This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

Home
Learn
Hindi
Vocabulary
दूरी पर

B1 adverb 11 min read

दूरी पर

doori par

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips दूरी पर in 30 Seconds

Explanation दूरी पर in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are learning the basic building blocks of Hindi. 'दूरी पर' (dūrī par) might seem a bit complex at first because it involves a noun and a postposition, but you can think of it as a way to say 'far' or 'at a distance'. Imagine you are looking at a picture. You see a house, and then you see a tree that is not close to the house. You can say 'the tree is at a distance'. In Hindi, that is 'पेड़ दूरी पर है'. At this stage, you should focus on using it with simple words like 'थोड़ी' (a little). For example, 'थोड़ी दूरी पर' means 'at a short distance'. You will mostly use this to talk about things you can see right now, like a shop, a car, or a person. It helps you describe where things are located in a simple way. Don't worry about measuring kilometers yet; just use it to show that something is not right next to you. Remember that 'दूरी' is a feminine word, so we use 'की' and 'थोड़ी' with it. This is a great phrase to start making your sentences sound more natural than just saying 'far' (दूर). It makes you sound like you are describing a specific spot.

As an A2 learner, you are starting to give directions and describe your surroundings in more detail. 'दूरी पर' becomes very useful for this. You can now start adding specific measurements. For instance, instead of just saying 'at a distance', you can say 'at a distance of two kilometers'. In Hindi, this is 'दो किलोमीटर की दूरी पर'. Notice the word 'की' (ki) – it connects the number to the word 'distance'. You will hear this phrase often when you travel. If you ask someone where the bus stop is, they might say 'यहाँ से थोड़ी दूरी पर' (A short distance from here). You are also learning to use 'से' (from) to show where the distance starts. 'घर से' (from home), 'स्कूल से' (from school). This level is all about practical usage. You can use 'दूरी पर' to describe where you live, where your favorite restaurant is, or where you parked your bike. It's a step up from A1 because you are now connecting different places together using this phrase. You are building a mental map in Hindi, and 'दूरी पर' is one of the main tools you use to explain that map to others.

At the B1 level, which is the target level for this word, you are expected to use 'दूरी पर' in a variety of contexts, including some that are not physical. You are now comfortable with the grammar: 'X से Y की दूरी पर'. You can use this to describe complex routes or geographical locations. But more importantly, you can start using it for social and abstract concepts. For example, during the pandemic, everyone learned about 'social distancing', which in Hindi involves the concept of 'दूरी पर रहना' (staying at a distance). You might also use it to describe relationships or work situations. If you want to say you keep a professional distance from your boss, you could use this phrase metaphorically. You are also beginning to see the difference between 'दूरी पर' and its synonyms like 'फासले पर'. You understand that 'दूरी पर' is the standard, neutral way to speak, suitable for both office talk and chatting with friends. You can also use it to describe things in the past or future, like 'The destination was still at a great distance'. This level is where you truly master the flexibility of the phrase, moving from simple directions to more nuanced descriptions of space and boundaries.

At the B2 level, you should be able to use 'दूरी पर' with precision and stylistic flair. You can incorporate it into longer, more complex sentences without hesitation. You might use it in a formal presentation to describe market trends or geographical distributions. For example, 'The new factory is located at a strategic distance from the main port'. In Hindi: 'नई फैक्ट्री मुख्य बंदरगाह से एक रणनीतिक दूरी पर स्थित है'. You are also sensitive to the register of the word. You know that while 'दूरी पर' is perfectly fine, using 'फासले पर' might sound better in a speech or a poem. You can use the phrase to talk about abstract ideas like 'the distance between two ideologies' or 'the distance between a dream and reality'. Your grammar should be flawless here—always using 'की' and never 'का', and correctly matching feminine adjectives. You can also use it to set a scene in a story, using it to create a sense of perspective or isolation. You are no longer just 'translating' the phrase in your head; you are thinking in Hindi and using 'दूरी पर' as a natural way to organize the world around you.

By the C1 level, 'दूरी पर' is a tool for sophisticated expression. You use it to add nuance to your descriptions. You might use it to discuss historical events, such as the distance between two eras or the geographical spread of an empire. You can handle complex structures where 'दूरी पर' is modified by multiple clauses. For example, 'At a distance that was previously thought impossible to cover in a single day, the army reached the gates'. You also understand the cultural weight of the word. You might use it in discussions about Indian society, such as the distance between different social classes or the 'distance' maintained in traditional etiquette. You are also comfortable with its use in high-level literature and academic writing. You can analyze how an author uses 'दूरी पर' to create a feeling of detachment or longing. At this level, you might also use the phrase in subtle, ironic, or idiomatic ways that a lower-level learner wouldn't catch. Your use of the phrase is effortless, and you can switch between 'दूरी पर' and more obscure synonyms like 'अन्तराल' or 'विस्थापन' depending on the exact technical or emotional tone you want to achieve.

