अब की बार (ab kii baar)

adverb A fixed adverbial phrase meaning 'this time', built from अब (ab, 'now') + की (kii) + बार (baar, 'occasion/turn'); commonly used for an upcoming election, match, attempt, or event.
Sense 1 : this time (on this occasion, as opposed to before)
adverb Modifies the whole clause on its own, without linking it to a preceding clause -- the same functional shape as कुल मिलाकर (kul milaakar) or सबसे बढ़कर (sabse badhkar).
Synonyms: इस बार (is baar)
Frequency: high
Cultural Note: This phrase became a household expression well beyond grammar books because of its use in political campaign slogans -- the pattern अब की बार, promise/candidate ('this time, ...') is instantly recognizable to most Hindi speakers from election season hoardings and chants. Outside politics, it is just as natural in everyday talk: अब की बार परीक्षा में अच्छे नंबर लाना (ab kii baar pariikshaa men achchhe nambar laanaa, 'this time score well in the exam') is something a parent might say to a child before results season.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners sometimes treat this as a literal, one-off phrase built fresh each time (अब + की + बार) rather than recognizing it as a set expression that native speakers reach for automatically when contrasting 'this time' with 'last time' or 'previous attempts.' 2) की (kii) here agrees with the feminine noun बार (baar, 'turn, occasion') -- it does not vary even though अब (ab) is not itself gendered; learners sometimes wonder why की and not का appears.
Sample Sentences:
अब की बार परीक्षा में अच्छे नंबर लाना। This time score well in the exam.
(ab kii baar pariikshaa men achchhe nambar laanaa।)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Imperative -- Voice: Active
अब की बार हम पहाड़ों पर घूमने जाएंगे। This time we will go to the mountains for a trip.
(ab kii baar ham pahaadon par ghoomne jaaenge।)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Future -- Voice: Active
पिछली बार तो हार गए थे, पर अब की बार जीत पक्की है। We lost last time, but this time victory is certain.
(pichhlii baar to haar gae the, par ab kii baar jiit pakkii hai।)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
अब की बार मोदी सरकार! This time, Modi government!
(ab kii baar modii sarkaar!)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Indicative -- Voice: Active
अब की बार वह देर से क्यों आया? Why did he come late this time?
(ab kii baar vah der se kyon aayaa?)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
अगर अब की बार तुम मेहनत करते तो नतीजा कुछ और होता। If you had worked hard this time, the result would have been different.
(agar ab kii baar tum mehnat karte to natiijaa kuchh aur hotaa।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Counterfactual -- Aspect: Habitual -- Voice: Active
अब की बार माफी नहीं मिलेगी, यह ध्यान रखना। This time you won't get forgiven, keep that in mind.
(ab kii baar maaphii nahiin milegii, yah dhyaan rakhnaa।)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Future -- Voice: Active
शायद अब की बार वह सच बोल दे। Maybe he will tell the truth this time.
(shaayad ab kii baar vah sach bol de।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Voice: Active
अब की बार कंपनी ने सबका वेतन समय पर दिया। This time the company paid everyone's salary on time.
(ab kii baar kampnii ne sabkaa vetan samay par diyaa।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
अब की बार मीटिंग में सबको बुलाया जाएगा। This time everyone will be called to the meeting.
(ab kii baar miiting men sabko bulaayaa jaaegaa।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Future -- Voice: Passive
अब की बार वह रोज़ सुबह जल्दी उठता है। This time around, he gets up early every morning.
(ab kii baar vah roz subah jaldii uthtaa hai।)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active