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A2 determiner #400 am häufigsten 11 Min. Lesezeit

उन

un Top 400

At the A1 level, you should recognize 'उन' (un) as a word that means 'those' or 'them' when it is used with small words like 'ko' (to) or 'se' (from). You don't need to know all the complex grammar rules yet, but you should start noticing that 've' (those) changes to 'un' in sentences like 'unko dekho' (look at them). Focus on simple phrases like 'unka ghar' (their house) and 'unse pucho' (ask them). Think of 'un' as the plural version of 'us' (that/him/her). At this stage, just try to memorize a few common combinations like 'unka' (their) and 'unko' (to them). You will mostly see 'un' when pointing at a group of people or objects that are not right next to you. It is a very common word, so you will hear it often in basic greetings and introductions.

At the A2 level, you need to understand why 've' changes to 'un'. This happens because of 'postpositions' (like in, on, at, to, from). In Hindi, when you have a plural 'those' followed by a postposition, you must use 'उन'. For example, 'in those books' is 'उन किताबों में'. Notice how both 'those' and 'books' change their form. You should be able to use 'उन' to describe possession (उनका/उनकी/उनके) and to direct actions toward a group (उन्हें/उनको). You should also start distinguishing between 'उन' (those - far) and 'इन' (these - near). A good practice is to describe objects in a room: 'इन किताबों को यहाँ रखो, और उन किताबों को वहाँ' (Keep these books here, and those books there). You should also be comfortable using 'उन्होंने' (unhone) for 'they' in the past tense, such as 'उन्होंने खाना खाया' (They ate food).

By B1, you should be using 'उन' (un) fluently in complex sentences. You should understand its role as a 'correlative pronoun'—meaning it often answers the word 'जिन' (jin). For example: 'जिन बच्चों ने गृहकार्य नहीं किया, उन पर शिक्षक नाराज़ थे' (The teacher was angry at those children who didn't do their homework). You should also be able to use the emphatic form 'उन्हीं' (unhī) to mean 'those very' or 'only those'. At this level, you should be careful with the agreement of possessive markers (उनका/उनकी/उनके) with the object being possessed, not the people who own it. You should also be able to use 'उन' in temporal expressions like 'उन दिनों' (in those days) to talk about the past. Your ability to use 'उन' correctly with various abstract nouns (उन विचारों, उन समस्याओं) will show that you are moving toward intermediate proficiency.

At the B2 level, 'उन' (un) should be second nature. You should be able to use it in formal writing and debate. This includes using 'उन' to refer to abstract concepts or groups in a nuanced way. For instance, in a discussion about social issues, you might say 'उन परिस्थितियों का विश्लेषण करना आवश्यक है' (It is necessary to analyze those circumstances). You should also understand the honorific use of 'उन' where it refers to a single respected individual in the oblique case. Your use of 'उन' should be consistent even in long, multi-clause sentences where the postposition might be far away from the pronoun. You should also be able to recognize and use 'उन' in passive constructions and complex causative verbs. At this stage, you should rarely, if ever, make the mistake of using 've' before a postposition.

At the C1 level, you are expected to understand the stylistic nuances of 'उन' (un). You can use it to create specific rhetorical effects, such as creating distance or emphasizing a particular group. You should be familiar with its use in classical literature and high-register journalism. You can easily navigate the 'जिन... उन...' (Jin... Un...) structures in legal or academic texts where the relationship between the relative and correlative pronouns is complex. You should also be able to use 'उन' in idiomatic expressions and proverbs. Your speech should reflect a perfect command of the oblique plural system, ensuring that all adjectives and nouns modifying 'उन' are correctly inflected. You should also be able to explain the grammatical function of 'उन' to others, demonstrating a deep meta-linguistic awareness of Hindi's case system.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 'उन' (un) is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You use it effortlessly in spontaneous, high-stakes communication, whether it's a legal defense, a philosophical lecture, or a complex literary analysis. You understand the historical evolution of 'उन' from Prakrit and Sanskrit and how it fits into the broader Indo-Aryan linguistic framework. You can identify subtle regional variations in its usage while maintaining a standard formal register. You use 'उन' and its derivatives (like उन्हीं, उन्होंने, उनका) with absolute precision, even in the most convoluted syntactic structures. For you, 'उन' is not just a grammar rule but a versatile tool for precise expression, allowing you to manipulate focus, respect, and spatial logic in your discourse with total control.

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उन in 30 Sekunden

उन (un) is the oblique form of 'वे' (ve), meaning 'those' or 'them'.
It is used only when followed by a postposition like 'ko', 'se', or 'mein'.
It refers to people or things that are far away (distal demonstrative).
It can be a standalone pronoun or a determiner modifying a plural noun.

