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टुकड़े करना

B2 verb 5 min read

टुकड़े करना

tukde karna

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips टुकड़े करना in 30 Seconds

Explanation टुकड़े करना in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'टुकड़े करना' (Tukde karna) is introduced as a simple action related to daily life, primarily food. Beginners learn it in the context of the kitchen. For example, 'Seb ke tukde karo' (Cut the apple into pieces). The focus is on the literal meaning: taking one whole object and making it into smaller parts using a knife or hands. Learners should focus on the basic structure: Object + ke + tukde + karna. It is a very useful phrase when learning about cooking verbs and following simple instructions. A1 students might not yet master the 'kiye' (past plural) agreement, but they should understand that 'tukde' means pieces.

At the A2 level, learners expand the use of 'टुकड़े करना' beyond just food. They start using it for crafts, like cutting paper (kagaz ke tukde) or cloth (kapde ke tukde). They also begin to understand the past tense conjugation 'kiye' (did/made pieces). A2 students can describe a sequence of events: 'I took the paper and made pieces.' They also learn the imperative forms for polite requests, like 'tukde kijiye.' The vocabulary starts to include common objects that can be fragmented, and students begin to see the phrase in simple stories where characters might break something into pieces.

At the B1 level, students move into more functional and descriptive uses. They can use 'टुकड़े करना' in the context of repairs, construction, or explaining how something broke. They start to encounter the figurative use, such as 'dil ke tukde' (heart in pieces) in popular songs. B1 learners should be comfortable with the 'Object + ke' grammar and avoid the common mistake of using 'ko.' They also learn to use 'tukde-tukde karna' for emphasis, meaning to smash something to bits. They can explain why they are cutting something into pieces, using connectors like 'kyonki' (because) or 'isliye' (therefore).

At the B2 level (the level of this word), learners must master the nuance between 'tukde karna' and its synonyms like 'vibhajit karna' (to divide) or 'khandit karna' (to shatter/break). B2 students use the phrase in abstract discussions about partitioning land, dividing time, or deconstructing ideas. They understand the passive voice ('tukde kiye gaye') and can use the phrase in professional or slightly more formal settings. They are aware of the emotional weight the phrase carries in literature and can use it to add descriptive flair to their writing and speaking. They also understand the difference between 'kaatna' (to cut) and the result-oriented 'tukde karna'.

At the C1 level, 'टुकड़े करना' is used with precision in complex rhetorical structures. A C1 speaker might use it to describe the fragmentation of a political party, the breakdown of a complex theory into digestible parts, or the psychological state of a person. They are familiar with idiomatic expressions and literary allusions involving 'tukde.' They can switch effortlessly between the colloquial 'tukde karna' and the highly formal 'khadi-khadi karna' or 'vibhajan.' Their usage is grammatically flawless, handling complex nested sentences and various modal verbs like 'tukde kiye ja sakte hain' (pieces can be made).

At the C2 level, the speaker uses 'टुकड़े करना' with the mastery of a native speaker, often in philosophical or highly poetic contexts. They might use it to discuss the 'shattering' of reality, the 'fragmentation' of identity in modern literature, or the 'deconstruction' of ancient texts. They understand every subtle connotation, including the aggressive or violent undertones the phrase can have in certain contexts. A C2 learner can appreciate and use the phrase in creative writing to evoke specific imagery and emotions, often playing with the word's literal and metaphorical boundaries to create deep meaning.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

टुकड़े करना in 30 Seconds

Tukde karna means 'to cut into pieces' or 'fragment.'
It is a compound verb used for physical and abstract division.
Requires the postposition 'ke' (e.g., seb ke tukde).
Essential for B2 learners to describe destruction or partitioning.

The Hindi verb टुकड़े करना (Tukde karna) is a compound verb that literally translates to 'to do pieces' or 'to make pieces.' In English, it most closely aligns with 'to cut into pieces,' 'to fragment,' 'to shred,' or 'to partition.' It is a versatile expression used in both physical and metaphorical contexts. Whether you are in a kitchen preparing a meal, in an office shredding documents, or in a literary setting describing a broken heart, this phrase is indispensable for Hindi learners at the B2 level. It implies an action that results in the division of a whole entity into multiple smaller parts.

Physical Action: This refers to the literal act of dividing an object. For example, cutting a cake, tearing paper, or breaking a stone into smaller fragments. It emphasizes the result (pieces) rather than just the act of cutting (kaatna).

