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A1 modal #250 الأكثر شيوعاً 8 دقيقة للقراءة

सकना

sakna الأكثر شيوعاً #250

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح सकना في 30 ثانية

الشرح सकना in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'sakna' is introduced as a basic tool to express simple abilities and ask for permission. Learners focus on the present tense: 'sakta hoon', 'sakti hoon', and 'sakte hain'. The primary goal is to combine a verb root with 'sakna' to form basic sentences like 'I can go' or 'Can I eat?'. Understanding that 'sakna' changes based on gender is the key challenge here. It is used in very concrete, everyday situations such as shopping, introducing oneself, or basic classroom interactions.

At A2, the usage expands to the past and future tenses. Learners begin to use 'sakta tha' (could) and 'sakunga' (will be able to). There is also a focus on negative sentences ('nahi kar sakta') and simple questions. The concept of 'possibility' (It can rain) is introduced alongside 'ability'. Learners start to distinguish between 'sakna' and 'aana' for skills, though they may still rely heavily on 'sakna' for everything. The vocabulary of main verbs used with 'sakna' becomes more diverse, moving beyond 'go', 'eat', and 'see'.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

By B1, learners should be comfortable with the 'saka/saki/sake' form for completed past ability (e.g., 'I was able to finish the work'). They start using 'sakna' in more complex sentence structures, including those with conjunctions like 'kyunki' (because) or 'isliye' (therefore). The use of 'sakna' for polite requests becomes more nuanced, often involving conditional structures. Learners also begin to understand the difference between 'sakna' and 'paana' (managing to do something), using them to add more detail to their stories and explanations.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the B2 level, 'sakna' is used to express hypothetical situations and degrees of probability. Learners use it in complex conditional sentences (e.g., 'If I had more time, I could have done it'). They also start to encounter 'sakna' in passive-like constructions and more formal contexts. The focus shifts to using 'sakna' naturally in debates and discussions to express opinions tentatively ('It could be that...'). Understanding idiomatic expressions involving 'sakna' (like 'jahan tak ho sake') becomes a priority.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

C1 learners use 'sakna' with high precision, often choosing it or its alternatives (like 'samarth' or 'saksham') based on the desired register. They can use 'sakna' in literary or highly formal contexts, such as academic writing or legal discussions. The subtle differences between 'sakna' and other modals are mastered, allowing for very specific communication of intent, possibility, and obligation. They also recognize and use 'sakna' in classical poetry or complex philosophical texts where it might take on archaic forms or meanings.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C2 level, 'sakna' is used with the effortless grace of a native speaker. This includes using it in wordplay, sarcasm, and complex rhetorical devices. The speaker can manipulate the verb to convey the finest shades of meaning, such as doubt, irony, or absolute certainty. They are fully aware of the historical evolution of the word and its regional variations across the Hindi-speaking world. 'Sakna' is no longer a grammar rule but a flexible tool for sophisticated creative expression in both speech and high-level literature.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح

सकना في 30 ثانية

Sakna is the Hindi equivalent of 'can', 'could', or 'may', used to express ability and permission.
It always follows the root of a main verb and never takes the 'ne' particle in the past.
The verb conjugates to match the subject's gender and number: sakta (M), sakti (F), sakte (Plural).
It is essential for daily conversation, requests, and expressing possibilities in various tenses.

The Hindi verb सकना (Sakna) is one of the most fundamental building blocks of the language, serving as the primary modal auxiliary verb. Much like the English words 'can', 'could', 'may', or 'might', it is used to express a range of concepts including physical or mental ability, theoretical or situational possibility, and the granting or seeking of permission. In the landscape of Hindi grammar, sakna is unique because it never stands alone as a main verb; it always follows the root form of another verb to modify its meaning. For instance, while 'bolna' means 'to speak', 'bol sakna' means 'to be able to speak'. This distinction is crucial for learners to grasp early on because it shifts the focus from the action itself to the potentiality of that action.

