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याद दिलाना

A2 verb 8 min read

याद दिलाना

yaad dilana

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips याद दिलाना in 30 Seconds

Explanation याद दिलाना in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'याद दिलाना' (Yaad Dilana) as a single unit meaning 'to remind.' You will mostly use it to ask for help or to give simple instructions. For example, 'Mujhe yaad dilao' (Remind me). It is important to know that 'Yaad' means memory and 'Dilana' means to cause to give. At this stage, focus on simple present and future forms. Don't worry too much about complex grammar; just remember that if you want someone to remind you, say 'Mujhe yaad dilana.' This is very helpful when you are traveling or learning new words and want your teacher to help you remember them later. You can use it for things like 'Remind me of the time' (Samay yaad dilana) or 'Remind me of the name' (Naam yaad dilana).

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'याद दिलाना' in more complete sentences with postpositions. You should understand that the person being reminded needs the word 'ko' (which becomes 'mujhe', 'tumhein', 'unhein'). For example, 'Maine use yaad dilaya' (I reminded him). You also start using it to describe things that trigger memories, like a photo or a song. You should be able to form simple past tense sentences, keeping in mind that 'Yaad' is feminine. So, even if you are a man, you say 'Maine yaad dilayi' if you are talking about the memory itself. This level is about functional reminders in daily life: appointments, chores, and basic social interactions.

At the B1 level, you can use 'याद दिलाना' in complex sentences involving 'ke baare mein' (about) or 'ki' (of). You understand the nuance between 'Yaad Dilana' (active reminding) and 'Yaad Aana' (passive remembering). You can use this verb in different moods, such as the subjunctive ('Agar aap mujhe yaad dilaayein...' - If you were to remind me...). You also start to recognize the verb in media, such as news reports or advertisements. You can use it to talk about obligations and promises. For example, 'Aapne mujhe apna vaada yaad dilaya, dhanyavaad' (You reminded me of your promise, thank you). Your focus is on accuracy in gender agreement and using the correct causative forms.

At the B2 level, you are comfortable using 'याद दिलाना' in various registers. You can differentiate between the common 'Yaad Dilana' and the more formal 'Smaran Karana.' You use the verb to express abstract ideas, such as reminding someone of their heritage, their rights, or their potential. You can handle the ergative construction ('ne' with the subject) perfectly in the past tense. You also begin to use the verb in idiomatic ways or within proverbs. You can describe how a sensory experience (like the smell of rain) reminds you of a specific, detailed past event. Your sentences are longer and include more descriptive adjectives and adverbs to qualify the reminder.

At the C1 level, you use 'याद दिलाना' with stylistic flair. You understand its use in literature and poetry to evoke deep emotions. You can discuss the etymology of the word and how the causative 'Dilana' functions within the broader Hindi verbal system. You can use it to make subtle social points, such as 'reminding someone of their place' (aukat yaad dilana) or 'reminding the government of its duties.' You are also aware of the Persian influence on the word 'Yaad' and how it contrasts with the Sanskrit 'Smaran.' You can switch between 'Yaad Dilana' and its synonyms to avoid repetition in long essays or speeches, choosing the word that fits the exact emotional tone of your message.

At the C2 level, you have a native-like command of 'याद दिलाना.' You can use it to convey sarcasm, irony, or profound philosophical truths. You understand the historical evolution of the phrase in Hindustani. You can analyze how different authors use the concept of 'reminding' to build themes of memory and loss in their work. You use the verb effortlessly in high-level debates, legal contexts, or artistic critiques. You can also play with the word's structure to create puns or double meanings. For you, 'Yaad Dilana' is not just a verb but a versatile tool for complex human connection, capable of expressing everything from a simple nudge to a soul-stirring revelation.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

याद दिलाना in 30 Seconds

Yaad Dilana is the standard Hindi verb for 'to remind,' essential for tasks and nostalgia.
It is a compound verb where 'Yaad' (memory) is feminine, affecting verb agreement in the past tense.
The person being reminded always takes the 'ko' postposition (e.g., mujhe, use, unhein).
It differs from 'Yaad Karna' (to remember/miss) and 'Yaad Aana' (to come to mind spontaneously).

