English · Everyday verbs
Lena in English: To take (लेना)
to take
Hindi (Devanagari)
लेना
Hindi (English letters)
lena
लेना (lena) can be expressed as “to take” in English. For example: “Please take this menu.”
“lena” kehna ho, to English mein “to take” use karein. Neeche poore sentences aur Hindi meanings saath diye hain. Context dekhkar apna sentence chunein.
Passing a menu
Please take this menu.
यह मेनू लीजिए।
yah menu lijiye.
How to pronounce “to take”
Say it in English
too tayk
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 take: Hindi meaning and useful expressions
| English | Hindi meaning | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| to take | लेना lena The basic verb form; compare the complete expressions below. | The basic verb form; compare the complete expressions below. |
| Please take this menu. | यह मेनू लीजिए। yah menu lijiye. Passing a menu | Passing a menu |
| I've taken the medicine (picked it up). | मैंने दवा ले ली। maine dawa le li. Pharmacy counter | Pharmacy counter |
The dictionary expression is “to take”. 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 take” in English sentences
1. Passing a menu
Please take this menu.
यह मेनू लीजिए।
yah menu lijiye.
2. Pharmacy counter
I've taken the medicine (picked it up).
मैंने दवा ले ली।
maine dawa le li.
3. Taxi seat
You can take the front seat.
आप आगे वाली सीट ले सकते हैं।
aap aage wali seat le sakte hain.
Common mistakes with “to take”
Instead of
Please to take this menu.
Say this
Please take this menu.
For this polite instruction, put the base verb directly after please. Do not insert to before the instruction verb.
Instead of
Me've taken the medicine (picked it up).
Say this
I've taken the medicine (picked it up).
Use I for the person doing or experiencing the action. Me cannot replace I as the subject of this sentence.
Sharing snacks on a train
Read both roles. Say the English lines out loud before checking the Hindi meaning.
Partner
Please take this samosa.
Show Hindi meaning
कृपया यह समोसा लीजिए।
kripaya yah samosa lijiye.
You
Thanks — I'll take one.
Show Hindi meaning
धन्यवाद, एक ले लेता हूँ।
dhanyavaad, ek le leta hoon.
Partner
Take tea too.
Show Hindi meaning
और चाय भी लो।
aur chai bhi lo.
You
That's enough for me.
Show Hindi meaning
बस, इतना काफी है।
bas, itna kaafi hai.
Your turn: use “to take”
Say this in English: मैंने दवा ले ली। (maine dawa le li.)
Reveal sample answer
I've taken the medicine (picked it up).
मैंने दवा ले ली।
maine dawa le li.
Compare your word order with “I've taken the medicine (picked it up).” Then use the same pattern to say something about your own day.
Questions about “to take” in English
Lena ko English mein kya kehte hain?
लेना (lena) can be expressed as “to take” in English. For example: “Please take this menu.”
What does “to take” mean in Hindi?
In the sense taught here, “to take” means लेना (lena). The sentence “Please take this menu.” shows it in context.
How do I use “to take” in a sentence?
I've taken the medicine (picked it up). Hindi meaning: मैंने दवा ले ली। (maine dawa le li.). The dictionary expression is “to take”. 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 take”?
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.
