संकटग्रस्त in 30 Seconds
- Sankaṭgrast is a formal Hindi adjective meaning 'crisis-stricken' or 'endangered'.
- It is a compound of 'Sankat' (crisis) and 'Grast' (gripped/afflicted).
- Commonly used in news for economic distress and science for endangered wildlife.
- It is an invariant adjective, meaning its form does not change with gender or number.
The word संकटग्रस्त (Sankaṭgrast) is a powerful and formal Hindi adjective that describes a state of severe distress, crisis, or danger. It is a compound word derived from Sanskrit, where 'Sankaṭ' means crisis or danger, and 'Grast' means seized, afflicted, or consumed. Therefore, to be sankaṭgrast is to be literally 'seized by a crisis.' This isn't a word you would use for a small inconvenience, like losing your keys; rather, it is reserved for significant, often systemic, difficulties that threaten the stability or existence of the subject. You will most frequently encounter this term in news reports, academic papers, and environmental discussions.
- Environmental Context
- In environmental science, this word is the standard translation for 'endangered.' When wildlife experts talk about the Bengal Tiger or the One-horned Rhino, they refer to them as संकटग्रस्त प्रजातियां (sankaṭgrast prajātiyān). It implies that without intervention, these species face extinction.
ग्लोबल वार्मिंग के कारण कई समुद्री जीव अब संकटग्रस्त हो गए हैं। (Due to global warming, many marine creatures have now become endangered/crisis-stricken.)
- Economic and Political Context
- In the world of finance and governance, an economy facing high inflation, debt, or recession is called संकटग्रस्त अर्थव्यवस्था (sankaṭgrast arthavyavasthā). It suggests a situation requiring urgent structural reforms or external aid.
युद्ध के बाद वह देश पूरी तरह से संकटग्रस्त हो गया है। (After the war, that country has become completely crisis-stricken.)
Beyond these sectors, it can describe a family's financial state or even a person's mental health in a very formal clinical setting. The word carries a weight of urgency and seriousness. It paints a picture of being trapped or surrounded by problems from which escape is difficult. In literature, it might describe a protagonist whose life has been upended by a series of unfortunate events. Understanding this word is essential for anyone wishing to follow Hindi news (Samachar) or read Hindi literature (Sahitya), as it provides a precise descriptor for the gravity of a situation.
- Social and Humanitarian Use
- Humanitarian agencies use this term to identify regions needing immediate relief. A sankaṭgrast kshetra (crisis-hit area) is one where food, water, or safety is severely compromised, requiring international attention.
बाढ़ प्रभावित क्षेत्रों में संकटग्रस्त लोगों की मदद करना हमारा कर्तव्य है। (It is our duty to help the crisis-stricken people in flood-affected areas.)
Using संकटग्रस्त (Sankaṭgrast) correctly requires an understanding of its role as an adjective. In Hindi, adjectives usually precede the noun they modify or follow the noun when used with a linking verb like 'hona' (to be). Because 'sankaṭgrast' is a Sanskrit-derived (Tatsam) word, it is generally invariant, meaning it does not change its ending based on the gender or number of the noun it describes in modern standard Hindi.
यह एक संकटग्रस्त स्थिति है। (This is a crisis-stricken situation.)
In the example above, 'sankaṭgrast' modifies the feminine noun 'sthiti' (situation). Notice it doesn't become 'sankaṭgrasti'. It remains 'sankaṭgrast'. This makes it relatively easy for learners to apply across different contexts without worrying about complex inflection rules. Let's look at how it functions with different types of nouns.
- Modifying Living Beings
- When referring to animals or people, it emphasizes their vulnerability. For example: 'Sankaṭgrast bagh' (Endangered tiger) or 'Sankaṭgrast parivar' (A family in crisis).
सरकार संकटग्रस्त किसानों के लिए नई योजना ला रही है। (The government is bringing a new scheme for crisis-stricken farmers.)
- Modifying Abstract Systems
- It is frequently used for systems that are failing. 'Sankaṭgrast shiksha pranali' (A crisis-ridden education system) or 'Sankaṭgrast vyapar' (A distressed business).
आज की संकटग्रस्त दुनिया में शांति की बहुत आवश्यकता है। (In today's crisis-stricken world, there is a great need for peace.)
When writing, remember that 'sankaṭgrast' is a high-register word. If you are writing a casual WhatsApp message to a friend about being stressed, you would likely use 'pareshan' (worried) or 'mushkil mein' (in trouble). Use 'sankaṭgrast' when you want to sound authoritative, empathetic on a grand scale, or scientifically accurate. It is the difference between saying 'I'm having a hard time' and 'I am in a state of crisis.' In formal Hindi examinations, using this word to describe environmental or economic issues will earn you higher marks for vocabulary precision.
