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तिल

A1 noun #4,000 most common 11 min read

तिल

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips तिल in 30 Seconds

Explanation तिल in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should focus on the basic meanings of 'Til'. It is a noun that means 'sesame seed' or 'mole' (a dark spot on the skin). You will see it in simple sentences about food or people. For example, 'I like til' (मुझे तिल पसंद है) or 'He has a mole' (उसके पास एक तिल है). It is a masculine word. This means if you use an adjective like 'black', you say 'Kala Til'. It is a very common word in Indian kitchens, especially in winter. You don't need to worry about complex idioms yet. Just remember it as a tiny seed used in sweets and a tiny mark on the face. The pronunciation is simple: 'Ti' like in 'Tip' and 'l' like in 'Luck'. Practice saying it clearly without making the 'i' too long. In A1, you might use it to describe your family members or your favorite snacks. It is one of the first food-related words you might learn because of its cultural importance in festivals like Makar Sankranti. You should also know that there are black and white sesame seeds. 'Safed' means white and 'Kala' means black. So, 'Safed Til' and 'Kala Til' are two phrases you can easily master.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'Til' in more descriptive sentences and understand its role in recipes. You should be able to describe where a mole is located on the body using prepositions like 'par' (on). For example, 'Gaal par til' (Mole on the cheek). You will also encounter 'Til' in the context of shopping. You might ask a shopkeeper, 'Til kitne kilo hai?' (How much is the sesame per kilo?). At this level, you should also learn the phrase 'Til ka tel' (sesame oil), which is a common household item. You will start to see 'Til' in the plural form in the oblique case, such as 'Tilon ko bhunिये' (Roast the sesame seeds). You are moving beyond just naming the object to describing actions associated with it. You might also learn about the festival of Makar Sankranti and the tradition of eating 'Til ke Ladoo'. This adds a cultural layer to your vocabulary. You should also be able to distinguish 'Til' from other seeds like 'Rai' (mustard) or 'Jeera' (cumin) in a list. Your sentences can become more complex: 'Mere bhai के चेहरे पर दो तिल हैं' (My brother has two moles on his face). Notice how 'Til' remains 'Til' even when there are two, because it's the direct plural.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'Til' in a variety of contexts, including health and simple idioms. You can discuss the nutritional benefits of sesame, such as its high calcium content. You will also start to encounter the most famous idiom: 'Til ka taad banana'. At B1, you should understand that this means to exaggerate a small problem. You can use it in conversation to tell someone not to worry too much. You will also hear 'Til' used in more formal religious or cultural descriptions. For instance, the use of 'Kala Til' in rituals for ancestors. You should be able to follow a simple recipe that uses sesame as a key ingredient, understanding verbs like 'chhitkana' (to sprinkle) or 'pisna' (to grind). Your understanding of the word's gender should be solid, and you should be able to use possessive forms correctly, like 'Til ki khushbu' (the aroma of sesame—note that 'khushbu' is feminine, but 'Til' is still masculine). You can also start to explore the metaphorical use of 'Til' to mean a tiny amount, as in 'Til bhar bhi jagah nahi hai' (There isn't even a tiny bit of space).

At the B2 level, you are expected to understand the nuances of 'Til' in literature and complex social situations. You should be able to appreciate how poets use 'Til' as a metaphor for beauty and how it contrasts with the 'fairness' of skin in traditional Hindi poetry. You will encounter more sophisticated idioms like 'Til-til marna' (to die bit by bit or to suffer slowly). This shows a deeper emotional range of the word. You should be able to discuss the agricultural aspects of 'Til' in India, such as which states produce the most sesame or the difference between organic and regular varieties. In terms of grammar, you should be proficient in using 'Til' in all cases, including complex postpositional phrases. You can participate in discussions about traditional medicine (Ayurveda) where 'Til' is discussed as a 'warming' food. You should also be able to explain the significance of 'Til-Gul' during Makar Sankranti to someone who doesn't know about the festival, using rich vocabulary to describe the social and symbolic meanings of the tradition. Your ability to distinguish between 'Til' and 'Massa' (wart) should be clear, and you can use these terms accurately in a medical or grooming context.

At the C1 level, your command of 'Til' should include its historical and etymological depth. You should know that 'Til' comes from the Sanskrit 'Tila' and that it is the root for the word 'Taila' (oil). This connection explains why sesame oil is the archetypal oil in Indian culture. You should be able to read classical Hindi literature where 'Til' might be used in ornate descriptions or complex metaphors. You will understand subtle cultural references, such as why 'Kala Til' is used specifically in 'Tarpana' (rituals for the deceased) and the spiritual philosophy behind it. Your use of idioms should be natural and well-timed. You might use 'Til bhar ki bhi deri' (not even a moment's delay) in a high-stakes conversation. You should also be able to discuss the global trade of sesame and its importance to the Indian economy. At this level, you can analyze the phonetics of the word and how it fits into the broader Indo-Aryan linguistic family. You are not just using the word; you are understanding its place in the history and psyche of the Hindi-speaking world. You can also distinguish between different regional varieties of sesame-based dishes across India, from the 'Til Pitha' of Assam to the 'Ellu Bella' of Karnataka (though the latter is in Kannada, the concept is shared).