At the C2 level, you have complete mastery over 'दूरी पर'. You can use it with the same ease and subtlety as a highly educated native speaker. You might use it in philosophical discourse to discuss the distance between the self and the universe, or in legal contexts to describe the mandatory distance between certain types of property. You are aware of the word's etymology and its relationship with other Indo-European languages, which adds depth to your understanding. You can use it to create complex metaphors in your own writing or speeches. For example, 'While we are physically at a distance, our thoughts are synchronized'. In Hindi: 'यद्यपि हम शारीरिक रूप से दूरी पर हैं, हमारे विचार एकरूप हैं'. You can also detect very slight misuses of the phrase in others' speech and know exactly why they sound off. You use 'दूरी पर' not just to describe space, but to manipulate the listener's focus, moving them closer to or further from an idea. It is no longer just a vocabulary item; it is a part of your intellectual toolkit in Hindi, used for everything from precise scientific description to profound poetic expression.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

दूरी पर in 30 Seconds

Means 'at a distance' or 'away'.
Used for both physical and metaphorical gaps.
Requires 'se' for the starting point (e.g., 'here' to 'there').
Always uses the feminine 'ki' for measurements.

The Hindi phrase दूरी पर (dūrī par) is a foundational adverbial expression used to describe the state of being separated by space or, occasionally, by time. At its linguistic core, it is composed of two parts: the feminine noun दूरी (distance), derived from the adjective दूर (far), and the locative postposition पर (at/on). Together, they function to pinpoint a location that is not immediate, providing a sense of perspective and spatial orientation. In everyday Hindi, speakers use this phrase to indicate that something is located at a specific or general interval away from a reference point.

Spatial Context: When used in a physical sense, it describes the gap between two objects. For example, 'The car is parked at a distance' translates to 'कार कुछ दूरी पर खड़ी है'. It is frequently paired with modifiers like 'थोड़ी' (a little), 'काफी' (considerable), or specific measurements like 'दो किलोमीटर' (two kilometers).
Metaphorical Use: Beyond physical miles, 'दूरी पर' can describe social or emotional gaps. In professional settings, one might maintain a 'safe distance' (सुरक्षित दूरी) from office politics. In relationships, it might describe an emotional estrangement where two people are physically close but emotionally 'at a distance'.

हिमालय की चोटियाँ यहाँ से बहुत दूरी पर दिखाई देती हैं। (The Himalayan peaks are visible from here at a great distance.)

The phrase is ubiquitous in travel, geography, and storytelling. In Indian literature, authors often use 'दूरी पर' to create atmosphere—describing a flickering lamp at a distance or a lonely figure on the horizon. It provides a sense of scale that the simple adjective 'दूर' (far) sometimes lacks. While 'दूर' is a quality of being far, 'दूरी पर' locates the subject within that span of farness. This nuance is crucial for B1 learners who are moving beyond simple adjectives to more complex relational descriptions.

सोशल डिस्टेंसिंग का मतलब है एक-दूसरे से छह फीट की दूरी पर रहना। (Social distancing means staying at a distance of six feet from each other.)

Furthermore, in urban navigation within India, you will often hear 'दूरी पर' used in conjunction with landmarks. 'मंदिर से थोड़ी दूरी पर बाएं मुड़ें' (Turn left a short distance from the temple). It acts as a bridge between the landmark and the action. In the digital age, GPS instructions in Hindi frequently employ this phrase to alert drivers to upcoming turns or destinations. Understanding this phrase is not just about vocabulary; it is about mastering how Hindi speakers perceive and communicate the world's physical layout.

Formal vs Informal: In formal writing, such as news reports or academic papers, 'दूरी पर' is preferred for its precision. In very informal street Hindi, people might shorten it to just 'दूर', but using the full phrase 'दूरी पर' marks you as a more sophisticated and clear speaker.

शहर के शोर-शराबे से दूरी पर एक छोटा सा गाँव है। (There is a small village at a distance from the city's noise.)

Constructing sentences with दूरी पर requires an understanding of Hindi's postpositional logic. In English, we say 'at a distance of...', placing the distance after the preposition. In Hindi, the structure is reversed. You typically identify the reference point first, followed by the distance, and finally the phrase 'दूरी पर'. For example, to say 'The school is 5km away from the house', you would say: 'घर से (from house) पाँच किलोमीटर की (of five km) दूरी पर (at distance) स्कूल है'.

The 'Se' (से) Connection: Almost always, the starting point of the distance is marked with the postposition 'से' (from). If you are measuring from 'here', you say 'यहाँ से' (from here). If from 'the station', it is 'स्टेशन से'.
The 'Ki' (की) Possession: When a specific measurement is given (like miles, meters, or steps), it is linked to the word 'दूरी' using the feminine possessive marker 'की'. Example: 'सौ मीटर की दूरी पर' (at a distance of 100 meters).

बस स्टैंड यहाँ से केवल दस मिनट की दूरी पर है। (The bus stand is only ten minutes' distance from here.)

One of the most common ways to use this phrase is with indefinite adjectives like 'थोड़ी' (a little) or 'कुछ' (some). 'थोड़ी दूरी पर' is the Hindi equivalent of 'a short distance away' or 'just down the road'. It is extremely useful when giving directions where precise measurements aren't known or necessary. You might tell a taxi driver, 'आगे थोड़ी दूरी पर रोक देना' (Stop a little further ahead at a distance). This demonstrates the adverbial flexibility of the phrase, as it modifies the verb 'रोकना' (to stop).

क्या आप इतनी दूरी पर स्थित चीज़ों को देख सकते हैं? (Can you see things located at such a distance?)

