1. जाति (Jaati): This is the most common and direct translation of "caste" in Hindi, referring to the hereditary social groups that are often associated with specific occupations or rituals.
2. वर्ण (Varna): This word refers to the four traditional varnas in Hinduism: Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra. While not directly synonymous with "caste", it's often used in discussions about the caste system.
3. जाति व्यवस्था (Jaati Vyavastha): This phrase literally translates to "caste system" and is used to describe the hierarchical social structure based on birth.
4. जातिगत (Jaatigat): This word means "caste-based" or "related to caste" and is used as an adjective to describe something related to the caste system.
The best translation for "caste" in Hindi depends on the specific context and the intended meaning. For example, you might use "jaati" when discussing a specific caste group, "varna" when talking about the traditional varna system, and "jaati vyavastha" when discussing the broader social structure.