The Hindi phrase याद दिलाना (Yaad Dilana) is a compound verb that translates literally to "to cause memory to be given" or simply "to remind." It is an essential part of daily communication in Hindi, used whenever you want to prompt someone to remember a task, an event, or a piece of information. Unlike the simple verb याद करना (Yaad Karna), which means "to remember" or "to memorize" (an internal action), याद दिलाना is an external, causative action where one person acts upon another. In the landscape of Hindi grammar, this is a causative construction involving the noun 'Yaad' (memory/remembrance) and the causative form of 'Dena' (to give), which is 'Dilana' (to cause to give).

Functional Usage: This verb is most frequently used in administrative or logistical contexts, such as reminding someone of a meeting, a deadline, or a promise. It carries a sense of helpfulness or necessity. For example, 'Mujhe kal meeting ke baare mein yaad dilana' (Remind me about the meeting tomorrow).

क्या आप मुझे मेरा वादा याद दिला सकते हैं? (Can you remind me of my promise?)

Emotional and Nostalgic Usage: Beyond logistics, the phrase is used when an object, a song, or a person evokes a memory of something else. If a song reminds you of your childhood, you would say 'Yeh gaana mujhe bachpan ki yaad dilata hai.' Here, the song is the subject causing the memory.

आपकी मुस्कान मुझे मेरी माँ की याद दिलाती है। (Your smile reminds me of my mother.)

The word 'Yaad' itself has Persian origins, widely adopted into Hindustani. When combined with 'Dilana,' it creates a bridge between the abstract concept of memory and the physical act of delivery. It is used across all social strata, from formal business emails to intimate conversations between friends. Understanding how to use this verb correctly requires a grasp of the 'Ko' postposition, as the person being reminded is the indirect object receiving the memory.

समय पर दवा लेना मुझे याद दिलाना मत भूलना। (Don't forget to remind me to take the medicine on time.)

Formal Context: In formal writing, you might see 'Smaran Karana' (Sanskritized Hindi), but 'Yaad Dilana' remains the standard in almost all spoken and semi-formal written contexts due to its natural flow and universality.

मैं आपको आपके बिल के भुगतान के बारे में याद दिलाने के लिए फोन कर रहा हूँ। (I am calling to remind you about your bill payment.)

In summary, whether you are managing a busy schedule, sharing a sentimental moment, or politely nudging a colleague, 'Yaad Dilana' is your primary tool. It encapsulates the dynamic nature of memory as something that can be prompted, shared, and triggered by external stimuli.

Using याद दिलाना correctly involves understanding its transitive nature and the specific postpositions it requires. The basic structure is: [Subject] + [Object + Ko] + [Memory/Topic + Ki/Ke Baare Mein] + [Yaad Dilana]. Because it is a causative verb, the person who is being reminded must be followed by the postposition को (ko).

Simple Future Tense: When asking someone to remind you in the future: 'Kya tum mujhe yaad dilaoge?' (Will you remind me?). Here, 'mujhe' is 'main + ko'.

कल सुबह मुझे जल्दी उठने के लिए याद दिलाना। (Remind me to wake up early tomorrow morning.)

Past Tense (Ergative Construction): Since 'Yaad Dilana' is a transitive verb, in the perfective (past) tense, the subject takes 'ne'. Example: 'Usne mujhe yaad dilaya' (He reminded me).

माँ ने मुझे बाज़ार से सब्ज़ी लाने की याद दिलाई। (Mother reminded me to bring vegetables from the market.)

Note that in the sentence above, 'dilai' is feminine because it agrees with 'yaad' (which is feminine), not the mother or the speaker. This is a crucial grammatical point for learners.

Present Continuous Tense: Used when something is currently reminding you of something. 'Yeh jagah mujhe mere ghar ki yaad dila rahi hai' (This place is reminding me of my home).

तुम बार-बार मुझे वही पुरानी बात क्यों याद दिला रहे हो? (Why are you repeatedly reminding me of that same old thing?)

In imperative sentences (commands or requests), you can use 'dilaaiye' (formal), 'dilao' (familiar), or 'dilana' (neutral/future imperative). 'Kripya mujhe yaad dilaaiye' is the most polite way to ask for a reminder in a professional setting.

अगर मैं भूल जाऊँ, तो कृपया मुझे याद दिला दीजिएगा। (If I forget, please do remind me.)

