विराम लीजिए।

विराम is a noun meaning pause, rest, break, or stop, depending on context.

In विराम लीजिए, it refers to a break/rest. So the sentence is literally something like take a break or please rest for a moment.

You may also see विराम in more formal contexts, such as:

• अल्पविराम = comma
• पूर्णविराम = full stop / period

So the core idea of विराम is a pause or stopping point.

लीजिए is a polite imperative form of लेना, which means to take.

So:

• लेना = to take
• लीजिए = please take

In this sentence:

• विराम = break/rest
• लीजिए = please take

Together: Please take a break.

This form is polite and commonly used when speaking respectfully or giving a courteous instruction.

Hindi often uses a noun + a common verb to express ideas that English may also express with a verb phrase.

So विराम लेना literally means to take a pause/break. This is very similar to English take a break.

This pattern is common in Hindi:

• फ़ैसला लेना = to make/take a decision
• आराम करना = to rest
• ध्यान देना = to pay attention

So विराम लीजिए is a normal Hindi way of saying take a break.

It is polite and somewhat formal or respectful.

Hindi has different imperative levels depending on how polite you want to be:

• विराम ले — very informal / nonstandard for most everyday situations with this noun; not the usual choice
• विराम लो — informal, used with someone close or younger
• विराम लीजिए — polite/respectful
• विराम लीजिएगा — even softer/more courteous in some contexts

In real everyday speech, विराम लीजिए sounds polite and acceptable, but also a bit formal or instructional.

It can be said, but it sounds a bit formal, bookish, or instructional.

In everyday conversation, people are often more likely to say:

• आराम कीजिए। = Please rest.
• थोड़ा आराम कर लीजिए। = Please get a little rest.
• ब्रेक ले लीजिए। = Please take a break.
• थोड़ी देर रुकिए। = Please pause/wait a bit.

So विराम लीजिए is correct, but it may sound more natural in:

• announcements
• teaching/instruction
• formal speech
• written directions

Hindi often leaves out the subject when it is obvious from context.

In an imperative sentence, the subject is usually understood:

• विराम लीजिए। = You take a break. / Please take a break.

The hidden subject here is you, and the form लीजिए already tells you that the speaker is addressing someone politely.

So Hindi does not need to say आप unless the speaker wants extra emphasis:

• आप विराम लीजिए। = You, please take a break.

A simple pronunciation guide is:

viraam leejiye

More roughly:

• वि = vi
• राम = raam
• ली = lee
• जि = ji
• ए = ye in this combination

So it sounds approximately like:

vih-RAAM LEE-jee-ye

A few helpful notes:

• रा has a long aa sound, like rahm but longer
• ली also has a long ee
• जिए in लीजिए is commonly pronounced something like jee-ye

Yes, Hindi word order is somewhat flexible, but विराम लीजिए is the most natural order.

This follows the common Hindi pattern:

• object/noun + verb

So:

• विराम लीजिए = natural
• लीजिए विराम = possible only in marked or poetic/dramatic style, but not the normal everyday order

For learners, it is best to use:

• विराम लीजिए

This is just how the verb लेना forms its polite imperative.

The polite forms are irregular enough that they are best learned as whole forms:

• दीजिए from देना = please give
• लीजिए from लेना = please take
• कीजिए from करना = please do

So even though the root is ले-, the polite imperative becomes लीजिए.

This is a very common form, and learners usually memorize it as a standard polite command.

Those are less natural.

Because विराम is normally used with लेना, the most natural choice is:

• विराम लीजिए

You are more likely to hear:

• आराम कीजिए = please rest than
• विराम कीजिए

So the usual pairings are:

• विराम लेना
• आराम करना

That is why विराम लीजिए sounds right, while विराम कीजिए usually does not.

They are similar, but not exactly the same in tone.

• विराम लीजिए = take a break / pause
• आराम कीजिए = rest / be at ease

विराम focuses more on pausing an activity. आराम focuses more on resting or relaxing.

So if someone is working and you want them to stop for a bit, विराम लीजिए fits well. If someone looks tired and you want them to relax, आराम कीजिए may sound more natural.

Yes, विराम is generally treated as a masculine noun, but in this sentence it does not really affect the form you see.

That is because:

• विराम is the noun
• लीजिए is a polite imperative verb form

The verb here does not change for the gender of विराम. So whether you know the noun’s gender or not, the sentence remains:

• विराम लीजिए।

For a beginner, the most important thing is simply learning the full expression विराम लेना = to take a break.