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Marathi (मराठी) GuideSeptember 28, 2026•7 min read

25 Commonly Confused English Word Pairs for Marathi Speakers (संभ्रम निर्माण करणारे इंग्रजी शब्द)

मराठी भाषिकांना इंग्रजी शिकताना अनेकदा अशा शब्दांचा सामना करावा लागतो ज्यांचे उच्चार समान असतात किंवा ज्यांचा मराठीत एकाच प्रकारचा अर्थ वाटतो. उदाहरणार्थ, 'ऐकणे' या क्रियेसाठी इंग्रजीत 'Hear' आणि 'Listen' असे दोन शब्द आहेत. परंतु ते कधी आणि कसे वापरावे यात अनेकांचा गोंधळ होतो. या लेखामध्ये आपण अशाच सर्वाधिक संभ्रम निर्माण करणाऱ्या 25 शब्दांच्या जोड्या (एकूण 50 शब्द), त्यांचे सूक्ष्म फरक आणि लक्षात ठेवण्याच्या सोप्या ट्रिक्स पाहणार आहोत.

1. Daily Sensory & Action Pairs (दैनंदिन हालचाली आणि ज्ञानेंद्रियांशी संबंधित ५ जोड्या)

या जोड्यांमध्ये दोन्ही शब्दांचे अर्थ वरवर पाहता एकसारखे वाटतात, परंतु त्यांमधील सूक्ष्म फरक जाणून घेणे आवश्यक आहे.

hearvslisten
Pair #1

hear

कानावर पडणे / ऐकू येणे (नैसर्गिक क्रिया)

To perceive with the ear the sound made by someone or something naturally without effort.

Example:“Did you hear that strange noise outside in the garden?”

listen

लक्षपूर्वक ऐकणे (जाणूनबुजून केलेली क्रिया)

To give one's attention to a sound with conscious effort.

Example:“Please listen carefully to what the teacher is explaining.”
Memory Trick:Listen मध्ये 'L' आहे, म्हणजे 'लक्षपूर्वक' ऐकणे (Attention). Hear ही कानाची आपोआप होणारी क्रिया आहे.
borrowvslend
Pair #2

borrow

उसने घेणे (मागे परत करण्याच्या बोलीवर)

To take and use something that belongs to someone else with the intention of returning it.

Example:“Can I borrow your pen for ten minutes to fill out this form?”

lend

उसने देणे (दुसऱ्याला काही काळासाठी देणे)

To grant to someone the use of something on the understanding that it shall be returned.

Example:“The bank agreed to lend him money for starting his business.”
Memory Trick:B = Borrow (आपण घेणे), L = Lend (दुसऱ्याला देणे).
seevswatch
Pair #3

see

दिसणे / डोळ्यांसमोर येणे (नैसर्गिक दर्शन)

To notice or become aware of someone or something by using your eyes.

Example:“I can see the snow-covered mountain peaks from my balcony.”

watch

निरखून पाहणे / हालचालीवर लक्ष ठेवणे

To look at someone or something for a period of time, especially something that is moving.

Example:“We sat together to watch the cricket match on television.”
Memory Trick:चित्रपट, नाटक किंवा हालचालीसाठी 'Watch' वापरा; साध्या दर्शनासाठी 'See' वापरा.
bringvstake
Pair #4

bring

इकडे घेऊन येणे (स्पीकरच्या दिशेने)

To come with something or someone to a place or towards the speaker.

Example:“Please bring your assignment to my desk tomorrow morning.”

take

तिकडे घेऊन जाणे (स्पीकरपासून दूर)

To carry or move something or someone from one place away to another.

Example:“Don't forget to take an umbrella when you leave for the office.”
Memory Trick:Bring = इकडे आणणे (Towards you), Take = तिकडे घेऊन जाणे (Away from you).
sayvstell
Pair #5

say

काहीतरी बोलणे / उद्गार काढणे (व्यक्तीचा उल्लेख नसताना)

To utter words so as to convey information, an opinion, or a feeling.

Example:“What did the doctor say about your blood test results?”

tell

दुसऱ्याला सांगणे (ऐकणाऱ्या व्यक्तीचा थेट उल्लेख आवश्यक)

To communicate information or facts to someone in spoken or written words.

