This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

Home
Learn
Hindi
Vocabulary
टालना

A2 verb 8 min read

टालना

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips टालना in 30 Seconds

Explanation टालना in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should understand 'Tālna' as a simple action: 'to put off'. Think of it as the opposite of 'doing it now'. You will mostly use it in simple commands or negative sentences. For example, 'Don't postpone!' (Mat tālo!). It is helpful for basic daily routines, like telling someone not to delay eating or sleeping. At this stage, don't worry about complex grammar; just focus on the core meaning of shifting a task to 'tomorrow' (kal). You might hear it in very simple contexts like 'Kaam tālo mat' (Don't postpone work). It's a vital word because it helps you express that you cannot do something right now but might do it later. This level of communication is key for basic survival in a Hindi-speaking environment where schedules can be flexible. Focus on the infinitive 'Tālna' and the imperative 'Tālo'.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'Tālna' in full sentences with different tenses. You can say 'Maine kal ka kaam tāl diyā' (I postponed yesterday's work). You should also learn the common pairing 'Tāl-matol', which describes the act of making excuses. At this level, you can use the word to talk about your plans, chores, and simple work tasks. You start to understand that 'Tālna' isn't just about time; it's about the intention to avoid. If a friend asks you for a favor and you keep saying 'I'll do it later', you are 'tāl-ing' them. This is the stage where you also learn the past tense 'tālā' or 'tāl diyā'. You should be able to tell a doctor or a teacher that you need to postpone an appointment. The grammar becomes more important here—remember that since it's a transitive verb, you use 'ne' in the past tense: 'Usne meeting tāl dī'.

By B1, you should be comfortable using 'Tālna' in professional and social contexts. You understand the nuance between 'postponing' (Tālna) and 'cancelling' (Radd karnā). You can use it to describe more abstract things, like postponing a decision or avoiding a difficult conversation. You also start to recognize the 'averting' sense of the word, such as 'averting a crisis' (musibat ko tālna). Your sentences become more complex: 'Agar humne is samasyā ko abhī nahī suljhāyā, toh hum isse aur nahī tāl pāenge' (If we don't solve this problem now, we won't be able to postpone it any longer). You are also introduced to formal synonyms like 'Sthagit karnā' and can choose between them based on who you are talking to. You start to see how 'Tālna' is used in news reports and slightly more formal storytelling.

At the B2 level, 'Tālna' becomes a tool for nuanced expression. You can use it to discuss social issues, such as the government's tendency to postpone reforms. You understand idiomatic expressions and can use the word metaphorically. For instance, 'Hansi mein tālna' (to laugh something off/to avoid a serious point by joking). You are also aware of the passive voice constructions: 'Baithak ko agle hafte tak ke liye tāl diyā gayā hai' (The meeting has been postponed until next week). You can discuss the psychology of procrastination and use 'Tālna' to describe complex human behaviors. Your vocabulary includes related words like 'Vilamb' (delay) and you can explain the difference between a forced delay and a deliberate postponement. You can also use the word in the context of 'averting' larger scale disasters, like environmental crises or political conflicts.

At the C1 level, you have a sophisticated grasp of 'Tālna'. You can use it in literary analysis, discussing how a character tries to 'tāl' their destiny. You understand the philosophical implications of the word in Indian thought, especially regarding 'Kaal' (Time) and 'Karma'. You can use the word in high-level debates and formal writing without hesitation. You are familiar with rare collocations and can use 'Tālna' to describe subtle social maneuvers. For example, 'Usne baṛī chaturāī se sawāl ko tāl diyā' (He very cleverly evaded the question). You can also use it in the context of legal and administrative jargon. Your understanding of the word includes its historical etymology and how its usage has evolved in modern Hindi compared to its Sanskrit or Prakrit roots. You can write essays on the 'culture of procrastination' using this word as a central theme.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 'Tālna' is indistinguishable from a native speaker with high linguistic proficiency. You can use the word in poetry, complex legal drafting, or philosophical treatises. You understand the most subtle shades of meaning—how 'Tālna' can imply dismissal, protection, laziness, or strategic delay all at once. You can interpret the word in classical Hindi literature and understand its use in various regional dialects of the Hindi belt. You can play with the word, using it in puns or deep metaphors. For you, 'Tālna' is not just a verb but a concept that reflects the human condition's relationship with the inevitable and the avoidable. You can effortlessly switch between the colloquial 'Tāl-matol' and the highly formal 'Sthagit' or 'Pralambit', knowing exactly which one fits the emotional and social frequency of the moment.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

टालना in 30 Seconds

Tālna is the primary Hindi verb for postponing tasks or events.
It also means to avoid or evade questions, people, or responsibilities.
It is used to describe averting disasters or negative situations.
Commonly used in offices, homes, and news to talk about delays.

