What Is a Noun? (Sangya Kise Kahate Hain): Definition, Identification, Types, and Examples
3m | Oct 26, 2026A noun (Sangya) is one of the most important topics in Hindi grammar. Whenever we name a person, place, object, living being, substance, or feeling, we use a noun. If you want to read, write, and understand the Hindi language correctly, it is essential to learn what a noun is, its definition, meaning, types, and examples.
Questions related to nouns are frequently asked in school examinations, competitive examinations, and general knowledge tests. In this article, we will explain what a noun is, how to identify it, how many types of nouns there are, and how to remember them easily with examples.
What Is a Noun? – Sangya Kise Kahate Hain
A noun is a word that refers to the name of a person, object, place, living being, substance, or feeling.
In simple words, words that give names are called nouns. Everything around us, including people, places, objects, and feelings, has a name. These names are called nouns.
Examples of Nouns
- Ram is going to school.
- Delhi is the capital of India.
- A cow is a useful animal.
- Water is essential for life.
- Honesty is a great virtue.
In the examples above, Ram, Delhi, cow, water, and honesty are all nouns because they refer to names of people, places, living beings, substances, or qualities.
Meaning of Noun – Sangya Ka Arth
The meaning of the word Sangya is "name" or "identity." In other words, a word that identifies a person, place, object, living being, substance, or feeling is called a noun.
For example, when someone says "school," we imagine an educational institution. Similarly, when we hear "India," we think of a country, and when we hear the word "love," we understand a feeling. Therefore, all these words are examples of nouns.
Most of the names we use in our daily lives are nouns. This is why the study of Hindi grammar often begins with nouns (Sangya).
Definition of Noun – Sangya Ki Paribhasha
A noun is an important part of speech in Hindi grammar. A noun is a variable word that refers to the name of a person, object, place, living being, substance, group, quality, state, or feeling.
In other words, words that identify a person, object, place, or feeling are called nouns.
Simple Definition of a Noun
A word that names a person, object, place, living being, substance, or feeling is called a noun.
Definition of a Noun According to Grammar
A variable word that refers to the name of a person, object, place, substance, class, group, quality, or feeling is called a noun.
How to Identify a Noun – Sangya Pehchanne Ka Tarika
Many students wonder how to determine whether a word is a noun. You can use the following simple methods to identify nouns.
1. Names of People
If a word gives the name of a person, it is a noun.
Examples: Ram, Mohan, Seema, Reena, Amit.
2. Names of Places
Words that name a place are also nouns.
Examples: India, Delhi, Agra, Lucknow, Jaipur.
3. Names of Objects
Words that name objects are called nouns.
Examples: Book, table, chair, mobile phone, pen.
4. Names of Living Beings and Animals
The names of human beings, animals, birds, and other living creatures are also nouns.
Examples: Cow, lion, elephant, bird, dog.
5. Names of Substances
Words that name materials or substances are called nouns.
Examples: Water, milk, gold, silver, oil.
6. Names of Feelings or Qualities
Words that express feelings, qualities, or states can also be nouns.
Examples: Love, happiness, honesty, courage, friendship.
If a word belongs to any of the categories mentioned above, it is likely to be a noun.
How Many Types of Nouns Are There? – Sangya Ke Bhed
In Hindi Grammar, nouns are commonly divided into five main types. Each type has a different meaning and use.
The five types of nouns are:
- Proper Noun (Vyaktivachak Sangya)
- Common Noun (Jativachak Sangya)
- Abstract Noun (Bhavvachak Sangya)
- Material Noun (Dravyavachak Sangya)
- Collective Noun (Samuhvachak Sangya)
Let us understand each type with simple definitions and examples.
1. Proper Noun – Vyaktivachak Sangya
A proper noun refers to a particular person, place, or specific entity.
Examples: Ram, Sita, India, Delhi, Ganga.
In these examples, each word identifies a specific person, place, or entity. Therefore, they are proper nouns.
2. Common Noun – Jativachak Sangya
A common noun refers to an entire class or category of people, animals, places, or things rather than one particular individual.