Example:“Please tell me the truth about what happened at the party.”
Memory Trick:'Tell' नंतर नेहमी ऐकणारी व्यक्ती येते (Tell me, Tell him). 'Say' नंतर थेट वाक्य येते.

2. Similar Sounding Homophones & Soundalikes (उच्चारात साम्य असणाऱ्या ५ जोड्या)

उच्चार अगदी एकसारखे वाटतात, परंतु त्यांचे स्पेलिंग आणि अर्थ पूर्णपणे भिन्न असतात.

acceptvsexcept
Pair #1

accept

स्वीकारणे / मान्य करणे

To consent to receive or undertake something offered.

Example:“She decided to accept the promotion offer with joy.”

except

च्या व्यतिरिक्त / सोडून

Not including; other than; apart from.

Example:“The office is open every day except Sunday.”
Memory Trick:Except मधील 'Ex' म्हणजे Exclude (बाहेर काढणे किंवा वगळणे).
advicevsadvise
Pair #2

advice

सल्ला / मार्गदर्शन (नाम - Noun)

Guidance or recommendations offered with regard to prudent future action.

Example:“Thank you for your valuable financial advice.”

advise

सल्ला देणे (क्रियापद - Verb)

To offer suggestions about the best course of action to someone.

Example:“The doctor advised him to walk for thirty minutes every morning.”
Memory Trick:C असलेले Advice हे नाव (Noun) आहे; S असलेले Advise हे काम (Verb) आहे.
affectvseffect
Pair #3

affect

प्रभावित करणे / परिणाम करणे (क्रियापद - Verb)

To have an influence on or make a difference to.

Example:“Heavy rainfall will adversely affect the cotton crop this season.”

effect

परिणाम / प्रभाव (नाम - Noun)

A change which is a result or consequence of an action or other cause.

Example:“The economic reforms had an immediate positive effect on employment.”
Memory Trick:A = Action (Affect क्रियापद), E = End Result (Effect परिणाम).
loosevslose
Pair #4

loose

सैल / ढिला / मोकळा (Adjective)

Not firmly or tightly fixed in place; not fitting tightly.

Example:“After dieting for three months, his trousers became very loose.”

lose

हरवणे / पराभूत होणे / गमवणे (Verb)

To be deprived of or cease to have or retain something.

Example:“Keep your passport safely so that you do not lose it during travel.”
Memory Trick:Loose मध्ये दोन 'O' आहेत (जास्त जागा = सैल); Lose मध्ये एकच 'O' आहे.
complementvscompliment
Pair #5

complement

पूरक ठरणे / परिपूर्ण करणे

A thing that completes or brings to perfection.

Example:“The red wine was chosen to complement the rich spicy curry.”

compliment

प्रशंसा करणे / स्तुती

A polite expression of praise or admiration.

Example:“He received a sincere compliment from the manager for his hard work.”
Memory Trick:Compliment मधील 'I' म्हणजे 'I like you' (प्रशंसा करणे). Complement मधील 'E' म्हणजे 'Complete' (पूर्ण करणे).

3. Workplace & Academic Word Pairs (कार्यालयीन आणि अभ्यासातील ५ जोड्या)

ऑफिसचे ईमेल्स आणि औपचारिक लेखनात वारंवार संभ्रम निर्माण करणाऱ्या जोड्या.

principalvsprinciple
Pair #1

principal

प्राचार्य / मुख्य / मूळ मुद्दल

First in order of importance; the head of a school or college.

Example:“The college principal addressed all newly admitted students in the auditorium.”

principle

तत्व / नियम / सिद्धांत

A fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a belief.

Example:“Mahatma Gandhi was a man of steadfast moral principles.”
Memory Trick:Principal मधील 'PAL' म्हणजे मित्र/माणूस (शाळेचा मुख्याध्यापक); Principle म्हणजे 'Rule' (तत्व).
practicevspractise
Pair #2

practice

सराव (नाम - Noun)

The actual application or use of an idea, belief, or method; repeated exercise.

Example:“Regular practice is the secret behind winning cricket tournaments.”

practise

सराव करणे (क्रियापद - Verb)

To perform an activity or exercise repeatedly or regularly in order to improve skill.