At the C2 level, you possess a near-native or native-like understanding of 'Til'. You can use the word with absolute precision in any context—be it scientific, literary, or colloquial. You can engage in deep philosophical debates where 'Til' might be used as a metaphor for the infinitesimal nature of the soul or the universe (as seen in some Bhakti poetry). You are familiar with obscure proverbs and can use them to add flavor to your speech or writing. For example, understanding the subtle difference between 'Til ka taad banana' and 'Rai ka pahad banana' in terms of regional preference or stylistic choice. You can write academic papers or creative stories where 'Til' plays a symbolic role. You understand the chemical properties of 'Til' (sesame lignans, sesamin) and can discuss them in Hindi. Your pronunciation is flawless, capturing the exact dental 't' and the short 'i'. You are also aware of how 'Til' has influenced other languages and cultures through trade. Essentially, for a C2 learner, 'Til' is no longer just a word; it is a multi-dimensional concept that connects food, beauty, history, and philosophy. You can play with the word, create puns, and understand the most subtle jokes or double meanings involving 'Til' in modern media.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

तिल in 30 Seconds

Til (तिल) is a masculine noun meaning sesame seed and mole/beauty mark.
It is culturally vital for winter festivals like Makar Sankranti and Ayurvedic health.
The word is used in common idioms like 'Til ka taad' to describe exaggeration.
Grammatically, it is masculine and remains 'Til' in the direct plural case.

The Hindi word तिल (Til) is a fascinating noun that serves a dual purpose in the daily lives of Hindi speakers. Primarily, it refers to the sesame seed (Sesamum indicum), a tiny yet nutritionally dense oilseed that has been a staple of the Indian subcontinent for millennia. However, in a completely different context, it also refers to a mole or beauty mark on the human body. This semantic duality makes it a word you will encounter both in the kitchen and in poetic descriptions of physical appearance. When used in the context of food, it is a symbol of winter warmth, health, and auspiciousness. When used to describe a person, it often carries a romantic or aesthetic connotation, highlighting a specific feature on the face or neck. Understanding 'Til' requires one to look at the context—is someone talking about a recipe for 'Til Ke Ladoo' (sesame sweets), or are they noticing a 'Til' on someone's cheek? The word is inherently masculine in gender, and its pronunciation is short and crisp, ending with a soft 'l' sound typical of Indo-Aryan languages.

Culinary Context: In Indian households, especially during the winter months, 'Til' is ubiquitous. It is used in two varieties: black (Kala Til) and white (Safed Til). The black variety is often associated with rituals and traditional medicine (Ayurveda), while the white variety is a common ingredient in snacks like 'Gajak' and 'Revadi'.

सर्दियों में तिल के लड्डू खाना सेहत के लिए अच्छा होता है। (Eating sesame laddoos in winter is good for health.)

Aesthetic Context: In Hindi poetry and Bollywood songs, a 'Til' on the face—particularly near the lips or on the chin—is often praised as a mark of beauty. It is considered a natural ornament that enhances a person's charm.

उसके गाल पर एक छोटा सा काला तिल है। (There is a small black mole on her cheek.)

The word's significance peaks during the festival of Makar Sankranti, celebrated in January. During this time, the phrase 'Til-Gul' is heard everywhere. It refers to a mixture of sesame and jaggery, which people exchange while saying, 'Til-gul ghya, god-god bola' (Eat sesame-jaggery and speak sweetly). This ritual signifies the smoothing of relationships and the start of a new, harvest-based cycle. Beyond the physical seed and the physical mark, 'Til' also appears in philosophical contexts. For instance, the phrase 'Til bhar bhi' means 'not even a tiny bit,' highlighting the seed's status as a unit of measurement for the smallest possible quantity. Whether you are navigating a grocery store in Delhi or reading a classic Hindi novel, 'Til' provides a window into the intersection of Indian dietetics, aesthetics, and linguistics.

मुझे सफेद तिल ज़्यादा पसंद हैं। (I like white sesame seeds more.)

Metaphorical Usage: When someone says 'Til ka taad banana,' they are literally saying 'making a palm tree out of a sesame seed,' which is the exact equivalent of making a mountain out of a molehill.

छोटी सी बात का तिल का ताड़ मत बनाओ। (Don't make a mountain out of a molehill over a small matter.)

Using तिल (Til) correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as a masculine noun. In Hindi, nouns are either masculine or feminine, and this affects the adjectives and verbs that accompany them. Since 'Til' is masculine, you would use masculine markers. For example, 'Kala Til' (black sesame) or 'Mera Til' (my mole). When referring to the seeds as a collective substance, it often functions as an uncountable noun, but when referring to individual moles or specific types of seeds, it can be pluralized. However, the form 'Til' remains the same in the nominative plural (e.g., 'do til' - two moles). It only changes to 'Tilon' in the oblique case (e.g., 'Tilon ka tel' - oil of sesame seeds).

Descriptive Sentences: When describing food, 'Til' usually appears as the subject or object. It is often combined with other ingredients like 'Gud' (jaggery) or 'Chini' (sugar).

