भिखारी (bhikhaarii)
noun
A single-sense everyday noun meaning 'beggar'; related to the verb माँगना (maangnaa, 'to ask/beg for') and the abstract noun भीख (bhiikh, 'alms, begging').
Sense
1
:
beggar
noun, masculine/feminine
Synonyms: फ़कीर (fakiir, can also mean 'mendicant/ascetic'), मंगता (mangtaa, colloquial)
Frequency: high
Cultural Note: You'll hear this word constantly at traffic signals and outside temples in Delhi-NCR, often paired with the common sight of someone tapping on a car window; भीख माँगना (bhiikh maangnaa, 'to beg for alms') is the standard verb phrase built from the same root. Calling someone भिखारी (bhikhaarii) can also be used loosely and a bit harshly as an insult implying someone is being cheap or shameless, e.g. in an argument -- so tone matters.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners sometimes confuse भिखारी (bhikhaarii) with फ़कीर (fakiir) -- फ़कीर (fakiir) often carries a spiritual or Sufi-ascetic connotation and isn't always a pure synonym for a street beggar, even though the two overlap in casual speech. 2) The related verb is माँगना (maangnaa, 'to ask for/beg'), not भीखना -- there is no common verb भीखना in everyday use, so learners shouldn't try to back-form one from भिखारी (bhikhaarii).
Sample Sentences:
लाल बत्ती पर एक भिखारी गाड़ी की खिड़की खटखटा रहा था।
A beggar was knocking on the car window at the red light.
(laal battii par ek bhikhaarii gaadii kii khidkii khatakhtaa rahaa thaa।)
मंदिर के बाहर हमेशा कई भिखारी बैठे रहते हैं।
Several beggars are always sitting outside the temple.
(mandir ke baahar hameshaa kaii bhikhaarii baithe rahte hain।)
वह भिखारी भीख माँगते हुए हर गली में घूमता है।
That beggar wanders through every lane begging for alms.
(vah bhikhaarii bhiikh maangte hue har galii men ghoomtaa hai।)
इतना कंजूस मत बन, भिखारी की तरह मत बोल!
Don't be so stingy, don't talk like a beggar!
(itnaa kanjoos mat ban, bhikhaarii kii tarah mat bol!)
अरे भिखारी कहीं के, दस रुपये भी नहीं दे सकते?
Oh you cheapskate beggar, can't you even give ten rupees?
(are bhikhaarii kahiin ke, das rupye bhii nahiin de sakte?)
अगर सरकार मदद करती तो इतने भिखारी सड़कों पर नहीं होते।
If the government had helped, there wouldn't have been so many beggars on the streets.
(agar sarkaar madad kartii to itne bhikhaarii sadkon par nahiin hote।)
उस भिखारी को खाना खिलाया गया।
That beggar was fed.
(us bhikhaarii ko khaanaa khilaayaa gayaa।)
शायद वह असली भिखारी न हो, बस बहाना बना रहा हो।
Maybe he isn't a real beggar, just making an excuse.
(shaayad vah aslii bhikhaarii n ho, bas bahaanaa banaa rahaa ho।)
दिल्ली में कुछ लोग पेशेवर भिखारी बन गए हैं।
In Delhi, some people have become professional beggars.
(dillii men kuchh log peshevar bhikhaarii ban gae hain।)
क्या तुम मुझे भिखारी समझते हो जो मुफ्त में सब कुछ दे दूँगा?
Do you think I'm a beggar who'll give everything away for free?
(kyaa tum mujhe bhikhaarii samajhte ho jo mupht men sab kuchh de doongaa?)
सिग्नल पर बच्चे भिखारी बनकर भीख माँगने को मजबूर हैं।
At the signal, children are forced to become beggars and beg for alms.
(signal par bachche bhikhaarii bankar bhiikh maangne ko majboor hain।)
Morphology
Noun
(sg.m/f.direct):
भिखारी
(bhikhaarii)
(sg.m/f.oblique):
भिखारी
(bhikhaarii)
(pl.m/f.direct):
भिखारियाँ
(bhikhaariyaan)
(pl.m/f.oblique):
भिखारियों
(bhikhaariyon)