Example:“He practises speaking English for an hour every single evening.”
Memory Trick:ब्रिटिश इंग्रजीत C = Noun (सराव), S = Verb (सराव करणे). Advice/Advise प्रमाणेच नियम लागू होतो.
stationaryvsstationery
Pair #3

stationary

स्थिर / न हलणारा / एका जागी थांबलेला

Not moving or not intended to be moved; remaining in one place.

Example:“The car crashed into a stationary truck parked on the highway shoulder.”

stationery

लेखन साहित्य (वह्या, पेन, कागद इत्यादी)

Writing materials and other office supplies like paper, envelopes, and pens.

Example:“She visited the bookstore to buy exam stationery including pens and rulers.”
Memory Trick:StationEry मधील 'E' म्हणजे Envelope किंवा pEn; StationAry मधील 'A' म्हणजे At rest (स्थिर).
besidevsbesides
Pair #4

beside

च्या शेजारी / बाजूला

At the side of; next to.

Example:“The little boy sat quietly beside his mother on the bus.”

besides

शिवाय / याव्यतिरिक्त / आणखी

In addition to; apart from.

Example:“Besides Marathi and Hindi, she can speak fluent French and German.”
Memory Trick:Besides मधील अतिरिक्त 'S' म्हणजे 'Something extra' (याशिवाय आणखी).
ensurevsinsure
Pair #5

ensure

खात्री करणे / सुनिश्चित करणे

To make certain that something will occur or be the case.

Example:“Please double check the locks to ensure the premises are secure.”

insure

विमा काढणे (आर्थिक विमा उतरवणे)

To arrange for financial compensation in the event of damage to or loss of property or life.

Example:“It is legally mandatory to insure your two-wheeler against accidents.”
Memory Trick:I = Insurance (विमा काढणे); E = Ensure (खात्री करणे).

4. Everyday Grammar & Spelling Pitfalls (रोजच्या व्याकरणातील ५ संभ्रम)

बोलताना सहजगत्या गल्लत होणारे आणि स्पेलिंगमध्ये फसवे असणारे शब्द.

quietvsquite
Pair #1

quiet

शांत / आवाज नसलेला

Making little or no noise; peaceful.

Example:“The library is an ideal, quiet place to prepare for competitive examinations.”

quite

खूप / पुरेसा / बऱ्यापैकी

To a certain or fairly significant extent or degree; completely.

Example:“The physics paper was quite difficult for most students in our batch.”
Memory Trick:Quiet मधील 'ET' शेवटी आहे (शांत); Quite मधील 'TE' आहे (Quite good = खूप छान).
desertvsdessert
Pair #2

desert

वाळवंट / सोडून पळून जाणे

A dry, barren area of land; or to abandon a person or cause.

Example:“The Thar Desert experiences extreme temperatures during summer.”

dessert

जेवणानंतरचा गोड पदार्थ

The sweet course eaten at the end of a meal.

Example:“We enjoyed warm Gulab Jamun with ice cream for dessert.”
Memory Trick:Dessert मध्ये दोन 'S' आहेत कारण Sweet डिश सर्वांना 'जास्त' हवी असते!
weathervswhether
Pair #3

weather

हवामान / वातावरण

The state of the atmosphere at a place and time regarding heat, cloudiness, rain.

Example:“The weather in Mahabaleshwar is delightfully cool during October.”

whether

की नाही / किंवा (पर्याय दर्शवणारा शब्द)

Expressing a doubt or choice between alternatives.

Example:“I am uncertain whether we should travel by train or take a flight.”
Memory Trick:Weather म्हणजे वारा-पाऊस (Climate); Whether मध्ये 'WH' आहे जो Question (पर्याय) दर्शवतो.
farthervsfurther
Pair #4

farther

अधिक अंतरावर (प्रत्यक्ष मोजता येणारे भौतिक अंतर)

At, to, or by a greater physical distance.

Example:“The petrol pump is two kilometers farther down this road.”

further

पुढील / अधिक / अतिरिक्त (काल्पनिक किंवा वैचारिक व्याप्ती)

To a greater degree or in addition; additional.

Example:“Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need further information.”
Memory Trick:Farther मधील 'FAR' म्हणजे लांबचे भौतिक अंतर (Distance). Further म्हणजे पुढील पायरी.
alreadyvsall ready
Pair #5

already

आधीच / पूर्वीच घडून गेलेले (Adv)

Before or by now or the time in question.

