Hindi · Everyday Verbs
"to say" in Hindi: कहना
कहनाkahna
To say in Hindi is कहना (kahna). Everyday forms include कहता / कहती (kehta / kehti) and past कहा (kaha). Polite requests use कहिए (kahiye).
Reporting news
उन्होंने कहा कि ट्रेन लेट है।unhonne kaha ki train late hai.
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How to pronounce कहना
Say it
KUH-naa
/kəɦnɑː/
Kahna is KUH-naa. The first syllable is light; past kaha ends on a clear haa.
"to say" in Hindi: quick reference
| Hindi | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| कहनाkahna | to say Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| कहिएkahiye | please say Polite with aap. | Polite with aap. |
| कहाkaha | said Past: usne kaha. | Past: usne kaha. |
| कहता हैkehta hai | he says Reporting speech. | Reporting speech. |
How to use कहना in real life
- 1Reporting news
उन्होंने कहा कि ट्रेन लेट है।
unhonne kaha ki train late hai.
They said the train is late.
Ne + kaha.
- 2Asking politely
आप अपना नाम कहिए।
aap apna naam kahiye.
Please say your name.
Polite imperative.
- 3Habit
वो हमेशा सच कहता है।
vo hamesha sach kehta hai.
He always tells the truth / says the truth.
Woman: kehti.
Mistakes English speakers make with कहना
Incorrect: Main kahna hoon
Correct: Main kehta / kehti hoon
Conjugate; don't leave the infinitive with hoon.
Incorrect: Usne bola ki train late hai (when reporting speech)
Correct: उसने कहा कि ट्रेन लेट है
Kahna is the natural verb for 'said that…'.
Good to know
People soften opinions with aise kehte hain (people say) or bas aise hi keh diya. In offices, kahiye sounds respectful when you invite someone to speak. Bolna overlaps, but कहना fits quotes and advice.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Clarifying a message from a friend
ChatPal
रिया ने क्या कहा?
Riya ne kya kaha?
What did Riya say?
You
उसने कहा कि वो देर से आएगी।
usne kaha ki vo der se aayegi.
She said she would come late.
ChatPal
अच्छा, तो आप उनसे कहिए हम इंतज़ार करेंगे।
achha, to aap unse kahiye hum intezaar karenge.
Okay, then please tell her we'll wait.
You
ठीक है, मैं अभी कहता हूँ।
theek hai, main abhi kehta hoon.
Okay, I'll say so right now.
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Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to say" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to say" in Hindi
Kahna vs bolna?
Both can mean speak/say. Kahna is great for 'said that…'; bolna for chatting aloud.
How do I say please say it?
Kahiye / zara kahiye.
He said…?
Usne kaha ki…
I say?
Main kehta / kehti hoon.
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