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A1 verb 10 min de lecture

પૂછવું

To request information meaning to ask

At the A1 level, 'પૂછવું' is one of the first verbs you will learn. It is used for very basic interactions. You use it to ask for the time, ask for a person's name, or ask a simple question in class. At this stage, you focus on the present tense 'પૂછું છું' (I ask) and the simple imperative 'પૂછો' (Ask). You learn that if you want to ask a person, you add 'ને' to their name. For example, 'મમ્મીને પૂછો' (Ask Mom). The focus is on functionality—getting your needs met through simple inquiry. You also learn that 'પૂછવું' is for information, while 'માંગવું' is for objects. This distinction is vital for basic survival communication in a Gujarati-speaking environment.
At the A2 level, you begin to use 'પૂછવું' in the past and future tenses. You learn the ergative structure of the past tense: 'મેં પૂછ્યું' (I asked). You start to form slightly more complex sentences, like 'મેં તેને રસ્તો પૂછ્યો' (I asked him the way). You also begin to recognize common collocations like 'ભાવ પૂછવો' (to ask the price) and 'હાલ-ચાલ પૂછવા' (to ask about well-being). You understand that 'પૂછવું' can also imply seeking permission in a family context. Your vocabulary expands to include the noun 'પ્રશ્ન' (question) often used with this verb. You are becoming more comfortable with the social norms of when it is appropriate to ask questions.
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At the B1 level, you use 'પૂછવું' in a variety of moods and compound structures. You can express possibilities: 'મારે તેને પૂછવું જોઈએ' (I should ask him). You can use it in the continuous tense to describe ongoing inquiries. You start to use the verb in more formal settings, perhaps using 'પ્રશ્ન કરવો' as a synonym in writing. You also begin to understand idioms and phrases that involve 'પૂછવું', such as 'પૂછતા પૂછતા પંડિત થવાય' (By asking repeatedly, one becomes a scholar). You can handle more complex social interactions, such as inquiring about professional matters or navigating bureaucratic processes where 'પૂછપરછ' (inquiry) is necessary.
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At the B2 level, you have a nuanced grasp of 'પૂછવું'. You can distinguish between different types of inquiry—simple asking vs. investigation (તપાસ). You use the verb to express complex social dynamics, such as 'consulting' someone before a major decision. You are comfortable with the passive voice and other advanced grammatical structures involving the verb. You can follow news reports about 'પૂછપરછ' (interrogations) and understand the formal tone used. You also start to appreciate the cultural depth of the word, such as how 'પૂછવું' functions in Gujarati literature and cinema to show relationships and power dynamics.
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At the C1 level, you use 'પૂછવું' and its derivatives with precision and stylistic flair. You might use the Sanskritized 'પૃચ્છા' in formal essays. You understand the philosophical implications of 'asking' in Gujarati thought. You can navigate high-level professional environments where 'inquiry' has specific legal or technical meanings. You can detect subtle tones—when an 'ask' is actually a demand, or when a failure to 'ask' implies a significant social slight. Your use of the verb is indistinguishable from a native speaker, including the use of complex regional variations or slang associated with questioning.
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At the C2 level, you possess a total mastery of 'પૂછવું'. You can use it to engage in deep philosophical debates, analyze classical Gujarati literature where the act of questioning is a central theme, and understand the most obscure idioms. You can play with the word's meaning in creative writing or oratory. You understand the historical evolution of the word from its Indo-Aryan roots. For you, 'પૂછવું' is not just a verb but a concept that you can manipulate to express the finest shades of human curiosity, social respect, and intellectual pursuit.
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Exemples

પૂછવું en 30 secondes

  • પૂછવું means 'to ask' or 'to inquire' in Gujarati.
  • It is used for seeking information, prices, directions, or permission.
  • In the past tense, the verb agrees with the object, not the subject.
  • Distinguish it from 'માંગવું', which means to ask for a physical object.

