प्रतीक (pratiik)

noun A single noun meaning 'symbol' or 'emblem' -- something concrete that stands for an abstract idea or quality.
Sense 1 : symbol, emblem, representative sign
noun, masculine
Synonyms: चिह्न (chihn), निशान (nishaan, mainly 'mark/sign', broader use), संकेत (sanket, leans toward 'signal/indication')
Frequency: medium
Cultural Note: You will meet this word constantly in civics and school essays -- अशोक चक्र भारत का प्रतीक है (ashok chakr bhaarat kaa pratiik hai, 'the Ashoka Chakra is a symbol of India') is a very typical sentence pattern. It has a slightly formal, written-register feel compared to everyday chit-chat, so it shows up more in speeches, textbooks, and news than in casual conversation.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners sometimes use प्रतीक (pratiik) where they mean a literal 'sign' or 'signboard' (like a road sign) -- for that, निशान (nishaan) or बोर्ड (bord) is more natural; प्रतीक (pratiik) is reserved for something that *represents* an abstract idea. 2) It is used with का/की/के (kaa/kii/ke) to link it to what it symbolizes, e.g. शांति का प्रतीक (shaanti kaa pratiik, 'symbol of peace') -- learners sometimes wrongly attach से (se) instead.
Sample Sentences:
अशोक चक्र भारत का प्रतीक है। The Ashoka Chakra is a symbol of India.
(ashok chakr bhaarat kaa pratiik hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
कबूतर शांति का प्रतीक माना जाता है। The dove is considered a symbol of peace.
(kabootar shaanti kaa pratiik maanaa jaataa hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Passive
ताजमहल को प्रेम का प्रतीक कहा जाता है। The Taj Mahal is called a symbol of love.
(taajmahal ko prem kaa pratiik kahaa jaataa hai।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Passive
स्कूल में शिक्षक ने बताया कि झंडा राष्ट्र का प्रतीक होता है। At school, the teacher explained that the flag is a symbol of the nation.
(skool men shikshak ne bataayaa ki jhandaa raashtr kaa pratiik hotaa hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
यह मूर्ति साहस का प्रतीक बन गई है। This statue has become a symbol of courage.
(yah moorti saahas kaa pratiik ban gaii hai।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
काश यह इमारत भी एकता का प्रतीक होती। If only this building were also a symbol of unity.
(kaash yah imaarat bhii ektaa kaa pratiik hotii।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Counterfactual -- Aspect: Habitual -- Voice: Active
अगर हम इसे राष्ट्रीय प्रतीक घोषित करें, तो लोग इसका सम्मान करेंगे। If we declare it a national symbol, people will respect it.
(agar ham ise raashtriiy pratiik ghoshit karen, to log iskaa sammaan karenge।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Voice: Active
इस चिन्ह को हमारी कंपनी के प्रतीक के रूप में चुना गया। This mark was chosen as the symbol of our company.
(is chinh ko hamaarii kampnii ke pratiik ke roop men chunaa gayaa।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Passive
भविष्य में यह पेड़ पर्यावरण-संरक्षण का प्रतीक बनेगा। In the future, this tree will become a symbol of environmental conservation.
(bhavishy men yah ped paryaavran-sanrakshan kaa pratiik banegaa।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Future -- Voice: Active
Morphology
Noun
(sg.m.direct): प्रतीक (pratiik)
(sg.m.oblique): प्रतीक (pratiik)
(pl.m.direct): प्रतीक (pratiik)
(pl.m.oblique): प्रतीकों (pratiikon)