सब्जी बनाने से पहले आलू के छोटे-छोटे टुकड़े करना ज़रूरी है। (It is necessary to cut the potatoes into small pieces before cooking.)

Abstract/Figurative Use: In poetry and daily speech, it describes emotional or conceptual fragmentation. One might speak of 'shattering' someone's dreams or 'breaking' a heart into pieces. It conveys a sense of total destruction or irreparable division.

उसकी बातों ने मेरे दिल के टुकड़े कर दिए। (His words broke my heart into pieces.)

Administrative Context: It is also used when discussing land or property, such as dividing a large plot into smaller segments for sale or inheritance.

ज़मीन के टुकड़े करना कानूनी प्रक्रिया का हिस्सा है। (Dividing the land into pieces is part of the legal process.)

Understanding the syntax of टुकड़े करना is vital. It is a transitive compound verb. The object being cut is usually followed by the postposition 'के' (ke) because 'tukde' is a masculine plural noun. The verb 'karna' conjugates according to the tense, aspect, and mood, and in perfective tenses, it agrees with 'tukde' (masculine plural) if the object is marked with 'ko'. However, usually, the structure is '[Object] + ke + tukde + karna'.

मैंने कागज़ के टुकड़े किए। (I made pieces of the paper.)

In the sentence above, 'kiya' becomes 'kiye' to agree with the masculine plural 'tukde'. This is a common point of confusion for learners who might try to agree the verb with the paper (kagaz) or the subject (I).

Imperative Form: When giving instructions: 'Is seb ke chaar tukde karo' (Make four pieces of this apple). Note the use of 'karo' for a neutral command.

कृपया इस दस्तावेज़ के टुकड़े कर दीजिए। (Please shred/piece this document.)

Future Tense: 'Main is purani tasveer ke tukde kar doonga' (I will tear this old photo into pieces). Here, 'kar doonga' adds a sense of completion or finality.

बाढ़ ने पुल के टुकड़े-टुकड़े कर दिए। (The flood smashed the bridge into pieces.)

Passive Voice: 'Kanch ke tukde kiye gaye' (The glass was broken into pieces). Using 'kiye gaye' shifts focus to the object.

You will encounter टुकड़े करना in various domains of Indian life. From the bustling streets of Delhi to the quiet villages of Uttar Pradesh, this phrase is used daily. In a culinary setting, a chef or a mother will instruct someone to cut vegetables. In news reporting, it is often used to describe the aftermath of an accident or an explosion where objects are 'shattered' or 'fragmented'.

समाचार: धमाके ने इमारत के टुकड़े कर दिए। (News: The blast blew the building to pieces.)

In Bollywood movies, the term is frequently used in melodramatic dialogues. A villain might threaten to 'make pieces' of the hero, or a jilted lover might talk about their 'broken heart' (dil ke tukde). This emotional weight makes the phrase very powerful in Hindi cinema.

Legal and Property: When lawyers discuss the division of ancestral property (virasat), they use this phrase to describe the partitioning of land or assets among heirs.

वसीयत के अनुसार, संपत्ति के तीन टुकड़े किए जाएंगे। (According to the will, the property will be divided into three pieces.)

In literature, it is used metaphorically to describe the fragmentation of society or the breaking of a nation. Historical accounts of the Partition of India often use this phrase to describe the 'pieces' made of a once-unified country.

Learners often confuse टुकड़े करना with other verbs like काटना (Kaatna) or तोड़ना (Todna). While they are related, they are not always interchangeable. 'Kaatna' simply means 'to cut,' while 'Tukde karna' specifically means 'to cut into pieces.' If you just want to say 'I cut the apple,' you use 'kaata.' If you want to say 'I cut the apple into several pieces,' you use 'tukde kiye.'

Mistake 1: Wrong Postposition: Saying 'Seb ko tukde karna' is incorrect. The correct form is 'Seb के (ke) tukde karna.' This is because 'tukde' are 'of' the apple.

गलत: रोटी को टुकड़े करो।
सही: रोटी के टुकड़े करो।

Mistake 2: Gender Agreement: Many learners say 'Maine tukde kiya.' Since 'tukde' is plural, it must be 'Maine tukde kiye.'

गलत: उसने खिलौना टुकड़े किया।
सही: उसने खिलौने के टुकड़े किए।

Hindi offers several alternatives to टुकड़े करना depending on the level of formality and the specific action being performed. At the B2 level, you should start incorporating these synonyms to sound more natural and precise.