The Hindi word उन (un) is a fundamental grammatical building block that every learner must master to move beyond basic sentences. At its core, 'उन' is the oblique form of the plural demonstrative pronoun and determiner 'वे' (ve), which means 'they' or 'those'. In Hindi grammar, the oblique case is triggered whenever a noun or pronoun is followed by a postposition—words like 'को' (to), 'से' (from/with), 'में' (in), 'पर' (on), or 'का/के/की' (of). Without 'उन', you cannot correctly link the concept of 'those people' or 'those things' to an action or a relationship in a sentence. It serves as the distal demonstrative, meaning it refers to people or objects that are physically or metaphorically far from the speaker, as opposed to 'इन' (in), which refers to things nearby.

Grammatical Category: Oblique Plural Demonstrative Determiner/Pronoun
Primary Function: To represent 'those' or 'them' when followed by a postposition in a sentence.

Understanding 'उन' requires a shift in how English speakers think about pronouns. In English, 'those' remains 'those' whether you say 'Those books are good' or 'Look at those books'. However, in Hindi, 'वे किताबें' (those books) becomes 'उन किताबों को देखो' (Look at those books) because the postposition 'को' forces 'वे' into its oblique form 'उन'. This transformation is non-negotiable; using 'वे' before a postposition is a hallmark of a beginner's mistake. It is used extensively in both spoken and written Hindi, appearing in everything from casual street conversations to formal legal documents.

उन लोगों से बात करो जो वहाँ खड़े हैं। (Talk to those people who are standing there.)

Beyond just pointing at physical objects, 'उन' is used to refer to abstract concepts or past times. For instance, the phrase 'उन दिनों' (in those days) is a common way to begin a nostalgic story. It sets a temporal distance, placing the subject matter in a far-off memory. It also functions as a respectful plural when referring to a single person of high status, although 'उस' is the standard singular oblique. However, in modern standard Hindi, 'उन' almost exclusively denotes plurality or a very high degree of formal distance.

In terms of frequency, 'उन' is among the top 100 most used words in the Hindi language. Its versatility is its strength. It can be a determiner (उन लड़कों - those boys) or a standalone pronoun (उनको - to them). Because Hindi is a pro-drop language, 'उन' often carries the weight of the entire subject or object in complex sentences. Mastery of 'उन' allows you to construct relative clauses and complex prepositional phrases that are essential for A2 and B1 level proficiency.

मैंने उन सभी किताबों को पढ़ लिया है। (I have read all those books.)

Common Pairing: उन + [Noun] + [Postposition]

Finally, it is important to note the phonetic simplicity of the word. It is a short, sharp sound—a high back rounded vowel followed by a dental nasal. Despite its brevity, it anchors the sentence's spatial logic. It tells the listener exactly where the focus lies: away from the immediate circle of the speaker and the listener, towards a third group or a distant set of objects. This spatial clarity is vital in a language that relies heavily on demonstratives for context.

Using उन (un) correctly is primarily a matter of identifying the 'trigger'—the postposition. The basic rule is: **Direct Case (वे) + Postposition = Oblique Case (उन)**. This applies whether 'उन' is acting as a pronoun (standing alone) or as a determiner (modifying a noun). When it modifies a noun, that noun must also be in its oblique plural form. For example, 'लड़के' (boys) becomes 'लड़कों' in the oblique. Thus, 'those boys' becomes 'उन लड़कों'.

उन पेड़ों पर फल लगे हैं। (There are fruits on those trees.)

Let's break down the usage by postposition to see how 'उन' adapts. When paired with 'को' (to/for), it becomes 'उनको' or the contracted form 'उन्हें'. Both are equally correct, though 'उन्हें' is slightly more common in fluid speech. When paired with 'का/के/की' (of), it shows possession: 'उनका घर' (their house), 'उनकी कार' (their car). Notice how the possessive marker agrees with the object possessed, not with 'उन' itself. This is a common point of confusion for English speakers who are used to 'their' being static.

Possessive Usage: उनका (Masculine Singular), उनके (Masculine Plural/Respectful), उनकी (Feminine)

In complex sentences involving relative pronouns like 'जो' (who/which), 'उन' often serves as the correlative pronoun. For example: 'जो लोग मेहनत करते हैं, उन पर ईश्वर की कृपा होती है' (Those people who work hard, on them is God's grace). Here, 'उन' anchors the second half of the sentence, referring back to the 'जो लोग' mentioned earlier. This structure is vital for academic and formal writing in Hindi.

