ताली (taalii)

noun A single-sense everyday noun meaning 'clapping/a clap,' almost always met inside the compound verb ताली बजाना (taalii bajaanaa, to clap).
Sense 1 : clap, clapping (of hands)
noun, feminine Almost always occurs with बजाना (bajaanaa) as a compound verb: ताली बजाना (taalii bajaanaa, to clap). The plural तालियाँ (taaliyaan) is used for applause from a group or repeated clapping.
Synonyms: करतल ध्वनि (kartal dhvani, literary)
Frequency: high
Cultural Note: In Delhi-NCR classrooms, weddings, and family gatherings, तालियाँ बजाना (taaliyaan bajaanaa) is the go-to phrase for both literal clapping and figurative 'a round of applause.' It's also used affectionately when praising a child -- shaabaash, tumne to taaliyaan bataurii! -- so the word carries a warm, celebratory feel beyond just the physical action.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners often try to pair ताली (taalii) with करना (karnaa) by analogy with other noun+verb combos, but the fixed verb here is बजाना (bajaanaa), not करना (karnaa) -- ताली करना sounds wrong to a native ear. 2) For 'applause' in a theater or event context, native speakers usually say तालियाँ (taaliyaan, plural) rather than the singular.
Sample Sentences:
जब गाना खत्म हुआ, तो सब लोगों ने तालियाँ बजाईं। When the song ended, everyone clapped.
(jab gaanaa khatm huaa, to sab logon ne taaliyaan bajaaiin।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
बच्चे खुशी में ताली बजा रहे थे। The children were clapping happily.
(bachche khushii men taalii bajaa rahe the।)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Continuous -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
शादी में दुल्हन के आते ही सब ताली बजाने लगे। As soon as the bride arrived at the wedding, everyone started clapping.
(shaadii men dulhan ke aate hii sab taalii bajaane lage।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
शाबाश, तुमने तो तालियाँ बटोर लीं! Bravo, you really won a round of applause!
(shaabaash, tumne to taaliyaan bator liin!)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
कृपया वक्ता के लिए ताली बजाइए। Please give a round of applause for the speaker.
(kripyaa vaktaa ke lie taalii bajaaie।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Imperative -- Voice: Active
अगर वह जीत जाता तो सब ताली बजाते। If he had won, everyone would have clapped.
(agar vah jiit jaataa to sab taalii bajaate।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Counterfactual -- Aspect: Habitual -- Voice: Active
हर बार जब वह मंच पर आता है, दर्शक तालियाँ बजाते हैं। Every time he comes on stage, the audience claps.
(har baar jab vah manch par aataa hai, darshak taaliyaan bajaate hain।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
प्रदर्शन के बाद खिलाड़ियों के लिए तालियाँ बजाई गईं। Applause was given for the players after the performance.
(pradarshan ke baad khilaadiyon ke lie taaliyaan bajaaii gaiin।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Passive
स्कूल में शिक्षक ने कहा कि जो सही जवाब देगा, उसके लिए ताली बजाई जाएगी। The teacher said in school that whoever gives the right answer will get a round of applause.
(skool men shikshak ne kahaa ki jo sahii javaab degaa, uske lie taalii bajaaii jaaegii।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Future -- Voice: Passive
काश मैं भी वहाँ होता और उसकी जीत पर ताली बजा पाता। I wish I had been there too and could have clapped at his victory.
(kaash main bhii vahaan hotaa aur uskii jiit par taalii bajaa paataa।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Aspect: Habitual -- Voice: Active
पूरा हॉल तालियों की गड़गड़ाहट से गूंज उठा। The whole hall echoed with the thunder of applause.
(pooraa hol taaliyon kii gadagdaahat se goonj uthaa।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
Morphology
Noun
(sg.f.direct): ताली (taalii)
(sg.f.oblique): ताली (taalii)
(pl.f.direct): तालियाँ (taaliyaan)
(pl.f.oblique): तालियों (taaliyon)