In more complex sentences, 'दूरी पर' can be used to set the scene for an action. 'नदी के किनारे से कुछ दूरी पर हमने अपना टेंट लगाया' (We pitched our tent some distance from the riverbank). Notice how 'नदी के किनारे से' (from the riverbank) sets the origin, 'कुछ' modifies the distance, and 'दूरी पर' completes the spatial adverbial phrase. This multi-layered structure is a hallmark of B1 and B2 level Hindi, allowing for more descriptive and precise storytelling.

Negation: To say something is NOT at a distance (i.e., it is close), you would typically use 'पास' (near) rather than negating 'दूरी पर'. However, in formal logic, one might say 'वह अधिक दूरी पर नहीं है' (It is not at a great distance).

सुरक्षा कारणों से, दर्शकों को मंच से एक निश्चित दूरी पर रखा गया। (For safety reasons, the audience was kept at a certain distance from the stage.)

Understanding where दूरी पर appears in real life helps bridge the gap between textbook learning and native fluency. While you will certainly see it in written literature, its spoken presence is equally strong in specific domains. From the chaotic streets of Delhi to the quiet villages of Bihar, the concept of 'distance' is a constant topic of conversation, and 'दूरी पर' is the vehicle for that discussion.

Travel and Commuting: This is perhaps the most common context. Whether you are asking for directions from a passerby or listening to an announcement at a railway station, 'दूरी पर' is essential. You might hear: 'अगला स्टेशन यहाँ से पाँच किलोमीटर की दूरी पर है' (The next station is at a distance of five kilometers from here).
Media and News: Journalists use this phrase to report on events. 'हादसा मुख्य सड़क से कुछ दूरी पर हुआ' (The accident happened some distance from the main road). It provides the necessary geographical context for the audience.

फिल्म की शूटिंग शहर से काफी दूरी पर एक पुराने किले में हो रही है। (The film's shooting is taking place in an old fort at a considerable distance from the city.)

In the realm of sports, specifically cricket, commentators often use 'दूरी पर' to describe the trajectory of a ball or the positioning of fielders. 'फील्डर बाउंड्री से थोड़ी दूरी पर तैनात है' (The fielder is stationed a short distance from the boundary). This usage highlights how the phrase helps define relative positions in a dynamic environment. Similarly, in nature documentaries or weather reports, you might hear about storms being 'तट से कुछ दूरी पर' (some distance from the coast).

रात के सन्नाटे में, बहुत दूरी पर कुत्ते के भौंकने की आवाज़ सुनाई दे रही थी। (In the silence of the night, the sound of a dog barking was heard at a great distance.)

In a more modern, socio-political context, the phrase gained immense popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The slogan 'दो गज़ की दूरी, मास्क है ज़रूरी' (A distance of two yards, a mask is necessary) became a national mantra in India. Here, 'दूरी' is used as a noun, but the underlying concept of maintaining a distance ('दूरी पर रहना') was the core message. This illustrates how a simple vocabulary term can become a vital part of public health and safety communication.

Literature and Poetry: Poets often use 'दूरी पर' to signify longing or the unattainable. A star at a distance or a lover far away are common tropes where the phrase adds a layer of romantic or existential depth.

वे दोनों एक-दूसरे को जानते थे, लेकिन हमेशा एक दूरी पर रहते थे। (They both knew each other, but always stayed at a distance.)

Learning दूरी पर involves navigating several common pitfalls that English speakers often encounter. Because English uses the preposition 'at' or 'away', learners frequently try to translate these literally, leading to grammatical errors in Hindi. Understanding these mistakes is the first step toward achieving native-like precision.

Gender Mismatch: Mistake: Saying 'थोड़ा दूरी पर' (thoda duri par).
Correction: 'दूरी' is feminine, so it must be 'थोड़ी दूरी पर' (thodi duri par). This is the most frequent error for beginners who forget that abstract nouns in Hindi have assigned genders.
Wrong Postposition: Mistake: Using 'दूरी में' (duri mein) instead of 'दूरी पर' (duri par).
Correction: While 'mein' means 'in', 'distance' in Hindi is conceived as a point 'on' or 'at' which something exists. Therefore, 'पर' is the correct locative marker.

Incorrect: घर से पाँच मील का दूरी पर।
Correct: घर से पाँच मील की दूरी पर। (At a distance of five miles from the house.)

Another common confusion is between the adjective दूर (dūr) and the phrase दूरी पर. Learners often use them interchangeably, but they have different grammatical functions. 'वह दूर है' means 'It is far'. 'वह कुछ दूरी पर है' means 'It is [located] at some distance'. Use the adjective for a simple quality and the phrase when you want to emphasize the location or the specific gap. If you say 'पाँच किलोमीटर दूर', it is correct, but 'पाँच किलोमीटर की दूरी पर' is more descriptive and formal.

Incorrect: वह मुझसे एक दूरी पर खड़ा था।
Correct: वह मुझसे कुछ दूरी पर खड़ा था। (He was standing at some distance from me.) Note: Hindi rarely uses 'एक' (one) with 'दूरी' unless specifying 'one unit'.

