दान / Charity

दान (pronounced ‘daan’) is when we give money, time, or resources with no strings attached and with no expectation of getting anything back. It is to help people who are in need. It can be a way to show kindness and compassion to others, and to make a positive difference in the world.

भीक / Compassionate Aid given out of pity

भीक (pronounced ‘bheek’) is a Hindi word that means “aid” or “relief.” It is given to someone in need and it’s given as an act of compassion and with a feeling of pity for the recipient. It is a kind of small help or assistance provided to someone in a difficult situation because the recipient is in a pitiable state.

भिक्षा / Alms

भिक्षा (pronounced ‘bheeksha’) is the practice of giving to monks, nuns, and other spiritual seekers who have renounced material possessions and rely on the generosity of others for their basic needs. In Hinduism, the practice of भिक्षा is seen as a way to accumulate merit and purify the mind. It is often done as an act of devotion or selfless service, with the goal of cultivating compassion and detachment from material possessions. भिक्षा can be given in the form of food, clothing, or other basic necessities.

चढ़ावा / Offering to Almighty

चढ़ावा (pronounced ‘chadava’) is a religious offering is a gift or donation that is made to a deity or to a religious organisation as a form of worship or devotion for the almighty. Religious offerings can take many forms, and the specific nature of the offering may depend on the specific religious tradition or belief system of the person making the offering. In many religious traditions, offerings are made as a way of expressing gratitude or seeking favour from the deity or deities being worshipped. They may also be made as a way of fulfilling a religious obligation or making a sacrifice.

दक्षिणा / Offering to priest

दक्षिणा (pronounced ‘dakshina’) is also used in Hinduism to refer to a monetary offering or gift that is made to a priest, guru, or other religious figure as a sign of respect or gratitude. In this context, it is often given at the end of a religious ceremony or ritual, and is seen as a way of expressing appreciation for the guidance or teachings received from the priest for his service.

चंदा / Donation

चंदा (pronounced ‘chanda’) is often used to refer to a specific amount of money that is requested or required as a contribution for a specific cause. चंदा is given whether one is religious or not. It can be given towards organising social events and ceremonies, and may at times be binding to be included in community organising the event or ceremony.

कर्ज / Loan

कर्ज (pronounced ‘karz’) refers to a debt that is owed to someone else, and is typically used in the context of financial transactions or loans. It can refer to short-term debts, such as credit card balances, or long-term debts, such as mortgages or student loans. For example, a person has taken out a कर्ज to buy a home.

उधार / Lending

उधार (pronounced ‘udhaar’) is the act of providing money or other financial assets to someone in exchange for their agreement to pay it back at a later date, typically with interest. उधार is a common practice in the financial industry, and can take many forms, including personal loans, mortgage loans, and business loans.

ऋण / Indebtedness

ऋण (pronounced ‘wrin’) refers to a debt that is owed to a person or a society or to one’s community, such as a debt of gratitude or a moral obligation. For example, Pitr Rin (पितृ ऋण)is a term in Hinduism that refers to a debt that is owed to one’s ancestors. It is believed that each person has a moral obligation to honour and respect their ancestors, and that failing to do so can create negative karma that can affect one’s current and future lives.

वेतन / Wages

वेतन (pronounced ‘waten’) is a form of payment made to employees in exchange for their work. वेतन is typically paid to employees who work on an hourly or shift basis, rather than on a salary basis. Hourly workers are typically paid a set rate for each hour they work, and may be eligible for overtime pay if they work more than a certain number of hours in a week.

तनख्वा / Salary

तनख्वा (pronounced ‘thangkhwa’) is a regular payment made by an employer to an employee in exchange for the employee’s work. तनख्वा is typically paid to employees who work on a full-time or part-time basis, and are often accompanied by other benefits, such as vacation time, sick leave, and health insurance. In some cases, employees may also receive bonuses, commissions, or other forms of additional compensation based on their performance or the success of the company.

शुल्क / Fee

शुल्क (pronounced ‘shulk’) is a sum of money that is charged for a particular service or privilege. शुल्क is typically paid to professionals or organisations in exchange for their expertise or for the use of a particular facility or resource. शुल्क is often based on the time or effort required to provide the service, or on the value of the service or resource being provided.

उपहार / Gift on an occasion

उपहार (pronounced ‘uphaar’) is a more formal term that is often used to refer to a gift that is given as a sign of respect, appreciation, or gratitude. It can be given to someone to celebrate a special occasion, such as a birthday or anniversary, or as a token of appreciation for something that person has done.

भेंट / Gift out of goodwill

भेंट (pronounced ‘bhent’), on the other hand, is a more casual term that is often used to refer to a gift that is given without any particular occasion or reason. It might be given simply as a gesture of friendship or goodwill.

