Universal Core Vocabulary · Episode 29
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.
able to do many different things well
बहुमुखी
Usage
Hardik Pandya is a versatile all-rounder.
Rice is a versatile food used in many dishes.
Common mistake
The weather is very versatile this week.
The weather is very changeable this week.
Versatile praises skill; for weather, say changeable.
Remember: Versatile: many skills in one.
a general idea, not a real physical thing
अमूर्त विचार
Usage
Justice is an abstraction, but its effects are real.
Maths deals with abstractions like numbers and shapes.
Common mistake
Justice is an abstraction we can see and touch.
Justice is an abstraction we cannot see or touch.
An abstraction is an idea, not a thing you can touch.
Remember: Abstraction: an idea in your head.
a slow build-up of something over time
संचय, जमाव
Usage
The accumulation of garbage blocked the drain.
Years of saving led to an accumulation of wealth.
Common mistake
There was a big accumulate of snow on the road.
There was a big accumulation of snow on the road.
Accumulate is the verb; accumulation is the noun.
Remember: Accumulation: things pile up.
including everything, with nothing extra to pay
सर्वसमावेशी, सब कुछ शामिल
Usage
The Goa package is all-inclusive: food, hotel and travel.
The all-inclusive fee covers books and meals.
Common mistake
The all inclusive price is ten thousand rupees.
The all-inclusive price is ten thousand rupees.
Before a noun, it takes a hyphen.
Remember: All-inclusive: all things included.
showing information with hands or dials, not digits
एनालॉग (सुई वाली)
Usage
Grandfather still wears an analog watch.
Old radios used analog signals.
Common mistake
My analog watch shows the time in numbers only.
My digital watch shows the time in numbers only.
Digital shows numbers; analog uses hands.
Remember: Analog: hands on a dial; digital: digits.
chosen by chance or by one person, not by reason
मनमाना
Usage
The principal's arbitrary rules upset the students.
The order of names was arbitrary, not by rank.
Common mistake
The judge gave an arbitrary ruling after studying every fact.
The judge gave a fair ruling after studying every fact.
Arbitrary means without a good reason.
Remember: Arbitrary: by whim, not by rule.
to come together, or to put parts together
इकट्ठा होना; जोड़ना
Usage
Students assembled in the hall for prize day.
It took us an hour to assemble the new bookshelf.
Common mistake
We assembled together in the school ground.
We assembled in the school ground.
Assemble already means come together.
Remember: At school assembly, everyone assembles.
confident; or certain to happen
आत्मविश्वासी; निश्चित
Usage
She gave an assured speech at the debate.
With eight wickets left, India's win looked assured.
Common mistake
Rest assure, your seat is booked.
Rest assured, your seat is booked.
The phrase is rest assured, with -ed.
Remember: Assured: sure of yourself.
an extremely cruel and violent act
अत्याचार, क्रूरता
Usage
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre was a terrible atrocity.
The world must never forget the atrocities of war.
Common mistake
Missing the bus today was a real atrocity.
Missing the bus today was a real nuisance.
Atrocity is for terrible cruelty, not small problems.
Remember: Atrocity: an atrocious, cruel act.
a large wild animal; or a cruel person
जानवर, पशु; दरिंदा
Usage
The lion is called the king of beasts.
In the film, the landlord was a beast to the farmers.
Common mistake
My little kitten is a beast of burden.
A donkey is a beast of burden.
A beast of burden carries loads, like a donkey.
Remember: Beast: big, wild, fierce.