शिक्षक ने छात्रों को होमवर्क की याद दिलाई। (The teacher reminded the students about the homework.)

The phrase याद दिलाना is ubiquitous in Indian life. You will hear it in various settings ranging from high-stress corporate environments to emotional Bollywood movie scenes. Its versatility stems from the human need to manage memory and shared history.

In the Office: Colleagues use it to manage tasks. 'Sir, maine aapko email ke baare mein yaad dilane ke liye call kiya hai.' (Sir, I have called to remind you about the email.) It is a polite way to follow up without sounding demanding.

कृपया मुझे शाम की कॉन्फ्रेंस कॉल की याद दिला देना। (Please remind me of the evening conference call.)

In Popular Culture (Bollywood): Songs often use 'yaad dilana' to describe how the weather, a scent, or a place evokes memories of a lost love. Lyrics like 'Yeh raatein mujhe tumhari yaad dilati hain' (These nights remind me of you) are common in romantic ballads.

पुराने गाने हमेशा बीते हुए दिनों की याद दिलाते हैं। (Old songs always remind us of days gone by.)

At Home: Parents constantly use it with children. 'Maine tumhe haath dhone ki yaad dilayi thi na?' (I reminded you to wash your hands, didn't I?). It is part of the instructional language of the household.

दादी हमें हमेशा भगवान का नाम लेने की याद दिलाती हैं। (Grandmother always reminds us to take God's name.)

You will also encounter it in news broadcasts ('Pradhan Mantri ne janta ko unke vaade yaad dilaye' - The PM reminded the public of their promises) and in religious sermons where devotees are reminded of spiritual truths. Essentially, wherever there is a gap between knowing and doing, or seeing and feeling, 'Yaad Dilana' fills that gap.

क्या यह तस्वीर आपको उस ट्रिप की याद दिलाती है? (Does this photo remind you of that trip?)

अलार्म क्लॉक मुझे कसरत करने की याद दिलाती है। (The alarm clock reminds me to exercise.)

For English speakers, the most common mistakes when using याद दिलाना usually involve confusing it with similar-sounding verbs or misapplying Hindi's complex gender and postposition rules.

Mistake 1: Confusing with 'Yaad Karna': Many learners say 'Mujhe yaad karo' when they mean 'Remind me.' However, 'Mujhe yaad karo' means 'Remember me' (miss me). To say 'Remind me,' you must use 'Mujhe yaad dilao.'

Incorrect: मुझे कल याद करना। (Remember me tomorrow.)
Correct: मुझे कल याद दिलाना। (Remind me tomorrow.)

Mistake 2: Confusing with 'Yaad Aana': 'Yaad aana' means a memory came to you spontaneously. 'Yaad dilana' means someone or something actively caused the memory. If you say 'Mujhe uski yaad dilayi,' it sounds like someone forced you to remember, whereas 'Mujhe uski yaad aayi' means 'I remembered him/her' naturally.

Incorrect: मुझे चाबी याद आई। (I remembered the key - spontaneous.)
Correct: उसने मुझे चाबी याद दिलाई। (He reminded me of the key.)

Mistake 3: Gender Agreement Errors: Since 'Yaad' is a feminine noun, the verb 'dilana' often needs to agree with it in perfective tenses. Male speakers often mistakenly use the masculine 'dilaya' for everything.

Mistake 4: Missing 'Ko': The person being reminded must have 'ko'. 'Main tum yaad dilaunga' is grammatically broken. It must be 'Main tumhein (tum + ko) yaad dilaunga.'

Incorrect: वह मैं याद दिलाएगा।
Correct: वह मुझे याद दिलाएगा। (He will remind me.)

Finally, avoid using 'remind' as a loanword without the supporting Hindi verb structure. While 'remind karna' is heard in Hinglish, 'yaad dilana' is the more authentic and widely accepted form.

While याद दिलाना is the most common way to say "remind," there are several alternatives depending on the level of formality and the specific nuance you wish to convey.

स्मारण कराना (Smaran Karana): This is the formal, Sanskrit-derived version of 'Yaad Dilana.' You will find this in official documents, academic speeches, or very formal letters. It sounds more sophisticated but can feel out of place in casual conversation.