क्या आपने कभी तिल की चटनी चखी है? (Have you ever tasted sesame chutney?)

Physical Descriptions: When describing a person, 'Til' is used with the preposition 'par' (on). You specify the location, such as 'gaal par' (on the cheek) or 'naak par' (on the nose).

उसके माथे के बीचों-बीच एक तिल है। (There is a mole right in the middle of her forehead.)

In more advanced usage, 'Til' appears in complex sentence structures involving possession and comparison. For instance, in recipes, you might see instructions like 'Til ko halka bhoon len' (Lightly roast the sesame seeds). Here, 'ko' is the object marker. In idiomatic expressions, 'Til' often loses its literal meaning. The phrase 'Til rakhne ki jagah na hona' (not having enough space even for a sesame seed) is a common way to describe a very crowded place. This shows the versatility of the word from a simple ingredient to a vivid metaphor for space and density.

मेले में तिल रखने की भी जगह नहीं थी। (There wasn't even space to stand in the fair—literally: space to keep a sesame seed.)

Possessive Case: When talking about the oil derived from the seeds, we use 'ka' (masculine possessive). 'Til ka tel' (Sesame oil) is a very common term in Indian cooking and massage therapy.

पूजा के लिए तिल का तेल सबसे अच्छा माना जाता है। (Sesame oil is considered best for worship/rituals.)

You will hear तिल (Til) in a variety of real-world settings, ranging from the mundane to the festive. If you walk into an Indian grocery store (Kirana store), you will likely ask for 'Safed Til' or 'Kala Til'. In the winter, street vendors selling traditional sweets will shout the names of snacks like 'Til-patti' or 'Til-gud'. This is perhaps the most common auditory encounter with the word. During the festival of Makar Sankranti, which usually falls on January 14th or 15th, the word becomes a cultural buzzword. Friends and families exchange greetings centered around 'Til'. It's a time when the word transcends its literal meaning and becomes synonymous with goodwill and the changing of seasons.

In the Kitchen: Mothers and grandmothers often discuss the benefits of 'Til' for bone health. You'll hear phrases like 'Til mein calcium hota hai' (Sesame contains calcium).

माँ, क्या तिल के लड्डू तैयार हैं? (Mom, are the sesame laddoos ready?)

Beauty and Salons: In the context of grooming or dermatology, people might talk about getting a 'Til' removed or applying makeup to highlight a 'beauty spot'.

उसके चेहरे का तिल बहुत प्यारा लगता है। (The mole on her face looks very lovely.)

In the realm of Bollywood and Indian music, 'Til' is a recurring motif. It is often used to describe the beloved's face. Lyrics like 'Gore gaal pe kala til' (A black mole on fair cheeks) are classic examples of how the word is used to build imagery of beauty and contrast. Furthermore, in news broadcasts or political debates, you might hear the idiom 'Til ka taad' when a commentator accuses someone of overreacting to a minor issue. In religious ceremonies, especially those involving ancestors (Shraadh), 'Kala Til' is an essential offering, and you will hear priests instructing devotees to hold 'Til' in their hands. Thus, from the spiritual to the romantic, 'Til' is a word that echoes through various layers of Indian life.

हवन में काले तिल का उपयोग होता है। (Black sesame is used in the fire ritual/hawan.)

Social Media and Slang: On social media, you might see 'Til' mentioned in health tips or skincare routines. It's also used in memes to mock someone who is making a big deal out of nothing (Til ka taad).

अरे भाई, तिल का ताड़ मत बनाओ! (Hey brother, don't make a mountain out of a molehill!)

For English speakers learning Hindi, the word तिल (Til) presents a few common pitfalls. The first and most frequent mistake is confusing it with the word 'Tel' (तेल), which means 'oil'. While 'Til ka tel' (sesame oil) contains both words, they are distinct. 'Til' has a short 'i' sound (like in 'bill'), while 'Tel' has an 'ay' sound (like in 'tale'). Pronouncing 'Til' as 'Teel' or 'Tail' can lead to confusion, especially in a kitchen setting. Another common error is regarding the gender of the word. Since 'Til' is a small seed or a small mark, learners often assume it might be feminine. However, 'Til' is masculine. Therefore, you must say 'Kala Til' and not 'Kali Til'.

Pronunciation Error: Mistaking 'Til' (seed) for 'Teel' (not a common word, but a common mispronunciation) or 'Tel' (oil). Focus on the short vowel sound.

गलत: मुझे तेल के लड्डू चाहिए। (Wrong: I want oil laddoos—unless you actually do!)

Gender Confusion: Using feminine adjectives. 'Meri til' is incorrect; it should be 'Mera til'.

सही: मेरा तिल काला है। (Correct: My mole is black.)

Another mistake involves the pluralization. In English, we say 'sesame seeds' (plural). In Hindi, when talking about the food item, 'Til' is often used in the singular to represent the collective mass. Saying 'Tilo' in a general sense sounds unnatural. You only use 'Tilon' when a postposition like 'mein', 'se', or 'ka' follows. For example, 'Tilon ka mishran' (a mixture of sesame seeds). Furthermore, learners sometimes confuse 'Til' (mole) with 'Massa' (wart). While both are marks on the skin, a 'Til' is usually flat and pigmented, whereas a 'Massa' is a raised growth. Using 'Til' for a large wart might sound odd to a native speaker.