The Hindi verb टालना (Tālna) is a multifaceted term primarily used to describe the act of postponing, avoiding, or averting an event, task, or confrontation. In the most literal sense, it refers to shifting a scheduled event to a later time, much like the English 'to put off'. However, its cultural and linguistic reach extends far beyond simple scheduling. In Indian households and workplaces, 'Tālna' often carries a connotation of procrastination or the deliberate avoidance of responsibility. When someone 'tāls' a piece of work, they aren't just rescheduling it; they might be trying to escape the effort altogether. Understanding this word requires a grasp of the 'Chalta Hai' (it's okay/it goes) attitude often discussed in Indian sociology, where rigid timelines might be softened by social or personal circumstances. Furthermore, 'Tālna' is used in the context of 'averting' danger or 'turning away' a request. If a person manages to avoid an accident, they have 'accident ko tāl diyā'. If a shopkeeper dismisses a customer's persistent demand, he is 'tāl-ing' the customer. This versatility makes it one of the most essential verbs for an A2 learner to master as they transition from basic survival Hindi to more nuanced conversational interactions.

Primary Usage: Used for rescheduling tasks or meetings to a future date or time.

Behavioral Nuance: Describes the habit of procrastination (टालमटोल) or making excuses to avoid work.

Protective Context: Used when a disaster, crisis, or misfortune is successfully averted or prevented.

आज का काम कल पर मत टालो। (Don't postpone today's work until tomorrow.)

उसने मेरी बात को हँसी में टाल दिया। (He brushed off my words with a laugh.)

बड़ी मुश्किल से यह मुसीबत टली है। (This trouble was averted with great difficulty.)

In professional settings, you might hear 'meeting ko tāl diyā gayā hai' (the meeting has been postponed). In casual settings, a mother might scold her child saying, 'Har kaam ko tāltā rehtā hai' (You keep postponing every task). The word is also deeply embedded in literature and poetry to signify the inevitability of fate—'Maut ko koi nahi tāl saktā' (No one can avert death). This range from the mundane (homework) to the existential (death) highlights why 'Tālna' is a cornerstone of Hindi vocabulary. It captures the human tendency to negotiate with time, whether out of laziness, strategy, or desperation.

Using टालना correctly requires understanding its transitive nature. Since it is a transitive verb, in the past tense (Perfective aspect), the subject takes the 'ne' (ने) particle, and the verb agrees with the object. For example, 'Maine meeting tāl dī' (I postponed the meeting). Here, 'tāl dī' agrees with 'meeting' (feminine). Understanding this grammatical nuance is crucial for moving beyond basic A2 levels. The verb can be applied to physical actions, scheduled events, or abstract concepts like 'decisions' or 'discussions'.

क्या तुम अपनी यात्रा टाल सकते हो? (Can you postpone your trip?)

When using it to mean 'avoiding' a person or a question, it often takes the form of 'tāl-matol karnā' (to dilly-dally). However, 'tālna' alone suffices in sentences like 'Vah mere sawālon ko tāl rahā hai' (He is avoiding/evading my questions). This usage is very common in political interviews or difficult family conversations. Another important structure is using it with the auxiliary 'denā' to show completion or a decisive action of putting something off.

With Concrete Objects: Example: 'Doctor ne operation tāl diyā' (The doctor postponed the surgery).

With Abstract Concepts: Example: 'Usne zimmedārī tālne kī koshish kī' (He tried to avoid the responsibility).

