Universal Core Vocabulary · Episode 34
This episode is in English.
Below in teaching order, as in the video: related words sit side by side so you can compare them.
dealing with problems in a practical, realistic way
व्यावहारिक
Usage
The committee chose a pragmatic solution: repair the old bridge.
Be pragmatic: apply to more than one college.
Common mistake
He is very pragmatic: he dreams of plans that can never work.
He is very idealistic: he dreams of plans that can never work.
Pragmatic people think about what works in real life.
Remember: Pragmatic: practical, with a plan that works.
to treat something as most important and do it first
प्राथमिकता देना
Usage
Students should prioritize the topics that carry more marks.
Hospitals prioritize patients in serious condition.
Common mistake
We must give prioritize to road safety.
We must prioritize road safety.
Prioritize is a verb; or say give priority to.
Remember: Prioritize: put it at the top of the list.
likely to become something in the future
भावी, संभावित
Usage
The college held an open day for prospective students.
A prospective buyer came to see the flat.
Common mistake
Try to see the problem from her prospective.
Try to see the problem from her perspective.
Perspective is a point of view; prospective means future.
Remember: Prospective: a prospect for the future.
the crime of forcing someone to have sex
बलात्कार
Usage
The court convicted the man of rape and sent him to prison.
Survivors of rape can get free legal help.
Common mistake
The thief raped her of her purse on the bus.
The thief robbed her of her purse on the bus.
We say rob someone of something; rape is a sexual crime.
Remember: Rape: a grave crime; use the word with care.
the quality of being dependable every time
विश्वसनीयता
Usage
Buyers choose this scooter for its reliability.
Check the reliability of a news source before sharing it.
Common mistake
The reliable of this bus service is poor.
The reliability of this bus service is poor.
After the, use the noun: reliability.
Remember: Reliability: you can rely on it.
the parts left after the rest has gone
अवशेष
Usage
The remains of an ancient city were found at Dholavira.
We fed the remains of the meal to the dogs.
Common mistake
The remain of the fort is on the hill.
The remains of the fort are on the hill.
Remains is plural: the remains are.
Remember: Remains: what remains when the rest is gone.
deep regret and guilt for doing something wrong
पछतावा, पश्चाताप
Usage
The driver showed no remorse after the accident.
He felt deep remorse for lying to his parents.
Common mistake
She felt remorse when her friend won the prize.
She felt happy when her friend won the prize.
Remorse is guilt for your own wrong, not envy or joy.
Remember: Remorse: the 'sorry' that stays inside.
completely new and causing great change
क्रांतिकारी
Usage
UPI was a revolutionary change in how India pays.
Bhagat Singh was a young revolutionary leader.
Common mistake
Adding one button was a revolutionary change to the phone.
Adding one button was a small change to the phone.
Revolutionary means a huge change, not a small improvement.
Remember: Revolutionary: it turns everything around.
a long gun fired from the shoulder
राइफ़ल
Usage
Abhinav Bindra won Olympic gold in the 10 m air rifle.
The soldier cleaned his rifle after training.
Common mistake
The police found a rifle hidden in his pocket.
The police found a pistol hidden in his pocket.
A rifle is long; a small handgun is a pistol.
Remember: Rifle: a long gun for long shots.
a dishonest plan to cheat people out of money
घोटाला, ठगी
Usage
Never share your OTP: it is a common scam.
Thousands lost money in the fake job scam.
Common mistake
He fell in a scam and lost his savings.
He fell for a scam and lost his savings.
We say fall for a scam.
Remember: Scam: a smooth trick to take your cash.