Another frequent use case is with the postposition 'ने' (the ergative marker). In the past tense with transitive verbs, the subject takes 'ने'. Therefore, 'They saw' becomes 'उन्होंने देखा' (un + ne = unhone). This is one of the most common transformations you will encounter. It is important to memorize the combined forms: उनको (unko), उनसे (unse), उनमें (unmein), उनपर (unpar), उन्होंने (unhone).

उन रास्तों से मत जाओ, वहाँ बहुत भीड़ है। (Don't go by those routes; there is a lot of crowd there.)

Finally, consider the emphatic form 'उन्हीं' (unhī). By adding the particle 'ही' (only/exactly), 'उन' becomes 'उन्हीं', meaning 'those very' or 'only those'. For example, 'मैं उन्हीं लोगों से मिला' (I met those very people). This adds a layer of specificity and emphasis that is common in argumentative or descriptive speech. Understanding the base 'उन' is the prerequisite for using these more advanced emphatic forms.

You will hear उन (un) everywhere in the Hindi-speaking world, from the bustling markets of Old Delhi to the high-tech offices of Bengaluru. It is a word that transcends social class and regional dialects because it is a core grammatical necessity. In daily conversation, it is most frequently heard in its contracted forms like 'उन्हें' (unhē) or 'उनका' (unkā). If you are eavesdropping on a conversation about a third party, you will inevitably hear 'उन' used to refer to 'them' or 'those people'.

क्या आपने उन कागज़ों को देखा है? (Have you seen those papers?)

In Bollywood movies, 'उन' is a staple in romantic dialogues and dramatic confrontations. A hero might say, 'उन आँखों में मैंने अपनी दुनिया देखी है' (In those eyes, I have seen my world). Or a villain might threaten, 'उन सबको खत्म कर दो!' (Finish them all!). Because 'उन' can refer to people with a sense of distance, it is often used to create a 'us vs. them' narrative in political speeches or social commentary. News anchors use it constantly to refer to 'those protesters', 'those officials', or 'those events'.

Media Context: News reports often use 'उन' to refer to groups of people or specific sets of circumstances mentioned previously.

In a professional setting, 'उन' is used to refer to clients, documents, or departments. For example, 'उन फाइलों को कल तक पूरा करना है' (Those files must be completed by tomorrow). It maintains a level of neutral distance that is appropriate for the workplace. Interestingly, in rural areas, you might hear 'उन' used with slightly different pronunciations or in conjunction with local dialects, but the grammatical function remains remarkably consistent across the Hindi belt.

If you listen to Hindi podcasts or radio, pay attention to how storytellers use 'उन'. They use it to build a world that is separate from the listener's immediate reality. 'उन पहाड़ियों के पीछे एक गाँव था...' (Behind those hills, there was a village...). It acts as a pointer, directing the listener's imagination to a specific, distant location. This 'pointing' function is the most visceral way the word is used in real-life communication.

मुझे उन दिनों की बहुत याद आती है। (I miss those days very much.)

Lastly, in religious or philosophical discourses, 'उन' is used to refer to divine entities or ancient teachings. 'उन उपदेशों में जीवन का सार है' (In those teachings lies the essence of life). Here, the word carries a weight of tradition and reverence. Whether it is the mundane task of asking for 'those keys' or the profound act of discussing 'those values', 'उन' is the essential bridge between the speaker and the distant subject.

The most frequent mistake learners make with उन (un) is failing to switch from the direct form 'वे' (ve) when a postposition is present. English speakers often think, "'Those' is 've', so 'to those' must be 've ko'." This is incorrect. In Hindi, the presence of 'ko' forces 've' to become 'un'. Always remember: **Ve + Postposition = WRONG; Un + Postposition = RIGHT.**

Incorrect: वे लड़कों को बुलाओ। (Ve ladkon ko bulao.)
Correct: उन लड़कों को बुलाओ। (Un ladkon ko bulao.)

Another common error is confusing 'उन' (plural oblique) with 'उस' (singular oblique). Because they sound somewhat similar and both start with the 'u' sound, beginners often swap them. 'उस' (us) refers to 'that' (singular), while 'उन' (un) refers to 'those' (plural). If you are talking about one person, use 'उसका' (his/her); if you are talking about multiple people, use 'उनका' (their). Mixing these up can lead to significant confusion about the number of people involved in a story.

