क़लम (qalam)
noun
A reed/writing pen, mostly literary or old-fashioned now next to पेन (pen), but still alive in fixed phrases about writing and authority; also used figuratively for one's writing style or a writer's authorial voice.
Sense
1
:
pen (writing instrument)
noun, feminine
Synonyms: पेन (pen)
Frequency: medium
Cultural Note: This word comes from Persian/Arabic and originally meant a reed pen dipped in ink -- the image behind a lot of Urdu poetry about ink and paper. Today it survives less as a shopping-list word and more in set expressions about writing, signing, and authority, like क़लम चलाना (qalam chalaanaa, 'to wield the pen', i.e., to write) or क़लम तोड़ना (qalam todnaa, 'to write brilliantly').
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners often reach for क़लम (qalam) as the everyday word for 'pen', but in ordinary conversation पेन (pen) is what people actually ask for at a shop or in class; क़लम (qalam) sounds old-fashioned or literary in that context. 2) The nuqta under the क़ (q) is often dropped in casual writing, giving कलम (kalam) -- both spellings are seen and understood.
Sample Sentences:
मेज़ पर एक क़लम पड़ी है।
There is a pen lying on the table.
(mez par ek qalam padii hai।)
उसने अपनी क़लम से दस्तख़त किए।
He signed with his own pen.
(usne apnii qalam se dastkhat kie।)
यह शायर जब क़लम चलाता है, तो लोग मंत्रमुग्ध हो जाते हैं।
When this poet wields the pen, people become spellbound.
(yah shaayar jab qalam chalaataa hai, to log mantrmugdh ho jaate hain।)
अपनी क़लम मुझे दे दो, मेरी खो गई है।
Give me your pen, mine is lost.
(apnii qalam mujhe de do, merii kho gaii hai।)
इस उपन्यास ने साबित कर दिया कि उसने सच में क़लम तोड़ दी है।
This novel proved that he has truly written brilliantly.
(is upanyaas ne saabit kar diyaa ki usne sach men qalam tod dii hai।)
अगर मेरे पास क़लम होती, तो मैं यह ख़त अभी लिख देता।
If I had a pen, I would write this letter right now.
(agar mere paas qalam hotii, to main yah khat abhii likh detaa।)
दस्तावेज़ पर हस्ताक्षर करने के लिए एक क़लम चाहिए।
A pen is needed to sign the document.
(dastaavez par hastaakshar karne ke lie ek qalam chaahie।)
बचपन में मास्टर जी हमें क़लम और दावात से लिखना सिखाते थे।
In childhood, our teacher used to teach us to write with a pen and inkpot.
(bachpan men maastar jii hamen qalam aur daavaat se likhnaa sikhaate the।)
शायद उसकी क़लम टूट गई हो, इसलिए जवाब नहीं भेजा।
Maybe his pen broke, that's why he didn't send a reply.
(shaayad uskii qalam toot gaii ho, islie javaab nahiin bhejaa।)
फ़ैसले पर जज की क़लम से मुहर लगाई गई।
The judge's pen stamped approval on the verdict.
(faisle par jaj kii qalam se muhar lagaaii gaii।)
Sense
2
:
writing style, authorial voice
noun, feminine Used the way English uses 'pen' figuratively, as in 'a mighty pen' -- always about a person's writing, never the physical object in this sense.
Synonyms: लेखनी (lekhnii, literary)
Frequency: low
Cultural Note: You'll hear this in praise of writers and journalists: उसकी क़लम में जान है (uskii qalam men jaan hai, 'his/her pen has life/soul in it') is a classic compliment for someone who writes powerfully. It pairs with the literary word लेखनी (lekhnii) in more formal or poetic registers.
Sample Sentences:
उसकी क़लम में जान है।
His pen has real life in it.
(uskii qalam men jaan hai।)
इस पत्रकार की क़लम बहुत तेज़ है।
This journalist's pen is very sharp.
(is patrkaar kii qalam bahut tez hai।)
उनकी क़लम ने कई बार सच को बेनक़ाब किया है।
His pen has exposed the truth many times.
(unkii qalam ne kaii baar sach ko benqaab kiyaa hai।)
काश मेरी क़लम में भी वह जादू होता।
I wish my pen also had that magic.
(kaash merii qalam men bhii vah jaadoo hotaa।)
अपनी क़लम से समाज को आईना दिखाओ।
Show society its reflection through your pen.
(apnii qalam se samaaj ko aaiinaa dikhaao।)
उस लेखक की क़लम हमेशा ग़रीबों के हक़ में चलती है।
That writer's pen always speaks up for the poor.
(us lekhak kii qalam hameshaa ghariibon ke haq men chaltii hai।)
क्या उसकी क़लम में अब भी वह धार बाक़ी है?
Does his pen still have that same edge?
(kyaa uskii qalam men ab bhii vah dhaar baaqii hai?)
उसकी क़लम और लेखनी दोनों ही समाज को झकझोर देती हैं।
Both his pen and his literary voice shake society to its core.
(uskii qalam aur lekhnii donon hii samaaj ko jhakjhor detii hain।)
Morphology
Noun
(sg.f.direct):
क़लम
(qalam)
(sg.f.oblique):
क़लम
(qalam)
(pl.f.direct):
क़लमें
(qalmen)
(pl.f.oblique):
क़लमों
(qalmon)