English · Everyday verbs
Khaana in English: To eat (खाना)
to eat
Hindi (Devanagari)
खाना
Hindi (English letters)
khaana
खाना (khaana) can be expressed as “to eat” in English. Eat is the action of having food. Food is a noun. Hindi khaana can express either, but “I eat rice” and “The food is ready” use different English words.
“khaana” kehna ho, to English mein “to eat” use karein. Neeche poore sentences aur Hindi meanings saath diye hain. Context dekhkar apna sentence chunein.
Checking in with a friend
Have you eaten?
खाना खाया?
khaana khaaya?
How to pronounce “to eat”
Say it in English
too eet
This is a sound guide for English, using a common American pronunciation. CAPITAL letters mark the stronger syllable in a longer word. Say the example sentence at a comfortable pace; Hindi spelling does not map sound for sound to English.
to eat: Hindi meaning and useful expressions
| English | Hindi meaning | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| to eat | खाना khaana Eat is the action of having food. Food is a noun. Hindi khaana can express either, but “I eat rice” and “The food is ready” use different English words. | Eat is the action of having food. Food is a noun. Hindi khaana can express either, but “I eat rice” and “The food is ready” use different English words. |
| Have you eaten? | खाना खाया? khaana khaaya? Checking in with a friend | Checking in with a friend |
| Have some more, you've hardly eaten anything! | और लीजिए, आपने तो कुछ खाया ही नहीं! aur lijiye, aapne to kuchh khaaya hi nahi! As a guest at dinner | As a guest at dinner |
The dictionary expression is “to eat”. In a sentence, choose the verb form for the subject and time; the examples show three complete patterns.
To is part of an infinitive such as to go, but it does not appear before every English verb. After can, could, will or should, use the base form directly.
How to use “to eat” in English sentences
1. Checking in with a friend
Have you eaten?
खाना खाया?
khaana khaaya?
2. As a guest at dinner
Have some more, you've hardly eaten anything!
और लीजिए, आपने तो कुछ खाया ही नहीं!
aur lijiye, aapne to kuchh khaaya hi nahi!
3. At a restaurant
I don't eat meat, is there anything vegetarian?
मैं मांस नहीं खाता, कुछ शाकाहारी है?
main maans nahi khaata, kuchh shaakaahaari hai?
Common mistakes with “to eat”
Instead of
I don't eat meat, are there anything vegetarian?
Say this
I don't eat meat, is there anything vegetarian?
Keep is with the singular subject in this sentence. Check the complete subject before choosing is or are.
Instead of
I don't to eat meat, is there anything vegetarian?
Say this
I don't eat meat, is there anything vegetarian?
Use the base verb after don't, doesn't or didn't. To does not belong between the helping verb and the main verb here.
Talking about your daily routine with a flatmate in Mumbai
Read both roles. Say the English lines out loud before checking the Hindi meaning.
Partner
What do you eat for breakfast in the morning?
Show Hindi meaning
आप सुबह नाश्ते में क्या खाते हैं?
aap subah naashte mein kya khaate hain?
You
I usually eat poha and drink tea.
Show Hindi meaning
मैं आमतौर पर पोहा खाता हूँ और चाय पीता हूँ।
main aamtaur par poha khaata hoon aur chaay peeta hoon.
Partner
Nice! And do you eat lunch at the office?
Show Hindi meaning
अच्छा! और दोपहर का खाना आप ऑफ़िस में खाते हैं?
achha! aur dopahar ka khaana aap ofis mein khaate hain?
You
Yes, most days I take a tiffin from home.
Show Hindi meaning
हाँ, ज़्यादातर मैं घर से टिफ़िन ले जाता हूँ।
haan, zyaadaatar main ghar se tifin le jaata hoon.
Your turn: use “to eat”
Say this in English: और लीजिए, आपने तो कुछ खाया ही नहीं! (aur lijiye, aapne to kuchh khaaya hi nahi!)
Reveal sample answer
Have some more, you've hardly eaten anything!
और लीजिए, आपने तो कुछ खाया ही नहीं!
aur lijiye, aapne to kuchh khaaya hi nahi!
Compare your word order with “Have some more, you've hardly eaten anything!” Then use the same pattern to say something about your own day.
Questions about “to eat” in English
Khaana ko English mein kya kehte hain?
खाना (khaana) can be expressed as “to eat” in English. Eat is the action of having food. Food is a noun. Hindi khaana can express either, but “I eat rice” and “The food is ready” use different English words.
What does “to eat” mean in Hindi?
In the sense taught here, “to eat” means खाना (khaana). Eat is the action of having food. Food is a noun. Hindi khaana can express either, but “I eat rice” and “The food is ready” use different English words.
How do I use “to eat” in a sentence?
Have some more, you've hardly eaten anything! Hindi meaning: और लीजिए, आपने तो कुछ खाया ही नहीं! (aur lijiye, aapne to kuchh khaaya hi nahi!). The dictionary expression is “to eat”. In a sentence, choose the verb form for the subject and time; the examples show three complete patterns.
What should I watch for when using “to eat”?
Eat is the action of having food. Food is a noun. Hindi khaana can express either, but “I eat rice” and “The food is ready” use different English words.