Physical Ability: This is the most common use, describing what someone is capable of doing based on their skills or physical strength. For example, 'I can lift this' or 'She can swim'.
Possibility: Used to describe events that might happen. 'It can rain today' or 'He could be at home'. In this context, it often overlaps with the concept of 'might'.
Permission: In informal or semi-formal settings, it is used to ask for or give permission. 'Can I come in?' is a classic example where sakna functions exactly like 'may'.

मैं हिंदी बोल सकता हूँ। (I can speak Hindi.)

Understanding the nuances of sakna requires looking at how it interacts with the subject's gender and number. Unlike English where 'can' remains static, sakna changes to sakta (masculine singular), sakti (feminine singular/plural), or sakte (masculine plural/respectful). This agreement is the heartbeat of Hindi syntax. When you use sakna, you are not just stating a fact; you are often expressing a level of confidence or uncertainty. In social interactions, using it correctly helps convey politeness. For example, 'Kya main yahan baith sakta hoon?' (Can I sit here?) is a standard way to navigate public spaces in India. The word is ubiquitous in Bollywood songs, political speeches, and daily household chores, making it an indispensable tool for any Hindi speaker.

क्या आप मेरी मदद कर सकते हैं? (Can you help me?)

The grammatical structure of sentences involving सकना (Sakna) follows a very specific and predictable pattern. The formula is: Subject + Main Verb Root + Sakna (conjugated) + Auxiliary Verb (optional but common). It is vital to remember that the main verb is always stripped of its '-na' ending. For example, if the verb is 'khana' (to eat), you only use the root 'kha'. The auxiliary verb sakna then takes on the tense, gender, and number markers. This makes Hindi highly logical but requires the speaker to keep track of the subject throughout the sentence construction process.

Present Tense: In the present tense, we use 'sakta/sakti/sakte' followed by 'hai/hoon/ho/hain'. Example: 'Wo ga sakta hai' (He can sing).
Past Tense: In the past, we use 'sakta/sakti/sakte' followed by 'tha/thi/the'. Example: 'Main nahi aa sakta tha' (I could not come).
Future Tense: In the future, sakna conjugates like a regular verb: 'sakunga/sakungi/sakenge'. Example: 'Hum kal mil sakenge' (We will be able to meet tomorrow).

वह तेज़ दौड़ सकती है। (She can run fast.)

One of the most interesting aspects of sakna is its behavior in negative sentences. To say 'cannot', you simply place 'nahi' before the verb root or before the conjugated form of sakna. However, the most natural placement is usually right before the root. For example, 'Main nahi ja sakta' (I cannot go). Unlike many other Hindi verbs, sakna does not take the 'ne' postposition in the perfective (past) tense. This is a massive relief for learners! You would say 'Maine kiya' (I did) but 'Main kar saka' (I could do/was able to do). This distinction is a hallmark of an intermediate speaker. Mastering the 'saka/saki/sake' form for completed past ability adds a layer of sophistication to your speech that distinguishes you from a beginner.

क्या हम अंदर आ सकते हैं? (Can we come inside?)

If you walk through the streets of Delhi or Mumbai, सकना (Sakna) will be one of the most frequent sounds hitting your ears. It is the language of possibility and negotiation. In the bustling markets, you'll hear customers asking, 'Kya aap thoda kam kar sakte hain?' (Can you reduce the price a bit?). In the corporate offices of Gurgaon, it appears in professional requests: 'Kya hum meeting kal kar sakte hain?' (Can we have the meeting tomorrow?). The word bridges the gap between the formal and the informal, adapting its tone based on the auxiliary verbs used alongside it. It is also the star of many Bollywood 'dialogues' where heroes proclaim their abilities or villains doubt the hero's strength.

कोई भी यह काम कर सकता है। (Anyone can do this work.)

In Hindi cinema and music, sakna often carries a heavy emotional weight. Songs frequently use the 'saka' (past ability) form to express regret or missed opportunities—'Main keh na saka' (I could not say). This poetic usage highlights the verb's ability to convey deep human experience beyond simple grammar. Furthermore, in news broadcasts, you will hear it used to discuss government capabilities or weather forecasts: 'Baarish ho sakti hai' (It may rain). This usage for 'possibility' is slightly different from 'ability', but the word remains the same, showing how context dictates meaning in Hindi. Even in religious or philosophical discourses, sakna is used to discuss the limits of human potential and the infinite power of the divine.

