खेलना
khelnā
/ˈkʰel.nɑː/
Definition
To play — to take part in a game, sport, or fun activity.
Example
बच्चे पार्क में खेल रहे हैं।
Show translation
The children are playing in the park.
Etymology
From Sanskrit **क्रीडन** (krīḍana, "playing, sport"), via Prakrit and Apabhraṃśa forms. The Sanskrit root **क्रीड्** (krīḍ) means "to play or amuse oneself" and is also the source of the Hindi noun **खेल** (game/sport). The infinitive suffix **-ना** is the standard Hindi verb ending.
Cultural note
Cricket (क्रिकेट) is by far India's most popular sport, and खेलना is the verb used for virtually all games and sports — you खेलना cricket, kabaddi, chess, and even video games. The noun form **खेल** also carries a figurative sense of "trick" or "scheme" (e.g., *यह तो उसका खेल है* — "This is his game/trick"), so context matters.