- Common Pairings (Collocations)
- Look out for phrases like संकटग्रस्त प्रजाति (Endangered species), संकटग्रस्त मानवता (Distressed humanity), and संकटग्रस्त उद्योग (Crisis-hit industry).
उस संकटग्रस्त बैंक को बचाने के लिए सरकार ने निवेश किया। (The government invested to save 그 crisis-stricken bank.)
While you might not hear संकटग्रस्त (Sankaṭgrast) at a vegetable market, it is a staple of the Hindi media landscape. If you turn on a Hindi news channel like Aaj Tak or NDTV India, or read a newspaper like Dainik Jagran or Navbharat Times, you will encounter this word almost daily. It serves as a shorthand for serious trouble that requires public or governmental attention.
- In Television News
- News anchors use it to describe regions hit by natural disasters. 'Sankaṭgrast kshetron se logon ko nikala ja raha hai' (People are being evacuated from crisis-stricken areas). It adds a sense of gravity and urgency to the reportage.
समाचार: संकटग्रस्त श्रीलंका की मदद के लिए भारत आगे आया। (News: India came forward to help crisis-stricken Sri Lanka.)
- In Wildlife Documentaries
- Hindi-dubbed versions of National Geographic or Discovery Channel programs use 'sankaṭgrast' to translate 'endangered' or 'critically endangered.' It is the scientific term used to categorize animals on the verge of disappearing.
वृत्तचित्र: यह पक्षी अब संकटग्रस्त श्रेणी में आता है। (Documentary: This bird now falls into the endangered category.)
You will also find this word in the speeches of world leaders at the United Nations when they are translated into Hindi. It is the language of diplomacy and international relations. When discussing climate change, global pandemics, or international conflicts, 'sankaṭgrast' is the go-to adjective to describe the state of the world or specific populations. In academic settings, particularly in Sociology and Economics departments in Indian universities, students use this word to analyze structural failures in society. For a learner, hearing this word is a signal that the topic is serious, formal, and likely involves a systemic problem rather than a personal one.
- In Literature and Poetry
- Modern Hindi writers use 'sankaṭgrast' to describe the existential angst of the urban middle class or the crumbling of traditional values. It represents a soul or a society that is 'seized' by the pressures of modernity.
लेख: आधुनिक मनुष्य की आत्मा संकटग्रस्त है। (Article: The soul of modern man is crisis-stricken.)
Even though संकटग्रस्त (Sankaṭgrast) is a straightforward adjective, learners often make specific errors in its application, register, and grammatical construction. Understanding these pitfalls will help you use the word more naturally and accurately.
- Mistake 1: Confusing Noun and Adjective
- Learners often use the noun 'sankaṭ' (crisis) where the adjective 'sankaṭgrast' (crisis-stricken) is required. You cannot say 'vah sankaṭ desh hai' to mean 'that is a crisis-stricken country.' You must say 'vah sankaṭgrast desh hai.' Conversely, don't use the adjective when you need the noun: 'Desh mein sankaṭgrast hai' is wrong; 'Desh mein sankaṭ hai' (There is a crisis in the country) is correct.
❌ गलत: वह एक संकट प्रजाति है।
✅ सही: वह एक संकटग्रस्त प्रजाति है।
- Mistake 2: Register Mismatch
- Using 'sankaṭgrast' in very casual conversation can sound strange or overly dramatic. If you tell a friend 'Main aaj bahut sankaṭgrast hoon' because you missed the bus, it sounds like you are declaring a national emergency for yourself. In casual settings, use 'pareshan' (troubled) or 'musibat mein' (in trouble).
- Mistake 3: Over-inflection
- Some learners try to change the ending to 'sankaṭgrasti' for feminine nouns or 'sankaṭgraste' for plural nouns, following the pattern of words like 'achha/achhi.' However, as a Sanskrit-derived adjective, it stays as 'sankaṭgrast' regardless of the noun's gender or number.
❌ गलत: संकटग्रस्त महिलाएं (Incorrectly trying to pluralize).
✅ सही: संकटग्रस्त महिलाएं (Crisis-stricken women).
Finally, avoid using it for positive or neutral situations. The 'grast' suffix almost always implies being 'gripped' by something negative. You wouldn't be 'khushi-grast' (gripped by happiness); that would be 'khushi se bhara' (filled with happiness). Understanding the negative weight of the suffix '-grast' is key to using this word and its family members correctly.