Example:“By the time we reached the station, the express train had already departed.”

all ready

सर्वजण पूर्ण तयार (All prepared)

Completely prepared or finished.

Example:“The students are all ready with their bags packed for the school picnic.”
Memory Trick:All Ready म्हणजे सगळेच्या सगळे तयार; Already म्हणजे आधीच झालेली क्रिया.

5. Nuanced Action & Emotion Pairs (सूक्ष्म अर्थछटा असणाऱ्या ५ जोड्या)

उच्च दर्जाच्या इंग्रजी संभाषणात अचूकता आणण्यासाठी या शब्दांमधील फरक समजून घ्या.

historicvshistorical
Pair #1

historic

ऐतिहासिक दृष्ट्या अत्यंत महत्त्वाचा / युगप्रवर्तक

Famous or important in history; momentous.

Example:“The launch of Chandrayaan-3 was a historic milestone for Indian science.”

historical

इतिहासाशी संबंधित / भूतकाळातील घटनांवर आधारित

Concerning or based on history or past events.

Example:“He loves reading historical novels about the Maratha Empire.”
Memory Trick:Historic = इतिहासात सुवर्णाक्षरांनी नोंद झालेली घटना; Historical = इतिहासाचा संदर्भ.
sensitivevssensible
Pair #2

sensitive

संवेदनशील / हळवा / नाजूक

Quick to detect or respond to slight changes or feelings.

Example:“Her skin is very sensitive to harsh sunlight.”

sensible

समजूतदार / शहाणा / व्यावहारिक

Chosen in accordance with wisdom or prudence; practical and reasonable.

Example:“Investing a portion of your salary in savings is a very sensible decision.”
Memory Trick:Sensible म्हणजे 'Sense' असणारा (शहाणा); Sensitive म्हणजे भावनाप्रधान (हळवा).
empathyvssympathy
Pair #3

empathy

समानुभूती (दुसऱ्याच्या जागी स्वतःला ठेवून वेदना अनुभवणे)

The ability to understand and share the feelings of another deeply from their viewpoint.

Example:“A great leader possesses deep empathy and listens to workers' struggles personally.”

sympathy

सहानुभूती (दुसऱ्याच्या दुःखाबद्दल दया किंवा हळहळ वाटणे)

Feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else's misfortune from an external perspective.

Example:“We sent a bouquet and a letter expressing our sympathy to the bereaved family.”
Memory Trick:Empathy म्हणजे आतून अनुभवणे (Feel with); Sympathy म्हणजे बाहेरून दया वाटणे (Feel for).
economicvseconomical
Pair #4

economic

आर्थिक / अर्थव्यवस्थेशी संबंधित

Relating to economics or the economy of a country.

Example:“The government announced progressive economic policies to encourage manufacturing.”

economical

काटकसरीचा / स्वस्त आणि परवडणारा

Giving good value or return in relation to the money, time, or effort spent; thrifty.

Example:“Small electric cars are far more economical to run for daily city commuting.”
Memory Trick:Economic = अर्थव्यवस्था (Finance); Economical = काटकसर (Budget-friendly).
continuousvscontinual
Pair #5

continuous

अखंड / सलग / एका सेकंदाचाही खंड न पडता

Forming an unbroken whole without interruption or pause.

Example:“The waterfall produced a continuous roar throughout the night.”

continual

वारंवार घडणारे / अधूनमधून पुनरावृत्ती होणारे

Frequently recurring at regular or irregular intervals.

Example:“Her work was disrupted by continual phone calls from customers.”
Memory Trick:Continuous = नॉनस्टॉप सलग (Unbroken); Continual = थांबून थांबून पुन्हा सुरू होणारे.

Conclusion & Key Takeaways

इंग्रजी भाषा ही तिच्या समृद्ध शब्दभांडारामुळे जगभरात ओळखली जाते. वर दिलेल्या या 25 जोड्यांमधील (५० शब्द) सूक्ष्म फरक समजून घेतल्यास तुमच्या बोलण्यात आणि लेखनात अचूकता येईल आणि परीक्षेमध्ये 'Spotting Errors' किंवा 'Fill in the blanks' चे गुण अजिबात हुकणार नाहीत. या ट्रिक्स नियमितपणे आठवा आणि स्वतःची वाक्ये बनवून सराव करा!

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