This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

Home
Learn
Hindi
Vocabulary
स्थूल

B2 adjective 9 min read

स्थूल

sthool

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips स्थूल in 30 Seconds

Explanation स्थूल in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't really need to use 'स्थूल' (Sthool). Instead, you use simpler words like 'बड़ा' (Bada - Big) or 'मोटा' (Mota - Fat/Thick). Think of 'Sthool' as a very 'fancy' way of saying something is big and heavy. If you see it in a book, just remember it means 'large' or 'bulky'. For example, instead of saying 'sthool shareer', an A1 learner would say 'bada shareer'.

At the A2 level, you might start seeing 'स्थूल' in simple science or yoga texts. It's an adjective that describes things that are thick or have a lot of mass. You can use it to describe a very thick tree trunk or a large animal. It's a formal word. If you are talking to a doctor or reading a simple health article in Hindi, you might see it used to describe the physical body. Remember: Sthool = Bulky/Large.

By B1, you should recognize 'स्थूल' as a formal alternative to 'mota' or 'bhari'. You will encounter it in news reports or literature. A common phrase is 'sthool roop se', which means 'broadly' or 'roughly'. You can use this when summarizing something. For example: 'Sthool roop se, yeh kaam khatam ho gaya hai' (Broadly speaking, this work is finished). It helps you transition from basic Hindi to more professional-sounding Hindi.

At B2, 'स्थूल' becomes a key vocabulary item for technical and philosophical discussions. You should be able to use it to distinguish between 'macroscopic' (sthool) and 'microscopic' (sukshm) concepts. It is used to describe the 'gross' features of an object or a plan—the parts that are easily seen. You should also understand its role in Yoga (Sthool Shareer) and be able to use it to describe bulky physical structures in a formal way.

At C1, you use 'स्थूल' to discuss nuances in philosophy, science, and high literature. You understand that it implies a lack of subtlety. You might critique a piece of art by saying it focuses too much on the 'sthool' (obvious/gross) elements and ignores the 'sukshm' (subtle) meanings. You use it in phrases like 'sthool buddhi' (coarse intellect) to describe a person who only sees the surface of things. Your usage is precise and context-aware.

At the C2 level, 'स्थूल' is a tool for deep philosophical and scientific analysis. You can use it to explain the transition from the manifest (sthool) to the unmanifest (avyakt). You are comfortable with its Sanskrit roots and can use it in complex compound words. You understand its historical usage in classical texts and can deploy it in academic writing to discuss macroscopic thermodynamics or the 'gross' aspects of metaphysical reality with complete fluency.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

स्थूल in 30 Seconds

Sthool means bulky, large, or macroscopic in formal Hindi.
It is the direct antonym of 'Sukshm' (subtle or microscopic).
Commonly used in Yoga to describe the physical 'gross' body.
Appears in academic Hindi to describe broad features or macro-level data.

The Hindi word स्थूल (Sthool) is a sophisticated adjective derived from Sanskrit, primarily used to describe something that is large, bulky, massive, or macroscopic in nature. Unlike the common word 'मोटा' (mota), which simply means 'fat' or 'thick' in a colloquial sense, Sthool carries a more formal, technical, and sometimes philosophical weight. In the context of physics or philosophy, it refers to the 'gross' or 'manifest' world—the things we can touch and see—as opposed to the 'subtle' or 'microscopic' world. When you use Sthool, you are often highlighting the physical presence, volume, or the lack of fine detail in an object. It is a word that bridges the gap between everyday physical description and high-level academic discourse.

Physical Dimension: In a purely physical sense, it describes objects that have significant mass or volume. A large boulder, a heavy piece of furniture, or a sturdy, thick-set build can all be described as 'sthool'. It implies a sense of solidity and tangibility that is hard to ignore.
Philosophical Context: In Indian philosophy (Vedanta and Yoga), the term 'Sthūla Śarīra' refers to the 'gross body'—the physical body made of five elements (earth, water, fire, air, ether). This is contrasted with the 'Sūkṣma Śarīra' (subtle body), which includes the mind and energy. Here, Sthool denotes the outer layer of existence that is perceptible to the senses.
Scientific/Macroscopic Usage: In modern scientific Hindi, Sthool is the standard translation for 'macroscopic'. It is used to discuss phenomena occurring at a scale visible to the naked eye, distinct from 'microscopic' (sūkṣma) physics or biology.

