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थकान

A1 noun #700 most common 14 min read

थकान

thakaan Top 700

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips थकान in 30 Seconds

Explanation थकान in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'thakān' is a fundamental vocabulary word used to express a basic physical need or state. Beginners learn this word to communicate how they feel after simple activities like walking, studying, or traveling. At this stage, the focus is on the most common sentence structure: 'Mujhe thakān hai' (I have fatigue/I am tired). It is crucial for A1 learners to recognize that 'thakān' is a feminine noun. This is often one of the first encounters a student has with the concept that feelings or states can have a gender in Hindi. Beginners should practice using 'thakān' with 'bahut' (very) to say 'Mujhe bahut thakān hai'. This simple phrase is incredibly useful in daily life, whether you are talking to a host family, a teacher, or a friend. It provides a reason for needing to rest or for not being able to participate in an activity. A1 learners should also start to notice the difference between the noun 'thakān' and the adjective 'thaka hua' (tired), though 'Mujhe thakān hai' is often easier for beginners to remember and use correctly. The word is also helpful when learning about daily routines, as it marks the end of a day's activities. By mastering 'thakān' at the A1 level, students build the groundwork for expressing more complex physical and emotional states later on. It is a 'high-frequency' word, meaning it appears often in basic conversations, making it a high-priority word for new learners to memorize and use.

At the A2 level, learners expand their use of 'thakān' beyond simple existence to describe the causes and effects of tiredness in their daily lives. You will start using the possessive 'ki' to link 'thakān' to specific activities, such as 'kaam ki thakān' (fatigue of work) or 'safar ki thakān' (fatigue of travel). This allows for more descriptive and detailed communication. A2 students also begin to use verbs like 'mehsus karna' (to feel) with 'thakān', as in 'Main thakān mehsus kar raha hoon' (I am feeling fatigue). This shifts the focus from just 'having' a state to the 'experience' of it. At this level, you should also be able to understand and use simple remedies for 'thakān' in conversation, such as 'Chai peene se thakān door ho jati hai' (Fatigue goes away by drinking tea). You will also encounter 'thakān' in the context of health and wellness, perhaps when visiting a doctor or discussing fitness. The ability to quantify 'thakān' using words like 'thodi' (a little) or 'zyaada' (more) becomes important. For example, 'Aaj mujhe kal se zyaada thakān hai' (Today I have more fatigue than yesterday). This comparative use is a hallmark of the A2 level. Learners should also become more comfortable with the feminine gender of the word, ensuring that all accompanying verbs and adjectives are correctly inflected. This reinforces the grammatical rules of Hindi in a practical, everyday context.

At the B1 level, the use of 'thakān' becomes more nuanced, moving into the realm of mental and emotional states. Learners are expected to distinguish between 'sharirik thakān' (physical fatigue) and 'mansik thakān' (mental fatigue). This distinction is vital for discussing work-life balance, academic pressure, or emotional stress. B1 students will use 'thakān' in more complex sentence structures, including conditional sentences like 'Agar mujhe thakān na hoti, तो main zaroor aata' (If I didn't have fatigue, I would have definitely come). You will also start to use idiomatic expressions or common collocations like 'thakān mitana' (to erase fatigue) or 'thakān utarna' (to shed fatigue). At this level, you can participate in longer discussions about lifestyle and health, where 'thakān' is a central theme. For instance, you might discuss how modern technology contributes to 'aankhon ki thakān' (fatigue of the eyes). You will also encounter the word in more varied media, such as newspaper articles about labor rights or health blogs. The ability to use 'thakān' to explain complex situations—such as why a project was delayed or why a certain lifestyle change is necessary—is a key skill at this stage. You should also be able to understand the subtle difference between 'thakān' and its synonym 'thakāvat', using them interchangeably but with an awareness of which sounds more natural in a given context. This level marks the transition from using the word for basic needs to using it for meaningful social and professional interaction.

At the B2 level, learners use 'thakān' with a high degree of precision and can understand its use in specialized contexts. You will encounter 'thakān' in medical or psychological texts where it might be described as a chronic condition or a symptom of a specific ailment. At this stage, you should be able to use the word in formal reports or presentations, perhaps discussing 'karmachariyon ki thakān' (employee fatigue) and its impact on productivity. B2 learners are also more adept at using 'thakān' in abstract or metaphorical ways. For example, you might speak of the 'thakān' of a nation after a long political struggle or the 'thakān' of a language that has stopped evolving. Your vocabulary will include more sophisticated synonyms and related terms, and you will know when to use 'thakān' versus 'klānti' or 'kamzorī' based on the desired register. You can also handle complex grammatical constructions involving 'thakān', such as using it as a subject in passive-like structures or in complex relative clauses. For instance, 'Vah thakān, jo use din bhar ke kaam ke baad hoti hai, use sone nahi deti' (That fatigue, which he gets after the whole day's work, doesn't let him sleep). At this level, your use of the word is not just about communication but about nuance, tone, and professional appropriateness. You can also engage in debates about societal issues where 'thakān' is a factor, such as the 'thakān' caused by the constant 'noise' of social media.

