रानी (raanii)
noun
One core meaning: queen, in both the literal royal sense and the affectionate/figurative sense used for a beloved girl or woman.
Sense
1
:
queen (royal ruler or king's wife)
noun, feminine
Synonyms: महारानी (mahaaraanii, empress/great queen)
Frequency: medium
Cultural Note: रानी (raanii) is a fixture of Hindi folk tales and children's stories -- राजा-रानी (raajaa-raanii, 'king and queen') is the classic opening pair of every ऐसे थे राजा और रानी (aise the raajaa aur raanii) style story. The word also survives in Indian chess and card games as the term for the 'queen' piece/card.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners sometimes assume रानी (raanii) always means a ruling monarch, but historically it most often referred to the king's wife rather than a female sovereign in her own right -- context (as in a folk tale vs. a history lesson) decides which sense is meant.
Sample Sentences:
उस राज्य की रानी बहुत दयालु थी।
The queen of that kingdom was very kind.
(us raajy kii raanii bahut dayaalu thii।)
एक बार की बात है, एक राजा और रानी एक महल में रहते थे।
Once upon a time, a king and queen lived in a palace.
(ek baar kii baat hai, ek raajaa aur raanii ek mahal men rahte the।)
रानी ने अपने पति की मृत्यु के बाद राज्य की बागडोर संभाली।
The queen took charge of the kingdom after her husband's death.
(raanii ne apne pati kii mrityu ke baad raajy kii baagdor sambhaalii।)
अगर वह असली रानी होती, तो सारी प्रजा उसका आदर करती।
If she were a real queen, all the subjects would respect her.
(agar vah aslii raanii hotii, to saarii prajaa uskaa aadar kartii।)
रानी को दुश्मनों से बचाने के लिए सैनिक भेजे गए।
Soldiers were sent to protect the queen from the enemies.
(raanii ko dushmnon se bachaane ke lie sainik bheje gae।)
बच्चों, आज मैं तुम्हें ऐसे थे राजा और रानी की कहानी सुनाऊँगी।
Children, today I will tell you the story of "once there was a king and queen".
(bachchon, aaj main tumhen aise the raajaa aur raanii kii kahaanii sunaaoongii।)
शतरंज में रानी सबसे शक्तिशाली मोहरा होती है।
In chess, the queen is the most powerful piece.
(shatranj men raanii sabse shaktishaalii mohraa hotii hai।)
उसने ताश के पत्तों में से रानी निकाली और मेज़ पर रख दी।
She pulled out the queen from the deck of cards and placed it on the table.
(usne taash ke patton men se raanii nikaalii aur mez par rakh dii।)
काश मैं भी किसी राज्य की रानी होती!
I wish I too were the queen of some kingdom!
(kaash main bhii kisii raajy kii raanii hotii!)
रानी दरबार में सिंहासन पर बैठी थी।
The queen was sitting on the throne in the court.
(raanii darbaar men sinhaasan par baithii thii।)
Sense
2
:
affectionate term for a girl or woman (like 'princess' or 'my queen')
noun, feminine Used as a direct address or affectionate nickname, often for a daughter or young girl, similar to calling someone 'princess' in English.
Synonyms: गुड़िया (gudiyaa, used for young girls, 'doll'), राजकुमारी (raajkumaarii, closer to 'princess')
Frequency: medium
Cultural Note: Delhi-NCR parents and grandparents often call a small daughter मेरी रानी बेटी (merii raanii betii, 'my little queen/darling daughter') or just रानी (raanii) as a pet name -- it carries the same doting warmth as 'sweetheart' or 'princess' in English, with no royal connotation at all.
Common Mistakes: 1) This sense is warm and casual, not literal -- calling a little girl मेरी रानी (merii raanii, 'my queen/darling') has nothing to do with royalty, so learners should not read it as a claim about status.
Sample Sentences:
आ जा मेरी रानी, खाना खा ले।
Come here, my darling, eat your food.
(aa jaa merii raanii, khaanaa khaa le।)
मेरी रानी बेटी आज स्कूल में बहुत खुश थी।
My little princess was very happy at school today.
(merii raanii betii aaj skool men bahut khush thii।)
दादी हमेशा उसे रानी कहकर बुलाती हैं।
Grandma always calls her 'darling'.
(daadii hameshaa use raanii kahkar bulaatii hain।)
रानी, तुम कहाँ जा रही हो?
Sweetheart, where are you going?
(raanii, tum kahaan jaa rahii ho?)
मेरी रानी सो गई है, धीरे बोलो।
My little one has fallen asleep, speak softly.
(merii raanii so gaii hai, dhiire bolo।)
अगर वह रोती नहीं तो पापा उसे रानी बुलाते रहते।
If she hadn't been crying, Dad would have kept calling her 'princess'.
(agar vah rotii nahiin to paapaa use raanii bulaate rahte।)
मम्मी बोलीं, "मेरी रानी बेटी सबसे प्यारी है।"
Mom said, "My darling daughter is the sweetest of all."
(mammii boliin, "merii raanii betii sabse pyaarii hai।")
नानी हर बार उसे रानी कहकर गले लगा लेती हैं।
Grandma hugs her and calls her 'darling' every single time.
(naanii har baar use raanii kahkar gale lagaa letii hain।)
बेटा, अपनी रानी बहन का ध्यान रखना।
Son, take care of your darling little sister.
(betaa, apnii raanii bahan kaa dhyaan rakhnaa।)
पापा चाहते हैं कि उनकी रानी बेटी हमेशा मुस्कुराती रहे।
Dad wishes that his little princess keeps smiling always.
(paapaa chaahte hain ki unkii raanii betii hameshaa muskuraatii rahe।)
Morphology
Noun
(sg.f.direct):
रानी
(raanii)
(sg.f.oblique):
रानी
(raanii)
(pl.f.direct):
रानियाँ
(raaniyaan)
(pl.f.oblique):
रानियों
(raaniyon)