चिंतन (chintan)

noun A single-sense, somewhat formal/reflective noun meaning 'contemplation, deep thinking'; related to the verb चिंतन करना (chintan karnaa, 'to contemplate') and the adjective चिंतित (chintit, 'worried'), though the noun itself carries a calmer, more intellectual tone than its worry-related cousin.
Sense 1 : contemplation, deep reflection
noun, masculine
Synonyms: विचार (vichaar), मनन (manan, literary), सोच-विचार (soch-vichaar)
Frequency: medium
Cultural Note: This is the word you will hear in a guru's discourse, a newspaper editorial, or a university seminar title -- 'चिंतन शिविर' (chintan shivir, 'a contemplation/brainstorming camp') is a real and common phrase for political parties' retreats where leaders sit and reflect on strategy. It carries a slightly Sanskritic, serious register, closer to English 'contemplation' or 'reflection' than casual 'thinking.'
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners often reach for सोचना (sochnaa, 'to think') as a casual verb equivalent, but चिंतन (chintan) itself is a noun and pairs with करना (karnaa) -- चिंतन करना (chintan karnaa, 'to contemplate') -- to form the action; it is not used as a verb on its own. 2) The word leans formal/philosophical, so using it for everyday 'thinking about dinner' type situations sounds oddly heavy -- सोचना (sochnaa) or ख्याल (khyaal) fit casual contexts better.
Sample Sentences:
गहन चिंतन के बाद उन्होंने यह निर्णय लिया। After deep contemplation, he made this decision.
(gahan chintan ke baad unhonne yah nirnay liyaa।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
पार्टी अगले हफ्ते एक चिंतन शिविर आयोजित कर रही है। The party is organizing a contemplation camp next week.
(paartii agle haphte ek chintan shivir aayojit kar rahii hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Continuous -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
स्वामी जी हर सुबह घंटों चिंतन करते हैं। Swami ji contemplates for hours every morning.
(svaamii jii har subah ghanton chintan karte hain।)
Register: Devotional -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
इस विषय पर गंभीर चिंतन की आवश्यकता है। This subject requires serious contemplation.
(is vishay par gambhiir chintan kii aavashyaktaa hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
अगर वे थोड़ा और चिंतन करते तो शायद गलती न होती। If they had contemplated a little more, perhaps the mistake would not have happened.
(agar ve thodaa aur chintan karte to shaayad galtii n hotii।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Counterfactual -- Aspect: Habitual -- Voice: Active
संपादकीय में समाज की वर्तमान स्थिति पर गहरा चिंतन प्रस्तुत किया गया है। The editorial presents a deep contemplation on the current state of society.
(sampaadkiiy men samaaj kii vartmaan sthiti par gahraa chintan prastut kiyaa gayaa hai।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Passive
सेमिनार का विषय था 'भारतीय संस्कृति पर चिंतन'। The seminar's topic was 'Contemplation on Indian Culture.'
(seminaar kaa vishay thaa 'bhaartiiy sanskriti par chintan'।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
काश मैं भी उतना चिंतन कर पाता जितना वे करते हैं। I wish I could contemplate as much as they do.
(kaash main bhii utnaa chintan kar paataa jitnaa ve karte hain।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Aspect: Habitual -- Voice: Active
जीवन के अंतिम वर्षों में वे केवल चिंतन और ध्यान में लगे रहे। In the final years of his life, he remained engaged only in contemplation and meditation.
(jiivan ke antim varshon men ve keval chintan aur dhyaan men lage rahe।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
कृपया इस प्रस्ताव पर चिंतन करें और फिर उत्तर दें। Please contemplate this proposal and then respond.
(kripyaa is prastaav par chintan karen aur phir uttar den।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Imperative -- Voice: Active
Morphology
Noun
(sg.m.direct): चिंतन (chintan)
(sg.m.oblique): चिंतन (chintan)
(pl.m.direct): चिंतन (chintan)
(pl.m.oblique): चिंतनों (chintnon)