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दाम

A2 noun #1,500 most common 10 min read

दाम

daam Top 1,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips दाम in 30 Seconds

Explanation दाम in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'दाम' (daam) is one of the first words you learn for survival Hindi. It simply means 'price'. You use it in very short, basic sentences to ask how much something costs. At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex grammar. Just remember the phrase 'Iska daam kya hai?' (What is its price?). You will mostly use it in markets while buying fruits, vegetables, or clothes. It is a masculine noun, so you use 'iska' (its - masculine) instead of 'iski'. You might also learn the word 'kam' (less) to say 'Daam kam karo' (Lower the price), which is a very useful phrase for any beginner in India. The focus is on transactional communication: identifying an object and asking for its cost. You will also see it on price tags in shops. It's a concrete word representing a concrete number.

At the A2 level, you start to use 'दाम' in slightly more descriptive sentences. You can now use adjectives with it, such as 'Sasta daam' (cheap price) or 'Mehenga daam' (expensive price). You understand that 'daam' is masculine and can use it with verbs like 'badhna' (to increase) or 'kam hona' (to decrease). For example, 'Aaj kal tamatar ke daam badh gaye hain' (Nowadays, the prices of tomatoes have increased). You are also beginning to recognize that 'daam' is used more in spoken, everyday Hindi compared to the more formal 'keemat'. You can participate in simple negotiations, asking for a 'theek daam' (fair price). You are also learning to use the plural form in oblique cases, like 'daamon mein' (in the prices). This level is about expanding the context from just asking a price to discussing price changes and fairness.

At the B1 level, you use 'दाम' to discuss broader economic topics and express opinions. You can talk about inflation ('mehangai') and how 'daam' affects your daily life. You start using 'daam' in compound sentences and with a wider range of verbs. For instance, 'Dukan-dar ne bahut zyada daam lagaya, isliye maine nahi khareeda' (The shopkeeper quoted a very high price, so I didn't buy it). You also begin to encounter 'daam' in common idioms and phrases, such as 'kaudiyon ke daam' (dirt cheap). You can compare 'daam' with 'keemat' and 'bhaav' and choose the right word based on the situation. Your understanding of the word moves from a simple noun to a part of social and economic interaction. You can also write short paragraphs about shopping experiences using this word correctly in various grammatical structures.

At the B2 level, your usage of 'दाम' becomes more nuanced and fluent. You can use it in metaphorical contexts and understand its placement in news reports and literature. You are comfortable with the plural usage 'daam' and 'daamon' and can use them with complex postpositions. You might discuss the 'daam' of abstract things like 'freedom' or 'success' in a literary way, though you know 'keemat' is more common there. You can explain the 'daam' of products in a business context, discussing 'laagat' (cost) versus 'daam' (selling price). You understand the cultural nuance of bargaining in India and how 'daam' is a flexible concept. You can also identify 'daam' in Bollywood lyrics and understand the emotional or social subtext it carries. Your speech is natural, and you don't confuse 'daam' with 'dam' or 'daan' (donation).

At the C1 level, you have a deep mastery of 'दाम'. You can use it in sophisticated arguments about economics, social justice, and market dynamics. You understand the historical etymology of the word and how it has evolved in different dialects of Hindi. You can use 'daam' in complex idiomatic expressions like 'daam lagana' in the sense of 'valuing' someone's contribution. You can write analytical essays on 'mehangai' (inflation) using 'daam' as a key term, varying it with 'moolya', 'dar', and 'keemat' to avoid repetition and add precision. You are sensitive to the register of the word—knowing that 'daam' adds a touch of 'common man' perspective to a formal discussion. You can also appreciate the use of 'daam' in classical Hindi poetry and modern literature, where it might symbolize the commodification of human emotions.