Examples: Boy, girl, book, school, teacher.
For example, the word "boy" refers to any boy, not one specific person. Therefore, it is a common noun.
3. Abstract Noun – Bhavvachak Sangya
An abstract noun refers to a feeling, quality, state, or idea that cannot usually be experienced through the physical senses.
Examples: Love, kindness, courage, friendship, honesty.
For example, love and honesty are feelings or qualities rather than physical objects. Therefore, they are abstract nouns.
4. Material Noun – Dravyavachak Sangya
A material noun refers to a substance, material, or matter used to make things. Such substances can often be weighed or measured.
Examples:
- Water
- Milk
- Gold
- Silver
- Iron
- Oil
- Salt
- Sugar
For example, gold is a material used to make jewellery, while iron is used to manufacture tools and machines. Therefore, these words are examples of material nouns.
5. Collective Noun – Samuhvachak Sangya
A collective noun refers to a group of people, animals, or things considered as a single unit.
Examples:
- Army
- Family
- Herd
- Team
- Class
- Committee
- Crowd
- Group
For example, the word "family" refers to a group of people related to one another. Similarly, "army" refers to an organized group of soldiers. Both are collective nouns.
Examples of Nouns – Sangya Ke Udaharan
The following table will help you understand nouns and their types easily.
Noun
Type of Noun
Ram
Proper Noun
India
Proper Noun
Boy
Common Noun
School
Common Noun
Love
Abstract Noun
Happiness
Abstract Noun
Water
Material Noun
Gold
Material Noun
Family
Collective Noun
Army
Collective Noun
20 Examples of Nouns – Sangya Ke 20 Udaharan
Below are 20 simple and important examples of nouns:
- Ram
- Sita
- India
- Delhi
- School
- Book
- Tree
- River
- Farmer
- Cow
- Lion
- Child
- Water
- Milk
- Gold
- Love
- Honesty
- Courage
- Family
- Army
These examples show that nouns are not limited to the names of people. They can also refer to places, objects, substances, feelings, qualities, and groups.
Easy Tricks to Identify Nouns – Sangya Pehchanne Ki Asan Trick
If you find it difficult to identify a noun in a sentence, use the following simple tricks.
- If a word names a person, place, object, living being, substance, or feeling, it is a noun.
- If hearing a word brings a particular name or identity to mind, it may be a noun.
- Ask questions such as "Who?", "What?", or "What is the name?" The answer is often a noun.
- In many cases, if you can place the word "a" or "an" before it, it may be a noun. For example: a book, a boy, a school. However, this trick does not work for every noun.
- Pay special attention to words that name people, places, things, feelings, and groups, as this is the easiest way to recognize nouns.
With regular practice, you can learn to identify nouns quickly and accurately.
Use of Nouns in Sentences
Nouns are used in almost every aspect of daily communication. Here are some examples of nouns used in sentences.
- Ram goes to school to study.
- Mohan is playing cricket.
- India is a great country.
- The Ganga is an important river in India.
- Water is essential for life.
- Honesty is a good quality.
- My family always supports me.
- The army protects the country.
- The farmer works hard in the field.
- A book is an excellent source of knowledge.
In these sentences, words such as Ram, school, Mohan, cricket, India, river, water, honesty, family, army, farmer, field, book, and knowledge function as nouns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a noun?
A noun is a word that refers to the name of a person, place, object, living being, substance, or feeling.
2. What is the definition of a noun?
A noun is a word that names a person, object, place, substance, class, group, quality, or feeling.
3. How many types of nouns are there?
In Hindi grammar, there are five main types of nouns: proper nouns, common nouns, abstract nouns, material nouns, and collective nouns.
4. What is the meaning of a noun?
A noun means a name or identity. The name of any person, place, object, substance, or feeling is called a noun.
5. Write five examples of nouns.
Ram, India, book, water, and love are five examples of nouns.
6. Can a feeling also be a noun?
Yes. Words such as love, kindness, happiness, courage, honesty, and friendship are examples of abstract nouns.