One must also distinguish between 'Tālna' (to postpone) and 'Radd karnā' (to cancel). Learners often confuse the two. If you 'tāl' something, it is expected to happen later. If you 'radd' it, it is gone. For instance, 'Bārish kī wajah se match tāl diyā gayā' implies the match will happen another day. If you said 'radd kar diyā', it would mean the match is cancelled entirely. This distinction is vital for clear communication in Hindi-speaking environments.

In India, टालना is a word that echoes through various corridors of life. In the corporate world of Mumbai or Bangalore, you will hear it during project syncs: 'Client ne deadline tāl dī hai' (The client has pushed back the deadline). It is also a staple in the Indian legal system, where 'tāreekh par tāreekh' (date after date) is a famous trope—referring to the constant postponement of court hearings. In Bollywood movies, you'll often see a protagonist trying to 'tāl' an unwanted marriage proposal from their parents. The word captures the tension between obligation and desire.

'Ab is baāt ko टालो मत, sach batāo.' (Now don't avoid this matter, tell the truth.)

On the streets, you might hear it in the context of traffic or minor disputes. If a police officer is about to give a ticket, a driver might try to 'tāl' the situation with a clever excuse or a request for leniency. It also appears in religious or spiritual discourses. Preachers often talk about how one cannot 'tāl' the fruits of their Karma. The inevitability of time and fate is frequently expressed through the negation of this verb: 'Honi ko koi nahi tāl saktā' (No one can avert what is meant to happen).

News headlines are another rich source for this word. You might see 'Sarkār ne nayā kānūn tāl diyā' (The government postponed the new law) or 'Vigyanikon ne khatre ko tālā' (Scientists averted the danger). Whether it's a mother telling her child not to 'tāl' their vegetables (avoid eating them) or a diplomat 'tāl-ing' a sensitive question during a press conference, the word is ubiquitous. It reflects a universal human behavior—the negotiation with the 'now' versus the 'later'.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make is using टालना when they actually mean 'to be late' (der honā). 'Tālna' is an intentional act performed by a subject on an object. You cannot say 'Main tāl gayā' to mean 'I was late'. You must say 'Maine kaam tāl diyā' (I postponed the work). Another mistake is confusing it with 'rukna' (to stop). While postponing involves stopping for now, 'Tālna' specifically implies a temporal shift or an avoidance of a specific task/event.

Mistake 1: Subject-Verb Agreement: Incorrect: 'Maine meeting ko tālā.' (While technically okay, 'Maine meeting tāl dī' is much more natural as 'meeting' is feminine).

Mistake 2: Confusing with 'Cancel': Incorrect: Using 'tālna' for a flight that is permanently cancelled. Use 'radd honā' instead.

Don't say: 'Main exam ko टाल हूँ।' (I am postpone exam). Say: 'Main exam tāl rahā hūn.'

Learners also struggle with the passive form. In Hindi, to say 'The meeting was postponed', you would use 'Tāl dī gaī'. 'Meeting tāl dī gaī hai'. Beginners often forget the 'gaī' part, which indicates the passive voice. Additionally, using 'Tālna' for 'avoiding a person' (physically) can sometimes be replaced by 'bachnā' (to save oneself/escape). 'Tālna' in the context of people usually means avoiding their conversation or requests rather than physically hiding behind a tree.

While टालना is the most common word for postponing, Hindi offers several synonyms depending on the formality and context. For formal office or legal settings, स्थगित करना (stha-git karnā) is preferred. If you read a newspaper, you'll see 'Samsad kī kāryavāhī sthagit kī gaī' (Parliamentary proceedings were adjourned). 'Sthagit' is the direct equivalent of 'adjourn' or 'suspend'.

टालना vs स्थगित करना: 'Tālna' is everyday speech (rescheduling a movie); 'Sthagit karnā' is formal/official (postponing an election).

टालना vs बचना: 'Tālna' is to put off a task; 'Bachnā' is to physically or metaphorically escape/avoid a situation.

In a formal letter: 'Kripayā is baithak ko स्थगित करें।' (Please adjourn this meeting.)