सावधान: तिल और तिल के तेल के बीच अंतर समझें। (Caution: Understand the difference between sesame and sesame oil.)

Contextual Misuse: Using 'Til' in the idiom 'Til ka taad' incorrectly. Some learners say 'Rai ka pahad' (which is actually another valid idiom meaning the same thing: making a mountain out of a mustard seed). While both exist, don't mix them up into 'Til ka pahad'.

सही मुहावरा: तिल का ताड़ बनाना। (Correct idiom: To make a palm tree out of a sesame seed.)

While तिल (Til) is a specific term, there are several words that are related or can be used as alternatives depending on the context. If you are discussing seeds in general, you might use 'Beej' (बीज), which means seed. However, 'Beej' is a broad category, and 'Til' is a specific member of that category. In the context of oilseeds, you might hear 'Tilhan' (तिलहन), which is a collective noun for all oil-producing seeds (like mustard, groundnut, and sesame). If you are looking for synonyms for 'Til' as a beauty mark, the word 'Lanchhan' (लांछन) is a more formal or literary term, though it often carries a negative connotation of a 'stain' or 'blot' in modern usage, so 'Til' remains the preferred choice for beauty spots.

Til vs. Rai (Mustard): Both are small seeds used in Indian cooking. However, 'Rai' is pungent and used for tempering, while 'Til' is nutty and often used as a main ingredient in sweets or for oil.

तड़के के लिए राई चाहिए, लड्डू के लिए तिल। (Mustard for tempering, sesame for laddoos.)

Til vs. Massa (Wart/Mole): A 'Til' is usually a flat, dark pigment spot. A 'Massa' is a raised, often skin-colored or brown growth. Medical professionals might use 'Massa' more frequently for skin tags.

यह तिल है या मस्सा? (Is this a mole or a wart?)

In the context of sweets, 'Til' is often compared with 'Moongfali' (मूंगफली) or peanuts. During winter, 'Til-patti' and 'Moongfali-patti' (chikki) are sold together. While they look similar, the texture and flavor of 'Til' are much more delicate. Another related word is 'Khus Khus' (खसखस) or poppy seeds. These are also tiny seeds used in Indian cooking, but they are white and have a different culinary profile. When discussing the 'beauty' aspect of 'Til', you might use the word 'Chinha' (चिह्न), which means mark or sign, but this is quite formal. In everyday conversation, 'Til' has no real competitor for describing a beauty spot. It is simple, evocative, and universally understood.

उसकी ठुड्डी पर एक छोटा सा तिल है। (There is a small mole on her chin.)

Summary of Alternatives

Beej (बीज): General word for seed.
Rai (राई): Mustard seed (smaller, rounder).
Massa (मस्सा): Raised mole or wart.
Tilhan (तिलहन): Oilseed category.

भारत में तिल की खेती सदियों से हो रही है। (Sesame cultivation has been happening in India for centuries.)

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"तिल का तेल स्वास्थ्यवर्धक होता है।"

Neutral

"मुझे तिल के लड्डू बहुत पसंद हैं।"

Informal

"अरे, तेरे गाल पे तिल कब हुआ?"

Child friendly

"देखो, छोटा सा काला तिल!"

Slang

"ज्यादा तिल का ताड़ मत बना।"

Fun Fact

The word for 'oil' in many Indian languages (Tel/Taila) is actually derived from 'Til'. This indicates that sesame was the primary source of oil in ancient India, making 'sesame-juice' synonymous with 'oil' itself.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tɪl/

US /tɪl/

Single syllable word; no specific stress pattern.

Rhymes With

मिल (Mil - to meet) दिल (Dil - heart) खिल (Khil - to bloom) हिल (Hil - to move) बिल (Bil - bill/hole) सिल (Sil - to sew/grindstone) छिल (Chhil - to peel) जिल (Jil - rare, used in names)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'Teel' (long i).
Confusing it with 'Tel' (oil).
Aspirating the 't' like in the English 'till'.
Using a retroflex 'l' (not common in Hindi, but possible for some learners).
Pronouncing it like 'Tail'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

A very short and simple word to read; two characters only.

Writing 1/5

Simple to write; no complex conjuncts.

Speaking 2/5

Requires correct dental 't' and short 'i' to avoid confusion with 'Tel'.

Listening 2/5

Can be confused with 'Tel' or 'Dil' in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

तेल (Tel) बीज (Beej) काला (Kala) सफेद (Safed) गाल (Gaal)

Learn Next

गुड़ (Gud) मकर संक्रांति (Makar Sankranti) मस्सा (Massa) ताड़ (Taad) चिक्की (Chikki)

Advanced

तिलहन (Tilhan) तासीर (Tasir) पितृ-तर्पण (Pitru-tarpan) सूक्ष्मता (Sukshmata)

Grammar to Know

Masculine Noun Endings

तिल ends in a consonant and is masculine. Adjectives end in 'a' (Kala Til).