The Gujarati verb પૂછવું (pūchavuṃ) is a fundamental pillar of communication, primarily translating to the English verb 'to ask' or 'to inquire'. At its core, it represents the act of seeking information, clarification, or permission. In the linguistic landscape of Gujarat, this word is not merely a functional tool but a social lubricant that facilitates interaction across all strata of society. Whether a child is asking a parent for a story, a student is questioning a teacher, or a traveler is inquiring about directions, પૂછવું is the vehicle for that curiosity.

Informational Inquiry
This is the most common usage, where someone seeks a specific fact or data point. For example, asking for the time or the price of an item.

તમે સમય પૂછ્યો? (Did you ask the time?)

Beyond simple facts, પૂછવું carries significant weight in Gujarati etiquette. It is often used to seek permission or to show respect before taking an action. In a traditional household, one might 'ask' the elders before making a decision, which is expressed using this verb to signify 'consulting' or 'seeking advice'. This nuance elevates the word from a simple request for data to an act of social deference.

Permission and Consent
In many contexts, it implies 'getting the green light'. If you do something without 'asking' (પૂછ્યા વગર), it often implies a breach of protocol or manners.

તેણે મને પૂછ્યા વગર મારું પુસ્તક લીધું. (He took my book without asking me.)

The word is also used in the context of 'inquiring after someone's well-being'. In Gujarati culture, asking about someone's health or family is a vital part of greeting. When you visit someone, you are expected to 'pūchavuṃ' about their 'khabar-antar' (news and well-being). This demonstrates that the word encompasses the English concepts of 'asking', 'inquiring', 'querying', and 'consulting'. It is a versatile verb that adapts to the level of formality and the nature of the relationship between the speakers.

Social Well-being
Used in phrases like 'હાલ-ચાલ પૂછવા' (to ask about one's condition), reflecting empathy and social connection.

ડોક્ટરે દર્દીની તબિયત વિશે પૂછ્યું. (The doctor asked about the patient's health.)

In academic or formal settings, the word might be replaced by more Sanskritized terms like 'પ્રશ્ન કરવો' (to question), but in daily life, 'પૂછવું' remains the undisputed king of inquiry. It covers everything from the mundane (asking for salt) to the profound (asking about the meaning of life). Understanding its usage is key to mastering natural-sounding Gujarati conversation.

બાળકો હંમેશા 'કેમ?' પૂછતા હોય છે. (Children are always asking 'why?')

તમારે રસ્તો પૂછવો જોઈએ. (You should ask for the way/directions.)

Using પૂછવું correctly requires an understanding of Gujarati verb conjugation and sentence structure. As a transitive verb, it interacts with both a subject (the asker) and an object (the question or the person being asked). The basic structure is: [Subject] + [Person being asked + ને] + [Question/Topic] + [Conjugated form of પૂછવું]. Let's explore how this changes across different tenses and moods to provide a comprehensive guide for learners.

Present Tense: Habits and Ongoing Actions
In the present tense, the verb reflects the gender and number of the subject. For example, 'હું પૂછું છું' (I ask), 'તે પૂછે છે' (He/She/It asks).

તે દરરોજ નવા પ્રશ્નો પૂછે છે. (He asks new questions every day.)

The past tense of પૂછવું is where many learners face challenges. In Gujarati, transitive verbs in the past tense follow the 'ergative' pattern, meaning the verb agrees with the object, and the subject takes the suffix '-એ' (if it's a noun or certain pronouns). The root changes to 'પૂછ્યું', 'પૂછી', 'પૂછ્યા', or 'પૂછ્યું' depending on the gender and number of the thing being asked (the question).

Past Tense: Completed Actions
If you asked a question (પ્રશ્ન - masculine), you say 'મેં પ્રશ્ન પૂછ્યો'. If you asked for a thing like a pen (પેન - feminine), you say 'મેં પેન વિશે પૂછ્યું' (Note: usually we ask 'about' things).

મેં તેને તેનું નામ પૂછ્યું. (I asked him his name.)

Future tense is more straightforward, as the verb agrees with the subject again. 'હું પૂછીશ' (I will ask), 'તમે પૂછશો' (You will ask). This is used for intentions and future inquiries.

