Universal Core Vocabulary · Episode 21
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.
with a name that is not known or not given
गुमनाम, अज्ञात
Usage
The police received an anonymous call about a stolen scooter.
The donor of the new library asked to remain anonymous.
Common mistake
The writer of the letter is anonymously.
The writer of the letter is anonymous.
After 'is', use the adjective, not the adverb.
Remember: An-onym-ous: 'an' = no, 'onym' = name.
thanks, or an understanding of something's worth
सराहना, कृतज्ञता
Usage
Meera gave her neighbours sweets as a token of her appreciation.
Tagore had a deep appreciation of nature.
Common mistake
We want to show our appreciation to your help.
We want to show our appreciation for your help.
We show appreciation for something.
Remember: Appreciate the good, then show your appreciation.
needing great effort; very hard and tiring
कठिन, श्रमसाध्य
Usage
The trek to Kedarnath is long and arduous.
Preparing for UPSC while working is an arduous task.
Common mistake
She showed arduous love for her country.
She showed ardent love for her country.
Ardent means passionate; arduous means very hard.
Remember: ARDuous work is HARD work.
something that causes or speeds up change
उत्प्रेरक
Usage
The new metro line was a catalyst for growth in the area.
The 1991 reforms acted as a catalyst for India's IT boom.
Common mistake
The new rule catalysted faster growth.
The new rule was a catalyst for faster growth.
Catalyst is a noun, not a verb.
Remember: A catalyst makes change happen faster.
complete disorder and confusion
अव्यवस्था, अफ़रा-तफ़री
Usage
The sudden power cut caused chaos at the railway station.
After the heavy rain, the roads of Bengaluru were in chaos.
Common mistake
There were many chaoses at the station today.
There was a lot of chaos at the station today.
Chaos is uncountable: it has no plural.
Remember: Chaos starts with a K sound: KAY-os.
a company that gives expert advice in a field
सलाहकार फ़र्म, परामर्श सेवा
Usage
After her MBA, Priya joined a consultancy in Gurugram.
He runs a small engineering consultancy in Kochi.
Common mistake
I have a consultancy with the doctor at five.
I have a consultation with the doctor at five.
A meeting to get advice is a consultation.
Remember: A consultancy is a business full of consultants.
not having enough of something that is needed
कमी वाला, अपर्याप्त
Usage
The doctor said Arjun is deficient in vitamin D.
A diet deficient in iron can make you tired.
Common mistake
Our school is deficient of good teachers.
Our school is deficient in good teachers.
We say deficient in something.
Remember: Deficient, like deficit: less than you need.
to openly refuse to obey a person or a rule
अवज्ञा करना, खुलकर विरोध करना
Usage
The students defied the principal's order.
The young gymnast seemed to defy gravity.
Common mistake
He defied against his father's wishes.
He defied his father's wishes.
Defy needs no preposition: defy someone.
Remember: To defy is to stand up and say no.
to see or show how two things are different
अंतर करना, भेद करना
Usage
Young children slowly learn to differentiate between colours.
It is hard to differentiate between the twins.
Common mistake
Can you differentiate Darjeeling tea with Assam tea?
Can you differentiate Darjeeling tea from Assam tea?
We differentiate one thing from another.
Remember: Differentiate means find the difference.
getting rid of something; also, being ready for use
निपटान; (at your disposal) आपके उपयोग के लिए
Usage
Indore is building a plant for the safe disposal of plastic.
The hotel put a car and driver at our disposal.
Common mistake
Proper disposition of old batteries protects the soil.
Proper disposal of old batteries protects the soil.
Disposition means nature or mood.
Remember: Dispose of it, and that is its disposal.