यकीन करना in 30 Seconds
- Used to express belief or trust in someone or something.
- Requires the postposition 'par' (on) for the object of belief.
- Common in daily speech, movies, and emotional conversations.
- Interchangeable with 'vishwas karna' but feels more natural and conversational.
The Hindi verb यकीन करना (yakeen karna) is a cornerstone of daily communication, representing the act of believing, trusting, or accepting something as truth. Derived from the Arabic word 'Yaqin' (certainty), it carries a weight of conviction that goes beyond mere thinking. In the landscape of Hindi verbs, this is a 'conjunct verb,' where the noun 'यकीन' (certainty/belief) is paired with the helper verb 'करना' (to do). When you say you believe someone, you are essentially 'doing certainty' regarding their words or character. It is used in a vast array of contexts, from mundane daily affirmations to deep philosophical or emotional commitments. Unlike its more formal Sanskrit-derived counterpart 'विश्वास करना' (vishwas karna), 'यकीन करना' feels more intimate, conversational, and is frequently heard in Bollywood cinema, literature, and heartfelt conversations. It covers both the intellectual acceptance of a fact (e.g., believing a news report) and the emotional act of trusting a person (e.g., believing in a friend).
- Emotional Depth
- It often implies a leap of faith or a personal bond. To 'yakeen karna' on someone is to give them your confidence.
- Factual Belief
- Used when accepting evidence or a story as being true rather than a lie.
क्या तुम मेरी बात पर यकीन करते हो? (Do you believe what I am saying?)
In social settings, the word is often used to seek validation or express disbelief. If someone tells an incredible story, you might exclaim, 'मुझे यकीन नहीं होता!' (I can't believe it!). This highlights the word's flexibility in expressing surprise. In romantic contexts, it is the bedrock of a relationship; 'मुझ पर यकीन रखो' (keep belief in me) is a common plea for trust. Understanding this word requires sensing the difference between 'knowing' and 'believing.' While 'jaanna' is about information, 'yakeen karna' is about the internal state of being sure about that information. Because of its Urdu roots, it carries a poetic elegance, making it a favorite for songwriters who want to describe the fragility or strength of human trust.
मुझ पर यकीन करना मुश्किल नहीं है। (It is not difficult to believe me.)
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- Neutral to Informal. Suitable for friends, family, and general public interaction.
Using यकीन करना correctly requires understanding its status as a transitive conjunct verb. The most important grammatical rule to remember is the use of the postposition पर (par). In English, we say 'I believe you,' but in Hindi, the structure is 'I believe ON you' (Main tum par yakeen karta hoon). This 'par' is essential; without it, the sentence feels incomplete or grammatically 'broken' to a native speaker. The verb 'karna' (to do) conjugates according to the subject's gender and number in the present and future tenses, but in the perfective (past) tense, it follows the rules of the ergative 'ne' construction if there is a direct object, though usually, 'yakeen' functions as the object itself.
मैंने उसकी कहानी पर यकीन कर लिया। (I believed his story.)
Let's look at the different tenses. In the present habitual: 'वह किसी पर यकीन नहीं करता' (He doesn't believe/trust anyone). Here, 'karta' matches the male subject 'voh.' In the continuous tense: 'मैं तुम्हारी बात पर यकीन कर रहा हूँ' (I am believing what you say). Notice how 'kar raha hoon' shows an ongoing state of choosing to believe. For commands, we use 'karo' or 'kariye': 'मुझ पर यकीन करो!' (Believe me!). If you want to say 'I can't believe it,' you use the potential form: 'मैं यकीन नहीं कर सकता.' This is extremely common when reacting to shocking news.
- The 'Kar Lena' Variation
- Adding 'lena' (to take) as a compound verb—'यकीन कर लेना'—suggests that the act of believing has been completed or settled in one's mind.
हमें सच पर यकीन करना चाहिए। (We should believe in the truth.)
Another nuance is the difference between 'yakeen karna' and 'yakeen hona.' While 'karna' is an active choice (to believe), 'hona' (to be/happen) describes a state of being sure. 'मुझे यकीन है' means 'I am sure/I believe,' whereas 'मैं यकीन करता हूँ' means 'I actively place my trust.' As a learner, start with 'yakeen karna' for actions and 'yakeen hona' for feelings of certainty. Mastery of these two will significantly improve your fluency in expressing your opinions and doubts.