Finally, watch the use of 'से' (from). Learners often forget to specify the reference point. If you say 'दूरी पर मंदिर है' (The temple is at a distance), it begs the question: 'From where?'. Always try to ground the phrase with a reference point like 'यहाँ से' (from here) or 'शहर से' (from the city) to ensure your Hindi sounds natural and complete. In conversation, if the context is obvious, you can omit the 'से' part, but for learners, practicing the full 'X से Y की दूरी पर' structure is highly recommended.

The 'Ka' Confusion: Because 'distance' is masculine in English (conceptualized as 'the distance'), learners instinctively use the masculine 'का' (ka). You must consciously switch to 'की' (ki) because 'दूरी' is feminine in Hindi.

Hindi offers several ways to express the idea of distance and separation. While दूरी पर is the most versatile, knowing its synonyms and alternatives will help you fine-tune your register and avoid repetition. Each alternative has a slightly different shade of meaning or level of formality.

फासले पर (phāsle par): This is the closest synonym to 'दूरी पर'. 'फासला' is an Urdu-origin word meaning distance or gap. It is often used in more poetic or formal contexts. While 'दूरी' feels more mathematical and literal, 'फासला' can feel more evocative. Example: 'दो दिलों के बीच का फासला' (The distance between two hearts).
परे (pare): This means 'beyond' or 'on the other side'. It is used when you want to emphasize that something is not just at a distance, but specifically outside a certain boundary. Example: 'मेरी समझ से परे' (Beyond my understanding).

वे कुछ फासले पर बैठकर बातें कर रहे थे। (They were sitting and talking at some distance.)

Another common alternative is the simple adjective दूर (dūr). As discussed, 'दूर' is more direct. If someone asks 'Where is the station?', a simple reply would be 'स्टेशन दूर है' (The station is far). Using 'दूरी पर' in this context might sound overly formal unless you are providing specific details. Use 'दूर' for general statements and 'दूरी पर' for relative positioning or specific measurements.

गाँव के बाहर एक पुराना बरगद का पेड़ है। (There is an old banyan tree outside/at a distance from the village.)

In technical or scientific Hindi, you might encounter the word 'विस्थापन' (visthāpan) for displacement or 'अंतर' (antar) for difference/distance. However, for 99% of daily interactions, 'दूरी पर' remains the gold standard. When comparing 'दूरी पर' with 'हटाकर' (keeping away), note that 'हटाकर' implies an action of moving something, whereas 'दूरी पर' describes a state of being. For instance, 'उसे आग से दूरी पर रखें' (Keep it at a distance from the fire) is a static instruction, whereas 'उसे आग से हटा दें' (Move it away from the fire) is an active command.

Comparison Table

दूरी पर: General, versatile, common.
फासले पर: Poetic, Urdu-origin, elegant.
दूर: Simple adjective, less specific.
परे: Emphasizes 'beyond' or 'out of reach'.

सत्य कल्पना से बहुत परे (दूरी पर) हो सकता है। (Truth can be far beyond/at a distance from imagination.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The root 'dur' is cognate with the English prefix 'tele-' (from Greek 'tele', meaning far), and the Persian word 'dur'. It is one of the most stable roots across Indo-European languages.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈduː.ri pər/

US /ˈdu.ri pər/

Stress is on the first syllable 'Dū'.

Rhymes With

पूरी पर (pūrī par) चूरी पर (chūrī par) नूरी पर (nūrī par) दूरी भर (dūrī bhar) दूरी कर (dūrī kar) दूरी डर (dūrī dar) दूरी घर (dūrī ghar) दूरी सर (dūrī sar)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'd' as a retroflex (like English 'dog') instead of dental.
Making the 'u' too short.
Pronouncing 'par' as 'parr' with a heavy American R.
Failing to aspirate consonants in surrounding words.
Confusing the vowel 'i' at the end of 'duri' with 'ee' in 'see' (it should be a clear, tense 'i').

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize in text once the 'ki duri par' pattern is learned.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct gender matching (feminine) and postposition use.

Speaking 4/5

Dental 'd' and long 'u' require practice for native-like sound.

Listening 3/5

Commonly heard in directions and news; easy to pick out.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

दूर पर से थोड़ा घर

Learn Next

फासला नज़दीक पास अन्तराल स्थित

Advanced

विस्थापन क्षैतिज ऊर्ध्वाधर अनंत

Grammar to Know

Feminine Noun Modification

Always use 'thodi' (feminine) with 'duri', never 'thoda'.

Postposition 'Se' for Origin

Use 'se' after the starting point of the distance (e.g., 'Dilli se').

Possessive 'Ki' with Measurements

Units of measurement take 'ki' before 'duri' (e.g., '10km ki duri').

Adverbial Placement

The phrase usually precedes the verb in a sentence.

Compound Postpositions

'Duri par' acts as a unit; do not split 'duri' and 'par' with other words.

Examples by Level

मेरा घर यहाँ से थोड़ी दूरी पर है।

My house is a short distance from here.

Uses 'thodi' (feminine) to match 'duri'.

दुकान कुछ दूरी पर है।

The shop is at some distance.

Simple subject-predicate structure.

बस स्टैंड दूरी पर है।

The bus stand is at a distance.

Basic use of 'duri par' as an adverb.

पेड़ घर से दूरी पर है।

The tree is at a distance from the house.