At the C2 level, you use 'दाम' with the finesse of a native speaker. You can play with the word in puns, double meanings, and high-level rhetoric. You understand the subtle differences between 'daam' in Khariboli Hindi versus its usage in regional dialects like Braj or Awadhi. You can lead a debate on economic policy, using 'daam' to represent the consumer's reality while switching to 'moolya' for theoretical frameworks. You can critique literature, analyzing how an author uses the word 'daam' to depict class struggle. Your pronunciation is perfect, capturing the subtle dental 'd' and the full 'm'. You can use 'daam' in any context—from a high-stakes auction to a philosophical discourse on the 'price of life'—with complete grammatical accuracy and cultural appropriateness. The word is no longer just a vocabulary item; it's a tool for complex expression.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

दाम in 30 Seconds

Daam means 'price' or 'cost' in Hindi and is a masculine noun used in daily transactions.
It is synonymous with 'keemat' and 'moolya', but 'daam' is more colloquial and common in street markets.
Common phrases include 'daam lagana' (to bid) and 'daam badhna' (prices increasing).
In Hindi grammar, it is masculine, so use 'iska' or 'uske' with it, never feminine forms.

The Hindi word दाम (daam) is a fundamental noun that every learner of Hindi must master, especially those navigating the vibrant marketplaces of India. At its core, it refers to the 'price', 'cost', or 'value' of a commodity or service. While it is often used interchangeably with other words like 'keemat' (of Persian origin) or 'moolya' (of Sanskrit origin), 'daam' carries a specifically colloquial and grounded weight. It is the word you shout across a crowded vegetable market or whisper when haggling over a silk saree. In the linguistic landscape of North India, 'daam' isn't just a number; it's the starting point of a social contract—the negotiation.

Etymological Root: Derived from the Sanskrit word 'Dramya' or 'Daman', which historically referred to a specific denomination of coinage or a weight of metal used for currency. This gives the word a sense of physical weight and historical continuity.

भाई साहब, इस सेब का दाम क्या है? (Brother, what is the price of this apple?)

Understanding 'daam' requires understanding the concept of 'bhaav' (rate/sentiment). While 'daam' is the static price, the 'bhaav' might fluctuate based on the time of day or the customer's bargaining skills. In modern Hindi, 'daam' is masculine and typically used in the plural form when referring to general market trends (e.g., 'daam badh gaye hain' - prices have risen), though it functions perfectly as a singular noun for a specific item's cost. It is a versatile tool in your vocabulary kit, bridging the gap between formal transactions and street-side shopping.

आजकल पेट्रोल के दाम आसमान छू रहे हैं। (Nowadays, petrol prices are touching the sky/skyrocketing.)

Grammatical Gender: Masculine. Note how adjectives change: 'Sasta daam' (cheap price), 'Mehenga daam' (expensive price).

उसने मुझे सही दाम नहीं बताया। (He didn't tell me the correct price.)

Beyond the literal, 'daam' appears in literature and proverbs to signify the 'worth' of a person or an action. It is a word that encapsulates the economic reality of millions. Whether you are buying a 'chai' or a 'car', 'daam' is the word that facilitates the exchange. It is less formal than 'moolya' (value), which you might find in a textbook or a legal document, and more 'Desi' (local) than 'price'.

मेहनत का कोई दाम नहीं होता। (Hard work has no price/is priceless.)

Synonym Note: While 'Keemat' is very common, 'Daam' feels more native to the Hindi heartland and is used extensively in rural and semi-urban trade.

कौड़ियों के दाम (At the price of shells/Dirt cheap).

Using 'daam' correctly involves understanding its role as a masculine noun and its common pairings with verbs like 'lagana' (to fix/quote a price) and 'girna' (to fall). In a sentence, 'daam' usually follows the object it refers to, connected by the possessive particle 'ka/ke/ki'. For example, 'Aam ka daam' (The price of the mango). Because it is masculine, if you are talking about multiple prices or the general concept of 'prices', you use 'daam' (the form doesn't change in plural, but the verb does).

Common Verb Pairings: 1. Daam Lagana: To quote a price or to bid. 2. Daam Chukana: To pay the price (often used metaphorically for consequences). 3. Daam Badhna: For prices to increase.

क्या आप इस पुरानी घड़ी का दाम लगा सकते हैं? (Can you quote a price for this old watch?)