Singular vs. Plural Oblique: उस (us) = That/Him/Her (Oblique) | उन (un) = Those/Them (Oblique)

A more subtle mistake involves the noun that 'उन' modifies. When 'उन' is used as a determiner, the noun must also be in the oblique plural form. For example, 'उन किताब' is wrong; it must be 'उन किताबों' (un kitābon). The 'o' ending on the noun is the partner to the 'un' form. Learners often forget to inflect the noun, leading to grammatically 'broken' sounding Hindi.

Confusing 'उन' (those - distal) with 'इन' (these - proximal) is also a frequent hurdle. 'इन' (in) is for things close to you, while 'उन' (un) is for things further away. If you are pointing at something in your hand, never use 'उन'. This spatial distinction is crucial for clear communication. Think of 'U' for 'Up there/Far' and 'I' for 'In here/Near' as a simple mnemonic.

Mistake: उन यहाँ है। (Those is here - Incorrect)
Correction: इन यहाँ हैं। (These are here) OR वे वहाँ हैं। (Those are there.)

Finally, learners sometimes over-apply the oblique case. If there is no postposition, do not use 'उन'. For example, 'Those are good' is simply 'वे अच्छे हैं' (Ve acche hain). Adding 'un' here ('उन अच्छे हैं') is a common hyper-correction. The rule is simple: No postposition, no 'un'.

To truly understand उन (un), it is helpful to compare it with its linguistic siblings. The most direct counterpart is इन (in). While 'उन' refers to 'those' (distal), 'इन' refers to 'these' (proximal). They follow identical grammatical rules regarding postpositions. If you can use 'उन', you can use 'इन'—you just need to decide how far away the object is.

Comparison: Distal vs. Proximal: उन (un) = Those (far) | इन (in) = These (near)

Another related word is उस (us). As mentioned in the common mistakes section, 'उस' is the singular version of 'उन'. Use 'उस' for 'that' and 'उन' for 'those'. For example, 'उस कमरे में' (in that room) vs. 'उन कमरों में' (in those rooms). This singular/plural distinction in the oblique case is a core feature of Hindi's demonstrative system.

मैं उस आदमी को जानता हूँ, लेकिन उन औरतों को नहीं। (I know that man, but not those women.)

For emphasis, you can use उन्हीं (unhī). This is 'उन' combined with the particle 'ही'. It translates to 'those very' or 'those same'. It is used when you want to be very specific. For example, 'I want those very shoes' would be 'मुझे उन्हीं जूतों की ज़रूरत है'. This is a more advanced alternative that adds precision to your speech.

When referring to people indefinitely, you might use किन्हीं (kinhī), which is the oblique plural of 'कोई' (someone/some). While 'उन' refers to specific 'those' people, 'किन्हीं' refers to 'some' or 'any' people in the oblique case. For example, 'किन्हीं लोगों ने कहा...' (Some people said...). Understanding the difference between specific demonstratives like 'उन' and indefinite ones like 'किन्हीं' is key to nuanced Hindi.

क्या आप उन सब बातों को भूल गए? (Did you forget all those things?)

Lastly, consider the relative pronoun जिन (jin). This is the oblique plural of 'जो' (who/which). 'उन' and 'जिन' often work as a pair in complex sentences: 'जिन लोगों ने यह किया, उन पर जुर्माना लगेगा' (Those people who did this, on them a fine will be levied). This 'Jin... Un...' structure is the standard way to create 'Those who... [they]...' sentences in Hindi. Mastering 'उन' is the first step toward mastering this entire system of correlative pronouns.

How Formal Is It?

Formell

Neutral

Informell

Child friendly

Umgangssprache

Wusstest du?

The 'u' sound in 'un' and 'us' has been a marker for 'distance' in Indo-Aryan languages for thousands of years, while 'i' sounds like 'in' and 'is' mark 'closeness'.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /ʊn/

US /ʊn/

The stress is equal on the single syllable. It is a very short word.

Reimt sich auf

सुन (sun - listen) धुन (dhun - tune) बुन (bun - weave) चुन (chun - choose) गुन (gun - quality) मुन (mun - a name/sound) घुन (ghun - woodworm) कुन (kun - a suffix)

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing it with a long 'oo' sound like 'moon'. It should be short like 'book'.
Using an alveolar 'n' (English 'n') instead of a dental 'n' (Hindi 'n').
Nasalizing the vowel too much.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Easy to recognize, but must be distinguished from 'in' and 'us'.

Schreiben 4/5

Requires remembering to inflect both the pronoun and the following noun.

Sprechen 3/5

Must be used quickly when a postposition is planned in the sentence.

