense Conjugation: For a male subject: 'ro diyā' (रो दिया). For a female subject: 'ro dī' (रो दी). For plural/respectful: 'ro diye' (रो दिए).
Future Tense Usage: 'Vah ro degā' (He will burst into tears). This is used when you know someone is sensitive and likely to cry at a specific trigger.

माँ की चिट्ठी पढ़कर बेटा रो दिया। (Reading the mother's letter, the son burst into tears.)

One important rule to remember is that रो देना is treated as an intransitive verb phrase in terms of 'ne' (ने) usage. Unlike the standalone verb 'denā' (to give), which is transitive and requires the 'ne' particle in the past tense, रो देना does NOT take 'ne.' You say 'Vah ro diyā' (He burst into tears), NOT 'Usne ro diyā.' This is a common point of confusion for B1 learners. The focus remains on the subject's internal state manifesting externally, rather than an action performed upon an object.

अगर तुम उसे डाँटोगे, तो वह रो देगी। (If you scold her, she will burst into tears.)

In complex sentences, रो देना often follows a conjunctive participle (e.g., 'dekhkar' - having seen, 'sunkar' - having heard). This structure establishes the cause and the immediate emotional effect. For example, 'Khabar sunkar sab ro diye' (Having heard the news, everyone burst into tears). This shows the sequence of events where the news acted as the catalyst. You can also use it with 'kahīn' (lest) to express fear of someone crying: 'Dhire bolo, kahīn vah ro na de' (Speak softly, lest he burst into tears). By mastering these patterns, you can convey deep empathy and narrative tension in your Hindi conversations and writing.

The phrase रो देना (ro denā) is deeply embedded in the emotional fabric of daily Hindi life. You will hear it in living rooms, movie theaters, and in the pages of classic literature. It is the go-to expression when someone is recounting a story that reached an emotional peak. Because Hindi culture places a high value on emotional authenticity and 'bhāv' (sentiment), describing the moment someone burst into tears is a common way to validate the intensity of an experience.

In Cinema (Bollywood): Movies are a prime source. When a hero loses a loved one or a heroine is reunited with her family, the script often calls for them to 'ro dena.' Critics might say, 'Poora cinema hall ro diya' (The entire cinema hall burst into tears).
In News and Media: News anchors use it when reporting on tragic events or touching human-interest stories. 'Apne ghar ki halat dekhkar buzurg ro diya' (Seeing the state of his house, the elderly man burst into tears).

विदाई के समय दुल्हन अचानक रो दी। (At the time of the farewell, the bride suddenly burst into tears.)

In family settings, parents might use it when talking about their children. 'Mera bachcha injection dekhkar hi ro deta hai' (My child bursts into tears just by seeing the injection). It describes a recurring emotional reflex. In literature, especially in the works of Premchand or modern novelists, रो देना is used to humanize characters, showing their vulnerability. It serves as a narrative device to pivot the mood of a scene. When you hear this word, pay attention to the context—it almost always signals a transition from composure to raw emotion.

इतनी मेहनत के बाद भी फेल होने पर वह रो दिया। (Upon failing even after so much hard work, he burst into tears.)

Social media also plays a role in the modern usage of this phrase. You might see a comment on a viral video saying, 'Is video ne mujhe rula diya' (This video made me cry) or 'Main ise dekhkar ro diya' (I burst into tears watching this). It is a way to express digital empathy. Whether it's the 'Vidaai' (wedding farewell) or a soldier returning home, रो देना is the linguistic marker for those peak moments of human life where words fail and tears take over. For a learner, hearing this word is a cue to look for the 'why' behind the emotion.

Learning compound verbs like रो देना (ro denā) can be tricky because they don't have a direct one-to-one equivalent in English. Most mistakes stem from either overusing the simple verb 'ronā' or misapplying the grammatical rules of the vector verb 'denā.' Let's break down the most frequent pitfalls so you can avoid them.

