थोड़ा-थोड़ा करके (thodaa-thodaa karke)
adverb
A reduplicated adverbial phrase meaning 'little by little, gradually, bit by bit' -- built from थोड़ा (thodaa, 'a little') doubled for emphasis and followed by करके (karke, the conjunctive-participle form of करना, 'having done'). Single sense.
Sense
1
:
gradually, little by little, in small increments
adverb Functions as an adverbial phrase modifying how an action is carried out, usually with verbs of accumulation, consumption, saving, or learning -- e.g. पैसे जोड़ना (paise jodnaa, 'to save money'), सीखना (siikhnaa, 'to learn'), खाना (khaanaa, 'to eat').
Synonyms: धीरे-धीरे (dhiire-dhiire, focuses on slowness of pace rather than small quantity), क्रमशः (kramshah, formal/literary)
Frequency: high
Cultural Note: This phrase captures a very Indian household ethic -- think of a mother telling a child to eat थोड़ा-थोड़ा करके (thodaa-thodaa karke) rather than gulping down food, or a family saving money थोड़ा-थोड़ा करके (thodaa-thodaa karke) for a wedding or a house. It reflects patience and incremental effort as a valued way of getting things done, rather than rushing or doing everything at once.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners often reach for धीरे-धीरे (dhiire-dhiire) instead, but that phrase emphasizes slow speed (e.g. walking slowly), while थोड़ा-थोड़ा करके (thodaa-thodaa karke) emphasizes doing something in small portions or installments over time -- the two overlap but are not interchangeable in every context. 2) The करके (karke) is not optional filler; dropping it to just थोड़ा-थोड़ा (thodaa-thodaa) changes it from an adverbial phrase of manner into a plain repeated quantifier ('a little bit of each'), which reads differently in a sentence.
Sample Sentences:
थोड़ा-थोड़ा करके पैसे बचाओ, तो एक दिन घर खरीद सकोगे।
Save money little by little, and someday you'll be able to buy a house.
(thodaa-thodaa karke paise bachaao, to ek din ghar khariid sakoge।)
वह थोड़ा-थोड़ा करके अपना कर्ज चुका रहा है।
He is paying off his debt little by little.
(vah thodaa-thodaa karke apnaa karj chukaa rahaa hai।)
बच्चे को थोड़ा-थोड़ा करके खाना खिलाओ, वरना उसका पेट खराब हो जाएगा।
Feed the child little by little, or his stomach will get upset.
(bachche ko thodaa-thodaa karke khaanaa khilaao, varnaa uskaa pet kharaab ho jaaegaa।)
हमने थोड़ा-थोड़ा करके पूरा सामान ट्रक में लाद दिया।
We loaded all the luggage into the truck little by little.
(hamne thodaa-thodaa karke pooraa saamaan trak men laad diyaa।)
अगर तुम थोड़ा-थोड़ा करके पढ़ते, तो परीक्षा के आखिरी दिन इतना तनाव न होता।
If you had studied little by little, there wouldn't have been so much stress on the last day before the exam.
(agar tum thodaa-thodaa karke padhte, to pariikshaa ke aakhirii din itnaa tanaav n hotaa।)
माँ हमेशा कहती थी कि थोड़ा-थोड़ा करके ही बड़े काम पूरे होते हैं।
Mother always used to say that big tasks are only completed little by little.
(maan hameshaa kahtii thii ki thodaa-thodaa karke hii bade kaam poore hote hain।)
जरूरी है कि नई भाषा थोड़ा-थोड़ा करके सीखी जाए, एक ही दिन में सब कुछ सीखना मुमकिन नहीं।
It's necessary that a new language be learned little by little; it's not possible to learn everything in a single day.
(jaroorii hai ki naii bhaashaa thodaa-thodaa karke siikhii jaae, ek hii din men sab kuchh siikhnaa mumkin nahiin।)
परिवार वाले शादी के लिए थोड़ा-थोड़ा करके सामान इकट्ठा कर रहे थे।
The family was gathering things for the wedding little by little.
(parivaar vaale shaadii ke lie thodaa-thodaa karke saamaan ikatthaa kar rahe the।)
दीवार पर रंग थोड़ा-थोड़ा करके ही लगाया जाता है, ताकि वह बराबर आए।
Paint is applied to the wall little by little, so that it comes out even.
(diivaar par rang thodaa-thodaa karke hii lagaayaa jaataa hai, taaki vah baraabar aae।)
अगली बार से थोड़ा-थोड़ा करके सामान पैक करना, आखिरी रात में मत करना।
From next time, pack your things little by little; don't do it on the last night.
(aglii baar se thodaa-thodaa karke saamaan paik karnaa, aakhirii raat men mat karnaa।)
जीवन में बड़े बदलाव थोड़ा-थोड़ा करके ही आते हैं, अचानक नहीं।
Big changes in life come only little by little, not suddenly.
(jiivan men bade badlaav thodaa-thodaa karke hii aate hain, achaanak nahiin।)