शायद वह आज आ सके। (Perhaps he might be able to come today.)

For English speakers, the most frequent pitfall when using सकना (Sakna) is the 'Full Verb Trap'. In English, we say 'I can to eat' is wrong, but we use the base form. In Hindi, learners often try to use the infinitive form of the main verb (ending in -na) before sakna. For example, saying 'Main jaana sakta hoon' instead of the correct 'Main jaa sakta hoon'. This sounds very jarring to a native speaker. The rule is absolute: always use the verb root. Another common error involves gender agreement. Because sakna is an auxiliary, it must agree with the subject, not the object. If a woman is speaking, she must say 'Main kar sakti hoon', regardless of what she is doing.

The 'Ne' Confusion: Many learners learn that past tense transitive verbs require 'ne' (e.g., 'Maine khaya'). However, 'sakna' is an exception. You never use 'ne' with 'sakna'. It's always 'Main kar saka', never 'Maine kar saka'.
Confusing Sakna with Paana: While both can mean 'can', 'paana' often implies 'managing to do something despite obstacles'. Using 'sakna' when you mean 'managed to' can sometimes lose that nuance.

Incorrect: मैं पढ़ना सकता हूँ। (Main padhna sakta hoon.)
Correct: मैं पढ़ सकता हूँ। (Main padh sakta hoon.)

Lastly, watch out for the placement of 'nahi' (not). While 'Main sakta nahi hoon' is technically understandable, it sounds poetic or archaic. The standard, most comfortable flow for a native ear is 'Main nahi kar sakta'. Also, beginners often forget the final auxiliary 'hai' or 'hoon'. While in very fast speech these might be dropped, in standard Hindi, they are necessary to anchor the tense of the sentence. Skipping them can make your speech sound 'broken' or telegraphic. Practice saying the full phrase 'jaa sakta hoon' as one unit of sound to build muscle memory.

While सकना (Sakna) is the go-to word for 'can', Hindi offers several alternatives that provide more specific shades of meaning. Understanding these can elevate your Hindi from functional to fluent. The most common alternative is पाना (Paana). While sakna denotes general ability, paana often implies that the person succeeded in doing something after some effort or despite difficulties. For example, 'Main nahi aa saka' (I couldn't come - general) vs 'Main nahi aa paaya' (I couldn't make it - implies I tried but failed). This subtle shift in meaning is very common in emotional or situational contexts.

पाना (Paana): Used for 'managing to' or 'succeeding in' an action. Often used in negative sentences to show failure despite effort.
काबिल होना (Kaabil Hona): A more formal way to say 'to be capable' or 'to be worthy'. Used for skills or character traits.
संभव होना (Sambhav Hona): Literally 'to be possible'. Used when discussing the feasibility of an event rather than a person's ability.

क्या यह मुमकिन है? (Is this possible?) — An alternative to 'Kya yeh ho सकता है?'

Another alternative is using the word आना (Aana - to come) to express learned skills. In Hindi, you don't 'can' speak a language; the language 'comes' to you. Instead of 'Main Hindi bol sakta hoon', many natives say 'Mujhe Hindi aati hai'. This is a very 'Hindi' way of thinking about ability. Similarly, for 'I can swim', you might say 'Mujhe tairna aata hai'. Using sakna in these cases is grammatically correct but using aana sounds much more natural. By choosing between sakna, paana, and aana, you can communicate exactly whether you have the potential, the success, or the learned skill.

How Formal Is It?

رسمي

"क्या आप कृपया इस दस्तावेज़ पर हस्ताक्षर कर सकते हैं?"

محايد

"मैं कल आपसे मिल सकता हूँ।"

غير رسمي

"तू यह काम कर सकता है क्या?"

Child friendly

"क्या मैं चॉकलेट खा सकता हूँ?"

عامية

"भाई, तू तो आग लगा सकता है!"

حقيقة ممتعة

The word 'Shakti', which represents the feminine cosmic energy in Hinduism, comes from the same root as 'sakna'. So, every time you say you 'can' do something, you are linguistically invoking a tiny bit of that power!