हाथी का शरीर अत्यंत स्थूल होता है, जो उसे जंगल में एक शक्तिशाली उपस्थिति देता है। (An elephant's body is extremely bulky, giving it a powerful presence in the forest.)

People use this word when they want to be precise or formal. You wouldn't typically use it to tell a friend they've gained weight; that would sound overly academic or even slightly strange. Instead, you would use it when discussing the 'gross' features of an architectural plan, the 'bulky' nature of raw materials, or the 'macroscopic' observations in a lab report. It suggests a certain level of abstraction—looking at the whole rather than the fine, intricate parts.

विज्ञान में हम स्थूल और सूक्ष्म दोनों स्तरों पर अध्ययन करते हैं। (In science, we study at both macroscopic and microscopic levels.)

Register and Tone: The register is formal (Tatsama). It appears frequently in textbooks, spiritual discourses, and literary descriptions. It conveys a sense of weightiness, not just physically, but intellectually.

उसकी स्थूल बुद्धि सूक्ष्म रहस्यों को समझने में असमर्थ थी। (His coarse/gross intellect was unable to understand subtle mysteries.)

In summary, Sthool is for the big, the visible, the manifest, and the bulky. It is a word for the broad strokes of reality. Whether you are describing the massive pillars of an ancient temple or the macroscopic properties of matter, Sthool provides the necessary linguistic weight to your description.

Using स्थूल (Sthool) correctly requires an understanding of its adjective nature. It does not change based on the gender of the noun it modifies in its base form, as it ends in a consonant sound (though in Sanskrit it would, in modern Hindi it remains stable). It usually precedes the noun it qualifies or follows a linking verb.

Describing Physical Objects: When describing something large or thick, place Sthool before the noun. For example, 'स्थूल वृक्ष' (a bulky/thick tree). It emphasizes the girth and mass of the object.

पहाड़ की स्थूल चोटियाँ बादलों को छू रही थीं। (The massive peaks of the mountain were touching the clouds.)

In Abstract and Intellectual Contexts: It is often used to describe a lack of refinement or a focus on the obvious. 'स्थूल अंतर' means a 'broad' or 'obvious' difference, rather than a subtle one. 'स्थूल रूप से' (Sthool roop se) is a common adverbial phrase meaning 'broadly speaking' or 'at a gross level'.

स्थूल रूप से, ये दोनों योजनाएँ एक जैसी ही हैं। (Broadly speaking, both these plans are the same.)

योग के अनुसार, मनुष्य का स्थूल शरीर केवल अन्न से बना है। (According to Yoga, the gross body of a human is made only of food.)

In grammatical terms, Sthool acts as a qualitative adjective (Gunavachak Visheshan). It can be intensified using words like 'अत्यंत' (atyant - extremely) or 'बहुत' (bahut - very). When describing a person's physique, it is more polite and descriptive than 'mota' (fat), as it implies a large frame or bulk rather than just excess weight.

उसकी स्थूल काया के पीछे एक बहुत ही कोमल हृदय छिपा था। (Behind his bulky frame was hidden a very tender heart.)

Comparison and Contrast: When comparing two things, you can say 'X, Y की तुलना में अधिक स्थूल है' (X is bulkier compared to Y). However, it is most powerful when contrasted directly with its antonym, Sukshm.

लेखक ने कहानी के स्थूल पहलुओं पर तो ध्यान दिया, लेकिन सूक्ष्म भावनाओं को छोड़ दिया। (The author paid attention to the gross aspects of the story but left out the subtle emotions.)

By mastering these patterns, you can use Sthool to describe everything from physical mountains to philosophical constructs, giving your Hindi a more literary and precise edge.

While you might not hear स्थूल (Sthool) in a casual vegetable market conversation, it is ubiquitous in specific domains. Understanding these domains will help you recognize the word when you encounter it in the wild.

