Want to learn how to tell the date and time in Bengali? You’re in the right place! I’m here to guide you in knowing Bengali months, days, and times in minutes and seconds so you can connect effortlessly with Bengali people. Imagine someone asking you the time in Bengali, and you confidently reply, “7:00 baje akhon” (৭টা বাজে এখন), which means “It is 7:00 now.” This simple reply will help you build a connection with the native speakers, showing your love for the language.
Learning how date and time are expressed in Bengali is equally important to comprehending the language and culture. The Bengali language is as vibrant and rich as its culture and people, reflected in its speech, calendar, and festive traditions. As a native speaker of Bengali, I will introduce you to the date and time in Bengali, the calendar, its months, days, and time-related vocabulary, helping you expand your knowledge.
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Introduction To Date And Time In Bengali
Learning to express date and time in Bengali is a great way to start understanding the rich culture of the region. The Bengali language, which is spoken in West Bengal and Bangladesh, is culturally related to its own calendar, festivals, and routines. Knowledge of date and time in Bengali, days and months, and time makes communication effective and makes you feel more connected with Bengali speakers.
The Bengali calendar begins in mid-April with Poila Boishakh in Bangla Panjika. It is used to mark farming seasons, religious activities, and cultural celebrations. The Bengali date and time have been derived from the Bengali Sambat, which is used in daily life to track major festivals, the agricultural calendar, daily work, etc.
Comparison – Gregorian Calendar And Bengali Calendar
The Bangla calendar is used in the Bengal area of Bangladesh and the West Bengal region of India to follow festivals, holidays, and occasions. The Bangla calendar and the Gregorian calendar have a difference in styles, uses, and significance.
Well, let’s compare both calendars so that I can show you the differences between date and time in Bengali and in Gregorian:
- The Gregorian calendar is purely solar, with set months and days. Solar calendars are used all over the world; the Bengali calendar is a combination of solar and lunar calendars, as per the Surya Siddhanta.
- The Gregorian year begins on January 1st and ends on December 31st. However, the Bengali year, which is called Bengali Sambat, starts in April and ends in March. Also, the first day of the year is celebrated as the harvest festival of Bengal, known as Poila Boishakh.
- The Gregorian calendar was implemented in 1582 under Pope Gregory XIII, and the Bengali calendar was developed during the Mughal rule under Akbar to correspond to the collection of taxes with the harvests.
- The Gregorian calendar is universally used for civil and administrative purposes. The Bengali calendar, however, is used to celebrate festivals, agricultural activities, and other events of the Bengali region.
By now, you should have clarity about the differences between the Bengali calendar and the Gregorian calendar.
Importance Of Poila Boishakh
The Bangla calendar starts with the Bengali New Year, Poila Boishakh (পহেলা বৈশাখ), which falls on April 14 or 15 according to the Gregorian calendar. It is a colorful event where people dance, sing, stage dramas, and organize rallies and festivals. They locally greet each other in Bengali by saying Shubho Noboborsho (শুভ নববর্ষ), meaning Happy New Year.
I remember how my mum used to purchase new clothes, make all of us kids put on new garments, and have a delicious local Bengali meal. In the evening, I used to call all my relatives to greet them with ‘Shubho Nababarsho’ in Bangla. This feels nostalgic even today.
Bengali Calendar Months
The date and time in Bengali are an integral part of the Bengali calendar, marking key cultural, agricultural, and religious events. Each month has a unique significance, shaping festivals and holidays in the Bengali calendar. Here is the vocabulary for months in Bengali:
These months correspond with Indian states’ agricultural and cultural activities. For example, Boishakh marks the start of the harvest season.
Bengali Calendar Days
Understanding the days of the week is essential for everyday conversations in Bengali, scheduling events, and participating in cultural practices. The days follow a traditional format, with names deeply rooted in Bengali culture.
| English | Pronunciation | Bengali | Sound |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Robibar | রবিবার | |
| Monday | Sombar | সোমবার | |
| Tuesday | Mongolbar | মঙ্গলবার | |
| Wednesday | Budhbar | বুধবার | |
| Thursday | Brihoshpotibar | বৃহস্পতিবার | |
| Friday | Shukrobar | শুক্রবার | |
| Saturday | Shonibar | শনিবার |
Time Calculation In Bengali Culture
Date and time in Bengali have a definite connection with nature and agricultural events. The day is divided into two based on sunrise and sunset. Din (দিন), which is day, and Raat (রাত), which is night. Like other cultures, Bengali measures time in hours, minutes, and seconds.
The day is normally defined from the time the sun rises to the time it sets, while the night is from the time the sun sets to the time it rises. These terms are used quite frequently in the daily lives of Bengali-speaking people when talking about working hours and social gatherings.
Here’s how you express minutes and hours in Bengali:
| English | Pronunciation | Bengali | Sound |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seconds | Sekendgulo | সেকেন্ডগুলো | |
| Minutes | Minitgulo | মিনিটগুলো | |
| Hours | Ghongtaguli | ঘণ্টাগুলি |
10-Minute Intervals In Bengali
Here’s how to express the time in Bengali in minutes 10-minute intervals:
By understanding the date and time in Bengali you can take one step ahead towards the Bengali language and culture!
Top 10 Vocabulary Essentials For Quick Reference
Knowing date and time vocabulary is useful for discussing time, arranging meetings and other events, and discussing topics such as festivals and holidays. Here are the essential words for date and time in Bengali!
| English | Pronunciation | Bengali | Sound |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day | Din | দিন | |
| Date | Tarikh | তারিখ | |
| Year | Bochor | বছর | |
| Month | Mas | মাস | |
| Week | Shoptaho | সপ্তাহ | |
| Time | Shomoy | সময় | |
| Sunrise | Surjodoy | সূর্যোদয় | |
| Midnight | Modhyoratri | মধ্যরাত্রি | |
| Morning | Shokal | সকাল | |
| Night | Raat | রাত |
How Do You Say Date And Time In Bengali?
In Bengali, “time” is called Shomoy (সময়) and the “date” is called Tarikh (তারিখ) .
Frequently Asked Questions About Date And Time In Bengali
1. How Do You Say “What Time Is It?” In Bengali?
To ask “What time is it?” in Bengali, you would say – Ekhon ki shomoy? (এখন কী সময়?). This is a common and straightforward way to inquire about the time in Bengali.
2. How Do You Say “What Date Is Today?” In Bengali?
To ask “What date is today?” in Bengali, you would say – Aajker tarikh ki? (আজকের তারিখ কী?.) This phrase is commonly used when inquiring about the current date in conversations. It’s a simple and effective way to ask for a date in Bengali.
3. Who Invented The Bengali Calendar?
Some historians say that the Bengali calendar was invented by King Shashanka, who ruled in the 7th century CE. Shashanka’s rule, especially in the late 594 CE, is considered the early time of the Bengali era or Bengali Sambat. From history, it can be seen that the Bangabda was in existence much earlier than the formal introduction of the Bengali calendar and year in the 16th century by the Mughal emperor Akbar.
Wrapping Up
So now, you know how to express date and time in Bengali. However, learning basic terms like Shomoy (time) and Tarikh (date) is more than just acquiring language skills; it’s a gateway to understanding the heart of Bengali culture. Learning basic terms like Shomoy (time) and Tarikh (date) helps you have everyday conversations and talk about particular festivals, such as Pahela Baishakh, with locals.
In case you are in the process of learning Bengali, Ling has got your back. Just download the Ling app and get started on learning the Bengali language. To understand Bengali culture and people better, read more articles in our Bengali blog!