Oblique Case Plural

In 'तिलों का तेल', the noun 'तिल' becomes 'तिलों' before the postposition 'का'.

Direct Plural

दो तिल (Two moles) - the word doesn't change in the direct plural.

Compound Noun Formation

Til-Gud (Sesame-Jaggery) combines two nouns to form a single conceptual unit.

Idiomatic Usage of Nouns

Nouns like 'Til' can represent abstract quantities (tiny bit) in specific phrases.

Examples by Level

यह एक काला तिल है।

This is a black sesame seed / mole.

Simple subject-complement structure with the masculine adjective 'kala'.

मुझे तिल के लड्डू पसंद हैं।

I like sesame laddoos.

Use of 'pasand' with the plural-behaving 'til के लड्डू'.

उसके गाल पर तिल है।

There is a mole on her cheek.

Preposition 'par' indicates location.

सफेद तिल कहाँ हैं?

Where are the white sesame seeds?

Interrogative sentence with masculine plural agreement.

तिल बहुत छोटा होता है।

Sesame is very small.

Singular masculine agreement with 'hota hai'.

यह तिल का तेल है।

This is sesame oil.

Possessive 'ka' connecting 'til' and 'tel'.

क्या यह तिल है?

Is this sesame?

Basic yes/no question.

मेरे पास थोड़े तिल हैं।

I have some sesame seeds.

Use of 'ke paas' for possession.

बाज़ार से एक किलो तिल लाओ।

Bring one kilo of sesame from the market.

Imperative sentence with a quantity.

इस मिठाई में बहुत तिल हैं।

There are many sesame seeds in this sweet.

Plural use of 'til' in a descriptive context.

तुम्हारे चेहरे पर कितने तिल हैं?

How many moles are on your face?

Countable use of 'til' in an interrogative sentence.

तिल को हल्का गरम करें।

Warm the sesame seeds slightly.

Object marker 'ko' used with a verb.

सर्दियों में तिल खाना अच्छा है।

Eating sesame in winter is good.

Gerundial use of 'khana'.

वह तिल का लड्डू खा रहा है।

He is eating a sesame laddoo.

Present continuous tense.

मेरे तिल का रंग काला है।

The color of my mole is black.

Double possessive structure.

तिल सेहत के लिए फायदेमंद है।

Sesame is beneficial for health.

Adjective 'faydemand' modifying the subject.

तिल का ताड़ मत बनाओ, यह छोटी बात है।

Don't make a mountain out of a molehill; it's a small matter.

Common idiom 'til ka taad banana'.

पूजा के लिए काले तिल ज़रूरी हैं।

Black sesame seeds are necessary for the prayer.

Adjective 'zaroori' used for necessity.

तिल के तेल से मालिश करना अच्छा होता है।

Massaging with sesame oil is good.

Instrumental use of 'se' (with/by).

क्या आपने तिल और गुड़ की चिक्की खाई है?

Have you eaten sesame and jaggery brittle?

Present perfect tense question.

वहाँ तिल रखने की भी जगह नहीं थी।

There wasn't even space to keep a sesame seed (it was very crowded).

Idiomatic expression for extreme density.

तिल को पीसकर पेस्ट बना लें।

Grind the sesame and make a paste.

Conjunctive participle 'piskar'.

उसके होंठ के ऊपर एक सुंदर तिल है।

There is a beautiful mole above her lip.

Complex preposition 'ke upar'.

तिल में बहुत सारा कैल्शियम होता है।

Sesame contains a lot of calcium.

Locative 'mein' used for containment.

तिल-तिल करके उसने अपनी सारी संपत्ति खो दी।

Bit by bit, he lost all his property.

Idiomatic adverbial phrase 'til-til karke'.

मकर संक्रांति पर तिल का दान करना शुभ माना जाता है।

Donating sesame on Makar Sankranti is considered auspicious.

Passive construction 'mana jata hai'.

आयुर्वेद में तिल को गर्म तासीर का माना गया है।

In Ayurveda, sesame is considered to have a warm nature.

Technical term 'tasir' (nature/effect).

उसने तिल का ताड़ बनाकर सारा माहौल बिगाड़ दिया।

By making a mountain out of a molehill, he ruined the whole atmosphere.

Causal relationship in a complex sentence.

क्या यह तिल जन्मजात है या बाद में हुआ?

Is this mole present since birth or did it occur later?

Use of the adjective 'janmajat' (congenital).

तिल की खेती के लिए शुष्क जलवायु की आवश्यकता होती है।

Dry climate is required for sesame cultivation.

Formal vocabulary like 'shushk jalvayu' and 'avashyakta'.

वह तिल-तिल जल रहा था।

He was burning bit by bit (metaphorically, with envy or anger).

Metaphorical use of 'til-til' with a verb.

तिल के फूलों की खुशबू बहुत भीनी होती है।

The scent of sesame flowers is very mild and pleasant.

Descriptive adjectives 'bhini' and 'khushbu'.

तिल की महत्ता केवल भोजन तक सीमित नहीं है, यह सांस्कृतिक प्रतीक भी है।

The importance of sesame is not limited to food; it is also a cultural symbol.

