Hindi · Everyday Verbs
"to play" in Hindi: खेलना
खेलनाkhelna
Note: instruments: बजाना (bajaana)
खेलना (khelna) means to play sports or games. Say मैं क्रिकेट खेलता हूँ or आप शतरंज खेलिए. Instruments use बजाना, not खेलना.
Park
बच्चे बाहर फ़ुटबॉल खेल रहे हैं।bachche bahar football khel rahe hain.
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How to pronounce खेलना
Say it
KHEL-naa
/kʰeːlnɑː/
Khelna is KHEL-naa. Clear khel, light naa. Two beats with stress on khel.
"to play" in Hindi: quick reference
| Hindi | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| खेलनाkhelna | to play Infinitive. | Infinitive. |
| खेलता हूँkhelta hoon | I play (m.) Habit. | Habit. |
| खेलिएkheliye | please play Polite aap. | Polite aap. |
| खेल रहे हैंkhel rahe hain | are playing Progressive. | Progressive. |
How to use खेलना in real life
- 1Park
बच्चे बाहर फ़ुटबॉल खेल रहे हैं।
bachche bahar football khel rahe hain.
The kids are playing football outside.
Khel rahe.
- 2Hobby
मैं शाम को बैडमिंटन खेलता हूँ।
main shaam ko badminton khelta hoon.
I play badminton in the evening.
Khelta.
- 3Invite
आप हमारे साथ ताश खेलिए।
aap hamare saath taash kheliye.
Please play cards with us.
Kheliye.
Mistakes English speakers make with खेलना
Incorrect: Guitar खेलना
Correct: गिटार बजाना; खेलना is for games
Instruments take bajaana; games take खेलना.
Incorrect: Aap khelo with a stranger
Correct: आप खेलिए
With aap prefer kheliye.
Good to know
Cricket, gully football, and carrom all use खेलना. Saying खेलते रहो is a warm blessing. Music practice is separate — don't mix बजाना into this headword.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Organizing an evening game
ChatPal
आज आप कब खेलना चाहेंगे?
aaj aap kab khelna chahenge?
When would you like to play today?
You
छह बजे क्रिकेट खेलता हूँ मैं।
chhah baje cricket khelta hoon main.
I play cricket at six.
ChatPal
चलो, हम भी खेलते हैं साथ।
chalo, ham bhi khelte hain saath.
Come on — we'll play along too.
You
बढ़िया, मैदान पर खेलना मज़ेदार है।
badhiya, maidan par khelna mazedaar hai.
Great — playing on the field is fun.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to play" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to play" in Hindi
Sports vs music?
Khelna for games; bajaana for instruments.
Polite form?
Kheliye with aap.
I play?
Main khelta hoon / khelti hoon.
Kids playing?
Bachche khel rahe hain.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