Hindi has a rich vocabulary for expressing difficulty. Depending on the intensity and the context, you might choose a different word than संकटग्रस्त (Sankaṭgrast). Here is a comparison of similar terms to help you choose the most precise one.
- संकटग्रस्त vs. खतरे में (Khatre mein)
- 'Khatre mein' simply means 'in danger.' It is common and can be used for anything from a child crossing the road to a business failing. 'Sankaṭgrast' is more formal and implies a deeper, more systemic crisis. Use 'Khatre mein' for immediate physical danger and 'Sankaṭgrast' for long-term or structural crises.
शेर खतरे में है (The lion is in danger - maybe a hunter is nearby).
शेर एक संकटग्रस्त प्रजाति है (The lion is an endangered species - a biological fact).
- संकटग्रस्त vs. विपदाग्रस्त (Vipadāgrast)
- 'Vipada' means a sudden calamity or disaster (like an earthquake). 'Vipadāgrast' specifically refers to being struck by such a sudden disaster. 'Sankaṭgrast' is broader and can include slow-moving crises like economic decline or environmental extinction.
- संकटग्रस्त vs. मुसीबतज़दा (Musībat-zadā)
- 'Musībat-zadā' comes from Urdu roots. It is very expressive and often used in literature and poetry to describe people who have been beaten down by life's misfortunes. It feels more personal and emotional than the clinical and formal 'Sankaṭgrast.'
Choosing the right word depends on your audience. If you are writing for a newspaper, 'Sankaṭgrast' is perfect. If you are writing a story about a poor man's struggles, 'Musībat-zadā' or 'Behaal' (in a bad state) might evoke more sympathy. If you are warning someone about a high-voltage wire, 'Khatra' (danger) is the only word to use. By mastering these nuances, you move from just 'speaking Hindi' to 'communicating effectively' in Hindi.
तुलना: परेशान (Worried) < मुसीबत में (In trouble) < संकटग्रस्त (In crisis).
Examples by Level
बाघ एक संकटग्रस्त जानवर है।
The tiger is an endangered animal.
Simple Subject + Adjective + Noun.
यह संकटग्रस्त क्षेत्र है।
This is a crisis-stricken area.
Demonstrative pronoun 'Yeh' used with the adjective.
संकटग्रस्त लोगों की मदद करो।
Help the crisis-stricken people.
Imperative sentence with adjective modifying people.
वह पेड़ संकटग्रस्त है।
That tree is endangered.
Adjective used as a complement with 'hai'.
संकटग्रस्त पक्षी उड़ रहा है।
The endangered bird is flying.
Present continuous tense.
हमें संकटग्रस्त जानवरों को बचाना चाहिए।
We should save endangered animals.
Use of 'chahiye' for obligation.
यह एक संकटग्रस्त गाँव है।
This is a crisis-stricken village.
Adjective modifying a place.
क्या यह पौधा संकटग्रस्त है?
Is this plant endangered?
Interrogative sentence structure.
आजकल कई नदियाँ संकटग्रस्त हैं।
Nowadays, many rivers are in crisis.
Plural subject 'nadiyan' with invariant adjective.
संकटग्रस्त अर्थव्यवस्था को सुधारना मुश्किल है।
It is difficult to improve a crisis-stricken economy.
Adjective modifying a complex noun 'arthavyavastha'.
वह परिवार बहुत संकटग्रस्त था।
That family was very crisis-stricken.
Past tense with 'tha'.
सरकार संकटग्रस्त किसानों की बात सुन रही है।
The government is listening to the crisis-stricken farmers.
Genitive case 'ke' used after the adjective-noun phrase.
जंगल कटने से जानवर संकटग्रस्त हो गए।
Animals became endangered because of deforestation.
Use of 'ho gaye' (became).
संकटग्रस्त देशों को अनाज भेजा गया।
Grain was sent to crisis-stricken countries.
Passive construction 'bheja gaya'.
हमें संकटग्रस्त प्रजातियों की सूची चाहिए।
We need the list of endangered species.
Compound noun 'sankaṭgrast prajātiyān'.
यह संकटग्रस्त स्थिति कब खत्म होगी?
When will this crisis-stricken situation end?
Future tense interrogative.
जलवायु परिवर्तन के कारण ध्रुवीय भालू संकटग्रस्त हो गए हैं।
Polar bears have become endangered due to climate change.
Complex cause-effect sentence structure.
