इनसान (insaan)
noun
A single-sense word meaning 'human being, person' -- often used with a warm, humanistic tone that goes beyond just biological classification. Also commonly spelled इंसान (insaan) with an anusvara/nasalization mark instead of the full न (n); both spellings are equally standard.
Sense
1
:
human being, person
noun, masculine
Synonyms: आदमी (aadmii, can also mean 'man' specifically), मानव (maanav, formal/scientific), व्यक्ति (vyakti, formal, individual)
Frequency: high
Cultural Note: This is a word full of heart in Hindi -- when someone says वह बहुत अच्छा इनसान है (vah bahut achchhaa insaan hai, 'he is a very good human being'), they are praising someone's basic humanity and decency, not just being polite. You'll hear it in the classic complaint इनसान तो इनसान है, गलती हो जाती है (insaan to insaan hai, galtii ho jaatii hai, 'a human is only human, mistakes happen'), a very Delhi way of forgiving a slip-up.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners often reach for आदमी (aadmii) as the default word for 'person,' but इनसान (insaan) carries a broader, more philosophical sense of 'human being' as opposed to animals or god, and is the natural choice in moral or emotional statements like इनसान गलतियाँ करता है (insaan galtiyaan kartaa hai, 'a human makes mistakes'). 2) Unlike आदमी (aadmii), इनसान (insaan) is not gender-specific and does not mean 'man' -- it applies equally to any person regardless of gender.
Sample Sentences:
वह बहुत अच्छा इनसान है।
He is a very good human being.
(vah bahut achchhaa insaan hai।)
इनसान तो इनसान है, गलती हो जाती है।
A human is only human, mistakes happen.
(insaan to insaan hai, galtii ho jaatii hai।)
हर इनसान की अपनी कमजोरियाँ होती हैं।
Every human being has their own weaknesses.
(har insaan kii apnii kamjoriyaan hotii hain।)
अगर वह सच में इनसान होता तो इस तरह किसी को धोखा न देता।
If he were really a decent human being, he wouldn't cheat someone like this.
(agar vah sach men insaan hotaa to is tarah kisii ko dhokhaa n detaa।)
उस मुसीबत के वक्त कुछ इनसान उसकी मदद के लिए आगे आए।
At that time of trouble, some people came forward to help him.
(us musiibat ke vakt kuchh insaan uskii madad ke lie aage aae।)
इनसान बनो, सिर्फ पैसे के पीछे मत भागो।
Be a good human being, don't just run after money.
(insaan bano, sirph paise ke piichhe mat bhaago।)
मुझे उम्मीद है कि वह एक समझदार इनसान साबित होगा।
I hope he turns out to be a sensible human being.
(mujhe ummiid hai ki vah ek samajhdaar insaan saabit hogaa।)
काश मैं भी उतना नेक इनसान बन पाता।
I wish I could become as noble a human being as him.
(kaash main bhii utnaa nek insaan ban paataa।)
एक अच्छे इनसान की पहचान उसके बुरे वक्त में होती है।
A good human being's true character is recognized during their bad times.
(ek achchhe insaan kii pahchaan uske bure vakt men hotii hai।)
यह संस्था हर इनसान को बराबरी की नज़र से देखती है।
This organization looks at every human being with equal regard.
(yah sansthaa har insaan ko baraabrii kii nazar se dekhtii hai।)
इनसान की फितरत ही ऐसी है कि वह हमेशा और चाहता है।
It is simply human nature to always want more.
(insaan kii phitrat hii aisii hai ki vah hameshaa aur chaahtaa hai।)
Morphology
Noun
(sg.m.direct):
इनसान
(insaan)
(sg.m.oblique):
इनसान
(insaan)
(pl.m.direct):
इनसान
(insaan)
(pl.m.oblique):
इनसानों
(insaanon)