A Door Into Hindi: Lesson 19

बर्फ़ is an unusual word in that it can be either masculine or feminine. When it is feminine, it means "snow" and when it is masculine, it means "ice."

For example:
बर्फ़ पड़ रही है। (Snow is falling)
बर्फ़ के बिना पानी दीजिये। (Give me water without ice)

बरफ़ is an accepted alternate spelling (and pronunciation) in Hindi.

See Snell's Teach Yourself Hindi (2000) Section