At the C1 level, 'thakān' is used with the fluency and subtlety of a native speaker. You will explore the word's presence in high literature, poetry, and philosophical discourse. Here, 'thakān' often represents an existential weariness or a deep-seated disillusionment with the world. You will be able to analyze how different authors use 'thakān' to convey character depth or thematic weight. For example, in a short story by Premchand or a poem by Nirala, 'thakān' might symbolize the plight of the common man against an oppressive system. C1 learners can use the word to express very specific, subtle shades of meaning, often pairing it with evocative adjectives or using it in sophisticated metaphors. You will also be familiar with the historical and etymological roots of the word, understanding how it relates to other Indo-Aryan languages. In professional settings, you can use 'thakān' to discuss complex organizational psychology or public health policy with ease. Your command of the word's gender and its impact on syntax is flawless, and you can play with the language, perhaps using 'thakān' in a humorous or ironic way. You are also sensitive to the regional variations in how 'thakān' might be expressed or perceived across the diverse Hindi-speaking belt. At this level, the word is a tool for deep expression, allowing you to articulate the most refined aspects of the human experience, from the 'thakān' of a long-distance runner to the 'thakān' of an aging civilization.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 'thakān' is complete, encompassing its most obscure uses and its deepest philosophical implications. You can use the word in any register, from the most informal slang to the most elevated academic or poetic language. You might explore 'thakān' as a concept in Indian philosophy, relating it to the 'tamas' guna (the quality of inertia or darkness) or the cycle of 'samsara'. In your own writing or speaking, you can use 'thakān' to create powerful imagery or to make profound observations about life and society. You are capable of translating complex texts involving 'thakān' while preserving the exact emotional and cultural weight of the original. You can also critique the use of the word in media or literature, identifying subtle biases or stylistic choices. At this level, 'thakān' is not just a vocabulary item but a concept that you can manipulate and explore from multiple perspectives—biological, psychological, social, and spiritual. You might lead a seminar on the 'sociology of fatigue' in modern India or write a poem where 'thakān' is the central metaphor for the passage of time. Your understanding is so deep that you can recognize the 'thakān' in someone's voice or writing even when the word itself is not used. You have achieved a level of cultural and linguistic integration where 'thakān' is a part of your own intuitive expressive repertoire, used with effortless precision and profound resonance.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

थकान in 30 Seconds

Thakān is a feminine noun meaning fatigue or tiredness, used commonly to describe physical or mental exhaustion after any activity.
It is usually used in the construction 'Mujhe thakān hai' (I have fatigue) rather than 'I am fatigue'.
Because it is feminine, verbs like 'hona' (to be) change to 'hoti' or 'ho rahi' to agree with it.
Common remedies for thakān in Indian culture include drinking tea, taking a nap, or having a warm bath.

The Hindi word थकान (thakān) is a quintessential term that every learner of Hindi must master, as it describes a universal human condition: fatigue or tiredness. Grammatically, it is a feminine noun, which is a critical detail because it influences how you construct sentences around it. In the vibrant and often chaotic landscape of India, where the heat can be oppressive and the pace of life in metropolitan hubs like Mumbai, Delhi, or Bangalore is relentless, 'thakān' is a word that binds people together in a shared experience of daily effort. It is not merely a clinical term for exhaustion; it carries a weight of lived experience. When a person returns home after navigating the crowded local trains or after a long day of agricultural labor in the fields of Punjab, the word they use to describe their state is 'thakān'. It encompasses the physical ache in the muscles, the mental fog after hours of study, and the general depletion of energy that follows any significant activity.

Physical Exhaustion: The most common use of the word refers to the body's need for rest after exercise, work, or travel.

लंबे सफर के बाद मुझे बहुत थकान महसूस हो रही है। (After a long journey, I am feeling a lot of fatigue.)

Beyond the physical, 'thakān' is frequently used to describe mental or emotional burnout. In the modern corporate world of India, employees often speak of 'mansik thakān' (mental fatigue). This nuance is important because it shows the word's versatility. It is also deeply embedded in the concept of 'shram' (hard work). In many Indian households, 'thakān' is seen as a badge of honor, signifying that one has spent their energy productively for the sake of their family or goals.

Mental Weariness: Used when the mind is drained, such as after a long exam or a complex problem-solving session.

परीक्षा की तैयारी ने उसे मानसिक थकान दे दी है। (Exam preparation has given him mental fatigue.)

In literature and music, 'thakān' often takes on a more poetic or existential meaning. It can represent the weariness of the soul or the exhaustion of a long-term struggle for justice or love. For instance, a poet might write about the 'thakān' of waiting for a loved one. This demonstrates that the word scales from the most mundane physical sensation to the deepest human emotions.

Existential Fatigue: A deeper sense of being tired of life's struggles or repetitive cycles.

ज़िंदगी की जद्दोजहद में एक अजीब सी थकान है। (There is a strange kind of fatigue in the struggle of life.)

When you hear this word in a conversation, it is often accompanied by a sigh or a gesture of resting the head. It is a word that invites empathy. If someone says they have 'thakān', the natural response is to offer them water ('paani') or tea ('chai') and suggest they sit down. This cultural response highlights the hospitality and communal care prevalent in Indian society.

एक कप चाय आपकी सारी थकान दूर कर देगी। (A cup of tea will remove all your fatigue.)

Understanding 'thakān' also requires knowing its related forms. While 'thakān' is the noun (fatigue), 'thakna' is the verb (to get tired), and 'thaka hua' is the adjective (tired). However, using the noun 'thakān' often sounds more natural when describing the state itself. For example, 'Mujhe thakān hai' (I have fatigue) is a very common way to express tiredness. In summary, 'thakān' is more than just a word; it is a bridge to understanding the daily life, physical realities, and emotional depth of Hindi speakers. Whether you are discussing a workout, a workday, or a life journey, 'thakān' provides the vocabulary to express the need for pause and recuperation.

रात की अच्छी नींद थकान का सबसे अच्छा इलाज है। (A good night's sleep is the best cure for fatigue.)

Using the word थकान correctly in Hindi requires an understanding of its grammatical role as a feminine noun and its typical collocations with verbs like 'hona' (to be/happen), 'mitana' (to erase/remove), and 'utarna' (to descend/come off). Because it is feminine, any adjective modifying it must also be in the feminine form. For example, 'bahut thakān' (much fatigue) or 'thodi thakān' (a little fatigue). The most basic structure is [Subject] + [Indirect Object Marker 'ko'] + 'thakān' + 'hona'. For instance, 'Mujhe thakān hai' literally translates to 'To me, there is fatigue,' which means 'I am tired.' This construction is very common for physical sensations in Hindi.