Yoga and Meditation Classes: This is perhaps the most common place for an English speaker to hear this word. Teachers often talk about 'Sthool Shareer' (the physical body) during asana practice or 'Sthool Dhyan' (meditation on a concrete object like a candle flame or a deity's image) as a precursor to more abstract meditation.

प्राणायाम से पहले स्थूल शरीर को स्थिर करना आवश्यक है। (Before Pranayama, it is necessary to steady the gross physical body.)

Academic Lectures and Textbooks: In subjects like Physics, Biology, or Philosophy, Sthool is used to categorize levels of study. A biology teacher might discuss the 'sthool sanrachna' (gross structure) of an organ before looking at cells under a microscope.

आज की कक्षा में हम कोशिका की स्थूल बनावट के बारे में पढ़ेंगे। (In today's class, we will read about the macroscopic structure of the cell.)

Literary and Historical Descriptions: In Hindi literature (Sahitya), Sthool is used to describe the grandeur of architecture or the imposing nature of a character. It evokes a sense of permanence and scale.

किले की स्थूल दीवारें सदियों से अडिग खड़ी हैं। (The massive walls of the fort have been standing firm for centuries.)

In formal speeches, you might hear 'sthool roop se' (broadly) to summarize a complex point. It's a way for the speaker to say, 'Looking at the big picture...' without using colloquial language. For example, 'Sthool roop se hamari pragati santoshjanak hai' (Broadly speaking, our progress is satisfactory).

न्यायाधीश ने मामले के केवल स्थूल तथ्यों पर विचार किया। (The judge considered only the gross/obvious facts of the case.)

By paying attention to these contexts—Yoga, Science, Literature, and Formal Speech—you will see that Sthool is a versatile word that signifies anything that is large, manifest, or broad-scale.

While स्थूल (Sthool) is a powerful word, its formal nature makes it prone to certain misapplications by learners. Avoiding these will ensure your Hindi sounds natural and precise.

Confusing with 'Mota' (Fat): This is the most frequent error. While both can describe physical size, 'Mota' is colloquial and often refers to body fat. 'Sthool' is formal and refers to bulk or macroscopic scale. Calling a friend 'sthool' might sound like you're writing a medical report about them. Use 'mota' for casual physical descriptions and 'sthool' for formal or conceptual ones.

Incorrect: वह लड़का बहुत स्थूल है। (Too formal for a casual observation)
Better: वह लड़का थोड़ा मोटा है। (He is a bit fat.)

Overusing it for 'Big': Learners often use Sthool where 'Bada' (large) or 'Vishal' (huge) would be better. Sthool implies a certain density or 'grossness'. A big cloud is 'vishal', but a heavy, solid block of stone is 'sthool'. Use it when 'bulk' and 'solidity' are the key features.

Incorrect: मुझे एक स्थूल घर चाहिए। (Doesn't make sense)
Correct: मुझे एक बड़ा घर चाहिए। (I want a big house.)

Ignoring the Philosophical Nuance: Sometimes learners use Sthool to mean 'stupid' because it can mean 'coarse' (as in 'sthool buddhi'). While correct, be careful not to use it as a generic insult. It specifically implies a mind that cannot grasp 'sukshm' (subtle) concepts, not just low IQ.

सावधान! स्थूल बुद्धि का प्रयोग यहाँ अपमानजनक हो सकता है। (Careful! Using 'sthool buddhi' here can be insulting.)

Finally, avoid using it for 'heavy' in terms of weight alone. 'Bhaari' is the word for weight. Use Sthool for 'bulky'—where the size and mass together create a sense of 'grossness'. By keeping these distinctions in mind, you'll use Sthool with the precision of a native speaker.

Hindi has several words that overlap with स्थूल (Sthool). Choosing the right one depends on whether you want to emphasize size, weight, importance, or physical structure.

Sthool vs. Vishal (विशाल): Vishal means 'huge' or 'vast'. It is often used for space, buildings, or hearts. Sthool is more about physical bulk or macroscopic nature. A 'vishal' ocean is vast; a 'sthool' rock is bulky.
Sthool vs. Bhari (भारी): Bhari specifically refers to weight. Something can be small but 'bhari' (like a lead ball). Sthool always implies size/bulk. You can have a 'sthool' object that isn't necessarily very 'bhari' if it's made of light material like foam.
Sthool vs. Mota (मोटा): As discussed, Mota is the everyday word for fat or thick. Sthool is the academic/formal counterpart. Mota is for a book; Sthool is for the 'gross' structure of a biological system.

