When you want to say "a little bit" of something in Hindi, you can use the word थोड़ी (thodee). Imagine you're pouring a small amount of water; you would say "thodee paanee" (a little water).
You can also use थोड़ी to describe something as "somewhat." For example, if you want to say "somewhat tired," you'd use "thodee thakee huee" (थोड़ी थकी हुई).
It's a versatile word for expressing small quantities or degrees.
§ Mistakes people make with this word
When learning a new language, making mistakes is part of the process. The important thing is to understand *why* certain mistakes happen and how to correct them. 'थोड़ी' (thoṛī) is a common and useful Hindi word, but it can be a bit tricky. Let's look at some of the most frequent errors English speakers make and how to avoid them.
§ Mistake 1: Confusing 'थोड़ी' with 'बहुत' (very, a lot)
This might seem obvious, but sometimes learners mix up 'थोड़ी' (a little/somewhat) with 'बहुत' (a lot/very). They are opposites! This usually happens when someone is trying to express a quantity or degree but uses the wrong word.
§ Mistake 2: Gender and Number Agreement
This is a big one in Hindi! 'थोड़ी' is the feminine singular form. The word changes based on the gender and number of the noun it modifies. English speakers often forget this because English doesn't have such a system. The different forms are:
- थोड़ा (thoṛā): Masculine singular
- थोड़ी (thoṛī): Feminine singular (and often used as an adverb for 'a little')
- थोड़े (thoṛe): Masculine plural
मेरे पास थोड़े दोस्त हैं। (Mere paas thoṛe dost ha͠i.) - I have a few friends.
§ Mistake 3: Overusing 'थोड़ी' as an adjective when an adverb is needed
While 'थोड़ी' can function as an adjective (meaning 'a little bit of something feminine'), it's very commonly used as an adverb to modify verbs or adjectives, meaning 'a little' or 'somewhat'. Sometimes learners try to use the adjectival form when the adverbial form is more appropriate, or they miss the adverbial nuance entirely.
मुझे थोड़ी भूख लगी है। (Mujhe thoṛī bhūkh lagī hai.) - I am a little hungry. (Here, 'थोड़ी' modifies 'भूख', hunger, which is feminine.)
§ Mistake 4: Not understanding its use in polite requests
'थोड़ी' can soften requests or make them more polite, similar to how 'a little' or 'a bit' is used in English to make something less direct. Learners sometimes miss this nuance and use more direct phrasing when a softer approach is better.
क्या आप थोड़ी धीरे बोलेंगे? (Kyā āp thoṛī dhīre boleṅge?) - Would you speak a little slower?
By understanding these common pitfalls, you can improve your use of 'थोड़ी' and sound more like a native Hindi speaker. Practice makes perfect!
Fun Fact
This word is often used colloquially to soften requests or statements, making them sound more polite.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing the 'th' like in 'this' instead of like in 'think'.
- Failing to aspirate the 'th' sound sufficiently.
Often Confused With
While 'thodi' can sometimes be used with time (e.g., थोड़ी देर), 'dheere' specifically means 'slowly' and refers to the pace of an action, not the quantity of time itself.
'Chhota' means 'small' and refers to physical size or age, whereas 'thodi' refers to a small quantity or degree of something abstract or tangible.
'Thoda sa' is very similar to 'thodi' and often interchangeable, with 'sa' acting as an intensifier for 'little'. The core meaning remains the same, but 'thoda sa' can sometimes emphasize the smallness slightly more.
Easily Confused
Both 'bahut' and 'thodi' relate to quantity, but 'bahut' means 'very' or 'a lot', indicating a large quantity or high degree, while 'thodi' signifies a small quantity or degree.
'Bahut' implies abundance or intensity, whereas 'thodi' implies scarcity or moderation.
उसके पास बहुत पैसे हैं। (Uske paas bahut paise hain.) - He has a lot of money. vs. मुझे थोड़ी चीनी चाहिए। (Mujhe thodi chini chahiye.) - I need a little sugar.
Both 'kam' and 'thodi' can translate to 'little' or 'less', but 'kam' often implies insufficiency or a comparative 'less than', while 'thodi' simply means 'a little' or 'some small amount' without necessarily implying insufficiency.
'Kam' usually indicates a lack or comparison, whereas 'thodi' is more neutral, simply stating a small quantity.
आज काम कम है। (Aaj kaam kam hai.) - There is less work today. vs. थोड़ी देर रुको। (Thodi der ruko.) - Wait for a little while.
Similar to 'bahut', 'zyada' means 'more' or 'too much', directly contrasting with 'thodi' which means 'a little'. Learners might confuse them if they don't grasp the scale of quantity.