If you are a fan of Bollywood movies or Hindi songs, यकीन करना is unavoidable. It is the language of high drama and deep emotion. In a classic suspense thriller, a character might scream, 'मुझ पर यकीन करो, मैंने खून नहीं किया!' (Believe me, I didn't commit the murder!). In romantic ballads, the lyrics often revolve around the difficulty of 'yakeen' in a world of heartbreak. You will hear it in the phrase 'यकीन दिलाना' (to make someone believe/to assure), which is a common diplomatic and personal tool. For example, a politician might say, 'मैं जनता को यकीन दिलाना चाहता हूँ...' (I want to assure the public...).
बस एक बार मुझ पर यकीन करके देखो। (Just try believing me once.)
In news broadcasts, reporters use it when discussing the credibility of sources or the public's reaction to events. 'लोग इस खबर पर यकीन नहीं कर पा रहे हैं' (People are unable to believe this news) is a standard headline for shocking events. In the workplace, managers might use it when delegating tasks: 'मुझे तुम्हारी काबिलियत पर यकीन है' (I believe in your ability). This shows that the word isn't just about truth, but also about 'confidence' in someone's skills. In casual street Hindi, you might hear the shortened version 'यकीन कर' (Believe [me]) as a way to emphasize that one isn't lying during a gossip session.
- Daily Life
- Used when someone tells a lie, when giving directions, or when promising to return money.
क्या तुम जादू पर यकीन करते हो? (Do you believe in magic?)
Even in spiritual contexts, while 'shraddha' or 'vishwas' are more common for 'faith,' 'yakeen' is used for the personal conviction that God or a higher power is listening. It is a word that bridges the gap between the head and the heart. Whether you are reading a newspaper in Delhi or watching a drama in Mumbai, 'yakeen karna' will be your guide to understanding how speakers express their reality and their trust in others.
The most frequent mistake English speakers make when using यकीन करना is omitting the postposition पर (par). In English, 'believe' is a direct transitive verb: 'I believe you.' If you translate this literally into Hindi as 'Main tum yakeen karta hoon,' it is incorrect. You must say 'Main tum par yakeen karta hoon.' Think of it as 'placing your belief on' someone. Another common error is confusing 'yakeen karna' (to believe/trust) with 'sochna' (to think) or 'maan-na' (to accept/obey). While you might 'believe' a fact is true, 'maan-na' is better for 'accepting' a condition or 'obeying' an elder.
Incorrect: मैं तुम यकीन करता हूँ।
Correct: मैं तुम पर यकीन करता हूँ।
A second mistake involves the distinction between 'yakeen' and 'vishwas.' While often interchangeable, 'yakeen' is more common in Urdu-influenced Hindi and daily speech, whereas 'vishwas' is more formal. Using 'vishwas' in a very casual setting might sound slightly stiff, though never 'wrong.' However, using 'yakeen' in a very formal legal document might be less common than 'vishwas.' Learners also often struggle with the 'hona' vs 'karna' distinction. If you say 'Mujhe yakeen hai' (I have belief/I am sure), it's a state. If you say 'Main yakeen karta hoon' (I believe), it's an action. Don't mix the two by saying 'Mujhe yakeen karta hoon.'
- The 'Ne' Particle Pitfall
- In the past tense, beginners often forget to use 'ne' with the subject. 'I believed' is 'Maine yakeen kiya,' not 'Main yakeen kiya.'
उसने मेरी बात पर यकीन नहीं किया। (He did not believe my words.)
Lastly, watch out for the pronunciation of the 'y' and 'q' sounds. While many speakers pronounce 'yakeen' with a standard 'k' sound (yakeen), the 'q' (dotted k - क़) is the traditional Urdu pronunciation. Beginners often over-emphasize the 'y' or fail to sustain the long 'ee' sound, making it sound like 'yakin' (short i). Keep the 'ee' long and clear to sound more like a native speaker.