دليل النطق

UK /sək.nɑː/

US /sək.nɑ/

The stress is slightly on the first syllable 'sak', but Hindi generally has even syllable stress.

يتقافى مع

रखना (Rakhna) चखना (Chakhna) दखना (Dakhna) लखना (Lakhna) तखना (Takhna) पकना (Pakna) थकना (Thakna) बकना (Bakna)

أخطاء شائعة

Pronouncing the first 'a' as a long 'ah' (like 'saak-na'). It should be short.
Aspirating the 'k' too much (like 'sakh-na'). It should be a clean 'k'.
Nasalizing the final 'na'. It should be a pure oral vowel.
Pronouncing 's' as 'sh'.
Forgetting to change the ending to 'ta', 'ti', or 'te' in sentences.

مستوى الصعوبة

القراءة 1/5

Very easy to recognize as it usually appears at the end of sentences.

الكتابة 2/5

Requires remembering to use the verb root and correct gender agreement.

التحدث 2/5

Agreement with the subject must be automatic for natural flow.

الاستماع 1/5

Easy to hear due to its frequent use and distinct sound.

ماذا تتعلّم بعد ذلك

المتطلبات الأساسية

मैं (Main) वह (Wah) करना (Karna) जाना (Jaana) होना (Hona)

تعلّم لاحقاً

चाहिए (Chahiye - Should) पड़ना (Padna - Have to) पाना (Paana - Managed to) चाहना (Chahna - To want) होना (Hona - To happen/be)

متقدم

सक्षम (Saksham) सामर्थ्य (Samarthya) मुमकिन (Mumkin) संभावना (Sambhavna) अख्तियार (Akhtiyar)

قواعد يجب معرفتها

Verb Root Rule

Use 'jaa' (root) + 'sakta', not 'jaana' (infinitive).

Subject Agreement

If the subject is 'Ladki' (Girl), use 'sakti hai'.

No 'Ne' in Past

Say 'Main kar saka', never 'Maine kar saka'.

Negative Placement

Place 'nahi' before the verb root for the most natural sound.

Future Conjugation

'Sakna' becomes 'sakunga', 'sakenge', etc., in the future.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

أمثلة حسب المستوى

मैं तैर सकता हूँ।

I can swim.

Masculine singular subject 'Main' with 'sakta hoon'.

क्या मैं अंदर आ सकता हूँ?

Can I come in?

Asking for permission using 'sakta hoon'.

वह गाना गा सकती है।

She can sing a song.

Feminine singular subject 'Wah' with 'sakti hai'.

हम देख सकते हैं।

We can see.

Masculine plural subject 'Hum' with 'sakte hain'.

तुम जा सकते हो।

You can go.

Informal 'Tum' with 'sakte ho'.

मैं नहीं पढ़ सकता।

I cannot read.

Negative sentence with 'nahi' before 'sakta'.

क्या आप सुन सकते हैं?

Can you hear?

Formal 'Aap' with 'sakte hain'.

बच्चे खेल सकते हैं।

Children can play.

Plural subject 'Bacche' with 'sakte hain'.

कल बारिश हो सकती है।

It can rain tomorrow.

Expressing possibility.

मैं कल नहीं आ सका।

I could not come yesterday.

Past ability using 'saka'.

वह खाना बना सकेगी।

She will be able to cook.

Future ability 'sakegi'.

क्या तुम मेरी मदद कर सकते थे?

Could you help me?

Past ability question 'sakte the'.

हम यह मैच जीत सकते हैं।

We can win this match.

Expressing confidence/possibility.

वह यहाँ नहीं सो सकता।

He cannot sleep here.

Prohibition/Lack of permission.

शायद वे आज आ सकें।

Perhaps they might be able to come today.

Subjunctive use for possibility.

मैं अपनी चाबी नहीं ढूँढ सका।

I could not find my keys.

Past failure using 'saka'.

अगर तुम चाहो, तो हम जा सकते हैं।

If you want, we can go.

Conditional sentence with 'sakna'.

वह इतनी दूर नहीं चल सकता था।

He was not able to walk that far.

Past inability with 'tha'.