Basic Existence: Using 'hona' to describe the presence of fatigue.

क्या आपको अभी भी थकान है? (Do you still have fatigue? / Are you still tired?)

Another very common way to use 'thakān' is with the verb 'mehsus hona' (to feel). This emphasizes the internal sensation. 'Mujhe thakān mehsus ho rahi hai' means 'I am feeling fatigue.' Note the 'rahi' ending, which agrees with the feminine 'thakān'. If you want to talk about removing or getting rid of tiredness, you use 'mitana' or 'door karna'. This is often used in the context of relaxation techniques, sleep, or refreshing drinks.

Removing Fatigue: Using verbs like 'mitana' (to erase) or 'door karna' (to put away).

गर्म पानी से नहाने से थकान मिट जाती है। (Bathing with warm water erases fatigue.)

You can also use 'thakān' in a more causative sense. For example, 'Kaam ki thakān' (the fatigue of work) or 'Safar ki thakān' (the fatigue of travel). Here, the word 'ki' (feminine possessive marker) is used because it connects the source of the fatigue to the feminine noun 'thakān'. This is a very productive pattern in Hindi. You can put almost any activity before 'ki thakān' to describe the resulting tiredness.

Source of Fatigue: Using the possessive 'ki' to link an activity to the resulting tiredness.

दिन भर की थकान के बाद वह जल्दी सो गया। (After the day's fatigue, he fell asleep early.)

In more formal or literary contexts, you might encounter 'thakān' used with verbs like 'vyapt hona' (to be prevalent/spread). For example, 'Uske chehre par thakān vyapt thi' (Fatigue was spread across his face). This is a more descriptive way of saying he looked tired. For beginners, however, sticking to 'hona' and 'mehsus karna' is the best strategy.

क्या इस दवा से थकान कम होती है? (Does this medicine reduce fatigue?)

Finally, it is useful to know how to intensify the word. You can use 'bahut' (very/much), 'behad' (excessive), or 'zara si' (just a little). 'Mujhe behad thakān hai' would mean 'I am excessively tired.' This allows you to communicate the degree of your exhaustion effectively. Whether you are at a doctor's office explaining a symptom or at home talking to your spouse, these sentence patterns will serve you well.

ज़रा सी थकान भी उसे परेशान कर देती है। (Even a little fatigue bothers him.)

The word थकान is ubiquitous in the daily life of Hindi speakers, echoing through various environments from the domestic to the professional. One of the most common places you will hear it is in the Indian household at the end of the day. As family members return from school, college, or work, the word 'thakān' serves as an immediate explanation for why someone might want to skip dinner or go to bed early. Mothers often ask their children, 'Kya bahut thakān ho gayi?' (Did you get very tired?) after a long day of play or classes. In this context, the word is used with a sense of care and concern.

Domestic Setting: Used by family members to express their state after a day's work or to check on each other.

घर पहुँचते ही उसकी थकान गायब हो गई। (As soon as he reached home, his fatigue vanished.)

You will also frequently hear 'thakān' in public transport. India's public transit systems, while efficient, can be physically demanding. On a crowded bus in Jaipur or a metro train in Delhi, commuters often lean against the doors or sit on the floor, their faces etched with 'thakān'. Conversations between fellow travelers often revolve around the 'thakān' caused by the commute itself. 'Aaj kal safar ki thakān bahut badh gayi hai' (These days, the fatigue of travel has increased a lot) is a common sentiment shared among daily passengers.

Public Transport: Commuters using the word to bond over the difficulties of long-distance travel or traffic.

भीड़ वाली बस में खड़े रहने से पैरों में थकान हो जाती है। (Standing in a crowded bus causes fatigue in the legs.)

In the workplace, 'thakān' is a common topic during tea breaks (chai breaks). Colleagues might complain about 'kaam ki thakān' (work fatigue) or 'meeting ki thakān'. It is a way to vent stress and find common ground with coworkers. In more formal professional settings, a manager might acknowledge the 'thakān' of their team after a major project launch, perhaps by offering a day off or a celebratory lunch. This recognition of fatigue is an important part of Indian workplace culture.

Workplace Culture: A common subject of conversation during breaks, used to express professional stress.

लगातार कंप्यूटर पर काम करने से आँखों में थकान होती है। (Working continuously on the computer causes fatigue in the eyes.)

Another crucial arena where 'thakān' is heard is in the healthcare sector. Patients describing their symptoms to a doctor often start with 'Mujhe bahut thakān rehti hai' (I remain very tired). Here, the word is a clinical symptom that the doctor must investigate. Whether it is due to anemia, lack of sleep, or stress, 'thakān' is the starting point for many medical consultations in India.

डॉक्टर साहब, मुझे बिना किसी कारण के थकान महसूस होती है। (Doctor, I feel fatigue without any reason.)

Finally, you will encounter 'thakān' in the media—in news reports about laborers, in advertisements for energy drinks or health supplements, and in Bollywood movies. An actor might dramatically collapse and say, 'Main thakān se choor hoon' (I am shattered by fatigue). This wide range of usage—from the doctor's clinic to the silver screen—makes 'thakān' an indispensable word for anyone living in or visiting a Hindi-speaking region.

यह विज्ञापन थकान मिटाने वाली ड्रिंक का है। (This advertisement is for a fatigue-removing drink.)