विभाजित करना (Vibhajit karna): This is a formal/Sanskritized version meaning 'to divide' or 'to partition.' It is used in academic, mathematical, or political contexts.
बाँटना (Baantna): Meaning 'to distribute' or 'to share,' this is used when the pieces are intended for different people.
कतरना (Katarna): Specifically used for shredding or nipping, often with scissors or teeth (like a rat shredding clothes).

शिक्षक ने कक्षा को दो समूहों में विभाजित किया। (The teacher divided the class into two groups.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word 'Tukda' is also used in Indian classical music (Kathak and Tabla) to refer to a short, rhythmic composition or 'piece'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈʈʊk.ɽeː kəɾ.nɑː/

US /ˈtʊk.deɪ kər.nɑ/

Primary stress is on the first syllable of 'Tukde'.

Rhymes With

Mukhde (faces) Dukhde (sorrows) Sukhde (dry things) Ukhde (uprooted) Pichhde (backward) Tadpe (writhed) Bikhre (scattered) Nikhre (brightened)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'T' as a dental 't' (like in 'thin'). It must be retroflex.
Pronouncing 're' as a standard English 'r'. It is a flap (R-sound).
Making the 'u' too long like 'too'. It should be short.
Failing to aspirate the 'k' slightly.
Missing the plural 'e' sound at the end of 'tukde'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize the words, but understanding the 'ke' postposition is key.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct conjugation of 'karna' and agreement with 'tukde'.

Speaking 3/5

Common phrase, easy to use once the 'T' sound is mastered.

Listening 2/5

Very common in movies and daily life.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

काटना तोड़ना हिस्सा करना छोटा

Learn Next

विभाजन बँटवारा कतरन चूर-चूर होना खंड

Advanced

विभक्त विभाजित पृथक्करण विखंडन पारा-पारा करना

Grammar to Know

Compound Verbs with 'Karna'

सफ़ाई करना, मदद करना, टुकड़े करना।

Postposition 'Ke' for Possession/Association

घर के दरवाज़े, कागज़ के टुकड़े।

Past Tense Transitive Agreement

मैंने टुकड़े किए (Verb agrees with 'tukde').

Reduplication for Intensity

टुकड़े-टुकड़े करना (To smash completely).

Imperative Mood

टुकड़े करो (Neutral), टुकड़े कीजिए (Polite).

Examples by Level

रोटी के टुकड़े करो।

Make pieces of the bread.

Simple imperative.

मैंने सेब के टुकड़े किए।

I cut the apple into pieces.

Past tense plural agreement.

क्या तुम इसके टुकड़े कर सकते हो?

Can you make pieces of this?

Use of 'sakna' (can).

वह कागज़ के टुकड़े कर रहा है।

He is making pieces of the paper.

Present continuous.

आम के छोटे टुकड़े करो।

Make small pieces of the mango.

Adjective 'chhote' modifying 'tukde'.

माँ ने केक के टुकड़े किए।

Mother cut the cake into pieces.

Subject with 'ne' in past tense.

पनीर के टुकड़े यहाँ रखो।

Put the pieces of paneer here.

Locative 'yahan'.

गाजर के टुकड़े मत करो।

Don't cut the carrot into pieces.

Negative imperative.

उसने पुरानी चिट्ठी के टुकड़े कर दिए।

He tore the old letter into pieces.

Compound verb 'kar diye'.

हमें सब्ज़ी के बराबर टुकड़े करने चाहिए।

We should make equal pieces of the vegetable.

Use of 'chahiye' (should).

बच्चे ने खिलौने के टुकड़े कर दिए।

The child broke the toy into pieces.

Transitive past tense.

इस कपड़े के दो टुकड़े करो।

Make two pieces of this cloth.

Specific number 'do'.

क्या मैं इस ब्रेड के टुकड़े करूँ?

Should I make pieces of this bread?

Subjunctive for suggestion.

उसने रस्सी के टुकड़े किए।

He cut the rope into pieces.

Simple past.

लकड़ी के छोटे टुकड़े करो।

Make small pieces of the wood.

Instructional.

मेरे पास कागज़ के बहुत टुकड़े हैं।

I have many pieces of paper.

Possessive 'ke paas'.

तूफान ने पेड़ के टुकड़े-टुकड़े कर दिए।

The storm smashed the tree to pieces.

