विमुख in 30 Seconds
- Vimukh means 'estranged' or 'turned away' from something.
- It is a formal adjective derived from Sanskrit (Vi + Mukh).
- It is commonly used with the postposition 'se' (from).
- It describes emotional, social, or spiritual alienation.
The Hindi word विमुख (Vimukh) is a sophisticated adjective primarily used to describe a state of being turned away, estranged, or alienated from something or someone. Derived from Sanskrit, it literally translates to having one's 'face' (mukh) 'turned away' (vi-). In contemporary Hindi, it transcends physical movement to describe emotional, spiritual, or ideological distancing. You will encounter this word in literary texts, formal news reports, and deep philosophical discussions. It isn't just about being 'away'; it implies a deliberate or consequential shift in orientation where a previous connection or interest has been severed or ignored.
- Literal Meaning
- Having the face turned away; averted.
- Figurative Meaning
- Being indifferent, hostile, or alienated from a person, cause, or duty.
In a social context, if someone becomes vimukh from their family, it suggests a profound estrangement—perhaps due to a conflict or a change in values. In a political context, the electorate might become vimukh from a political party if their promises are not met. The word carries a weight of finality and seriousness that simpler words like 'अलग' (alag - separate) lack.
आजकल की युवा पीढ़ी अपनी परंपराओं से विमुख होती जा रही है। (Today's younger generation is becoming estranged from its traditions.)
Furthermore, Vimukh is frequently paired with the postposition 'से' (se), indicating the source or object from which one is turning away. This grammatical structure is crucial for learners to master. Whether it is turning away from God (Ishwar-se-vimukh) or turning away from worldly pleasures (Sansar-se-vimukh), the word highlights a change in the subject's internal compass.
संकट के समय हमें अपने कर्तव्यों से विमुख नहीं होना चाहिए। (During times of crisis, we should not turn away from our duties.)
- Spiritual Context
- In Bhakti literature, being 'Bhagwat-vimukh' (away from God) is considered the root of suffering.
The word also appears in psychological discussions regarding alienation. When an individual feels disconnected from society or their own identity, psychologists might use vimukh to describe this sense of being 'turned inward' or 'away from the collective'. It is a powerful descriptor for the modern condition of urban isolation.
वह अपनी पुरानी आदतों से पूरी तरह विमुख हो चुका है। (He has become completely alienated from his old habits.)
To wrap up, understanding 'Vimukh' requires recognizing the 'Vi-' prefix's power to invert the meaning of 'Mukh'. While 'Sammukh' (facing) implies presence and engagement, 'Vimukh' implies absence and disengagement. It is a word of transitions, often marking the end of an era or the beginning of a new, separate path for an individual or a group.
Using विमुख (Vimukh) correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical role as an adjective and its dependency on the postposition 'से' (se). It rarely stands alone; it almost always describes a relationship where the subject has turned away from an object. Let's explore the various grammatical environments where this word thrives.
- Subject + Object + से (se) + विमुख + होना (hona)
- This is the most common construction. 'Hona' (to be/become) acts as the auxiliary verb to indicate the state of alienation.
जनता सरकार की नीतियों से विमुख हो रही है। (The public is becoming alienated from the government's policies.)
In the sentence above, 'Janata' (the public) is the subject, 'policies' is the object they are turning away from, and 'vimukh ho rahi hai' describes the ongoing process of estrangement. Notice how the word captures the shift in public sentiment more elegantly than simply saying they 'don't like' the policies.
- Subject + Object + से (se) + विमुख + करना (karna)
- Using 'karna' (to do) makes the action causative. It means to alienate or turn someone else away from something.
झूठी अफवाहों ने उसे अपने मित्रों से विमुख कर दिया। (False rumors alienated him from his friends.)
Here, the rumors are the active agent causing the estrangement. This causative form is very common in literature and journalism when discussing factors that cause social or political shifts. The focus is on the external force that breaks the bond.
Another interesting usage is in the context of 'moral or ethical turning'. When someone turns away from the path of truth (Satya-se-vimukh) or duty (Kartavya-se-vimukh), it implies a moral failing. This is a common trope in Indian epics and ethical discourses.
हमें धर्म से विमुख नहीं होना चाहिए। (We should not turn away from righteousness/religion.)
- Usage with Abstract Nouns
- It is most frequently used with abstract concepts like 'truth', 'tradition', 'duty', 'society', and 'faith'.
