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दाना

A2 noun #6,000 most common 10 min read

दाना

daana Top 6,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips दाना in 30 Seconds

Explanation दाना in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'daana' is simply a word for 'grain' or 'seed'. You use it to talk about food for birds or small pieces of food like rice. It is a masculine noun. You learn that 'daana' is one and 'daane' is many. For example, 'Bird eats daana'. It's a basic building block for talking about nature and the kitchen.

At A2, you start using 'daana' in more common phrases. You learn that 'daana' also means a 'pimple' or a 'rash' on the skin. You might say 'I have daane on my face'. You also learn the phrase 'daana daalna' for feeding birds. You understand that it's a masculine noun and how it changes when you add words like 'mein' or 'se' (e.g., 'daane mein').

At B1, you use 'daana' to describe textures. You learn the word 'danedar' which means 'grainy' or 'crunchy'. You use it to describe good quality ghee or sweets. You also start to see 'daana' in compound words like 'daana-paani' (sustenance/livelihood). You can describe the difference between 'daana' (food grain) and 'beej' (planting seed).

At B2, you encounter 'daana' in idioms and metaphors. You learn the saying 'Daane-daane par likha hai khaane waale ka naam' (Destiny decides who eats what). You use the word in more complex sentences involving agriculture, trade, or health. You understand the nuances of using 'daana' for beads in a necklace or rosary.

At C1, you use 'daana' with full native-like precision. You understand its role in literature and poetry where it might represent a 'trap' (bait) or the 'essence' of something. You can discuss the etymology and how it relates to Sanskrit 'dhanya'. You are comfortable using it in formal agricultural reports or medical descriptions.

At C2, 'daana' is a tool for subtle expression. You can use it to describe the finest textures in art or culinary masterpieces. You understand the deep philosophical implications of 'daana' in Sufi poetry or classical Hindi literature. You can differentiate between various regional dialects and how they might use 'daana' slightly differently.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

दाना in 30 Seconds

A small grain, seed, or particle.
Can refer to a pimple or skin rash.
Used for beads in a necklace or rosary.
Commonly used in idioms about destiny and food.

The Hindi word दाना (daana) is a versatile and essential noun that every learner should master early in their journey. At its most fundamental level, it refers to a small, hard particle or a single unit of a grain, seed, or legume. However, its usage extends far beyond the agricultural field, permeating daily conversations, culinary descriptions, and even medical contexts. In the Hindi-speaking world, you will hear this word used to describe the food you give to birds, the texture of high-quality clarified butter (ghee), the beads on a necklace, or even a sudden breakout of pimples on the skin. Understanding 'daana' requires looking at it as a 'unit of something small and granular.' It is a masculine noun, and its plural form is 'daane' (दाने).

Agricultural Context: In farming and cooking, 'daana' refers to individual grains like rice (chawal ka daana), wheat (gehun ka daana), or pomegranate seeds (anar ka daana). It emphasizes the individuality of the grain rather than the bulk mass.
Culinary Texture: The adjective 'danedar' (granular) is derived from this word. It is highly prized in Indian sweets like 'Mohanthal' or 'Kalakand,' where a grainy texture is preferred over a smooth one. Even for Ghee, the presence of 'daana' indicates purity and traditional processing.
Dermatological Context: If someone has a rash, heat boils, or pimples, they often say 'chehre par daane nikal aaye hain' (pimples have appeared on the face). Here, 'daana' refers to the small, raised bump on the skin.

चिड़िया ज़मीन पर गिरा हुआ दाना चुग रही है। (The bird is pecking at the grain fallen on the ground.)

Example of literal usage in daily life.

Furthermore, 'daana' is used in the context of jewelry and prayer beads. A single bead in a 'mala' (rosary or necklace) is called a 'daana'. When people count their prayers, they move from one 'daana' to the next. This highlights the word's role in describing discrete, countable small objects. In the realm of wildlife and pets, 'daana-paani' (grain and water) is a common compound phrase signifying basic sustenance or livelihood. If someone says their 'daana-paani' is finished in a particular city, it idiomatically means their time or employment there has come to an end.

इस घी में बहुत अच्छे दाने हैं। (This clarified butter has very good granules/texture.)