Mistake 1: Using 'ne' (ने) in the Past Tense: Many learners think: 'dena' is transitive, so I must use 'ne.' They say 'Usne ro diya.' This is incorrect. The compound verb 'ro dena' is intransitive. Correct: 'Vah ro diya.'
Mistake 2: Confusing with 'Rone Lagna': 'Rone lagna' means 'to start crying' (and continue). 'Ro dena' means 'to burst into tears' (the sudden act). Use 'ro dena' for the sudden outburst.

❌ उसने रो दिया। (Incorrect)
✅ वह रो दिया। (Correct)

Another common error is using रो देना when the crying was intentional or prolonged. If someone is crying to get attention (like a fake cry), you would just use 'ronā.' रो देना implies a loss of control. If you say someone 'ro diya' for a fake reason, it sounds contradictory to a native speaker. Also, avoid using 'ro dena' in the continuous tense ('Vah ro de raha hai'). Compound verbs with 'dena' generally don't work well in the continuous aspect because they represent a sudden change of state, not a process.

❌ मैं रो देना चाहता हूँ। (Awkward)
✅ मेरा रोने का मन कर रहा है। (I feel like crying.)

Finally, watch out for gender agreement. Since the verb is intransitive, the auxiliary 'denā' must agree with the subject. If a girl says 'Main ro diya,' it is incorrect unless she is using a specific dialect; the standard is 'Main ro dī.' Mastering these subtle grammatical points will elevate your Hindi from 'understandable' to 'natural.' Always think of 'ro dena' as a single unit of meaning, even though it's two words, and focus on the subject as the driver of the conjugation.

While रो देना (ro denā) is a powerful way to describe bursting into tears, Hindi offers a rich palette of synonyms that can specify the *type* of crying or the intensity of the emotion. Depending on whether someone is sobbing quietly or wailing loudly, you might choose a different word. Understanding these alternatives will help you describe scenes with much more detail and emotional accuracy.

सिसकना (Sisaknā): To sob or whimper. This implies a quieter, repetitive sound of crying, often when someone is trying to hold back their emotions.
फफक पड़ना (Phaphak Paṛnā): To break into loud, convulsive sobbing. This is even more intense than 'ro dena' and suggests a total lack of control.
आँसू छलकना (Ānsū Chhalaknā): To have tears well up or spill over. This is more poetic and often used for subtle emotional moments.

वह दुख के मारे फफक पड़ी। (She broke into loud sobs out of grief.)

If you want to describe someone starting to cry and continuing, use रोने लगना (rone lagnā). If you want to describe the cause, you might use the causative verb रुलना (rulānā)—'to make someone cry.' For example, 'Tumne use rula diya' (You made her cry/burst into tears). Note how 'dena' is also used here as a vector! Another alternative is आँखें भर आना (ānkhein bhar ānā), which means 'eyes filling with tears.' This is less about the act of crying and more about the physiological response to being 'moved' by something.

पुरानी यादें ताज़ा हुई तो उसकी आँखें भर आईं। (When old memories were refreshed, her eyes filled with tears.)

In formal or poetic Hindi (Urdu-influenced), you might hear अश्क बहाना (ashq bahānā), which literally means 'to shed tears.' This is very formal and usually found in ghazals or classical poetry. On the other end of the spectrum, a child might बिलखना (bilakhnā), which describes wailing or crying inconsolably. By choosing the right word, you show that you don't just know the basic vocabulary, but you also understand the emotional nuances of the language. 'Ro dena' remains the most versatile and common choice for everyday sudden outbursts.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The use of 'dena' as a vector verb is a unique feature of Indo-Aryan languages like Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi, used to show that an action is directed away from the subject or happened suddenly.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /roː d̪eː.nɑː/

US /roʊ d̪eɪ.nɑː/

Stress is evenly distributed, with a slight emphasis on the first syllable 'Ro'.

Rhymes With

सो देना (so dena) खो देना (kho dena) धो देना (dho dena) बो देना (bo dena) हो लेना (ho lena) रो लेना (ro lena) टो लेना (to lena) मो देना (mo dena)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'd' in 'dena' as an English alveolar 'd' (it should be dental).
Over-emphasizing the 'n' in 'dena'.
Shortening the long 'o' in 'ro'.
Confusing the nasalization in feminine plural 'ro diin'.
Pronouncing 'ro' like 'raw'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize in text once you know 'rona'.

