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धंसना

B1 verb #6,500 most common 9 min read

धंसना

dhansna Top 6,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips धंसना in 30 Seconds

Explanation धंसना in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to worry about the complex uses of 'धंसना'. Just think of it as a special word for 'sinking' when you are not in water. Imagine walking on a beach. Your feet go into the sand. In Hindi, we say 'पैर धंस गया' (The foot sank). It is a simple action verb. You might use it to talk about mud or snow. At this stage, focus on the basic past tense form 'धंस गया' (sank) because that is how you will most likely use it when telling a simple story about your day. Remember: water = डूबना (ḍūbnā), mud/sand = धंसना (dhansnā). This simple rule will help you avoid the most common mistake beginners make. You can also imagine a heavy ball falling on a soft pillow and 'sinking' into it. That is 'धंसना'.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'धंसना' to describe more things around you. You can talk about cars getting stuck in the mud during the rainy season. 'गाड़ी कीचड़ में धंस गई' (The car sank in the mud). You should also learn the present continuous form 'धंस रहा है' (is sinking). This is useful if you see something happening right now. You can also start using it for body parts, like 'eyes' or 'cheeks', to describe someone who looks very tired. For example, 'उसकी आँखें धंस गई हैं' (His eyes have sunken). This adds a bit more detail to your descriptions of people. You are moving from just describing actions to describing how things look. Try to use it with 'धीरे-धीरे' (slowly) to show how something is sinking over time.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'धंसना' in various tenses and contexts. You should understand the difference between the physical act of sinking and the metaphorical act. You will encounter this word in news stories about 'land subsidence' (भू-धंसाव) or construction problems. You should also learn the causative form 'धंसाना' (dhansānā), which means 'to push something into a soft surface'. For example, 'उसने ज़मीन में खंभा धंसाया' (He pushed the pole into the ground). This level requires you to know when to use 'धंसना' versus its synonyms like 'बैठना' (to settle) or 'गड़ना' (to be fixed). You should be able to read a short news paragraph about a landslide and understand that 'धंसना' refers to the ground caving in.

At the B2 level, you can use 'धंसना' to express more abstract and complex ideas. You might use it in a debate about urban planning, discussing how buildings are 'sinking' due to poor soil quality. You should also be able to use the word in literary or formal writing. For example, describing a character 'sinking' into a deep depression or a society 'sinking' into corruption. At this level, you should have a firm grasp of the nuance between 'धंसना' and 'दबना' (to be pressed/buried). You should also be familiar with compound verbs like 'धंस जाना', which emphasizes the completed or sudden nature of the sinking. Your vocabulary should now include technical terms like 'धंसाव' (subsidence) and you should be able to explain geological phenomena using this word.

At the C1 level, 'धंसना' becomes a tool for precise and evocative expression. You can use it to describe the subtle 'settling' of a historical narrative or the way a particular ideology 'sinks' into the collective consciousness of a nation. You should be able to appreciate the word's use in classical Hindi poetry and modern literature, where it might describe the sun 'sinking' into the horizon or a memory 'sinking' into the soul. You should also be able to use it in professional contexts, such as an engineering report or a medical diagnosis, with perfect grammatical accuracy. You understand the etymological roots and how they influence the word's current connotations of structural failure or physical decline.

At the C2 level, you have a near-native command of 'धंसना'. You can use it with all its subtle shades of meaning, from the literal sinking of a foundation to the most complex philosophical metaphors. You can distinguish between the various regional nuances of the word and use it in wordplay or sophisticated rhetoric. You might use it to describe the 'sinking' of a political movement or the way a complex scientific theory 'sinks' into the mind of a student. Your use of the word is indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker, and you can effortlessly switch between its formal, informal, and technical applications. You are also aware of how the word has evolved in modern media and can use it to critique news reports or literary works.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

धंसना in 30 Seconds

To sink into a soft surface like mud or sand.
Used for 'sunken' eyes or cheeks in health contexts.
Common in news for 'land subsidence' or building collapse.
Intransitive verb; distinct from 'डूबना' (sinking in liquid).

The Hindi verb धंसना (dhansnā) is a versatile term primarily used to describe the action of sinking, caving in, or becoming deeply embedded into a soft or yielding surface. Unlike the word 'डूबना' (ḍūbnā), which specifically refers to drowning or sinking in liquid like water, धंसना is almost exclusively reserved for solid or semi-solid materials such as mud, sand, snow, or even the ground itself. In a physical sense, you might hear this word when someone's foot gets stuck in a marshy patch of land or when a heavy vehicle's tires get bogged down in a construction site.