Reduplication for emphasis.

उसने अपनी सारी तस्वीरों के टुकड़े कर दिए।

She tore all her photos into pieces.

Possessive 'apni'.

मशीन ने लोहे के टुकड़े कर दिए।

The machine cut the iron into pieces.

Instrumental subject.

क्या आप इस फाइल के टुकड़े कर सकते हैं?

Can you shred this file?

Formal 'aap' with 'sakna'.

उसने गुस्से में अपने फोन के टुकड़े कर दिए।

In anger, he smashed his phone to pieces.

Adverbial phrase 'gusse mein'.

हमें इस समस्या के छोटे टुकड़े करने होंगे।

We will have to break this problem into small pieces.

Figurative use, future obligation.

उसने मिट्टी के बर्तन के टुकड़े किए।

He broke the clay pot into pieces.

Noun-noun compound 'mitti ke bartan'.

रसोईये ने मांस के टुकड़े किए।

The cook cut the meat into pieces.

Professional context.

सरकार ने उस बड़े राज्य के दो टुकड़े कर दिए।

The government partitioned that large state into two.

Political context.

उसकी असफलता ने उसके सपनों के टुकड़े कर दिए।

His failure shattered his dreams.

Metaphorical use.

इतिहासकार ने दस्तावेज़ के हर टुकड़े का अध्ययन किया।

The historian studied every piece of the document.

Focus on the pieces as objects.

विवाद ने परिवार के टुकड़े कर दिए।

The dispute tore the family apart.

Abstract fragmentation.

उसने अपनी संपत्ति के कई टुकड़े किए और दान कर दिया।

He divided his property into many parts and donated them.

Complex sentence with 'aur'.

कांच के टुकड़े करना खतरनाक हो सकता है।

Breaking glass into pieces can be dangerous.

Gerundial use.

उसने चतुराई से दुश्मन की सेना के टुकड़े कर दिए।

He cleverly split the enemy's army into pieces.

Strategic context.

इस योजना के टुकड़े करना ही बेहतर होगा।

It would be better to break down this plan.

Managerial suggestion.

आधुनिकता ने पारंपरिक समाज के टुकड़े कर दिए हैं।

Modernity has fragmented traditional society.

Sociological abstract use.

उसकी कविता ने मेरे हृदय के हज़ारों टुकड़े कर दिए।

Her poetry shattered my heart into thousands of pieces.

Literary hyperbole.

दार्शनिक ने सत्य के टुकड़े करने की कोशिश की।

The philosopher tried to deconstruct the truth.

Philosophical context.

युद्ध ने देश के भूगोल के टुकड़े कर दिए।

The war tore the country's geography into pieces.

Geopolitical impact.

उसने अपने अहंकार के टुकड़े करने का संकल्प लिया।

He resolved to shatter his own ego.

Internal psychological use.

आलोचक ने फिल्म की कहानी के टुकड़े-टुकड़े कर दिए।

The critic tore the film's plot to pieces.

Critical analysis.

समय ने हमारी यादों के टुकड़े कर दिए हैं।

Time has fragmented our memories.

Poetic personification of time.

उसने अपनी विचारधारा के टुकड़े किए और एक नई राह चुनी।

He dismantled his ideology and chose a new path.

Ideological shift.

ब्रह्मांड के रहस्यों के टुकड़े करना मानव बुद्धि के परे है।

To fragment the mysteries of the universe is beyond human intellect.

Existential/Scientific abstraction.

सत्ता की लालसा ने राष्ट्र की अखंडता के टुकड़े कर दिए।

The lust for power shattered the nation's integrity.

High-level political commentary.

उसने अपने अस्तित्व के टुकड़े किए ताकि वह स्वयं को फिर से पा सके।

He fragmented his existence so that he could find himself again.

Metaphysical narrative.

लेखक ने भाषा के टुकड़े करके एक नई शैली को जन्म दिया।

The author deconstructed language to give birth to a new style.

Linguistic innovation.

पूंजीवाद ने मानवीय संवेदनाओं के टुकड़े कर दिए हैं।

Capitalism has fragmented human sensibilities.

Marxist/Critical theory context.

उसने अपनी पूरी विरासत के टुकड़े-टुकड़े करके हवा में उड़ा दिए।

He smashed his entire heritage to bits and threw it to the wind.

Idiomatic destruction.

