Meaning of the Word in Hindi:
Prejudice (प्रीजूडिस) refers to a preconceived opinion or judgment about someone or something, typically formed without proper knowledge, reason, or understanding. In Hindi, it translates to “पूर्वाग्रह” or “पक्षपाती दृष्टिकोण”, indicating a biased attitude or judgment toward a person, group, or idea, often based on stereotypes or unfounded beliefs.
Etymology:
The word prejudice comes from the Latin word praejudicium, which means “a judgment formed beforehand.” It is composed of pre- meaning “before” and judicium meaning “judgment.” Over time, it evolved to refer to biased opinions formed without a fair or impartial examination of the facts.
Detailed Explanation:
Prejudice refers to an unjust or biased judgment about a person, group, or thing, often based on stereotypes or incomplete information. It can manifest in various forms, including:
- Racial Prejudice: Biased opinions or discriminatory attitudes based on race or ethnicity.
- Cultural Prejudice: Negative judgments or assumptions about individuals from different cultural backgrounds.
- Gender Prejudice: Discriminatory views or treatment based on gender.
- Religious Prejudice: Bias against people based on their religious beliefs.
Prejudice can lead to discrimination, injustice, and conflicts within societies, as it prevents people from evaluating others fairly based on their individual qualities or actions.
Examples:
- उसने एक विदेशी व्यक्ति के बारे में पूर्वाग्रह के कारण नकारात्मक राय बनाई।
(He formed a negative opinion about a foreigner due to prejudice.) - समानता की वकालत करते हुए, हम पूर्वाग्रह को समाप्त करने की दिशा में काम कर सकते हैं।
(By advocating for equality, we can work toward eliminating prejudice.) - वह महिलाओं के प्रति पूर्वाग्रह रखते थे, जिससे उसे अपने फैसले लेने में समस्या हुई।
(He had a prejudice against women, which caused him problems in making decisions.)
Synonyms with Explanation:
- पूर्वाग्रह (Purvagrah) – Preconceived opinion or bias, often formed without full knowledge or understanding.
- पक्षपाती दृष्टिकोण (Pakshpati Drishtikon) – A biased or partial viewpoint that favors one side over another.
- स्टीरियोटाइप (Stereotype) – A fixed, oversimplified, and often inaccurate belief about a particular group or thing.
- पूर्वधारणा (Purvadharna) – Preconceived notion or assumption, often made without proper reasoning or evidence.
Few Related Terms:
- भेदभाव (Bhedbhav) – Discrimination or unfair treatment based on prejudice.
- असहमति (Asahmati) – Disagreement, which can sometimes stem from prejudiced views or bias.
- संवेदना (Sanvedna) – Empathy or understanding, which helps combat prejudice by fostering mutual respect.
- समानता (Samanata) – Equality, the opposite of prejudice, promoting fair treatment of all individuals.
Antonyms with Explanation:
- निष्पक्षता (Nishpakshata) – Impartiality, meaning the lack of bias or prejudice.
- समाजवाद (Samajvad) – Socialism, which often advocates for equality and fairness, countering prejudicial views.
- स्वीकृति (Svikriti) – Acceptance, implying openness to diverse people or ideas, free from prejudice.
- विरोधाभास (Virodhabhas) – Contradiction, used in some contexts as the opposite of a biased, prejudicial stance.
Other Words Started with the Main Word:
- Prejudiced (प्रीजूडिस्ड) – Having or showing a preconceived opinion, typically one that is biased or unfair.
- Prejudging (प्रीजजिंग) – The act of forming a judgment or opinion before all the facts are known, often leading to prejudice.
- Prejudicial (प्रीज्यूडिशियल) – Harmful or detrimental, often referring to actions or attitudes that result from or contribute to prejudice.