The word prey” is a versatile term in the English language that can be used in both literal and figurative contexts. It primarily refers to an animal hunted and eaten by another animal, but it also describes a person or group that is vulnerable to harm, exploitation, or manipulation. For Hindi speakers, understanding the meaning of “prey” is important to comprehend wildlife discussions, literature, news topics, and everyday conversations. Translating “prey” accurately into Hindi provides learners with clarity on both its biological and metaphorical uses, allowing them to understand English content more effectively and express themselves with precision.
Definition of Prey
In its most basic sense, “prey” refers to an animal hunted or killed by a predator for food. In Hindi, the term is commonly translated as “शिà¤à¤¾à¤°” (shikaar), which conveys the idea of being hunted or captured. The concept of prey is fundamental to understanding ecological relationships and food chains, where the survival of one species depends on its ability to hunt or avoid being hunted. Beyond the biological context, “prey” can also refer to a person who falls victim to crime, deception, or exploitation, emphasizing vulnerability and susceptibility.
Prey in the Animal Kingdom
In the natural world, prey plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. Predators hunt prey for survival, while prey animals have evolved various adaptations to avoid being caught. For example, rabbits use speed and camouflage, while deer rely on alertness and agility. In Hindi, understanding this dynamic as “शिà¤à¤¾à¤° à¤à¤° शिà¤à¤¾à¤°à¥ à¤à¤¾ समà¥à¤¬à¤¨à¥à¤§” (shikaar aur shikari ka sambandh) allows learners to grasp ecological concepts and the interaction between predators and prey.
Examples of Prey in Sentences
- The lion caught its prey in the savannah. – शà¥à¤° नॠसवाना मà¥à¤ ठपना शिà¤à¤¾à¤° पà¤à¤¡à¤¼à¤¾à¥¤
- Small fish are often prey for larger fish. – à¤à¥à¤à¥ मà¤à¤²à¥ ठà¤à¥à¤¸à¤° बड़ॠमà¤à¤²à¤¿à¤¯à¥à¤ à¤à¥ लिठशिà¤à¤¾à¤° हà¥à¤¤à¥ हà¥à¤à¥¤
- Deer are prey to wolves in the forest. – हिरण à¤à¤à¤ ल मà¥à¤ à¤à¥à¤¡à¤¼à¤¿à¤¯à¥à¤ à¤à¥ लिठशिà¤à¤¾à¤° हà¥à¤à¥¤
These examples highlight the literal meaning of prey in Hindi, emphasizing animals hunted by predators for survival.
Figurative Meaning of Prey
Besides its literal meaning, “prey” is often used metaphorically to describe someone who is easily targeted or exploited. In Hindi, this sense of the word can also be conveyed as “शिà¤à¤¾à¤°” (shikaar) or “पà¥à¤¡à¤¼à¤¿à¤¤” (peedit), depending on the context. For example, a person might be described as prey to scammers, indicating that they are vulnerable to deception. This metaphorical use expands the word’s application beyond the natural world, making it relevant in social, psychological, and literary discussions.
Examples of Figurative Prey
- The elderly are often prey to online fraud. – बà¥à¤à¥à¤°à¥à¤ लà¥à¤ ठà¤à¥à¤¸à¤° à¤à¤¨à¤²à¤¾à¤à¤¨ धà¥à¤à¤¾à¤§à¤¡à¤¼à¥ à¤à¥ शिà¤à¤¾à¤° हà¥à¤¤à¥ हà¥à¤à¥¤
- She felt like prey to her manipulative boss. – à¤à¤¸à¥ ठपनॠà¤à¤¾à¤²à¤¾à¤ बà¥à¤¸ à¤à¥ शिà¤à¤¾à¤° à¤à¥à¤¸à¤¾ महसà¥à¤¸ हà¥à¤à¥¤
- Young investors can become prey to false promises of high returns. – यà¥à¤µà¤¾ निवà¥à¤¶à¤ à¤à¤à¥à¤ रिà¤à¤°à¥à¤¨ à¤à¥ à¤à¥à¤ ॠवादà¥à¤ à¤à¥ शिà¤à¤¾à¤° बन सà¤à¤¤à¥ हà¥à¤à¥¤
These examples demonstrate how the word “prey” can describe vulnerability, making it an important term in both everyday conversation and professional writing.
