| पाबंदी |
f. |
restriction, prohibition |
पाबंदी लगाना = to impose a restriction |
| चोट करना |
phrase |
to strike; to attack |
Figuratively: to challenge or attack an idea |
| ऊँच |
adj. |
high; superior |
ऊँच-नीच = social hierarchy; social distinctions |
| तागा |
m. |
sacred thread |
गले में तागा डालना = to wear a sacred thread; a caste/religious marker |
| छँटे हुए |
adj. |
notorious; exceptional examples |
एक-से-एक छँटे हैं = they are all “models” of bad behavior |
| जाल-फ़रेब |
m. |
deceit and trickery |
A compound expression meaning dishonest or deceptive behavior |
| झूठा मुक़दमा |
m. phrase |
false lawsuit; false legal case |
मुक़दमा करना = to file a lawsuit; मुक़दमा चलना = a lawsuit/case to proceed |
| गड़रिया |
m. |
shepherd |
A traditional occupation |
| भेड़ |
f. |
sheep |
भेड़ चुराना = to steal a sheep |
| मज़दूरी |
f. |
wages; labor |
मज़दूरी देना = to pay wages |
| गली-गली |
adv. phrase |
in every street |
Reduplication gives a distributive meaning: गली-गली = from street to street / in every street |
| घमंड |
m. |
pride; arrogance |
घमंड करना = to be arrogant |
| आहट |
f. |
sound of someone’s approach; footsteps |
आहट होना = to hear/notice someone’s approach |
| छाती धक-धक करना |
idiom |
heart pounding |
Expresses fear, anxiety, or nervousness |
| गज़ब हो जाना |
idiom |
something terrible may happen; serious trouble |
गज़ब हो जाएगा = there will be serious trouble |
| दया आना |
phrase |
to feel pity |
किसी पर दया आना = to feel pity for someone |
| बेगार |
f. |
forced unpaid labor |
Important historical and social vocabulary |
| लहू थूकना |
idiom |
to spit blood |
Literally “to spit blood”; suggests severe suffering or injury |
| लौंडियाँ |
f. |
female servants; female slaves |
An old-fashioned and derogatory term in this context |
| छिन-भर |
adv. |
for a moment; for a short while |
छिन = moment; छिन-भर = for a short while |
| तरसना |
vi. |
to long for; to yearn for |
आराम को तरसना = to long for rest |
| एहसान मानना |
phrase |
to acknowledge a favor; to feel indebted |
एहसान = favor; kindness |
| मैदान साफ़ होना |
idiom |
the area/path is clear |
In the story: everyone has left, so the way is clear/safe |
| दबे पाँव |
adv. phrase |
stealthily; quietly; on tiptoe |
दबे पाँव चलना = to walk quietly/stealthily |
| सावधानी |
f. |
caution; carefulness |
सावधानी से = carefully |
| चौकन्नी दृष्टि |
f. phrase |
alert gaze; watchful look |
चौकन्ना = alert; watchful |
| सुराख़ करना |
phrase |
to make a hole; to make a breach |
सुराख़ = hole/opening; can also be used metaphorically |
| रियायत |
f. |
leniency; concession |
रत्ती-भर भी रियायत नहीं = not the slightest leniency |
| कलेजा मज़बूत करना |
idiom |
to gather courage; to make oneself brave |
Similar to हिम्मत जुटाना = to gather courage |
| गोता लगाना |
phrase |
to dive; to plunge |
घड़ा पानी में गोता लगा गया = the pot plunged into the water |
| आहिस्ता |
adv. |
slowly; gently; quietly |
Urdu-origin word; धीरे is the common Hindi equivalent |
| ज़रा भी |
adv. phrase |
even a little; at all |
Usually used with a negative: ज़रा भी आवाज़ नहीं हुई = there wasn’t even the slightest sound |
| शहज़ोर |
adj. |
very strong; powerful |
Literary/Urdu vocabulary |
| एकाएक |
adv. |
suddenly; all of a sudden |
More literary than अचानक |
| धड़ाम से |
adv. |
with a loud bang/thud |
से indicates the manner or sound of an action |
| हिलकोरे |
m. |
ripples; waves |
पानी के हिलकोरे = ripples/waves in the water |
| पुकारना |
vt. |
to call out; to call |
“कौन है?” पुकारना = to call out, “Who is there?” |
| मैला-गंदा |
adj. |
dirty; filthy |
Paired adjectives intensify the meaning: मैला-गंदा पानी = very dirty water |
