जब कि (jab ki)
conjunction
A two-word conjunction meaning 'whereas' or 'even though/while', used to draw a contrast between two clauses. Commonly also written as one word, जबकि (jabki).
Sense
1
:
whereas, while (contrastive)
conjunction Introduces a clause that contrasts with or contradicts the main clause; the main clause is often stated first.
Synonyms: जबकि (jabki, one-word variant), हालांकि (haalaanki)
Frequency: medium
Cultural Note: You will hear this a lot in complaints and comparisons -- a mother might say, 'तुम टीवी देख रहे हो, जब कि तुम्हें पढ़ना चाहिए' (tum tiivii dekh rahe ho, jab ki tumhen padhnaa chaahie, 'you're watching TV, whereas you should be studying'), pointing out a contradiction between what's happening and what should be happening.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners sometimes treat जब कि (jab ki) like जब (jab) 'when' alone and miss the contrastive sense -- the कि (ki) is what turns 'when' into 'whereas'. 2) Confusing it with हालांकि (haalaanki): हालांकि (haalaanki) typically opens the sentence with a concessive clause ('although'), while जब कि (jab ki) usually sits between the two clauses to mark contrast.
Sample Sentences:
तुम टीवी देख रहे हो, जब कि तुम्हें पढ़ना चाहिए।
You're watching TV, whereas you should be studying.
(tum tiivii dekh rahe ho, jab ki tumhen padhnaa chaahie।)
वह हमेशा शिकायत करता है, जब कि उसने खुद कभी मेहनत नहीं की।
He always complains, whereas he himself has never worked hard.
(vah hameshaa shikaayat kartaa hai, jab ki usne khud kabhii mehnat nahiin kii।)
बॉस को यह काम कल तक चाहिए, जब कि उसने प्रोजेक्ट परसों ही दिया था।
The boss wants this work by tomorrow, whereas he only gave the project the day before yesterday.
(bos ko yah kaam kal tak chaahie, jab ki usne projekt parson hii diyaa thaa।)
सरकार विकास की बात करती है, जब कि गाँवों में अभी भी बिजली नहीं पहुँची है।
The government talks about development, whereas electricity still hasn't reached the villages.
(sarkaar vikaas kii baat kartii hai, jab ki gaanvon men abhii bhii bijlii nahiin pahunchii hai।)
अगर सब समय पर पहुँचते, जब कि हमेशा कोई न कोई देर से आता है, तो मीटिंग जल्दी खत्म हो जाती।
If everyone arrived on time -- whereas someone or other is always late -- the meeting would end quickly.
(agar sab samay par pahunchte, jab ki hameshaa koii n koii der se aataa hai, to miiting jaldii khatm ho jaatii।)
कृपया शांत रहें, जब कि बाकी सब लोग परीक्षा दे रहे हैं।
Please stay quiet, given that everyone else is taking an exam.
(kripyaa shaant rahen, jab ki baakii sab log pariikshaa de rahe hain।)
यह फैसला मैनेजमेंट द्वारा लिया गया, जब कि इसमें कर्मचारियों की कोई राय नहीं ली गई।
This decision was taken by the management, whereas the employees' opinion was not sought at all.
(yah phaislaa mainejment dvaaraa liyaa gayaa, jab ki ismen karmchaariyon kii koii raay nahiin lii gaii।)
शायद वह सच बोल रहा हो, जब कि सबूत कुछ और ही कह रहे हैं।
Perhaps he's telling the truth, whereas the evidence says something else entirely.
(shaayad vah sach bol rahaa ho, jab ki saboot kuchh aur hii kah rahe hain।)
कवि ने प्रेम को अमर बताया, जब कि जीवन का हर दूसरा रंग नाशवान ही सिद्ध हुआ।
The poet declared love immortal, whereas every other shade of life proved to be fleeting.
(kavi ne prem ko amar bataayaa, jab ki jiivan kaa har doosraa rang naashvaan hii siddh huaa।)
मेरा भाई अंग्रेज़ी में टॉप करता है, जब कि हिंदी में उसके नंबर हमेशा कम आते हैं।
My brother tops the class in English, whereas his marks in Hindi are always low.
(meraa bhaaii angrezii men top kartaa hai, jab ki hindii men uske nambar hameshaa kam aate hain।)