Another alternative is आगे बढ़ाना (āge baṛhānā), which literally means 'to move forward' but in the context of dates, it means to push forward/postpone. 'Date ko āge baṛhā do' is a very common way to say 'postpone the date'. Conversely, if you want to avoid a question, you might use अनदेखा करना (andekhā karnā), meaning 'to ignore'. Understanding these alternatives allows you to tailor your Hindi to the specific social environment you are in, whether it's a casual chat with a friend or a high-stakes business negotiation.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The word is part of a large family of Hindi verbs ending in '-ālna' which often involve physical or metaphorical movement (like Dālna, Pālna, Nikālna).

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈtɑːl.nɑː/

US /ˈtɑl.nɑ/

Stress is on the first syllable 'Tāl'.

Rhymes With

पालना (Pālna - to nurture) डालना (Dālna - to pour/put) गालना (Gālna - to melt) जालना (Jālna - to burn/rare) खालना (Khālna) निकालना (Nikālna) संभालना (Sambhālna) उछालना (Uchhālna)

Common Errors

Using a dental 't' (like in 'thin') instead of a retroflex 'T'.
Making the 'l' too heavy or dark.
Pronouncing 'n' as a nasal 'ng'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in texts but can be confused with other '-ālna' verbs.

Writing 3/5

Requires knowledge of 'ne' particle in past tense and gender agreement.

Speaking 3/5

The retroflex 'T' can be tricky for English natives.

Listening 2/5

Clear sound, usually easy to pick up in conversation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

काम (Work) कल (Tomorrow/Yesterday) करना (To do) समय (Time) नहीं (No/Not)

Learn Next

स्थगित (Postponed/Adjourned) ज़िम्मेदारी (Responsibility) बहाना (Excuse) आलस (Laziness) जरूरी (Important)

Advanced

प्रलंबित (Pending) अपरिहार्य (Inevitable) निवारण (Prevention) विलंबन (Suspension) अस्थायी (Temporary)

Grammar to Know

Transitive Verb 'Ne' Rule

Maine (Subject + Ne) kaam (Object) taal diya (Verb agrees with Object).

Compound Verbs with 'Denā'

Taal denā (To postpone completely/decisively).

Passive Voice with 'Jānā'

Meeting taal di gayi (The meeting was postponed).

Infinitive as Noun

Kaam taalna achhi baat nahi (Postponing work is not a good thing).

Causative Form

Talvānā (To cause someone else to postpone).

Examples by Level

काम मत टालो।

Don't postpone work.

Imperative negative: 'Mat' + verb root + 'o'.

क्या मैं यह कल टाल सकता हूँ?

Can I postpone this until tomorrow?

Modal verb 'sakta' (can) used with verb root.

खाना मत टालो।

Don't skip/postpone your meal.

Basic transitive usage.

वह हमेशा टालता है।

He always postpones.

Present habitual tense.

इसे अभी मत टालो।

Don't postpone this right now.

Use of 'abhi' (now) for emphasis.

मैं नहीं टालूँगा।

I will not postpone.

Future tense first person.

आज की क्लास टाल दो।

Postpone today's class.

Compound verb 'tāl do' for a request/command.

वह बात टाल रही है।

She is avoiding the matter.

Present continuous tense.

मैंने अपनी मीटिंग टाल दी।

I postponed my meeting.

Past tense with 'ne' and feminine agreement with 'meeting'.

क्या तुम यह काम कल के लिए टाल सकते हो?

Can you postpone this work for tomorrow?

Usage of 'ke liye' (for) with time.

उसने मेरा सवाल टाल दिया।

He evaded my question.

Compound verb 'tāl diyā' for completed action.

बारिश की वजह से मैच टल गया।

The match was postponed due to rain.

Intransitive-like usage 'tal gaya' (it got postponed).

हमें यह शादी नहीं टालनी चाहिए।

We should not postpone this wedding.

Usage of 'chahiye' (should) with infinitive.

तुम हर चीज़ क्यों टालते हो?

Why do you postpone everything?

Interrogative in present habitual.

उसने बहुत कोशिश की पर मुसीबत टली नहीं।

He tried hard but the trouble wasn't averted.

Feminine subject 'musibat' agreeing with 'talī'.

डॉक्टर ने ऑपरेशन टाल दिया है।

The doctor has postponed the operation.

Present perfect tense.

सरकार ने नए टैक्स को अगले साल तक के लिए टाल दिया है।

The government has postponed the new tax until next year.

