English Words That Sound Alike: Homophones with Hindi Meanings

English spelling is full of words that sound the same but are spelled differently and mean different things. They're called homophones, and they trip up native speakers too.

Common pairs

Words	Hindi meanings	Example
write / right	लिखना / सही, दायाँ	Write your name. Turn right.
buy / by / bye	खरीदना / द्वारा, पास / अलविदा	I buy bread.
hear / here	सुनना / यहाँ	I can hear you. Come here.
see / sea	देखना / समुद्र	I see the sea.
no / know	नहीं / जानना	I know the answer.
wear / where	पहनना / कहाँ	Wear a coat. Where is it?
weather / whether	मौसम / क्या (कि)	The weather is nice.
two / too / to	दो / भी, बहुत / को, तक	Two people came too.
sun / son	सूरज / बेटा	The sun is bright.
week / weak	सप्ताह / कमज़ोर	I feel weak this week.

The big three

• their — उनका (belonging to them): Their house is big.
• there — वहाँ (that place): Put it there.
• they're — वे हैं (they are): They're my friends.

Similar trios:

• your (आपका) and you're (आप हैं)
• its (उसका) and it's (यह है)

How to remember

1. Learn pairs together, contrasting them in sentences.
2. Use a memory trick: here, there and where all end in -here and all refer to places.
3. Read aloud to notice the sound is the same.
4. Check spelling after writing.

In exams

Homophones appear in error-spotting and fill-in-the-blank questions. A dictionary app helps you check the meaning of both spellings quickly.