Lastly, the word appears in many philosophical contexts. There is a famous saying in Hindi/Urdu: 'Daane-daane par likha hai khaane waale ka naam,' which translates to 'On every grain is written the name of the one who will eat it.' This suggests a sense of destiny and providence regarding one's sustenance. Whether you are talking about biology, cooking, health, or fate, 'daana' provides a precise way to identify the smallest significant part of a larger whole.

Using दाना (daana) correctly involves understanding its grammatical gender and how it changes in plural forms. Since it is a masculine noun ending in 'aa', it follows the standard pattern: 'daana' (singular) becomes 'daane' (plural). When followed by a postposition (like 'ko', 'mein', 'se'), the plural 'daane' changes to 'daanon'. For example, 'daanon ko' (to the grains).

Describing Quantity: When you want to specify a single unit: 'Ek daana' (one grain). For example, 'Mujhe bas ek daana cheeni chahiye' (I only want one grain of sugar - though usually used hyperbolically).
Describing Texture: To describe something grainy, use 'danedar'. 'Yeh halwa bahut danedar hai' (This halwa is very grainy/textured).

उसने पक्षियों को दाना डाला। (He threw grain to the birds.)

In a medical context, the word is almost always used in the plural 'daane' because rashes or pimples rarely appear as just one. 'Garmi ki wajah se mere shareer par daane nikal aaye hain' (Due to the heat, pimples/rashes have appeared on my body). Note the verb 'nikalna' (to emerge/come out) is typically used with 'daana' in this sense. In a culinary sense, if you are talking about spices like mustard seeds or cumin, you might refer to them as 'rai ke daane' or 'jeere ke daane'.

माला के दाने बहुत कीमती हैं। (The beads of the necklace are very precious.)

When discussing food security or poverty, the word takes on a more serious tone. 'Vah ek-ek daane ke liye mohtaj hai' (He is dependent/desperate for every single grain). This usage emphasizes extreme scarcity. Conversely, in a positive sense, a 'bhara-poora daana' refers to a healthy, well-formed grain of crop, signifying a good harvest. Mastery of these variations allows you to transition from simple object identification to nuanced emotional and descriptive expression.

You will encounter दाना (daana) in a variety of real-world settings in India. The most common place is likely the local 'Kirana' store (grocery shop) or a 'Mandi' (wholesale grain market). Farmers and traders use it to discuss the quality of the produce. 'Is baar gehun ka daana thoda patla hai' (This time the wheat grain is a bit thin/small). This indicates a specific evaluation of the crop's health. In the kitchen, a mother might tell her child, 'Chawal ke daane saaf kar lo' (Clean the rice grains), referring to the process of removing small stones or husks before cooking.

In the Kitchen: Chefs and home cooks use it to describe ingredients like 'sabudana' (sago pearls) or 'rai ka daana' (mustard seed). It's also used to describe the texture of semolina (sooji) or sugar.
Religious Places: In temples, 'prasad' (blessed food offerings) often consists of 'ilayichi dana' (sugar-coated cardamom seeds) or 'makhana'. Devotees also use 'rudraksh ke daane' for chanting.

दुकानदार ने कहा कि यह दाना सबसे अच्छी क्वालिटी का है। (The shopkeeper said that this grain is of the best quality.)

In a social or casual setting, if someone has spent too much time in the sun, a friend might remark, 'Tumhare chehre par garmi ke daane nikal aaye hain' (Heat rashes/pimples have appeared on your face). This is a very common way to describe minor skin irritations. You will also hear it in the context of feeding animals. In many Indian households, it is a morning ritual to put 'daana' on the terrace for birds like pigeons and sparrows. This act of 'daana dalna' is considered a virtuous deed (punya).

मछुआरे ने मछली पकड़ने के लिए दाना डाला। (The fisherman threw bait to catch the fish.)

In summary, 'daana' is a word that bridges the gap between the mundane (a grain of rice) and the spiritual (prayer beads), the physical (skin rash) and the metaphorical (destiny). Whether you are shopping, cooking, or observing nature, you will find 'daana' to be a constant linguistic companion in the Hindi heartland.

