दुबला (dublaa)
adjective
A simple descriptive adjective meaning thin/lean, most often heard in the fixed pair दुबला-पतला (dublaa-patlaa).
Sense
1
:
thin, lean (of body)
adjective
Synonyms: पतला (patlaa), कमज़ोर (kamzor, leans toward 'weak/frail' rather than just slim), छरहरा (chharahraa, slim, usually complimentary)
Frequency: high
Cultural Note: Indian aunties and mothers use दुबला (dublaa) constantly, usually with concern rather than judgment -- 'तुम बहुत दुबले हो गए हो' (tum bahut duble ho gae ho, 'you have become very thin') is practically a love language in many households, often followed by an offer of food. It carries none of the positive 'slim/fit' connotation that छरहरा (chharahraa) or पतला (patlaa) can carry in a flattering context -- दुबला (dublaa) leans toward 'too thin, undernourished-looking.'
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners often reach for कमज़ोर (kamzor) to mean 'thin,' but कमज़ोर (kamzor) really means 'weak/frail' -- दुबला (dublaa) is about body build, not strength, so a person can be दुबला (dublaa) but still strong. 2) दुबला (dublaa) is almost always paired with पतला (patlaa) in casual speech -- दुबला-पतला (dublaa-patlaa) -- saying just दुबला (dublaa) alone can sound slightly clinical or blunt by comparison.
Sample Sentences:
तुम बहुत दुबले हो गए हो, ठीक से खाना खाओ।
You have become very thin, eat properly.
(tum bahut duble ho gae ho, thiik se khaanaa khaao।)
वह बचपन से ही दुबला था।
He was thin right from childhood.
(vah bachpan se hii dublaa thaa।)
बीमारी के बाद वह और भी दुबला दिखने लगा है।
After the illness, he has started looking even thinner.
(biimaarii ke baad vah aur bhii dublaa dikhne lagaa hai।)
अरे बेटा, इतने दुबले क्यों हो जाते हो, कुछ खाया भी करो।
Oh son, why do you become so thin, eat something regularly too.
(are betaa, itne duble kyon ho jaate ho, kuchh khaayaa bhii karo।)
अगर वह ठीक से खाता तो इतना दुबला न होता।
If he ate properly, he would not be so thin.
(agar vah thiik se khaataa to itnaa dublaa n hotaa।)
डॉक्टर ने कहा कि बच्चा थोड़ा दुबला है, पर चिंता की बात नहीं है।
The doctor said the child is a bit thin, but it is not a matter of concern.
(doktar ne kahaa ki bachchaa thodaa dublaa hai, par chintaa kii baat nahiin hai।)
इतना दुबला मत रह, थोड़ा वज़न बढ़ाओ।
Don't stay so thin, put on a little weight.
(itnaa dublaa mat rah, thodaa vazan badhaao।)
मुझे डर है कि वह दुबला होते-होते बीमार पड़ जाए।
I am afraid that he might fall ill from becoming so thin.
(mujhe dar hai ki vah dublaa hote-hote biimaar pad jaae।)
पहले वह दुबला हुआ करता था, अब खासा भरा-भरा दिखता है।
He used to be thin before, now he looks quite filled out.
(pahle vah dublaa huaa kartaa thaa, ab khaasaa bharaa-bharaa dikhtaa hai।)
उन दिनों गाँव के ज़्यादातर बच्चे दुबले हुआ करते थे, ठीक खाना ही नहीं मिलता था।
In those days most children in the village used to be thin, they simply didn't get proper food.
(un dinon gaanv ke zyaadaatar bachche duble huaa karte the, thiik khaanaa hii nahiin miltaa thaa।)
क्या तुम्हें नहीं लगता कि नेहा हद से ज़्यादा दुबली हो गई है?
Don't you think Neha has become excessively thin?
(kyaa tumhen nahiin lagtaa ki nehaa had se zyaadaa dublii ho gaii hai?)
Morphology
Adjective (variable)
(sg.m):
दुबला
(dublaa)
(pl.m):
दुबले
(duble)
(sg.f):
दुबली
(dublii)
(pl.f):
दुबली
(dublii)