बक्शीश / Tip

बक्शीश (pronounced ‘baksheesh’) is a sum of money that is given voluntarily by a customer to a service provider as a way of expressing appreciation for the service received. Tips are typically given in the service industry, such as at restaurants, hotels, or salons, and are usually given in addition to the regular price of the service. The amount of a tip is typically based on the quality of the service received and the customer’s personal preference. Tips are generally considered to be optional, and there is no obligation for a customer to leave a tip. In some cases, service providers, such as waiters or taxi drivers, may rely on tips as a significant part of their income.

रिश्वत / Bribe

रिश्वत (pronounced ‘rishwat’) is a payment or gift given to someone with the intention of influencing their behaviour or actions. It is generally considered to be a corrupt practice and is illegal in many countries. रिश्वत can take many forms, including cash payments, gifts, favours, or other forms of compensation given to someone in a position of power or authority in exchange for their help or cooperation. रिश्वत is often associated with corruption, as it is often used to gain an unfair advantage or to sway decisions in favor of the person or group offering the bribe.

इनाम / Reward

इनाम (pronounced ‘enaam’) is something that is given or received in return for good behaviour, achievement, or service. Rewards can take many forms, and the specific nature of the reward may depend on the context and the goals of the person or organisation offering it. Rewards may be given to encourage or motivate people to perform a particular task or to achieve a specific goal. They may be used as a way of recognising and celebrating accomplishment, or as a way of reinforcing positive behaviour.

पुरस्कार / Award

पुरस्कार (pronounced ‘puruskaar’) is a recognition or honour given to someone for their achievement, excellence, or service. Awards may be given to recognise outstanding performance or achievement in a particular field, such as education, the arts, sports, or science. They may also be given to recognise service to others or to the community, or to honour someone for their contributions to a particular cause or issue. Awards can be tangible items, such as medals, trophies, or certificates, or they can be intangible, such as recognition or public acknowledgement of the achievement.

दहेज / Dowry

दहेज (pronounced ‘dahej’) refers to the money, goods, or property that a bride’s family gives to the groom’s family as part of a marriage arrangement. Traditionally marriages in India were done at a very young age. The दहेज was given as a gift to the young married couple so that they could start living comfortably immediately after their marriage. Over time, dowry became a demand from the groom’s side to the bride’s family, leading to tension and conflict within the families. The practice of दहेज is illegal under the Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961.

गुज़ारा / जेब खर्च / Subsistence Allowance

गुज़ारा (pronounced ‘gujara’) / जेब खर्च (pronounced ‘jeb kharj’) is typically based on the estimated cost of living in the location where the individual will be staying, and may include expenses such as food, housing, and other basic necessities. गुज़ारा / जेब खर्च are usually intended to cover the additional costs of living away from home, and are not intended to replace an individual’s regular salary or wages.

मुआव्ज़ा / Compensation

मुआव्ज़ा (pronounced ‘muawza’) is a word in Hindi that means “repayment” or “compensation.” It is often used in the context of fulfilling a financial obligation or debt, or to refer to the act of making amends for something that has been done wrong. In a broader sense, tankhwa can also refer to the act of making amends for something that has been done wrong, such as apologising for causing harm or offering compensation for damages. In this context, मुआव्ज़ा is seen as a way to restore balance and harmony and to repair relationships that have been damaged.

भरण-पोषण / Alimony

भरण-पोषण (pronounced ‘bharan poshan’) is a payment made by one spouse to the other following a divorce or separation. It is intended to provide financial support to the recipient spouse, and may be ordered by a court as part of the divorce or separation process. The purpose of भरण-पोषण is to help the recipient spouse maintain a standard of living similar to what they had during the marriage, and to allow them time to become financially independent if necessary.

खैरात / Grant

खैरात (pronounced ‘kheiraat’) is a sum of money or other resources provided by a government, organisation, or individual for a specific purpose, such as to fund research, support a project, or provide financial assistance to individuals or groups in need. खैरात is typically given to support specific activities or projects, rather than to provide ongoing support or funding. They may have specific requirements or restrictions on how the funds can be used, and recipients may be required to report on their progress or achievements in order to receive continued funding.

हफ्ता / संरक्षण धन – Protection Money

हफ्ता (pronounced ‘hafta’) / संरक्षण धन (pronounced ‘sanrakshan dhan’) is a sum of money that is paid by an individual or business to a criminal organisation or other group in exchange for protection or immunity from harm. हफ्ता / संरक्षण धन is typically paid on a regular basis, and the amount of the payment may be negotiated between the parties.
हफ्ता / संरक्षण धन is often paid by businesses or individuals who are operating in a high-risk or unstable environment, and who feel that they need additional protection in order to operate safely. It is also sometimes paid by people who are afraid of being targeted by criminals or who want to avoid being caught up in criminal activity.

फिरौती / Ransom

फिरौती (pronounced ‘phirautee’) is a sum of money or other valuable consideration that is demanded or paid in exchange for the release of someone who has been taken captive or held against their will. The term is often used in the context of kidnappings, where the kidnappers demand a ransom from the victim’s family or associates in exchange for the victim’s release.