सत्य का कोई एक टुकड़ा सत्य नहीं होता; टुकड़े करना सत्य को मारना है।

A single piece of truth is not truth; to fragment is to kill the truth.

Paradoxical philosophical statement.

मृत्यु ने उनके अटूट बंधन के टुकड़े कर दिए।

Death shattered their unbreakable bond.

Elegiac tone.

Synonyms

विभाजित करना बाँटना कतरना खंडित करना तोड़ना चीरना फाड़ना पृथक करना

Antonyms

जोड़ना इकट्ठा करना मिलाना अखंड रखना

Common Collocations

कागज़ के टुकड़े

दिल के टुकड़े

ज़मीन के टुकड़े

रोटी के टुकड़े

कांच के टुकड़े

कपड़े के टुकड़े

सब्ज़ी के टुकड़े

पत्थर के टुकड़े

लकड़ी के टुकड़े

सपनों के टुकड़े

Common Phrases

टुकड़े-टुकड़े करना

— To smash into tiny bits or completely destroy.

उसने पुरानी यादों के टुकड़े-टुकड़े कर दिए।

दो टुकड़े करना

— To divide into two equal or distinct parts.

सेब के दो टुकड़े करो।

हज़ारों टुकड़े करना

— To shatter into thousands of pieces (hyperbole).

आईना गिरकर हज़ारों टुकड़े हो गया।

टुकड़ों में बाँटना

— To divide into segments for distribution.

काम को टुकड़ों में बाँट लो।

टुकड़ों पर पलना

— To live on someone else's scraps or charity (idiomatic).

वह दूसरों के टुकड़ों पर पलता है।

छोटे-छोटे टुकड़े

— Small bite-sized or tiny pieces.

पनीर के छोटे-छोटे टुकड़े करो।

बराबर टुकड़े

— Equal pieces.

केक के बराबर टुकड़े होने चाहिए।

टुकड़े बटोरना

— To gather the pieces (often metaphorical).

वह अपनी बिखरी ज़िंदगी के टुकड़े बटोर रहा है।

एक-एक टुकड़ा

— Every single piece.

उसने एक-एक टुकड़ा ध्यान से देखा।

टुकड़े होना

— To be broken into pieces (intransitive).

गिलास गिरते ही टुकड़े हो गया।

Often Confused With

टुकड़े करना vs काटना (Kaatna)

Kaatna is the act of cutting; Tukde karna is the result of making pieces.

टुकड़े करना vs तोड़ना (Todna)

Todna means to break; Tukde karna is more about dividing into parts.

टुकड़े करना vs बाँटना (Baantna)

Baantna means to distribute; Tukde karna is the physical act of separation.

Idioms & Expressions

"दिल के टुकड़े-टुकड़े होना"

— To be completely heartbroken.

उसकी बेवफाई से मेरे दिल के टुकड़े-टुकड़े हो गए।

Informal/Poetic

"टुकड़ों पर पलना"

— To live off others' charity or leftovers.

स्वाभिमानी लोग किसी के टुकड़ों पर नहीं पलते।

Informal

"दो टुकड़ों में बात करना"

— To speak clearly and decisively (to 'cut' the matter).

उसने दो टुकड़ों में अपनी बात कह दी।

Neutral

"ज़मीन का एक टुकड़ा"

— A small portion of land (often implying humble possession).

मेरे पास बस ज़मीन का एक छोटा सा टुकड़ा है।

Neutral

"चाँद का टुकड़ा"

— Extremely beautiful (literally 'a piece of the moon').

उसकी बेटी चाँद का टुकड़ा है।

Informal/Affectionate

"कलेजे का टुकड़ा"

— Someone very dear (literally 'a piece of one's liver/heart').

बच्चे माँ के कलेजे का टुकड़ा होते हैं।

Informal/Affectionate

"रोटी का टुकड़ा"

— Basic sustenance or a small livelihood.

वह एक रोटी के टुकड़े के लिए तरस गया।

Neutral

"टुकड़े चबाना"

— To endure great hardship.

उसने गरीबी में सूखे टुकड़े चबाकर दिन काटे।

Literary

"टुकड़े करना (Figurative)"

— To dismantle an argument or a person's pride.

वकील ने गवाह के बयानों के टुकड़े कर दिए।

Formal

"टुकड़े फेंकना"

— To give a small, insignificant amount to someone.