Writing 5/5

Tricky due to the lack of 'ne' particle in past tense.

Speaking 4/5

Requires natural timing to sound authentic.

Listening 3/5

Commonly heard in media and daily speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

रोना (rona) देना (dena) आँसू (ansu) दुख (dukh) खुशी (khushi)

Learn Next

रो पड़ना (ro padna) हँस देना (hans dena) कह देना (kah dena) कर देना (kar dena) रुलाना (rulana)

Advanced

फफकना (phaphakna) सिसकना (sisakna) अश्रु (ashru) ग्लानि (glani) संवेदना (samvedna)

Grammar to Know

Compound Verb Formation

Root Verb (रो) + Vector Verb (देना).

Intransitive 'ne' Exception

Vah ro diya (Correct), Usne ro diya (Incorrect).

Vector Verb Conjugation

Only 'dena' changes: ro diya, ro degi, ro dete hain.

Gender Agreement

Main (fem) ro di vs Main (masc) ro diya.

Subjunctive Mood

Kahin vah ro na de (Lest he cry).

Examples by Level

बच्चा खिलौना टूटते ही रो दिया।

The child burst into tears as soon as the toy broke.

Past tense: 'ro diya' matches 'bachcha' (masculine singular).

वह फिल्म देखकर रो दी।

She burst into tears after watching the movie.

Past tense: 'ro di' matches 'vah' (feminine singular).

क्या तुम रो दिए?

Did you burst into tears?

Question form in past tense.

माँ को देखकर छोटा बच्चा रो दिया।

Seeing the mother, the little baby burst into tears.

Conjunctive participle 'dekhkar' indicates the cause.

चोट लगी और वह रो दिया।

He got hurt and burst into tears.

Simple sequence of events.

इतनी खुशी हुई कि मैं रो दिया।

I was so happy that I burst into tears.

Shows that 'ro dena' can be for happy emotions too.

शेर को देखकर सब रो दिए।

Seeing the lion, everyone burst into tears (out of fear).

Plural agreement: 'ro diye'.

वह अचानक रो दी।

She suddenly burst into tears.

Adverb 'achanak' emphasizes the spontaneity.

जब उसने खबर सुनी, तो वह रो दिया।

When he heard the news, he burst into tears.

Use of 'jab... toh' structure.

मेरी बहन बहुत जल्दी रो देती है।

My sister bursts into tears very quickly.

Habitual present: 'ro deti hai'.

वह इतना भावुक है कि रो देगा।

He is so emotional that he will burst into tears.

Future tense: 'ro dega'.

पुरानी फोटो देखकर दादी रो दीं।

Seeing the old photo, Grandma burst into tears.

Respectful plural: 'ro diin' (nasalized).

अगर तुम चिल्लाओगे, तो बच्चा रो देगा।

If you shout, the child will burst into tears.

Conditional 'agar' sentence.

वह अपनी गलती मानकर रो दिया।

He admitted his mistake and burst into tears.

Conjunctive participle 'maankar'.

मिठाई नहीं मिली, इसलिए वह रो दिया।

He didn't get the sweet, so he burst into tears.

Cause and effect with 'isliye'.

सबके सामने वह रो दी।

She burst into tears in front of everyone.

Postposition 'ke saamne'.

उसकी विदाई पर पूरा गाँव रो दिया।

The whole village burst into tears at her farewell.

Subject 'gaon' is masculine singular.

इतने सालों बाद भाई को देखकर वह रो दिया।

Seeing his brother after so many years, he burst into tears.

Shows deep emotional release.

वह रो देना चाहता था, पर उसने खुद को रोका।

He wanted to burst into tears, but he stopped himself.

Infinitive 'ro dena' with 'chahta tha'.