For advanced learners, 'Vimukh' can also be used as part of a compound adjective. For example, 'Sukh-vimukh' (one who has turned away from pleasure). This is common in Sanskritized Hindi poetry and philosophical texts. It allows for a very concise expression of a person's character or state of mind.
वह अब सांसारिक मोह-माया से विमुख है। (He is now estranged from worldly attachments.)
Finally, ensure you don't confuse 'Vimukh' with 'Vimukt' (liberated). While they sound similar and are related in the sense of 'leaving' something, 'Vimukt' implies a positive release or freedom, whereas 'Vimukh' focuses on the orientation of turning away, which can be neutral or negative depending on the context.
While विमुख (Vimukh) might not be the word you use to ask for tea, it is ubiquitous in the 'higher' registers of Hindi. If you are a consumer of Indian media, literature, or formal speeches, you will hear this word constantly. It provides a specific emotional and intellectual texture that everyday words like 'door' (far) or 'alag' (separate) cannot provide.
- In News and Politics
- Journalists use 'Vimukh' to describe shifts in voter behavior or ideological departures. You will often hear phrases like 'Matdataon ka moh-bhang aur satta se vimukh hona' (The disillusionment of voters and their turning away from power).
विपक्ष ने आरोप लगाया कि सरकार गरीबों की समस्याओं से विमुख हो गई है। (The opposition alleged that the government has turned away from the problems of the poor.)
This usage highlights a perceived lack of empathy or attention. In this context, 'Vimukh' serves as a sharp political critique, suggesting that the government is ignoring its fundamental responsibilities. It is a more powerful word than 'ignore' because it implies a physical and mental turning away.
- In Literature and Poetry
- Hindi poets (Kavis) and novelists often use 'Vimukh' to describe unrequited love or the existential loneliness of a character. A protagonist might find their beloved 'vimukh', meaning they are no longer responsive or have turned their heart away.
भाग्य जब विमुख होता है, तो हर प्रयास विफल हो जाता है। (When fate turns away, every effort fails.)
The phrase 'Bhagya ka vimukh hona' (Fate turning away) is a classic Hindi idiom. It personifies luck as a person who has literally turned their face away from you, leaving you in the dark. This poetic imagery is deeply embedded in the Hindi psyche.
In religious discourses (Pravachans), gurus often speak about 'Vimukh' in the context of the soul's orientation. They might say that humans are 'Antarmukh' (turned inward) or 'Bahirmukh' (turned outward), and that being 'Eshwar-vimukh' (turned away from God) is the cause of all worldly sorrow. Here, the word takes on a cosmic significance.
सच्चा साधक कभी अपने लक्ष्य से विमुख नहीं होता। (A true seeker never turns away from their goal.)
- In Academic Writing
- Sociology textbooks use 'Vimukh' to translate the concept of 'alienation' (Marxist or otherwise). It describes the separation of the worker from the product of their labor.
Whether it's a headline about a 'Vimukh' ally in a coalition government or a poem about a 'Vimukh' lover, the word consistently signals a rupture in a relationship or a redirection of focus. It is a word that demands the listener to pay attention to the 'from what' and 'to what' of the situation.
While विमुख (Vimukh) is a powerful word, its Sanskrit roots and formal nature make it prone to certain errors by learners. Avoiding these will help you sound more like a native speaker and ensure your meaning is clear.
- Mistake 1: Confusing 'Vimukh' with 'Vimukt'
- This is the most frequent error. 'Vimukh' (विमुख) means turned away/estranged. 'Vimukt' (विमुक्त) means liberated/freed. While both involve leaving something, the connotation is different.
Incorrect: वह दुखों से विमुख हो गया। (He became turned away from sorrows - sounds odd.)
Correct: वह दुखों से विमुक्त हो गया। (He became liberated from sorrows.)
If you want to say someone is free from something, use 'Vimukt'. Use 'Vimukh' only when you want to emphasize the change in orientation or the act of turning one's back on something.
- Mistake 2: Using the wrong postposition
- Learners often try to use 'को' (ko) or 'में' (mein) with 'Vimukh'. However, 'Vimukh' almost always requires 'से' (se) because you are turning away *from* something.
Incorrect: वह अपनी जिम्मेदारी को विमुख है।
Correct: वह अपनी जिम्मेदारी से विमुख है। (He is turned away from his responsibility.)
