Universal Core Vocabulary · Episode 13
Pick the English-only version or the Hindi version (English lesson with Hindi meanings) above; the video keeps your place when you switch.
Below in teaching order, as in the video: related words sit side by side so you can compare them.
native to a place; living there from the earliest times
देशज, स्वदेशी, मूल निवासी
Usage
The Toda people are indigenous to the Nilgiri hills.
Neem is indigenous to the Indian subcontinent.
Common mistake
The tiger is indigenous of India.
The tiger is indigenous to India.
We say indigenous to a place.
Remember: Indigenous = first at home there.
required by a rule or law; compulsory
अनिवार्य
Usage
Wearing a helmet is mandatory for bike riders.
Attendance at the workshop is mandatory.
Common mistake
It is mandatory that you can come if you like.
It is optional; you can come if you like.
Mandatory means you must; for a free choice, say optional.
Remember: Mandatory = no choice; must.
a person who lives in or is inside a place or vehicle
निवासी, अधिभोगी
Usage
The occupants of the building left during the fire drill.
The flat's previous occupant left a bicycle.
Common mistake
The occupation of flat 4 is a retired teacher.
The occupant of flat 4 is a retired teacher.
Occupation is a job; the occupant is the person living there.
Remember: Occupant = whoever is inside.
directly connected with what is being discussed
प्रासंगिक, उचित
Usage
She asked a very pertinent question.
Keep your answer pertinent to the topic.
Common mistake
His reply was not pertinent with the question.
His reply was not pertinent to the question.
We say pertinent to something.
Remember: Pertinent = on the point.
able to recover quickly after difficulty
लचीला, जल्दी उबरने वाला
Usage
Children are often more resilient than adults think.
The farmers proved resilient after the flood.
Common mistake
She showed great resilient after the loss.
She showed great resilience after the loss.
Resilient is the adjective; the noun is resilience.
Remember: Resilient = bounces back.
showing something that was hidden or not known
रहस्योद्घाटक, खुलासा करने वाला
Usage
The survey gave a revealing picture of student life.
It was a revealing interview with the coach.
Common mistake
The test was very revealed about his skills.
The test was very revealing about his skills.
To describe what shows the truth, use revealing; revealed is a verb form.
Remember: Revealing = lets the secret show.
a person or thing used instead of another
विकल्प, स्थानापन्न
Usage
A substitute took our class for a week.
There is no substitute for hard work.
Common mistake
You can substitute sugar by honey.
You can substitute honey for sugar.
Substitute the new thing for the old thing.
Remember: Substitute = the stand-in.
putting one person or thing in place of another
प्रतिस्थापन
Usage
The coach made a substitution in the second half.
The substitution of oil for ghee made the food lighter.
Common mistake
The substitution player scored a goal.
The substitute player scored a goal.
Substitution is the act; the person is the substitute.
Remember: Substitution = the swap itself.
small and not obvious, but important
सूक्ष्म, बारीक
Usage
There is a subtle difference between the two words.
She noticed a subtle change in his voice.
Common mistake
He spoke subtle so nobody felt hurt.
He spoke subtly so nobody felt hurt.
After a verb, use the adverb subtly. The b is silent.
Remember: Subtle = quiet, fine, silent b.
standing for an important idea or feeling
प्रतीकात्मक
Usage
The lotus is symbolic of purity.
Lighting the lamp was a symbolic start to the event.
Common mistake
The dove is a symbolic of peace.
The dove is a symbol of peace.
Symbolic is the adjective; the noun is symbol.
Remember: Symbolic = it stands for more.