क्या आप मुझे रास्ता बता सकते हैं?

Can you tell me the way?

Polite request.

मैं यह काम समय पर कर सकूँगा।

I will be able to do this work on time.

Future confidence.

वह शायद ही सच बोल सके।

He might hardly be able to tell the truth.

Expressing low probability.

हम इस समस्या को सुलझा सकते हैं।

We can solve this problem.

Collective ability.

क्या वह इतनी जल्दी पहुँच सकता है?

Can he reach so early?

Questioning possibility.

मैं तुम्हारी भावनाओं को समझ सकता हूँ।

I can understand your feelings.

Empathy/Mental ability.

यह खबर सच हो सकती है।

This news could be true.

Speculative possibility.

बिना मेहनत के तुम सफल नहीं हो सकते।

Without hard work, you cannot be successful.

General truth/Condition.

वह अपनी गलती मान सकता था, पर उसने नहीं मानी।

He could have admitted his mistake, but he didn't.

Past hypothetical 'sakta tha'.

क्या आप कृपया थोड़ा इंतज़ार कर सकते हैं?

Could you please wait a little?

Very polite request.

जितना हो सके, उतनी मदद करो।

Help as much as possible.

Idiomatic use of 'sake'.

यह मशीन किसी भी समय खराब हो सकती है।

This machine could break down at any time.

Predicting a risk.

मैं उसे कभी नहीं भूल सकता।

I can never forget him/her.

Emotional impossibility.

क्या कोई इस रहस्य को सुलझा सकता है?

Can anyone solve this mystery?

Rhetorical question.

मानव मस्तिष्क की क्षमताओं को कौन माप सकता है?

Who can measure the capabilities of the human brain?

Philosophical/Academic inquiry.

यह नीति समाज में बड़ा बदलाव ला सकती है।

This policy can bring a big change in society.

Formal political discourse.

वह अपनी कला के माध्यम से भावनाओं को व्यक्त कर सका।

He was able to express emotions through his art.

Literary past ability.

जहाँ तक संभव हो सके, हमें अहिंसा का पालन करना चाहिए।

As far as possible, we should follow non-violence.

Complex idiomatic structure.

कोई भी तर्क उसे अपने फैसले से डिगा नहीं सका।

No argument could sway him from his decision.

Formal narrative style.

क्या तकनीक प्रकृति की जगह ले सकती है?

Can technology take the place of nature?

Existential question.

वह अपनी विद्वत्ता से सबको चकित कर सका।

He was able to amaze everyone with his scholarship.

High-register vocabulary.

परिस्थितियाँ विपरीत हो सकती हैं, पर हमें हार नहीं माननी चाहिए।

Circumstances may be adverse, but we must not give up.

Complex sentence with contrast.

उसकी चुप्पी बहुत कुछ कह सकती है।

His silence can say a lot.

Metaphorical usage.

इतिहास स्वयं को दोहरा सकता है, यदि हम सावधान न रहें।

History can repeat itself if we are not careful.

Abstract historical concept.

क्या कोई शब्द उस असीम सौंदर्य का वर्णन कर सकता है?

Can any word describe that infinite beauty?

Rhetorical/Poetic inquiry.

यह विचार क्रांति की ज्वाला भड़का सकता है।

This idea can ignite the flame of revolution.

Highly metaphorical/Political.

वह अपनी लेखनी से मृतप्राय समाज में प्राण फूँक सका।

He was able to breathe life into a near-dead society with his writing.

Archaic/Literary high Hindi.

भाग्य को कौन टाल सकता है?

Who can avert fate?

Classical philosophical idiom.

उसकी आँखों में छिपी पीड़ा को केवल एक माँ ही पढ़ सकती है।

Only a mother can read the pain hidden in his eyes.

Nuanced emotional expression.

विज्ञान और अध्यात्म का संगम ही मानवता को बचा सकता है।

Only the union of science and spirituality can save humanity.

Complex ideological statement.

