English · Time, numbers & colors
Kal in English: Yesterday (कल)
Yesterday
Hindi (Devanagari)
कल
Hindi (English letters)
kal
कल (kal) can be expressed as “Yesterday” in English. Kal can mean yesterday or tomorrow in Hindi. Yesterday is the day before today; use a past-time sentence, such as “I called yesterday.”
“kal” kehna ho, to English mein “Yesterday” use karein. Neeche poore sentences aur Hindi meanings saath diye hain. Context dekhkar apna sentence chunein.
Explaining absence
Yesterday I was sick.
कल मैं बीमार था।
kal main bimaar tha.
How to pronounce “Yesterday”
Say it in English
YES-ter-day
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.
Yesterday: Hindi meaning and useful expressions
| English | Hindi meaning | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Yesterday | कल kal Kal can mean yesterday or tomorrow in Hindi. Yesterday is the day before today; use a past-time sentence, such as “I called yesterday.” | Kal can mean yesterday or tomorrow in Hindi. Yesterday is the day before today; use a past-time sentence, such as “I called yesterday.” |
| Yesterday I was sick. | कल मैं बीमार था। kal main bimaar tha. Explaining absence | Explaining absence |
| Yesterday we watched a new film. | कल हमने नई फ़िल्म देखी। kal hamne nayi film dekhi. Talking about a film | Talking about a film |
“Yesterday” adds information about time, place, frequency, or how something happens. Its position in the example helps make the meaning clear.
Notice which part of the sentence the word describes. Moving a time or frequency word can change the emphasis, so start with the complete example pattern.
How to use “Yesterday” in English sentences
1. Explaining absence
Yesterday I was sick.
कल मैं बीमार था।
kal main bimaar tha.
2. Talking about a film
Yesterday we watched a new film.
कल हमने नई फ़िल्म देखी।
kal hamne nayi film dekhi.
3. News recount
It rained a lot last night.
कल रात बहुत बारिश हुई।
kal raat bahut baarish hui.
Common mistakes with “Yesterday”
Instead of
Yesterday I were sick.
Say this
Yesterday I was sick.
This past-time sentence uses was with a singular subject. Were goes with you, we, they, or a plural subject in an ordinary past statement.
Instead of
Yesterday Me was sick.
Say this
Yesterday I was sick.
Use I for the person doing or experiencing the action. Me cannot replace I as the subject of this sentence.
Catching up after a missed call
Read both roles. Say the English lines out loud before checking the Hindi meaning.
Partner
Where did you go yesterday?
Show Hindi meaning
कल तुम कहाँ गए थे?
kal tum kahaan gaye the?
You
Yesterday I went to the market.
Show Hindi meaning
कल मैं बाज़ार गया था।
kal main bazaar gaya tha.
Partner
I had called last night.
Show Hindi meaning
कल रात मैंने फ़ोन किया था।
kal raat maine phone kiya tha.
You
Yes, I missed the phone yesterday, sorry.
Show Hindi meaning
हाँ, कल फ़ोन मिस्स हो गया, माफ़ करना।
haan, kal phone miss ho gaya, maaf karna.
Your turn: use “Yesterday”
Say this in English: कल हमने नई फ़िल्म देखी। (kal hamne nayi film dekhi.)
Reveal sample answer
Yesterday we watched a new film.
कल हमने नई फ़िल्म देखी।
kal hamne nayi film dekhi.
Compare your word order with “Yesterday we watched a new film.” Then use the same pattern to say something about your own day.
Questions about “Yesterday” in English
Kal ko English mein kya kehte hain?
कल (kal) can be expressed as “Yesterday” in English. Kal can mean yesterday or tomorrow in Hindi. Yesterday is the day before today; use a past-time sentence, such as “I called yesterday.”
What does “Yesterday” mean in Hindi?
In the sense taught here, “Yesterday” means कल (kal). Kal can mean yesterday or tomorrow in Hindi. Yesterday is the day before today; use a past-time sentence, such as “I called yesterday.”
How do I use “Yesterday” in a sentence?
Yesterday we watched a new film. Hindi meaning: कल हमने नई फ़िल्म देखी। (kal hamne nayi film dekhi.). “Yesterday” adds information about time, place, frequency, or how something happens. Its position in the example helps make the meaning clear.
What should I watch for when using “Yesterday”?
Kal can mean yesterday or tomorrow in Hindi. Yesterday is the day before today; use a past-time sentence, such as “I called yesterday.”