Hören 2/5

Very common, usually clear in context.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

वे (ve) को (ko) से (se) में (mein) का (ka)

Als Nächstes lernen

इन (in) उस (us) इस (is) जिन्होंने (jinhone) किन्हीं (kinhī)

Fortgeschritten

विकारी रूप (Oblique case) संबंधवाचक सर्वनाम (Relative pronouns) निश्चयवाचक सर्वनाम (Demonstrative pronouns)

Wichtige Grammatik

Oblique Case Transformation

वे (Direct) + को = उन (Oblique) + को

Noun-Adjective Agreement in Oblique

उन (Oblique) + अच्छे (Oblique) + लड़कों (Oblique) + को

Ergative Case with 'Ne'

उन + ने = उन्होंने (They did)

Possessive Pronoun Agreement

उनका (Their - Masc Sing), उनकी (Their - Fem)

Distal vs. Proximal Demonstratives

उन (Those - Far) vs. इन (These - Near)

Beispiele nach Niveau

उनको बुलाओ।

Call them.

उन (un) + को (ko) = to them/them.

उनका घर बड़ा है।

Their house is big.

उनका (unka) shows possession for a plural 'they'.

उनसे पूछो।

Ask them.

उन (un) + से (se) = from/with them.

उन बच्चों को देखो।

Look at those children.

'उन' acts as a determiner for 'बच्चों'.

उनमें पानी है।

There is water in them.

उन (un) + में (mein) = in them.

उनकी माँ कहाँ है?

Where is their mother?

उनकी (unki) agrees with the feminine noun 'माँ'.

उन पर मत हँसो।

Don't laugh at them.

उन (un) + पर (par) = on/at them.

उनका नाम क्या है?

What is their name?

Used here as a respectful singular or plural possessive.

उन्होंने कल काम किया।

They worked yesterday.

उन्होंने (unhone) is the ergative form (un + ne).

उन किताबों को मेज़ पर रखो।

Put those books on the table.

Both 'un' and 'kitābon' are in the oblique plural.

मैं उन लोगों को नहीं जानता।

I don't know those people.

'उन' is used because of the postposition 'ko'.

उन पेड़ों के नीचे बैठो।

Sit under those trees.

उन (un) + पेड़ों (pedon) + के नीचे (under).

क्या आपने उन फिल्मों को देखा है?

Have you seen those movies?

Plural oblique determiner usage.

उन दुकानों में कपड़े मिलते हैं।

Clothes are available in those shops.

उन (un) + दुकानों (dukanon) + में (in).

उनके पास बहुत पैसे हैं।

They have a lot of money.

उनके पास (unke paas) means 'near them/in their possession'.

उन रास्तों पर मत चलो।

Don't walk on those paths.

उन (un) + रास्तों (raston) + पर (on).

उन दिनों हम बहुत खुश थे।

In those days, we were very happy.

'उन दिनों' is a common phrase for 'in those days'.

जिन छात्रों ने मेहनत की, उन सबको इनाम मिला।

Those students who worked hard, they all got prizes.

Correlative use of 'un' with 'jin'.

हमें उन समस्याओं का समाधान ढूँढना होगा।

We will have to find a solution to those problems.

उन (un) + समस्याओं (samasyayon) + का (of).

मैं उन्हीं लोगों से बात करना चाहता हूँ।

I want to talk to those very people.

उन्हीं (unhī) is the emphatic form of 'un'.

उन परिस्थितियों में यह फैसला सही था।

In those circumstances, this decision was right.

Abstract usage of 'un' with 'circumstances'.

उनका व्यवहार मुझे अच्छा नहीं लगा।

I did not like their behavior.

Possessive 'unka' referring to behavior.

उन इमारतों की ऊँचाई देखो।

Look at the height of those buildings.

उन (un) + इमारतों (imarton) + की (of).

क्या तुम उन यादों को भूल सकते हो?

Can you forget those memories?

Using 'un' for abstract plural nouns.

उन वैज्ञानिकों ने एक नई खोज की है।

Those scientists have made a new discovery.

Ergative 'ne' forces 'un' even with a specific noun.

उन नियमों का पालन करना अनिवार्य है।

It is mandatory to follow those rules.

Formal usage with 'niyam' (rules).

उन घटनाओं के बाद सब कुछ बदल गया।

After those events, everything changed.

Temporal/Event-based usage.

उनका तर्क काफी प्रभावशाली था।

Their argument was quite impressive.

Referring to an abstract noun (argument).

उन देशों के बीच व्यापार बढ़ रहा है।

Trade is increasing between those countries.

उन (un) + देशों (deshon) + के बीच (between).

उन कलाकारों की कला अद्भुत है।

The art of those artists is wonderful.