When you are at a shop, the most common construction is '[Item] + ka + daam + kya + hai?'. However, in fast-paced market speech, this is often shortened to '[Item] + kis + daam + diya?' (At what price did you give/sell the item?). Notice the use of 'kis' (oblique form of 'kaun') here. It's also important to note that 'daam' is rarely used for 'salary' or 'wages'—for that, use 'vetan' or 'pagaar'. 'Daam' is strictly for the exchange value of goods.

सब्जियों के दाम कम हो गए हैं। (The prices of vegetables have decreased.)

Negotiation Phrases: 'Theek daam lagao' (Fix a fair price), 'Kam daam karo' (Lower the price), 'Is daam par nahi' (Not at this price).

उसने मुंह मांगे दाम पर घर बेच दिया। (He sold the house at the price he asked for.)

In formal writing, you might see 'daam' used in economic reports, though 'keemat' or 'dar' (rate) are more frequent in technical contexts. However, in journalism, especially headlines about inflation ('mehangai'), 'daam' is a favorite because it is short, punchy, and resonates with the common man. It's a word that bridges the gap between the boardroom and the bazaar.

सोने के दाम में भारी गिरावट आई है। (There has been a heavy fall in the price of gold.)

Adjective Agreement: 'Achha daam' (Good price), 'Bura daam' (Bad price), 'Uchit daam' (Appropriate price).

किसान को अपनी फसल का सही दाम मिलना चाहिए। (The farmer should get the right price for his crop.)

If you walk into any 'Sabzi Mandi' (vegetable market) in Delhi, Lucknow, or Mumbai, 'daam' is the soundtrack of the morning. You will hear vendors shouting the 'daam' of their produce to attract customers. It is the language of the street. But it doesn't stop there. In middle-class Indian households, the 'daam' of essential items like milk, gas, and onions is a constant topic of conversation at the dinner table. It is a word that signifies the pulse of the economy as felt by the individual.

The Marketplace (Bazaar): The most common place. 'Iska kya daam hai?' is the universal question for any shopper.

दुकानदार: 'ये कुर्ता पांच सौ का है।' ग्राहक: 'नहीं, इसका दाम बहुत ज़्यादा है।' (Shopkeeper: 'This kurta is 500.' Customer: 'No, its price is too high.')

On news channels, you will see scrolling tickers about 'Petrol ke daam' or 'Sone ke daam'. Here, 'daam' is used to represent market rates. It sounds more urgent and relatable than the academic 'moolya'. In Bollywood movies, especially those dealing with crime or social issues, 'daam' is often used in the context of bribes or the 'price' someone has to pay for their mistakes. 'Har cheez ka ek daam hota hai' (Everything has a price) is a classic cinematic trope.

न्यूज़: 'डीज़ल के दाम फिर से बढ़े।' (News: 'Diesel prices increased again.')

Social Gatherings: People often discuss the 'daam' of real estate or cars to gauge social status or investment opportunities.

आजकल ज़मीन के दाम बहुत बढ़ गए हैं। (Nowadays, land prices have increased a lot.)

In literature, particularly in the works of Premchand or modern Hindi poets, 'daam' is used to highlight the struggle of the poor. The 'daam' of a piece of bread might be a triviality for the rich but a life-and-death matter for the protagonist. This emotional weight makes 'daam' a very expressive word in the Hindi lexicon.

उसने अपनी आज़ादी के लिए भारी दाम चुकाया। (He paid a heavy price for his freedom.)

E-commerce: Even on Hindi versions of apps like Amazon or Flipkart, you will see 'Daam' or 'Keemat' used for the listed price.

सेल में चीज़ें कम दाम पर मिलती हैं। (In a sale, things are available at lower prices.)

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing 'दाम' (daam - price) with 'दम' (dam - breath/strength). The difference is just one vowel marker (the 'aa' matra), but the meaning changes completely. Saying 'Iska dam kya hai?' might sound like you're asking about the item's 'stamina' or 'breath', which would be very confusing! Always elongate the 'aa' sound.

Confusion with 'Keemat': While they are synonyms, 'Keemat' is feminine and 'Daam' is masculine. This affects the grammar: 'Iska daam' vs 'Iski keemat'.