Uses 'se' to show the reference point.

कार थोड़ी दूरी पर रुकी।

The car stopped a short distance away.

Modifies the verb 'ruki' (stopped).

वह दूरी पर खड़ा है।

He is standing at a distance.

Describes the location of the subject.

स्कूल यहाँ से दूरी पर है।

The school is at a distance from here.

Common way to give general directions.

मंदिर थोड़ी दूरी पर है।

The temple is a short distance away.

Uses 'thodi' for proximity.

स्टेशन यहाँ से दो किलोमीटर की दूरी पर है।

The station is at a distance of two kilometers from here.

Uses 'ki' to connect measurement to 'duri'.

नदी गाँव से काफी दूरी पर है।

The river is at a considerable distance from the village.

'Kaafi' means 'considerable' or 'quite'.

क्या अस्पताल यहाँ से दूरी पर है?

Is the hospital at a distance from here?

Interrogative sentence structure.

हम पार्क से थोड़ी दूरी पर रहते हैं।

We live a short distance from the park.

Verb 'rehte hain' (live) follows the phrase.

शहर यहाँ से दस मील की दूरी पर है।

The city is ten miles away from here.

Specific measurement with 'ki duri par'.

अगला गाँव कुछ दूरी पर आएगा।

The next village will come after some distance.

Future tense usage.

होटल समुद्र से थोड़ी दूरी पर स्थित है।

The hotel is located a short distance from the sea.

'Sthit hai' means 'is located'.

वे हमसे सुरक्षित दूरी पर बैठे थे।

They were sitting at a safe distance from us.

'Surakshit' (safe) modifies 'duri'.

सुरक्षा के लिए आग से दूरी पर रहें।

Stay at a distance from the fire for safety.

Imperative sentence giving advice.

दोनों शहरों के बीच की दूरी पर चर्चा हुई।

The distance between the two cities was discussed.

Here 'duri' is the subject of the discussion.

वह हमेशा अजनबियों से एक दूरी पर रहता है।

He always keeps a distance from strangers.

Metaphorical use for social behavior.

पहाड़ की चोटी यहाँ से काफी दूरी पर दिखाई देती है।

The mountain peak is visible at a great distance from here.

Describes visual perspective.

गाड़ी को दूसरी गाड़ियों से सुरक्षित दूरी पर रखें।

Keep the car at a safe distance from other vehicles.

Instruction for driving safety.

हम मुख्य सड़क से कुछ दूरी पर एक घर ढूंढ रहे हैं।

We are looking for a house some distance from the main road.

Continuous tense 'dhoond rahe hain'.

इतनी दूरी पर आवाज़ साफ़ नहीं सुनाई देती।

At such a distance, the sound is not heard clearly.

Uses 'itni' (such/so much) to modify 'duri'.

वे एक-दूसरे से समान दूरी पर खड़े थे।

They were standing at an equal distance from each other.

'Samaan' means 'equal'.

ब्रह्मांड में तारे एक-दूसरे से विशाल दूरी पर स्थित हैं।

In the universe, stars are located at vast distances from each other.

Scientific context using 'vishaal' (vast).

विपक्ष के नेता सरकार से एक निश्चित दूरी पर रहते हैं।

Opposition leaders maintain a certain distance from the government.

Political/Metaphorical usage.

यह मिसाइल लंबी दूरी पर मार करने में सक्षम है।

This missile is capable of striking at a long distance.

Technical/Military terminology.

तकनीकी खराबी के कारण विमान को रनवे से दूरी पर रोका गया।

The plane was stopped at a distance from the runway due to a technical fault.

Formal reporting style.

उसने अपने अतीत से एक दूरी पर रहने का फैसला किया।

He decided to stay at a distance from his past.

Abstract/Psychological usage.

ध्रुवीय भालू बर्फ से कुछ दूरी पर तैरते हुए पाए गए।

Polar bears were found swimming some distance from the ice.

Nature reporting context.

सोशल मीडिया ने लोगों को करीब लाया है, लेकिन भावनात्मक दूरी पर भी रखा है।

Social media has brought people closer, but also kept them at an emotional distance.

Philosophical/Social commentary.

स्टेडियम से कुछ दूरी पर पार्किंग की व्यवस्था की गई है।

Parking arrangements have been made some distance from the stadium.

Administrative/Formal language.

लेखक ने कहानी में नायक को समाज से एक दार्शनिक दूरी पर रखा है।

The author has kept the protagonist at a philosophical distance from society in the story.

Literary analysis context.

आर्थिक असमानता ने अमीर और गरीब के बीच एक गहरी दूरी पर मुहर लगा दी है।

Economic inequality has sealed a deep distance between the rich and the poor.

Sociological/High-level discourse.

उसकी आँखों में एक ऐसी दूरी पर होने का भाव था जैसे वह यहाँ हो ही नहीं।

In his eyes, there was a sense of being at such a distance as if he wasn't even here.

Descriptive/Nuanced literature.

वैज्ञानिकों ने पृथ्वी से प्रकाश वर्ष की दूरी पर एक नए ग्रह की खोज की है।

Scientists have discovered a new planet at a distance of light years from Earth.

Advanced scientific reporting.

