In the realm of vocabulary, certain English words stand out due to their expressive nature and frequent use in both writing and conversation. One such word is extravagant, a term commonly heard in contexts related to spending, behavior, or appearance. For Bengali speakers or those learning the Bengali language, understanding the meaning of extravagant and how it translates into Bengali can enrich language comprehension and daily communication. This topic explores the Bengali meaning of extravagant, its usage in English, and its implications in various contexts, both linguistic and cultural.
Understanding the Word ‘Extravagant’
The word extravagant is an adjective used to describe something that is excessively elaborate, overly luxurious, or needlessly expensive. It can also refer to actions, behavior, or ideas that are exaggerated or unreasonably grand. Derived from the Latin wordextravagari, meaning to wander beyond, it conveys the idea of going beyond reasonable or acceptable limits.
Common English Definitions
Before exploring its Bengali meaning, here are some core English definitions of extravagant:
- Spending much more than is necessary or wise; wasteful.
- Exceeding the bounds of reason; going beyond what is reasonable or expected.
- Immoderate in expression or action; unrestrained or exaggerated.
Examples of extravagant in a sentence:
- She threw an extravagant wedding with hundreds of guests.
- His claims were so extravagant that nobody believed him.
- Buying a diamond-studded watch seems a bit extravagant, don’t you think?
The Bengali Meaning of ‘Extravagant’
In Bengali, the word extravagant is commonly translated asঠতিবà§à¦¯à¦¯à¦¼à§(pronounced: otibyoyi) orঠতিলমà§à¦¬à¦¿à¦¤(depending on context). The term captures the essence of someone who spends excessively or acts in an overly luxurious or imprudent manner. In specific contexts, the word may also be translated as:
- ঠপবà§à¦¯à¦¯à¦¼à§(apobyoyi) – wasteful, especially in financial matters
- ঠসামà¦à§à¦à¦¸à§à¦¯à¦ªà§à¦°à§à¦£(osamanjoshyopurno) – inconsistent or unreasonable
- ঠতিরà¦à§à¦à¦¿à¦¤(otironjito) – exaggerated
Choosing the Right Translation Based on Context
One of the nuances of translating English into Bengali is that a single English word may have different meanings depending on the sentence or situation. Extravagant is a prime example of this. Consider these examples:
- He is an extravagant spender. âসৠà¦à¦à¦à¦¨ ঠতিবà§à¦¯à¦¯à¦¼à§ বà§à¦¯à¦à§à¦¤à¦¿à¥¤
- The movie had extravagant special effects. âসিনà§à¦®à¦¾à¦à¦¿à¦¤à§ à¦à¦¿à¦² ঠতিরà¦à§à¦à¦¿à¦¤ সà§à¦ªà§à¦¶à¦¾à¦² à¦à¦«à§à¦à§à¦à¥¤
- Her compliments were a bit extravagant. âতার পà§à¦°à¦¶à¦à¦¸à¦¾à¦ à§à¦²à¦¿ à¦à¦¿à¦à§à¦à¦¾ ঠতিরà¦à§à¦à¦¿à¦¤ à¦à¦¿à¦²à¥¤
As demonstrated, depending on whether the focus is on spending habits, visual effects, or speech, the Bengali translation can shift accordingly.
Extravagant in Cultural Context
In both Western and South Asian cultures, the idea of extravagance carries mixed connotations. In Bengali-speaking societies, being labeled as ঠতিবà§à¦¯à¦¯à¦¼à§ might be viewed negatively, especially in modest or middle-class households where financial prudence is valued. In contrast, in celebrations like weddings or festivals, some extravagance may be socially accepted or even encouraged as a symbol of status and joy.
Modern Usage of ‘Extravagant’ in Bengali Society
In urban areas of West Bengal and Bangladesh, with the rise of global consumerism and digital influence, the word extravagant has become more common in discussions related to lifestyle, fashion, and entertainment. The term is often used in media reviews, political commentary, and social debates about consumer behavior.
For example:
- The government’s extravagant spending on luxury cars sparked controversy. âসরà¦à¦¾à¦°à§à¦° ঠতিবà§à¦¯à¦¯à¦¼à§ à¦à¦°à¦ নিয়ৠবিতরà§à¦ সà§à¦·à§à¦à¦¿ হয়à§à¦à§à¥¤
- Her extravagant outfit at the party turned heads. âপারà§à¦à¦¿à¦¤à§ তার ঠতিবà§à¦¯à¦¯à¦¼à§ পà§à¦¶à¦¾à¦ সবার দà§à¦·à§à¦à¦¿ à¦à¦à¦°à§à¦·à¦£ à¦à¦°à§à¥¤
How to Use Extravagant in Everyday Conversations
Understanding the Bengali meaning of extravagant allows bilingual speakers to use it effectively in both languages. Here are a few practical ways to incorporate the word into daily speech and writing:
In English Sentences:
- Your gift is lovely, but it feels a bit extravagant.
- Let’s not be too extravagant with the decorations this year.
In Bengali Sentences:
- à¦à¦¤ বà§à¦¯à¦¯à¦¼ à¦à¦°à¦¾ সতà§à¦¯à¦¿à¦ ঠতিবà§à¦¯à¦¯à¦¼à§ সিদà§à¦§à¦¾à¦¨à§à¦¤à¥¤ (Spending this much is truly an extravagant decision.)
- তà§à¦®à¦¿ à¦à¦¿ à¦à¦¾à¦¨à§, তার à¦à§à¦¬à¦¨à¦¯à¦¾à¦¤à§à¦°à¦¾ à¦à¦¤à¦à¦¾ ঠতিবà§à¦¯à¦¯à¦¼à§? (Do you know how extravagant his lifestyle is?)
Synonyms and Antonyms in Bengali and English
To enhance vocabulary, it’s useful to know synonyms and antonyms of extravagant.
Synonyms of ‘Extravagant’:
- Lavish â বিলাসবহà§à¦² (bilasbohul)
- Wasteful â ঠপবà§à¦¯à¦¯à¦¼à§ (apobyoyi)
- Immoderate â ঠসà¦à¦¯à¦¤ (osonjoto)
- Grandiose â à¦à¦¾à¦à¦à¦à¦®à¦à¦ªà§à¦°à§à¦£ (jakjomokpurno)
Antonyms of ‘Extravagant’:
- Frugal â মিতবà§à¦¯à¦¯à¦¼à§ (mitobyoyi)
- Modest â নমà§à¦°/সাধারণ (nomro/sadharon)
- Economical â ঠরà§à¦¥à¦¸à¦¾à¦¶à§à¦°à¦¯à¦¼à§ (orthoshashroyi)
The English word extravagant carries strong emotional and practical meaning, often describing behavior, spending, or style that exceeds what is considered normal or necessary. When translated into Bengali, it is most commonly rendered asঠতিবà§à¦¯à¦¯à¦¼à§, with variations depending on the specific context. Understanding these nuances helps Bengali speakers and learners use the term accurately in both languages. Whether used to praise a grand occasion or critique unnecessary spending, extravagant is a versatile word that enhances expressive power across cultures.