विनम्र (vinamr)

adjective A single-sense adjective meaning 'polite' or 'humble' -- describing a person's manner or tone.
Sense 1 : polite, humble, courteous
adjective
Synonyms: नरम (naram, softer/gentler in manner rather than in speech-etiquette), शिष्ट (shisht, formal), सभ्य (sabhy, covers 'civil/well-mannered' more broadly)
Frequency: medium
Cultural Note: विनम्र (vinamr) is a word you'll often hear in praise of teachers, elders, or public figures -- it carries a real compliment of humility, not just good manners, so calling someone विनम्र (vinamr) suggests they stay grounded despite status or success. It pairs naturally with निवेदन (nivedan, 'request') in slightly formal speech, as in a विनम्र निवेदन (vinamr nivedan, 'humble request'), which you'll spot on invitation cards and formal notices.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners often reach for विनम्र (vinamr) to translate 'polite' in any context, but it specifically describes a person's demeanor or tone (a humble, respectful manner) rather than surface etiquette like saying 'please' or 'thank you' -- for that, Hindi speakers usually just describe the specific polite action rather than labeling someone विनम्र (vinamr). 2) It skews toward 'humble/unassuming' as much as 'polite' -- a विनम्र (vinamr) व्यक्ति (vyakti, 'person') is someone who doesn't put on airs, not just someone who follows etiquette.
Sample Sentences:
वह बहुत विनम्र लड़की है। She is a very polite girl.
(vah bahut vinamr ladkii hai।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
हमारे प्रधानाचार्य हमेशा विनम्र स्वभाव के रहे हैं। Our principal has always been of a humble nature.
(hamaare pradhaanaachaary hameshaa vinamr svabhaav ke rahe hain।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
यह मेरा विनम्र निवेदन है कि आप समय पर पहुँचें। This is my humble request that you arrive on time.
(yah meraa vinamr nivedan hai ki aap samay par pahunchen।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
काश तुम थोड़े विनम्र होते, तो सब तुम्हें पसंद करते। If only you were a bit more polite, everyone would like you.
(kaash tum thode vinamr hote, to sab tumhen pasand karte।)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Counterfactual -- Aspect: Habitual -- Voice: Active
बड़ों के सामने विनम्र रहो। Stay polite in front of elders.
(badon ke saamne vinamr raho।)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Imperative -- Voice: Active
सफलता के बावजूद वे बहुत विनम्र बने रहे। Despite his success, he remained very humble.
(saphaltaa ke baavjood ve bahut vinamr bane rahe।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
शायद वह विनम्र लगने की कोशिश कर रहा हो, पर मुझे यकीन नहीं। Maybe he is trying to seem polite, but I'm not convinced.
(shaayad vah vinamr lagne kii koshish kar rahaa ho, par mujhe yakiin nahiin।)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Aspect: Continuous -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
निमंत्रण पत्र में लिखा था, "आपसे विनम्र निवेदन है कि उपस्थित रहें।" The invitation card said, "You are humbly requested to be present."
(nimantran patr men likhaa thaa, "aapse vinamr nivedan hai ki upasthit rahen।")
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Passive
इतने बड़े पद पर होकर भी वह इतना विनम्र कैसे रह पाता है? How is he able to remain so polite even while holding such a high position?
(itne bade pad par hokar bhii vah itnaa vinamr kaise rah paataa hai?)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
Morphology
Adjective (invariant)
invariant: विनम्र (vinamr)