Imperative: Giving Commands or Requests
'પૂછ' (informal), 'પૂછો' (formal/plural). Use these to encourage someone to speak up or inquire.

મહેરબાની કરીને મને ફરીથી પૂછો. (Please ask me again.)

In continuous forms, you combine the root with auxiliary verbs: 'પૂછી રહ્યો છું' (I am asking). This indicates an action happening right at the moment of speaking. Additionally, modal verbs like 'શકવું' (can) can be added: 'હું પૂછી શકું છું?' (Can I ask?). Mastering these variations allows for nuanced communication, from tentative queries to direct demands for information.

તે કંઈક પૂછવા માંગે છે. (He wants to ask something.)

તમારે તેમને પૂછવું પડ્યું હોત. (You would have had to ask them.)

The verb પૂછવું is ubiquitous in the daily lives of Gujarati speakers. From the bustling markets of Ahmedabad to the quiet villages of Saurashtra, the sound of people inquiring is constant. Understanding the social contexts where this word appears will help you recognize it in the wild and use it with cultural sensitivity.

In the Marketplace (બજાર)
Shopping in Gujarat is an interactive experience. You don't just look at price tags; you ask. 'ભાવ પૂછવો' (to ask the price) is a standard phrase used by every shopper.

શાકભાજીવાળાને ભાવ પૂછો. (Ask the vegetable seller the price.)

In educational environments, પૂછવું is the primary verb for student-teacher interaction. Teachers often encourage students by saying, 'કોઈપણ શંકા હોય તો પૂછજો' (If you have any doubt, please ask). Here, it signifies the pursuit of knowledge and the clearing of confusion.

Travel and Navigation
When lost, the standard advice is 'રસ્તો પૂછી લેવો' (just ask the way). You will hear this frequently at bus stations, railway platforms, and street corners.

મેં રિક્ષાવાળાને સરનામું પૂછ્યું. (I asked the rickshaw driver for the address.)

In family dynamics, the verb takes on a protective and caring tone. Parents 'pūchavuṃ' their children about their day, their friends, and their health. It is a way of maintaining bonds. Conversely, younger members 'pūchavuṃ' elders for permission to go out or make purchases, maintaining the family hierarchy and respect.

Professional Inquiries
In offices, you might hear 'સાહેબને પૂછવું પડશે' (Will have to ask the boss), indicating a need for authorization.

તમે મેનેજરને રજા વિશે પૂછ્યું? (Did you ask the manager about leave?)

Finally, in legal and investigative contexts, પૂછપરછ (pūchparach) is a noun derived from this verb meaning 'interrogation' or 'cross-examination'. You might hear this on the news or in crime dramas. This shows the word's range from a gentle inquiry to a rigorous investigation.

પોલીસે ચોરને ઘણા પ્રશ્નો પૂછ્યા. (The police asked the thief many questions.)

તમારે કોઈને પૂછવાની જરૂર નથી. (You don't need to ask anyone.)

For English speakers learning Gujarati, the verb પૂછવું presents several pitfalls. These range from grammatical errors in conjugation to semantic confusion with other verbs that translate to 'ask' in English. Understanding these common mistakes will significantly improve your fluency and accuracy.

Confusing 'Ask for Info' vs. 'Ask for an Object'
In English, we say 'ask for water' and 'ask for the time'. In Gujarati, these are different. 'પૂછવું' is for information. For an object, use 'માંગવું' (māngavuṃ).

Incorrect: મેં પાણી પૂછ્યું. (I asked water - nonsensical). Correct: મેં પાણી માંગ્યું. (I asked for water.)

Another major hurdle is the ergative construction in the past tense. Many learners incorrectly agree the verb with the subject. Remember: in the past tense of transitive verbs like પૂછવું, the verb agrees with the object (the question or information sought).

Misusing Postpositions
When you ask someone, you must use the postposition 'ને' (ne). Beginners often forget this and just use the person's name or the pronoun directly.

Incorrect: તે ભાઈ પૂછે છે. Correct: તે ભાઈને પૂછે છે. (He asks the brother.)