संकटग्रस्त उद्योगों को बचाने के लिए नई नीतियों की ज़रूरत है।
New policies are needed to save crisis-hit industries.
Infinitive 'bachane ke liye' used with the adjective.
युद्ध के कारण लाखों लोग संकटग्रस्त स्थिति में जी रहे हैं।
Millions of people are living in a crisis-stricken condition due to war.
Adverbial phrase 'sthiti mein'.
इस संकटग्रस्त बैंक का विलय दूसरे बैंक के साथ होगा।
This distressed bank will be merged with another bank.
Formal vocabulary like 'vilay' (merger).
संकटग्रस्त मानवता की सेवा ही सबसे बड़ा धर्म है।
Serving distressed humanity is the greatest religion.
Abstract noun 'manavta' modified by the adjective.
वैज्ञानिकों ने एक नई संकटग्रस्त प्रजाति की खोज की है।
Scientists have discovered a new endangered species.
Present perfect tense.
संकटग्रस्त क्षेत्रों में राहत सामग्री पहुँचाई जा रही है।
Relief material is being delivered to crisis-hit areas.
Passive continuous 'pahunchayi ja rahi hai'.
क्या आप जानते हैं कि गौरैया अब संकटग्रस्त होती जा रही है?
Do you know that the sparrow is becoming endangered?
Aspectual verb 'hoti ja rahi hai' (becoming).
संकटग्रस्त अर्थव्यवस्थाओं को अक्सर अंतर्राष्ट्रीय मुद्रा कोष से मदद लेनी पड़ती है।
Crisis-stricken economies often have to take help from the IMF.
Use of 'padti hai' for external necessity.
यह उपन्यास एक संकटग्रस्त समाज की वास्तविक तस्वीर पेश करता है।
This novel presents a realistic picture of a crisis-stricken society.
Literary register using 'pesh karta hai'.
संकटग्रस्त प्रजातियों के संरक्षण के लिए कड़े कानूनों की आवश्यकता है।
Strict laws are required for the conservation of endangered species.
Formal term 'sanrakshan' (conservation).
महामारी के दौरान स्वास्थ्य व्यवस्था पूरी तरह से संकटग्रस्त हो गई थी।
During the pandemic, the health system had become completely crisis-stricken.
Past perfect tense for a completed state.
संकटग्रस्त परिवारों को वित्तीय सहायता प्रदान करना सरकार की प्राथमिकता है।
Providing financial assistance to distressed families is the government's priority.
Gerund-like use of 'pradan karna'.
उसने अपनी संकटग्रस्त कंपनी को फिर से खड़ा करने के लिए बहुत संघर्ष किया।
He struggled a lot to rebuild his crisis-stricken company.
Reflexive pronoun 'apni' used with the adjective.
वैश्विक मंदी ने कई विकसित देशों को भी संकटग्रस्त बना दिया है।
The global recession has made many developed countries crisis-stricken too.
Causative structure 'bana diya hai'.
संकटग्रस्त क्षेत्रों में शांति बहाली के लिए सेना भेजी गई।
The army was sent for the restoration of peace in crisis-hit areas.
Formal term 'shanti bahali' (peace restoration).
आधुनिकता की दौड़ में मनुष्य का आंतरिक जीवन संकटग्रस्त होता जा रहा है।
In the race of modernity, the inner life of man is becoming crisis-stricken.
Metaphorical use of the adjective.
संकटग्रस्त पारिस्थितिकी तंत्र को बचाने के लिए वैश्विक सहयोग अनिवार्य है।
Global cooperation is mandatory to save the crisis-stricken ecosystem.
High-register vocabulary: 'paristhitiki tantra' and 'anivarya'.
राजनीतिक अस्थिरता ने देश के भविष्य को संकटग्रस्त बना दिया है।
Political instability has made the country's future crisis-stricken.
Abstract noun 'bhavishya' (future) as the object.
लेखक ने अपनी कहानियों में संकटग्रस्त मध्यवर्ग की पीड़ा को स्वर दिया है।
The author has given voice to the pain of the crisis-stricken middle class in his stories.
Idiomatic expression 'swar dena' (to give voice).
संकटग्रस्त प्रजातियों की 'रेड डेटा बुक' में लगातार वृद्धि चिंताजनक है।
The continuous increase in the 'Red Data Book' of endangered species is worrisome.
Complex noun phrase with 'ki'.
नैतिक मूल्यों के पतन ने समाज को संकटग्रस्त कर दिया है।
The decline of moral values has made society crisis-stricken.
Subject is an abstract concept 'moral values'.