इतिहास को एक निष्पक्ष दूरी पर रहकर ही सही ढंग से समझा जा सकता है।

History can only be correctly understood by staying at an impartial distance.

Academic/Methodological usage.

भ्रष्टाचार के आरोपों के बाद, पार्टी ने खुद को उस नेता से एक दूरी पर कर लिया।

After corruption allegations, the party distanced itself from that leader.

Political distancing idiom.

कविता की पंक्तियाँ वास्तविकता से एक कलात्मक दूरी पर खड़ी होती हैं।

The lines of poetry stand at an artistic distance from reality.

Aesthetic/C1 level metaphor.

तकनीक के इस युग में, हम एक-दूसरे से केवल एक क्लिक की दूरी पर हैं।

In this age of technology, we are only a click away from each other.

Modern idiom 'ek click ki duri par'.

आध्यात्मिक यात्रा का अर्थ स्वयं से अहंकार की दूरी पर विजय पाना है।

The meaning of a spiritual journey is to conquer the distance of ego from the self.

Metaphysical/Philosophical depth.

न्यायपालिका को कार्यपालिका से एक संवैधानिक दूरी पर रहना अनिवार्य है।

It is mandatory for the judiciary to remain at a constitutional distance from the executive.

Legal/Constitutional terminology.

उसकी चुप्पी ने हमारे बीच एक ऐसी दूरी पर जन्म दिया जिसे शब्दों से नहीं भरा जा सकता।

Her silence gave birth to such a distance between us that cannot be filled with words.

Poetic/Existential prose.

वैश्विक कूटनीति में, राष्ट्र अक्सर अपने हितों को एक कूटनीतिक दूरी पर सुरक्षित रखते हैं।

In global diplomacy, nations often secure their interests at a diplomatic distance.

High-level geopolitical analysis.

समय की इस अगाध दूरी पर, प्राचीन सभ्यताएँ केवल अवशेषों में जीवित हैं।

At this unfathomable distance of time, ancient civilizations survive only in ruins.

Chronological/Historical depth.

ब्रह्मांडीय विस्तार के सिद्धांत के अनुसार, आकाशगंगाएँ एक-दूसरे से बढ़ती हुई दूरी पर जा रही हैं।

According to the theory of cosmic expansion, galaxies are moving at an increasing distance from each other.

Advanced physics/Astronomy.

सत्य और असत्य के बीच की रेखा अक्सर एक बहुत ही सूक्ष्म दूरी पर टिकी होती है।

The line between truth and falsehood often rests at a very subtle distance.

Epistemological nuance.

कलाकार ने कैनवास पर रंगों को एक ऐसी दूरी पर रखा है कि वे दूर से एक चेहरा लगते हैं।

The artist has placed the colors on the canvas at such a distance that they look like a face from afar.

Technical art criticism.

Common Collocations

सुरक्षित दूरी पर

कुछ दूरी पर

थोड़ी दूरी पर

काफी दूरी पर

निश्चित दूरी पर

समान दूरी पर

लंबी दूरी पर

हज़ारों मील की दूरी पर

पैदल दूरी पर

न्यूनतम दूरी पर

Common Phrases

दो गज़ की दूरी

— A social distancing slogan meaning 'a distance of two yards'.

दो गज़ की दूरी, मास्क है ज़रूरी।

एक क्लिक की दूरी पर

— A modern phrase meaning 'only a click away' (online).

अब दुनिया एक क्लिक की दूरी पर है।

हाथ भर की दूरी पर

— Within arm's reach or very close but still separated.

वह हाथ भर की दूरी पर खड़ा था।

नज़र की दूरी पर

— Within sight or as far as the eye can see.

पहाड़ नज़र की दूरी पर थे।

दिल की दूरी पर

— A poetic phrase for emotional separation.

हम साथ हैं पर दिल की दूरी पर हैं।

कदम की दूरी पर

— Just a few steps away.

मंदिर बस कुछ कदम की दूरी पर है।

एक फोन कॉल की दूरी पर

— Available easily by phone.

मैं हमेशा एक फोन कॉल की दूरी पर हूँ।

आसमान की दूरी पर

— As far away as the sky (unattainable).

उसके सपने आसमान की दूरी पर हैं।

मंजिल की दूरी पर

— The remaining distance to the goal.

हम मंजिल की दूरी पर विचार कर रहे हैं।

मौत की दूरी पर

— A narrow escape or very close to danger.

वह मौत की दूरी पर खड़ा था।

Often Confused With

दूरी पर vs दूर (Dūr)

Adjective meaning 'far'. Use 'duri par' for a specific location at a distance.

दूरी पर vs दूरी में (Dūrī mein)

Incorrect postposition. Always use 'par' with 'duri' for location.

दूरी पर vs फासला (Phāsla)

Urdu synonym. Often used for emotional distance, whereas 'duri' is used for both.

Idioms & Expressions

"दूरी बनाए रखना"

— To maintain a distance, often used metaphorically for avoiding someone.

बुरी आदतों से दूरी बनाए रखना अच्छा है।

Neutral

"दूरी कम करना"

— To bridge a gap or reconcile.

बातचीत से आपसी दूरी कम की जा सकती है।

Formal

"मीलों की दूरी होना"

— To be very different or have a huge misunderstanding.