Formal structure 'simit nahi hai... balki...'

कवि ने नायिका के सौंदर्य का वर्णन करते हुए उसके तिल की तुलना रात के तारे से की है।

While describing the heroine's beauty, the poet compared her mole to a star in the night.

Literary analysis structure.

तिल के तेल के औषधीय गुणों पर शोध किया जा रहा है।

Research is being conducted on the medicinal properties of sesame oil.

Passive voice 'kiya ja raha hai'.

प्राचीन ग्रंथों में तिल को 'पितृ-तर्पण' के लिए अनिवार्य बताया गया है।

In ancient texts, sesame is described as mandatory for rituals for ancestors.

High-register vocabulary like 'anivarya' and 'pitru-tarpan'.

तिल का ताड़ बनाना उसकी पुरानी आदत है, उसे गंभीरता से न लें।

Making a mountain out of a molehill is an old habit of his; don't take him seriously.

Nuanced character description.

तिल-तिल करके समय बीतता गया और वह बूढ़ा हो गया।

Bit by bit, time passed, and he grew old.

Temporal use of 'til-til'.

तिल की उपज में भारत विश्व में अग्रणी देशों में से एक है।

India is one of the leading countries in the world in sesame production.

Economic/Formal register.

उसने तिल भर भी संकोच नहीं किया।

He didn't hesitate even a tiny bit.

Metaphorical use of 'til bhar' for quantity of emotion.

तिल के दार्शनिक संदर्भों में इसे सूक्ष्मता का चरम बिंदु माना जा सकता है।

In the philosophical contexts of 'Til', it can be considered the ultimate point of subtlety.

Highly abstract and academic construction.

भले ही वह तिल का ताड़ बनाए, पर सत्य की अवहेलना नहीं की जा सकती।

Even if he exaggerates, the truth cannot be ignored.

Concessive clause 'bhale hi... par...'.

तिल की रासायनिक संरचना में मौजूद सेसामिन स्वास्थ्य के लिए अत्यंत लाभकारी है।

Sesamin present in the chemical structure of sesame is extremely beneficial for health.

Scientific register.

उसकी आँखों में तिल भर भी करुणा नहीं बची थी।

Not even a tiny bit of compassion remained in his eyes.

Powerful literary use of 'til bhar' for abstract qualities.

तिल के बीजों का इतिहास मेसोपोटामिया की सभ्यताओं तक जाता है।

The history of sesame seeds traces back to Mesopotamian civilizations.

Historical/Archeological register.

तिल-तिल के इस क्षरण ने पूरी व्यवस्था को खोखला कर दिया।

This bit-by-bit erosion hollowed out the entire system.

Advanced metaphorical use in social commentary.

तिल की विभिन्न प्रजातियों का आनुवंशिक विश्लेषण कृषि विज्ञान के लिए महत्वपूर्ण है।

Genetic analysis of various sesame species is important for agricultural science.

Academic/Scientific vocabulary.

वह तिल की ओट में पहाड़ देख रहा था।

He was seeing a mountain behind a sesame seed (finding deep meaning in small things).

Proverbial/Philosophical expression.

Synonyms

तिली स्नेहफल होमधान्य तिलहन

Common Collocations

तिल का तेल

काले तिल

सफेद तिल

तिल के लड्डू

चेहरे पर तिल

तिल का ताड़

तिल की चिक्की

तिल-तिल करके

तिल कूट

तिल का दान

Common Phrases

तिल गुड़ घ्या, गोड गोड बोला

— Eat sesame and jaggery, and speak sweet words. A common greeting during Makar Sankranti.

उसने मुझे तिल गुड़ दिया और कहा 'गोड गोड बोला'।

तिल भर भी नहीं

— Not even a tiny bit. Used to emphasize the smallness of something.

उसने तिल भर भी झूठ नहीं बोला।

तिल रखने की जगह

— Space to keep a sesame seed. Used to describe how crowded a place is.

बस में तिल रखने की भी जगह नहीं थी।

काले तिल चढ़ाना

— To offer black sesame seeds. A ritual act in Hindu worship.

शिवलिंग पर काले तिल चढ़ाए जाते हैं।

तिल की ओट में

— Behind a sesame seed. Metaphorically means something big hidden by something small.

वह तिल की ओट में पहाड़ छिपा रहा है।

तिल का निशान

— A mark of a mole. Used in identification.

पहचान पत्र पर तिल का निशान लिखा है।

तिल की खेती

— Sesame cultivation. Used in agricultural contexts.

राजस्थान में तिल की खेती होती है।

तिल-तिल जलना

— To burn slowly or bit by bit. Often used for envy or suffering.

वह ईर्ष्या में तिल-तिल जल रहा है।

तिल का भाव

— The price of sesame. Used in market contexts.

आज बाज़ार में तिल का भाव क्या है?

तिल के फूल

— Sesame flowers. Used in botanical descriptions.

तिल के फूल बहुत सुंदर होते हैं।

Often Confused With

तिल vs तेल (Tel)

Means oil. Often used together (Til ka tel), but they are different words with different vowels.

