पौने (paune)

numeral पौने (paune) is a fixed numeral prefix meaning 'one-quarter less than' -- used before a number to mean that number minus a quarter, most commonly in telling time and stating quantities.
Sense 1 : quarter less than (a number)
numeral Always used attributively before a number word, e.g. पौने दो (paune do, 'a quarter to two') = 1.75, पौने आठ बजे (paune aath baje, 'at a quarter to eight'). It is invariant itself; only the following number word inflects/agrees as needed.
Frequency: high
Cultural Note: In everyday Delhi speech, clock time is almost always given this way rather than with 'minus a quarter': पौने नौ बजे (paune nau baje, 'at quarter to nine') is far more natural than a literal calque of the English phrase. पौने belongs to a neat little family with सवा (savaa, 'quarter past') and साढ़े (saadhe, 'half past') -- learning all three together as a set pays off quickly.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners often try to say 'quarter to eight' by translating word-for-word with कम (kam) or minus-style phrasing; native speakers simply say पौने आठ (paune aath) with no separate word for 'minus' or 'quarter'. 2) पौने is easily confused with सवा (savaa, 'plus a quarter') and डेढ़/ढाई (dedh/dhaaii, 'one and a half'/'two and a half') -- these four words form a small closed set every learner mixes up at first. 3) पौने is used only before whole numbers two and above (पौने दो, पौने तीन...); 'quarter to one' uses पौन (paun) or पौना (paunaa) instead, a related but distinct form.
Sample Sentences:
पौने नौ बजे मेरी ट्रेन है। My train is at quarter to nine.
(paune nau baje merii tren hai।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
हम पौने आठ बजे घर से निकलेंगे। We will leave the house at quarter to eight.
(ham paune aath baje ghar se niklenge।)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Future -- Voice: Active
कल पौने छह बजे मेरी आँख खुल गई। Yesterday I woke up at quarter to six.
(kal paune chhah baje merii aankh khul gaii।)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
पौने बारह बज रहे हैं, जल्दी चलो वरना क्लास छूट जाएगी। It's almost quarter to twelve, hurry up or you'll miss the class.
(paune baarah baj rahe hain, jaldii chalo varnaa klaas chhoot jaaegii।)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Continuous -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
कृपया पौने दस बजे तक रिपोर्ट जमा कर दें। Please submit the report by quarter to ten.
(kripyaa paune das baje tak riport jamaa kar den।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Imperative -- Voice: Active
अगर वह पौने पाँच बजे तक आ जाता, तो हम समय पर निकल पाते। If he had come by quarter to five, we would have been able to leave on time.
(agar vah paune paanch baje tak aa jaataa, to ham samay par nikal paate।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Counterfactual -- Aspect: Perfective -- Voice: Active
मीटिंग शायद पौने तीन बजे शुरू हो। The meeting might start at quarter to three.
(miiting shaayad paune tiin baje shuroo ho।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Voice: Active
दुकान पौने नौ बजे बंद कर दी जाती है। The shop is closed at quarter to nine.
(dukaan paune nau baje band kar dii jaatii hai।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Passive
हर रोज़ वह पौने सात बजे उठता है। Every day he gets up at quarter to seven.
(har roz vah paune saat baje uthtaa hai।)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
गाड़ी पौने ग्यारह बजे प्लेटफ़ॉर्म पर आ चुकी थी। The train had already arrived at the platform by quarter to eleven.
(gaadii paune gyaarah baje pletform par aa chukii thii।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
पौने चार बजे तक इंतज़ार करना, फिर फ़ोन करना। Wait until quarter to four, then call.
(paune chaar baje tak intzaar karnaa, phir fon karnaa।)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Imperative -- Voice: Active