उनकी सोच में मीलों की दूरी है।

Informal

"नज़रों से दूरी पर होना"

— To be out of sight.

जहाज़ नज़रों से दूरी पर चला गया।

Literary

"फासला रखना"

— Similar to 'duri banaye rakhna', to keep a distance.

अजनबियों से फासला रखना चाहिए।

Neutral

"दूरी नापना"

— To measure distance, or figuratively to travel a lot.

उसने पैदल ही लंबी दूरी नापी।

Informal

"दूरी का अहसास"

— The feeling of being far away or separated.

परदेश में घर की दूरी का अहसास होता है।

Literary

"दूरी का फायदा उठाना"

— To take advantage of being far away.

उसने दूरी का फायदा उठाकर झूठ बोला।

Neutral

"दूरी की कौड़ी लाना"

— To bring an far-fetched or very clever idea.

उसने इस समस्या के लिए दूरी की कौड़ी लाई है।

Old/Idiomatic

"दूरी तय करना"

— To cover a distance.

हमने आज बहुत दूरी तय की है।

General

Easily Confused

दूरी पर vs दूर

Both mean far.

'Dur' is an adjective (quality), 'Duri par' is an adverbial phrase (location).

वह दूर है। vs वह कुछ दूरी पर है।

दूरी पर vs देरी

Sounds similar.

'Deri' means delay or lateness, 'Duri' means distance.

मुझे देरी हो गई। vs मैं दूरी पर हूँ।

दूरी पर vs दौरा

Similar starting sound.

'Daura' means a tour or a fit/seizure.

मंत्री का दौरा। vs शहर की दूरी।

दूरी पर vs दर

Shortened sound.

'Dar' means rate or door.

ब्याज की दर। vs दूरी पर।

दूरी पर vs दोरी

Phonetically close.

'Dori' means a string or rope.

पतंग की डोरी। vs मीलों की दूरी।

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] [Reference] से [Distance] दूरी पर है।

स्कूल यहाँ से थोड़ी दूरी पर है।

[Subject] [Reference] से [Number] [Unit] की दूरी पर है।

होटल यहाँ से दो मील की दूरी पर है।

[Verb] के लिए [Reference] से दूरी पर रहें।

सुरक्षा के लिए आग से दूरी पर रहें।

[Subject] [Reference] से [Adjective] दूरी पर स्थित है।

मंदिर गाँव से काफी दूरी पर स्थित है।

[Subject] और [Subject] के बीच [Distance] की दूरी पर [Action] हुआ।

दोनों घरों के बीच कुछ दूरी पर पेड़ गिरा।

[Subject] [Abstract Concept] से एक दूरी पर [Verb] है।

वह राजनीति से एक दूरी पर रहता है।

[Reference] से [Measurement] की दूरी पर स्थित [Subject] [Verb]...

तट से दस मील की दूरी पर स्थित जहाज़ डूब गया।

[Concept] की अगाध दूरी पर [Subject] [Verb]...

समय की अगाध दूरी पर यादें धुंधली हो जाती हैं।

Word Family

Nouns

दूरी (Distance)

दूरता (Remoteness)

दूरबीन (Binoculars)

दूरदर्शन (Television)

Verbs

दूर करना (To remove/distance)

दूर होना (To be far)

दूरी बनाना (To create distance)

Adjectives

दूर (Far)

दूरगामी (Far-reaching)

दूरस्थ (Remote)

दूरदर्शी (Farsighted)

फासला

अंतर

परे

अन्तराल

विस्थापन

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily conversation and media.

Common Mistakes

थोड़ा दूरी पर → थोड़ी दूरी पर
Since 'duri' is feminine, the adjective 'thoda' must change to 'thodi'.
पाँच मील का दूरी पर → पाँच मील की दूरी पर
The possessive marker must be feminine 'ki' to match 'duri'.
दूरी में → दूरी पर
Hindi uses the postposition 'par' (at) for spatial distance, not 'mein' (in).
वहाँ से दूर पर है → वहाँ से कुछ दूरी पर है
You cannot use 'par' directly with the adjective 'dur'. You must use the noun 'duri'.
वह एक दूरी पर खड़ा है → वह कुछ दूरी पर खड़ा है
In Hindi, we don't usually say 'a distance' (ek duri) unless it's a specific unit. 'Kuch' (some) or 'thodi' (a little) is more natural.

Tips

Check Gender

Always remember 'duri' is feminine. This affects 'thodi', 'kaafi', and 'ki'. Using 'ka' or 'thoda' is a very common beginner mistake.

Dental D

Practice the 'd' in 'duri' by placing your tongue against your teeth. It is not the hard 'd' found in English words like 'dog'.

Reference Point

When writing, always include a reference point with 'se' (e.g., 'yahan se') to make your sentence more natural and informative.

Measurement Link

When using numbers, always use 'ki' between the unit and 'duri'. Example: 'paanch kilometer ki duri par'.

Relative Distance

Be aware that 'thodi duri' in India can be quite a long walk compared to Western standards. It's often relative to the mode of transport.

Anticipate 'Ki'

When you hear a measurement, listen for the 'ki' that follows; it almost always leads to 'duri par'.

Social Distance

Use 'duri banaye rakhna' for social distancing or avoiding bad habits. It's a very common and useful idiom.

