neta

Neta is a term used in several Indian languages, most prominently Hindi, where it means "leader" or "politician." It is a common noun applied to individuals who are active in political life or who hold elected or party positions. In newspapers, television, and everyday speech, "neta" is used as a generic label for politicians, regardless of their party or ideology.

The precise origin of the word is debated. It is widely treated as a native Indo-Aryan term for leadership, but some linguistic accounts note its resemblance to the English word "leader" and describe it as a possible loan or influence from English through colloquial use. The form is found across languages of northern and western India with slight phonetic variations, such as transliterations like neta or netā.

Beyond politics, "neta" can appear in proper names or nicknames in some communities, and is sometimes used in popular culture to reflect political themes. In contemporary discourse, the term can carry neutral, respectful, or pejorative connotations depending on context, tone, and the speaker's attitude toward the individual politician or political system.