Formal usage in a sentence.

वह अपनी ज़िम्मेदारियों को टालने में माहिर है।

He is an expert at avoiding his responsibilities.

Infinitive 'tālne' used as an object of a preposition.

अगर तुम अब भी टालोगे, तो नुकसान तुम्हारा ही होगा।

If you still postpone, the loss will be yours.

Conditional sentence structure.

उसने मेरी मदद की बात को हँसी में टाल दिया।

He laughed off my request for help.

Idiomatic usage: 'hansi mein tālna'.

बड़ी मुश्किल से हमने उस दुर्घटना को टाला।

With great difficulty, we averted that accident.

Averting sense of the verb.

मीटिंग को अनिश्चित काल के लिए टाल दिया गया है।

The meeting has been postponed indefinitely.

Passive voice: 'tāl diyā gayā'.

तुम्हें अपनी बुरी आदतों को अब और नहीं टालना चाहिए।

You should not put off changing your bad habits any longer.

Complex object (changing habits implied).

वह अक्सर गंभीर चर्चाओं को टाल देता है।

He often avoids serious discussions.

Frequentative aspect with 'aksar'.

आर्थिक संकट को टालने के लिए सरकार ने कड़े कदम उठाए हैं।

The government has taken strict steps to avert the economic crisis.

Infinitive of purpose: 'tālne ke liye'.

अदालत ने सुनवाई को अगले महीने तक टालने का फैसला किया।

The court decided to postpone the hearing until next month.

Noun phrase 'tālne ka faisla' (decision to postpone).

वह अपनी भावनाओं को कब तक टालता रहेगा?

How long will he keep avoiding his emotions?

Continuous future with 'rahega'.

सच को टालना आसान है, लेकिन उसे बदलना नहीं।

It is easy to avoid the truth, but not to change it.

Infinitive used as a subject.

मैनेजर ने चतुराई से टकराव को टाल दिया।

The manager cleverly averted the confrontation.

Adverbial usage 'chaturāī se'.

इस योजना को टालने का मतलब होगा भारी नुकसान।

Postponing this plan would mean a heavy loss.

Gerundial usage of 'tālna'.

उन्होंने अपनी यात्रा को स्वास्थ्य कारणों से टाल दिया।

They postponed their trip due to health reasons.

Causal phrase 'kaaranon se'.

क्या तुम वाकई इस फैसले को और टालना चाहते हो?

Do you really want to postpone this decision further?

Usage of 'vakai' (really) for emphasis.

इतिहास गवाह है कि युद्ध को केवल कुछ समय के लिए टाला जा सकता है, रोका नहीं।

History is witness that war can only be postponed for a while, not stopped.

Passive potentiality 'tālā jā saktā hai'.

लेखक ने समाज की कड़वी सच्चाई को शब्दों के जाल में टालने की कोशिश की।

The author tried to evade the bitter reality of society in a web of words.

Metaphorical usage.

मृत्यु एक ऐसी सच्चाई है जिसे कोई भी नहीं टाल सकता।

Death is a reality that no one can avert.

Philosophical context.

उसकी टालमटोल की नीति ने अंततः कंपनी को दिवालिया कर दिया।

His policy of procrastination eventually made the company bankrupt.

Compound noun 'tāl-matol' as a subject.

राजनयिकों ने अपनी सूझबूझ से आसन्न युद्ध को टाल दिया।

The diplomats averted the imminent war with their wisdom.

Sophisticated vocabulary: 'aasann' (imminent).

वह अपनी समस्याओं को टालने के लिए नशे का सहारा लेता है।

He takes the help of intoxication to avoid his problems.

Psychological context.

विपक्ष ने सरकार पर महत्वपूर्ण मुद्दों को टालने का आरोप लगाया।

The opposition accused the government of avoiding important issues.

Accusatory structure 'par... ka aarop'.

समय रहते कदम न उठाना ही संकट को टालने में सबसे बड़ी बाधा है।

Not taking steps in time is the biggest obstacle in averting a crisis.

Complex clausal subject.

नियति के विधान को टालना मनुष्य के सामर्थ्य से बाहर है।

It is beyond human capacity to avert the laws of destiny.