मैं आपको आपके कर्तव्यों का स्मरण कराना चाहता हूँ। (I want to remind you of your duties - Formal.)

चेताना (Chetana): This means 'to warn' or 'to alert' someone, but it overlaps with 'remind' when the reminder is a caution. If you are reminding someone of a danger, 'chetana' might be used.

याद ताज़ा करना (Yaad Taaza Karna): Literally 'to freshen the memory.' This is used when talking about old memories. Instead of just a functional reminder, it implies a nostalgic revival of an old thought.

चलो, पुरानी बातें करके अपनी यादें ताज़ा करते हैं। (Come, let's freshen our memories by talking about old times.)

In some dialects, you might hear 'Jataana' (to express or make known), which can sometimes function as a reminder of one's feelings or status. For example, 'Ehsaan jataana' means to remind someone of a favor you did for them, often in a slightly negative or boastful way.

वह मुझ पर अपना एहसान जता रहा है। (He is reminding me/showing off the favor he did for me.)

For a learner, sticking to 'Yaad Dilana' is the safest and most effective choice for 95% of situations. Only move to 'Smaran Karana' if you are writing a formal speech or 'Yaad Taaza Karna' for sentimental storytelling.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"मैं आपको आपके बिल के भुगतान की याद दिलाना चाहता हूँ।"

Neutral

"मुझे कल मीटिंग की याद दिलाना।"

Informal

"अरे, मुझे याद दिला देना यार!"

Child friendly

"बेटा, अपनी बोतल उठाना याद दिलाना।"

Slang

"उसने तो मुझे नानी याद दिला दी!"

Fun Fact

Because 'Yaad' is Persian and 'Dilana' is Indic, this phrase is a perfect example of the hybrid nature of the Hindustani language, blending Persian vocabulary with Indic grammar.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /jɑːd̪ d̪ɪ.lɑː.nɑː/

US /jɑːd dɪ.lɑː.nɑː/

Stress is relatively even, with a slight emphasis on the first syllable 'Yaad' and the second syllable of 'Dilana' (laa).

Rhymes With

Khilana (to feed) Pilana (to make drink) Hilaana (to shake) Sulaana (to put to sleep) Bhulaana (to make forget) Jilaana (to revive) Milana (to cause to meet) Dikhana (to show)

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'd' like an English 'd' (retroflex) instead of dental.
Shortening the long 'aa' vowels.
Confusing the 'i' in 'dilana' with a long 'ee' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in text as it uses common words.

Writing 4/5

Requires knowledge of 'ne' and gender agreement with 'yaad'.

Speaking 3/5

Commonly used, but learners must remember the 'ko' postposition.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation makes it easy to pick out in speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

याद (Yaad) देना (Dena) दिलाना (Dilana) भूलना (Bhoolna) को (Ko)

Learn Next

याद आना (Yaad Aana) याद करना (Yaad Karna) भुलवाना (Bhulvana) चेताना (Chetana)

Advanced

स्मरण शक्ति (Smaran shakti) विस्मरण (Vismaran) अविस्मरणीय (Avismarniya)

Grammar to Know

Causative Verbs

Dena -> Dilana (To give -> To cause to give/remind).

Ergative Construction with 'ne'

Maine use yaad dilaya (I reminded him).

Gender Agreement with Nouns in Compound Verbs

Yaad is feminine, so 'Yaad dilai' in past tense.

Indirect Object with 'ko'

The person reminded gets 'ko'.

Infinitive + 'ki' + Yaad

Likhne ki yaad dilana (Remind to write).

Examples by Level

मुझे याद दिलाना।

Remind me.

Imperative form (neutral).

क्या आप याद दिलाएंगे?

Will you remind (me)?

Future tense (polite).

नाम याद दिलाओ।

Remind (me) the name.

Imperative (familiar).

समय याद दिलाना।

Remind (me) of the time.

Neutral imperative.

मुझे कल याद दिलाना।

Remind me tomorrow.

Adverb 'kal' used for tomorrow.

उसे याद दिलाओ।

Remind him/her.

Object 'use' (voh + ko).

पापा को याद दिलाना।

Remind Dad.

Specific object with 'ko'.

सबको याद दिलाना।

Remind everyone.

Indefinite pronoun 'sabko'.

उसने मुझे याद दिलाया।

He reminded me.

