If you want to break the rules of grammar, first learn the rules of grammar.
Kurt Vonnegut
Hindi basic grammar lessons start with tenses. Tenses are a very important part of your lessons when you learn Hindi. Tenses in Hindi, like any other language, give you an idea about the time at which the action took place.
Basic Grammar Rules: Tenses in Hindi Grammar
| Hindi Tense (काल) | English Equivalent | Rule / Usage |
|---|---|---|
| वर्तमान काल (Present) | Present Tense | Used for habitual actions or ongoing events (e.g., मैं पानी पीता हूँ – “I drink water”). |
| भूतकाल (Past) | Past Tense | Indicates completed actions (e.g., मैंने चाय बनाई – “I made tea”). |
| भविष्यत् काल (Future) | Future Tense | Each of the three main tenses—present, past, and future—has three aspects: Simple (नियमित), Continuous (चल रहा), and Perfect (पूरा हो चुका). |
| Sub-divisions | – | Each of the three main tenses—present, past, and future—has three aspects: Simple (नियमित), Continuous (चल रहा), and Perfect (पूरा हो चुका). |
| SOV Structure | Sentence Formation | Hindi follows a Subject–Object–Verb order, unlike English’s SVO pattern. |
| Aspect Marking | Tense vs. Aspect | Hindi separates aspect (e.g., habitual, perfective, progressive) from tense, using participles plus copulas like होना, रहना, often with verbs. |
| No ‘to have’ verb | Expressing possession | Hindi does not use a verb for "to have"; instead, it uses phrases like मेरे पास है (“I have”). |
Learn Hindi the Right Way: Importance of Tenses
Over 40% of India's population speak Hindi as their mother tongue. Derived from the Devanagari script, it is one of the 22 official languages of India. There are 500 million+ speakers of Hindi across the world. Some of the biggest Hindi-speaking countries include,
- India
- South Africa
- Mauritius
- Nepal
- Uganda
- Singapore
- Guyana
- USA
- UK
- Fiji
- Yemen
Just like English, Hindi also has three main tenses - past, present, and future. An example for present tense would be: –ता हूँ / –ती हूँ / -ता है / – ती है / – ते हैं / ती हैं
In turn, each of these tenses has four forms - simple, continuous, perfect, and perfect continuous. Despite the similarity in their nature and classification, the significance of each tense lies in the way they are used in relation to time. It is thus very important to understand how to use tenses with particular verbs.
In order to maintain effective communication, one must be able to use the appropriate tense in accordance with the situation and the time. And to do this, you have to ascertain the different aspects of Hindi verbs. These include the state of being, the nature of action - whether it's complete or still continuing. If you can do this, you can easily conjugate verbs just by analyzing the structure of tenses. This will help you create clear and well-articulated sentences. It will also enhance readability when you are expressing something in writing, thereby making it more appealing.
You can find out about spoken Hindi classes online here on Superprof.
Did you know? That the word "tense" is derived from "Tempus". the Latin word for time?
Basic Grammar In Hindi For Hindi Tenses
Here are some basic grammar rules for Hindi tenses:
Hindi verbs change their form based on the tense and the subject of the sentence.
The three main tenses in Hindi are past (भूतकाल), present (वर्तमानकाल), and future (भविष्यत्काल).
The present tense in Hindi has two forms: simple present (साधारण वर्तमान) and present continuous (वर्तमान सक्रिय).
The past tense in Hindi has two forms: simple past (साधारण भूतकाल) and past continuous (भूतकाल सक्रिय).
The future tense in Hindi can be formed using the auxiliary verb "होना" (to happen) or "जाना" (to go) followed by the infinitive form of the main verb.
The past participle (कृत प्रत्यय) form of a verb in Hindi is used to form the present perfect (संपूर्ण वर्तमान काल) and past perfect (संपूर्ण भूतकाल) tenses.
The present participle (तद्भव प्रत्यय) form of a verb in Hindi is used to form the present continuous (वर्तमान सक्रिय) and past continuous (भूतकाल सक्रिय) tenses.
Hindi uses auxiliary verbs (सहायक क्रिया) to form different tenses. The auxiliary verb agrees in gender and number with the subject of the sentence.
The verb "होना" (to happen) is used as an auxiliary verb in Hindi to form the passive voice (कर्तृवाच्य प्रथम विभक्ति).
The use of appropriate tense markers, auxiliary verbs, and subject agreement is important for the correct formation of Hindi tenses.
General Rules of Hindi Grammar
Hindi follows a subject-object-verb (SOV) sentence structure. The subject comes first, followed by the object, and then the verb.
Nouns in Hindi have gender. They are either masculine (पुल्लिंग) or feminine (स्त्रीलिंग).
Hindi verbs are conjugated based on the tense and the subject. There are three main tenses in Hindi: past (भूतकाल), present (वर्तमानकाल), and future (भविष्यत्काल).
Hindi has postpositions (संधि विच्छेद) instead of prepositions. They are added after the noun or pronoun.
Hindi uses case markers to indicate the role of a noun in a sentence. The case markers in Hindi are nominative (प्रथमा), accusative (द्वितीया), dative (तृतीया), genitive (चतुर्थी), and ablative (पंचमी).
Adjectives in Hindi follow the noun they modify.
Hindi has a system of honorifics (अभिवाचन). Different forms of address are used depending on the social status and relationship of the speaker and the listener.