High literary style.

उसने अपनी वाक्पटुता से हर असहज प्रश्न को बड़ी ही नज़ाकत से टाल दिया।

With his eloquence, he averted every uncomfortable question with great finesse.

Advanced adverbs 'vākpatutā' and 'nazākat'.

प्रलय को टालने के लिए मानवता को प्रकृति के साथ सामंजस्य बिठाना होगा।

To avert the apocalypse, humanity must harmonize with nature.

Existential/Global context.

राजनीति में किसी मुद्दे को टालना भी एक सोची-समझी रणनीति होती है।

In politics, postponing an issue is also a well-thought-out strategy.

Analytical usage.

उसकी आँखों में एक ऐसी दृढ़ता थी जिसे टालना नामुमकिन था।

There was a determination in his eyes that was impossible to ignore/avert.

Abstract object 'determination'.

विद्वानों का मत है कि कर्मफल को टाला नहीं जा सकता, केवल भोगा जा सकता है।

Scholars believe that the fruits of karma cannot be averted, only experienced.

Passive voice in philosophical discourse.

प्रशासन ने जन-आक्रोश को देखते हुए विवादित निर्णय को अनिश्चित काल के लिए टाल दिया।

Seeing the public anger, the administration postponed the controversial decision indefinitely.

Complex administrative sentence.

उसने अपने अतीत के साये को टालने की उम्र भर कोशिश की।

He tried all his life to avoid the shadows of his past.

Poetic/Metaphorical usage.

Common Collocations

काम टालना

मीटिंग टालना

मुसीबत टालना

फैसला टालना

शादी टालना

सवाल टालना

ज़िम्मेदारी टालना

खतरा टालना

बात टालना

तारीख टालना

Common Phrases

कल पर टालना

— To postpone until tomorrow. Often used in proverbs about procrastination.

Aaj ka kaam kal par mat taalo.

हँसी में टालना

— To dismiss a serious matter by joking about it.

Usne meri shikayat ko hansi mein taal diya.

अनिश्चित काल के लिए टालना

— To postpone indefinitely (usually in formal news).

Chunav anishchit kaal ke liye taal diye gaye.

बातों में टालना

— To evade a topic by keeping the conversation on other things.

Vah mujhe baaton mein taal raha hai.

मुश्किल से टलना

— To be averted with great difficulty.

Yeh hadsa mushkil se tala.

टालने की कोशिश

— An attempt to avoid or postpone.

Yeh sirf waqt taalne ki koshish hai.

बार-बार टालना

— To postpone repeatedly.

Tum baar-baar appointment kyun taal rahe ho?

आसानी से टालना

— To avoid something easily.

Usne us sawal ko aasani se taal diya.

मजबूरी में टालना

— To postpone due to compulsion/necessity.

Hamein majboori mein yatra taalni padi.

जानबूझकर टालना

— To postpone or avoid intentionally.

Vah jaan-boojhkar kaam taal raha hai.

Often Confused With

टालना vs देर करना (Der karnā)

Means 'to be late' or 'to delay'. Tālna is 'to postpone' to a specific or vague future time.

टालना vs रद्द करना (Radd karnā)

Means 'to cancel'. Tālna implies the event will still happen later.

टालना vs बचना (Bachnā)

Means 'to escape' or 'to be saved'. While you can 'tāl' a problem, 'bachnā' is more about the state of being safe.

Idioms & Expressions

"टाल-मटोल करना"

— To procrastinate or make excuses to delay work.

Tāl-matol chhoro aur file poori karo.

Informal

"बात को हवा में टालना"

— To ignore something as if it were trivial or unimportant.

Usne meri warning ko hawa mein taal diya.

Colloquial

"मौत को टालना"

— To cheat death or survive a fatal situation.

Usne maut ko taal diya.

Literary

"होनी को कौन टाल सकता है"

— Who can avert destiny? (Used when something inevitable happens).

Jo hua so hua, honi ko kaun taal sakta hai?

Philosophical

"वक्त टालना"

— To kill time or delay the inevitable for a short while.

Vah sirf baaton se waqt taal raha hai.

Neutral

"खतरे की घंटी टालना"

— To avert an immediate warning sign or danger.