Physical Context: Used for objects or body parts sinking into mud, sand, or snow. Example: 'रेत में पैर धंस रहे थे' (The feet were sinking into the sand).

भारी बारिश के कारण पूरी सड़क ज़मीन में धंस गई। (Due to heavy rain, the entire road sank into the ground.)

Beyond the physical, the word carries significant weight in metaphorical and descriptive Hindi. For instance, 'धंसी हुई आँखें' (dhansī huī āṅkhēṅ) refers to sunken eyes, often used to describe someone who is ill, exhausted, or malnourished. It suggests a hollow appearance where the eyes seem to have receded into their sockets. Similarly, it can describe a building or structure that has partially collapsed or settled into the earth over time. In news reports concerning geological disasters, you will frequently encounter the term 'भू-धंसाव' (bhū-dhansāv), meaning land subsidence, where large areas of land literally sink downward. This word is essential for B1 learners as it bridges the gap between basic movement verbs and more descriptive, specific vocabulary used in journalism, literature, and daily observations of the physical world.

Descriptive Context: Used to describe features like sunken cheeks or eyes. Example: 'बीमारी की वजह से उसके गाल धंस गए हैं' (His cheeks have sunken due to illness).

पुरानी हवेली की नींव अब धीरे-धीरे धंस रही है। (The foundation of the old mansion is now slowly sinking.)

In emotional or abstract settings, 'धंसना' can describe a feeling of being 'sunk' or deeply 'embedded' in a thought or a situation. While less common than the physical usage, a poet might describe a memory 'धंसिंग' (sinking) into the heart. However, for a learner, mastering the distinction between 'falling' (गिरना), 'drowning' (डूबना), and 'sinking into a surface' (धंसना) is the primary goal.

Structural Context: Used in engineering and construction to talk about soil settlement. Example: 'ज़मीन धंसने के डर से निर्माण रोक दिया गया' (Construction was stopped for fear of the ground sinking).

उसका पैर अचानक दलदल में धंस गया। (His foot suddenly sank into the swamp.)

Using धंसना correctly requires an understanding of its intransitive nature. In Hindi, it describes something that happens to the subject. For example, 'The car sank' is 'गाड़ी धंस गई'. If you want to say 'He sank the pole into the ground,' you would use the causative form 'धंसाना' (dhansānā). This distinction is vital. When practicing, think of the surface first: is it mud, snow, sand, or a soft sofa? If the object moves *into* that surface by its own weight or gravity, use धंसना.

Tense: Past (Masculine Singular): पैर धंस गया (The foot sank). Note the use of 'जाना' as an auxiliary verb to indicate completion.

ट्रक के पहिए कीचड़ में गहरे धंस गए थे। (The truck's wheels had sunk deep into the mud.)

In the present continuous tense, it describes an ongoing process of sinking. This is often used for dramatic effect in storytelling or in urgent news reports. For example, 'The city is sinking' (शहर धंस रहा है). This tense highlights the gradual nature of the movement.

Tense: Present Continuous: दीवार धीरे-धीरे ज़मीन में धंस रही है (The wall is slowly sinking into the ground).

अगर तुम यहाँ खड़े रहोगे, तो तुम्हारे पैर रेत में धंस जाएंगे। (If you stand here, your feet will sink into the sand.)

When describing features, the perfective participle form 'धंसा हुआ' (dhansā huā) is used as an adjective. This is how you describe 'sunken' eyes or cheeks. It modifies the noun that follows. 'उसकी धंसी हुई आँखों में डर था' (There was fear in his sunken eyes). This adjectival use is very common in Hindi literature to depict poverty, age, or illness.

Adjectival Use: धंसी हुई आँखें (Sunken eyes) / धंसे हुए गाल (Sunken cheeks). The ending changes based on gender and number.

मज़दूर के धंसे हुए चेहरे पर थकान साफ़ दिख रही थी। (Exhaustion was clearly visible on the laborer's sunken face.)

In modern India, धंसना has become a frequent word in national headlines, particularly regarding environmental issues. One of the most prominent examples is the geological crisis in Joshimath, Uttarakhand. News anchors and newspapers used the term 'भू-धंसाव' (land subsidence) incessantly to describe how the town was literally sinking into the Himalayan slopes. If you watch Hindi news (like Aaj Tak or NDTV India), you will hear this word whenever there is a report on landslides, building collapses, or roads caving in during the monsoon season.