Spelling confusion between પૂછવું (to ask) and પુછવું (to wipe/erase) is also common. Though they sound similar, the 'ū' (long u) in 'ask' is crucial. Wiping (like wiping a table) uses a short 'u'. While context usually clarifies the meaning, in writing, this distinction is vital for clarity.

Overusing 'પૂછવું' for 'Telling'
Sometimes learners use 'ask' when they mean 'tell' or 'say'. In Gujarati, 'કહેવું' (kahevuṃ) is 'to say/tell'. Don't use 'pūchavuṃ' unless a question is involved.

Incorrect: મેં તેને આવવા પૂછ્યું. Correct: મેં તેને આવવા કહ્યું. (I told him to come.)

Finally, neglecting the level of formality can be a mistake. While પૂછવું itself is neutral, the way you frame the sentence matters. Simply barking 'પૂછ!' (Ask!) can be rude. Using 'પૂછજો' (Please ask) or 'પૂછી શકાય?' (May I ask?) is much more appropriate in formal or respectful settings. Avoid being too direct with elders or strangers.

તમારે તેમને પૂછવું જોઈએ, આદેશ ન આપવો જોઈએ. (You should ask them, not give an order.)

લોકોને પૂછવામાં શરમાશો નહીં. (Don't be shy in asking people.)

While પૂછવું is the most common word for 'to ask', Gujarati offers a rich palette of alternatives that convey specific nuances. Using these can make your Gujarati sound more sophisticated and precise. Let's compare પૂછવું with its synonyms and related terms.

પૂછવું vs. પ્રશ્ન કરવો (Prashna Karvo)
'પૂછવું' is general and conversational. 'પ્રશ્ન કરવો' literally means 'to do a question'. It is more formal and often used in academic, legal, or journalistic contexts.

વકીલે સાક્ષીને પ્રશ્ન કર્યો. (The lawyer questioned the witness.)

Another important distinction is with તપાસવું (Tapāsavuṃ). While 'pūchavuṃ' is just asking, 'tapāsavuṃ' implies investigating, checking, or examining. If you are 'asking around' to find the truth of a matter, you are 'tapās' doing.

પૂછવું vs. વિનંતી કરવી (Vinanti Karvi)
'પૂછવું' can be used for permission, but 'વિનંતી કરવી' specifically means 'to request' or 'to plead'. It is much more polite and formal.

તેણે મદદ માટે વિનંતી કરી. (He requested help.)

For the specific act of inquiring about someone's health or news, you might hear the phrase ખબર લેવી (Khabar Levi). While it literally means 'to take news', it is a common way to say you are 'asking after' someone. Similarly, પૂછપરછ કરવી (Pūchparach Karvi) is the formal term for 'conducting an inquiry'.

માંગવું (Māngavuṃ) - The Crucial Alternative
As mentioned before, if the 'asking' is for a physical object or a favor (e.g., 'ask for a loan'), 'માંગવું' is the correct choice, not 'પૂછવું'.

ભિખારીએ પૈસા માંગ્યા. (The beggar asked for money.)

In literary or poetic Gujarati, you might encounter પૃચ્છા (Prūchhā), a Sanskrit-derived noun for 'inquiry'. It sounds very elevated. Understanding these variations allows you to tailor your language to the situation, moving from the basic 'pūchavuṃ' to more specific and culturally resonant terms.

તમારે સાચું કારણ પૂછવું જોઈએ. (You should ask the real reason.)

તેણે મને કંઈ પણ પૂછ્યા વગર નિર્ણય લીધો. (He took the decision without asking me anything.)

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Exemples par niveau

1

હું તમને એક વાત પૂછું?

Can I ask you one thing?

Uses the present potential form 'પૂછું' for a polite request.

2

તમે સમય પૂછ્યો?

Did you ask the time?

Past tense 'પૂછ્યો' agrees with the masculine noun 'સમય'.

3

શિક્ષકને પૂછો.

Ask the teacher.

Imperative 'પૂછો' with the recipient 'શિક્ષક' taking the '-ને' suffix.