Unhone filhaal khatre ki ghanti taal di hai.

Journalistic

"मुसीबत को दावत देकर टालना"

— To barely escape a self-created trouble.

Usne badi mushkil se musibat taali.

Informal

"हंसी-ठिठोली में टालना"

— To avoid a serious discussion through banter.

Doston ne gambhir baat ko hansi-thitholi mein taal diya.

Informal

"आँखें फेरकर टालना"

— To avoid something by looking away or ignoring it.

Usne sachayi se aankhein pherkar use taal diya.

Poetic

"सिर से टालना"

— To get something off one's back or pass a burden to someone else.

Usne kaam apne sir se taal kar mujhe de diya.

Informal

Easily Confused

टालना vs टलना (Talnā)

Looks almost identical to Tālna.

Talnā is intransitive (it happened); Tālna is transitive (you did it).

Musibat tal gayi (Trouble was averted) vs Maine musibat ko taal diya (I averted the trouble).

टालना vs डालना (Dālna)

Only the first letter differs.

Dālna means to put or pour; Tālna means to postpone.

Glass mein pani daalo vs Meeting taal do.

टालना vs पालना (Pālna)

Rhyming word.

Pālna means to nurture/raise; Tālna means to postpone.

Bachche ko paalna vs Kaam taalna.

टालना vs गालना (Gālna)

Rhyming word.

Gālna means to melt or dissolve; Tālna means to postpone.

Baraf gaalna vs Baat taalna.

टालना vs निकालना (Nikālna)

Ends with the same sound.

Nikālna means to take out; Tālna means to postpone.

Paisa nikaalna vs Faisla taalna.

Sentence Patterns

[Object] मत टालो।

काम मत टालो।

मैंने [Object] टाल दिया।

मैंने परीक्षा टाल दी।

क्या हम [Object] टाल सकते हैं?

क्या हम प्रोग्राम टाल सकते हैं?

[Object] टल गया है।

खतरा टल गया है।

[Object] टालने की कोशिश करना।

उसने सच टालने की कोशिश की।

[Object] को हँसी में टालना।

उसने मेरी बात को हँसी में टाल दिया।

[Object] को अनिश्चित काल के लिए टालना।

सुनवाई को अनिश्चित काल के लिए टाल दिया गया।

[Abstract Subject] को टालना नामुमकिन है।

होनी को टालना नामुमकिन है।

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily conversation, work, and news.

Common Mistakes

Using 'Tālna' for 'being late'. → Der honā / Derī honā
Tālna is an action you do to an object. 'I was late' is not 'Main tāl gayā'.
Using 'Tālā' for masculine and feminine objects. → Maine meeting tāl dī (f), Maine kaam tāl diyā (m).
The verb must agree with the object's gender in the perfective aspect.
Confusing 'Tālna' with 'Radd karnā' (Cancel). → Flight radd ho gayi (Cancelled).
Tālna means it will happen later; Radd means it is cancelled.
Saying 'Main kaam ko tāl rahā hūn' instead of 'Main kaam tāl rahā hūn'. → Main kaam tāl rahā hūn.
While 'ko' is sometimes used, it is often dropped with inanimate objects in Hindi.
Using 'Tālna' for 'avoiding' a physical object (like a pothole). → Bachnā / Katrānā
Tālna is for events, tasks, or social situations, not physical steering away.

Tips

Gender Agreement

Remember that in the past tense 'Maine meeting tāl dī', the verb agrees with 'meeting' (feminine), not the person speaking.

Compound Power

Use 'Tāl-matol' to describe that one friend who always makes excuses. It makes you sound very native!

Polite No

In India, if someone asks for something you can't provide, 'tāl-ing' it is often seen as more polite than a direct 'no'.

The Retroflex T

Practice the 'T' by curling your tongue back. It's the same 'T' sound as in 'Tomato' but more pronounced.

Averting Danger

Don't forget the 'avert' meaning. 'Khatra tālna' is a very common and useful phrase in news and emergencies.

Proverb

Memorize 'Aaj ka kaam kal par mat taalo'. It's a great way to remember the word and its usage.

Baat Tālna

Use 'Baat mat taalo' (Don't avoid the topic) when you want a straight answer from someone.