News Context: Used for natural disasters. 'जोशीमठ में ज़मीन धंसने की घटनाएँ बढ़ रही हैं' (Incidents of ground sinking in Joshimath are increasing).

अवैध खनन की वजह से पूरा इलाका धंस सकता है। (The entire area could sink due to illegal mining.)

You will also hear this word in medical or health-related discussions. A doctor might observe that a dehydrated child's eyes are 'धंस गई हैं' (have sunken). In rural India, where traditional descriptions of health are common, 'गाल धंसना' (sunken cheeks) is a standard way to describe someone who has lost a lot of weight or is suffering from a long-term fever.

Health Context: Used to describe physical signs of dehydration or illness. 'बच्चे की आँखें अंदर की ओर धंस गई थीं' (The child's eyes had sunken inward).

बुढ़ापे के कारण उसके गाल धंस गए हैं। (His cheeks have sunken due to old age.)

Finally, in literature and cinema, धंसना is used to create a somber atmosphere. A character might be described as 'sinking into the darkness' of their own thoughts or a city might be depicted as 'sinking into the earth' as a metaphor for its moral decay. If you listen to Hindi podcasts or audiobooks, pay attention to how authors use this word to describe the physical weight of a situation.

Literary Context: Used metaphorically for emotional or societal decline. 'वह दुखों के सागर में धंसता चला गया' (He kept sinking into the ocean of sorrows).

शाम होते ही सूरज पहाड़ियों के पीछे धंसता हुआ लगा। (As evening approached, the sun seemed to sink behind the hills.)

The most frequent mistake English speakers make is confusing धंसना with 'डूबना' (ḍūbnā). While both can be translated as 'to sink' in English, their usage in Hindi is strictly separated by the medium. If you are talking about water, oil, or any liquid, you MUST use 'डूबना'. If you say 'जहाज़ रेत में डूब गया,' it sounds like the ship drowned in sand like it was water, which is technically possible but usually, we say 'जहाज़ रेत में धंस गया' because sand is a solid surface.

Mistake: Using 'डूबना' for soil: Incorrect: मेरा पैर मिट्टी में डूब गया। Correct: मेरा पैर मिट्टी में धंस गया।

Don't say: सूरज पानी में धंस गया। (The sun sank in the water.) Say: सूरज पानी में डूब गया।

Another mistake is the confusion between 'धंसना' (intransitive) and 'धंसाना' (transitive). Because English uses the same word 'sink' for both 'The ship sank' and 'He sank the ship,' learners often forget to change the verb form in Hindi. If you are the one pushing a nail into a wall, you are 'धंसानाing' it. If the nail is just going in because the wall is soft, it is 'धंसनाing'.

Mistake: Mixing Transitive/Intransitive: Incorrect: मैंने कील दीवार में धंसी। Correct: मैंने कील दीवार में धंसाई (I pushed the nail into the wall).

The ground sank: ज़मीन धंस गई। (Correct)

Lastly, avoid using धंसना for simple falling. If a book falls off a table, it's 'गिरना' (girnā). It only becomes धंसना if the book falls onto a pile of whipped cream and disappears halfway into it. The 'entry into the surface' is the key component of the meaning.

Mistake: Overusing for 'falling': If something falls on hard ground, it doesn't 'धंसना'. It just 'गिरना'.

गलत: वह सीढ़ियों से धंस गया। सही: वह सीढ़ियों से गिर गया।

While धंसना is specific, there are several words that overlap in meaning depending on the context. Understanding these will help you choose the most natural-sounding word for your situation.

धंसना vs. डूबना (ḍūbnā): डूबना is for liquids (water, milk). धंसना is for solids/semi-solids (earth, snow, mud).
धंसना vs. बैठना (baiṭhnā): In technical contexts like construction, 'बैठना' (to sit) is often used to mean 'to settle'. A foundation 'sits' (settles) over time. धंसना is more dramatic or sudden.

Comparison: मकान की नींव धंस गई (The house foundation sank - sounds like a disaster). मकान की नींव बैठ गई (The foundation settled - sounds like a natural process).

Another close synonym is 'दबना' (dabnā), which means to be pressed or buried. If a person is under a pile of rubble, they are 'दबे हुए' (buried/pressed). If they are sinking into quicksand, they are 'धंस रहे' (sinking).

धंसना vs. गड़ना (gaṛnā): गड़ना implies being fixed or pierced (like a pole in the ground). धंसना implies the surface giving way.

कील लकड़ी में धंस गई। (The nail sank into the wood - implies the wood was soft).