Possessive usage in a creative context.

उन सुझावों पर विचार किया जा रहा है।

Those suggestions are being considered.

Passive construction with 'un'.

उन अधिकारियों से अनुमति लेनी होगी।

Permission will have to be taken from those officials.

Formal/Administrative usage.

उन दार्शनिकों के विचारों ने समाज को प्रभावित किया।

The thoughts of those philosophers influenced society.

High-register academic usage.

उन विसंगतियों को दूर करना हमारी प्राथमिकता है।

Removing those discrepancies is our priority.

Formal vocabulary (visangatiyon - discrepancies).

उन प्राचीन सभ्यताओं के अवशेष आज भी मिलते हैं।

Remains of those ancient civilizations are still found today.

Historical/Scientific context.

उन सिद्धांतों की व्याख्या करना कठिन है।

It is difficult to explain those principles.

Abstract theoretical usage.

उन महानुभावों की उपस्थिति हमारे लिए सम्मान की बात है।

The presence of those distinguished gentlemen is an honor for us.

Honorific plural usage in formal speech.

उन आंकड़ों के आधार पर हम यह कह सकते हैं...

Based on those statistics, we can say that...

Data-driven analytical usage.

उन कवियों की रचनाओं में विरह की वेदना है।

In the works of those poets, there is the pain of separation.

Literary/Poetic analysis.

उन सुधारों के दूरगामी परिणाम होंगे।

Those reforms will have far-reaching consequences.

Political/Economic discourse.

उन सूक्ष्म बारीकियों को समझना हर किसी के बस की बात नहीं।

Understanding those subtle nuances is not everyone's cup of tea.

Nuanced, idiomatic C2 level sentence.

उन कालजयी कृतियों ने साहित्य के प्रतिमान स्थापित किए।

Those timeless works established the standards of literature.

Highly sophisticated literary vocabulary.

उन जटिल भू-राजनीतिक समीकरणों का विश्लेषण अपरिहार्य है।

Analysis of those complex geopolitical equations is indispensable.

Academic/Professional geopolitical register.

उन विडंबनाओं की ओर संकेत करना मेरा उद्देश्य था।

My objective was to point toward those ironies.

Abstract philosophical/literary usage.

उन संस्मरणों में एक युग की धड़कन सुनाई देती है।

In those memoirs, the heartbeat of an era can be heard.

Metaphorical and evocative language.

उन विसंगत धारणाओं का खंडन करना आवश्यक है।

It is necessary to refute those inconsistent notions.

Formal argumentative vocabulary.

उन मूलभूत अधिकारों का हनन किसी भी स्थिति में स्वीकार्य नहीं।

The violation of those fundamental rights is not acceptable in any situation.

Legal/Human rights discourse.

उन वैचारिक मतभेदों के बावजूद वे एक साथ काम करते रहे।

Despite those ideological differences, they continued to work together.

Complex social/professional context.

Häufige Kollokationen

उन दिनों

उन लोगों

उन सब

उन परिस्थितियों में

उन कारणों से

उन रास्तों पर

उन आँखों में

उन सवालों के

उन फाइलों को

उन बच्चों का

Häufige Phrasen

उनका क्या?

उनसे क्या लेना-देना?

उन पर छोड़ दो

उन जैसा कोई नहीं

उन दिनों की बात है

उन सबको

उनमें से एक

उनसे मिलो

उनका अपना

उन तक

Wird oft verwechselt mit

उन vs इन (in)

In means 'these' (near), while Un means 'those' (far).

उन vs उस (us)

Us is singular ('that'), while Un is plural ('those').

उन vs वे (ve)

Ve is the direct case, while Un is the oblique case used with postpositions.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"उनका हाथ होना"

To have a hand in something (usually something bad).

इस चोरी में उनका हाथ हो सकता है।

Informal/Neutral

"उन आँखों का तारा"

The apple of their eyes (very dear to them).

वह बच्चा उन आँखों का तारा है।

Poetic/Affectionate

"उन पर बिजली गिरना"

To be struck by a sudden calamity.

जब खबर मिली, तो उन पर बिजली गिर गई।

Dramatic

"उनका मुँह बंद करना"

To silence them (usually by bribe or argument).

सच बोलकर उसने उनका मुँह बंद कर दिया।

Informal

"उनका सिक्का चलना"

To have great influence or power.

उस शहर में उनका सिक्का चलता है।

Colloquial

"उनसे लोहा लेना"

To fight or compete with them bravely.

दुश्मन की सेना से उन सैनिकों ने लोहा लिया।

Formal/Literary

"उनका साया पड़ना"

To be influenced by someone's presence (often negatively).