'Zyada' implies excess or a larger amount, while 'thodi' implies a small, moderate amount.
ज़्यादा मत खाओ। (Zyada mat khao.) - Don't eat too much. vs. मुझे थोड़ी और रोटी चाहिए। (Mujhe thodi aur roti chahiye.) - I need a little more bread.
'Bas' can mean 'just' or 'only', and in some contexts, it can imply a small, limited amount, making it similar to 'thodi'. However, 'bas' focuses on limitation, while 'thodi' focuses on quantity.
'Bas' is about 'only this much' or 'enough', while 'thodi' is about 'a small amount'.
बस एक कप चाय। (Bas ek cup chai.) - Just one cup of tea. vs. थोड़ी सी चाय। (Thodi si chai.) - A little tea.
'Kuch' means 'some' or 'any', and can sometimes overlap with 'thodi' when referring to an unspecified small quantity. However, 'kuch' is more general and indefinite, while 'thodi' specifically indicates a small amount.
'Kuch' is more ambiguous about quantity, whereas 'thodi' explicitly denotes 'a little'.
मुझे कुछ किताबें चाहिए। (Mujhe kuch kitabein chahiye.) - I need some books. vs. मुझे थोड़ी देर के लिए तुम्हारी किताब चाहिए। (Mujhe thodi der ke liye tumhari kitab chahiye.) - I need your book for a little while.
Word Family
Nouns
Adjectives
Word Origin
Sanskrit
Original meaning: Small amount
Indo-AryanCultural Context
When speaking Hindi, adding थोड़ी to a request like "Can I have some water?" (क्या मुझे थोड़ा पानी मिल सकता है?) makes it more polite, similar to saying "just a little" in English. It's a common way to show deference or politeness in everyday interactions. You'll hear it frequently in shops, homes, and public settings, demonstrating its integral role in conversational nuance.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsBoth 'thodi' (थोड़ी) and 'kam' (कम) can mean 'a little' or 'less,' but they have slightly different uses. 'Thodi' often implies a small amount or a slight degree, like 'थोड़ी देर' (a little while) or 'थोड़ी चीनी' (a little sugar). 'Kam' usually means 'less' or 'fewer' in comparison, like 'आज काम कम है' (there is less work today) or 'कम लोग आए' (fewer people came). 'Thodi' can also be used as an adverb meaning 'somewhat' or 'a bit'.
Yes, you can. While it's often used with uncountable nouns, you can use 'thodi' with countable nouns to mean 'a few' or 'a small number.' For example, 'थोड़ी किताबें' (a few books) or 'थोड़ी पेंसिलें' (a few pencils). However, 'kuchh' (कुछ) is also very common for 'some' or 'a few' with countable nouns.
'Thodi' (थोड़ी) is the feminine singular form. The masculine singular is 'thoda' (थोड़ा), and the plural (for both masculine and feminine) is 'thode' (थोड़े). The form depends on the noun it modifies. For example, 'थोड़ा पानी' (a little water - masculine), 'थोड़ी रोटी' (a little bread - feminine), 'थोड़े लोग' (a few people - plural).
Some common phrases include:
- 'थोड़ी देर' (thodi der) - a little while, a short time
- 'थोड़ा और' (thoda aur) - a little more
- 'थोड़ी देर में' (thodi der mein) - in a little while, soon
- 'थोड़ी-थोड़ी' (thodi-thodi) - little by little, gradually
- 'थोड़ा सा' (thoda sa) - a tiny bit (emphasizes smallness)
Adding 'sa' (सा) after 'thodi' (थोड़ी) or 'thoda' (थोड़ा) emphasizes the smallness of the amount. So, 'thoda sa' (थोड़ा सा) means 'a tiny bit' or 'just a little.' It adds a nuance of 'only a small amount' compared to just 'thoda' which means 'a little.' For example, 'मुझे थोड़ा सा पानी चाहिए' (I need just a little water).
Yes, it can. Using 'thodi' can make a request sound more polite or less demanding. For example, instead of 'जल्दी करो' (Do it quickly!), you could say 'थोड़ी जल्दी करो' (Do it a little quickly), which sounds softer and less abrupt.
Generally, no. 'Thodi' is neutral and simply indicates a small amount or degree. However, in certain contexts, if someone is given 'thodi' of something when they expected more, it could implicitly carry a feeling of disappointment, but that's due to the context, not the word itself.
'Thodi' can be used in questions to ask about a small amount or degree. For instance, 'क्या तुम्हें थोड़ी मदद चाहिए?' (Do you need a little help?) or 'थोड़ी देर और रुकोगे?' (Will you stay a little longer?). It functions just as 'a little' would in English questions.
