A Door Into Hindi: Lesson 22

View movie about चीज़ v. बात

· चीज़ is used for a material object.

For example: वह क्या चीज़ थी? = What was that thing?

·        बात is used for more abstract ideas, matters, issues, or something somebody says or thinks.

For example: वह क्या बात थी? = What was that matter?

Compare the following:

· बात करना means to talk (on a specific topic).

For example: कल हम बात करेंगे। = We will talk tomorrow (about a specific or particular topic).

· बातें करना means to have a chat, to converse, to discuss, to talk (but not about anything in particular).

For example: कल हम बतें करेंगे। = We will have a chat tomorrow.

See Snell's Teach Yourself Hindi (2000) Section