Meaning
Calling someone on the phone.
Cultural Background
When calling someone older, it is polite to wait for them to hang up first. Ending the call abruptly can be seen as disrespectful. The term 'Missed Call' is a cultural phenomenon. People often give a missed call to say 'I've reached' or 'Call me back when you're free'. In offices, it's common to use 'कॉल' (call) instead of 'फोन' (phone). 'कॉल करा' sounds slightly more modern and professional to some. In villages, people might say 'फोन लावणे' (phon lavne) more often than 'फोन करणे'. It sounds more traditional.
The '-la' Rule
Always remember to add '-la' to the person you are calling. 'Rahul-la phone kar'.
Avoid 'Banavne'
Never say 'phone banavne' for making a call. It sounds like you are manufacturing a telephone!
Meaning
Calling someone on the phone.
The '-la' Rule
Always remember to add '-la' to the person you are calling. 'Rahul-la phone kar'.
Avoid 'Banavne'
Never say 'phone banavne' for making a call. It sounds like you are manufacturing a telephone!
Urban vs Rural
Use 'Call karne' in Mumbai/Pune to sound more like a local youth.
Greeting
Always start a formal call with 'Namaskar, [Name] boltoy' (Namaskar, [Name] speaking).
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'करणे' in the past tense.
मी काल माझ्या मित्राला फोन ______.
The past tense of 'करणे' for a masculine object like 'phone' is 'केला'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct way to say 'Call the doctor'.
'डॉक्टरांना' includes the necessary dative suffix for a formal/plural recipient.
Complete the dialogue.
A: तू राहुलला मेसेज केलास का? B: नाही, मी त्याला ______.
In the context of communication (message), 'phone karto' is the logical alternative.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are in a meeting and can't talk.
'I will call later' is the appropriate response when busy.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Karne vs. Lavne
Practice Bank
4 exercisesमी काल माझ्या मित्राला फोन ______.
The past tense of 'करणे' for a masculine object like 'phone' is 'केला'.
Choose the correct way to say 'Call the doctor'.
'डॉक्टरांना' includes the necessary dative suffix for a formal/plural recipient.
A: तू राहुलला मेसेज केलास का? B: नाही, मी त्याला ______.
In the context of communication (message), 'phone karto' is the logical alternative.
Situation: You are in a meeting and can't talk.
'I will call later' is the appropriate response when busy.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsYes, 'Call kar' is very common and understood by everyone in Maharashtra.
It is neutral. It can be used with your boss or your best friend.
You say 'मी फोनवर आहे' (Me phon-var aahe).
The past tense doesn't change for the speaker's gender; it stays 'मी फोन केला' because 'phone' is masculine.
You can say 'मला फोन कर' or 'मला एक रिंग दे'.
Usually yes, but you can specify 'व्हिडिओ कॉल करणे' to be clear.
'Lavne' means to connect or dial. It's just a common variation.
It's 'phone' (the object) and the recipient gets the '-la'. Example: 'Suresh-la phone kar'.
Use the company name + '-la'. Example: 'Amazon-la phone kar'.
मी तुझा फोन मिस केला (Me tujha phon miss kela).
No, for an alarm use 'अलार्म लावणे' (alarm lavne).
It means 'the phone is ringing'.
Related Phrases
फोन उचलणे
contrastTo answer/pick up the phone
फोन ठेवणे
contrastTo hang up the phone
मेसेज करणे
similarTo send a text message
संपर्क साधणे
specialized formTo establish contact
रिंग देणे
informalTo give a ring/missed call