The pronunciation is roughly 'tho-dee'. The 'th' sound is aspirated, similar to the 'th' in 'pot-hole' (not like 'the' in 'them'). The 'o' is like the 'o' in 'go', and the 'i' is like the 'ee' in 'see'.
While 'thodi' is widely understood and used across Hindi-speaking regions, some areas might have preferences for synonyms or slightly different idiomatic expressions. However, 'thodi' remains a standard and universally recognized term for 'a little' or 'somewhat' in formal and informal Hindi.
Test Yourself 30 questions
'मुझे' (I) is the subject, 'थोड़ी' (a little) modifies 'मदद' (help), and 'चाहिए' (need) is the verb. The standard Hindi sentence structure is Subject-Object-Verb.
'आज' (Today) is a temporal adverb, 'थोड़ी' (a little) modifies 'गर्मी' (heat), and 'है' (is) is the verb. This follows a common Hindi descriptive sentence structure.
'उसने' (He/She) is the subject, 'थोड़ी' (a little) modifies 'देर' (time/while), 'बात' (talk) is the object, and 'की' (did) is the verb. The structure is Subject-Modifier-Object-Verb.
मुझे आज ___ थकान महसूस हो रही है। (I am feeling ___ tired today.)
The word 'थोड़ी' means 'a little' and fits the context of feeling a little tired. 'बहुत' means 'very', 'कम' means 'less', and 'ज़्यादा' means 'more'.
क्या आप ___ देर और रुक सकते हैं? (Can you stay ___ longer?)
'थोड़ी' means 'a little' or 'somewhat', which makes sense when asking someone to stay for a short additional period. 'काफ़ी' means 'quite a bit', 'बहुत' means 'very', and 'हमेशा' means 'always'.
मुझे ___ चीनी चाहिए मेरी चाय के लिए। (I need ___ sugar for my tea.)
'थोड़ी' is used to indicate a small amount of sugar. 'अधिक' and 'ज़्यादा' mean 'more' or 'excessive', and 'पूरी' means 'full' or 'complete'.
वह ___ परेशान लग रहा था। (He seemed ___ upset.)
'थोड़ा' (masculine form of 'थोड़ी') means 'a little' or 'somewhat', which fits the context of someone appearing a little upset. 'पूरा' means 'entirely', 'बहुत' means 'very', and 'कभी' means 'sometimes'.
क्या आप अपनी आवाज़ ___ धीमी कर सकते हैं? (Can you lower your voice ___?)
'थोड़ी' indicates a small adjustment, making it suitable for asking someone to lower their voice a little. 'बहुत' means 'very', 'ज़्यादा' means 'more', and 'पूरी तरह' means 'completely'.
आज मौसम में ___ ठंडक है। (There is ___ chill in the weather today.)
'थोड़ी' means 'a little' and is appropriate for describing a slight chill in the weather. 'अत्यधिक' means 'excessive', 'ज़्यादा' means 'more', and 'बड़ी' means 'big' or 'large'.
Imagine you're reviewing a new restaurant. Describe the food using 'थोड़ी' to express that certain aspects were 'a little' or 'somewhat' good/bad. For example, 'The curry was थोड़ी spicy.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
नए रेस्टोरेंट में खाना अच्छा था, पर करी थोड़ी मसालेदार थी और मिठाई थोड़ी मीठी थी। लेकिन कुल मिलाकर अनुभव अच्छा था। (The food at the new restaurant was good, but the curry was a little spicy and the dessert was somewhat sweet. But overall the experience was good.)
You are writing a short email to a friend explaining why you might be a little late for a meeting. Use 'थोड़ी' at least twice in your explanation.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
नमस्ते [दोस्त का नाम], मुझे मीटिंग के लिए थोड़ी देर हो सकती है। रास्ते में थोड़ा ट्रैफिक है और मुझे एक काम भी खत्म करना है। (Hi [Friend's Name], I might be a little late for the meeting. There's some traffic on the way and I also have to finish a task.)
Describe a difficult situation you faced recently. How did you feel? Use 'थोड़ी' to convey that your feelings were 'somewhat' or 'a little' intense.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
हाल ही में मुझे एक मुश्किल स्थिति का सामना करना पड़ा। मैं थोड़ी परेशान और थोड़ी चिंतित थी, लेकिन मैंने इसे संभाल लिया। (Recently I faced a difficult situation. I was a little troubled and somewhat worried, but I managed it.)
लेखक को शाम तक मौसम के बारे में क्या उम्मीद है?