तिल vs दिल (Dil)

Means heart. Sounds similar but starts with a 'd' instead of a 't'.

तिल vs तीली (Teeli)

Means a matchstick or a thin straw. Sounds similar but has a long 'ee' and an extra syllable.

Idioms & Expressions

"तिल का ताड़ बनाना"

— To exaggerate a minor issue; to make a mountain out of a molehill.

वह हमेशा छोटी बात का तिल का ताड़ बना देता है।

Informal/Neutral

"तिल-तिल करके मरना"

— To suffer a slow and painful death or decline.

ग़रीबी में वह तिल-तिल करके मर रहा है।

Literary/Emotional

"तिल धरने की जगह न होना"

— To be extremely crowded; not an inch of space left.

स्टेडियम में तिल धरने की जगह नहीं थी।

Colloquial

"इन तिलों में तेल नहीं"

— Literally: There is no oil in these sesame seeds. Metaphorically: There is no hope of getting anything from this person/situation.

उससे मदद मत मांगो, इन तिलों में तेल नहीं है।

Proverbial

"तिल की ओट में पहाड़"

— A huge thing hidden behind a very small thing; profound meaning in a simple act.

उसकी छोटी सी बात में तिल की ओट में पहाड़ था।

Literary/Philosophical

"तिल भर भी फर्क न पड़ना"

— To not make even a tiny bit of difference.

मेरी बातों से उस पर तिल भर भी फर्क नहीं पड़ा।

Neutral

"तिल-तिल का हिसाब लेना"

— To account for every single tiny detail or penny.

वह अपने खर्चों का तिल-तिल का हिसाब रखता है।

Neutral

"तिल की चोरी, ताड़ की चोरी"

— A theft is a theft, whether it's as small as a sesame seed or as big as a palm tree.

चोरी तो चोरी है, तिल की चोरी भी ताड़ की चोरी ही है।

Moralistic

"तिल चटकना"

— Literally: Sesame popping. Metaphorically: To be very angry or to speak sharply.

उसकी बात सुनकर मेरा गुस्सा तिल की तरह चटकने लगा।

Colloquial/Rare

"तिल बराबर"

— Equivalent to the size of a sesame seed; very tiny.

उसे तिल बराबर भी शर्म नहीं है।

Informal

Easily Confused

तिल vs राई (Rai)

Both are tiny seeds used in cooking.

Rai is mustard (pungent, round), Til is sesame (nutty, oval).

राई का पहाड़ और तिल का ताड़ दोनों ही मुहावरे हैं।

तिल vs मस्सा (Massa)

Both are marks on the skin.

Til is usually flat and dark; Massa is raised and can be a wart.

यह तिल नहीं, मस्सा है।

तिल vs जीरा (Jeera)

Another common small seed.

Jeera is cumin, used for spice; Til is sesame, used for oil/sweets.

जीरा तड़के के लिए है, तिल लड्डू के लिए।

तिल vs खसखस (Khus Khus)

Tiny white seeds.

Khus Khus is poppy seeds; Til is sesame. They have different flavors.

खसखस सफेद तिल जैसा दिखता है।

तिल vs कलौंजी (Kalonji)

Small black seeds.

Kalonji is nigella; Til is sesame. Kalonji is often used on naan.

कलौंजी और काले तिल में फर्क होता है।

Sentence Patterns

यह [adjective] तिल है।

यह काला तिल है।

मेरे पास [quantity] तिल हैं।

मेरे पास थोड़े तिल हैं।

[Body part] पर तिल है।

नाक पर तिल है।

तिल का [food item]

तिल का लड्डू

[Topic] का तिल का ताड़ मत बनाओ।

इस बात का तिल का ताड़ मत बनाओ।

तिल में [nutrient] होता है।

तिल में कैल्शियम होता है।

तिल-तिल करके [verb]

तिल-तिल करके समय बीत गया।

तिल भर भी [abstract noun] नहीं

तिल भर भी संकोच नहीं।

Word Family

Nouns

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

High, especially in winter and descriptions of people.

Common Mistakes

Using 'Kali Til' for black sesame. → Kala Til
Til is masculine, so the adjective must be masculine (Kala).
Pronouncing 'Til' as 'Teel'. → Til (short 'i')
A long 'ee' sound makes it sound like a different or incorrect word.
Confusing 'Til' with 'Tel' (oil). → Til (seed), Tel (oil)
They are different words. 'Til ka tel' uses both.
Saying 'Til ka pahad banana'. → Til ka taad banana
The correct idiom uses 'Taad' (palm tree), though 'Rai ka pahad' is a similar alternative idiom.
Using 'Til' for a large, raised wart. → Massa
'Til' is for flat spots; 'Massa' is for raised growths or warts.

Tips

Gender Agreement

Always use masculine adjectives with 'Til'. For example, say 'Chota Til' for a small mole.

Short Vowel

Keep the 'i' in 'Til' short. A long 'ee' can change the meaning or sound unnatural.

Festival Usage

If you are in India in January, use the phrase 'Til-gul ghya, god-god bola' to greet people.