वह अपनी संकटग्रस्त मानसिक स्थिति से उबरने का प्रयास कर रहा है।
He is trying to recover from his crisis-stricken mental state.
Use of 'ubarna' (to recover/emerge).
संकटग्रस्त क्षेत्रों में मानवीय सहायता पहुँचाना एक बड़ी चुनौती है।
Delivering humanitarian aid in crisis-hit areas is a major challenge.
Predicate is a 'badi chunauti' (big challenge).
लोकतंत्र की जड़ें तब संकटग्रस्त हो जाती हैं जब अभिव्यक्ति की स्वतंत्रता पर प्रहार होता है।
The roots of democracy become crisis-stricken when freedom of expression is attacked.
Conditional 'jab... tab' structure.
दार्शनिकों के अनुसार, समकालीन सभ्यता एक संकटग्रस्त अस्तित्व की ओर बढ़ रही है।
According to philosophers, contemporary civilization is moving towards a crisis-stricken existence.
Academic register: 'samkalin sabhyata' (contemporary civilization).
संकटग्रस्त पारिस्थितिकी के पुनरुद्धार के लिए क्रांतिकारी बदलावों की आवश्यकता है।
Revolutionary changes are needed for the revival of the crisis-stricken ecology.
Formal term 'punaruddhar' (revival).
वैश्विक शक्तियों के टकराव ने अंतर्राष्ट्रीय सुरक्षा को संकटग्रस्त कर दिया है।
The clash of global powers has made international security crisis-stricken.
Complex subject 'vaishvik shaktiyon ka takrav'.
संकटग्रस्त क्षेत्रों में शिक्षा की कमी भविष्य की पीढ़ियों के लिए घातक सिद्ध होगी।
The lack of education in crisis-hit areas will prove fatal for future generations.
Future tense with 'siddh hogi' (will prove to be).
सांस्कृतिक पहचान का संकटग्रस्त होना किसी भी समुदाय के लिए आत्मघाती हो सकता है।
The endangering of cultural identity can be suicidal for any community.
Substantive use of the adjective-verb phrase.
संकटग्रस्त अर्थव्यवस्थाओं में संरचनात्मक सुधारों की अनुपस्थिति स्थिति को और बिगाड़ देती है।
The absence of structural reforms in crisis-stricken economies worsens the situation further.
Complex genitive chain.
संकटग्रस्त मानवता को केवल करुणा और न्याय के माध्यम से ही बचाया जा सकता है।
Distressed humanity can only be saved through compassion and justice.
Passive voice with 'bachaya ja sakta hai'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— To declare something as endangered or crisis-stricken.
सरकार ने इस क्षेत्र को संकटग्रस्त घोषित कर दिया है।
— To fall into the endangered category.
यह पक्षी अब संकटग्रस्त श्रेणी में आता है।
— The danger of becoming crisis-stricken.
जंगलों की कटाई से कई जीव संकटग्रस्त होने के खतरे में हैं।
— In a crisis-stricken stat
Summary
The word 'संकटग्रस्त' (Sankaṭgrast) is your go-to term for serious, formal descriptions of danger or crisis. Use it for endangered animals (संकटग्रस्त प्रजाति) or failing economies (संकटग्रस्त अर्थव्यवस्था) to sound professional and precise. Example: 'बाघ एक संकटग्रस्त जानवर है' (The tiger is an endangered animal).
- Sankaṭgrast is a formal Hindi adjective meaning 'crisis-stricken' or 'endangered'.
- It is a compound of 'Sankat' (crisis) and 'Grast' (gripped/afflicted).
- Commonly used in news for economic distress and science for endangered wildlife.
- It is an invariant adjective, meaning its form does not change with gender or number.
Example
कई वन्यजीव प्रजातियाँ संकटग्रस्त हैं।
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More work words
आचार संहिता
B1A set of rules outlining the responsibilities of, or proper practices for, an individual or organization.
आगे बढ़ाना
A2To make progress; to promote or advance something.
आहरित करना
B1To withdraw money; to take money out of an account.
आहिस्ता-आहिस्ता
B1Slowly, gradually; at a slow pace; in a gentle or unhurried manner.
आजीविका
B1Livelihood; a means of securing the necessities of life.
आंकड़े इकट्ठा करना
B1To gather facts and statistics for analysis.
आलेख तैयार करना
B1To draft a document; to prepare a written piece.
आलस्य से
B1Lazily; in a way that shows a lack of effort or enthusiasm.
आमदनी
A2Income, earnings
आने वाला कल
B1On the day after today.
