महिला (mahilaa)
noun
A respectful, formal-register word for 'woman' -- the word you reach for in official, polite, or public contexts (signage, news, forms), as distinct from the everyday word औरत (aurat).
Sense
1
:
woman (respectful/formal register)
noun, feminine
Synonyms: औरत (aurat, everyday), स्त्री (strii, formal/literary)
Frequency: high
Cultural Note: You will see महिला (mahilaa) constantly in compounds and institutional names -- महिला थाना (mahilaa thaanaa, women's police station), महिला डिब्बा (mahilaa dibbaa, the women's compartment on Delhi Metro trains), महिला सशक्तिकरण (mahilaa sashaktikran, women's empowerment). It carries a built-in tone of respect, which is exactly why it dominates official and journalistic Hindi over औरत (aurat).
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners often default to औरत (aurat) everywhere; but on forms, signs, news reports, or when speaking politely about someone (e.g. introducing an older or respected woman), महिला (mahilaa) is the expected word -- औरत (aurat) can sound slightly blunt or informal in those same contexts. 2) महिला (mahilaa) is grammatically feminine but does not itself carry any special inflection beyond the regular feminine noun pattern -- don't overthink it as an exception.
Sample Sentences:
वह महिला बहुत समझदार है।
That woman is very sensible.
(vah mahilaa bahut samajhdaar hai।)
इस मेट्रो स्टेशन पर महिला डिब्बा सबसे आगे लगता है।
At this metro station the women's compartment is at the very front.
(is metro steshan par mahilaa dibbaa sabse aage lagtaa hai।)
पीड़िता ने महिला थाने में शिकायत दर्ज कराई।
The victim filed a complaint at the women's police station.
(piiditaa ne mahilaa thaane men shikaayat darj karaaii।)
सरकार महिला सशक्तिकरण के लिए नई योजनाएँ बना रही है।
The government is drafting new schemes for women's empowerment.
(sarkaar mahilaa sashaktikran ke lie naii yojnaaen banaa rahii hai।)
कृपया महिला यात्रियों को पहले चढ़ने दें।
Please let the women passengers board first.
(kripyaa mahilaa yaatriyon ko pahle chadhne den।)
अगर वह महिला थोड़ा और आराम करती तो जल्दी ठीक हो जाती।
If that woman had rested a bit more, she would have recovered sooner.
(agar vah mahilaa thodaa aur aaraam kartii to jaldii thiik ho jaatii।)
समिति चाहती है कि हर विभाग में कम से कम एक महिला अधिकारी हो।
The committee wants there to be at least one woman officer in every department.
(samiti chaahtii hai ki har vibhaag men kam se kam ek mahilaa adhikaarii ho।)
उस दुर्घटना में एक महिला बाल-बाल बच गई।
In that accident, a woman narrowly escaped harm.
(us durghatnaa men ek mahilaa baal-baal bach gaii।)
उद्घाटन समारोह में मुख्य अतिथि के रूप में एक वरिष्ठ महिला वैज्ञानिक को बुलाया गया।
A senior woman scientist was invited as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony.
(udghaatan samaaroh men mukhy atithi ke roop men ek varishth mahilaa vaigyaanik ko bulaayaa gayaa।)
पत्रकार ने उस महिला से उसके संघर्ष के बारे में पूछा।
The journalist asked that woman about her struggle.
(patrkaar ne us mahilaa se uske sangharsh ke baare men poochhaa।)
अगली सदी में महिलाएँ हर क्षेत्र में पुरुषों के समान अवसर पाएँगी।
In the next century, women will get equal opportunities to men in every field.
(aglii sadii men mahilaaen har kshetr men purushon ke samaan avsar paaengii।)
Morphology
Noun
(sg.f.direct):
महिला
(mahilaa)
(sg.f.oblique):
महिला
(mahilaa)
(pl.f.direct):
महिलाएँ
(mahilaaen)
(pl.f.oblique):
महिलाओं
(mahilaaon)