कहीं वह रो न दे, इसलिए मैंने उसे सच नहीं बताया।

Lest she burst into tears, I didn't tell her the truth.

Subjunctive 'na de' with 'kahin'.

उसकी करुण कहानी सुनकर पत्थर भी रो दे।

Hearing her pathetic story, even a stone would burst into tears.

Idiomatic usage: 'patthar bhi ro de'.

जब उसने अपना घर टूटा हुआ देखा, तो वह रो दिया।

When he saw his house broken, he burst into tears.

Complex past tense scenario.

वह रो दी क्योंकि उसे अपनी माँ की याद आ रही थी।

She burst into tears because she was missing her mother.

Explaining the internal cause.

मैच हारने के बाद कप्तान रो दिया।

After losing the match, the captain burst into tears.

Context of failure/disappointment.

इतनी मेहनत के बाद भी असफलता मिलने पर वह रो दिया।

Even after so much hard work, upon facing failure, he burst into tears.

Use of 'milne par' as a temporal marker.

वह अक्सर छोटी-छोटी बातों पर रो देती है।

She often bursts into tears over small things.

Habitual present with 'aksar'.

उसकी आँखों में आँसू आ गए और वह रो दी।

Tears came to her eyes and she burst into tears.

Sequence of physical and verbal action.

फिल्म का अंत इतना दुखद था कि सब रो दिए।

The end of the movie was so sad that everyone burst into tears.

Resultative 'itna... ki' clause.

मैं उसे रोते हुए नहीं देख सकता, वह रो देगा तो मेरा क्या होगा?

I can't see him crying; if he bursts into tears, what will happen to me?

Hypothetical future.

उसने अपनी बेबसी पर रो दिया।

He burst into tears over his helplessness.

Postposition 'par' indicating the reason.

जब उसे पुरस्कार मिला, तो वह खुशी से रो दी।

When she received the award, she burst into tears with joy.

Happy context: 'khushi se'.

इतने अपमान के बाद कोई भी रो देता।

Anyone would have burst into tears after so much insult.

Conditional mood: 'ro deta'.

उसकी आवाज़ में वह दर्द था कि सुनने वाला रो दे।

There was such pain in his voice that the listener would burst into tears.

Subjunctive used for potential effect.

वह अपनी यादों के बोझ तले दबकर रो दिया।

Crushed under the burden of his memories, he burst into tears.

Metaphorical 'bojh tale dabkar'.

शायद वह सबके सामने न रोए, पर अकेले में रो देगा।

Perhaps he won't cry in front of everyone, but he will burst into tears in private.

Contrast between public and private emotion.

उसकी आँखों से छलकते आँसू बता रहे थे कि वह किसी भी क्षण रो देगी।

The tears overflowing from her eyes were telling that she would burst into tears at any moment.

Predictive future in a narrative.

इतनी बड़ी त्रासदी देखकर पूरा देश रो दिया।

Seeing such a great tragedy, the whole country burst into tears.

Collective noun 'desh' as subject.

वह चुप रही, पर अंततः अपनी भावनाओं को न रोक सकी और रो दी।

She remained silent, but eventually could not stop her emotions and burst into tears.

Use of 'antatah' (eventually).

उसकी मासूमियत देखकर कठोर से कठोर व्यक्ति भी रो दे।

Seeing his innocence, even the harshest person would burst into tears.

General truth/potentiality.

वह रो दिया, मानो उसके अंदर का सारा बाँध टूट गया हो।

He burst into tears, as if the dam inside him had broken.

Simile: 'maano... baandh toot gaya ho'.

उसका हृदय ग्लानि से भर उठा और वह फूट-फूटकर रो दिया।

His heart filled with remorse and he burst into tears, sobbing bitterly.

Combining 'ro dena' with 'phoot-phootkar'.

साहित्यकार ने उस दृश्य का ऐसा वर्णन किया कि पाठक रो दिए।

The writer described that scene in such a way that the readers burst into tears.

Subject-object-verb complexity.