While दाना (daana) seems simple, English speakers often make specific errors when translating it or using it in context. One of the most frequent mistakes is confusing it with the word 'beej' (बीज). While both can mean 'seed', 'beej' is generally the botanical term for a seed meant for planting to grow a new plant. In contrast, 'daana' refers to the seed as a unit of food or a physical particle. You wouldn't usually say you are eating 'gehun ka beej' (wheat seeds for planting); you eat 'gehun ka daana' (wheat grain).

Gender Confusion: Learners often forget that 'daana' is masculine. They might mistakenly use feminine adjectives or verbs. Correct: 'Chhota daana' (Small grain). Incorrect: 'Chhoti daana'.
Pluralization Errors: In English, 'grain' can be uncountable (like rice). In Hindi, 'daana' is countable. Beginners might say 'Bahut daana' when they should say 'Bahut saare daane' (Many grains) or 'Bahut daana' (A lot of grain/bait) depending on context.

गलत: मेरे चेहरे पर एक बीज निकला है। (Wrong: A 'seed' came out on my face.)
सही: मेरे चेहरे पर एक दाना निकला है। (Right: A 'pimple' came out on my face.)

Another mistake involves the phrase 'daana dalna'. In English, we 'feed' birds. In Hindi, we 'throw grain' (daana dalna). Translating 'I am feeding the birds' as 'Main pakshiyon ko khila raha hoon' is okay, but 'Main pakshiyon ko daana daal raha hoon' is much more natural and common. Using 'khilana' usually implies feeding someone with your hands or providing a full meal, whereas 'daana dalna' is the specific act of scattering seeds.

सावधान: 'दाना' (Daana) vs 'दाना' (Dana - wise). In Urdu-influenced Hindi, 'daanaa' (with a long final 'a') can mean a wise person. Context is key!

Lastly, be careful with the word 'daanedaar'. While it usually means 'grainy' or 'granular', in the context of tea, it refers to 'CTC tea' (Crush, Tear, Curl) which looks like small grains. If you ask for 'daanedaar chai', you are asking for a specific type of tea leaf, not tea with actual seeds in it. Misunderstanding these subtle distinctions can lead to confusion in shops or restaurants.

To truly master Hindi, you need to know when to use दाना (daana) and when to choose one of its synonyms or related terms. While 'daana' is a general word for grain or seed, other words provide more specific meanings depending on the context of size, purpose, or material.

बीज (Beej) vs. दाना (Daana): Beej: The biological seed used for reproduction. Example: 'Aam ka beej' (Mango seed/pit).
Daana: The seed used for food or a granular particle. Example: 'Chawal ka daana' (Rice grain).
अनाज (Anaaj): This means 'cereal' or 'grain' in a collective, bulk sense. You buy 'anaaj' for the whole month, but you might find a 'daana' of stone inside it. 'Anaaj' is the category; 'daana' is the unit.
कण (Kan): This means 'particle' or 'atom'. It is much smaller than a 'daana'. For example, 'dhool ka kan' (a particle of dust). Use 'kan' for things that are almost microscopic or very fine.

तुलना: 'दाना' (grain) vs 'गुठली' (guthli - large pit/stone). आम में एक बड़ी गुठली होती है, लेकिन अनार में बहुत सारे दाने होते हैं। (Mango has one large pit, but pomegranate has many seeds/grains.)

In the context of jewelry, you might use 'moti' (pearl) or 'manaka' (bead) instead of 'daana'. While 'daana' can refer to a bead, 'manaka' is a more formal or poetic term often used in literature or for high-quality prayer beads. In medical terms, 'muhaasa' is the specific word for a pimple/acne, while 'daana' is a more general term for any bump or eruption on the skin. If you want to sound more clinical, use 'muhaasa'; if you are speaking colloquially, 'daana' is perfect.

पर्यायवाची (Synonyms): अनाज (grain), कण (particle), बीज (seed), रवा (granule), टुकड़ा (piece - in some contexts).

For textures, 'khurdura' (rough) is an alternative to 'danedar' if the texture is unpleasant. However, 'danedar' usually carries a positive connotation of being rich and authentic, especially in food. Understanding these synonyms helps you describe the world with more precision, moving from basic communication to expressive fluency.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word 'daana' is also found in Persian with the meaning 'wise' or 'learned', leading to interesting puns in Urdu-Hindi poetry where a 'grain' and a 'wise man' are homonyms.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈdɑː.nə/

US /ˈdɑ.nə/

Stress is on the first syllable 'daa'.

