Hindi Verbs

When you begin learning how to speak Hindi you will quickly begin learning nouns, adjectives, grammar, and of course the dreaded Hindi verbs.

Why do verbs make students so nervous? Part of it is due to our own memories of being forced to memorize grammar and verb rules as young children. Oftentimes we had to fill out worksheets and take tests that we didn’t feel prepared for. While Hindi verbs might give you a little more difficulty than regular Hindi vocabulary words once you learn the basics regarding use of verbs you will see that your fear of learning Hindi verbs is unfounded.

Hindi verbs can be separated into different categories, some of which will overlap depending on the words. For instance, Hindi verbs can be either masculine or feminine; their tense can be past, present, or future; and the types of action they take can be classified as perfected, habitual, or continuous.

When you look up the majority of Hindi verbs they will be written out in the infinitive form and from there it will change depending on the variety of other distinguishing characteristics listed above. The infinitive form can also be recognized right away as it will always end in naa.

Below are a few examples of Hindi verbs in infinitive form and their meanings:

• To sleep: sonaa

• To read: parhnaa

• To eat: khaanaa

• To speak: bolnaa

Now a few examples showing the verb “to speak” in both masculine and feminine forms as well as first person, second person, and third person:

• I speak (masculine, first person): mein boltaa huun

• I speak (feminine, first person): mein boltii huun

• You speak (masculine, second person): tum bolte ho

• You speak (feminine, second person): tum boltii ho

• They speak (masculine, third person): ve bolte hain

• They speak (feminine, third person): ve boltii hain

Like the Hindi alphabet learning verbs can be simple as long as you follow step by step from the beginning. It will help when you start learning verbs if you already know the alphabet and more than a handful of common vocabulary words, and you are already beginning to learn Hindi phrases. Since you will need verbs to complete many of the phrases you learn it’s a good idea to begin learning both simultaneously.

If you choose to learn via a podcast you will be able to take each lesson at your own speed and when it’s most convenient for you. The beauty of this is that you can take your time learning Hindi verbs so that when it comes time for you to begin putting sentences together you will be confident that you know exactly which verb to use each time.