Past tense with 'ne'.

यह गाना मुझे घर की याद दिलाता है।

This song reminds me of home.

Present habit/state.

क्या आपने उसे याद दिलाया?

Did you remind him?

Past tense question.

मुझे मेरा फोन लाने की याद दिलाना।

Remind me to bring my phone.

Infinitive 'laane' + 'ki'.

माँ मुझे रोज़ दवा की याद दिलाती है।

Mother reminds me of the medicine every day.

Present habitual.

शिक्षक ने होमवर्क की याद दिलाई।

The teacher reminded about the homework.

Feminine agreement with 'yaad'.

दोस्त ने मुझे पार्टी की याद दिलाई।

A friend reminded me of the party.

Past tense transitive.

कल मुझे जल्दी उठना याद दिलाना।

Remind me to wake up early tomorrow.

Compound instruction.

वह मुझे बार-बार मेरा वादा याद दिला रहा है।

He is repeatedly reminding me of my promise.

Present continuous.

अगर आप मुझे याद नहीं दिलाते, तो मैं भूल जाता।

If you hadn't reminded me, I would have forgotten.

Conditional sentence.

यह तस्वीर हमें हमारे बचपन की याद दिलाती है।

This picture reminds us of our childhood.

Plural object 'humein'.

क्या मैं आपको मीटिंग के बारे में याद दिला सकता हूँ?

Can I remind you about the meeting?

Polite request with 'sakta hoon'.

उसने मुझे याद दिलाया कि आज आखिरी तारीख है।

He reminded me that today is the last date.

Complex sentence with 'ki'.

कृपया मुझे पैसे देने की याद दिलाइएगा।

Please do remind me to give the money.

Future polite imperative.

क्या यह आपको किसी की याद दिलाता है?

Does this remind you of someone?

Interrogative present.

मैंने उसे समय पर पहुँचने की याद दिलाई थी।

I had reminded him to arrive on time.

Past perfect.

उसकी बातों ने मुझे मेरे पुराने दिनों की याद दिला दी।

His words reminded me of my old days.

Compound verb 'dila di'.

सरकार को उनके वादों की याद दिलाना ज़रूरी है।

It is necessary to remind the government of its promises.

Gerundial use as subject.

यह खुशबू मुझे मेरी दादी के घर की याद दिलाती है।

This scent reminds me of my grandmother's house.

Sensory subject.

उसने मुझे मेरी ज़िम्मेदारियों की याद दिलाई।

He reminded me of my responsibilities.

Abstract noun object.

क्या आपको याद दिलाने की ज़रूरत है कि नियम क्या हैं?

Do you need to be reminded what the rules are?

Infinitival phrase 'yaad dilane ki'.

फिल्म के दृश्यों ने हमें युद्ध की भयावहता की याद दिलाई।

The scenes of the film reminded us of the horrors of war.

Complex noun phrase.

उसने मुझे याद दिलाने के लिए एक मैसेज भेजा।

He sent a message to remind me.

Purpose clause.

यह घटना हमें इतिहास की याद दिलाती है।

This incident reminds us of history.

Historical context.

साहित्य हमें मानवता के प्रति हमारे कर्तव्यों की याद दिलाता है।

Literature reminds us of our duties towards humanity.

Academic/Formal register.

उसकी चुप्पी मुझे उस पुरानी दुश्मनी की याद दिलाती रही।

His silence kept reminding me of that old enmity.

Aspectual 'rehti' (kept on).

मैं आपको विनम्रतापूर्वक आपके बकाया भुगतान की याद दिलाना चाहता हूँ।

I would like to politely remind you of your outstanding payment.

Highly formal vocabulary.

यह स्मारक उन शहीदों की याद दिलाता है जिन्होंने अपनी जान दी।

This monument reminds us of the martyrs who gave their lives.

Relative clause 'jinhone'.

उसकी आँखों की चमक मुझे मेरी पहली जीत की याद दिला गई।

The spark in her eyes reminded me of my first victory.

Sudden past 'dila gayi'.

क्या मुझे आपको फिर से याद दिलाने की आवश्यकता है?

Do I need to remind you again?

Rhetorical question.

प्रकृति हमें जीवन की नश्वरता की याद दिलाती है।

Nature reminds us of the ephemerality of life.