उसका शरीर स्थूल है (His body is bulky/large-framed) vs. वह मोटा है (He is fat).

Sthool vs. Virat (विराट): Virat means 'gigantic' or 'colossal', often with a sense of awe or divinity (e.g., Virat Roop). Sthool is more neutral and descriptive. You would call a skyscraper 'sthool' in an engineering report, but 'virat' in a poem.

हाथी की स्थूल देह (The bulky body of the elephant) - emphasizes the physical mass.

In scientific contexts, use Sthool for macroscopic. In spiritual contexts, use it for the manifest/physical. In daily life, use it sparingly to describe things that are notably bulky or for broad generalizations. This nuanced understanding will make your Hindi vocabulary truly B2 level.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient texts, 'Sthool' was used to describe anything from the thick trunk of an elephant's leg to the entire manifest universe. It is one of the oldest technical terms in Indian philosophy.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /stʰuːl/

US /sthuːl/

Stress is evenly distributed, but the long vowel 'uu' (ऊ) carries more weight.

Rhymes With

भूल (bhool) शूल (shool) फूल (phool) धूल (dhool) मूल (mool) कूल (kool) झूल (jhool) त्रिशूल (trishool)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'stool' (like the chair).
Missing the aspiration in 'th'.
Shortening the 'uu' to a short 'u'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

Common in formal texts but rare in casual chats.

Writing 5/5

Requires knowledge of when to use it vs simpler words.

Speaking 5/5

Requires correct aspiration of 'th'.

Listening 4/5

Distinguishing from 'stool' or 'shool' is key.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

बड़ा (Bada) मोटा (Mota) भारी (Bhaari) शरीर (Shareer) विज्ञान (Vigyan)

Learn Next

सूक्ष्म (Sukshm) विराट (Viraat) अमूर्त (Amoort) दृश्य (Drishya) भौतिक (Bhautik)

Advanced

परमाणु (Paramanu) ब्रह्मांड (Brahmand) तत्व (Tattva) माया (Maya) अद्वैत (Advaita)

Grammar to Know

Tatsama Adjectives

Words like 'sthool' don't change endings for gender in modern Hindi.

Adverbial Suffix '-roop se'

Adding 'roop se' to 'sthool' makes it 'broadly'.

Contrastive Pairs

Using 'sthool' and 'sukshm' together for emphasis.

Compound Formation

Sthool + kaay = Sthoolkaay (Bulky-bodied).

Intensifiers

Using 'atyant' (extremely) before 'sthool'.

Examples by Level

यह हाथी बहुत स्थूल है।

This elephant is very bulky.

Simple subject-adjective-verb structure.

स्थूल वस्तु भारी होती है।

A bulky object is heavy.

Sthool as an attributive adjective.

पेड़ का तना स्थूल है।

The tree trunk is thick/bulky.

Describing a physical feature.

वह एक स्थूल आदमी है।

He is a bulky man.

Formal description of a person.

यह पत्थर स्थूल है।

This stone is bulky.

Simple adjective usage.

उसकी किताब स्थूल है।

His book is thick/bulky.

Describing thickness.

स्थूल शरीर को हिलाओ।

Move the bulky body.

Imperative sentence.

क्या यह बक्सा स्थूल है?

Is this box bulky?

Interrogative sentence.

योग में हम स्थूल शरीर की बात करते हैं।

In yoga, we talk about the gross body.

Use of 'sthool' in a specific context.

पहाड़ की स्थूल चट्टानें गिर गईं।

The bulky rocks of the mountain fell.

Plural noun modification.

यह मशीन बहुत स्थूल है।

This machine is very bulky.

Describing machinery.

स्थूल रूप से यह सही है।

Broadly speaking, this is correct.

Adverbial phrase 'sthool roop se'.

उसने एक स्थूल लाठी पकड़ी थी।

He was holding a thick/bulky stick.