Mistake 3: Overusing it in casual settings. Using 'Vimukh' in a very casual conversation about a small disagreement might sound overly dramatic or 'too bookish'. For example, if you just had a small tiff with a friend, saying "वह मुझसे विमुख है" (He is estranged from me) sounds like a scene from an epic drama. In such cases, "वह मुझसे नाराज़ है" (He is angry with me) or "बात नहीं कर रहा" (Not talking) is better.
- Mistake 4: Confusing with 'Adhomukh' or 'Unmukh'
- These are sister words. 'Adhomukh' means face downwards. 'Unmukh' means face upwards or eager. 'Vimukh' is specifically 'away'.
Finally, be careful with the spelling. The 'v' is a 'va' (व), not a 'ba' (ब). Pronouncing it as 'Bimukh' is a common regional variation in some parts of North India, but 'Vimukh' is the standard phonetic realization. Also, ensure the 'u' (ु) in 'mu' is short, not long.
सही उच्चारण: वि-मुख (Short 'u'). Vimukh.
By keeping these points in mind, you will use 'Vimukh' with the precision of a scholar. It is a word that, when used correctly, signals a high level of Hindi proficiency and a deep understanding of the language's nuances.
To truly master विमुख (Vimukh), it is helpful to compare it with its synonyms and related terms. Hindi has a rich vocabulary for 'separation' and 'indifference', and choosing the right one depends on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey.
- Vimukh vs. Udasin (उदासीन)
- Udasin means 'indifferent' or 'neutral'. While Vimukh implies a turning away (an action or state of being averted), Udasin implies a lack of interest or bias altogether. A judge should be Udasin (impartial), but they should never be Vimukh (turned away) from the facts.
Think of it this way: If you are Udasin, you are standing there but don't care. If you are Vimukh, you have physically or metaphorically turned your back on the situation.
- Vimukh vs. Virakt (विरक्त)
- Virakt is a more spiritual term. It means 'detached' or 'dispassionate'. It is often used for monks or people who have given up worldly desires. Vimukh can be a part of becoming Virakt, but Virakt is the deeper state of mind.
वह संसार से विरक्त हो गया है। (He has become detached from the world.) vs. वह संसार से विमुख हो गया है। (He has turned away from the world.)
The second sentence sounds more like a specific action or reaction, whereas the first sounds like a permanent state of being. Vimukh often implies a specific 'object' of estrangement.
- Vimukh vs. Alag (अलग)
- Alag is the most common and simplest word for 'separate' or 'different'. It is used for physical objects or simple social situations. Vimukh is much more formal and carries a sense of psychological or moral distance.
Other alternatives include Prithak (पृथक - separate/distinct) and Vimata (विमाता - though this specifically means stepmother, the 'vi-' prefix often denotes 'other' or 'away'). In political contexts, Moh-bhang (disillusionment) often precedes being Vimukh.
- Antonyms to Know
- The direct opposite is सम्मुख (Sammukh) - facing/present. Another is अभिमुख (Abhimukh) - facing towards/oriented towards.
Understanding these contrasts helps you map out the 'spatial' logic of Hindi vocabulary. Most Hindi words relating to direction and orientation come from this 'Mukh' (face) root system. Mastering one makes it significantly easier to learn the others.
Examples by Level
वह मुझसे विमुख है।
He is turned away from me.
Simple subject + postpositional phrase.
बच्चा खाने से विमुख हो गया।
The child turned away from the food.
Using 'se' to show the source.
खेल से विमुख मत हो।
Don't turn away from the game.
Imperative negative sentence.
वह खिड़की से विमुख खड़ा था।
He was standing with his back to the window.
Physical orientation usage.
राम अपने दोस्त से विमुख है।
Ram is estranged from his friend.
Basic relational usage.
क्या तुम मुझसे विमुख हो?
Are you turned away from me?
Interrogative form.
वह पढ़ाई से विमुख है।
He is turned away from studies.
Abstract object (studies).
वे घर से विमुख हो गए।
They became estranged from home.
Plural subject with 'ho gaye'.
पुराने मित्रों से विमुख होना दुखद है।
It is sad to be estranged from old friends.
Gerundial phrase as subject.
वह अपनी संस्कृति से विमुख हो रहा है।
He is becoming alienated from his culture.
Present continuous form.