Philosophical context.

उसने मुझे वह सब याद दिलाया जिसे मैं भूलना चाहता था।

He reminded me of everything I wanted to forget.

Contrasting clauses.

यह संगीत आत्मा को उसके दिव्य मूल की याद दिलाने का सामर्थ्य रखता है।

This music possesses the power to remind the soul of its divine origin.

High literary style.

लेखक ने समाज को उसकी नैतिक गिरावट की याद दिलाने में कोई कसर नहीं छोड़ी।

The author left no stone unturned in reminding society of its moral decline.

Idiomatic 'kasar nahi chhodi'.

उसकी व्यंग्यात्मक मुस्कान ने मुझे मेरी पुरानी हार की याद दिला दी।

His sarcastic smile reminded me of my old defeat.

Nuanced emotional description.

न्यायाधीश ने वकील को कानूनी मर्यादा की याद दिलाई।

The judge reminded the lawyer of legal decorum.

Professional/Legal register.

क्या यह वर्तमान परिदृश्य आपको 1920 के दशक की याद नहीं दिलाता?

Does this current scenario not remind you of the 1920s?

Historical/Analytical context.

कविता की पंक्तियाँ मुझे उस अधूरे प्रेम की याद दिलाती हैं।

The lines of the poem remind me of that incomplete love.

Poetic/Romantic register.

उसने अपनी बातों से मुझे मेरी असली औकात याद दिला दी।

He reminded me of my true status with his words.

Idiomatic/Social nuance.

यह खंडहर कभी रहे वैभव की याद दिलाते हैं।

These ruins remind us of the grandeur that once was.

Evocative/Descriptive.

Common Collocations

वादा याद दिलाना

मीटिंग याद दिलाना

बचपन की याद दिलाना

कर्तव्य याद दिलाना

अौकात याद दिलाना

समय याद दिलाना

नाम याद दिलाना

नियम याद दिलाना

रास्ता याद दिलाना

पुरानी बातें याद दिलाना

Common Phrases

मुझे याद दिलाना

— A very common request to be reminded of something later.

कल मुझे फोन करना याद दिलाना।

याद दिला देना

— A slightly more casual way of saying 'remind me.'

जब हम पहुँचेंगे, तो मुझे याद दिला देना।

बार-बार याद दिलाना

— To remind someone repeatedly, often implying nagging.

वह मुझे बार-बार पैसे की याद दिलाता है।

एक बार याद दिलाना

— To remind someone just once.

बस एक बार याद दिला देना, काफी है।

फिर से याद दिलाना

— To remind again.

मैं आपको फिर से याद दिलाना चाहता हूँ।

ज़रूर याद दिलाना

— To remind for certain (emphatic).

मुझे शाम को ज़रूर याद दिलाना।

गलती याद दिलाना

— To point out or remind someone of a mistake.

उसने मेरी गलती याद दिलाई।

अहसान याद दिलाना

— To remind someone of a favor done for them.

वह हमेशा अपना अहसान याद दिलाता है।

ज़िम्मेदारी याद दिलाना

— To remind someone of their responsibility.

उसे उसकी ज़िम्मेदारी याद दिलाओ।

बीते दिन याद दिलाना

— To remind of past days.

यह जगह पुराने दिन याद दिलाती है।

Often Confused With

याद दिलाना vs याद करना (Yaad Karna)

Means to remember or to miss someone. Not to remind.

याद दिलाना vs याद आना (Yaad Aana)

Means a memory came to you spontaneously. Passive.

याद दिलाना vs भूल जाना (Bhool Jaana)

The direct opposite: to forget.

Idioms & Expressions

"नानी याद दिलाना"

— To put someone in a very difficult or miserable situation.

भारतीय टीम ने विरोधियों को नानी याद दिला दी।

Informal/Slang

"अौकात याद दिलाना"

— To humble someone by reminding them of their low status or limitations.

उसने अपनी कामयाबी से दुश्मनों को उनकी अौकात याद दिला दी।

Aggressive

"दिन याद दिलाना"

— To remind someone of better or worse times from the past.

तुम्हारी बातों ने मुझे पुराने दिन याद दिला दिए।

Sentimental

"छठी का दूध याद दिलाना"

— To give someone a very tough time (similar to 'nani yaad dilana').