To enrich your Hindi vocabulary, it's vital to know the synonyms and nuances of यकीन करना. The most prominent alternative is विश्वास करना (vishwas karna). This is the Sanskrit-derived term. It is used in formal speeches, religious contexts, and official documents. If you are talking about 'faith' in a spiritual sense, 'vishwas' is the more appropriate choice. Another common word is भरोसा करना (bharosa karna). 'Bharosa' specifically leans towards 'trust' and 'reliance.' You have 'bharosa' on a person's character or a machine's reliability. While you can 'yakeen' a story, you usually 'bharosa' a friend to keep a secret.
- यकीन vs. विश्वास
- Yakeen is conversational, Urdu-origin, and common in movies. Vishwas is formal, Hindi-origin, and used in literature/officialdom.
- यकीन vs. भरोसा
- Yakeen is about 'belief in truth.' Bharosa is about 'reliance and trust' in someone's actions.
मुझे तुम पर पूरा भरोसा है। (I have full trust in you.)
Then there is मानना (maan-na). This verb means 'to accept' or 'to agree.' If someone presents an argument and you accept it, you might say 'मैं आपकी बात मानता हूँ.' It doesn't necessarily imply the deep emotional 'yakeen,' but rather a logical or social acceptance. For religious faith, आस्था (aastha) and श्रद्धा (shraddha) are used, but these are nouns and are rarely paired with 'karna' in the same way. Finally, in very informal or slang contexts, people might say ट्रस्ट करना (trust karna), using the English word directly, which is very common among the urban youth in India today.
क्या तुम मेरी बात मानोगे? (Will you accept/believe what I say?)
Understanding these subtle differences allows you to choose the right word for the right situation. If you are writing a letter to a government official, 'vishwas' is your friend. If you are trying to convince your best friend that you saw a UFO, 'yakeen' is the word that will carry the weight of your excitement.
Fun Fact
In Islamic philosophy, there are three stages of 'Yaqin': knowledge of certainty, vision of certainty, and the reality of certainty. This deep philosophical roots give the word its weight in Hindi.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing 'yakeen' as 'yakin' (short i). Keep the 'ee' long.
- Pronouncing 'karna' as 'kana'. Don't drop the 'r'.
- Stress on the first syllable 'YA-keen'. It should be 'ya-KEEN'.
- Using a hard English 'k' for 'q' if trying to be very precise (though 'k' is common).
- Pronouncing 'ya' as 'jay' (common error for some Spanish or Slavic speakers).
Examples by Level
मुझ पर यकीन करो।
Believe me.
Imperative form of 'karna'.
मैं तुम पर यकीन करता हूँ।
I believe you.
Present habitual tense, masculine subject.
क्या तुम यकीन करते हो?
Do you believe?
Simple interrogative.
वह मुझ पर यकीन नहीं करती।
She does not believe me.
Negative present habitual, feminine subject.
माँ पर यकीन करो।
Believe Mother.
Use of 'par' with a noun.
मुझे यकीन है।
I am sure / I believe.
State of being (hona) vs action (karna).
यकीन करना अच्छा है।
To believe is good.
Infinitive as a noun.
वे हम पर यकीन करते हैं।
They believe us.
Plural subject conjugation.
मैंने उसकी बात पर यकीन किया।
I believed his words.
Past tense with 'ne'.
क्या तुमने खबर पर यकीन किया?
Did you believe the news?
Past tense interrogative.
हम सच पर यकीन करेंगे।
We will believe the truth.
Future tense.
उसने मुझ पर यकीन नहीं किया था।
He had not believed me.
Past perfect negative.
यकीन करना मुश्किल है।
It is difficult to believe.
Infinitive + adjective.
आप मुझ पर यकीन क्यों नहीं करते?
Why don't you believe me?
Interrogative with 'kyun'.
वह अपनी आँखों पर यकीन नहीं कर सकी।
She could not believe her eyes.
Use of 'sakna' (can/could).
मेरे दोस्त मुझ पर यकीन करते हैं।
My friends believe me.
Plural subject agreement.
मैं तुम्हें यकीन दिलाना चाहता हूँ।
I want to assure you (make you believe).
Causative-like construction 'yakeen dilana'.
अगर तुम मुझ पर यकीन करो, तो मैं तुम्हारी मदद कर सकता हूँ।
If you believe me, I can help you.
