In the realm of language learning, especially when translating words from English to Bengali, understanding the full depth of a word can be both rewarding and challenging. One such word that often causes confusion is ‘perfunctory.’ It is not a word that is commonly used in casual conversations, yet it carries a subtle but powerful meaning. In Bengali, ‘perfunctory’ can be translated as ‘ঠবহà§à¦²à¦¾à¦¸à§à¦à¦’ (obhelasuchok) or ‘à¦à¦¾à¦¸à¦¾ à¦à¦¾à¦¸à¦¾’ (bhasha bhasha), depending on the context. This topic explores the meaning of ‘perfunctory’ in Bengali, provides various usage examples, and explains how to recognize and use the word correctly in real-life situations. Whether you’re an English learner trying to expand your vocabulary or a Bengali speaker aiming to grasp more nuanced English words, this guide will provide a comprehensive understanding.
What Does ‘Perfunctory’ Mean?
The word ‘perfunctory’ is an adjective used to describe an action or gesture carried out with minimal effort, enthusiasm, or thought. It often implies something done as a routine or duty rather than with sincere attention or interest. A perfunctory action lacks depth, passion, or commitment.
English Definition:
Done without real interest, effort, or feeling; superficial or mechanical in execution.
Bengali Meaning:
- ঠবহà§à¦²à¦¾à¦¸à§à¦à¦ (Obhelasuchok) – Suggesting neglect or lack of seriousness
- à¦à¦¾à¦¸à¦¾ à¦à¦¾à¦¸à¦¾ (Bhasha Bhasha) – Done in a shallow or careless manner
- রà§à¦¢à¦¼à¦à¦¾à¦¬à§ à¦à¦°à¦¾ (Rurhbhabe kora) – Done roughly, without gentleness or concern
Pronunciation Guide
Perfunctory is pronounced as /pÉrËfÊÅk.tÉ.i/ in English. In Bengali script, it may be phonetically written as পারফাà¦à§à¦à¦à¦°à¦¿.
Examples of ‘Perfunctory’ in English with Bengali Translation
Example 1:
English: He gave a perfunctory nod and walked away.
Bengali: সৠঠবহà§à¦²à¦¾à¦¸à§à¦à¦à¦à¦¾à¦¬à§ মাথা নাড়ল à¦à¦¬à¦ à¦à¦²à§ ঠà§à¦²à¥¤
Example 2:
English: Her apology seemed perfunctory, as if she didn’t really mean it.
Bengali: তার à¦à§à¦·à¦®à¦¾ পà§à¦°à¦¾à¦°à§à¦¥à¦¨à¦¾à¦à¦¿ à¦à¦¾à¦¸à¦¾ à¦à¦¾à¦¸à¦¾ মনৠহলà§, যà§à¦¨ সৠসতà§à¦¯à¦¿à¦ à¦à¦¨à§à¦¤à¦°à¦¿à¦ নয়।
Example 3:
English: The teacher gave a perfunctory glance at the homework before returning it.
Bengali: শিà¦à§à¦·à¦ হà§à¦®à¦à¦¯à¦¼à¦¾à¦°à§à¦à§ à¦à¦ ঠবহà§à¦²à¦¾à¦¸à§à¦à¦ দà§à¦·à§à¦à¦¿à¦ªà¦¾à¦¤ à¦à¦°à§ সà§à¦à¦¿ ফিরিয়ৠদিলà§à¦¨à¥¤
Example 4:
English: The staff performed their duties in a perfunctory manner, without enthusiasm.
Bengali: à¦à¦°à§à¦®à§à¦°à¦¾ à¦à§à¦¸à¦¾à¦¹ à¦à¦¾à¦¡à¦¼à¦¾à¦ তাদà§à¦° দায়িতà§à¦¬ পালন à¦à¦°à¦² à¦à¦¾à¦¸à¦¾ à¦à¦¾à¦¸à¦¾à¦à¦¾à¦¬à§à¥¤
Example 5:
English: He gave a perfunctory smile, not wanting to be rude.
Bengali: সৠঠবহà§à¦²à¦¾à¦¸à§à¦à¦ হাসি দিল, যাতৠঠসà¦à§à¦¯ মনৠনা হয়।
When to Use the Word ‘Perfunctory’
The word ‘perfunctory’ is best used when you want to describe an action that is done in a lazy, uninterested, or mechanical way. It is particularly effective in professional, academic, or literary contexts where you wish to express that something was completed without emotional engagement.
Use Cases:
- Describing insincere gestures or apologies
- Critiquing poor service or customer care
- Pointing out superficial performances or responses
- Expressing disinterest or emotional detachment
How to Recognize Perfunctory Behavior
Identifying perfunctory behavior in daily life can help one better understand social cues or even self-reflect. Perfunctory actions are usually marked by:
- Minimal effort or attention
- Absence of emotion or concern
- Fast, mechanical execution
- Lack of engagement or connection
For instance, someone who says ‘thank you’ without making eye contact or someone who writes a recommendation letter full of clichés may be acting in a perfunctory way.
Synonyms of ‘Perfunctory’ and Their Bengali Equivalents
To better grasp the essence of the word, it’s useful to look at similar words and how they are interpreted in Bengali.
- Mechanical– যনà§à¦¤à§à¦°à¦à¦¾à¦²à¦¿à¦¤ / সà§à¦¬à¦¯à¦¼à¦à¦à§à¦°à¦¿à¦¯à¦¼
- Superficial– à¦à¦ªà¦°à§à¦° সà§à¦¤à¦°à§à¦° / à¦à¦¾à¦¸à¦¾ à¦à¦¾à¦¸à¦¾
- Indifferent– à¦à¦¦à¦¾à¦¸à§à¦¨
- Unenthusiastic– ঠনà§à§à¦¸à¦¾à¦¹à§
- Casual– সাধারণ / ঠা à¦à¦¾à¦¡à¦¼à¦¾
Why Is Understanding ‘Perfunctory’ Important for Bengali Speakers?
For native Bengali speakers, the English word ‘perfunctory’ might not have a direct one-word equivalent in casual usage. However, understanding its meaning can help improve comprehension and expression, especially in formal settings such as workplace communication, literature, or critical writing. It adds sophistication to one’s vocabulary and allows for more precise communication.
Tips for Using ‘Perfunctory’ Correctly
- Use it to describe actions, not people directly. For example, say ‘a perfunctory reply’ rather than ‘a perfunctory person.’
- Pair it with verbs like ‘give,’ ‘perform,’ ‘offer,’ or ‘make.’
- Be cautious not to overuse it, as it can sound critical or negative.
- Understand the tone – the word usually conveys disappointment or a lack of sincerity.
Mastering a word like ‘perfunctory’ can significantly elevate your language skills, especially when you are translating or expressing subtle ideas between English and Bengali. With meanings like ‘ঠবহà§à¦²à¦¾à¦¸à§à¦à¦’ and ‘à¦à¦¾à¦¸à¦¾ à¦à¦¾à¦¸à¦¾,’ this term can be used to point out when things are done without care, enthusiasm, or genuine attention. Through examples and context, one can learn to use it accurately and effectively. As you continue to expand your English vocabulary, keep in mind that such nuanced words add depth to communication and understanding across languages.