In summary, while 'sink' covers many bases in English, Hindi speakers use धंसना to paint a specific picture of a surface yielding under pressure. Whether it's the tragedy of a sinking town or the descriptive detail of a tired face, this word provides a level of precision that is hallmark of B1-level proficiency. Practice by observing things around you: does that cushion 'धंसना' when you sit? Does your foot 'धंसना' in the beach sand? These real-world associations will make the word stick.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word 'धंसना' shares a common ancestor with words meaning destruction in several Indian languages, highlighting the inherent danger or failure implied when something 'sinks'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /dʱəns.nɑː/

US /dʱəns.nɑ/

Stress is on the first syllable 'dhans'.

Rhymes With

फंसना (phansnā - to be trapped) हंसना (hansnā - to laugh) कसना (kasnā - to tighten) डसना (dasnā - to bite/sting) पिसना (pisnā - to be ground) घिसना (ghisnā - to rub) बसना (basnā - to settle) रचना (rachnā - to create)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'dh' as a simple 'd' (like 'dansna').
Forgetting the nasalization if the 'n' is elided in fast speech.
Confusing the 's' with 'sh'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Common in news and literature, but requires understanding context.

Writing 4/5

Must remember it's intransitive and choose it over 'डूबना'.

Speaking 3/5

Useful for daily descriptions once the 'water vs ground' rule is learned.

Listening 3/5

Clearly audible in news reports during monsoon.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

गिरना (to fall) डूबना (to sink/drown) मिट्टी (soil) पैर (foot) ज़मीन (ground)

Learn Next

धंसाना (to cause to sink) भू-धंसाव (land subsidence) दलदल (swamp) नींव (foundation) कनपटी (temple)

Advanced

अवसाद (depression/subsidence) धराशायी (collapsed) विलुप्त (extinct/disappeared)

Grammar to Know

Intransitive Past Tense

The subject takes no 'ne'. 'वह धंस गया' (He/It sank).

Causative Formation

Change 'धंसना' to 'धंसाना' to make it transitive (to sink something).

Compound Verbs with 'जाना'

'धंस जाना' emphasizes the completion or finality of the action.

Adjectival Participle

'धंसा हुआ' (masculine) or 'धंसी हुई' (feminine) acts as an adjective.

Gender Agreement

'आँखें' is feminine plural, so 'धंसी हुई आँखें'.

Examples by Level

मेरा पैर कीचड़ में धंस गया।

My foot sank in the mud.

Simple past tense with 'जाना' auxiliary.

गेंद बर्फ में धंस गई।

The ball sank in the snow.

Feminine subject 'गेंद' leads to 'धंस गई'.

रेत में मत धंसो।

Don't sink in the sand.

Imperative form with 'मत'.

हाथी का पैर धंस गया।

The elephant's foot sank.

Possessive 'का' used with 'हाथी'.

खिलौना मिट्टी में धंस गया।

The toy sank in the soil.

Masculine singular subject.

क्या तुम्हारा पैर धंसा?

Did your foot sink?

Interrogative sentence.

यहाँ पैर धंसते हैं।

Feet sink here.

Habitual present tense.

जूता कीचड़ में धंस गया।

The shoe sank in the mud.

Common daily life sentence.

भारी बारिश से सड़क धंस रही है।

The road is sinking due to heavy rain.

Present continuous tense.

बीमारी से उसके गाल धंस गए।

His cheeks sank due to illness.

Descriptive use of the past tense.

ट्रक के पहिए रेत में धंस गए।

The truck's wheels sank in the sand.

Plural subject 'पहिए'.

पुरानी दीवार ज़मीन में धंस गई है।

The old wall has sunken into the ground.

Present perfect tense.

बच्चे की आँखें धंसी हुई थीं।

The child's eyes were sunken.

Adjectival use with 'हुई'.

ज़मीन धीरे-धीरे धंस रही थी।

The ground was slowly sinking.

Past continuous tense.

सावधान! यहाँ ज़मीन धंस सकती है।

Watch out! The ground can sink here.

Use of 'सकना' for possibility.

उसका सारा शरीर दलदल में धंस गया।

His whole body sank into the swamp.

Emphasizing 'सारा शरीर'.

पहाड़ों में भू-धंसाव की समस्या बढ़ रही है।

The problem of land subsidence is increasing in the mountains.

Technical term 'भू-धंसाव'.

उसने लोहे की कील लकड़ी में धंसा दी।

He pushed the iron nail into the wood.

Causative form 'धंसाना'.

