ROOT WORDS (मूल शब्द) – Complete Guide for Competitive Exams
📚 WHAT ARE ROOT WORDS?
Root Words = वे मूल शब्द (usually Latin/Greek) जिनसे कई English words बनते हैं।
अगर आपको Root का meaning पता है, तो आप 50+ नए words का meaning अनुमान लगा सकते हैं!
✅ Example:
- Bene = Good (अच्छा)
→ Benefit (लाभ), Beneficial (लाभकारी), Benevolent (भलाई करने वाला)
🔥 IMPORTANT ROOT WORDS (EXAM POINT OF VIEW)
1. BENE = Good (अच्छा)
| Word | Meaning | Hindi |
| Benefit | Advantage / Profit | लाभ |
| Beneficial | Helpful / Advantageous | लाभकारी |
| Benevolent | Kind / Generous | परोपकारी |
| Benign | Gentle / Harmless | सौम्य / अहानिकर |
| Benediction | Blessing | आशीर्वाद |
| Benefactor | One who helps | उपकारी |
✅ Trick: “Bene” = Good → जो अच्छा हो
2. MAL = Bad (बुरा)
| Word | Meaning | Hindi |
| Malnutrition | Bad nutrition | कुपोषण |
| Malfunction | Faulty function | खराबी |
| Malice | Ill will / Hatred | द्वेष |
| Malignant | Harmful / Evil | घातक / दुष्ट |
| Malediction | Curse | अभिशाप |
| Maladjustment | Poor adjustment | असमंजस |
| Malpractice | Wrongdoing | कदाचार |
| Maltreat | Treat badly | दुर्व्यवहार |
✅ Trick: “Mal” = Bad → जो बुरा हो
3. AUTO = Self (स्वयं)
| Word | Meaning | Hindi |
| Autobiography | Self life story | आत्मकथा |
| Automatic | Self-acting | स्वचालित |
| Autograph | Self signature | स्वहस्ताक्षर |
| Autocracy | Self rule (by one) | निरंकुशता |
| Autonomous | Self-governing | स्वायत्त |
| Automobile | Self-moving vehicle | मोटरगाड़ी |
| Autopsy | Self-seeing (examination) | शव-परीक्षा |
✅ Trick: “Auto” = Self → खुद से संबंधित
4. BIO = Life (जीवन)
| Word | Meaning | Hindi |
| Biology | Study of life | जीव विज्ञान |
| Biography | Life story (by someone) | जीवनी |
| Biodegradable | Capable of being decomposed | जैव-निम्नीकरणीय |
| Biopsy | Examination of living tissue | ऊतक परीक्षण |
| Biofuel | Fuel from living matter | जैव-ईंधन |
| Biosphere | Zone of life on Earth | जीवमंडल |
✅ Trick: “Bio” = Life → जीवन से संबंधित
5. PHOBIA = Fear (डर)
| Word | Meaning | Hindi |
| Hydrophobia | Fear of water | जल-भीति (रेबीज़) |
| Claustrophobia | Fear of closed spaces | बंद जगह का डर |
| Acrophobia | Fear of heights | ऊँचाई का डर |
| Agoraphobia | Fear of open spaces | खुली जगह का डर |
| Nyctophobia | Fear of darkness | अंधेरे का डर |
| Xenophobia | Fear of foreigners | विदेशियों का डर |
| Arachnophobia | Fear of spiders | मकड़ियों का डर |
| Social phobia | Fear of social situations | सामाजिक भय |
✅ Trick: “Phobia” = Fear → किसी चीज़ का डर
📝 MORE IMPORTANT ROOT WORDS
6. CHRONO = Time (समय)
| Word | Meaning |
| Chronology | Time order (कालक्रम) |
| Chronic | Long-lasting (दीर्घकालिक) |
| Chronicle | Historical record (इतिहास) |
| Synchronize | Same time (समकालिक) |
| Anachronism | Out of time (काल-विरोध) |
✅ Trick: “Chrono” = Time → समय से संबंधित
7. DICT = Speak / Say (कहना)
| Word | Meaning |
| Dictionary | Book of words (शब्दकोश) |