Describing a tool.

मंदिर के खंभे स्थूल थे।

The pillars of the temple were bulky.

Past tense description.

भोजन से शरीर स्थूल होता है।

The body becomes bulky from food.

Cause and effect.

हमें स्थूल चीजों को देखना चाहिए।

We should look at macroscopic things.

Modal verb 'chahiye'.

लेखक ने केवल स्थूल घटनाओं का वर्णन किया।

The author described only the gross/obvious events.

Abstract usage of 'sthool'.

स्थूल जगत और सूक्ष्म जगत में अंतर है।

There is a difference between the macroscopic world and the microscopic world.

Comparative context.

उसकी योजना में कुछ स्थूल गलतियाँ थीं।

There were some obvious/gross mistakes in his plan.

Qualifying 'mistakes'.

स्थूल दृष्टि से यह लाभदायक लगता है।

From a broad perspective, it seems profitable.

Using 'drishti' (perspective).

मूर्तिकार ने पत्थर के स्थूल आकार को तराशा।

The sculptor carved the bulky shape of the stone.

Process-oriented usage.

स्थूल शरीर की शुद्धि के लिए जल चाहिए।

Water is needed for the purification of the gross body.

Spiritual/Health context.

यह एक स्थूल अनुमान है।

This is a rough/broad estimate.

Describing an 'estimate'.

हमें स्थूल बाधाओं को पार करना होगा।

We will have to overcome the major/bulky obstacles.

Metaphorical usage.

विज्ञान स्थूल पदार्थों के गुणों का अध्ययन करता है।

Science studies the properties of macroscopic substances.

Scientific register.

उसकी स्थूल बुद्धि सूक्ष्म दर्शन को नहीं समझ पाई।

His coarse intellect could not understand subtle philosophy.

Contrast with 'sukshm'.

स्थूल रूप से कहें तो, जलवायु बदल रही है।

Broadly speaking, the climate is changing.

Introductory phrase.

इस चित्र में स्थूल रेखाओं का प्रयोग किया गया है।

Broad/thick lines have been used in this painting.

Artistic description.

वह अपनी स्थूल काया के कारण धीरे चलता है।

He walks slowly because of his bulky physique.

Reasoning with 'ke kaaran'.

स्थूल जगत की माया से बाहर निकलना कठिन है।

It is difficult to emerge from the illusion of the manifest world.

Philosophical register.

परियोजना का स्थूल ढांचा तैयार है।

The broad framework of the project is ready.

Professional usage.

स्थूल और सूक्ष्म का संतुलन ही जीवन है।

The balance of the gross and the subtle is life itself.

Philosophical statement.

दार्शनिक ने स्थूल तत्वों के परे जाने की बात कही।

The philosopher spoke of going beyond gross elements.

High literary style.

स्थूल भौतिकवाद आज के युग की समस्या है।

Gross materialism is the problem of today's era.

Sociological term.

कविता में स्थूल प्रतीकों का अभाव है।

There is a lack of obvious/gross symbols in the poem.

Literary criticism.

स्थूल शरीर और सूक्ष्म मन का गहरा संबंध है।

There is a deep connection between the gross body and the subtle mind.

Metaphysical analysis.

उसने समस्या का केवल स्थूल समाधान दिया।

He gave only a superficial/broad solution to the problem.

Nuanced critique.

स्थूल अर्थों में, यह कानून सबके लिए है।

In broad terms, this law is for everyone.

Legal/Formal register.

इतिहासकार ने स्थूल परिवर्तनों को रेखांकित किया।

The historian highlighted the major/macroscopic changes.

Academic description.

स्थूलता अक्सर सूक्ष्मता को ढक लेती है।

Bulkiness often hides subtlety.

Abstract noun form 'sthoolta'.

ब्रह्मांड की स्थूल संरचना में अरबों आकाशगंगाएँ हैं।

In the macroscopic structure of the universe, there are billions of galaxies.

Cosmological usage.

स्थूल प्रपंच से विरक्ति ही वैराग्य है।

Detachment from the manifest world is true renunciation.

Classical Sanskritized Hindi.

