Meaning
Referring to a near future time.
Cultural Background
When visiting a home in Maharashtra, if the host says 'थोड्या वेळात चहा येईल' (Tea will come in a bit), it is a sign that you are expected to stay and chat. It's considered rude to leave before the 'thodya velat' event (tea/snacks) happens. Commuters use this phrase to manage the anxiety of delays. If a train is stuck between stations, passengers will tell their families 'थोड्या वेळात पोहोचतो' to avoid worrying them, even if the delay looks longer. In Pune's IT hubs (like Hinjewadi), 'thodya velat' is used as a soft deadline. It's more polite than 'soon' but less rigid than 'at 4:00 PM'. It reflects a culture that values relationship-building over strict clock-watching. In villages, time is often measured by the sun. 'Thodya velat' might correspond to the sun reaching a certain point in the sky or the completion of a specific farm chore.
The 'In-a-bit' Rule
If you can say 'in a bit' in English, you can almost always use 'थोड्या वेळात' in Marathi.
Don't forget the 'T'!
Without the '-त' at the end, the phrase is incomplete and sounds like you're just saying 'a little time'.
Meaning
Referring to a near future time.
The 'In-a-bit' Rule
If you can say 'in a bit' in English, you can almost always use 'थोड्या वेळात' in Marathi.
Don't forget the 'T'!
Without the '-त' at the end, the phrase is incomplete and sounds like you're just saying 'a little time'.
Pair with 'येतो'
Pairing it with 'येतो' (I come) is the most natural way to say 'I'm coming' in Marathi, even though it's technically present tense.
The Polite Buffer
Use this phrase to buy time when you are busy; it's much more polite than saying 'Wait'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the phrase.
काळजी करू नकोस, मी _______ घरी येईन.
We need the locative form 'थोड्या वेळात' to mean 'IN a little while'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'The bus is coming soon'?
Select the correct Marathi translation:
This correctly uses the future tense with our target phrase.
Complete the dialogue.
A: जेवण तयार आहे का? B: नाही, पण _______ होईल.
'Thodya velat' is the most realistic answer for food being prepared.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are in a meeting and your phone rings. You want to tell the caller you will call back in 10 minutes.
This is the standard polite way to defer a call.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Urgency Levels
Practice Bank
4 exercisesकाळजी करू नकोस, मी _______ घरी येईन.
We need the locative form 'थोड्या वेळात' to mean 'IN a little while'.
Select the correct Marathi translation:
This correctly uses the future tense with our target phrase.
A: जेवण तयार आहे का? B: नाही, पण _______ होईल.
'Thodya velat' is the most realistic answer for food being prepared.
You are in a meeting and your phone rings. You want to tell the caller you will call back in 10 minutes.
This is the standard polite way to defer a call.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt's subjective, but usually implies 5 to 30 minutes. If it's more than an hour, people usually specify the time.
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss, your mother, or a shopkeeper.
No, it is strictly for the future. For the past, you would say 'थोड्या वेळापूर्वी' (a little while ago).
'Thodya velat' means 'in a bit' (time interval), while 'lavkar' means 'soon/early' (speed).
Because 'vel' is feminine and in the locative case, the adjective must change to its oblique form 'thodya'.
Yes, it's very common in professional emails to indicate a quick turnaround.
Younger people might just say 'आलोच' (I'm already here/coming), but 'thodya velat' is still very common.
Only if you keep saying it and never actually show up! Otherwise, it's very polite.
Yes, 'thodya velat paus yeil' (it will rain in a bit) is a perfect sentence.
Yes, it's a retroflex 'L'. Try touching the roof of your mouth with the underside of your tongue.
Related Phrases
लवकरच
similarVery soon
काही वेळात
synonymIn some time
लगेच
contrastImmediately
थोड्या वेळानंतर
builds onAfter a little while
घडीभरात
specialized formIn a moment