For English speakers learning Hindi, the word थकान (thakān) presents a few common pitfalls, primarily related to gender agreement and confusing the noun with its related verb and adjective forms. The most frequent mistake is treating 'thakān' as a masculine noun. In Hindi, nouns have inherent genders, and 'thakān' is strictly feminine. This means that any verb or adjective associated with it must reflect this. A common error is saying 'Mujhe thakān ho raha hai' instead of the correct 'Mujhe thakān ho rahi hai'. The 'i' sound at the end of 'rahi' is essential because it agrees with the feminine noun.

Gender Mismatch: Using masculine verb endings (raha, tha, gaya) with the feminine noun 'thakān'.

गलत: मुझे बहुत थकान हो रहा था। (Wrong: I was having a lot of fatigue - masculine.)

Another common area of confusion is between the noun 'thakān' (fatigue) and the adjective 'thaka hua' (tired). English speakers often want to translate 'I am tired' literally. While you can say 'Main thaka hua hoon' (masculine) or 'Main thaki hui hoon' (feminine), beginners often mix the two. They might say 'Main thakān hoon', which literally means 'I am fatigue'. This is incorrect. You should say either 'Mujhe thakān hai' (I have fatigue) or 'Main thaka hua hoon' (I am tired). Understanding the difference between 'having' a feeling and 'being' in a state is key in Hindi.

Noun vs Adjective: Confusing 'thakān' (the noun) with 'thaka hua' (the adjective).

सही: मुझे थकान है। (Correct: I have fatigue.) / मैं थका हुआ हूँ। (Correct: I am tired.)

Learners also sometimes confuse 'thakān' with 'thakavat'. While both mean tiredness, 'thakavat' is often used to describe the *process* or the *result* of getting tired, whereas 'thakān' is the *state* of being tired. In most daily conversations, they are interchangeable, but 'thakān' is more common. However, a mistake occurs when learners try to use 'thakavat' in a sentence structure that only suits 'thakān'. For instance, 'Mujhe thakavat hai' is less common than 'Mujhe thakān hai'.

Word Choice: Using 'thakavat' where 'thakān' would be more natural, or vice versa.

ध्यान दें: थकान अधिक सामान्य शब्द है। (Note: 'Thakān' is the more common word.)

A subtle mistake involves the use of the verb 'thakna' (to get tired). Learners might say 'Main thakān gaya' trying to say 'I got tired'. The correct way to use the verb is 'Main thak gaya'. You cannot use the noun 'thakān' with the verb 'gaya' in this way. You must either use the noun with 'hona' (Mujhe thakān ho gayi) or use the verb 'thakna' (Main thak gaya). Mixing these two structures results in ungrammatical sentences that can confuse native speakers.

सही: मैं थक गया हूँ। (Correct: I have become tired.)

Lastly, pronunciation can sometimes be an issue. The 'th' in 'thakān' is aspirated, meaning you should feel a puff of air when you say it. It is not the soft 'th' of 'the' in English, but more like the 'th' in 'Thailand'. If you pronounce it as a hard 't' (takan), it might be misunderstood. Also, ensure the 'n' at the end is a clear dental 'n'. Paying attention to these phonetic details will make your use of the word much more authentic.

उच्चारण: 'थ' (th) पर ज़ोर दें। (Pronunciation: Emphasize the 'th'.)

In Hindi, there are several words related to the concept of tiredness, each with its own nuance. Understanding these alternatives will help you choose the right word for the right situation and make your Hindi sound more natural. The most direct synonym for थकान (thakān) is 'थकावट' (thakāvat). While both are feminine nouns and mean fatigue, 'thakāvat' often implies the *result* of a specific exhausting process. For example, 'din bhar ki thakāvat' (the tiredness resulting from the whole day). In most contexts, they are interchangeable, but 'thakān' is slightly more common in spoken Hindi.

Thakāvat (थकावट): Very similar to 'thakān', often used to describe the physical state resulting from a specific task.

काम की थकावट चेहरे पर दिख रही थी। (The tiredness of work was visible on the face.)

Another word you might encounter is 'सुस्ती' (sustī), which means laziness or lethargy. While 'thakān' is a lack of energy due to effort, 'sustī' is a lack of desire to move or act. If you are tired because you worked hard, use 'thakān'. If you are feeling sluggish on a rainy Sunday afternoon, 'sustī' is the better word. Using 'thakān' when you mean 'sustī' might make it sound like you've been working when you've actually just been relaxing.

Sustī (सुस्ती): Lethargy or sluggishness. Not necessarily caused by hard work.

बारिश के मौसम में अक्सर सुस्ती महसूस होती है। (In the rainy season, one often feels lethargy.)

For more extreme exhaustion, you can use 'कमजोरी' (kamzorī), which means weakness. While 'thakān' is a temporary state that sleep can fix, 'kamzorī' might imply a lack of physical strength or a health issue. If someone says they have 'thakān' after a marathon, it's normal. If they say they have 'kamzorī' after walking a few steps, it suggests they might be ill.

Kamzorī (कमजोरी): Physical weakness or frailty. More serious than simple tiredness.

बुखार के बाद शरीर में बहुत कमजोरी आ गई है। (After the fever, a lot of weakness has come into the body.)

In literary or formal Hindi, you might find the word 'क्लांति' (klānti). This is a Sanskrit-derived word for fatigue and is rarely used in daily conversation. You will see it in high-level literature, poetry, or formal speeches. Using 'klānti' in a casual setting would sound overly formal or even archaic. However, knowing it is useful for reading Hindi classics.

Klānti (क्लांति): A formal, literary term for exhaustion or weariness.

कवि ने जीवन की क्लांति का वर्णन किया है। (The poet has described the weariness of life.)

Finally, there is 'बेचैनी' (bechainī), which means restlessness or unease. Sometimes people feel tired but cannot rest because they are 'bechain'. While not a synonym for 'thakān', it is often part of the same conversation about physical and mental states. Understanding these distinctions—between fatigue, lethargy, weakness, and restlessness—will allow you to express your physical and mental state with much greater precision in Hindi.