Formal vs Informal

In an email to your boss, use 'Aage badhana' or 'Sthagit karna' instead of 'Taalna'.

News Watch

Watch Hindi news; you will hear 'Tāl diyā gayā' almost every day regarding government decisions.

Rhyme Time

Remember: Dālna (Put), Pālna (Nurture), Tālna (Postpone). All involve an action with an object.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Tālna' as 'Tall-na'. If you keep postponing your work, the pile of work gets 'Tall' like a tower.

Visual Association

Imagine a person pushing a giant clock hand forward to avoid an appointment.

Word Web

Postpone Avoid Avert Delay Excuse Procrastinate Reschedule Evade

Challenge

Try to go through a whole day without using the word 'Tālna' while actually doing everything on time!

Word Origin

Derived from the Sanskrit root 'tala' or related Prakrit forms which imply shifting, moving, or placing away.

Original meaning: To move something from its current position or time.

Indo-Aryan

Cultural Context

Avoid using 'Tāl-matol' with a superior at work as it implies they are being lazy or making excuses. Use 'Sthagit' or 'Aage badhana' instead.

English speakers might find 'Tālna' more blunt than 'reschedule'. In English, we often use 'I might be late' or 'Can we move this?', whereas 'Tālna' can sound more like a deliberate act of putting it off.

Kabir's Doha: 'Kaal kare so aaj kar...' Bollywood song: 'Aaj kal paon zameen par nahi padte mere' (indirectly about time/state) Famous dialogue from movie Damini: 'Tarikh par tarikh' (referring to legal postponements).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Office/Work

Meeting taal do
Deadline taalna
Kaam mat taalo
Project taal diya gaya

Social/Family

Shadi taalna
Baat taalna
Milna taalna
Program taal do

Emergency

Musibat taalna
Khatra tal gaya
Hadsa taalna
Nuksan taalna

Daily Routine

Khana taalna
Sona taalna
Padhayi mat taalo
Gym taalna

Legal/News

Sunvayi taalna
Faisla taalna
Chunav taalna
Niyam taalna

Conversation Starters

"क्या हमें आज की मीटिंग टाल देनी चाहिए? (Should we postpone today's meeting?)"

"तुम अपना काम क्यों टाल रहे हो? (Why are you postponing your work?)"

"क्या यह मुसीबत टाली जा सकती है? (Can this trouble be averted?)"

"उसने तुम्हारे सवाल को कैसे टाला? (How did he evade your question?)"

"क्या तुम अपनी छुट्टियों को टाल सकते हो? (Can you postpone your holidays?)"

Journal Prompts

आज मैंने कौन सा काम टाला और क्यों? (What work did I postpone today and why?)

क्या टालमटोल करना मेरी आदत है? (Is procrastination my habit?)

एक ऐसी घटना के बारे में लिखें जब आपने किसी बड़ी मुसीबत को टाला हो। (Write about an incident when you averted a big trouble.)

क्या सच को टालना हमेशा गलत होता है? (Is it always wrong to avoid the truth?)

अगर मैं काम टालना बंद कर दूँ, तो मेरी ज़िंदगी कैसे बदलेगी? (If I stop postponing work, how will my life change?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but it means avoiding their requests or conversation, not physically avoiding them. If you see someone and walk the other way, use 'Bachnā'.

Often yes, as it implies procrastination. However, in the context of 'averting danger', it is very positive.

'Tālna' is used in daily life (postponing dinner). 'Sthagit karnā' is for official things (postponing parliament or a court case).

You can say 'Mujhe kaam tālne ki aadat hai'.

The most common noun-like phrase is 'Tāl-matol' (procrastination).

No, it specifically implies moving it to a later time. Use 'Radd karnā' for cancellation.

Rarely. You don't 'tāl' a chair. You 'tāl' an event, a task, or a conversation.

It is the compound verb form. 'Denā' adds a sense of completion or decisiveness to the act of postponing.

Not really. Use 'Chhorna' (to leave) or 'Parhez karna' (to abstain). 'Tālna' is for avoiding a specific instance of something.

No, 'Tālā' (lock) has a different etymological root, though they sound similar.