भ्रष्टाचार की वजह से देश की अर्थव्यवस्था धंस रही है।

The country's economy is sinking because of corruption.

Metaphorical usage.

मकान की नींव कच्ची होने के कारण धंस गई।

The house foundation sank because it was weak.

Reasoning with 'के कारण'.

रेत की बोरी ज़मीन में धंस गई।

The sandbag sank into the ground.

Feminine subject.

नदी के किनारे की ज़मीन अक्सर धंस जाती है।

The ground near the riverbank often sinks.

Habitual action with 'जाना'.

उसकी धंसी हुई आँखों में गहरा दुख था।

There was deep sorrow in his sunken eyes.

Literary description.

भारी मशीनरी के कारण फर्श धंस गया।

The floor sank due to heavy machinery.

Cause and effect.

वैज्ञानिक जोशीमठ में ज़मीन धंसने के कारणों की जाँच कर रहे हैं।

Scientists are investigating the reasons for the ground sinking in Joshimath.

Complex sentence with 'के कारणों की जाँच'.

अगर नींव मज़बूत नहीं है, तो पूरी इमारत धंस सकती है।

If the foundation is not strong, the whole building can sink.

Conditional 'अगर... तो'.

उसका पैर दलदल में इतना गहरा धंस गया कि निकलना मुश्किल था।

His foot sank so deep into the swamp that it was hard to get out.

Result clause with 'इतना... कि'.

शहर का एक बड़ा हिस्सा धीरे-धीरे पाताल में धंसता जा रहा है।

A large part of the city is slowly sinking into the underworld.

Compound verb 'धंसता जा रहा है'.

पुराने किले की दीवारें अब मिट्टी में धंस चुकी हैं।

The walls of the old fort have already sunken into the soil.

Past perfect with 'चुकी हैं'.

ग़रीबी के कारण उस गाँव के लोगों के चेहरे धंस गए हैं।

The faces of the people in that village have sunken due to poverty.

Societal context.

ज़मीन धंसने के डर से लोगों ने अपने घर छोड़ दिए।

People left their homes for fear of the ground sinking.

Noun phrase 'धंसने के डर से'.

अत्यधिक भार के कारण पुल का एक खंभा धंस गया।

One pillar of the bridge sank due to excessive load.

Technical description.

अनियंत्रित विकास ने हिमालयी क्षेत्रों में भू-धंसाव की स्थिति पैदा कर दी है।

Uncontrolled development has created a situation of land subsidence in the Himalayan regions.

Formal academic/journalistic style.

उसकी आँखों की धंसी हुई पुतलियाँ उसकी मानसिक स्थिति बयां कर रही थीं।

The sunken pupils of his eyes were telling of his mental state.

Advanced literary description.

जैसे-जैसे बर्फ पिघली, भारी ट्रक कीचड़ में और भी गहरा धंसता चला गया।

As the snow melted, the heavy truck kept sinking even deeper into the mud.

Temporal clause 'जैसे-जैसे'.

इस ऐतिहासिक इमारत का संरक्षण अनिवार्य है क्योंकि इसकी नींव धंस रही है।

Conservation of this historical building is mandatory because its foundation is sinking.

Use of 'अनिवार्य' and 'क्योंकि'.

वह अपने विचारों की गहराई में इस कदर धंस गया कि उसे समय का पता ही नहीं चला।

He sank so deep into the depth of his thoughts that he didn't realize the time.

Deep metaphorical usage.

मिट्टी की संरचना में परिवर्तन के कारण पुल के खंभों का धंसना स्वाभाविक था।

The sinking of the bridge's pillars was natural due to changes in soil structure.

Nominalized verb 'धंसना' as a noun.

उसकी धंसी हुई कनपटी और गाल उसकी लंबी बीमारी के गवाह थे।

His sunken temples and cheeks were witnesses to his long illness.

Specific anatomical terms.

पूरी सभ्यता धीरे-धीरे विस्मृति के अंधकार में धंसती चली गई।

The entire civilization slowly sank into the darkness of oblivion.

Highly poetic/abstract usage.

भू-गर्भीय हलचलों और मानवीय हस्तक्षेप के घातक मेल ने इस क्षेत्र को धंसने की कगार पर ला खड़ा किया है।

The fatal combination of geological movements and human intervention has brought this region to the brink of subsidence.

Sophisticated vocabulary and syntax.

लेखक ने नायक की मानसिक वेदना को दर्शाने के लिए 'धंसी हुई आत्मा' जैसे रूपक का प्रयोग किया है।

The author has used metaphors like 'sunken soul' to depict the protagonist's mental agony.