थकान के बावजूद उसे बेचैनी हो रही थी। (Despite the fatigue, he was feeling restless.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The root 'thak' is so fundamental that it appears in almost all North Indian languages (Punjabi, Bengali, Gujarati) with very similar meanings, making it a great 'bridge' word for polyglots.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /t̪ʰə.kɑːn/

US /t̪ʰə.kɑːn/

The stress is slightly more on the second syllable 'kān'.

Rhymes With

मकान (makān - house) दुकान (dukān - shop) आसमान (āsmān - sky) पहचान (pehchān - identity) जवान (javān - young/soldier) सामान (sāmān - luggage) इंसान (insān - human) मेहरबान (meherbān - kind)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'th' as a hard 't' (like 'takan').
Pronouncing 'th' as the English 'th' in 'think'.
Making the first 'a' too long.
Nasalizing the final 'n' too much.
Treating the word as masculine in speech.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize as it follows standard spelling patterns.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering the aspirated 'th' and the feminine gender.

Speaking 3/5

Aspiration of 'th' can be tricky for English speakers.

Listening 2/5

Commonly used, so easy to pick up in conversation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

काम (work) सफर (travel) आराम (rest) होना (to be/happen) महसूस (feel)

Learn Next

थकावट (tiredness) सुस्ती (lethargy) कमजोरी (weakness) ताज़गी (freshness) नींद (sleep)

Advanced

क्लांति (weariness) अवसाद (depression) ऊर्जा (energy) स्फूर्ति (agility) तनाव (stress)

Grammar to Know

Feminine Noun Agreement

थकान हो रही है (not हो रहा है).

Dative Subject with Feelings

मुझे थकान है (To me there is fatigue).

Possessive 'Ki' with Feminine Nouns

काम की थकान (Fatigue of work).

Adjective Agreement

गहरी थकान (Deep fatigue - feminine adjective).

Compound Verbs with Nouns

थकान मिटाना (To erase fatigue).

Examples by Level

मुझे बहुत थकान है।

I have a lot of fatigue (I am very tired).

'Mujhe' is used for 'to me', and 'thakān' is the noun.

क्या आपको थकान है?

Do you have fatigue? (Are you tired?)

A simple question using the noun 'thakān'.

काम के बाद थकान होती है।

Fatigue happens after work.

'Hoti hai' is feminine to match 'thakān'.

मुझे थोड़ी थकान है।

I have a little fatigue.

'Thodi' is the feminine form of 'a little'.

आज थकान बहुत ज़्यादा है।

Today the fatigue is very much.

'Zyada' modifies the intensity of the noun.

थकान की वजह से मैं सो गया।

I fell asleep because of fatigue.

'Ki vajah se' means 'because of'.

सफर में थकान होती है।

Fatigue happens during travel.

'Safar' means travel or journey.

चाय थकान कम करती है।

Tea reduces fatigue.

'Kam karna' means to reduce.

मुझे कल से ज़्यादा थकान महसूस हो रही है।

I am feeling more fatigue than yesterday.

Uses 'mehsus ho rahi hai' for 'feeling'.

पैदल चलने से पैरों में थकान हो गई।

Fatigue occurred in the legs from walking.

'Ho gayi' is the past tense feminine form.

क्या इस दवा से थकान दूर होगी?

Will fatigue be removed by this medicine?

'Door hona' means to be removed.

पढ़ाई की थकान मिटाने के लिए वह बाहर गया।

He went out to erase the fatigue of studying.

'Ki thakān' links the activity to the noun.

उसे मानसिक थकान ज़्यादा है।

He has more mental fatigue.

'Mansik' is an adjective meaning mental.

रात की नींद थकान के लिए ज़रूरी है।

Night's sleep is necessary for fatigue.

'Zaroori' means necessary.

ज़रा सी थकान भी उसे बीमार कर देती है।

Even a little fatigue makes him sick.

'Zara si' means 'just a little'.

गर्मी की वजह से थकान जल्दी होती है।

Fatigue happens quickly because of the heat.

'Garmi' means heat.

लगातार काम करने से होने वाली थकान खतरनाक हो सकती है।

Fatigue caused by working continuously can be dangerous.

Uses a complex participial phrase 'hone vaali'.

हमें अपनी थकान को नज़रअंदाज़ नहीं करना चाहिए।

We should not ignore our fatigue.

'Nazarandaz karna' means to ignore.

योग करने से शरीर की थकान कम होती है।

Doing yoga reduces the body's fatigue.

'Sharir ki thakān' means body's fatigue.

क्या आपको काम और घर के बीच थकान महसूस होती है?

Do you feel fatigue between work and home?

Discussing work-life balance.

उसकी आँखों में गहरी थकान दिख रही थी।

Deep fatigue was visible in his eyes.

'Gahri' is the feminine form of 'deep'.

लंबी बीमारी के बाद थकान रहना सामान्य है।

It is normal for fatigue to remain after a long illness.

'Rehna' here means 'to persist'.

थकान मिटाने का सबसे अच्छा तरीका आराम है।

The best way to erase fatigue is rest.

'Sabse accha tareeka' means 'the best way'.

शहरी जीवन की थकान से बचने के लिए वह गाँव चला गया।

To escape the fatigue of urban life, he went to the village.

'Shahri jeevan' means urban life.

अत्यधिक थकान एनीमिया का एक मुख्य लक्षण हो सकता है।

Excessive fatigue can be a main symptom of anemia.

'Atyadhik' is a formal word for 'excessive'.

कर्मचारियों की थकान कम करने के लिए कंपनी ने नई नीतियाँ बनाई हैं।

The company has made new policies to reduce employee fatigue.

'Neetiyan' means policies.