गलत: इसकी दाम क्या है? सही: इसका दाम क्या है? (Wrong: What is its [fem] price? Right: What is its [masc] price?)

Another mistake is using 'daam' for abstract 'value' in a philosophical sense where 'moolya' would be more appropriate. For example, 'moral values' are 'naitik moolya', not 'naitik daam'. 'Daam' is almost always tied to a transaction or a physical cost. Also, remember that 'daam' is usually not used for human beings unless you are talking about slavery or a bounty, which is rare in modern conversation!

गलत: इस इंसान का दाम क्या है? (Wrong: What is the price of this person?)

Plural Usage: In Hindi, 'daam' is often used as a collective noun. Even if referring to many prices, the word 'daam' doesn't become 'daamon' unless followed by a postposition (like 'ko', 'mein', 'se').

बढ़ते हुए दामों से लोग परेशान हैं। (People are troubled by the increasing prices.)

Lastly, don't use 'daam' when you mean 'bill'. If you are at a restaurant and want to pay, you ask for the 'bill', not the 'daam' of the meal, although you could ask for the 'daam' of a specific dish on the menu. 'Daam' is the price tag; 'bill' is the total amount owed.

गलत: वेटर, खाने का दाम लाओ। (Wrong: Waiter, bring the price of the food.)

Overusing 'Daam': While common, overusing 'daam' in formal business presentations might sound too informal. Use 'Moolya' or 'Laagat' (cost of production) there.

इस प्रोजेक्ट का कुल दाम... (Better to use 'laagat' or 'budget' here.)

Hindi has several words for 'price' and 'value', each with its own nuance. Understanding these differences will make your Hindi sound more natural and sophisticated. 'Daam' is the most common and colloquial, but let's look at its cousins.

Daam vs. Keemat: 'Keemat' (Feminine) is of Persian/Urdu origin. It is used just as frequently as 'Daam' but often feels slightly more formal or poetic. You 'pay' a 'keemat' for a mistake, but you 'ask' the 'daam' of a potato.
Daam vs. Moolya: 'Moolya' (Masculine) is of Sanskrit origin. It refers to 'intrinsic value' or 'worth'. It is used in academic, legal, or highly formal contexts. You talk about 'moral values' (naitik moolya) or the 'face value' of a bond.
Daam vs. Bhaav: 'Bhaav' (Masculine) means 'rate' or 'market sentiment'. In a stock market or a vegetable market where prices change hourly, people ask 'Kya bhaav chal raha hai?' (What is the current rate?).

तुलना: 'इसका दाम क्या है?' (Colloquial) vs 'इसकी कीमत क्या है?' (Standard) vs 'इसका मूल्य क्या है?' (Formal).

There is also 'Dar' (Rate), which is used for fixed rates like interest rates (byaaj dar) or speed. Then there is 'Laagat', which specifically means the 'cost of production'. If you are a businessman, you care about the 'laagat' so you can set a profitable 'daam'.

लागत कम होगी तो दाम भी कम होंगे। (If the cost of production is low, the price will also be low.)

Idiomatic Differences: 'Daam lagana' (to bid) vs 'Keemat chukana' (to suffer consequences). You rarely say 'Daam chukana' in a metaphorical sense.

उसने अपनी गलती की भारी कीमत चुकाई। (He paid a heavy price for his mistake—here 'keemat' is better than 'daam'.)

Finally, 'Anmol' means 'priceless' (an + mol). 'Mol' is a shortened root of 'moolya' or 'daam'. So when something has no 'daam' because it is too valuable, it is 'anmol'.

माँ का प्यार अनमोल है। (A mother's love is priceless.)

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Masculine Noun Declension

Possessive Particles (ka/ke/ki)

Adjective-Noun Agreement

Imperative Mood (for bargaining)

Oblique Case with Postpositions

Examples by Level

इसका दाम क्या है?

What is its price?

Simple 'Subject + Ka + Daam + Kya + Hai' structure.

दूध का दाम दस रुपये है।

The price of milk is ten rupees.

Using 'ka' for masculine singular possession.

दाम कम करो।

Lower the price.