Hindi has a complex system of consonant clusters (संयुक्ताक्षर) and vowels (स्वर). The pronunciation of Hindi can be challenging for learners.
Hindi uses the Devanagari script (देवनागरी लिपि) for writing. The script has 11 vowels and 33 consonants.
Find A Hindi Teacher to Learn Hindi Verbs
Verbs are words used in any language and grammar to convey an action or a state of being. Just like English, Hindi verbs too have many basic attributes. These include,
- Tense
- Mood
- Modality
- Number
- Gender
- Voice
- Aspect
- Transitivity
- Person
Hindi Classes At Home
The Person in Verbs
The person denotes the relationship between the listener or reader and the speaker or writer. Just like English, Hindi also has three persons, namely -
- First-person
- Second person
- Third person
The Number in Verbs
To denote the singularity or plurality of verbs, you use numbers.
The Gender in Verbs
Unlike English verbs, Hindi verbs are classified according to two genders - masculine and feminine. The gender is determined by the subject of the verb. In case of transitive verbs, the object of the verb is what determines the gender.
Fundamentals of Hindi Lessons
The Hindi grammar system is quite elegant and distinct. The different attributes listed above are combined to form distinct verb characteristics. For example, the combination of aspect and tense or mood is the core of Hindi verbs. Typically, an aspect is combined with a copula to result in a combination. These patterns of combination are important to understand and remember in order to be fluent in the Hindi language.
Check out well outlined Hindi course here.
The Different Aspects of Hindi Verbs
The kind or nature of action of a verb is denoted by its aspect. In Hindi, there are four basic aspects of the verb. They are discussed in detail below.
Habitual Aspect
There are some general aspects or states demonstrated by any verb. These are called its aspects.
Continuous Aspect
The continuous or ongoing actions or states of verbs are referred to as continuous aspects of the verbs.
Perfective Aspect
There are some actions that may be viewed as a simple whole. These are referred to as perfective aspects of the verbs.
Perfect Aspect
The combination of tense and an aspect make up a perfect aspect. This indicates a completed action which has time-related relevance.
Non-Aspect Forms of Hindi Verbs
You will find many verb forms in the Hindi language which have no distinct aspect. Verbs such as the future tense or imperative mood are some examples of non-aspectual verbs in Hindi.
Learn Hindi Online - Moods of Hindi Verbs
The form of verb that indicates modality is called mood. Modality, in its turn, is used to qualify the verb in some category - necessity, obligation, possibility, ability, etc. In Hindi lessons of grammar, you will come across four basic moods. They are discussed in detail below.
1. Indicative Mood
The mood that is used for general indications is called indicative mood.
2. Imperative Mood
This mood is used to give imperatives, commands, and exhortations.
3. Subjunctive Mood
The mood used for subordinate clauses and modalities like wishes or polite exhortations falls under this category.
4. Presumptive Mood
The mood used to presume some action or situation is called presumptive mood.
Other Types of Modality in Hindi Lessons
In Hindi, there are still other types of modalities that can be expressed without the use of grammatical moods. For example, in English, the verbal auxiliary "can" is used mean ability. It is not a mood, rather a verbal modality.
Your grammar is a reflection of your image. Good or bad, you have made an impression. And like all impressions, you are in total control - Jeffrey Gitomer
Hindi Basic Grammar Transitive & Ergative Verbs
When you learn Hindi grammar, you will come across two basic properties of verbs - transitivity and ergativity.
Transitive Property of Hindi Verbs
A verb that takes an object is called a transitive verb. For example, in the sentence, "Jack threw the ball", the ball is the object of the verb threw. Therefore, you can transform an active and transitive verb into an equivalent sentence with a passive verb. In the latter, however, the object will become the subject of the sentence by adding the agentive preposition "by".
Unlike English grammar, where only transitive verbs can have passive forms, in Hindi, intransitive verbs may also be passive. In this case, such passive verbs are used to express inability or passivity.
Ergative Property of Hindi Verbs
Hindi is called a partially ergative language. This means that there may be situations where the verb agrees with the object, but not the subject. This is in stark contrast to English grammar where the verb has to agree with the subject. It is to be remembered, however, that Hindi is only partially ergative when the verb agrees to the object in case it has both transitive and perfective properties. And some verbs are exceptions to the general rule.
Learn Hindi Grammar - The Voice
The relationship between the subject and the action of a verb is reflected by the verb's voice. In Hindi, there are two voices -
- Active Voice
- Passive Voice
Active Voice
When the subject performs the action of the verb, it means that an active voice is at play. For example, in the sentence - Jane threw the stick, the verb "threw" is in the active voice. Jane, the subject of the verb is performing the action on the object "stick"
Passive Voice
When the subject is the recipient of the verb, the latter is in passive voice. For example, in the sentence - The stick was thrown by Jane, "was thrown" is the verb and it is in passive voice. The subject, "stick" receives the action of the verb, "was thrown". The agentive preposition is "by" which separates the agent from the action of the verb.
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Very clear explanations. Thank you.
Very lucid.
Can you please add the devnagri script too to each sentence?
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Very informative and especially simple to follow. You did a sacred duty there sir. Thanks a million. The world will benefit by your kind deed
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No example was given.
It is a mere explanation of what things are. We know that examples clarify doubts. I would like to know with examples how the verb changes based on the gender of the subject and the gender of the object.
Thank you for your valuable comment. Will pass this on to my content team.