मानसिक थकान अक्सर शारीरिक थकान से अधिक हानिकारक होती है।

Mental fatigue is often more harmful than physical fatigue.

Comparative structure with 'se adhik'.

खिलाड़ी ने अपनी थकान पर काबू पाकर मैच जीत लिया।

The player won the match by overcoming his fatigue.

'Kaabu paana' means to overcome or control.

इस शोध के अनुसार, नींद की कमी और थकान का सीधा संबंध है।

According to this research, there is a direct link between lack of sleep and fatigue.

'Seedha sambandh' means direct connection.

वह अपनी थकान को छिपाने की कोशिश कर रहा था।

He was trying to hide his fatigue.

'Chipana' means to hide.

थकान के कारण उसकी एकाग्रता कम हो गई थी।

His concentration had decreased due to fatigue.

'Ekagrata' means concentration.

लगातार यात्रा करने से उसे पुरानी थकान (chronic fatigue) हो गई है।

Traveling continuously has given him chronic fatigue.

'Purani' here is used for 'chronic'.

उसके स्वर में वर्षों की थकान और निराशा झलक रही थी।

The fatigue and disappointment of years were reflected in his voice.

'Svar' means voice; 'jhalakna' means to be reflected.

कविता में कवि ने आधुनिक जीवन की यांत्रिक थकान का चित्रण किया है।

In the poem, the poet has depicted the mechanical fatigue of modern life.

'Yantrik' means mechanical; 'chitran' means depiction.

सभ्यता की थकान को केवल प्रकृति के सान्निध्य में ही मिटाया जा सकता है।

The fatigue of civilization can only be erased in the proximity of nature.

'Sannidhya' is a high-level word for proximity/closeness.

न्याय की प्रतीक्षा में उसकी आँखों की थकान अब पत्थर बन चुकी थी।

In the wait for justice, the fatigue of her eyes had now turned to stone.

Metaphorical use of 'patthar banna'.

दार्शनिक ने अस्तित्वगत थकान (existential fatigue) पर एक लंबा व्याख्यान दिया।

The philosopher gave a long lecture on existential fatigue.

'Vyakhyan' means lecture.

युद्ध के बाद पूरे राष्ट्र पर एक अजीब सी थकान छा गई थी।

After the war, a strange kind of fatigue had spread over the entire nation.

'Cha jaana' means to spread over or envelop.

लेखक ने अपनी रचना में बौद्धिक थकान के विभिन्न आयामों को छुआ है।

The author has touched upon various dimensions of intellectual fatigue in his work.

'Bauddhik' means intellectual; 'aayam' means dimensions.

बिना किसी लक्ष्य के दौड़ना मन में गहरी थकान पैदा करता है।

Running without any goal creates deep fatigue in the mind.

'Paida karna' means to produce or create.

निर्वाण की खोज वास्तव में संसार की थकान से मुक्ति का मार्ग है।

The search for Nirvana is actually a path to liberation from the fatigue of the world.

Philosophical context using 'mukti' (liberation).

इतिहास के पन्नों में साम्राज्यों की थकान स्पष्ट रूप से पढ़ी जा सकती है।

The fatigue of empires can be clearly read in the pages of history.

Metaphorical use of 'samrajyon ki thakān'.

कलाकार ने अपनी कृति में मौन और थकान के अंतर्संबंधों को उकेरा है।

The artist has carved out the interconnections between silence and fatigue in his work.

'Antarsambandh' means interconnections; 'ukerna' means to carve/depict.

क्या मानवीय चेतना कभी अपनी स्वयं की थकान से ऊपर उठ पाएगी?

Will human consciousness ever be able to rise above its own fatigue?

'Chetna' means consciousness.

राजनीतिक विमर्श में आई थकान लोकतंत्र के लिए एक गंभीर चुनौती है।

The fatigue that has entered political discourse is a serious challenge for democracy.

'Vimarsh' means discourse.

समय की अनंत यात्रा में थकान एक अपरिहार्य तत्व प्रतीत होती है।

In the infinite journey of time, fatigue appears to be an inevitable element.

'Apariharya' means inevitable.

उसकी चुप्पी में वह थकान थी जिसे शब्दों में व्यक्त करना असंभव था।

In his silence was that fatigue which was impossible to express in words.

'Vyakta karna' means to express.

आध्यात्मिक थकान का निवारण केवल आत्म-साक्षात्कार से ही संभव है।

The remedy for spiritual fatigue is possible only through self-realization.

'Nivaran' means remedy/removal.

Synonyms

थकावट क्लान्ति सुस्ती कमजोरी श्रान्ति

Antonyms

स्फूर्ति ताज़गी ऊर्जा

Common Collocations

थकान होना

थकान मिटाना

मानसिक थकान

शारीरिक थकान

थकान महसूस करना

थकान दूर करना

सफर की थकान

दिन भर की थकान

थकान से चूर होना

आँखों की थकान

Common Phrases

थकान उतारना

— To relax and let the tiredness go away. Often used when someone sits down after a long day.

चलो, थोड़ी देर बैठकर थकान उतारते हैं।

थकान हावी होना

— When fatigue overpowers you. Used when you can no longer stay awake or active.

मुझ पर थकान हावी हो रही है।

बेहिसाब थकान

— Countless or extreme fatigue. Used for very high levels of exhaustion.

उसे आज बेहिसाब थकान है।

थकान का नामो-निशान

— A trace of fatigue. Usually used in the negative to say someone isn't tired at all.

उसके चेहरे पर थकान का नामो-निशान नहीं था।

थकान भरी आवाज़

— A tired voice. Used to describe how someone sounds when they are exhausted.

उसने थकान भरी आवाज़ में जवाब दिया।

थकान का इलाज

— Cure for fatigue. Used when discussing rest, food, or medicine.