Dual Meaning

Remember that 'Til' is one of those cool words that connects food and beauty. Context is key!

Exaggeration

Use 'Til ka taad' when a friend is overreacting to a small mistake. It sounds very native.

Roasting

When cooking, 'Til' should be roasted until it pops. This is called 'Til bhunna'.

Calcium Source

In health discussions, you can mention 'Til' as a great source of calcium (Til mein calcium hota hai).

Oblique Case

Don't forget to change 'Til' to 'Tilon' if you add 'ka', 'se', or 'mein' after it.

Beauty Marks

In Bollywood, a 'Til' on the face is a common trope for beauty. Look for it in old songs!

Root Word

Knowing that 'Tel' (oil) comes from 'Til' helps you remember both words together.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Tiny' 'Teal' seed. 'Ti' for Tiny and 'L' for Little. Til is a tiny little seed and a tiny little mole.

Visual Association

Visualize a black sesame seed on a white plate, then visualize a black mole on a person's fair face. The visual identity of the two is almost identical, which is why they share the same name.

Word Web

Sesame Mole Winter Oil Laddoo Black White Small

Challenge

Try to find 3 people today (in pictures or real life) who have a 'Til' on their face and describe its location in Hindi.

Word Origin

The word 'Til' originates from the Sanskrit word 'Tila' (तिल). It is one of the oldest words in the Indo-Aryan lexicon, reflecting the ancient cultivation of sesame in India.

Original meaning: Sesame seed (Sesamum indicum).

Indo-Aryan -> Sanskrit -> Prakrit -> Hindi.

Cultural Context

When discussing 'Til' as a mole, be polite. While it's often a beauty mark, some people may be sensitive about their skin marks. In culinary contexts, always check for sesame allergies.

While English has two distinct words (Sesame and Mole), Hindi uses one. This is similar to how 'Date' in English can mean a fruit or a social meeting.

The song 'Gore Gore Gaalon Pe Kaala Kaala Til' from the movie 'Pehchaan'. The ritual of 'Til-Arpan' in Hindu mythology. The famous proverb 'Til ka taad banana' used in countless Bollywood dramas.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Cooking

तिल भूनना (Roast sesame)
तिल पीसना (Grind sesame)
तिल का तड़का (Sesame tempering)
तिल की चटनी (Sesame chutney)

Describing People

नाक पर तिल (Mole on nose)
सुंदर तिल (Beautiful mole)
तिल का निशान (Mark of a mole)
काला तिल (Black mole)

Festivals

तिल-गुड़ बांटना (Distribute til-gud)
संक्रांति के तिल (Sankranti sesame)
तिल का दान (Donating sesame)
तिल के व्यंजन (Sesame dishes)

Health/Ayurveda

तिल के फायदे (Benefits of sesame)
तिल का तेल मालिश (Sesame oil massage)
हड्डियों के लिए तिल (Sesame for bones)
तिल की तासीर (Nature of sesame)

Arguments/Social

तिल का ताड़ बनाना (Exaggerating)
तिल भर भी जगह नहीं (No space)
तिल-तिल का हिसाब (Every bit of account)
तिल बराबर (Tiny amount)

Conversation Starters

"क्या आपको तिल के लड्डू पसंद हैं या मूंगफली के?"

"मकर संक्रांति पर आपके घर में क्या बनता है?"

"क्या आप जानते हैं कि तिल का तेल स्वास्थ्य के लिए बहुत अच्छा होता है?"

"क्या आपके चेहरे पर कोई तिल है?"

"क्या आपने कभी तिल की चिक्की खाई है?"

Journal Prompts

आज मैंने तिल के बारे में क्या सीखा? इसके दो अलग-अलग अर्थ क्या हैं?

मेरे पसंदीदा शीतकालीन (winter) स्नैक्स कौन से हैं? क्या उनमें तिल होता है?

क्या मैंने कभी किसी छोटी बात का 'तिल का ताड़' बनाया है? क्या हुआ था?

भारतीय संस्कृति में तिल का क्या महत्व है? संक्षेप में लिखें।

अपने किसी दोस्त या परिवार के सदस्य का वर्णन करें जिनके चेहरे पर तिल हो।

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is masculine. You say 'Kala Til' (black sesame/mole), not 'Kali Til'.

White til (Safed Til) is common in sweets like laddoos. Black til (Kala Til) is often used in religious rituals and traditional medicine.

It is called 'Til ka tel' (तिल का तेल).

No, it only means mole when describing skin. In a kitchen or market, it almost always means sesame seeds.

It's an idiom meaning 'to make a mountain out of a molehill' or to exaggerate a tiny matter.

Usually, freckles are called 'Jhaiyan' (झाइयाँ). 'Til' is specifically for distinct moles or beauty spots.

In the direct case, it stays 'Til' (e.g., 'do til'). In the oblique case (with postpositions), it becomes 'Tilon' (e.g., 'Tilon ka').

According to Ayurveda, sesame is a 'warming' food that helps the body stay warm during cold months.

It is not a common first name, but 'Tilu' is a common nickname.

It's a combination of sesame and jaggery, often eaten as a sweet during the Makar Sankranti festival.