Conditional sentence.
उसने बिना सोचे-समझे यकीन कर लिया।
He believed without thinking.
Compound verb 'kar liya'.
क्या आप अब भी भूत-प्रेत पर यकीन करते हैं?
Do you still believe in ghosts?
Use of 'ab bhi' (still).
मुझे यकीन नहीं होता कि आज रविवार है।
I can't believe it's Sunday today.
Expression of surprise using 'hona'.
यकीन करना ही एकमात्र रास्ता था।
Believing was the only way.
Infinitive as subject.
लोग अक्सर अफ़वाहों पर यकीन कर लेते हैं।
People often believe rumors.
Habitual action with compound verb.
मैंने तुम्हारी आँखों में देखकर यकीन किया।
I believed by looking into your eyes.
Conjunctive participle 'dekhkar'.
उसकी बातों पर यकीन करना मेरी सबसे बड़ी गलती थी।
Believing his words was my biggest mistake.
Gerundial phrase as subject.
वैज्ञानिक प्रमाणों पर यकीन करना ज़रूरी है।
It is necessary to believe in scientific evidence.
Adjective 'zaroori' with infinitive.
वह इतनी आसानी से किसी पर यकीन नहीं करता।
He doesn't believe anyone that easily.
Adverbial phrase 'itni aasani se'.
हमें अपनी काबिलियत पर यकीन करना सीखना होगा।
We will have to learn to believe in our abilities.
Double verb 'seekhna hoga'.
फिल्म की कहानी पर यकीन करना मुश्किल लग रहा था।
Believing the film's story was feeling difficult.
Verb 'lagna' (to seem).
जब तक सबूत न मिले, यकीन मत करना।
Don't believe until you get proof.
Negative command with 'jab tak... na'.
उसने वादा किया कि वह मुझ पर यकीन रखेगा।
He promised that he would keep belief in me.
Use of 'rakhna' (to keep) instead of 'karna'.
क्या तुम इस अजूबे पर यकीन कर सकते हो?
Can you believe this wonder?
Potential mood.
आज के दौर में किसी पर आँख मूँदकर यकीन करना खतरनाक हो सकता है।
In today's era, believing someone blindly can be dangerous.
Idiom 'aankh moondkar' (blindly).
इतिहासकारों के लिए हर दस्तावेज़ पर यकीन करना संभव नहीं होता।
It is not possible for historians to believe every document.
Dative subject 'ke liye'.
उसकी ईमानदारी पर यकीन करने के सिवा मेरे पास कोई चारा नहीं था।
I had no choice but to believe in his honesty.
Phrase 'ke siva... koi chaara nahi' (no choice but).
यकीन करना और अंधविश्वास करना, दोनों में गहरा अंतर है।
There is a deep difference between believing and being superstitious.
Comparison of two infinitives.
न्यायाधीश ने गवाह के बयान पर यकीन करने से मना कर दिया।
The judge refused to believe the witness's statement.
Verb 'mana kar dena' (to refuse).
क्या हम अपनी इंद्रियों पर पूरी तरह यकीन कर सकते हैं?
Can we fully believe/trust our senses?
Philosophical inquiry.
उसने खुद को यकीन दिलाया कि सब ठीक हो जाएगा।
He assured himself that everything would be alright.
Reflexive assurance.
यह खबर इतनी सुखद है कि यकीन करना भारी पड़ रहा है।
This news is so pleasant that it's hard to believe.
Idiom 'bhari padna' (to be difficult/heavy).
मानवीय स्वभाव की जटिलताओं को देखते हुए, किसी की निस्वार्थता पर यकीन करना एक दार्शनिक चुनौती है।
Given the complexities of human nature, believing in someone's altruism is a philosophical challenge.
High-level vocabulary and syntax.
साहित्यिक कृतियों की सफलता पाठक को उस काल्पनिक संसार पर यकीन कराने की क्षमता पर निर्भर करती है।
The success of literary works depends on the ability to make the reader believe in that fictional world.
Causative 'yakeen karane'.
राजनीतिक परिदृश्य में, वादों पर यकीन करना अक्सर भोलापन समझा जाता है।
In the political landscape, believing in promises is often considered naivety.