पुलिस ने चोर को छठी का दूध याद दिला दिया।

Idiomatic

"सबक याद दिलाना"

— To remind someone of a lesson learned, often through punishment.

उसे सबक याद दिलाना ज़रूरी है।

Instructional

"आईना याद दिलाना"

— To show someone the truth about themselves (like showing a mirror).

उसने मुझे आईना याद दिला दिया।

Metaphorical

"जड़ें याद दिलाना"

— To remind someone of their origins or culture.

गाँव की यात्रा ने मुझे मेरी जड़ें याद दिला दीं।

Philosophical

"मौत याद दिलाना"

— To remind of mortality or a near-death experience.

उस एक्सीडेंट ने मुझे मौत याद दिला दी।

Dramatic

"खुदा याद दिलाना"

— To make someone so scared or desperate that they remember God.

मुसीबत इंसान को खुदा याद दिला देती है।

Religious/Common

"हार याद दिलाना"

— To remind someone of a past failure.

वह बार-बार मेरी हार याद दिलाता है।

Negative

Easily Confused

याद दिलाना vs दिलाना (Dilana)

It's the causative of 'Dena'.

Dilana means to cause to give. On its own, it isn't 'remind' until 'Yaad' is added.

Mujhe paise dilao (Get me the money) vs Mujhe yaad dilao (Remind me).

याद दिलाना vs दिखाना (Dikhana)

Sounds similar to Dilana.

Dikhana means 'to show'.

Mujhe photo dikhao (Show me the photo).

याद दिलाना vs सुनाना (Sunana)

Both involve telling something.

Sunana is to narrate or make someone hear.

Kahani sunao (Tell a story).

याद दिलाना vs बताना (Batana)

Both involve sharing info.

Batana is to tell/inform. Yaad dilana is specifically to prompt memory.

Sach batao (Tell the truth).

याद दिलाना vs सिखाना (Sikhana)

Both are causative.

Sikhana is to teach.

Hindi sikhao (Teach Hindi).

Sentence Patterns

[Object] + yaad dilana

Naam yaad dilana.

[Person + ko] + yaad dilana

Mujhe yaad dilana.

[Person + ko] + [Action + ki] + yaad dilana

Mujhe khana khane ki yaad dilana.

[Subject] + [Person + ko] + [Topic + ke baare mein] + yaad dilana

Main tumhein kaam ke baare mein yaad dilaunga.

[Thing] + [Person + ko] + [Memory] + ki yaad dilata hai

Yeh ghar mujhe maa ki yaad dilata hai.

[Subject + ne] + [Person + ko] + [Abstract Noun] + ki yaad dilayi

Usne mujhe meri maryada ki yaad dilayi.

Complex relative clauses + yaad dilana

Voh din, jo humne saath bitaye the, mujhe aaj bhi tumhari yaad dilate hain.

General

Yaad dilana + mat bhoolna

Yaad dilana mat bhoolna.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely frequent in both spoken and written Hindi.

Common Mistakes

Mujhe yaad karo (when meaning remind me) → Mujhe yaad dilao
Yaad karo means 'remember me' or 'miss me'.
Maine use yaad dilaya (feminine object context) → Maine use yaad dilayi
Yaad is feminine; verb agreement in past tense should reflect this.
Main tum yaad dilaunga → Main tumhein yaad dilaunga
Missing 'ko' postposition for the person being reminded.
Yeh mujhe ghar yaad dilata hai → Yeh मुझे घर की याद दिलाता है
Missing the 'ki' which links 'ghar' and 'yaad'.
Use yaad aana (when meaning you reminded him) → Use yaad dilana
Yaad aana is passive (to remember spontaneously).

Tips

The 'Ko' Rule

Always remember that the person you are reminding is an indirect object. Use 'mujhe', 'tumhein', 'use', etc.

Don't Overuse

In professional settings, use it politely with 'kripya' to avoid sounding like you are nagging.

Nostalgia

Use it to talk about things that trigger memories, like 'Yeh khana mujhe ghar की याद दिलाता है'.

Synonyms

Learn 'Smaran Karana' for formal writing.

Dental D

Keep your tongue on your teeth when saying 'Dilana'.

Causative Link

Link 'Dilana' to 'Dena' (Give). You are 'giving' a memory back to someone.