मुझ पर उनका साया पड़ गया है।

Superstitious/Informal

"उनमें ज़मीन-आसमान का अंतर"

A world of difference between them.

इन दो भाइयों में ज़मीन-आसमान का अंतर है।

Common

"उनका नाम तक न लेना"

To not even mention their name (due to anger or fear).

झगड़े के बाद उसने उनका नाम तक नहीं लिया।

Informal

"उन पर घड़ों पानी पड़ना"

To be extremely ashamed.

जब चोरी पकड़ी गई, तो उन पर घड़ों पानी पड़ गया।

Idiomatic

Leicht verwechselbar

उन vs इन (in)

Both are oblique plural demonstratives.

In is proximal (near), Un is distal (far).

इन किताबों को यहाँ रखो, उन किताबों को वहाँ। (Keep these books here, those books there.)

उन vs उस (us)

Both start with 'u' and are oblique.

Us is singular, Un is plural.

उस लड़के को बुलाओ (Call that boy) vs. उन लड़कों को बुलाओ (Call those boys).

उन vs अन्न (ann)

Phonetically similar.

Ann means 'grain' or 'food', Un is a pronoun.

हमें अन्न का सम्मान करना चाहिए। (We should respect food.)

उन vs ऊन (ūn)

Long vs. short vowel.

Ūn means 'wool', Un is a pronoun.

यह स्वेटर ऊन से बना है। (This sweater is made of wool.)

उन vs अनु (anu)

Similar sounds.

Anu is a prefix meaning 'following' or 'alongside'.

अनुभव (Experience).

Satzmuster

उनको [Noun] दो।

उनको पानी दो।

उन [Noun-Pl-Obl] को देखो।

उन पक्षियों को देखो।

उन [Noun-Pl-Obl] में से एक...

उन लड़कों में से एक मेरा भाई है।

उन [Abstract Noun-Pl-Obl] के कारण...

उन समस्याओं के कारण देरी हुई।

उन [Formal Noun-Pl-Obl] की उपस्थिति...

उन अतिथियों की उपस्थिति अनिवार्य है।

उन [Sophisticated Noun-Pl-Obl] का विश्लेषण...

उन विसंगतियों का विश्लेषण आवश्यक है।

उन्होंने [Verb-Past]...

उन्होंने खाना खाया।

उनका [Noun] [Adjective] है।

उनका व्यवहार बहुत अच्छा है।

Wortfamilie

Verwandt

So verwendest du es

frequency

Extremely common; essential for basic communication.

Häufige Fehler

वे को (Ve ko) → उनको (Unko) / उन्हें (Unhē)
You cannot use the direct form 've' before a postposition like 'ko'. It must change to the oblique form 'un'.
उन लड़का को (Un ladka ko) → उन लड़कों को (Un ladkon ko)
When 'un' modifies a noun, the noun must also be in the oblique plural form 'ladkon'.
उन यहाँ हैं (Un yahan hain) → वे वहाँ हैं (Ve wahan hain) / ये यहाँ हैं (Ye yahan hain)
'Un' is only used with postpositions. For a simple statement of location, use the direct form 've' (those) or 'ye' (these).
उसका (referring to plural 'them') → उनका (Unka)
'Uska' is singular (his/her). 'Unka' is plural (their). Don't mix up the singular and plural oblique forms.
वे ने देखा (Ve ne dekha) → उन्होंने देखा (Unhone dekha)
The combination of 'un' + 'ne' is always 'उन्होंने'. 'Ve ne' is grammatically impossible in Hindi.

Tipps

The Postposition Trigger

Always scan the sentence for a postposition. If you see one, 'वे' must turn into 'उन'. This is the most consistent rule in Hindi pronouns.

Keep it Short

The 'u' in 'un' is short. If you make it long, it sounds like 'ūn' (wool). Practice saying 'put' and then 'un' to get the vowel right.

Respect Matters

When talking about your parents or teachers, always use 'उन' and 'उनका' instead of 'उस' and 'उसका'. It shows you understand Indian social etiquette.

The U-Distance Rule

Words starting with 'U' (उन, उस, वहाँ) usually refer to things far away. Words starting with 'I/Y' (इन, इस, यहाँ) refer to things nearby.

Noun Agreement

Don't forget the noun! 'उन' is a team player. If 'उन' is oblique, the noun it modifies must also be oblique plural (ending in -ओं).

Listen for 'Unhone'

In news reports, you will hear 'उन्होंने' constantly. It's the standard way to say 'They [did something]' in the past tense.