Passive construction 'samjha jaata hai'.
उसकी बातों में वह खनक थी कि न चाहते हुए भी यकीन करना ही पड़ा।
There was such a ring of truth in his words that I had to believe him even against my will.
Idiomatic 'khanak' (ring/sound).
अस्तित्ववाद के अनुसार, हमें अपने अस्तित्व के अर्थ पर स्वयं यकीन करना होता है।
According to existentialism, we must believe in the meaning of our existence ourselves.
Philosophical register.
विज्ञान और धर्म के बीच का द्वंद्व अक्सर 'यकीन करने' के आधार पर टिका होता है।
The conflict between science and religion often rests on the basis of 'believing.'
Abstract noun usage.
बिना किसी तार्किक आधार के यकीन करना बौद्धिक पतन का संकेत हो सकता है।
Believing without any logical basis can be a sign of intellectual decline.
Formal academic tone.
यकीन करना एक ऐसी डोर है जो समाज को अराजकता से बचाए रखती है।
Belief is a thread that keeps society safe from chaos.
Metaphorical usage.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Idioms & Expressions
— To be unable to believe what one is seeing with their own eyes.
उसे अपनी जीत पर आँखों पर यकीन नहीं हुआ।
Common— The thread of trust that holds a relationship together.
यकीन की डोर बहुत नाजुक होती है।
Poetic— To give someone the confidence that something is true.
नेता ने जनता को यकीन दिलाया।
Neutral— To be unable to accept something as true (similar to 'yakeen na hona').
मुझे तुम्हारी बात पर यकीन नहीं आ रहा।
Conversational— When something is too incredible to be true.
उसकी बहादुरी पर यकीन करना मुश्किल है।
Neutral— Living under the shadow/comfort of belief.
वह हमेशा यकीन के साए में जीता है।
Literary— To strengthen one's belief with proof.
सबूतों ने मेरे यकीन को पुख्ता कर दिया।
FormalWord Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Yakeen' sounding like 'You-Can'. If 'You Can' do something, you have to 'Believe' in yourself. Yakeen = You can (Believe).
Visual Association
Imagine a person leaning back into the arms of a friend (a trust fall). The act of leaning is 'yakeen karna'.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to use 'yakeen karna' in three different tenses today: 'I believe,' 'I believed,' and 'I will believe'.
Word Origin
Derived from the Arabic word 'Yaqin' (يقين), which means certainty, conviction, or absolute knowledge. It entered Hindi through Persian influence during the medieval period.
Original meaning: Certainty or lack of doubt.
Afroasiatic (Arabic) -> Indo-European (Persian influence) -> Indo-Aryan (Hindi/Urdu).Cultural Context
No specific sensitivities, but avoid using it casually to dismiss serious religious 'vishwas' if the speaker is being very formal.
In English, we often use 'believe' for both facts and people. In Hindi, 'yakeen' is slightly more emotional than 'believe' in a scientific sense.
Summary
The phrase 'यकीन करना' (yakeen karna) is the most natural way to say 'to believe' in Hindi. Always remember the formula: [Person/Thing] + पर (par) + यकीन करना. Example: 'मुझ पर यकीन करो' (Believe me).
- Used to express belief or trust in someone or something.
- Requires the postposition 'par' (on) for the object of belief.
- Common in daily speech, movies, and emotional conversations.
- Interchangeable with 'vishwas karna' but feels more natural and conversational.
Related Content
More emotions words
आभार
B1Gratitude, thankfulness; appreciation for kindness.
आभारी
A2Thankful, obliged, feeling or showing gratitude.
आभारी होना
A2To be grateful; to feel or show appreciation for something received.
आभारपूर्वक
B2Gratefully, thankfully, or with appreciation.
आभार सहित
B1Gratefully; with gratitude; thankfully.
आभास होना
B1To have a feeling, to have an intuition; to perceive something vaguely.
आग्रह
B1Insistence, earnest request; persistent demanding.
आघात
B1Shock, trauma; a sudden upsetting or surprising event or experience.
आघातिक
B2Traumatic; emotionally disturbing or distressing.
आघात लगना
B1To be shocked; to be traumatized.