Literary criticism context.

इमारत के धंसने की प्रक्रिया इतनी सूक्ष्म थी कि दशकों तक किसी का ध्यान उस पर नहीं गया।

The process of the building's sinking was so subtle that no one noticed it for decades.

Focus on nuance and precision.

वैश्विक आर्थिक मंदी के इस दौर में कई उभरती हुई अर्थव्यवस्थाएं कर्ज़ के दलदल में धंसती जा रही हैं।

In this era of global economic recession, many emerging economies are sinking into the swamp of debt.

High-level economic metaphor.

उसकी धंसी हुई आँखों के पीछे छिपे रहस्यों को पढ़ पाना किसी के लिए भी संभव नहीं था।

It was not possible for anyone to read the secrets hidden behind his sunken eyes.

Complex narrative structure.

पारिस्थितिक तंत्र के असंतुलन से तटीय क्षेत्रों का धंसना अब एक वैश्विक चिंता का विषय बन चुका है।

The sinking of coastal areas due to ecosystem imbalance has now become a matter of global concern.

Formal policy-level language.

उसकी आवाज़ में एक ऐसी भारीपन थी जैसे वह किसी गहरे कुएँ में धंसती जा रही हो।

There was such a heaviness in her voice as if it were sinking into a deep well.

Subjunctive 'जैसे... हो'.

सत्य की खोज में वह मिथ्या धारणाओं के उस दलदल में और भी गहरे धंसता गया जिसे वह ज्ञान समझ बैठा था।

In search of truth, he sank even deeper into the swamp of false notions that he had mistaken for knowledge.

Philosophical complexity.

Common Collocations

ज़मीन धंसना

आँखें धंसना

कीचड़ में धंसना

नींव धंसना

रेत में धंसना

गाल धंसना

दलदल में धंसना

पहिया धंसना

बर्फ में धंसना

गहरा धंसना

Common Phrases

धंसी हुई आँखें

— Sunken eyes due to illness or lack of sleep.

उसकी धंसी हुई आँखें डरावनी लग रही थीं।

धंसे हुए गाल

— Sunken cheeks, usually a sign of malnutrition.

भूख के कारण उसके गाल धंस गए थे।

ज़मीन धंसने का डर

— The fear of land subsidence.

यहाँ ज़मीन धंसने का डर बना रहता है।

कीचड़ में धंस जाना

— To get stuck in mud.

बरसात में गाड़ियाँ कीचड़ में धंस जाती हैं।

पाताल में धंसना

— To sink into the underworld (metaphorical for total disappearance).

लगता है वह पाताल में धंस गया।

गहरे धंसना

— To sink deeply.

कील दीवार में गहरी धंस गई।

नींव का धंसना

— The sinking of a foundation.

नींव का धंसना इमारत के लिए खतरनाक है।

रेत में धंसना

— To sink in sand.

समुद्र किनारे पैर रेत में धंसते हैं।

मिट्टी में धंसना

— To sink in soil.

भारी मशीन मिट्टी में धंस गई।

अंदर धंसना

— To sink inward.

दीवार अंदर की ओर धंस गई है।

Often Confused With

धंसना vs डूबना (ḍūbnā)

'डूबना' is for liquids. 'धंसना' is for solids/semi-solids.

धंसना vs गिरना (girnā)

'गिरना' is to fall. 'धंसना' is to sink into a surface.

धंसना vs गड़ना (gaṛnā)

'गड़ना' is to be pierced/fixed. 'धंसना' is to sink due to weight.

Idioms & Expressions

"ज़मीन में धंस जाना"

— To feel extremely ashamed (literally: to wish to sink into the earth).

शर्म के मारे वह ज़मीन में धंस गया।

Common

"दलदल में धंसना"

— To get caught in a situation that is hard to escape from.

वह कर्ज़ के दलदल में धंसता गया।

Metaphorical

"पाताल में धंसना"

— To disappear completely or reach the lowest point.

उसका करियर पाताल में धंस गया है।

Informal

"धंसी हुई पुतलियाँ"

— Describing a state of near death or extreme shock.

उसकी धंसी हुई पुतलियाँ देख मैं डर गया।

Literary

"रेत की तरह धंसना"

— To lose stability quickly.

उसका साम्राज्य रेत की तरह धंस गया।

Poetic

"गर्त में धंसना"

— To fall into a pit or ruin.

देश भ्रष्टाचार के गर्त में धंस रहा है।

Formal

"कीचड़ में पैर धंसना"

— To get involved in a messy or scandalous situation.