| Dictate | Speak out (आदेश देना) |
| Dictator | One who commands (तानाशाह) |
| Predict | Say before (भविष्यवाणी) |
| Contradict | Say against (विरोधाभास) |
| Benediction | Good words (आशीर्वाद) |
| Malediction | Bad words (अभिशाप) |
✅ Trick: “Dict” = Speak → बोलने से संबंधित
8. PORT = Carry (ले जाना)
| Word | Meaning |
| Transport | Carry across (परिवहन) |
| Import | Carry in (आयात) |
| Export | Carry out (निर्यात) |
| Portable | Can be carried (पोर्टेबल) |
| Report | Carry back (रिपोर्ट) |
| Support | Carry from below (सहारा) |
✅ Trick: “Port” = Carry → ले जाना
9. SCRIB / SCRIPT = Write (लिखना)
| Word | Meaning |
| Describe | Write about (वर्णन) |
| Prescribe | Write before (नुस्ख़ा) |
| Subscribe | Write under (सदस्यता) |
| Script | Written text (लिखित) |
| Manuscript | Hand-written (हस्तलिखित) |
| Transcribe | Write across (अनुलिपि) |
✅ Trick: “Script” = Write → लिखना
10. SPECT = See (देखना)
| Word | Meaning |
| Inspect | Look into (निरीक्षण) |
| Respect | Look back (सम्मान) |
| Spectator | One who sees (दर्शक) |
| Spectacle | Show / View (तमाशा) |
| Prospect | Look forward (संभावना) |
| Retrospect | Look back (पूर्वदृष्टि) |
✅ Trick: “Spect” = See → देखना
11. PHIL = Love (प्रेम)
| Word | Meaning |
| Philanthropy | Love for mankind (मानव-प्रेम) |
| Philosophy | Love of wisdom (दर्शनशास्त्र) |
| Bibliophile | Love of books (पुस्तक-प्रेमी) |
| Anglophile | Lover of England |
✅ Trick: “Phil” = Love → प्रेम
12. MIS = Wrong / Bad (गलत)
| Word | Meaning |
| Mistake | Wrong action (गलती) |
| Misunderstand | Wrong understanding (गलतफहमी) |
| Misbehave | Behave badly (दुर्व्यवहार) |
| Mislead | Lead wrongly (गुमराह) |
✅ Trick: “Mis” = Wrong → गलत
13. TRI = Three (तीन)
| Word | Meaning |
| Triangle | Three angles (त्रिभुज) |
| Trident | Three teeth (त्रिशूल) |
| Trilogy | Three works (त्रयी) |
| Tripod | Three legs (तिपाई) |
✅ Trick: “Tri” = Three → तीन
14. UNI = One (एक)
| Word | Meaning |
| Universe | One whole (ब्रह्मांड) |
| Uniform | One form (एक रूप) |
| Unanimous | One mind (एकमत) |
| Unique | One of a kind (अद्वितीय) |
| Unit | Single (इकाई) |
✅ Trick: “Uni” = One → एक
15. BI = Two (दो)
| Word | Meaning |
| Bicycle | Two wheels (साइकिल) |
| Bilingual | Two languages (द्विभाषी) |
| Bisect | Cut into two (द्विखंड) |
| Biannual | Twice a year (द्विवार्षिक) |
✅ Trick: “Bi” = Two → दो
16. MULTI = Many (अनेक)
| Word | Meaning |
| Multipurpose | Many purposes (बहुउद्देश्यीय) |
| Multinational | Many nations (बहुराष्ट्रीय) |
| Multilingual | Many languages (बहुभाषी) |
| Multimedia | Many media |
✅ Trick: “Multi” = Many → अनेक
17. OMNI = All (सभी)
| Word | Meaning |
| Omnipotent | All-powerful (सर्वशक्तिमान) |
| Omniscient | All-knowing (सर्वज्ञ) |
| Omnipresent | All-present (सर्वव्यापी) |
| Omnivore | Eats all (सर्वभक्षी) |
✅ Trick: “Omni” = All → सभी
18. ANTI = Against (विरुद्ध)
| Word | Meaning |
