दीन (diin)
adjective/noun
Mainly an adjective meaning 'poor, wretched, humble' -- often heard in devotional or charitable contexts like दीन-दुखियों (diin-dukhiyon, 'the poor and suffering'); a separate, unrelated homograph दीन (diin) means 'religion/faith' (from Arabic/Persian, as in दीन-ईमान (diin-iimaan)).
Sense
1
:
poor, humble, wretched
adjective
Synonyms: गरीब (gariib), दरिद्र (daridr, literary), विनीत (viniit, meaning scope: humble in manner rather than poverty), बेचारा (bechaaraa, pitiable)
Frequency: low
Cultural Note: You will meet this word most often in the fixed phrase दीन-दुखी (diin-dukhii, 'the poor and suffering') or दीन-हीन (diin-hiin, 'destitute and lowly'), especially in charity appeals, bhajans, or NGO language. It carries a compassionate, almost devotional weight -- think of a temple donation box or a sermon urging kindness to दीन-दुखियों (diin-dukhiyon) rather than everyday chat about money troubles.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners sometimes use दीन (diin) as a casual synonym for गरीब (gariib, 'poor'), but it carries a stronger note of helplessness or wretchedness -- it is closer to 'the destitute and downtrodden' than plain economic poverty. 2) It is rarely used to describe oneself casually; it appears more in religious, literary, or formal charitable speech than everyday conversation.
Sample Sentences:
मंदिर में दीन-दुखियों की सेवा को सबसे बड़ा पुण्य माना जाता है।
In the temple, serving the poor and suffering is considered the greatest virtue.
(mandir men diin-dukhiyon kii sevaa ko sabse badaa puny maanaa jaataa hai।)
वह एक दीन विधवा थी, जिसके पास खाने को भी नहीं था।
She was a poor, wretched widow who did not even have food to eat.
(vah ek diin vidhvaa thii, jiske paas khaane ko bhii nahiin thaa।)
हे प्रभु, इस दीन पर कृपा करो।
O Lord, have mercy on this humble one.
(he prabhu, is diin par kripaa karo।)
संस्था हर साल दीन-हीन बच्चों को कपड़े और किताबें देती है।
Every year, the organization gives clothes and books to destitute, lowly children.
(sansthaa har saal diin-hiin bachchon ko kapde aur kitaaben detii hai।)
अगर हम दीन-दुखियों की मदद न करें, तो हमारा धर्म किस काम का?
If we don't help the poor and suffering, then what use is our religion?
(agar ham diin-dukhiyon kii madad n karen, to hamaaraa dharm kis kaam kaa?)
साधु ने दीन भाव से भिक्षा माँगी।
The ascetic begged for alms with a humble, meek demeanor.
(saadhu ne diin bhaav se bhikshaa maangii।)
यदि राजा दीन-दुखियों की परवाह करता, तो राज्य में इतनी भूख न होती।
If the king had cared for the poor and suffering, there would not have been so much hunger in the kingdom.
(yadi raajaa diin-dukhiyon kii parvaah kartaa, to raajy men itnii bhookh n hotii।)
बाढ़ के बाद हज़ारों परिवार दीन-हीन हो गए।
After the flood, thousands of families were left destitute and helpless.
(baadh ke baad hazaaron parivaar diin-hiin ho gae।)
कृपया इस दीन आत्मा को अपने आशीर्वाद से वंचित न करें।
Please do not deprive this humble soul of your blessings.
(kripyaa is diin aatmaa ko apne aashiirvaad se vanchit n karen।)
Sense
2
:
religion, faith (unrelated homograph)
noun, masculine
Synonyms: धर्म (dharm), मज़हब (mazahab)
Frequency: low
Cultural Note: This sense comes from Arabic via Persian/Urdu and shows up in the common expression दीन-ईमान (diin-iimaan, 'faith and integrity'), often used when someone questions another's honesty or moral compass. It is far more common in Urdu-influenced speech and Islamic contexts than in general Hindi conversation.
Common Mistakes: 1) This दीन (diin, 'faith') is a completely different word from the adjective दीन (diin, 'poor/wretched') despite identical spelling -- context (often paired with ईमान (iimaan, 'faith/integrity') as in दीन-ईमान (diin-iimaan)) is the only way to tell them apart.
Sample Sentences:
उसने अपना दीन-ईमान बेच दिया।
He sold his faith and integrity.
(usne apnaa diin-iimaan bech diyaa।)
क्या तुम्हें अपने दीन-ईमान की कोई परवाह नहीं है?
Do you have no concern for your faith and integrity at all?
(kyaa tumhen apne diin-iimaan kii koii parvaah nahiin hai?)
वह दीन की बातों में गहरी दिलचस्पी रखता है।
He takes a deep interest in matters of religion.
(vah diin kii baaton men gahrii dilchaspii rakhtaa hai।)
मौलवी साहब हर जुमे को दीन की तालीम देते हैं।
The maulvi sahib gives teachings of the faith every Friday.
(maulvii saahab har jume ko diin kii taaliim dete hain।)
अपना दीन-ईमान मत बेचो, चाहे कितना भी लालच क्यों न हो।
Do not sell your faith and integrity, no matter how great the temptation.
(apnaa diin-iimaan mat becho, chaahe kitnaa bhii laalach kyon n ho।)
अगर उसमें थोड़ा भी दीन-ईमान होता, तो वह ऐसा धोखा न करता।
If he had even a little faith and integrity, he would not have cheated like this.
(agar usmen thodaa bhii diin-iimaan hotaa, to vah aisaa dhokhaa n kartaa।)
बुजुर्गों ने हमें दीन और दुनिया दोनों में संतुलन रखना सिखाया।
Our elders taught us to keep balance between faith and worldly life.
(bujurgon ne hamen diin aur duniyaa donon men santulan rakhnaa sikhaayaa।)
काश वह अपने दीन-ईमान पर थोड़ा और ध्यान देता।
I wish he paid a bit more attention to his faith and integrity.
(kaash vah apne diin-iimaan par thodaa aur dhyaan detaa।)
Morphology
Adjective (variable)
(sg.m):
दीन
(diin)
(pl.m):
दीने
(diine)
(sg.f):
दीनी
(diinii)
(pl.f):
दीनी
(diinii)
Noun
(sg.m.direct):
दीन
(diin)
(sg.m.oblique):
दीन
(diin)
(pl.m.direct):
दीन
(diin)
(pl.m.oblique):
दीनों
(diinon)