Use Contractions

To sound more natural, use 'उन्हें' instead of 'उनको'. It flows better in fast conversation.

Relative Pairs

Learn 'जिन' and 'उन' together. They are like 'Those who... [they]...'. Mastering this pair will make your Hindi sound very advanced.

No Postposition, No Un

If you are just saying 'Those are books', use 'वे'. Do not use 'उन' unless a postposition is actually there.

Emphaticउन्हीं

Use 'उन्हीं' when you want to say 'only those' or 'those specific ones'. It adds a great level of detail to your descriptions.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'Un' as 'Under there' (far away). 'U' for 'Up/Under' (distant), whereas 'I' in 'In' is for 'In here' (close).

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine pointing your finger at a group of people standing across a wide river. That distance is what 'उन' represents.

Word Web

उनका (Their) उनको (To them) उनसे (From them) उनमें (In them) उनपर (On them) उन्होंने (They - past) उन्हीं (Those very) उन्हें (Them)

Herausforderung

Try to use 'उन' in five different sentences today, each with a different postposition (ko, se, mein, par, ka).

Wortherkunft

Derived from the Old Indo-Aryan (Sanskrit) pronominal base. It evolved through Prakrit and Apabhramsha to its modern Hindi form.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: Referring to 'those' (distal plural).

Indo-European > Indo-Iranian > Indo-Aryan > Central Zone > Hindi-Urdu

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful to use 'उन' (plural/respectful) rather than 'उस' (singular/informal) when talking about elders to avoid sounding rude.

English speakers often struggle with the oblique case because 'those' doesn't change form in English. In Hindi, 'un' is a mandatory grammatical shift.

The phrase 'उन दिनों' is a common title for nostalgic columns in Hindi newspapers. Bollywood songs often use 'उन' to refer to the beloved's features (e.g., 'उन आँखों का...'). Political slogans often use 'उन' to refer to the 'oppressed' or 'the masses' (उन लोगों के लिए...).

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Giving Directions

उन पेड़ों के पास मुड़ें
उन दुकानों के पीछे
उन रास्तों से
उन घरों तक

Telling Stories

उन दिनों में
उन लोगों ने कहा
उनका एक सपना था
उन यादों के साथ

Office/Work

उन फाइलों को लाओ
उन ग्राहकों से बात करो
उन ईमेल का जवाब
उन प्रोजेक्ट्स पर

Shopping

उन कपड़ों की कीमत
उन जूतों को दिखाओ
उन दुकानों में
उनका रंग अच्छा है

Socializing

उनसे मिलिए
उनका परिवार
उन बच्चों के साथ
उन सबको बुलाओ

Gesprächseinstiege

"क्या आप उन लोगों को जानते हैं जो वहाँ खड़े हैं?"

"उन दिनों की आपकी सबसे अच्छी याद क्या है?"

"क्या आपने उन नई फिल्मों के बारे में सुना है?"

"उन किताबों में से आपको कौन सी सबसे अच्छी लगी?"

"क्या हम उन रास्तों पर फिर से चल सकते हैं?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

उन दिनों के बारे में लिखिए जब आपने पहली बार हिंदी सीखना शुरू किया था।

उन तीन लोगों के बारे में बताइए जिन्होंने आपके जीवन को सबसे ज्यादा प्रभावित किया है।

उन जगहों का वर्णन करें जहाँ आप भविष्य में घूमना चाहते हैं।

उन गलतियों से आपने क्या सीखा जो आपने पिछले साल की थीं?

उन सपनों के बारे में लिखिए जिन्हें आप अभी भी पूरा करना चाहते हैं।

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Use 'उन' whenever the word is followed by a postposition like 'ko', 'se', 'mein', 'par', 'ka', 'ne', etc. If there is no postposition, use 'वे'.

It is plural. However, it can be used as a singular honorific to show respect to one person.

'उन्हें' is simply a shorter, contracted version of 'उनको'. They both mean 'to them' or 'them' (as an object).

Yes, the noun must also be in the oblique plural form. For example, 'उन कमरों में' (in those rooms), not 'उन कमरे में'.

You use 'उनका' (masculine singular object), 'उनके' (masculine plural object), or 'उनकी' (feminine object).

It means 'they' (subject) in the past tense when used with a transitive verb. It is 'उन' + 'ने'.

Yes, 'उन' can refer to both people and inanimate objects.

Yes, it is used in all registers of Hindi, from very informal to highly formal.

Use the emphatic form 'उन्हीं' (unhī).

The proximal opposite is 'इन' (in), meaning 'these' (oblique).