| Antibiotic | Against life (एंटीबायोटिक) |
| Antidote | Against poison (मारक) |
| Antisocial | Against society (असमाजिक) |
| Antonym | Opposite word (विलोम) |
✅ Trick: “Anti” = Against → विरुद्ध
19. GEO = Earth (पृथ्वी)
| Word | Meaning |
| Geography | Study of earth (भूगोल) |
| Geology | Study of earth’s rocks (भूविज्ञान) |
| Geometry | Earth measurement (ज्यामिति) |
| Geothermal | Earth heat (भूतापीय) |
✅ Trick: “Geo” = Earth → पृथ्वी
20. GRAPH = Write / Draw (लिखना)
| Word | Meaning |
| Autograph | Self writing (स्वहस्ताक्षर) |
| Biography | Life writing (जीवनी) |
| Photograph | Light writing (तस्वीर) |
| Geography | Earth writing (भूगोल) |
| Graphite | Writing material |
✅ Trick: “Graph” = Write → लिखना
📝 OLD EXAM QUESTIONS (पुराने प्रश्न पत्र)
SET 1: Basic Level
Q.1 The word ‘Benevolent’ means: (SSC GD 2020)
- (a) Kind (b) Cruel (c) Honest (d) Lazy
Answer: (a) Kind ✅
Reason: Bene = Good → Benevolent = Kind
Q.2 ‘Malnutrition’ means: (SSC CHSL 2021)
- (a) Good nutrition (b) Bad nutrition (c) Healthy food (d) Overeating
Answer: (b) Bad nutrition ✅
Reason: Mal = Bad → Malnutrition = Bad nutrition
Q.3 ‘Autobiography’ is: (SSC MTS 2022)
- (a) Life of another (b) Self life story (c) Fictional story (d) History
Answer: (b) Self life story ✅
Reason: Auto = Self + Bio = Life → Self life story
Q.4 ‘Biology’ is the study of: (NDA 2018)
- (a) Life (b) Earth (c) Water (d) Space
Answer: (a) Life ✅
Reason: Bio = Life → Study of Life
Q.5 ‘Claustrophobia’ is fear of: (SSC CPO 2020)
- (a) Heights (b) Closed spaces (c) Water (d) Darkness
Answer: (b) Closed spaces ✅
Reason: Claustro = Closed + Phobia = Fear
SET 2: Intermediate Level
Q.6 ‘Beneficial’ means: (SSC CGL 2019)
- (a) Harmful (b) Helpful (c) Useless (d) Dangerous
Answer: (b) Helpful ✅
Reason: Bene = Good → Beneficial = Helpful
Q.7 ‘Malfunction’ means: (Bank PO 2018)
- (a) Working well (b) Faulty working (c) Regular working (d) Quick working
Answer: (b) Faulty working ✅
Reason: Mal = Bad → Malfunction = Faulty working
Q.8 ‘Autonomous’ means: (SSC CHSL 2022)
- (a) Dependent (b) Self-governing (c) Controlled (d) Foreign
Answer: (b) Self-governing ✅
Reason: Auto = Self + Nomous = Rule → Self-governing
Q.9 ‘Biodegradable’ means: (SSC MTS 2021)
- (a) Cannot be decomposed (b) Can be decomposed naturally (c) Can be reused (d) Harmful
Answer: (b) Can be decomposed naturally ✅
Reason: Bio = Life + Degradable = Can be broken down
Q.10 ‘Hydrophobia’ is fear of: (SSC GD 2020)
- (a) Fire (b) Water (c) Height (d) Darkness
Answer: (b) Water ✅
Reason: Hydro = Water + Phobia = Fear
SET 3: Advanced Level
Q.11 ‘Chronology’ means: (SSC CGL 2022)
- (a) Study of time order (b) Study of earth (c) Study of life (d) Study of mind
Answer: (a) Study of time order ✅
Reason: Chrono = Time → Time order
Q.12 ‘Dictator’ means: (Bank PO 2021)
- (a) One who writes (b) One who speaks (c) One who rules (d) One who reads
