Complete Guide to “Be Meant To” with Examples in English and Hindi

Introduction to “Be Meant To”

The semi-modal expression “be meant to” is used to express intended purpose, expected behavior, or destined outcomes. This comprehensive guide covers its meaning, grammatical structure, usage nuances, and provides practical examples with Hindi translations.

Meaning and Usage (अर्थ और प्रयोग)

“Be meant to” expresses:

• Intended Purpose (इरादा) – Original design or objective
• Expected Behavior (अपेक्षित व्यवहार) – Social or cultural norms
• Destined Outcome (नियति) – Supposed to happen by fate
• Rules/Instructions (नियम/निर्देश) – Official expectations

Grammatical Structure (व्याकरणिक संरचना)

Basic Form: Subject + am/is/are + meant to + base verb
Negative Form: Subject + am/is/are + not + meant to + base verb
Question Form: Am/Is/Are + subject + meant to + base verb?

Examples:

• This tool is meant to cut metal. (इस उपकरण का उद्देश्य धातु काटना है।)
• Children are not meant to work. (बच्चों से काम करने की अपेक्षा नहीं की जाती।)
• Are we meant to wait here? (क्या हमें यहाँ इंतजार करना चाहिए?)

Key Usage Rules (मुख्य प्रयोग नियम)

1. Purpose Focus: Emphasizes original intention
2. Passive Nature: Often implies external expectations
3. Formality Level: Neutral – works in formal and informal contexts
4. Tense Flexibility: Can be used in past (was/were meant to) and future (will be meant to)

When to Use “Be Meant To”

1. Expressing Intended Purpose (उद्देश्य बताना)

Used for original design or function.

Example:
This room is meant to be a study.
(इस कमरे का उद्देश्य अध्ययन कक्ष होना है।)

2. Describing Expected Behavior (अपेक्षित व्यवहार)

Used for social/cultural norms.

Example:
Students are meant to respect teachers.
(छात्रों से शिक्षकों का सम्मान करने की अपेक्षा की जाती है।)

3. Discussing Destined Outcomes (नियत परिणाम)

Used for supposedly fated events.

Example:
They were meant to be together.
(वे एक साथ होने के लिए बने थे।)

4. Explaining Rules (नियम समझाना)

Used for official expectations.

Example:
Forms are meant to be submitted by Friday.
(फॉर्म शुक्रवार तक जमा किए जाने चाहिए।)

15 Practical Examples with Hindi Translations

S.No.	English Sentence	Hindi Translation
1.	This button is meant to start the engine.	इस बटन का उद्देश्य इंजन शुरू करना है।
2.	Children are meant to play, not work.	बच्चों का काम खेलना है, काम करना नहीं।
3.	We were meant to arrive by 9 AM.	हमें सुबह 9 बजे तक पहुँचना था।
4.	This medicine is meant to relieve pain.	इस दवा का उद्देश्य दर्द दूर करना है।
5.	Are these documents meant to be confidential?	क्या ये दस्तावेज़ गोपनीय रखने के लिए हैं?
6.	The park is meant for public use.	पार्क जनता के उपयोग के लिए है।
7.	I wasn’t meant to see that letter.	मुझे वह पत्र देखना नहीं था।
8.	This tradition is meant to unite people.	इस परंपरा का उद्देश्य लोगों को जोड़ना है।
9.	The movie was meant to inspire youth.	फिल्म का उद्देश्य युवाओं को प्रेरित करना था।
10.	Is this gift meant for me?	क्या यह उपहार मेरे लिए है?
11.	The law is meant to protect citizens.	कानून का उद्देश्य नागरिकों की रक्षा करना है।
12.	They weren’t meant to find out.	उन्हें पता चलना नहीं था।
13.	This road is meant for bicycles only.	यह सड़क सिर्फ साइकिलों के लिए है।
14.	The test is meant to evaluate your skills.	परीक्षा का उद्देश्य आपके कौशल का आकलन करना है।
15.	Were we meant to sign this form?	क्या हमें इस फॉर्म पर हस्ताक्षर करने चाहिए थे?

Comparison with Similar Expressions

1. “Be meant to” vs “Be supposed to”
   • “Be meant to”: Stronger emphasis on original purpose
   • “Be supposed to”: More general expectation
2. “Be meant to” vs “Should”
   • “Be meant to”: External expectations
   • “Should”: Moral obligation or advice

Common Mistakes to Avoid (सामान्य गलतियाँ)

1. Confusing with “mean to” (which expresses intention)
2. Using for personal intentions (“I’m meant to go” → incorrect)
3. Incorrect tense (“be mean to” → should be “be meant to”)
4. Overusing in casual conversation (more common in formal contexts)

Conclusion

“Be meant to” is a valuable expression for discussing intended purposes, expected behaviors, and destined outcomes in English. Its ability to convey external expectations makes it particularly useful in formal, instructional, and descriptive contexts. Mastering this structure will significantly enhance your ability to express design purposes and social norms accurately.

“Be meant to” का सही प्रयोग आपकी अंग्रेज़ी को अधिक सटीक बनाता है!
Regular practice of these examples will help you use it appropriately. 

Have questions about using “be meant to”? Ask in the comments!