क्या वह रो देगा, यह कहना कठिन है, क्योंकि वह अपनी भावनाएं छुपाने में माहिर है।

Whether he will burst into tears is hard to say, as he is an expert at hiding his emotions.

Noun clause as subject.

उसकी चुप्पी में भी एक ऐसी पुकार थी कि देखने वाले रो दिए।

Even in her silence, there was such a cry that those watching burst into tears.

Abstract emotional connection.

वह अपनी नियति पर रो दिया, जहाँ उसे केवल अकेलापन ही मिला।

He burst into tears over his fate, where he found only loneliness.

Relative clause 'jahan...'.

इतने वर्षों के संचित दुख ने उसे अंततः रो देने पर मजबूर कर दिया।

The accumulated grief of so many years finally forced him to burst into tears.

Causative structure: 'majboor kar diya'.

वह रो दी, और उस एक पल में सारा तनाव बह गया।

She burst into tears, and in that one moment, all the tension washed away.

Narrative pacing.

यदि वह आज नहीं रो दिया, तो शायद कभी नहीं रो पाएगा।

If he does not burst into tears today, perhaps he will never be able to cry.

Conditional with 'payega' (ability).

Common Collocations

अचानक रो देना

खुशी से रो देना

दुख में रो देना

सबके सामने रो देना

चुपके से रो देना

फूट-फूटकर रो देना

देखकर रो देना

सुनकर रो देना

डर के मारे रो देना

याद में रो देना

Common Phrases

रो देने वाली बात

— Something so sad it makes you cry.

यह तो रो देने वाली बात है।

रो देना स्वाभाविक है

— It is natural to burst into tears.

ऐसे समय में रो देना स्वाभाविक है।

बस रो ही दिया

— Just burst into tears (nothing else).

उसने कुछ नहीं कहा, बस रो ही दिया।

रो देने का मन करना

— To feel like bursting into tears.

मेरा रो देने का मन कर रहा है।

रो देना कोई कमजोरी नहीं

— Bursting into tears is not a weakness.

रो देना कोई कमजोरी नहीं है, यह भावना है।

रो देने को होना

— To be on the verge of crying.

वह रो देने को था।

बार-बार रो देना

— To burst into tears repeatedly.

वह बार-बार रो देता है।

बिना बात के रो देना

— To cry without any reason.

तुम बिना बात के क्यों रो दिए?

देखते ही रो देना

— To cry as soon as one sees something.

वह मुझे देखते ही रो दिया।

सुनते ही रो देना

— To cry as soon as one hears something.

खबर सुनते ही वह रो दी।

Often Confused With

रो देना vs रोना (rona)

Rona is the general act; ro dena is the sudden outburst.

रो देना vs रो पड़ना (ro padna)

Ro padna is even more involuntary and sudden than ro dena.

रो देना vs रुलान (rulana)

Rulana is the causative: to make someone else cry.

Idioms & Expressions

"खून के आँसू रोना"

— To suffer deeply or cry extreme tears of blood.

वह अपनी गलती पर खून के आँसू रोया।

Metaphorical

"आँसू पी जाना"

— To suppress one's tears/grief.

उसने सबके सामने अपने आँसू पी लिए।

Common

"घड़ियाली आँसू रोना"

— To cry crocodile tears (fake).

वह बस घड़ियाली आँसू रो रहा है।

Critical

"आँखों का तारा होना"

— To be the apple of someone's eye (often related to emotional crying if they are hurt).

वह अपनी माँ की आँखों का तारा है।

Affectionate

"दुख का पहाड़ टूटना"

— To be hit by a great tragedy (leading to crying).

उस पर तो दुख का पहाड़ टूट पड़ा।

Tragic

"दिल पसीजना"

— To feel pity/compassion (leading to crying).

गरीब की हालत देखकर मेरा दिल पसीज गया।

Empathetic

"कलेजा मुँह को आना"

— To be extremely distressed.

उसका रोना देखकर मेरा कलेजा मुँह को आ गया।

Intense

"आँखें पथरा जाना"

— To have eyes become stony (unable to cry from shock).