क्या चेतना स्थूल पदार्थ का परिणाम है?

Is consciousness a result of gross matter?

Philosophical inquiry.

स्थूल आर्थिक संकेतकों में सुधार दिख रहा है।

Improvement is visible in the macroscopic economic indicators.

Economic terminology.

उसके काव्य में स्थूल श्रृंगार की प्रधानता है।

Gross/Explicit eroticism predominates in his poetry.

Advanced literary analysis.

स्थूल और सूक्ष्म के अद्वैत को समझना अनिवार्य है।

It is essential to understand the non-duality of the gross and the subtle.

Vedantic philosophy.

स्थूल शरीर के पंचभूतों में विलीन होने की प्रक्रिया।

The process of the gross body merging into the five elements.

Spiritual/Cultural context.

उसने स्थूल तर्क का सहारा लेकर अपनी बात सिद्ध की।

He proved his point using broad/obvious logic.

Rhetorical analysis.

Common Collocations

स्थूल शरीर

स्थूल रूप से

स्थूल जगत

स्थूल बुद्धि

स्थूल संरचना

स्थूल अंतर

स्थूल पदार्थ

स्थूल दृष्टि

स्थूल कोण

स्थूल व्यायाम

Common Phrases

स्थूल रूप से

— Broadly speaking; in a general sense.

स्थूल रूप से यह योजना अच्छी है।

स्थूल शरीर

— The physical body in yoga/philosophy.

स्थूल शरीर नश्वर है।

स्थूल बुद्धि

— A mind that lacks subtlety or refinement.

स्थूल बुद्धि वाले लोग कविता नहीं समझते।

स्थूल जगत

— The physical/material world.

हम स्थूल जगत में रहते हैं।

स्थूल माप

— Rough or macroscopic measurement.

यह केवल एक स्थूल माप है।

स्थूलता

— The state of being bulky or large.

उसकी स्थूलता उसे परेशान करती है।

स्थूल तत्व

— Gross elements (Earth, Water, etc.).

प्रकृति स्थूल तत्वों से बनी है।

स्थूल अंतर

— A major or obvious difference.

दोनों कारों में स्थूल अंतर है।

स्थूल वर्णन

— A broad or non-detailed description.

उसने घटना का स्थूल वर्णन किया।

स्थूल विचार

— A broad or unrefined idea.

मेरे मन में एक स्थूल विचार आया है।

Often Confused With

स्थूल vs शूल (Shool)

Means a thorn or sharp pain. Sounds similar but starts with 'sh'.

स्थूल vs धूल (Dhool)

Means dust. Rhymes with sthool but has a 'dh' sound.

स्थूल vs मूल (Mool)

Means root or original. Rhymes with sthool.

Idioms & Expressions

"स्थूल बुद्धि होना"

— To be slow-witted or unable to grasp deep meanings.

उसके साथ दर्शन की चर्चा मत करो, वह स्थूल बुद्धि है।

Formal/Critical

"स्थूल रूप देना"

— To give a concrete shape to an idea.

उसने अपने सपनों को स्थूल रूप दिया।

Literary

"स्थूल जगत की माया"

— The illusion of the physical world.

वह स्थूल जगत की माया में फँसा है।

Spiritual

"स्थूल आँखों से देखना"

— To see only the obvious/physical aspect.

तुम इसे स्थूल आँखों से देख रहे हो, गहराई से नहीं।

Philosophical

"स्थूल ढांचा खड़ा करना"

— To create a basic framework.

हमने कंपनी का स्थूल ढांचा खड़ा कर लिया है।

Business

"स्थूल सत्य"

— An obvious or manifest truth.

मृत्यु एक स्थूल सत्य है।

Philosophical

"स्थूल और सूक्ष्म का खेल"

— The interplay of the physical and the spiritual.

यह जीवन स्थूल और सूक्ष्म का खेल है।

Spiritual

"स्थूल बाधा"

— A physical or major hurdle.

रास्ते में कई स्थूल बाधाएँ थीं।

General

"स्थूल अंतर होना"

— To have a glaring difference.

दोनों भाईयों के स्वभाव में स्थूल अंतर है।

General

"स्थूल दृष्टि अपनाना"

— To take a broad view.