Imperative sentence for bargaining.

यह सही दाम है।

This is the right price.

'Sahi' (right/correct) used as an adjective.

आम का दाम क्या है?

What is the price of the mango?

Asking the price of a specific fruit.

दाम बहुत ज़्यादा है।

The price is too much.

'Bahut zyada' means 'too much' or 'very high'.

सस्ता दाम दिखाओ।

Show a cheap price.

'Sasta' is the adjective for cheap.

चाय का दाम क्या है?

What is the price of tea?

Basic inquiry.

सब्जियों के दाम बढ़ गए हैं।

Vegetable prices have increased.

Plural 'ke' and 'badh gaye' (increased).

क्या आप इसका सही दाम बता सकते हैं?

Can you tell the correct price of this?

Polite inquiry using 'sakte hain'.

पुराने फोन का दाम कम होता है।

The price of an old phone is low.

General statement using 'hota hai'.

बाज़ार में चीनी के दाम गिर गए।

The price of sugar fell in the market.

'Gir gaye' means 'fell/decreased'.

इस किताब का दाम सौ रुपये है।

The price of this book is 100 rupees.

Specific price mention.

मुझे कम दाम वाली कमीज़ चाहिए।

I want a low-priced shirt.

'Wali' used to describe the shirt.

सोने का दाम हर दिन बदलता है।

The price of gold changes every day.

'Badalta hai' (changes).

दुकानदार ने गलत दाम बताया।

The shopkeeper told the wrong price.

Past tense 'bataya'.

अगर दाम ठीक हो, तो मैं इसे खरीद लूँगा।

If the price is right, I will buy it.

Conditional sentence 'Agar... toh'.

महंगाई की वजह से हर चीज़ के दाम बढ़ रहे हैं।

Due to inflation, the prices of everything are rising.

'Ki wajah se' (due to).

उसने मुझे कौड़ियों के दाम में यह घर दिया।

He gave me this house at a dirt-cheap price.

Idiom: 'Kaudiyon ke daam'.

क्या आपने इस पेंटिंग का दाम लगाया?

Did you quote a price for this painting?

Phrase: 'Daam lagana' (to bid/quote).

शहर में ज़मीन के दाम आसमान छू रहे हैं।

Land prices in the city are skyrocketing.

Idiom: 'Aasman chuna' (to touch the sky).

सही दाम न मिलने पर किसान परेशान हैं।

Farmers are troubled by not getting the right price.

Participle phrase 'na milne par'.

इस होटल के दाम बहुत अधिक हैं।

The prices of this hotel are very high.

'Adhik' is a formal word for 'zyada'.

दाम कम करने के लिए मोल-भाव करना ज़रूरी है।

Bargaining is necessary to reduce the price.

'Mol-bhav' means bargaining.

सरकार को पेट्रोल के बढ़ते दामों पर नियंत्रण करना चाहिए।

The government should control the rising prices of petrol.

Use of 'niyantran' (control) and 'chahiye' (should).

उसने अपनी मेहनत का उचित दाम माँगा।

He asked for a fair price for his hard work.

'Uchit' (appropriate/fair).

बाज़ार की स्थिति के अनुसार दाम तय किए जाते हैं।

Prices are fixed according to the market situation.

Passive voice 'tay kiye jaate hain'.

इस पुरानी कार का कोई दाम नहीं लगा रहा।

No one is quoting a price for this old car.

Negative 'koi... nahi'.

आयात शुल्क बढ़ने से विदेशी चीज़ों के दाम बढ़ गए।

Prices of foreign goods increased due to the rise in import duty.

Complex cause-effect sentence.

उसने मुंह मांगे दाम पर अपनी कंपनी बेच दी।

He sold his company at the price he demanded.

Phrase: 'Munh maange daam'.

दामों में उतार-चढ़ाव होना आम बात है।

Fluctuations in prices are a common thing.

'Utar-chadhav' (fluctuations).

गरीब आदमी के लिए रोटी का दाम ही सब कुछ है।

For a poor man, the price of bread is everything.

Philosophical/Social context.