अमीर लोग गरीबों की तरफ टुकड़े फेंकते हैं।

Critical

Easily Confused

टुकड़े करना vs काटना

Both involve a knife/force.

Kaatna can be a single cut (like a finger), but Tukde karna implies multiple pieces.

उसने उंगली काटी (He cut his finger) vs उसने सेब के टुकड़े किए (He sliced the apple).

टुकड़े करना vs तोड़ना

Both result in damage.

Todna is often accidental or forceful; Tukde karna can be a deliberate structural division.

उसने खिड़की तोड़ी (He broke the window) vs उसने पत्थर के टुकड़े किए (He broke the stone into pieces).

टुकड़े करना vs फाड़ना

Both involve paper/cloth.

Phadna is to tear; Tukde karna is the state of the paper after being torn into many bits.

चिट्ठी फाड़ दो (Tear the letter) vs चिट्ठी के टुकड़े कर दो (Make pieces of the letter).

टुकड़े करना vs बिखेरना

Both involve many small parts.

Bikherna is to scatter; Tukde karna is to create the parts first.

उसने कांच के टुकड़े बिखेर दिए (He scattered the glass pieces).

टुकड़े करना vs अलग करना

Both mean separation.

Alag karna is to separate two existing things; Tukde karna is to divide one thing into many.

दूध और पानी अलग करना (Separate milk and water).

Sentence Patterns

[Noun] के टुकड़े करो।

सेब के टुकड़े करो।

[Noun] के [Number] टुकड़े करो।

रोटी के दो टुकड़े करो।

मैंने [Noun] के टुकड़े कर दिए।

मैंने कागज़ के टुकड़े कर दिए।

[Noun] के टुकड़े करना [Adjective] है।

कांच के टुकड़े करना खतरनाक है।

[Abstract Noun] के टुकड़े-टुकड़े हो गए।

मेरे सपनों के टुकड़े-टुकड़े हो गए।

[Noun] के टुकड़े किए बिना [Verb] असंभव है।

सत्य के टुकड़े किए बिना उसे समझना असंभव है।

क्या आप [Noun] के टुकड़े कर सकते हैं?

क्या आप इस पार्सल के टुकड़े कर सकते हैं?

अगर तुम इसके टुकड़े करोगे, तो...

अगर तुम इसके टुकड़े करोगे, तो यह खराब हो जाएगा।

Word Family

Nouns

टुकड़ा (Tukda - singular piece)

टुकड़े (Tukde - plural pieces)

टुकड़ी (Tukdi - small group/contingent)

Verbs

टुकड़े होना (Tukde hona - to be broken into pieces)

Adjectives

टुकड़े-टुकड़े (Tukde-tukde - fragmented/shattered)

काटना (to cut)

तोड़ना (to break)

विभाजन (division)

हिस्सा (part)

अंश (portion)

How to Use It

frequency

Very frequent in daily conversation and media.

Common Mistakes

रोटी को टुकड़े करो → रोटी के टुकड़े करो
You make pieces 'of' the bread, not 'to' the bread.
मैंने कागज़ के टुकड़े किया → मैंने कागज़ के टुकड़े किए
The verb must be plural to match 'tukde'.
उसने दिल का टुकड़े किया → उसने दिल के टुकड़े किए
Even for one heart, the pieces are plural, so use 'ke' and 'kiye'.
Using 'kaatna' for breaking a glass. → गिलास के टुकड़े करना
You don't 'cut' glass into pieces; it breaks or you fragment it.
Pronouncing Tukde with a dental T. → Retroflex T
A dental T changes the sound significantly and sounds non-native.

Tips

Agreement

Always remember the verb agrees with 'tukde' (masculine plural) in the perfective aspect. 'Maine seb ke tukde kiye' is correct.

Cooking

In recipes, look for 'chhote tukde' (small pieces) or 'bade tukde' (large pieces) to know how to chop.

Heartbreak

If you hear 'tukde-tukde' in a song, it's almost certainly about a broken heart.

Retroflex T

The 'T' in 'Tukde' is retroflex. If you use a soft 'T', it might not be understood clearly.

Office Use

When you want to shred a paper, say 'is kagaz के टुकड़े कर दो'.

Result vs Action

Focus on the fact that 'tukde' refers to the result. You are 'doing' pieces.

Bread

Remember to break bread into 'tukde' with your hands in India, not a knife.

Formal Situations

Use 'vibhajit karna' in meetings or formal documents instead of 'tukde karna'.