हमें इस मुद्दे पर स्थूल दृष्टि अपनानी चाहिए।

Formal

Easily Confused

स्थूल vs मोटा (Mota)

Both mean thick/bulky.

Mota is casual and often means fat. Sthool is formal and means macroscopic or bulky mass.

वह मोटा है (He is fat) vs उसका शरीर स्थूल है (He has a bulky frame).

स्थूल vs विशाल (Vishaal)

Both mean large.

Vishaal is vast/huge (like a park). Sthool is bulky/solid (like a rock).

विशाल समुद्र (Vast sea) vs स्थूल पत्थर (Bulky stone).

स्थूल vs भारी (Bhaari)

Large things are often heavy.

Bhaari refers only to weight. Sthool refers to volume and mass scale.

भारी बैग (Heavy bag) vs स्थूल वस्तु (Bulky object).

स्थूल vs चौड़ा (Chauda)

Describes dimension.

Chauda is wide. Sthool is bulky in all dimensions.

चौड़ी सड़क (Wide road) vs स्थूल खंभा (Bulky pillar).

स्थूल vs कठोर (Kathor)

Sthool things are often hard.

Kathor is hard/rigid. Sthool is bulky.

कठोर दिल (Hard heart) vs स्थूल शरीर (Bulky body).

Sentence Patterns

यह [Object] स्थूल है।

यह पत्थर स्थूल है।

[Object] की [Part] स्थूल है।

पेड़ की जड़ स्थूल है।

स्थूल रूप से, [Sentence].

स्थूल रूप से, हम तैयार हैं।

विज्ञान [Sthool Noun] का अध्ययन करता है।

विज्ञान स्थूल पदार्थों का अध्ययन करता है।

[Sthool Noun] और [Sukshm Noun] का संबंध।

स्थूल शरीर और सूक्ष्म मन का संबंध।

स्थूलता के परे [Abstract Concept] है।

स्थूलता के परे परम सत्य है।

[Sthool Noun] की तुलना में [Sukshm Noun]...

स्थूल जगत की तुलना में सूक्ष्म जगत जटिल है।

[Sthool adjective] + [Noun] + [Verb].

स्थूल रेखाएँ चित्र को उभारती हैं।

Word Family

Nouns

स्थूलता (Sthoolta - Bulkiness/Grossness)

Verbs

स्थूल बनाना (Sthool banana - To make bulky)

स्थूल होना (Sthool hona - To be bulky)

Adjectives

स्थूल (Sthool - Bulky)

सूक्ष्म (Sukshm)

विशाल (Vishaal)

काया (Kaaya)

शरीर (Shareer)

पदार्थ (Padarth)

How to Use It

frequency

Common in academic, spiritual, and formal contexts; rare in slang.

Common Mistakes

Using 'sthool' for 'heavy' only. → Using 'bhari' for weight.
Sthool is about bulk and scale, not just weight.
Pronouncing it as 'stool'. → Pronouncing with an aspirated 'th'.
Hindi is sensitive to aspiration. 'Stool' is an English word.
Calling a friend 'sthool' to be funny. → Using 'mota'.
It sounds too clinical/formal and might not be understood as a joke.
Using 'sthool' for a 'vast' sky. → Using 'vishaal' or 'anant'.
Sky isn't 'bulky'; it's 'vast'.
Writing 'sthooli' for a feminine noun. → Writing 'sthool'.
This adjective does not change for gender in modern Hindi.

Tips

Learn the Pair

Always learn 'Sthool' with 'Sukshm'. They are the yin and yang of Hindi size descriptions.

Aspirate the 'Th'

Make sure to breathe out when saying the 'th'. If you don't, it sounds like 'stool'.

Professional Summary

Use 'Sthool roop se' in presentations to sound like a native professional.

Yoga Context

If you do yoga, use 'Sthool Shareer' to refer to your physical body during practice.

Macro vs Micro

In a lab setting, use 'Sthool' for things you can see and 'Sukshm' for things under the microscope.

No Gender Change

Don't worry about 'sthooli' or 'sthoole'. Just keep it as 'sthool'.