राजनीति के कीचड़ में उसके पैर धंस गए।

Metaphorical

"नींव धंसना"

— The fundamental failure of something.

रिश्ते की नींव ही धंस गई थी।

Metaphorical

"अंधकार में धंसना"

— To sink into darkness/oblivion.

सत्य झूठ के अंधकार में धंस गया।

Poetic

"गहरे पानी में धंसना"

— (Rare/Regional) To get into deep trouble.

वह मुश्किलों में गहरा धंस गया है।

Informal

Easily Confused

धंसना vs डूबना

Both translate to 'sink'.

Medium of sinking: water vs. earth.

जहाज़ पानी में डूबा, ट्रक कीचड़ में धंसा।

धंसना vs बैठना

Both can mean 'to settle' in construction.

'बैठना' is natural settlement; 'धंसना' is often a failure or disaster.

नींव बैठ गई (Normal) vs. नींव धंस गई (Accident).

धंसना vs दबना

Both involve being below a surface.

'दबना' is being pressed down; 'धंसना' is the act of sinking into.

वह मलबे में दब गया (Buried) vs. वह दलदल में धंस गया (Sinking).

धंसना vs गड़ना

Both mean entering a surface.

'गड़ना' is usually intentional or sharp (nail/thorn); 'धंसना' is due to mass/softness.

कांटा गड़ा (Thorn pierced) vs. पैर धंसा (Foot sank).

धंसना vs घुसना

Both mean entering into something.

'घुसना' is to enter/penetrate (like a room or a crowd); 'धंसना' is to sink vertically.

वह कमरे में घुसा vs. वह कीचड़ में धंसा।

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] [Surface] में धंस गया।

पैर मिट्टी में धंस गया।

[Subject] धंस रहा है।

सड़क धंस रही है।

[Subject] के कारण [Object] धंस गया।

बारिश के कारण मकान धंस गया।

उसने [Object] [Surface] में धंसा दिया।

उसने खंभा ज़मीन में धंसा दिया।

[Subject] की [Body Part] धंस गई हैं।

उसकी आँखें धंस गई हैं।

[Noun] का धंसना [Adjective] है।

इमारत का धंसना चिंताजनक है।

[Metaphor] के दलदल में धंसना।

वह झूठ के दलदल में धंसता गया।

All

धीरे-धीरे धंसना।

रेत धीरे-धीरे धंस रही है।

Word Family

Nouns

धंसान (dhansān - subsidence)

धंसाव (dhansāv - sinking/collapse)

Verbs

धंसाना (dhansānā - to cause to sink/push in)

धंसना (dhansnā - to sink)

Adjectives

धंसा हुआ (dhansā huā - sunken)

धंसी (dhansī - sunken feminine)

दबना (to be pressed)

गड़ना (to be fixed)

डूबना (to drown)

गिरना (to fall)

बैठना (to settle)

How to Use It

frequency

High, especially in summer (sand) and monsoon (mud/landslides).

Common Mistakes

Using 'डूबना' for mud. → मेरा पैर कीचड़ में धंस गया।
'डूबना' is only for liquids. For mud, 'धंसना' is correct.
Using 'ने' in past tense. → सड़क धंस गई।
'धंसना' is intransitive; 'ने' is not used.
Confusing 'धंसना' and 'घुसना'. → कील लकड़ी में धंस गई।
'घुसना' is to enter; 'धंसना' is to sink in.
Using for water. → जहाज़ पानी में डूब गया।
You cannot 'धंसना' in water.
Forgetting gender agreement with 'आँखें'. → उसकी आँखें धंस गई हैं।
'आँखें' is feminine plural, so use 'गई हैं' and 'धंसी'.

Tips

No 'Ne' Particle

Since 'धंसना' is intransitive, never use the 'ने' particle with it in the past tense. Example: 'गाड़ी धंस गई', not 'गाड़ी ने धंस गई'.

The Surface Matters

Always check the surface. If it's liquid, use 'डूबना'. If it's solid/soft (mud, sand, snow, soil), use 'धंसना'.

Sunken Features

Use the adjective form 'धंसा हुआ' to describe tired or ill faces (sunken eyes/cheeks).

Listen for 'Bhū-dhansāv'

In news reports about landslides or sinking towns, listen for the formal term 'भू-धंसाव'.

Emotional Sinking

Use 'धंसना' to describe being deeply stuck in a bad situation like debt (कर्ज़) or sorrow (दुख).

