प्रतिभा (pratibhaa)

noun A single-sense noun meaning innate talent or genius -- the natural spark someone is born with, as opposed to skill built through practice.
Sense 1 : innate talent, genius
noun, feminine
Synonyms: हुनर (hunar), काबिलियत (kaabiliyat), प्रतिभाशीलता (pratibhaashiiltaa, rare)
Frequency: medium
Cultural Note: You will hear this word constantly in school prize-distribution speeches and TV talent-show intros -- प्रतिभा को पहचानना (pratibhaa ko pahchaannaa, 'to recognize talent') is a stock phrase teachers and judges love. It carries a slightly formal, admiring tone, a notch above everyday हुनर (hunar).
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners often use this interchangeably with हुनर (hunar), but प्रतिभा (pratibhaa) leans toward a deeper, often inborn gift (artistic, intellectual), while हुनर (hunar) covers learned skill or craft (cooking, carpentry) just as often. 2) It is feminine, so adjectives and verbs agreeing with it take feminine forms even though the quality it names can belong to a man -- e.g. उसकी प्रतिभा असाधारण है (uskii pratibhaa asaadhaaran hai, 'his/her talent is extraordinary'), not असाधारण है का मर्दाना रूप.
Sample Sentences:
उसकी प्रतिभा को पहचानना मुश्किल नहीं था। It was not hard to recognize his talent.
(uskii pratibhaa ko pahchaannaa mushkil nahiin thaa।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
अध्यापक हमेशा बच्चों की प्रतिभा को पहचानने की कोशिश करते हैं। Teachers always try to recognize the talent of children.
(adhyaapak hameshaa bachchon kii pratibhaa ko pahchaanne kii koshish karte hain।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
इस बच्चे में गजब की प्रतिभा है। This child has extraordinary talent.
(is bachche men gajab kii pratibhaa hai।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
काश मुझमें भी उसके जैसी प्रतिभा होती। I wish I had talent like his too.
(kaash mujhmen bhii uske jaisii pratibhaa hotii।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Counterfactual -- Aspect: Habitual -- Voice: Active
प्रधानाचार्य ने अपने भाषण में कहा कि हर बच्चे की प्रतिभा को निखारना ज़रूरी है। The principal said in his speech that it is necessary to polish every child's talent.
(pradhaanaachaary ne apne bhaashan men kahaa ki har bachche kii pratibhaa ko nikhaarnaa zaroorii hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
इस रियलिटी शो में देश भर की प्रतिभा को मंच दिया जाता है। In this reality show, a stage is given to talent from all over the country.
(is riylitii sho men desh bhar kii pratibhaa ko manch diyaa jaataa hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Passive
जज साहब, इसकी प्रतिभा को पहचानिए, यह आगे बहुत बड़ा नाम करेगा। Judge sahib, recognize this one's talent -- he will make a very big name ahead.
(jaj saahab, iskii pratibhaa ko pahchaanie, yah aage bahut badaa naam karegaa।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Imperative -- Voice: Active
शायद उसकी प्रतिभा अभी तक किसी ने ठीक से पहचानी न हो। Perhaps no one has properly recognized her talent yet.
(shaayad uskii pratibhaa abhii tak kisii ne thiik se pahchaanii n ho।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Aspect: Perfective -- Voice: Active
संगीत की दुनिया में ऐसी प्रतिभा बरसों में एक बार दिखती है। In the world of music, such talent is seen once in years.
(sangiit kii duniyaa men aisii pratibhaa barson men ek baar dikhtii hai।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
स्कूल के वार्षिक समारोह में छात्रों की प्रतिभा का सम्मान किया गया। At the school's annual function, the students' talent was honored.
(skool ke vaarshik samaaroh men chhaatron kii pratibhaa kaa sammaan kiyaa gayaa।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Passive
Morphology
Noun
(sg.f.direct): प्रतिभा (pratibhaa)
(sg.f.oblique): प्रतिभा (pratibhaa)
(pl.f.direct): प्रतिभाएँ (pratibhaaen)
(pl.f.oblique): प्रतिभाओं (pratibhaaon)