Rhymes With

खाना (khaana - food) गाना (gaana - song) जाना (jaana - to go) लाना (laana - to bring) माना (maana - agreed) पुराना (puraana - old) ज़माना (zamaana - era) निशाना (nishaana - target)

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'd' like the English 'd' (it should be softer/dental).
Making the final 'a' too long (it's a schwa-like sound).
Confusing it with 'Daan' (charity).
Confusing it with 'Dana' (wise - though spelled similarly in Roman script).
Misgendering it as feminine.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize, commonly found in basic texts.

Writing 2/5

Simple spelling, follow standard masculine noun rules.

Speaking 2/5

Simple pronunciation, but watch the dental 'd'.

Listening 3/5

Can be confused with 'daan' or the Persian 'daana' (wise) in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

चावल (rice) खाना (food) छोटा (small) बीज (seed) चिड़िया (bird)

Learn Next

अनाज (grain/cereal) फसल (crop) दानेदार (grainy) मुहासा (pimple) माला (necklace)

Advanced

उर्वरक (fertilizer) पैदावार (yield) नक्षत्र (constellation - sometimes beads/stars are compared) तत्व (element) सूक्ष्म (microscopic)

Grammar to Know

Masculine 'aa' ending nouns change to 'e' in plural.

दाना (daana) -> दाने (daane)

Oblique case: Plural nouns ending in 'e' change to 'on' before postpositions.

दानों में (in the grains), दानों को (to the grains)

Adjective agreement: Adjectives must match the masculine gender.

पीला दाना (yellow grain), पीले दाने (yellow grains)

Compound Verbs: 'Daalna' (to throw/put) is often combined with 'daana'.

दाना डाल दो (Throw the grain/bait).

Reduplication for emphasis: Repeating a word to show every single unit.

दाना-दाना (every single grain).

Examples by Level

यह चिड़िया का दाना है।

This is bird's grain.

'Daana' is a singular masculine noun here.

एक दाना चावल गिर गया।

One grain of rice fell.

'Ek' (one) specifies the singular form.

मछली दाना खाती है।

The fish eats grain/bait.

Simple subject-verb-object structure.

क्या यह दाना है?

Is this grain?

Interrogative sentence.

मेरे पास दाना है।

I have grain.

Possessive structure with 'ke paas'.

दाना छोटा है।

The grain is small.

Adjective 'chhota' agrees with masculine 'daana'.

वहाँ दाना डालो।

Put the grain there.

Imperative sentence.

यह पीला दाना है।

This is a yellow grain.

Color adjective 'peela' (masculine).

मेरे चेहरे पर दाने निकल आए हैं।

Pimples have appeared on my face.

'Daane' is the plural form used for pimples/rashes.

पक्षियों को दाना डालना अच्छा है।

Feeding grain to birds is good.

'Daana dalna' is a common verb phrase.

अनार के दाने लाल हैं।

The pomegranate seeds are red.

'Ke' indicates the plural possessive relationship.

इस माला में कितने दाने हैं?

How many beads are in this necklace?

'Daane' refers to beads here.

वह रोज़ सुबह दाना खरीदता है।

He buys grain every morning.

Present habitual tense.

क्या तुम दाना ला सकते हो?

Can you bring the grain?

Modal verb 'sakte' for ability/request.

ये दाने बहुत सख्त हैं।

These grains are very hard.

'Ye' (these) and 'sakht' (hard) agree with plural 'daane'.

टोकरी में थोड़े दाने बचे हैं।

A few grains are left in the basket.

'Thode' (a few) used with plural 'daane'.

यह घी बहुत दानेदार है।

This ghee is very grainy.

'Danedar' is an adjective derived from 'daana'.

उसका दाना-पानी यहाँ से उठ गया है।

His livelihood/time here has ended.

Idiomatic use of 'daana-paani'.

चीनी के दाने बहुत मोटे हैं।

The sugar crystals are very thick/large.

'Daane' used for crystals/granules.

किसान दाने अलग कर रहा है।

The farmer is separating the grains.

Continuous tense.