Poetic Alternative

Use 'phasle par' if you want to sound more poetic or elegant in your writing, especially in Urdu-influenced contexts.

GPS Hindi

If you use a GPS in Hindi, you will hear 'duri par' constantly. It's a great way to practice listening to the phrase in a real-world context.

Don't Negate directly

Instead of saying 'not at a distance', it's much more common to just say 'paas' (near).

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the musical scale: Do-Re-Mi. 'Doo-Ree' is the distance between the notes! You are 'at a distance' on the scale.

Visual Association

Visualize a long road stretching to the horizon with a signpost at a certain point. The signpost is 'duri par'.

Word Web

Distance Far Space Gap Separation Interval Remote Away

Challenge

Try to describe three things in your room and how far they are from your chair using 'X से Y की दूरी पर' in Hindi.

Word Origin

Derived from the Sanskrit word 'Dūra' (दूर), meaning far or distant. The suffix '-ī' is added to create the abstract noun 'Dūrī'. The postposition 'par' comes from the Sanskrit 'upari' (ऊपरि), meaning 'on' or 'above'.

Original meaning: The state of being at a far location.

Indo-Aryan / Indo-European.

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'duri' in social contexts; suggesting someone should 'keep a distance' can be offensive if not phrased politely.

English speakers use 'away' (e.g., 5 miles away). Hindi speakers prefer 'at a distance' (5 miles ki duri par).

The COVID slogan: 'Do gaz ki duri, mask hai zaroori'. Bollywood song: 'Duriyaan' from the movie Love Aaj Kal. Poem by Mahadevi Varma discussing the distance of the soul.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Giving Directions

यहाँ से थोड़ी दूरी पर
बाएं मुड़ने के बाद कुछ दूरी पर
स्टेशन की दूरी पर
अगले चौक से दूरी पर

Travel

कितनी दूरी पर है?
लंबी दूरी की यात्रा
पैदल दूरी पर
बस स्टैंड से दूरी पर

Social Situations

दूरी बनाए रखें
सुरक्षित दूरी पर
आपसी दूरी
दूरी कम करना

Science/Math

निश्चित दूरी पर
समान दूरी पर
न्यूनतम दूरी
दो बिंदुओं की दूरी पर

Literature/Poetry

नज़रों की दूरी पर
दिल की दूरी
तारों की दूरी पर
अगाध दूरी पर

Conversation Starters

"आपका स्कूल आपके घर से कितनी दूरी पर है?"

"क्या यहाँ से कोई अच्छा रेस्टोरेंट थोड़ी दूरी पर है?"

"क्या आप लंबी दूरी की यात्रा करना पसंद करते हैं?"

"मेट्रो स्टेशन यहाँ से कितनी दूरी पर होगा?"

"क्या हमें अजनबियों से एक सुरक्षित दूरी पर रहना चाहिए?"

Journal Prompts

अपने घर से अपने पसंदीदा स्थान की दूरी पर एक पैराग्राफ लिखें।

क्या आपको लगता है कि सोशल मीडिया ने लोगों के बीच की दूरी कम कर दी है? विस्तार से लिखें।

एक ऐसी यात्रा के बारे में लिखें जहाँ आपने बहुत लंबी दूरी तय की हो।

आपके जीवन में 'सुरक्षित दूरी' का क्या महत्व है? उदाहरण दें।

अगर आप चाँद पर होते, तो पृथ्वी आपको कितनी दूरी पर महसूस होती?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, 'duri mein' is grammatically incorrect in Hindi for expressing location. 'Par' (at/on) is the standard postposition used with 'duri' to describe where something is located. For example, 'The shop is at a distance' is 'Dukaan duri par hai'.

'Duri' is a feminine noun. This is important because any adjectives or possessive markers used with it must be feminine. You should say 'thodi duri' (feminine) instead of 'thoda duri' (masculine) and 'ki duri' instead of 'ka duri'.

'Dur' is an adjective meaning 'far'. 'Duri par' is a phrase meaning 'at a distance'. Use 'dur' for simple descriptions (e.g., 'It is far') and 'duri par' when providing more detail or relative location (e.g., 'It is located 2km away').

In Hindi, you say 'paidal duri par' (पैदल दूरी पर). For example, 'The market is within walking distance' would be 'Baazaar paidal duri par hai'.

Yes, it can be used metaphorically for time, especially in literature. For example, 'A few days' distance' can be 'kuch dinon ki duri par'. However, it is much more common for physical space.

It literally means 'a distance of two yards'. It became very famous in India during the COVID-19 pandemic as a social distancing guideline, meaning people should stay six feet apart.

Use the postposition 'se' (from) after the starting point. For example, 'from the station' is 'station se'. The full structure is: [Point A] से [Measurement] की दूरी पर [Point B] है।

'Phasla' is an Urdu-origin word that is a synonym for 'duri'. It is often used in poetic or formal contexts. In daily Hindi, 'duri' is more common, but both are understood and used interchangeably.

Yes, the idiom 'duri banaye rakhna' (to maintain a distance) is used to mean avoiding someone or staying away from a situation. For example, 'Keep a distance from bad people' is 'Bure logon se duri banaye rakhen'.

It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal situations. It is the standard way to describe relative location in Hindi.