मुद्रास्फीति के कारण उपभोक्ता वस्तुओं के दाम अनियंत्रित हो गए हैं।

Due to inflation, the prices of consumer goods have become uncontrolled.

Formal vocabulary: 'Mudrasphiti' (inflation).

लेखक ने समाज में गिरते हुए मानवीय मूल्यों और बढ़ते दामों का चित्रण किया है।

The author has depicted falling human values and rising prices in society.

Comparing 'moolya' and 'daam'.

जब मांग बढ़ती है, तो स्वाभाविक रूप से दाम भी बढ़ जाते हैं।

When demand increases, naturally prices also increase.

Economic principle in Hindi.

उसने अपनी स्वतंत्रता के लिए जो दाम चुकाया, वह अतुलनीय है।

The price he paid for his freedom is incomparable.

Metaphorical use of 'daam chukana'.

बिचौलियों की वजह से किसानों को उनकी फसल का सही दाम नहीं मिल पाता।

Due to middlemen, farmers are unable to get the right price for their crops.

Social-economic critique.

दामों की इस अंधी दौड़ में आम आदमी पिस रहा है।

The common man is being crushed in this blind race of prices.

Idiomatic expression 'andhi daud' (blind race).

कंपनी ने अपने उत्पादों के दाम प्रतिस्पर्धी बनाए रखे हैं।

The company has kept the prices of its products competitive.

'Pratispardhi' (competitive).

कला की इस कृति का कोई दाम नहीं लगाया जा सकता।

No price can be put on this work of art.

Passive potential 'lagaya ja sakta'.

वैश्विक बाज़ार की अस्थिरता का सीधा असर घरेलू दामों पर पड़ता है।

The instability of the global market has a direct impact on domestic prices.

High-level economic analysis.

दाम केवल एक संख्या नहीं, बल्कि समाज की क्रय शक्ति का प्रतिबिंब है।

Price is not just a number, but a reflection of society's purchasing power.

Philosophical definition.

पूंजीवाद में हर मानवीय संवेदना का एक दाम तय कर दिया गया है।

In capitalism, a price has been fixed for every human emotion.

Sociological critique.

दामों के इस मायाजाल को समझना एक जटिल कार्य है।

Understanding this web of prices is a complex task.

'Mayajaal' (illusion/web).

उसने अपनी अंतरात्मा को कौड़ियों के दाम बेच दिया।

He sold his conscience for a pittance.

Deeply metaphorical and idiomatic.

सरकार की नई नीतियों से दामों में स्थिरता आने की उम्मीद है।

New government policies are expected to bring stability to prices.

Policy-oriented language.

दामों का निर्धारण केवल लागत पर नहीं, बल्कि मांग और आपूर्ति के संतुलन पर निर्भर करता है।

The determination of prices depends not just on cost, but on the balance of demand and supply.

Technical economic Hindi.

इतिहास गवाह है कि जब-जब दाम बेतहाशा बढ़े हैं, तब-तब क्रांतियाँ हुई हैं।

History is witness that whenever prices have risen wildly, revolutions have occurred.

Rhetorical and historical context.

Common Collocations

सही दाम (Correct price)

ज़्यादा दाम (High price)

कम दाम (Low price)

बाज़ार का दाम (Market price)

दूध का दाम (Price of milk)

दाम बढ़ना (Price increasing)

दाम गिरना (Price falling)

दाम लगाना (To quote a price)

दाम चुकाना (To pay the price)

उचित दाम (Fair price)

Common Phrases

दाम क्या है? (What is the price?)

दाम कम करो। (Lower the price.)

ठीक-ठीक दाम लगाओ। (Quote a fair price.)

दाम बढ़ गए हैं। (Prices have increased.)