Business Hindi

Use it to describe the 'broad framework' (sthool dhancha) of a project.

Literary Flair

Use it to describe ancient, massive ruins or mountains in your writing.

Sanskrit Root

Remember it comes from 'stha' (to stand). Something 'sthool' stands firm and massive.

Politeness

It's more polite than 'mota' but still very formal. Use with care when describing people.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'STOOL'. A stool is a physical, solid, 'bulky' object you can sit on. 'Sthool' sounds like 'Stool' and describes solid, bulky things.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant elephant (sthool) standing next to a tiny ant (sukshm). The elephant represents the word Sthool.

Word Web

Massive Gross Body Macroscopic Solid Bulky Thick Obvious

Challenge

Try to describe three things in your room right now using 'sthool' (e.g., a bulky desk, a thick book, a large wardrobe).

Word Origin

Derived from the Sanskrit word 'स्थूल' (sthūla), which comes from the root 'स्था' (sthā) meaning 'to stand'. It originally meant something that stands firm, solid, or massive.

Original meaning: Solid, thick, massive, or large.

Indo-Aryan (Sanskrit)

Cultural Context

Be careful not to use 'sthool' to describe someone's weight in a casual setting; it can sound overly clinical or slightly rude if not used correctly.

English speakers often use 'gross' in a negative way (yucky). In the context of 'Sthool', 'gross' is used in its old sense: 'large scale' or 'total' (like Gross Domestic Product).

Sthula Sharira (concept in Vedanta) Sthula-dhyana (Gheranda Samhita) Sthulabhadra (a famous Jain monk)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Science Class

स्थूल पदार्थ
स्थूल संरचना
स्थूल अवलोकन
स्थूल गुण

Yoga Session

स्थूल शरीर
स्थूल ध्यान
स्थूल शुद्धि
स्थूल व्यायाम

Business/Economics

स्थूल आर्थिक कारक
स्थूल रूप से
स्थूल ढांचा
स्थूल अनुमान

Philosophy/Spiritual

स्थूल जगत
स्थूल बुद्धि
स्थूल तत्व
स्थूल माया

Art/Description

स्थूल रेखाएँ
स्थूल आकार
स्थूल चित्रण
स्थूल विवरण

Conversation Starters

"क्या आप स्थूल और सूक्ष्म के बीच का अंतर जानते हैं?"

"योग में स्थूल शरीर का क्या महत्त्व है?"

"स्थूल रूप से, आपकी आज की योजना क्या है?"

"क्या आपको लगता है कि विज्ञान केवल स्थूल जगत तक सीमित है?"

"इस इमारत की स्थूल संरचना आपको कैसी लगी?"

Journal Prompts

आज मैंने अपने स्थूल शरीर के स्वास्थ्य के लिए क्या किया?

मेरे जीवन में कौन सी स्थूल बाधाएँ हैं जिन्हें मुझे पार करना है?

स्थूल रूप से, पिछले एक साल में मेरा विकास कैसा रहा?

एक ऐसी वस्तु का वर्णन करें जो बहुत स्थूल हो लेकिन सुंदर भी।

क्या मैं कभी-कभी स्थूल बुद्धि की तरह व्यवहार करता हूँ? कब?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but it's formal. Use it to describe a large, solid frame. For casual talk about weight, 'mota' is more common.

Yes, it is the standard Hindi word for 'macroscopic', used in physics and biology.

The direct opposite is 'Sukshm' (सूक्ष्म), which means subtle or microscopic.

It means 'broadly speaking' or 'in a general sense'. It's very common in formal summaries.

Yes, it is a Tatsama word, meaning it is borrowed directly from Sanskrit into Hindi without changes.

It is an aspirated dental 't'. Put your tongue against your teeth and release a puff of air.

In the phrase 'sthool buddhi', it means a mind that is not sharp or refined, which can imply dull-wittedness.

No, in modern Hindi, 'sthool' remains the same regardless of the gender of the noun it modifies.

Use 'Vishaal' for vastness (space, oceans, hearts). Use 'Sthool' for physical bulk or macroscopic scale.

Rarely. It is mostly found in books, news, yoga classes, and formal speeches.