Hindi · Time, Numbers & Colors
"Yesterday" in Hindi: कल
कलkal
Note: same word as tomorrow; context decides
कल (kal) means yesterday when the verb is past: kal main bazaar gaya. The identical word means tomorrow with future verbs. Listen for tense first, then translate kal.
Explaining absence
कल मैं बीमार था।kal main bimaar tha.
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How to pronounce कल
Say it
kal
/kəl/
Kal is the same short kal as tomorrow. Meaning changes with grammar, not with a new pronunciation. Keep it clipped and clear.
"Yesterday" in Hindi: quick reference
| Hindi | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| कलkal | yesterday / tomorrow Past context makes it yesterday. | Past context makes it yesterday. |
| कल रातkal raat | last night The night that just passed. | The night that just passed. |
| बीता कलbeeta kal | the past; yesterday as past A phrase pointing to what has gone by. | A phrase pointing to what has gone by. |
| परसोंparson | day before yesterday In past contexts, two days back. | In past contexts, two days back. |
How to use कल in real life
- 1Explaining absence
कल मैं बीमार था।
kal main bimaar tha.
Yesterday I was sick.
Tha marks past, so kal is yesterday.
- 2Talking about a film
कल हमने नई फ़िल्म देखी।
kal hamne nayi film dekhi.
Yesterday we watched a new film.
Dekhi is past; kal = yesterday.
- 3News recount
कल रात बहुत बारिश हुई।
kal raat bahut baarish hui.
It rained a lot last night.
Kal raat is a set past-night phrase.
Mistakes English speakers make with कल
Incorrect: Kal main jaaunga while meaning yesterday
Correct: Kal main gaya / gayi
Future jaaunga makes kal tomorrow. Use past for yesterday.
Incorrect: Inventing a separate word instead of learning tense
Correct: Master past vs future with kal
Hindi expects you to use one word with clear tense.
Good to know
Storytelling about kal often mixes English dates when precision matters. For travel and tickets, say the weekday or date to avoid kal confusion.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Catching up after a missed call
ChatPal
कल तुम कहाँ गए थे?
kal tum kahaan gaye the?
Where did you go yesterday?
You
कल मैं बाज़ार गया था।
kal main bazaar gaya tha.
Yesterday I went to the market.
ChatPal
कल रात मैंने फ़ोन किया था।
kal raat maine phone kiya tha.
I had called last night.
You
हाँ, कल फ़ोन मिस्स हो गया, माफ़ करना।
haan, kal phone miss ho gaya, maaf karna.
Yes, I missed the phone yesterday, sorry.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Yesterday" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Yesterday" in Hindi
How do I know kal means yesterday?
Look for past verbs like tha, gaya, kiya, dekhi.
How do I say last night?
Say kal raat.
How do I avoid confusion?
Add a weekday or date when the day must be exact.
Is there another word only for yesterday?
In everyday Hindi, kal plus past tense is the normal path.
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