मुंह मांगा दाम (Asked price)

कौड़ियों के दाम (Dirt cheap)

दाम आसमान छू रहे हैं (Prices are skyrocketing)

दामों में गिरावट (Fall in prices)

दाम तय करना (To fix the price)

दाम वसूल करना (To get one's money's worth)

Often Confused With

दाम vs दम (dam - breath)

दाम vs दान (daan - donation)

दाम vs दाल (daal - lentils)

Idioms & Expressions

"दाम बनाए काम (Money makes things happen)"

"कौड़ियों के दाम (Very cheap/Worthless)"

"मुंह मांगे दाम (Whatever price is asked)"

"दाम चुकाना (To suffer the consequences)"

"दाम लगाना (To value something/someone)"

"दामों में आग लगना (Prices rising very fast)"

"दो कौड़ी का दाम (Worthless)"

"दाम-दाम का हिसाब (Accounting for every penny)"

"दामों का खेल (Market manipulation)"

"दाम न पूछना (To buy without caring for cost)"

Easily Confused

दाम vs दम

दाम vs दान

दाम vs दाल

दाम vs धाम

दाम vs दामन

Sentence Patterns

Word Family

मोल (mol)

अनमोल (anmol)

मूल्य (moolya)

How to Use It

business

Used but 'laagat' or 'dar' are more specific.

colloquial

Highly used in daily life.

metaphorical

Used for 'consequences' but less than 'keemat'.

Common Mistakes

Using 'daam' as feminine.
Confusing 'daam' with 'dam'.
Using 'daam' for salary.
Using 'daam' for abstract values.
Saying 'daam laao' for a bill.

Tips

Gender Check

Always pair 'daam' with masculine adjectives and verbs. This is the most common mistake for learners.

Bargaining

When you hear a 'daam' in a market, it's often 20-30% higher than the actual expected price. Don't be afraid to negotiate.

Synonym Choice

Use 'daam' for vegetables and clothes; use 'moolya' for values and ethics.

Long Vowel

Make sure to emphasize the 'aa' sound. 'Daam' should sound like 'calm' without the 'l'.

Plurality

When talking about general price hikes, always use the plural verb: 'Daam badh gaye hain'.

Metaphors

Use 'daam chukana' when someone has to face the music for their actions.

Asking Price

The simplest way to ask is 'Iska kya daam hai?' It works everywhere.

News Tickers

Watch Hindi news; 'daam' is a very frequent word in economic headlines.

Oblique Case

Remember to use 'daamon' if you follow it with 'se' or 'mein'.

Small Talk

Complaining about 'daam' (prices) is a great way to start a conversation with locals!

Memorize It

Word Origin

Sanskrit

Cultural Context

Prices usually fluctuate during Diwali or Eid.

Essential in Indian street shopping.

Discussing the 'daam' of luxury items is common.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"इस कमीज़ का दाम क्या है?"

"क्या आपको लगता है कि पेट्रोल के दाम कम होंगे?"

"आजकल बाज़ार में फलों के क्या दाम हैं?"

"क्या आपने नया घर सही दाम पर खरीदा?"

"इस पुरानी घड़ी का आप क्या दाम लगाएँगे?"

Journal Prompts

आज आपने बाज़ार में क्या खरीदा और उसका दाम क्या था?

क्या आपको मोल-भाव (bargaining) करना पसंद है? क्यों?

बढ़ते हुए दामों का आपके जीवन पर क्या असर पड़ता है?

एक ऐसी चीज़ के बारे में लिखें जो आपको बहुत कम दाम में मिली।

अगर आपको किसी चीज़ का दाम तय करना हो, तो आप कैसे करेंगे?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is a masculine noun. You say 'achha daam' (good price), not 'achhi daam'.

'Daam' is masculine and more colloquial. 'Keemat' is feminine and can be more formal or poetic. They both mean price.

No, for salary use 'vetan' or 'pagaar'. 'Daam' is for goods and services.

You can say 'Daam kam karo' or 'Theek daam lagao'.

The word 'daam' stays the same in the nominative plural, but the verb changes (e.g., 'daam badh gaye'). In the oblique case, it becomes 'daamon'.

Yes, but words like 'moolya' (value) or 'dar' (rate) are often preferred for technical accuracy.

It is an idiom meaning 'dirt cheap' or 'at a very low price'.

No, that is 'dam' (short 'a'). 'Daam' (long 'aa') only means price.

Yes, very common in songs and dialogues about money, love, and life's costs.

It is understood across the Hindi-speaking belt, though regional synonyms might exist.