The English word on is short and simple, but its meaning can vary depending on how it’s used in a sentence. When translating on into Marathi, the equivalent word also depends on context. Marathi, like many other Indian languages, uses different words for on based on whether the sentence is talking about time, place, position, or condition. Understanding these differences is essential for accurate and meaningful translation. This topic explores how to translate on in Marathi, with examples and explanations that help readers grasp the right usage in different situations.
Basic Meaning of On in Marathi
The most direct translation of on in Marathi isवर (var). This is commonly used when describing something that is physically placed or situated on top of something else.
Example:
- The book is on the table. âपà¥à¤¸à¥à¤¤à¤ à¤à¥à¤¬à¤²à¤µà¤° à¤à¤¹à¥. (Pustak tebalvar aahe.)
In this case, on indicates physical contact or position above a surface, and ‘वर’ is the appropriate translation. However, English uses on in many ways that go beyond physical placement, so it’s important to look at those different uses and their Marathi equivalents.
Translation of On Based on Context
1. On Indicating Time
In English, on is used to indicate specific days and dates. For example:
- We have a meeting on Monday.
- The exam is on the 15th of August.
In Marathi, ला (lÄ) is often used in these contexts.
Translation:
- à¤à¤ªà¤²à¥ बà¥à¤ ठसà¥à¤®à¤µà¤¾à¤°à¤²à¤¾à¤à¤¹à¥. (ÄpalÄ« baithak somavÄrlÄÄhe.)
- परà¥à¤à¥à¤·à¤¾ पà¤à¤§à¤°à¤¾à¤µà¥à¤¯à¤¾ à¤à¤ सà¥à¤à¤²à¤¾à¤à¤¹à¥. (ParÄ«ká¹£Ä pandharÄvyÄ Ågasá¹lÄÄhe.)
This shows that on in the context of time becomes ला in Marathi, not वर.
2. On Indicating a Device or Medium
English uses on to refer to devices or platforms like phones, TVs, or the internet.
- I saw it on TV.
- She is talking on the phone.
- It’s available on the website.
In Marathi, the word वर is still often used, but sometimes it’s part of a phrase.
Translation:
- मॠतॠà¤à¥à¤µà¥à¤¹à¥à¤µà¤°à¤ªà¤¾à¤¹à¤¿à¤²à¤. (MÄ« te á¹Ä«vhÄ«varpÄhilaá¹.)
- तॠफà¥à¤¨à¤µà¤°à¤¬à¥à¤²à¤¤ à¤à¤¹à¥. (TÄ« phÅnvarbÅlat Ähe.)
- तॠवà¥à¤¬à¤¸à¤¾à¤à¤à¤µà¤°à¤à¤ªà¤²à¤¬à¥à¤§ à¤à¤¹à¥. (Te websÄ’iá¹varupalabdh Ähe.)
3. On as a Condition or Status
On can describe conditions or statuses, such as:
- The lights are on.
- The computer is on.
In Marathi, this is usually expressed using descriptive verbs or adjectives, and not a direct translation of on.
Translation:
- लाà¤à¤ à¤à¤¾à¤²à¥ à¤à¤¹à¥. (LÄ’iá¹ chÄlu Ähe.) – The light is running.
- सà¤à¤ णठसà¥à¤°à¥ à¤à¤¹à¥. (Saá¹ gaá¹ak surÅ« Ähe.) – The computer is started.
Here, on is interpreted as ‘à¤à¤¾à¤²à¥’ or ‘सà¥à¤°à¥,’ meaning functioning or operating, rather than a spatial preposition.
4. On in Reference to Subjects or Topics
Sometimes on is used to refer to a subject matter:
- A book on history
- A lecture on science
In Marathi, the phrase विषयॠ(viṣayī) is used, meaning about or regarding.
Translation:
- à¤à¤¤à¤¿à¤¹à¤¾à¤¸à¤µà¤¿à¤·à¤¯à¥à¤ªà¥à¤¸à¥à¤¤à¤ (ItihÄsviá¹£ayÄ«pustak)
- विà¤à¥à¤à¤¾à¤¨à¤µà¤¿à¤·à¤¯à¥à¤µà¥à¤¯à¤¾à¤à¥à¤¯à¤¾à¤¨ (VijñÄnviá¹£ayÄ«vyÄkhyÄn)
This reflects how the preposition changes meaning when connected to abstract concepts.
5. On as Dependency or Basis
Sometimes on means based on or depending on.
- The decision is based on facts.
- The result depends on your performance.
In Marathi, वर is used again, but it takes on the meaning of based upon.
Translation:
- निरà¥à¤£à¤¯ तथà¥à¤¯à¤¾à¤à¤µà¤°à¤à¤§à¤¾à¤°à¤¿à¤¤ à¤à¤¹à¥. (Nirá¹ay tathyaá¹varÄdhÄrit Ähe.)
- निà¤à¤¾à¤² तà¥à¤®à¤à¥à¤¯à¤¾ à¤à¤¾à¤®à¤ िरà¥à¤µà¤°à¤ वलà¤à¤¬à¥à¤¨ à¤à¤¹à¥. (Nikal tumchyÄ kÄmgirÄ«varavalambÅ«n Ähe.)
Summary of On in Marathi Translation
Here is a quick overview of how the English word on translates into Marathi, depending on the context:
| English Use | Marathi Equivalent | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Position | वर (var) | The pen is on the desk. â पà¥à¤¨ डà¥à¤¸à¥à¤à¤µà¤° à¤à¤¹à¥. |
| Time | ला (lÄ) | On Sunday â रविवारला |
| Device or Platform | वर (var) | On phone â फà¥à¤¨à¤µà¤° |
| Status (lights on) | à¤à¤¾à¤²à¥ / सà¥à¤°à¥ | The fan is on â पà¤à¤à¤¾ à¤à¤¾à¤²à¥ à¤à¤¹à¥ |
| Topic or Subject | विषयॠ(viá¹£ayÄ«) | Book on science â विà¤à¥à¤à¤¾à¤¨ विषयावर पà¥à¤¸à¥à¤¤à¤ |
| Based upon / Depending | वर (var) | Based on facts â तथà¥à¤¯à¤¾à¤à¤µà¤° à¤à¤§à¤¾à¤°à¤¿à¤¤ |
Why Context Matters in Translation
The word on may seem easy to translate, but its meaning shifts across different uses. In Marathi, prepositions are highly contextual, and directly translating without understanding the sentence can lead to incorrect or awkward phrasing. That’s why it’s essential to know whether on refers to time, location, condition, or basis when trying to find the right Marathi word.
Translating on into Marathi is not a one-size-fits-all process. The most common translation is वर, but it changes depending on what the sentence is trying to express. Understanding the context is key to choosing the correct equivalent whether it’s ला for time, विषयॠfor topics, or à¤à¤¾à¤²à¥ for operational states. This awareness is especially important for translators, language learners, and anyone working with multilingual content. With proper understanding and examples, using the word on in Marathi becomes much clearer and more accurate, enriching both communication and comprehension.