सदमे के कारण उसकी आँखें पथरा गईं।

Severe Shock

"रोते-रोते बुरा हाल होना"

— To be in a terrible state from constant crying.

उसका रोते-रोते बुरा हाल हो गया है।

Common

"आँसू पोंछना"

— To comfort someone.

जाओ, उसके आँसू पोंछो।

Comforting

Easily Confused

रो देना vs रो लेना

Looks similar to ro dena.

Ro lena means 'to have a good cry for one's own relief,' while ro dena is a sudden outburst.

अकेले में रो लेना अच्छा होता है।

रो देना vs रोने लगना

Both involve starting to cry.

Ro dena is the 'burst,' rone lagna is the 'beginning of a process.'

वह अचानक रोने लगा और देर तक रोता रहा।

रो देना vs आँसू बहाना

Both involve tears.

Ansu bahana is often used for a more continuous or even performative act.

वह झूठे आँसू बहा रही है।

रो देना vs सिसकना

Types of crying.

Sisakna is sobbing/whimpering; ro dena is the general act of bursting out.

वह सिसक-सिसक कर रो रही थी।

रो देना vs बिलखना

Types of crying.

Bilakhna is loud, inconsolable wailing.

बच्चा भूख से बिलख उठा।

Sentence Patterns

Subject + ro diya.

वह रो दिया।

Reason + dekhkar + sub + ro diya.

चोट देखकर बच्चा रो दिया।

Khabar + sunkar + sub + ro diya.

खबर सुनकर माँ रो दी।

Itna + adj + ki + sub + ro diya.

वह इतना दुखी था कि रो दिया।

Sub + khushi se + ro diya.

वह खुशी से रो दी।

Kahin + sub + ro na de.

कहीं वह रो न दे।

Sub + bina chahte hue bhi + ro diya.

वह बिना चाहते हुए भी रो दिया।

Sub + antatah + ro diya.

वह अंततः रो दिया।

Word Family

Nouns

रोदन (rodan) - weeping

रुलाई (rulai) - urge to cry

आँसू (ansu) - tears

Verbs

रोना (rona) - to cry

रुलाना (rulana) - to make cry

रुलाना-धोना (rulana-dhona) - to lament

Adjectives

रोतलू (rotlu) - crybaby

रुआँसा (ruansa) - on the verge of tears

दुख (dukh)

गम (gam)

भावना (bhavna)

करुणा (karuna)

पीड़ा (pida)

How to Use It

frequency

Common in speech and literature.

Common Mistakes

Usne ro diya. → Vah ro diya.
The compound verb is intransitive; 'ne' is not used.
Main ro dena raha hoon. → Main ro raha hoon.
Compound verbs with 'dena' are rarely used in continuous tenses.
Vah ro diya (for a female). → Vah ro di.
The verb must agree with the feminine subject.
Main ro dena hoon. → Main ro deta hoon.
Incorrect conjugation of the habitual present.
Usne rona diya. → Usne rula diya.
To say 'he made me cry,' use the causative 'rula,' not the root 'ro'.

Tips

Subject Agreement

Always match the auxiliary 'dena' with the subject's gender and number. 'Main ro diya' (male), 'Main ro di' (female).

The 'Sudden' Factor

Use 'ro dena' when you want to emphasize that the crying was a sudden reaction to something.

Happy Tears

Don't forget that 'ro dena' is perfect for 'tears of joy.' Just add 'khushi se' (with happiness).

No 'ne'!

Repeat this: 'Vah ro diya.' Using 'ne' is the most common error for English speakers.

Vector Verbs

Learning 'ro dena' helps you understand other compound verbs like 'hansi dena' or 'kah dena'.

Emotional Expression

Hindi speakers value 'bhāv' (emotion). Using 'ro dena' shows you understand the emotional depth of the conversation.

Movie Scenes

Watch the climax of any Bollywood drama; you are almost guaranteed to hear this phrase.

Narrative Impact

In stories, 'ro dena' is a great way to end a paragraph for emotional impact.

Dental D

Make sure your tongue touches your teeth for the 'd' in 'dena' to sound natural.