इलायची के दाने चाय में डाल दो।

Put the cardamom seeds in the tea.

Compound verb 'daal do'.

गर्मी के कारण शरीर पर छोटे-छोटे दाने हो गए हैं।

Small rashes have appeared on the body due to heat.

Reduplication 'chhote-chhote' emphasizes plurality and smallness.

हर दाने की अपनी अहमियत होती है।

Every grain has its own importance.

'Har' (every) is followed by the singular 'daane' (oblique).

वह पक्षियों को दाना चुगा रहा है।

He is making the birds peck at the grain.

Causative-like sense of 'chugana'.

दाने-दाने पर लिखा है खाने वाले का नाम।

On every grain is written the name of the eater.

A famous proverb about destiny.

बाज़ार में अनाज का दाना महंगा हो गया है।

The price of grain has become expensive in the market.

'Anaaj ka daana' refers to the commodity price.

उसने मछली को पकड़ने के लिए दाना फेंका।

He threw the bait to catch the fish.

'Daana' as bait (metaphorical or literal).

यह रुद्राक्ष का दाना असली है।

This Rudraksha bead is authentic.

Specific use for religious seeds/beads.

उसकी बातों में कोई दाना नहीं है।

There is no substance/truth in his words.

Metaphorical use for 'substance' or 'truth'.

फसल अच्छी होने के कारण दाना काफी पुष्ट है।

Because the harvest was good, the grain is quite healthy/robust.

Technical agricultural vocabulary like 'pusht'.

सावधानी से दाने गिनो।

Count the grains/beads carefully.

Adverbial use of 'saavdhani se'.

मिट्टी के दानों से ही पहाड़ बनता है।

Mountains are made from grains of soil/earth.

Philosophical observation.

इस इत्र की खुशबू के एक-एक दाने में जादू है।

There is magic in every single 'particle' of this perfume's scent.

Poetic/metaphorical use for particles of scent.

अकाल के समय लोग दाने-दाने को तरस गए।

During the famine, people craved every single grain.

'Daane-daane ko tarasna' is a strong idiom for starvation.

वैज्ञानिक दाने की संरचना का अध्ययन कर रहे हैं।

Scientists are studying the structure of the grain.

Formal/Academic register.

उसने अपनी सारी जमा-पूंजी दाने-दाने करके जोड़ी थी।

He had saved all his capital bit by bit (grain by grain).

Idiomatic use for 'bit by bit'.

इस कपड़े की बुनावट में दानेदार बनावट है।

This fabric has a granular/textured weave.

Describing physical texture of non-food items.

राजनीति में दाना डालना एक पुरानी कला है।

In politics, throwing bait is an old art.

Highly metaphorical use for political strategy.

कवि ने ओस की बूंदों को दाने की उपमा दी है।

The poet has compared dew drops to grains/beads.

Literary criticism context.

इस शोध पत्र में दाने के आकार के महत्व पर चर्चा की गई है।

This research paper discusses the importance of grain size.

Formal passive-like structure.

ब्रह्मांड के हर दाने में ईश्वर का वास है।

God resides in every particle of the universe.

Philosophical/Spiritual superlative use.

उसकी विद्वत्ता के सामने बड़े-बड़े दाने (बुद्धिमान) भी नतमस्तक थे।

Before his wisdom, even the greatest 'wise ones' bowed.

Using 'daana' in its Persian-derived sense of 'wise'.

अर्थव्यवस्था की बदहाली ने आम आदमी के दाने-दाने पर संकट ला दिया है।

The economic downfall has endangered every single grain (morsel) of the common man.

Complex socio-political commentary.

उसने सूक्ष्म दानेदार चित्रण की शैली में महारत हासिल की है।

He has achieved mastery in the style of microscopic granular illustration (pointillism).

Artistic/Technical jargon.

शब्दों के दाने जब भावों की माला में पिरोए जाते हैं, तभी कविता बनती है।

When the grains of words are strung into the garland of emotions, only then is poetry born.

High literary metaphor.

मिट्टी की उर्वरता दाने की गुणवत्ता को सीधे प्रभावित करती है।

The fertility of the soil directly affects the quality of the grain.

Precise scientific causal relationship.

उसने अपनी वसीयत में दाने-दाने का हिसाब लिखा था।

He had written the account of every single penny/item in his will.