Read this passage:
आज का मौसम थोड़ा ठंडा है, लेकिन सूरज भी थोड़ी देर के लिए निकला था। मुझे उम्मीद है कि शाम तक थोड़ी गर्मी हो जाएगी। (Today's weather is a little cold, but the sun also came out for a little while. I hope it gets a little warmer by evening.)
लेखक को शाम तक मौसम के बारे में क्या उम्मीद है?
गद्यांश में लिखा है, 'मुझे उम्मीद है कि शाम तक थोड़ी गर्मी हो जाएगी।' (The passage states, 'I hope it gets a little warmer by evening.')
गद्यांश में लिखा है, 'मुझे उम्मीद है कि शाम तक थोड़ी गर्मी हो जाएगी।' (The passage states, 'I hope it gets a little warmer by evening.')
जवाब देने से पहले उसने क्या किया?
Read this passage:
उसने थोड़ी देर सोचा और फिर जवाब दिया। उसका जवाब थोड़ा अजीब था, लेकिन उसने समझाने की कोशिश की। (He thought for a little while and then answered. His answer was somewhat strange, but he tried to explain.)
जवाब देने से पहले उसने क्या किया?
गद्यांश में लिखा है, 'उसने थोड़ी देर सोचा और फिर जवाब दिया।' (The passage states, 'He thought for a little while and then answered.')
गद्यांश में लिखा है, 'उसने थोड़ी देर सोचा और फिर जवाब दिया।' (The passage states, 'He thought for a little while and then answered.')
शिक्षक ने छात्रों की मदद क्यों की?
Read this passage:
शिक्षक ने छात्रों को थोड़ी मदद की, क्योंकि प्रश्न थोड़े मुश्किल थे। छात्रों को थोड़ी और मेहनत करनी होगी। (The teacher helped the students a little, because the questions were a little difficult. The students will have to work a little harder.)
शिक्षक ने छात्रों की मदद क्यों की?
गद्यांश में लिखा है, 'क्योंकि प्रश्न थोड़े मुश्किल थे।' (The passage states, 'because the questions were a little difficult.')
गद्यांश में लिखा है, 'क्योंकि प्रश्न थोड़े मुश्किल थे।' (The passage states, 'because the questions were a little difficult.')
Choose the best translation for: 'मुझे थोड़ी देर हो गई है।'
‘थोड़ी’ here indicates a small amount or duration, hence ‘a little late’ is the most accurate translation.
Which sentence correctly uses 'थोड़ी' to mean 'somewhat'?
In this context, 'थोड़ी' modifies 'बीमार' (sick) to express a degree, meaning 'somewhat sick'. The other options use 'थोड़ी' to mean 'a little' in terms of quantity or distance.
If someone says, 'मुझे थोड़ी नींद आ रही है,' what are they most likely feeling?
‘थोड़ी नींद’ means ‘a little sleepiness’, indicating they are feeling somewhat sleepy, not extremely so.
The sentence 'मुझे थोड़ी भूख लगी है' means 'I am extremely hungry.'
‘थोड़ी भूख’ means ‘a little hunger’, implying a moderate level of hunger, not extreme hunger.
In the phrase 'थोड़ी देर बाद' (after a little while), 'थोड़ी' emphasizes a long duration.
‘थोड़ी देर’ means ‘a short while’ or ‘a little while’, indicating a brief duration, not a long one.
When 'थोड़ी' is used with adjectives, it often functions similarly to 'somewhat' or 'a bit'.
For example, ‘थोड़ी मुश्किल’ means ‘somewhat difficult’ or ‘a bit difficult’, showing that it modifies adjectives to express degree.
The weather is a bit cold today.
Can you wait for a little while?
I need a little help.
Read this aloud:
क्या आप थोड़ा और बोल सकते हैं?
Focus: थोड़ा
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
मुझे थोड़ी भूख लगी है।
Focus: थोड़ी
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
कृपया थोड़ी शांति बनाए रखें।
Focus: थोड़ी
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
/ 30 correct
Perfect score!
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Related Phrases
More general words
आभार व्यक्त करना
B1To express gratitude or thankfulness.
आचरण करना
C1To conduct oneself; behave in a particular way.
आगे
A1Forward; ahead.
आगे बढ़ना
A2To move forward or progress.
आगामी
B1Happening in the near future; upcoming or next.
आह्वान करना
B1To call, to summon, to request someone's presence.
आज रात
A2The night of the present day; tonight.
आजमाना
A2To make an attempt or effort to do something; to test.
आक्रमण करना
B2To begin military operations against a country or group.
आखिरी
A2Last, final.