Answer: (c) One who rules ✅
Reason: Dict = Speak/Command → One who commands = Dictator
Q.13 ‘Portable’ means: (SSC CHSL 2023)
- (a) Can be carried (b) Can be fixed (c) Can be broken (d) Can be hidden
Answer: (a) Can be carried ✅
Reason: Port = Carry → Portable = Can be carried
Q.14 ‘Manuscript’ means: (CDS 2022)
- (a) Printed book (b) Hand-written document (c) Typed document (d) Published book
Answer: (b) Hand-written document ✅
Reason: Manu = Hand + Script = Write → Hand-written
Q.15 ‘Spectator’ means: (SSC CPO 2023)
- (a) One who speaks (b) One who sees (c) One who writes (d) One who listens
Answer: (b) One who sees ✅
Reason: Spect = See → One who sees
SET 4: Mixed Practice
Q.16 ‘Philosophy’ means: (SSC GD 2022)
- (a) Love of wisdom (b) Love of life (c) Love of earth (d) Love of books
Answer: (a) Love of wisdom ✅
Reason: Phil = Love + Sophia = Wisdom
Q.17 ‘Omniscient’ means: (Bank PO 2019)
- (a) All-powerful (b) All-knowing (c) All-present (d) All-loving
Answer: (b) All-knowing ✅
Reason: Omni = All + Scient = Know → All-knowing
Q.18 ‘Antibiotic’ means: (SSC CGL 2020)
- (a) Against life (b) Against bacteria (c) Against poison (d) Against society
Answer: (b) Against bacteria ✅
Reason: Anti = Against + Bio = Life → Against harmful life (bacteria)
Q.19 ‘Bilingual’ means: (SSC CPO 2021)
- (a) One language (b) Two languages (c) Many languages (d) No language
Answer: (b) Two languages ✅
Reason: Bi = Two + Lingua = Language
Q.20 ‘Geology’ is the study of: (CDS 2022)
- (a) Earth’s rocks (b) Earth’s weather (c) Earth’s life (d) Earth’s population
Answer: (a) Earth’s rocks ✅
Reason: Geo = Earth + Logy = Study → Study of Earth’s rocks
SET 5: Word Meaning (Fill in the Blanks)
Q.21 A person who loves books is called a ______. (SSC CHSL 2023)
- (a) Bibliophile (b) Bibliophobe (c) Bibliographer (d) Bible
Answer: (a) Bibliophile ✅
Reason: Biblio = Book + Phil = Love → Book-lover
Q.22 Fear of heights is called: (NDA 2021)
- (a) Acrophobia (b) Agoraphobia (c) Claustrophobia (d) Hydrophobia
Answer: (a) Acrophobia ✅
Reason: Acro = Height + Phobia = Fear
Q.23 A person who writes one’s own life story: (SSC CGL 2021)
- (a) Biographer (b) Autobiographer (c) Historian (d) Geographer
Answer: (b) Autobiographer ✅
Reason: Auto = Self + Bio = Life + Grapher = Writer
Q.24 A person who loves mankind: (Bank PO 2020)
- (a) Philanthropist (b) Philosopher (c) Philologist (d) Physicist
Answer: (a) Philanthropist ✅
Reason: Phil = Love + Anthrop = Mankind → Philanthropist
Q.25 ‘Malignant’ means: (SSC MTS 2023)
- (a) Harmful (b) Beneficial (c) Neutral (d) Weak
Answer: (a) Harmful ✅
Reason: Mal = Bad → Malignant = Harmful
📊 QUICK REVISION TABLE
| Root | Meaning | Examples |
| Bene | Good | Benefit, Beneficial, Benevolent |
| Mal | Bad | Malnutrition, Malfunction, Malice |
| Auto | Self | Autobiography, Automatic, Autograph |
| Bio | Life | Biology, Biography, Biodegradable |