हमें अपने लक्ष्य से विमुख नहीं होना चाहिए।
We should not turn away from our goal.
Use of modal 'chahiye'.
वह काम से विमुख होकर बैठा है।
He is sitting, having turned away from work.
Conjunctive participle 'hokar'.
लोग राजनीति से विमुख हो रहे हैं।
People are turning away from politics.
Social context usage.
उसकी बातों ने मुझे खेल से विमुख कर दिया।
His words turned me away from the game.
Causative structure with 'kar diya'.
वह अपने परिवार से विमुख क्यों है?
Why is he estranged from his family?
Question word 'kyon'.
सच्चाई से विमुख होना आसान नहीं है।
It is not easy to turn away from the truth.
Infinitive as subject.
आज का समाज नैतिकता से विमुख होता जा रहा है।
Today's society is becoming alienated from morality.
Compound verb 'hota ja raha hai'.
विमुख व्यक्ति अक्सर अकेलापन महसूस करता है।
An estranged person often feels lonely.
Vimukh used as an attributive adjective.
उसने अपने कर्तव्यों से विमुख होने का निर्णय लिया।
He decided to turn away from his duties.
Infinitive phrase with 'ka nirnay liya'.
जनता अब पुराने वादों से विमुख हो चुकी है।
The public has already turned away from old promises.
Perfective aspect with 'ho chuki hai'.
धर्म से विमुख होना पतन का कारण बन सकता है।
Turning away from religion/righteousness can cause a downfall.
Complex subject phrase.
वह अपनी जड़ों से विमुख नहीं होना चाहता।
He does not want to be alienated from his roots.
Negative desire with 'nahin chahta'.
कठिन परिस्थितियों में लोग अक्सर अपनों से विमुख हो जाते हैं।
In difficult situations, people often become estranged from their loved ones.
General truth in present simple.
क्या तुम अपनी ज़िम्मेदारी से विमुख हो रहे हो?
Are you turning away from your responsibility?
Direct confrontation in continuous tense.
आधुनिकता के नाम पर हम अपनी परंपराओं से विमुख हो रहे हैं।
In the name of modernity, we are becoming alienated from our traditions.
Prepositional phrase 'ke naam par'.
जब शासक प्रजा से विमुख हो जाता है, तो विद्रोह निश्चित है।
When a ruler becomes alienated from the subjects, rebellion is certain.
Conditional 'jab...to' structure.
मार्क्स के अनुसार, श्रमिक अपने श्रम के उत्पाद से विमुख हो जाता है।
According to Marx, the worker becomes alienated from the product of their labor.
Academic citation style.
उसकी विमुखता का कारण उसका पिछला अनुभव था।
The reason for his estrangement was his past experience.
Abstract noun 'vimukhta' derived from 'vimukh'.
सांसारिक सुखों से विमुख होना ही संन्यास का प्रथम चरण है।
Turning away from worldly pleasures is the first step of asceticism.
Equative sentence structure.
वह अपनी विचारधारा से विमुख होकर विपक्षी दल में शामिल हो गया।
He turned away from his ideology and joined the opposition party.
Conjunctive participle used for sequence of actions.
युवाओं का किताबों से विमुख होना एक गंभीर समस्या है।
The estrangement of youth from books is a serious problem.
Complex noun phrase as subject.
संकट की घड़ी में वह अपने आदर्शों से विमुख नहीं हुआ।
In the hour of crisis, he did not turn away from his ideals.
Past tense negative.
साहित्यकार का समाज से विमुख होना उसकी रचनाधर्मिता को बाधित करता है।
A writer's alienation from society hinders their creative integrity.
Formal literary criticism register.
भक्ति काल के कवियों ने ईश्वर से विमुख होने को ही सबसे बड़ा पाप माना है।
The poets of the Bhakti period considered turning away from God as the greatest sin.
Historical/Cultural analysis register.
वैश्वीकरण ने स्थानीय समुदायों को अपनी पहचान से विमुख कर दिया है।
Globalization has alienated local communities from their identity.
Sociological causative structure.
आत्म-विमुख व्यक्ति कभी भी वास्तविक शांति प्राप्त नहीं कर सकता।
A self-alienated person can never achieve true peace.
Compound word 'Aatma-vimukh'.
राजनीतिक दलों का जन-आकांक्षाओं से विमुख होना लोकतंत्र के लिए घातक है।
The alienation of political parties from public aspirations is fatal for democracy.