Nasal Sound

The dot (bindu) over 'ध' represents a nasal 'n' sound. Make sure to pronounce it: 'dhans-na'.

Making it Transitive

If you are pushing something into the ground, use 'धंसाना'. Example: 'मैंने खंभा धंसाया'.

Shame

The phrase 'शर्म से ज़मीन में धंस जाना' is a great way to express extreme embarrassment.

Swamp Safety

In stories, 'दलदल' (quicksand/swamp) is the most common place for characters to 'धंसना'.

Building Stability

Architects use 'धंसना' to describe structural failure where the ground gives way under a building.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a **D**irty **H**ole **A**nd **N**ew **S**and (DHANS). If you step in it, you will 'dhansna' (sink).

Visual Association

Visualize a heavy truck's tire slowly disappearing into a muddy road. That slow, heavy movement is 'धंसना'.

Word Web

Mud Sand Snow Sunken Eyes Building Collapse Quicksand Foundation Subsidence

Challenge

Try to describe three things in your house that might 'धंसना' if they were too heavy (e.g., a sofa cushion, a soft rug, a garden patch).

Word Origin

Derived from the Sanskrit root 'ध्वंस्' (dhvaṃs), which means to fall to pieces, perish, or crumble.

Original meaning: To fall down, to be destroyed, or to crumble away.

Indo-Aryan

Cultural Context

When using 'धंसी हुई आँखें' to describe someone, be aware that it implies they look very ill or tired. Use it carefully in social settings.

English speakers often use 'sink' for everything. In Hindi, remember to separate 'sink in water' (डूबना) from 'sink in ground' (धंसना).

The Joshimath 'Bhū-dhansāv' (Land Subsidence) of 2023. Premchand's stories often describe characters with 'dhansī huī āṅkhēṅ' (sunken eyes) to show poverty. Bollywood scenes where a villain sinks into 'daldal' (quicksand).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Natural Disasters

भू-धंसाव
ज़मीन का फटना
मकान का धंसना
सड़क का धंसना

Health & Appearance

धंसी हुई आँखें
धंसे हुए गाल
कमज़ोरी से धंसना
चेहरा धंसना

Construction

नींव का धंसना
फर्श का धंसना
खंभे का धंसना
मिट्टी धंसना

Accidents

पहिया धंसना
कीचड़ में धंसना
रेत में धंसना
दलदल में धंसना

Metaphors

कर्ज़ में धंसना
शर्म से धंसना
विचारों में धंसना
अंधकार में धंसना

Conversation Starters

"क्या आपने जोशीमठ में ज़मीन धंसने की खबर सुनी?"

"बरसात में आपकी गली की सड़क कभी धंसी है?"

"अगर गाड़ी कीचड़ में धंस जाए, तो आप क्या करेंगे?"

"क्या आपको लगता है कि पुरानी इमारतों की नींव धंस रही है?"

"क्या आपने कभी समुद्र किनारे रेत में अपने पैर धंसते महसूस किए हैं?"

Journal Prompts

उस समय के बारे में लिखें जब आपका पैर किसी चीज़ में धंस गया था।

अगर कोई शहर धीरे-धीरे धंस रहा हो, तो वहाँ के लोगों को क्या करना चाहिए?

एक ऐसे व्यक्ति का वर्णन करें जिसकी 'धंसी हुई आँखें' उसकी कहानी कहती हों।

क्या आपने कभी किसी को 'शर्म से ज़मीन में धंसते' देखा है? वह परिस्थिति क्या थी?

प्रकृति और मानव हस्तक्षेप के कारण ज़मीन धंसने की समस्या पर अपने विचार लिखें।

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, for a ship in water, you must use 'डूबना'. Use 'धंसना' only if the ship is sinking into the sand on the seabed or a beach.

It is intransitive. The causative (transitive) form is 'धंसाना'.

You say 'धंसी हुई आँखें' (dhansī huī āṅkhēṅ).

It is called 'भू-धंसाव' (bhū-dhansāv).

Yes, metaphorically. You can say someone is 'धंसना' in debt (कर्ज़ में धंसना) or in thoughts (विचारों में धंसना).

'गड़ना' is used for sharp objects or things being fixed (like a pole), while 'धंसना' is for something sinking due to its weight into a soft surface.

No, because it is an intransitive verb. You say 'वह धंस गया'.

Only if they fall *into* something soft like mud or a heap of sand. If they just fall on the floor, use 'गिरना'.

Yes, it is very common in daily conversation, news, and literature.

The best opposite is 'उभरना' (to emerge/rise up).