Prey in Literature and Media
In literature, films, and media, “prey” is used to create tension and depict conflict. Stories often feature characters who are preyed upon, whether by criminals, villains, or circumstances. In Hindi translations, “prey” is often rendered as “शिà¤à¤¾à¤°” or “पà¥à¤¡à¤¼à¤¿à¤¤,” helping readers and viewers understand the power dynamics and stakes in the narrative. Recognizing both literal and metaphorical uses of the word allows learners to fully appreciate plot development and character relationships.
Synonyms and Related Words
Understanding synonyms and related terms helps learners use “prey” accurately in different contexts
- Victim – पà¥à¤¡à¤¼à¤¿à¤¤ (peedit)
- Target – निशाना (nishana)
- Game – शिà¤à¤¾à¤° (shikaar), in hunting context
- Quarry – शिà¤à¤¾à¤° (shikaar), often used in hunting or pursuit
Using these synonyms appropriately can improve comprehension and expression in both English and Hindi.
Prey and Predator Relationships
The interaction between prey and predators is a key concept in ecology. Prey species evolve strategies such as speed, camouflage, and defensive behaviors to survive, while predators adapt to become more efficient hunters. Understanding the term “prey” in this context helps learners appreciate the balance of ecosystems. In Hindi, describing these interactions as “शिà¤à¤¾à¤° à¤à¤° शिà¤à¤¾à¤°à¥ à¤à¤¾ पारिसà¥à¤¥à¤¿à¤¤à¤¿à¤à¥ समà¥à¤¬à¤¨à¥à¤§” makes it easier to study biology and environmental science.
Examples in Ecology
- Cheetahs chase gazelles as their prey. – à¤à¥à¤¤à¥ ठपनॠशिà¤à¤¾à¤° à¤à¥ रà¥à¤ª मà¥à¤ ठà¤à¤¼à¥à¤² à¤à¤¾ पà¥à¤à¤¾ à¤à¤°à¤¤à¥ हà¥à¤à¥¤
- Owls hunt mice, making them prey. – à¤à¤²à¥à¤²à¥ à¤à¥à¤¹à¥à¤ à¤à¤¾ शिà¤à¤¾à¤° à¤à¤°à¤¤à¥ हà¥à¤à¥¤
- Sharks feed on smaller fish that serve as prey. – शारà¥à¤ à¤à¥à¤à¥ मà¤à¤²à¤¿à¤¯à¥à¤ à¤à¥ ठपनॠशिà¤à¤¾à¤° à¤à¥ रà¥à¤ª मà¥à¤ à¤à¤¾à¤¤à¥ हà¥à¤à¥¤
Importance of Understanding Prey
For Hindi speakers learning English, understanding “prey” is important for multiple reasons. It enhances reading comprehension in literature, news, and academic content. It helps in understanding ecological concepts in science education. It also provides insight into figurative language, allowing learners to recognize vulnerability, exploitation, or danger in social and psychological contexts. Accurate translation and contextual understanding improve communication, comprehension, and fluency.
Tips for Using Prey Correctly
- Use “prey” for animals hunted by predators in ecological discussions.
- Apply “prey” metaphorically to describe vulnerability or exploitation in social or psychological contexts.
- Translate as “शिà¤à¤¾à¤°” (shikaar) for literal hunting and “पà¥à¤¡à¤¼à¤¿à¤¤” (peedit) for metaphorical vulnerability in Hindi.
- Consider context to determine whether the usage is literal or figurative.
The word “prey” is a versatile and meaningful term in both English and Hindi. It describes animals hunted for survival and people vulnerable to harm or exploitation. Translating it as “शिà¤à¤¾à¤°” or “पà¥à¤¡à¤¼à¤¿à¤¤” in Hindi allows learners to understand both literal and figurative meanings. Recognizing the nuances of “prey” enhances comprehension in ecological studies, literature, news, and everyday communication. By learning how to use the word appropriately, Hindi speakers can improve their English vocabulary, better understand context, and express themselves with clarity and accuracy.
Overall, mastering the meaning of “prey” in Hindi provides a foundation for understanding both the natural world and human vulnerability. It connects language learning with practical knowledge, offering insights into survival, social dynamics, and literary expression, making it an essential word for learners seeking to communicate effectively in English.