4

તેનું નામ પૂછો.

Ask his/her name.

Simple imperative.

5

મેં રસ્તો પૂછ્યો.

I asked the way.

Ergative past tense 'મેં' (I) + 'પૂછ્યો' (asked).

6

કંઈ પૂછવું છે?

Do you want to ask anything?

Infinitive 'પૂછવું' used as 'want to ask'.

7

તે મને પૂછે છે.

He/She asks me.

Simple present tense.

8

ભાવ પૂછો.

Ask the price.

Common market phrase.

1

મેં તેને તેનું સરનામું પૂછ્યું.

I asked him his address.

Past tense 'પૂછ્યું' agrees with the neuter noun 'સરનામું'.

2

તમે કેમ નથી પૂછતા?

Why don't you ask?

Negative present interrogative.

3

તેણે પપ્પાને પૂછવું પડશે.

He will have to ask Dad.

Future obligation 'પૂછવું પડશે'.

4

અમે તેને મદદ વિશે પૂછ્યું.

We asked him about help.

Use of 'વિશે' (about) with the verb.

5

તમે તેને ફરીથી પૂછશો?

Will you ask him again?

Simple future tense.

6

તેણે મને પૂછ્યા વગર કામ કર્યું.

He did the work without asking me.

Adverbial phrase 'પૂછ્યા વગર' (without asking).

7

બાળકો ઘણા પ્રશ્નો પૂછે છે.

Children ask many questions.

Plural subject and object.

8

મારે તમને કંઈક પૂછવું હતું.

I wanted to ask you something.

Past intention 'પૂછવું હતું'.

1

જો તમને સમજાયું ન હોય, તો પૂછતા અચકાશો નહીં.

If you haven't understood, don't hesitate to ask.

Conditional sentence with 'પૂછતા અચકાશો નહીં'.

2

તેણે મને તેની તબિયત વિશે પૂછ્યું.

He asked me about my health.

Reflects social inquiry 'khabar-antar'.

3

તમારે ડોક્ટરને પૂછવું જોઈએ.

You should ask the doctor.

Modal 'જોઈએ' (should) with infinitive.

4

મેં મેનેજરને રજા માટે પૂછ્યું છે.

I have asked the manager for leave.

Present perfect tense.

5

પૂછ્યા વગર કોઈ પણ વસ્તુને અડશો નહીં.

Do not touch anything without asking.

Negative imperative with 'પૂછ્યા વગર'.

6

તે સતત પ્રશ્નો પૂછી રહ્યો હતો.

He was constantly asking questions.

Past continuous tense.

7

શું હું તમને એક અંગત પ્રશ્ન પૂછી શકું?

Can I ask you a personal question?

Polite request using 'શકું' (can).

8

પૂછતા પૂછતા અમે સાચા રસ્તે પહોંચ્યા.

By asking repeatedly, we reached the right path.

Repetitive participle 'પૂછતા પૂછતા' indicating continuous action.

1

તપાસકર્તાઓએ સાક્ષીને વિગતવાર પૂછપરછ કરી.

The investigators questioned the witness in detail.

Use of the noun 'પૂછપરછ' (inquiry/interrogation).

2

તેણે તેના ભવિષ્ય વિશે જ્યોતિષીને પૂછવાનું નક્કી કર્યું.

He decided to ask the astrologer about his future.

Infinitive as an object of 'નક્કી કરવું' (to decide).

3

આ બાબતે નિષ્ણાતોને પૂછવું જરૂરી છે.

It is necessary to ask experts regarding this matter.

Formal structure with 'જરૂરી છે' (is necessary).

4

તેણે કોઈને પણ પૂછ્યા વિના આટલો મોટો નિર્ણય કેવી રીતે લીધો?

How did he take such a big decision without asking anyone?

Interrogative with 'પૂછ્યા વિના' (without asking).

5

ગ્રાહકોએ વસ્તુની ગુણવત્તા વિશે પૂછવું જોઈએ.

Customers should ask about the quality of the product.