Idiomatic for 'meticulous detail'.

सांस्कृतिक धरोहर का एक-एक दाना सहेजना हमारा कर्तव्य है।

It is our duty to preserve every single bit of our cultural heritage.

Abstract metaphorical use for 'heritage'.

Common Collocations

दाना डालना

दाना-पानी

अनार के दाने

दानेदार घी

चेहरे पर दाने

माला के दाने

एक-एक दाना

दाने-दाने को तरसना

मोटा दाना

बारीक दाना

Common Phrases

दाना चुगना

— The act of a bird pecking at grains.

कबूतर दाना चुग रहे हैं।

दानेदार बनावट

— A granular texture in food or materials.

इस हलवे की दानेदार बनावट अच्छी है।

दाना-दाना कर के

— Doing something bit by bit or collecting things individually.

उसने दाना-दाना कर के पैसे बचाए।

चीनी का दाना

— A single crystal or grain of sugar.

फर्श पर चीनी का दाना गिरा है।

इलायची दाना

— Tiny sugar-coated cardamom seeds often given as prasad.

बच्चे को इलायची दाना पसंद है।

खसखस के दाने

— Poppy seeds.

सब्जी में खسखस के दाने डाले गए हैं।

राई के दाने

— Mustard seeds used for tempering.

तेल में राई के दाने चटकाओ।

मोती जैसा दाना

— A grain that looks like a pearl (often used for high-quality rice).

बासमती का दाना मोती जैसा है।

दाना निकलना

— The emergence of pimples or rashes.

बुखार के बाद शरीर पर दाने निकल आए।

दाना फेंकना

— To throw bait (literally or metaphorically).

शिकारी ने जाल में दाना फेंका।

Often Confused With

दाना vs बीज (Beej)

Beej is for planting; Daana is for eating or a general particle.

दाना vs दान (Daan)

Daan means donation or charity. It lacks the final 'a' sound of Daana.

दाना vs दाना (Daanaa - Persian)

In Urdu-Hindi, this means 'wise'. Context usually makes it clear.

Idioms & Expressions

"दाने-दाने पर लिखा है खाने वाले का नाम"

— Every bit of food is destined for a specific person.

परेशान मत हो, दाने-दाने पर लिखा है खाने वाले का नाम।

Philosophical

"दाना-पानी उठ जाना"

— To have to leave a place or for one's life/job to end there.

लगता है इस शहर से मेरा दाना-पानी उठ गया है।

Colloquial

"दाने-दाने को मोहताज होना"

— To be extremely poor or starving.

युद्ध के कारण लोग दाने-दाने को मोहताज हो गए।

Literary

"दाना डालना"

— To tempt someone with bait or a bribe.

पुलिस ने चोर को पकड़ने के लिए दाना डाला।

Informal

"एक-एक दाने का हिसाब रखना"

— To be very meticulous or stingy with resources.

वह अपने खर्च का एक-एक दाने का हिसाब रखता है।

Neutral

"दाना चुगाना"

— To nurture or provide just enough to keep someone dependent.

वह अपने कर्मचारियों को सिर्फ दाना चुगाता है।

Sarcastic

"दाना-दुनका"

— A casual way to refer to bits of food or small earnings.

चिड़िया अपना दाना-दुनका खोज रही है।

Informal

"दानेदार होना"

— To have substance or quality (metaphorical).

उसकी बातों में दानेदार सच्चाई थी।

Poetic

"दाने की तरह बिखरना"

— To scatter like grains (often used for crowds or items).

पुलिस को देख भीड़ दाने की तरह बिखर गई।

Descriptive

"दाना पकड़ना"

— To take the bait.

उसने आखिरकार दाना पकड़ ही लिया।

Informal

Easily Confused

दाना vs Beej

Both mean seed.

Beej is botanical/reproductive. Daana is culinary/physical particle.

I ate the daana, but I planted the beej.

दाना vs Anaaj

Both relate to grain.

Anaaj is the collective noun (cereal). Daana is the individual unit.

The sack is full of anaaj; look at this one daana.

दाना vs Kan

Both mean particle.

Kan is much smaller (dust, atom). Daana is visible and tactile.

A kan of dust vs a daana of rice.