المرادفات

समर्थ होना काबिल होना संभव होना इजाज़त होना योग्य होना

الأضداد

न सकना असमर्थ होना नाकाम होना

تلازمات شائعة

कर सकता हूँ

हो सकता है

जा सकते हैं

कह नहीं सकता

दिख सकता है

बन सकता है

आ सके तो

समझ सकते हैं

मिल सकता है

रुक सकते हैं

العبارات الشائعة

हो सकता है

— It is possible or maybe. Used to express uncertainty.

हो सकता है कि वह कल आए।

जहाँ तक हो सके

— As far as possible. Used when promising effort.

जहाँ तक हो सके, मैं तुम्हारी मदद करूँगा।

कह नहीं सकते

— Can't say. Used when one is unsure about a situation.

अभी कुछ कह नहीं सकते।

देख सकते हैं

— Can see or let's see. Often used to suggest checking something.

हम कल देख सकते हैं।

कर सको तो

— If you can do it. Used as a gentle request or challenge.

मदद कर सको तो बताओ।

नहीं हो सकता

— It's not possible. Used to deny or express shock.

ऐसा नहीं हो सकता!

क्या हो सकता है?

— What can happen? Used in speculative discussions.

अब और क्या हो सकता है?

जितना हो सके

— As much as possible. Used for quantity or intensity.

जितना हो सके उतना पढ़ो।

सकता था

— Could have. Used for missed opportunities.

मैं जा सकता था।

कौन कह सकता है?

— Who can say? A rhetorical phrase about the future.

कल क्या होगा, कौन कह सकता है?

يُخلط عادةً مع

सकना vs पाना (Paana)

Paana implies 'managing to do' while Sakna is 'being able to do'.

सकना vs आना (Aana)

Aana is used for learned skills (I know how to), Sakna for general ability.

सकना vs होना (Hona)

Hona means 'to be', while 'ho sakna' means 'to be possible'.

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

"जहाँ तक हो सके"

— To the best of one's ability or as much as possible.

जहाँ तक हो सके, सच बोलो।

Neutral

"बन पड़े तो"

— If it is within your power or if you can manage it.

बन पड़े तो उसकी मदद करना।

Colloquial

"कुछ नहीं हो सकता"

— Nothing can be done; a hopeless situation.

तुम्हारा कुछ नहीं हो सकता।

Informal/Sarcastic

"देखते ही बन सकना"

— To be worth seeing; to be exceptionally beautiful or impressive.

ताजमहल की सुंदरता देखते ही बनती है।

Literary

"सकते में आ जाना"

— To be stunned or shocked (Note: uses the noun form 'sakta').

खबर सुनकर वह सकते में आ गया।

Idiomatic

"कर सको तो जानूँ"

— I'll believe it when I see you do it; a challenge.

यह काम कर सको तो जानूँ।

Informal

"हो सके तो"

— If possible. A common way to soften a request.

हो सके तो फोन करना।

Neutral

"जितना बन सके"

— As much as one can manage.

जितना बन सके उतना दान करो।

Neutral

"क्या बिगाड़ सकता है?"

— What harm can someone do? Used to show defiance.

वह मेरा क्या बिगाड़ सकता है?

Aggressive/Defiant

"नहीं रह सकता"

— Cannot resist or cannot live without.

मैं चाय के बिना नहीं रह सकता।

Colloquial

سهل الخلط

सकना vs सकना vs पाना

Both translate to 'can' or 'could'.

Sakna is about potential/ability. Paana is about achievement/result after effort.

मैं दौड़ सकता हूँ (I can run) vs मैं दौड़ पाया (I managed to run).

सकना vs सकना vs आना

Both express 'knowing how to' do something.

Aana is for skills like swimming or languages. Sakna is for physical/situational ability.

मुझे तैरना आता है (I know how to swim) vs मैं आज तैर सकता हूँ (I can swim today/I have permission).

सकना vs सकता vs शक्ति

They sound similar and share the same root.

Sakta is a verb form (can). Shakti is a noun (power/energy).

वह कर सकता है (He can do) vs उसके पास शक्ति है (He has power).

सकना vs सका vs सका (Saka era)

Homonyms.

Saka (verb) means 'could'. Saka (noun) refers to a historical Indian calendar era.

वह आ सका (He could come) vs शक संवत (Saka Era).