Doubling

Double the word 'tukde-tukde' to show extreme damage or fragmentation.

Postpositions

Never forget the 'ke'! It is the bridge between the object and the pieces.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Tuck-Day'. You 'tuck' away the 'pieces' you made today. Tukde = Pieces.

Visual Association

Imagine a chef's knife hitting a cutting board rapidly, creating many small squares of carrots. Each square is a 'Tukda'.

Word Web

Knife Scissors Broken Glass Puzzle Partition Divided Land Heartbreak Shredder

Challenge

Try to use 'Tukde karna' in three different contexts today: cooking, paper-work, and describing a feeling.

Word Origin

Derived from the Hindi/Urdu word 'Tukda' (piece), which likely has roots in Sanskrit 'Tukka' or Prakrit, combined with the Hindi verb 'Karna' (to do).

Original meaning: To perform the act of creating fragments.

Indo-Aryan.

Cultural Context

Avoid using 'tukde karna' when referring to people or social groups in a political context, as it can imply violent separatism.

English speakers often say 'break' or 'cut'. In Hindi, 'Tukde karna' is more specific about the resulting pieces.

Song: 'Dil ke tukde tukde karke muskurake chal diye' Historical: The partition of Bengal (1905) Poetry: Ghalib's use of 'tukda' in various ghazals.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

In the Kitchen

आलू के टुकड़े करो
प्याज़ के छोटे टुकड़े
पनीर के टुकड़ों को तलें
केक के टुकड़े काटो

Office/Work

कागज़ के टुकड़े करना
फाइल को टुकड़ों में बाँटना
प्रोजेक्ट के टुकड़े करना
दस्तावेज़ फाड़कर टुकड़े करना

Emotions

दिल के टुकड़े होना
सपनों के टुकड़े करना
उम्मीदों के टुकड़े
रिश्ते के टुकड़े

Accidents

कांच के टुकड़े
गाड़ी के टुकड़े
हड्डी के टुकड़े
मलबे के टुकड़े

Land/Legal

ज़मीन के टुकड़े
संपत्ति के टुकड़े
खेत के टुकड़े
हिस्सों में टुकड़े करना

Conversation Starters

"क्या आप इस केक के आठ बराबर टुकड़े कर सकते हैं?"

"आपने उस पुरानी चिट्ठी के टुकड़े क्यों किए?"

"सब्ज़ी बनाने के लिए आलू के कितने बड़े टुकड़े करने चाहिए?"

"क्या कभी किसी फिल्म ने आपके दिल के टुकड़े किए हैं?"

"इस बड़े प्रोजेक्ट के छोटे टुकड़े कैसे किए जाएँ?"

Journal Prompts

आज मैंने अपनी पुरानी यादों के टुकड़े किए और उन्हें पीछे छोड़ दिया।

अगर मुझे इस शहर के टुकड़े करने हों, तो मैं इसे कैसे बाँटूंगा?

एक ऐसी घटना के बारे में लिखें जब कोई चीज़ गिरकर टुकड़े-टुकड़े हो गई हो।

क्या आपको लगता है कि आधुनिक जीवन ने हमारे समय के टुकड़े कर दिए हैं?

रसोई में काम करते समय 'टुकड़े करना' क्यों एक कला है?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, that is grammatically incorrect. You must use the possessive postposition 'ke'. The correct phrase is 'Seb ke tukde karna' (Make pieces of the apple).

'Tukde karna' is neutral and means to cut into pieces. 'Tukde-tukde karna' is emphatic and usually implies smashing something into very small bits or total destruction.

'Tukda' (singular) and 'tukde' (plural) are masculine. This affects the verb 'karna' in the past tense, where it becomes 'kiye'.

You can use 'tukde-tukde karna' or 'katarna' for shredding paper or documents.

Literally, only in violent contexts. Metaphorically, it is used for 'breaking' someone's heart or spirit.

It would be 'tukde karunga' (I will make pieces) or 'tukde kar doonga' (I will finish making pieces).

Yes, but for formal division of land or assets, 'vibhajan' or 'vibhajit karna' is preferred.

It means 'pieces of heart,' a very common idiom for being heartbroken.

Usually, 'file divide karna' or 'split karna' is used, but 'file ke tukde karna' can be used informally for breaking a large file into smaller parts.

It is always 'tukde kiye' because 'tukde' is plural.