Advice/Obligation for a general group.

6

તેણે મને તેના લગ્નમાં આવવા માટે પૂછ્યું.

He asked (invited) me to come to his wedding.

Contextual meaning of invitation.

7

પોલીસે અકસ્માત વિશે આસપાસના લોકોને પૂછ્યું.

The police asked the nearby people about the accident.

Past tense with a plural recipient.

8

તમારે તમારી જાતને પૂછવું જોઈએ કે તમે શું ઈચ્છો છો.

You should ask yourself what you want.

Reflexive inquiry 'તમારી જાતને પૂછવું'.

1

તત્વચિંતકો હંમેશા અસ્તિત્વના મૂળ વિશે પૂછતા આવ્યા છે.

Philosophers have always been asking about the root of existence.

Perfect continuous aspect 'પૂછતા આવ્યા છે'.

2

તેણે સભામાં એવો પ્રશ્ન પૂછ્યો કે બધા સ્તબ્ધ થઈ ગયા.

He asked such a question in the meeting that everyone was stunned.

Resultative clause structure.

3

લેખકે વાચકોને વિચારવા મજબૂર કરે તેવી પૃચ્છા કરી છે.

The author has made an inquiry that forces readers to think.

Use of formal noun 'પૃચ્છા'.

4

સત્તાધારીઓને પ્રશ્ન પૂછવો એ લોકશાહીનો પાયો છે.

Asking questions to those in power is the foundation of democracy.

Gerundial use as a subject.

5

તેણે અત્યંત નમ્રતાપૂર્વક માર્ગદર્શન માટે પૂછ્યું.

He asked for guidance with extreme humility.

Adverbial qualification 'નમ્રતાપૂર્વક'.

6

વૈજ્ઞાનિક પૂછપરછ સત્યની શોધ માટે અનિવાર્ય છે.

Scientific inquiry is indispensable for the search for truth.

Academic context.

7

તેણે કરેલી પૂછપરછથી સત્ય બહાર આવ્યું.

The truth came out through the inquiry he conducted.

Relative clause structure.

8

જિજ્ઞાસુ વૃત્તિ ધરાવનાર હંમેશા 'શા માટે' પૂછવાનું ચૂકતા નથી.

Those with a curious nature never miss asking 'why'.

Complex subject with a habitual verb.

1

જીવનના સંધ્યાકાળે, તેણે પોતાની જાતને સાર્થકતા વિશે પૂછ્યું.

At the twilight of life, he asked himself about meaningfulness.

Metaphorical and introspective usage.

2

આ ગ્રંથમાં આત્માના સ્વરૂપ વિશે ગહન પૃચ્છા કરવામાં આવી છે.

In this scripture, a profound inquiry into the nature of the soul has been made.

Passive voice with formal vocabulary.

3

તેની પૂછવાની શૈલીમાં એક પ્રકારની ધારદાર તાર્કિકતા હતી.

There was a sharp logic in his style of asking.

Abstract noun phrase 'પૂછવાની શૈલી'.

4

કોઈને પૂછ્યા વગર કોઈની અંગત લાઈફમાં દખલગીરી ન કરવી જોઈએ.

One should not interfere in someone's private life without asking.

Ethical/Social prescription.

5

કવિએ કુદરતને તેના મૌન વિશે પ્રશ્ન પૂછ્યો છે.

The poet has asked nature a question about its silence.

Personification in inquiry.

6

ન્યાયતંત્રની પૂછપરછની પ્રક્રિયા અત્યંત જટિલ હોય છે.

The process of judicial inquiry is extremely complex.

Technical/Legal terminology.

7

માનવીય ઉત્ક્રાંતિમાં પૂછવાની વૃત્તિએ જ મુખ્ય ભૂમિકા ભજવી છે.

In human evolution, the tendency to ask has played the main role.

Historical/Philosophical assertion.

8

તેણે કરેલા પ્રશ્નોના ઉત્તરોમાં જ સત્ય છુપાયેલું હતું.

The truth was hidden in the answers to the questions he asked.

Relative construction.

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