नींद ही थकान का असली इलाज है।

थकान की लहर

— A wave of fatigue. Used to describe a sudden feeling of tiredness.

अचानक मेरे शरीर में थकान की एक लहर दौड़ गई।

पुरानी थकान

— Chronic fatigue. Used in a medical or long-term context.

वह पुरानी थकान से जूझ रहा है।

काम की थकान

— Fatigue from work. A very common daily phrase.

काम की थकान मिटाने के लिए वह संगीत सुनता है।

थकान से बेहाल

— In a bad state due to fatigue. Used for extreme exhaustion.

मज़दूर थकान से बेहाल था।

Often Confused With

थकान vs थकना (thaknā)

This is the verb 'to get tired'. Use 'Main thak gaya' (I got tired) vs 'मुझे थकान है' (I have fatigue).

थकान vs सुस्ती (sustī)

This means laziness or lethargy. 'Thakān' is from work; 'Sustī' is just feeling slow.

थकान vs कमजोरी (kamzorī)

This means physical weakness, often due to illness, rather than just being tired.

Idioms & Expressions

"थकान से चूर होना"

— To be completely exhausted or 'shattered'.

पहाड़ पर चढ़ने के बाद हम थकान से चूर थे।

Informal

"थकान को दावत देना"

— To invite fatigue. Used when someone does something that will obviously make them tired.

इतनी रात तक जागना थकान को दावत देना है।

Neutral

"थकान के मारे बुरा हाल होना"

— To be in a terrible condition because of tiredness.

उसका थकान के मारे बुरा हाल है।

Colloquial

"थकान का घूँट पीना"

— To endure fatigue silently. Used when someone keeps working despite being tired.

उसने थकान का घूँट पीकर काम जारी रखा।

Literary

"थकान झाड़ना"

— To shake off fatigue. Usually implies a quick refresh.

मुँह धोकर उसने अपनी थकान झाड़ी।

Informal

"थकान को पास न फटकने देना"

— To not let fatigue come near. Used for very energetic people.

वह इतना उत्साही है कि थकान को पास नहीं फटकने देता।

Idiomatic

"थकान की चादर ओढ़ना"

— To be enveloped in fatigue. Often used poetically for sleep.

थकान की चादर ओढ़कर वह गहरी नींद सो गया।

Poetic

"थकान से आँखें मुँदना"

— Eyes closing due to fatigue. Used when someone is struggling to stay awake.

थकान से उसकी आँखें मुँद रही थीं।

Neutral

"थकान का बोझ"

— The burden of fatigue. Used to describe heavy exhaustion.

वह थकान का बोझ लेकर घर पहुँचा।

Literary

"थकान का समंदर"

— An ocean of fatigue. Used for overwhelming, vast exhaustion.

उसकी आँखों में थकान का समंदर था।

Poetic

Easily Confused

थकान vs थकावट

Very similar meaning.

Thakāvat is often used for the physical result of a specific task, while thakān is the general state.

सफर की थकावट (Result) vs मुझे थकान है (State).

थकान vs सुस्ती

Both involve low energy.

Thakān is exhaustion after effort; sustī is a lack of motivation or general sluggishness.

काम के बाद थकान होती है, पर बारिश में सुस्ती आती है।

थकान vs कमजोरी

Both feel like lack of strength.

Kamzorī is a lack of power in the body (often medical); thakān is just needing rest.

बीमारी में कमजोरी होती है, दौड़ने के बाद थकान।

थकान vs नींद

Thakān leads to sleep.

Nīnd is the actual state of sleep; thakān is the feeling that leads to it.

थकान की वजह से नींद आ रही है।

थकान vs भारीपन

Both describe a heavy feeling.

Bhārīpan is 'heaviness' (like in the head or eyes), which is a symptom of thakān.

थकान से सिर में भारीपन है।

Sentence Patterns

मुझे [Intensity] थकान है।

मुझे बहुत थकान है।

[Activity] की थकान हो गई।

सफर की थकान हो गई।

थकान मिटाने के लिए [Action] ज़रूरी है।

थकान मिटाने के लिए आराम ज़रूरी है।

थकान के कारण [Result] हुआ।

थकान के कारण वह सो गया।

[Adjective] थकान [Verb].

गहरी थकान उसे परेशान कर रही थी।

थकान और [Concept] का संबंध।

थकान और अस्तित्व का गहरा संबंध है।

क्या आपको थकान है?

मुझे थकान महसूस हो रही है।

Word Family

Nouns

थकान (thakān - fatigue)

थकावट (thakāvat - tiredness)

Verbs

थकना (thaknā - to get tired)

थकाना (thakānā - to make someone tired)

Adjectives

थका (thakā - tired)

थका-माँदा (thakā-māndā - weary/exhausted)

थकाऊ (thakāū - tiring/tedious)

आराम (ārām - rest)

नींद (nīnd - sleep)

कमजोरी (kamzorī - weakness)

सुस्ती (sustī - lethargy)

ताज़गी (tāzgī - freshness)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely High in daily conversation.

Common Mistakes

Using masculine verbs. → Mujhe thakān ho rahi hai.
Learners often say 'ho raha hai' because they forget 'thakān' is feminine.
Saying 'Main thakān hoon'. → Mujhe thakān hai.
You cannot 'be' fatigue; you 'have' fatigue in Hindi.
Confusing with 'thakna'. → Main thak gaya.
Learners say 'Main thakān gaya', which is incorrect. Use the verb 'thakna' for 'got tired'.
Using 'thakān' for laziness. → Mujhe sustī aa rahi hai.
If you haven't worked and just feel slow, use 'sustī', not 'thakān'.
Pronouncing 'th' as 't'. → Thakān (aspirated).
Without the puff of air, it sounds like a different word or is hard to understand.

