मिलना
milnā
/ˈmɪl.nɑː/
Definition
To meet someone, or to be found / obtained. Used for both planned meetings and chance encounters.
Example
कल मुझे मेरा पुराना दोस्त मिला।
Show translation
Yesterday I met my old friend.
Etymology
From Sanskrit *मिलन (milana)*, meaning "union" or "joining together," derived from the root *मिल् (mil-)* — to come together, to blend. The same root gives Hindi the noun **मिलन** (a meeting/union) and the name **मिलन**, popular across South Asia.
Cultural note
मिलना is remarkably versatile in Hindi and does double duty that English splits into two verbs. "मुझे किताब मिली" means "I got/found the book" — the verb covers both *meeting* people and *obtaining* things. This can trip up English speakers who expect two separate words. In Indian culture, the concept of **मिलन** (union, reunion) carries deep emotional and spiritual weight — it appears in classical poetry, Bollywood songs, and religious contexts (e.g., a devotee's मिलन with God).