दाना vs Guthli

Both are parts of fruit.

Guthli is a large pit (mango). Daana is a small seed (pomegranate).

Mango has a guthli, pomegranate has daane.

दाना vs Manaka

Both can mean bead.

Manaka is formal/poetic for prayer beads. Daana is common for any bead.

The priest counted the manaka; the child played with the daane.

Sentence Patterns

यह [Noun] का दाना है।

यह चावल का दाना है।

मेरे [Body Part] पर दाने हैं।

मेरे हाथ पर दाने हैं।

[Subject] [Object] को दाना डाल रहा है।

राम कबूतरों को दाना डाल रहा है।

यह [Food] बहुत दानेदार है।

यह हलवा बहुत दानेदार है।

[Subject] दाने-दाने को तरस गया।

वह गरीब दाने-दाने को तरस गया।

[Abstract Concept] के हर दाने में [Quality] है।

उसकी बातों के हर दाने में सच्चाई है।

[Subject] ने दाना-दाना करके [Action].

उसने दाना-दाना करके ज्ञान प्राप्त किया।

Any

एक दाना [Noun]

एक दाना नमक।

Word Family

Nouns

अनाज (grain)

बीज (seed)

कण (particle)

रवा (granule)

Verbs

दाना डालना (to feed/bait)

दाना चुगना (to peck)

दाना निकलना (to break out in rashes)

Adjectives

दानेदार (danedar - grainy)

बेदाना (bedana - seedless)

खिचड़ी

चावल

गेहूँ

माला

मुहासा

How to Use It

frequency

Very High

Common Mistakes

Using 'beej' for rice grains. → Using 'daana' for rice grains.
'Beej' is for planting; 'daana' is for the unit of food.
Treating 'daana' as feminine. → Treating 'daana' as masculine.
'Daana' is a masculine noun, so adjectives and verbs must agree.
Saying 'Main chidiya ko khila raha hoon' for feeding birds. → Saying 'Main chidiya ko daana daal raha hoon'.
'Daana daalna' is the standard idiomatic expression for feeding birds.
Confusing 'daana' (grain) with 'daan' (charity). → Pronouncing the final 'a' in 'daana'.
'Daan' ends in a consonant sound; 'daana' ends in a vowel.
Using 'daana' for a mango pit. → Using 'guthli' for a mango pit.
'Daana' is only for small seeds/grains. Large pits have a different name.

Tips

Watch the Gender

Always treat 'daana' as masculine. 'Chhota daana' is correct, 'Chhoti daana' is wrong. This is a common mistake for learners.

Daana vs Anaaj

Remember that 'Anaaj' is the category (grains/cereal) while 'Daana' is the specific particle. You buy 'anaaj' but pick up a 'daana'.

Feeding Birds

If you want to impress locals, use the phrase 'daana daalna' when you see someone feeding pigeons. It's a very common and respected activity.

Dental D

The 'd' in 'daana' is dental. Touch your tongue to your teeth, not the roof of your mouth. It sounds softer than the English 'd'.

Destiny in Food

Use the proverb 'Daane-daane par likha hai...' when someone offers you food unexpectedly. It's a charming way to acknowledge the gesture.

Describing Rashes

If you have a skin allergy or heat rash, tell the doctor you have 'chhote-chhote daane'. This is the most common way to describe it.

Texture Matters

When buying Ghee, look for the word 'Danedar' on the label. It signifies the traditional, high-quality grainy texture.

Avoid Confusion

Don't forget the 'a' at the end. 'Daan' is a different word meaning donation. 'Daana' is the grain.

Context Clues

If you hear 'daana' in a jewelry shop, they are talking about beads. If in a farm, they mean seeds/grain.

Suffix -dar

Learn the suffix '-dar' (having/possessing). 'Daana' + 'dar' = 'Danedar' (having grains/grainy). This pattern applies to many Hindi words.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'DNA'. Just as DNA is the small unit of life, 'Daana' is the small unit of food/grain.

Visual Association

Imagine a bird pecking at a single grain of rice. The 'D' in Daana looks like a bird's open beak.

Word Web

Rice Bird Pimple Bead Seed Texture Destiny Bait

Challenge

Try to find 5 items in your kitchen that can be described as a 'daana' and name them in Hindi (e.g., 'cheeni ka daana').