Tips

Gender Agreement

Always remember 'thakān' is feminine. This is the most common mistake for learners. Practice saying 'thakān hoti hai' repeatedly.

Noun vs Verb

Don't confuse the noun 'thakān' with the verb 'thakna'. Use 'Mujhe thakān hai' or 'Main thak gaya'. Never say 'Main thakān hoon'.

The Chai Cure

In India, if someone says they have 'thakān', offering 'chai' is the standard cultural response. It's a great conversation piece.

Aspiration

Make sure to pronounce the 'th' in 'thakān' with a puff of air. It sounds different from a plain 't' and is essential for being understood.

Travel Context

'Safar ki thakān' is a very common phrase. Use it when you arrive somewhere after a long trip to explain why you might be slow or quiet.

Intensity

Use 'bahut' or 'behad' to describe extreme fatigue. 'Mujhe behad thakān hai' sounds very natural and expressive.

Listen for the 'i'

When you hear 'thakān', listen for the feminine verb endings like 'rahi' or 'thi'. This will help you internalize the gender.

Medical Use

If you go to a doctor in India, 'thakān' is a key word to describe feeling unwell or low on energy.

Thakān Mitana

Use the phrase 'thakān mitana' when talking about relaxing. It literally means 'to erase fatigue' and sounds very native.

Thakān vs Sustī

Be careful to use 'thakān' for tiredness from work and 'sustī' for just feeling lazy. They are not the same!

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'The Can'. When you are so tired you feel like a crushed 'can', you have 'Thakān'.

Visual Association

Imagine a person leaning against a wall after a long run, with the word 'थकान' written in heavy, drooping letters above them.

Word Web

Work Sleep Tea Rest Travel Body Mind Evening

Challenge

Try to use 'thakān' in three different sentences today: one about work, one about travel, and one about how you feel right now.

Word Origin

The word 'thakān' originates from the Middle Indo-Aryan roots, specifically evolving from the Sanskrit root 'sthak' or related Prakrit forms which imply 'to stay', 'to stop', or 'to become weary'. In the transition to Old Hindi, the 's' was dropped, resulting in the root 'thak'.

Original meaning: To come to a standstill or to be exhausted of energy.

Indo-Aryan

Cultural Context

Be careful not to confuse 'thakān' (earned tiredness) with 'sustī' (laziness), as the latter can be seen as a negative trait.

English speakers often say 'I am tired' (adjective), while Hindi speakers prefer 'I have tiredness' (noun).

The song 'Thakān' by various indie artists. Literary descriptions of labor in Premchand's stories. Health awareness campaigns by the Indian Ministry of Health regarding chronic fatigue.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

After Work

आज बहुत थकान है।
काम की थकान मिटानी है।
थकान से सिर दर्द हो रहा है।
थोड़ी थकान है।

Travel

सफर की थकान हो गई।
लंबी यात्रा और थकान।
थकान की वजह से नींद आ रही है।
क्या आपको थकान है?

Exercise/Gym

कसरत के बाद थकान।
मांसपेशियों में थकान।
थकान महसूस हो रही है।
थकान दूर करने के लिए पानी पिएं।

Doctor's Visit

मुझे अक्सर थकान रहती है।
बिना कारण थकान।
बहुत ज़्यादा थकान।
थकान का इलाज क्या है?

Studying

पढ़ाई की थकान।
मानसिक थकान हो गई।
थकान की वजह से ध्यान नहीं लग रहा।
ब्रेक लो, थकान मिटाओ।

Conversation Starters

"क्या आपको आज काम के बाद बहुत थकान महसूस हो रही है?"

"सफर की थकान मिटाने के लिए आप क्या करते हैं?"

"क्या आपको लगता है कि चाय पीने से थकान दूर हो जाती है?"

"आज मुझे बहुत थकान है, क्या हम कल मिल सकते हैं?"

"मानसिक थकान से बचने के लिए आपके पास क्या सुझाव हैं?"

Journal Prompts

आज आपने जो काम किया, उससे आपको कितनी थकान महसूस हुई? विस्तार से लिखें।

जब आपको बहुत थकान होती है, तो आपका पसंदीदा आराम करने का तरीका क्या है?

क्या आपने कभी 'मानसिक थकान' महसूस की है? वह शारीरिक थकान से कैसे अलग थी?

एक ऐसी घटना के बारे में लिखें जब आप थकान के बावजूद अपना काम पूरा करने में सफल रहे।

थकान और नींद के बीच के संबंध पर अपने विचार लिखें।

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is strictly feminine. You must use feminine verb forms like 'hoti hai' or 'ho rahi hai' with it. For example, 'Mujhe thakān ho rahi hai' is correct.

The most common way is 'Mujhe thakān hai' (literally: To me there is fatigue). You can also say 'Mujhe thakān ho rahi hai' (I am feeling fatigue).

'Thakān' is a noun (fatigue), while 'thaka hua' is an adjective (tired). You say 'Mujhe thakān hai' but 'Main thaka hua hoon'.

Yes, you can use it for both physical and mental exhaustion. To be specific, you can say 'mansik thakān' for mental fatigue.

Yes, they are very similar and often interchangeable. 'Thakān' is slightly more common in daily speech, while 'thakāvat' can sound a bit more formal or descriptive.

Common verbs include 'hona' (to be/happen), 'mehsus karna' (to feel), 'mitana' (to erase), and 'door karna' (to remove).

You can say 'Mujhe bahut thakān hai' or 'Mujhe bahut zyada thakān hai'.

Yes, it is used in all registers. In very formal literature, you might see 'klānti', but 'thakān' is perfectly acceptable in formal speech too.

The plural is 'thakānein', but it is very rarely used because fatigue is usually treated as an uncountable abstract concept.

The opposite would be 'tāzgī' (freshness) or 'sphūrti' (energy/agility).