सकना vs सकते vs सकते (Shock)

Homonyms.

Sakte (verb) is plural 'can'. Sakte (noun) means a state of shock or coma.

वे जा सकते हैं (They can go) vs वह सकते में है (He is in shock).

أنماط الجُمل

Subject + Root + sakta/sakti hoon.

मैं पढ़ सकता हूँ।

Subject + Root + sakta/sakti tha/thi.

वह गा सकती थी।

Subject + Root + saka/saki/sake.

हम समय पर पहुँच सके।

Agar... toh... sakta.

अगर तुम चाहो तो मैं आ सकता हूँ।

Jahan tak ho sake...

जहाँ तक हो सके, मदद करो।

Kaun keh sakta hai ki...

कौन कह सकता है कि सच क्या है?

Kya + Subject + Root + sakta hai?

क्या वह आ सकता है?

Subject + nahi + Root + sakta.

मैं नहीं देख सकता।

عائلة الكلمة

الأسماء

الأفعال

الصفات

مرتبط

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كيفية الاستخدام

frequency

Extremely high; used in almost every conversation.

أخطاء شائعة

Main jaana sakta hoon. → Main jaa sakta hoon.
You must use the verb root (jaa), not the infinitive (jaana).
Maine kar saka. → Main kar saka.
Sakna never takes the 'ne' particle, even in the past tense.
Wah ga sakta hai (for a girl). → Wah ga sakti hai.
The auxiliary verb must agree with the gender of the subject.
Kya main andar aa sakta? → क्या मैं अंदर आ सकता हूँ?
Don't forget the final auxiliary 'hoon/hai/hain' to complete the sentence.
Main Hindi bol sakta hoon (for 'I know Hindi'). → Mujhe Hindi aati hai.
While grammatically correct, 'aati hai' is more natural for learned skills.

نصائح

The Root Rule

Always drop the '-na' from the main verb. It's 'jaa sakta', not 'jaana sakta'. This is the #1 rule for using sakna correctly.

Gender Check

If you are a woman, always use 'sakti'. If you are a man, use 'sakta'. If you are talking to a group, use 'sakte'.

Polite Requests

In India, using 'sakna' is a great way to be polite. Instead of saying 'Give me water', say 'Can I get water?' (Kya mujhe paani mil sakta hai?).

Sakna vs Aana

For skills you learned (like guitar or Hindi), use 'aana'. For things you are physically able to do right now, use 'sakna'.

End of Sentence

In Hindi, the verb usually comes at the end. Listen for the 'sakta/sakti' sound at the very end of a sentence to understand ability.

No 'Ne' Particle

Never use 'ne' with sakna. It's a common mistake for intermediate learners. 'Main kar saka' is the correct past form.

Shakti Connection

Remember that 'Sakna' comes from 'Shakti' (Power). If you have the power, you 'sakna'!

Possibility

'Ho sakta hai' is a very useful phrase. Use it whenever you want to say 'maybe' or 'it's possible'.

Short 'a'

The first 'a' in 'sakna' is short. Don't say 'saak-na'. It should sound like the 'u' in 'buck'.

Subjunctive 'Sake'

Use 'sake' in 'that' clauses or after 'taaki' (so that). 'Mehnat karo taaki tum safal ho sako' (Work hard so that you can succeed).

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

Think of 'Sakna' as 'Suck-na'. If you 'can' suck through a straw, you have the ability! (A bit silly, but it sticks). Alternatively, 'Sak' sounds like 'Skill'—if you have the skill, you 'sakna'.

ربط بصري

Imagine a superhero with a big 'S' on their chest. The 'S' stands for 'Sakna' because they CAN do anything!

Word Web

Ability Can May Could Possibility Permission Shakti Potential

تحدٍّ

Try to write 5 things you can do and 5 things you cannot do using 'sakta hoon' and 'nahi sakta hoon' before you go to bed.

أصل الكلمة

Derived from the Sanskrit root 'शक्' (shak), which means 'to be able' or 'to be powerful'. This root is also the source of the word 'Shakti' (divine energy/power).

المعنى الأصلي: The original meaning in Sanskrit was to have the strength or power to accomplish something.