| Phobia | Fear | Hydrophobia, Claustrophobia, Acrophobia |
| Chrono | Time | Chronology, Chronic, Chronicle |
| Dict | Speak | Dictionary, Dictator, Predict |
| Port | Carry | Transport, Import, Portable |
| Script | Write | Manuscript, Describe, Prescribe |
| Spect | See | Inspect, Spectator, Prospect |
| Phil | Love | Philosophy, Philanthropy, Bibliophile |
| Omni | All | Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent |
| Anti | Against | Antibiotic, Antidote, Antisocial |
| Geo | Earth | Geography, Geology, Geometry |
| Tri | Three | Triangle, Trident, Tripod |
| Uni | One | Universe, Uniform, Unique |
| Bi | Two | Bicycle, Bilingual, Bisect |
| Multi | Many | Multipurpose, Multinational, Multilingual |
🎯 SUPER TRICKS SUMMARY
TRICK 1: Break the Word
Word को parts में तोड़ें और Root का meaning लगाएँ
- Hydrophobia = Hydro (Water) + Phobia (Fear) = Water Fear
- Autobiography = Auto (Self) + Bio (Life) + Graphy (Write) = Self Life Write
- Beneficial = Bene (Good) + Ficial (Make) = Making Good
TRICK 2: Memory Tricks
| Root | Trick to Remember |
| Bene | Beneficent = Blessing (Good) |
| Mal | Mal = Make A Life bad? |
| Auto | Automatic = Self-acting |
| Bio | Biology = Study of Life |
| Phobia | Phobia = Phear + of + bad + anything |
| Omni | Omni = One Man Needs It all |
TRICK 3: Opposites
| Root | Opposite Root |
| Bene (Good) | Mal (Bad) |
| Bio (Life) | Necro (Death) |
| Phil (Love) | Phobia (Fear) |
| Pro (Forward) | Retro (Backward) |
💪 PRACTICE QUESTIONS (Solve Yourself)
Q.1 ‘Chronic’ means:
(a) Short-term (b) Long-lasting (c) New (d) Weak
Q.2 ‘Inspect’ means:
(a) Look into (b) Look away (c) Look up (d) Look down
Q.3 ‘Multipurpose’ means:
(a) One purpose (b) Many purposes (c) No purpose (d) Wrong purpose
Q.4 ‘Benign’ means:
(a) Harmful (b) Gentle (c) Harsh (d) Cruel
Q.5 ‘Xenophobia’ is fear of:
(a) Foreigners (b) Darkness (c) Heights (d) Water
Q.6 ‘Omnipotent’ means:
(a) All-knowing (b) All-powerful (c) All-present (d) All-loving
Q.7 ‘Antidote’ is:
(a) Against poison (b) Against life (c) Against society (d) Against fear
Q.8 ‘Tripod’ has how many legs?
(a) One (b) Two (c) Three (d) Four
Q.9 ‘Unique’ means:
(a) One of a kind (b) Many types (c) Common (d) Ordinary
Q.10 ‘Bisect’ means:
(a) Cut into one (b) Cut into two (c) Cut into three (d) Cut into many
📌 MOST IMPORTANT FOR EXAMS:
- Bene / Mal → 1-2 questions (पक्का!)
- Auto / Bio → 1-2 questions
- Phobia words → 1-2 questions
- Chrono / Dict / Port → 1 question
- Omni / Anti / Geo → 1 question
- Tri / Uni / Bi / Multi → 1-2 questions
💪 Practice Tips:
- 50+ Root Words याद करें
- Root + Prefix/Suffix से words बनाना सीखें
- Previous Papers (SSC, Bank, NDA, CDS) solve करें
- Daily 5 new Root Words learn करें
- Make your own sentences with these words
This response is AI-generated, for reference only.
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