केवल (keval)
adverb
A single-sense adverb meaning 'only, merely, just' -- a slightly more formal/written cousin of सिर्फ़ (sirf).
Sense
1
:
only, merely, just (restricting a quantity, item, or scope)
adverb Placed directly before the word or phrase it restricts, just like सिर्फ़ (sirf): केवल दस रुपये (keval das rupye, 'only ten rupees').
Synonyms: सिर्फ़ (sirf), मात्र (maatr, formal/literary), बस (bas, colloquial)
Frequency: high
Cultural Note: You'll see केवल (keval) a lot on official signage and forms -- 'केवल सदस्यों के लिए' (keval sadasyon ke lie, 'only for members') outside clubs or reserved train compartments -- while सिर्फ़ (sirf) dominates everyday spoken Hindi. Knowing both lets you read formal notices and still sound natural when talking.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners often default to सिर्फ़ (sirf) in speech and forget केवल (keval) exists; both are correct, but केवल (keval) sounds a touch more formal or written, like something you'd see on a sign or hear in a news report rather than casual chat. 2) Word order mistake: it must go right before the item it limits, not at the end of the sentence as 'only' sometimes can in English.
Sample Sentences:
यह टिकट केवल आज के लिए मान्य है।
This ticket is valid only for today.
(yah tikat keval aaj ke lie maany hai।)
यह डिब्बा केवल महिलाओं के लिए है।
This compartment is only for women.
(yah dibbaa keval mahilaaon ke lie hai।)
केवल सदस्यों को अंदर जाने की अनुमति है।
Only members are permitted to go inside.
(keval sadasyon ko andar jaane kii anumti hai।)
मेरे पास केवल पाँच रुपये बचे हैं।
I have only five rupees left.
(mere paas keval paanch rupye bache hain।)
उस दिन केवल तीन छात्र परीक्षा में उपस्थित थे।
On that day, only three students were present for the exam.
(us din keval tiin chhaatr pariikshaa men upasthit the।)
कृपया केवल आवश्यक जानकारी ही भरें।
Please fill in only the necessary information.
(kripyaa keval aavashyak jaankaarii hii bharen।)
यह प्रवेश द्वार केवल आपातकालीन स्थिति में खोला जाएगा।
This entrance will be opened only in an emergency situation.
(yah pravesh dvaar keval aapaatkaaliin sthiti men kholaa jaaegaa।)
अगर हमारे पास केवल एक ही विकल्प होता, तो फैसला आसान होता।
If we had only one option, the decision would be easy.
(agar hamaare paas keval ek hii vikalp hotaa, to phaislaa aasaan hotaa।)
इस फॉर्म को केवल अधिकारी की उपस्थिति में ही भरा जा सकता है।
This form can only be filled out in the presence of an official.
(is phorm ko keval adhikaarii kii upasthiti men hii bharaa jaa saktaa hai।)
शायद उसे केवल पैसों में दिलचस्पी हो।
Perhaps he is interested only in the money.
(shaayad use keval paison men dilchaspii ho।)
यह मंदिर केवल विशेष अवसरों पर ही आम जनता के लिए खोला जाता है।
This temple is opened for the general public only on special occasions.
(yah mandir keval vishesh avasron par hii aam jantaa ke lie kholaa jaataa hai।)