Indo-Aryan family, descending from Sanskrit through Prakrit and Apabhramsha.

السياق الثقافي

Be careful when using 'sakna' with elders; adding 'Aap' and 'sakte hain' is essential for politeness. Dropping the 'hain' can sound rude.

English speakers often over-use 'sakna' for skills where Hindi speakers would prefer 'aana' (e.g., speaking a language).

The slogan 'Hum Honge Kaamyab' (We shall overcome) is related to the spirit of 'Hum kar sakte hain'. Bollywood movie 'Chak De! India' features many dialogues about what the team 'can' achieve. The Hindi translation of Obama's 'Yes We Can' is 'Haan, Hum Kar Sakte Hain'.

تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية

سياقات واقعية

Travel

क्या मैं यहाँ रुक सकता हूँ?
बस कहाँ मिल सकती है?
क्या आप रास्ता बता सकते हैं?
मैं टिकट कहाँ से ले सकता हूँ?

Restaurant

क्या मुझे मेनू मिल सकता है?
क्या आप पानी ला सकते हैं?
मैं बिल दे सकता हूँ?
क्या यहाँ बैठ सकते हैं?

Shopping

क्या आप कीमत कम कर सकते हैं?
क्या मैं इसे देख सकता हूँ?
क्या मैं कार्ड से पैसे दे सकता हूँ?
क्या आप इसे पैक कर सकते हैं?

Office

क्या हम बात कर सकते हैं?
मैं यह काम कल कर सकता हूँ।
क्या आप ईमेल भेज सकते हैं?
वह आज नहीं आ सकता।

Emergency

क्या कोई मेरी मदद कर सकता है?
मैं डॉक्टर को कहाँ ढूँढ सकता हूँ?
क्या मैं आपका फोन इस्तेमाल कर सकता हूँ?
पुलिस कहाँ मिल सकती है?

بدايات محادثة

"क्या आप हिंदी बोल सकते हैं?"

"क्या मैं आपसे एक सवाल पूछ सकता हूँ?"

"क्या हम यहाँ बैठ सकते हैं?"

"क्या आप मुझे इस जगह के बारे में बता सकते हैं?"

"क्या हम कल मिल सकते हैं?"

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

आज आपने क्या-क्या किया जो आप पहले नहीं कर सकते थे?

ऐसी कौन सी तीन चीजें हैं जो आप भविष्य में करना चाहते हैं?

क्या आपको लगता है कि तकनीक दुनिया को बचा सकती है? क्यों?

एक ऐसी घटना के बारे में लिखें जब आप किसी की मदद कर सके।

अगर आप गायब हो सकते, तो आप क्या करते?

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

Yes, 'sakna' must agree with the subject's gender. Use 'sakta' for males and 'sakti' for females. For example, 'Main (boy) jaa sakta hoon' vs 'Main (girl) jaa sakti hoon'.

No, 'sakna' is an auxiliary verb. It must always follow the root of a main verb like 'kar' (do), 'jaa' (go), or 'kha' (eat).

You can use 'sakta tha' for ongoing past ability or 'saka' for a specific completed action. For example, 'Main ga sakta tha' (I could sing) or 'Main nahi aa saka' (I couldn't come).

No, 'sakna' is an exception to the 'ne' rule. Even in the past tense, you use the direct subject. 'Main kar saka', not 'Maine kar saka'.

'Sakna' is general ability. 'Paana' implies you managed to do something despite a struggle. 'Main nahi aa saka' is a simple fact; 'Main nahi aa paaya' sounds like you tried but failed.

Use 'Kya' + 'Main' + Verb Root + 'sakta hoon?'. Adding 'kripya' (please) or using 'Aap' makes it even more formal.

Yes, when used with 'ho' (to be), 'ho sakta hai' means 'it might be' or 'it is possible'.

Yes, it can be paired with almost any verb root in Hindi to express potentiality.

Use the future form of 'sakna', which is 'sakunga' (M) or 'sakungi' (F). 'Main kar sakunga' means 'I will be able to do it'.

The root is 'sak'. You add 'na' to make it the infinitive, but in sentences, you conjugate the 'sak' part.

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