Political science terminology.
वह अपनी कला के प्रति इतना विमुख हो गया कि उसने तूलिका ही छोड़ दी।
He became so estranged from his art that he gave up the brush altogether.
Resultative 'itna...ki' structure.
प्रकृति से विमुख होकर मानव जाति विनाश की ओर बढ़ रही है।
By turning away from nature, mankind is moving toward destruction.
Environmental critique register.
उसकी आँखों में एक अजीब सी विमुखता थी, जैसे वह यहाँ होकर भी न हो।
There was a strange estrangement in his eyes, as if he were here but not here.
Descriptive literary style.
शास्त्रों में 'विमुख' उसे कहा गया है जो सत्पथ का परित्याग कर चुका हो।
In the scriptures, 'Vimukh' is one who has abandoned the path of truth.
Definition-based formal register.
आधुनिक सभ्यता की विमुखता का मूल कारण उपभोक्तावाद की अंधी दौड़ है।
The root cause of modern civilization's alienation is the blind race of consumerism.
High-level philosophical analysis.
जब नायक अपने ही अंतर्मन से विमुख हो जाता है, तब त्रासदी का जन्म होता है।
When the protagonist becomes alienated from their own inner self, tragedy is born.
Dramatic/Literary theory register.
यह विडंबना ही है कि संचार के साधनों के बढ़ने से मनुष्य एक-दूसरे से विमुख हो गया है।
It is an irony that with the increase in means of communication, man has become estranged from one another.
Rhetorical/Ironical structure.
तटस्थता और विमुखता के बीच की सूक्ष्म रेखा को समझना अनिवार्य है।
It is essential to understand the fine line between neutrality and estrangement.
Conceptual differentiation.
वह अपने अस्तित्व के मूल प्रश्नों से विमुख होकर व्यर्थ के आडंबरों में खोया रहा।
He remained lost in useless pretenses, turning away from the fundamental questions of his existence.
Existentialist critique register.
वैचारिक विमुखता अक्सर सामाजिक विखंडन का मार्ग प्रशस्त करती है।
Ideological alienation often paves the way for social fragmentation.
Abstract sociological causality.
उसका मौन उसकी विमुखता का सबसे मुखर प्रमाण था।
His silence was the most vocal evidence of his estrangement.
Oxymoronic literary expression.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— To become estranged or turn away from something.
वह अपनी पुरानी यादों से विमुख होना चाहता है।
— A tendency to turn away or be alienated.
उसकी विमुख प्रवृत्ति उसे अकेला कर देती है।
Idioms & Expressions
— To have bad luck; when fate turns against you.
जब भाग्य विमुख होता है, तो ऊँट पर बैठे आदमी को भी कुत्ता काट लेता है।
Literary/Common— To shirk one's responsibility.
सच्चा सिपाही कभी कर्तव्य से विमुख नहीं होता।
Formal— To ignore the truth or act dishonestly.
स्वार्थ के लिए सत्य से विमुख होना गलत है।
Moral— One who has no faith or has turned away from God.
ईश्वर विमुख व्यक्ति को शांति कहाँ?
SpiritualSummary
The word 'विमुख' (Vimukh) is your go-to term for describing a serious shift in focus or a breakdown in a relationship. Whether it's turning away from a friend or a political party, it implies a deliberate change in orientation. Example: 'वह अपने धर्म से विमुख है' (He is estranged from his religion).
- Vimukh means 'estranged' or 'turned away' from something.
- It is a formal adjective derived from Sanskrit (Vi + Mukh).
- It is commonly used with the postposition 'se' (from).
- It describes emotional, social, or spiritual alienation.
Related Content
More family words
आबाद
B1Inhabited, prosperous; populated and flourishing.
आँचल
B1Corner of a sari (symbol of mother's protection).
आचरण
B1The way a person behaves; conduct.
आँगन
A2Courtyard; an unroofed area that is completely or mostly enclosed by the walls of a house.
आंगन
A2An open, uncovered area, often paved, adjacent to a house; a courtyard.
आग्रह करना
B1To request; to insist; to ask earnestly or formally.
आज्ञा
B1An instruction or command; permission.
आज्ञा का पालन करना
B1To obey orders or commands.
आज्ञा मानना
A2To obey; to comply with a command or rule.
आज्ञा पालन करना
B1To obey (command/order).