Word Origin

Derived from the Sanskrit word 'धान्य' (dhānya), which refers to grain, corn, or wealth.

Original meaning: Sustenance or primary food source.

Indo-Aryan

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but avoid wasting food when demonstrating 'daana' in India as it is considered disrespectful.

In English, we say 'grain of salt' or 'grain of truth'. Hindi uses 'daana' similarly for 'grain of truth' in poetic contexts.

The proverb 'Daane-daane par likha hai...' is used in many Bollywood movies to explain fate. 'Sabudana' (Sago) is a staple 'daana' eaten during religious fasts in India.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

In the Kitchen

चीनी का दाना (grain of sugar)
राई के दाने (mustard seeds)
दानेदार घी (grainy ghee)
चावल साफ करना (cleaning rice grains)

Health/Skincare

चेहरे पर दाने (pimples on face)
गर्मी के दाने (heat rash)
दाने निकलना (to get a breakout)
दवा लगाना (apply medicine on the spot)

Nature/Animals

दाना डालना (to feed birds)
दाना चुगना (birds pecking)
बाजरा का दाना (millet grain)
मछली का दाना (fish food)

Jewelry/Spirituality

माला के दाने (beads of a rosary)
रुद्राक्ष का दाना (Rudraksha bead)
दाने गिनना (to count beads)
मोती का दाना (a single pearl)

Metaphorical/Fate

दाना-पानी (sustenance)
दाने-दाने पर नाम (destiny in food)
दाना फेंकना (to bait)
एक-एक दाना (every single bit)

Conversation Starters

"क्या आपने आज पक्षियों को दाना डाला? (Did you feed the birds today?)"

"इस मिठाई की बनावट इतनी दानेदार कैसे है? (How is the texture of this sweet so grainy?)"

"मेरे चेहरे पर ये दाने क्यों निकल रहे हैं? (Why am I getting these breakouts on my face?)"

"क्या आपको अनार के दाने पसंद हैं? (Do you like pomegranate seeds?)"

"इस माला में कुल कितने दाने हैं? (How many beads are there in total in this necklace?)"

Journal Prompts

आज मैंने बगीचे में पक्षियों को दाना डालते हुए क्या महसूस किया? (What did I feel while feeding the birds in the garden today?)

'दाने-दाने पर लिखा है खाने वाले का नाम'—इस कहावत पर मेरे विचार। (My thoughts on the proverb 'Every grain has the name of the eater'.)

मेरे बचपन की कोई याद जब मैंने पहली बार दानेदार घी चखा था। (A childhood memory of when I first tasted grainy ghee.)

अगर मैं एक छोटा सा दाना होता, तो मेरी यात्रा कैसी होती? (If I were a tiny grain, what would my journey be like?)

क्या कभी किसी ने मुझे बातों में फँसाने के लिए दाना फेंका है? (Has anyone ever thrown 'bait' to trap me in their words?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

'Daana' is a masculine noun. This means you use masculine adjectives like 'bada' (big) and 'achha' (good) with it. For example, 'achha daana'.

Yes, specifically for fruits with small seeds like pomegranate, papaya, or guava. For large pits like mango or peach, use 'guthli'.

It is an adjective meaning 'grainy' or 'granular'. It's often used to describe the desirable texture of ghee, sugar, or certain Indian sweets.

You can use 'daana' (plural: daane) for a general breakout, or 'muhaasa' for a more specific/medical term for acne.

'Beej' is a seed you plant to grow something. 'Daana' is a seed or grain you eat, or a small particle. You eat 'chawal ka daana', not 'chawal ka beej'.

It literally means 'grain and water are lifted'. It's used idiomatically to say someone's time in a place is over or they have lost their livelihood there.

Yes, individual beads in a necklace or a prayer rosary are called 'daana'. For example, 'mala ka daana'.

The most natural way is 'pakshiyon ko daana daalna' (literally: to throw grain to the birds).

In Urdu-influenced Hindi, 'daanaa' (long final 'a') means wise. It's a homonym of 'daana' (grain). Context tells them apart.

It refers to small, round sugar-coated cardamom seeds often served as a sweet or religious offering (prasad).