Intensity

If someone is crying very loudly, try 'phaphak padna' instead for more color.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Ro' as 'Rows of tears' and 'Dena' as 'Giving in.' You are giving in to rows of tears—bursting into tears!

Visual Association

Imagine a dam (your emotions) suddenly breaking and water (tears) rushing out. That 'break' is the 'dena' part of 'ro dena.'

Word Web

Sadness Joy Sudden Eyes Tears Heart Release Expression

Challenge

Try to use 'ro dena' in three different tenses (past, present, future) while describing your favorite movie scene.

Word Origin

Derived from the Sanskrit root 'rud' (रुद्) meaning 'to weep' or 'to cry out.' The primary verb 'rona' evolved through Prakrit 'rua' and then into Modern Hindi. The second part 'dena' comes from Sanskrit 'da' (दा) meaning 'to give.'

Original meaning: The combination literally implies 'giving a cry,' which evolved into the spontaneous act of bursting into tears.

Indo-Aryan

Cultural Context

Be empathetic when using this word about others; it describes a vulnerable state.

Equivalent to 'bursting into tears' or 'breaking down.'

Numerous Bollywood songs use 'rona' and 'ro dena'. Premchand's stories often feature characters who 'ro diye' in poverty. The movie 'Taare Zameen Par' made many people 'ro dena'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Watching a sad movie

फिल्म देखकर रो देना
क्लाइमेक्स पर रो देना
बहुत इमोशनल था
आँसू नहीं रुके

Receiving bad news

खबर सुनकर रो देना
अचानक रो देना
दुख में रो देना
सँभल न पाना

Weddings (Farewell)

विदाई पर रो देना
सब रो दिए
बहुत भावुक पल
आँखें भर आना

Children's behavior

खिलौना टूटने पर रो देना
बात-बात पर रो देना
चोट लगने पर रो देना
जल्दी रो देना

Extreme Joy

खुशी के आँसू
जीतने पर रो देना
यकीन न होना
भावुक हो जाना

Conversation Starters

"क्या तुम कभी किसी फिल्म को देखकर रो दिए हो?"

"वह खबर सुनकर सब क्यों रो दिए?"

"क्या बच्चों का बात-बात पर रो देना सही है?"

"पिछली बार तुम कब खुशी से रो दिए थे?"

"अगर वह सबके सामने रो दे, तो तुम क्या करोगे?"

Journal Prompts

किसी ऐसे पल के बारे में लिखें जब आप खुशी के मारे रो दिए थे।

क्या आपको लगता है कि रो देना कमजोरी की निशानी है? क्यों?

एक कहानी लिखें जिसका अंत पढ़कर पाठक रो दें।

जब आप छोटे थे, तो आप किन बातों पर रो देते थे?

भावुक होने और रो देने के बीच क्या संबंध है?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, 'ro dena' is intransitive in Hindi grammar. You should say 'Vah ro diya,' not 'Usne ro diya.' This is a very common mistake for learners.

Not at all. You can use it for any strong emotion, including extreme happiness (khushi se ro dena) or relief.

Both mean 'burst into tears.' 'Ro padi' (from ro padna) sounds slightly more involuntary or sudden, while 'ro diya' is the standard compound verb.

You would use the causative form: 'Usne mujhe rula diya.' Notice that 'dena' is still used as a vector here!

It is rare. Usually, you say 'Vah ro raha hai' for 'He is crying.' 'Ro dena' is mostly used for the act itself (past, future, or habitual).

It is neutral. You can use it with friends, family, or even in a formal speech or news report.

Literally, 'to give a cry.' In Hindi, the vector 'dena' often indicates an action directed outward or done suddenly.

For 'we' (masculine/mixed), use 'Hum ro diye.' For 'we' (feminine), use 'Hum ro diin.'

Usually, no. It implies a genuine emotional release. For fake crying, 'ghadiyali ansu rona' or just 'rona' is better.

Yes, it is very common in poetry and songs to describe a moment of heartbreak or intense joy.