Gender Check

Always treat 'Yaad' as feminine.

Natural Flow

In casual speech, 'Yaad dila dena' sounds more natural than just 'Yaad dilana'.

Check the Trigger

If a song is the trigger, the song is the subject: 'Gaana yaad dilata hai'.

Yaad Karna vs Dilana

Remember: Karna = You remember. Dilana = You remind someone else.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Yaad' as a 'Yard' where you keep your memories. 'Dilana' sounds like 'Deliver'. So, 'Yaad Dilana' is to 'Deliver a memory from the Yard'.

Visual Association

Imagine someone handing a glowing lightbulb (a memory) to another person. The act of handing it over is 'Dilana'.

Word Web

Memory Reminder Task Nostalgia Alarm Note Promise Trigger

Challenge

Try to use 'Yaad Dilana' three times today: once for a task, once for a song, and once for a promise.

Word Origin

The word 'Yaad' comes from Persian 'yād', meaning memory or remembrance. 'Dilana' is the causative form of the Hindi verb 'Dena' (to give), which originates from the Sanskrit root 'dā'.

Original meaning: To cause a memory to be given or presented to someone.

Indo-Aryan / Indo-Iranian

Cultural Context

Be careful with 'aukat yaad dilana' as it is very offensive/confrontational. Use 'yaad dilana' for tasks and nostalgia freely.

While 'remind' is a single word in English, 'Yaad Dilana' is a two-part verb. English speakers often forget the 'ko' for the person being reminded.

The song 'Yaad dilaate hain' from various films. The common threat 'Main tumhe tumhari aukat yaad dilaunga' in Bollywood action movies. Political slogans reminding voters of past promises.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Office/Work

Meeting yaad dilana
Email yaad dilana
Deadline yaad dilana
Call yaad dilana

Home/Family

Dawa yaad dilana
Saman lana yaad dilana
Paudhon ko paani dena yaad dilana
Birthday yaad dilana

Nostalgia

Bachpan yaad dilana
Ghar yaad dilana
Purani baatein yaad dilana
Dost yaad dilana

Legal/Formal

Niyam yaad dilana
Zimmedari yaad dilana
Vaada yaad dilana
Kanoon yaad dilana

Travel

Ticket yaad dilana
Rasta yaad dilana
Samay yaad dilana
Passport yaad dilana

Conversation Starters

"क्या आप मुझे कल सुबह फोन करना याद दिला सकते हैं?"

"यह गाना आपको किसकी याद दिलाता है?"

"क्या मुझे आपको कुछ याद दिलाना चाहिए?"

"क्या आपको याद दिलाने की ज़रूरत है कि हम कहाँ जा रहे हैं?"

"पिछली बार किसने आपको आपका वादा याद दिलाया था?"

Journal Prompts

आज आपको किस चीज़ ने आपके बचपन की याद दिलाई? विस्तार से लिखें।

क्या आप एक भूलक्कड़ व्यक्ति हैं? आपको कौन सबसे ज़्यादा याद दिलाता है?

किसी ऐसी घटना के बारे में लिखें जब किसी ने आपको आपकी गलती याद दिलाई हो।

अगर आपको दुनिया को एक ज़रूरी बात याद दिलानी हो, तो वह क्या होगी?

क्या पुराने फोटो एल्बम आपको पुरानी बातें याद दिलाते हैं? आपको कैसा महसूस होता है?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, 'to miss someone' is 'Yaad Karna' or 'Yaad Aana'. 'Yaad Dilana' strictly means 'to remind'.

You should say 'Kripya mujhe yaad dilaaiye' or 'Mujhe yaad dila dena'.

Because 'Yaad' is a feminine noun. In the past tense, the verb agrees with the object 'Yaad' if the subject is followed by 'ne'.

Yes, people say 'Remind karna' in Hinglish, but 'Yaad dilana' is the correct Hindi term.

The formal word is 'Smaran Karana' (स्मरण कराना).

It is of Persian origin, used in both Hindi and Urdu (Hindustani).

Say 'Use yaad dilao' (उसे याद दिलाओ).

Yes, like reminding someone of a danger or a rule.

It is already a causative verb (from 'Dena').

Yes, very frequently to describe things that trigger memories of a lover.