B1 · Intermédiaire Chapitre 7

Mastering Ability and Daily Actions

5 Règles totales
53 exemples
7 min
Règles dans ce chapitre Pratique rapide

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of expressing ability, duty, and dynamic daily actions in natural Hindi.

  • Express physical and mental abilities using the modal verb 'Sakna'.
  • Navigate external pressures and obligations using the 'Padna' construction.
  • Expand your vocabulary exponentially by turning nouns into functional verbs.
From 'I do' to 'I can' and 'I must'.

Ce que tu vas apprendre

Ready to elevate your Hindi conversations to the next level? In this chapter, we're moving past simple actions and diving into nuanced expression! First up, you'll master the versatile verb Sakna (can/able to) to articulate what you *can* and *cannot* do. Whether you're saying,

I can speak Hindi
or "I can't come today,
this skill is crucial for expressing abilities, possibilities, or even asking for permission. Next, we tackle another incredibly practical aspect: conveying obligations. Using the
Padna" construction, you'll learn how to express tasks you *have* to do, not just because you choose to, but due to circumstances. Imagine telling a friend,
I have to go to work
or
I must return home early
—this structure makes your Hindi much more precise. Then comes the exciting part: working magic with Karna (to do)! You'll discover how to transform almost any noun into an active verb, making your language incredibly flexible and modern. For instance, from help (مدد), you can form help karna (to help). Similarly, you'll use Hona (to be) with nouns or adjectives to describe changes of state or actions that occur spontaneously. By the end of this chapter, you'll confidently discuss your abilities, obligations, and a wide array of daily activities. Your conversations will sound more natural and meaningful, just like a true Hindi speaker! Get ready to make significant progress!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Describe your professional skills using 'Sakna'.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to: Explain why you cannot attend an event due to obligations.
  3. 3
    By the end you will be able to: Use 'Karna' and 'Hona' to describe complex daily processes.

Guide du chapitre

Overview

Welcome to a pivotal chapter in your Hindi grammar B1 journey! As you move beyond basic sentences, expressing nuance becomes key. This guide is designed to unlock your ability to communicate more naturally and effectively, tackling essential structures that are ubiquitous in everyday Hindi.
We'll start with the highly versatile verb saknā (can/able to), a cornerstone for discussing capabilities, possibilities, and seeking permission. Mastering saknā will significantly enhance your conversational fluency, allowing you to articulate what you *can* and *cannot* do with ease.
Next, we dive into expressing obligations using the padnā construction. This often-impersonal structure is crucial for conveying tasks you *have* to do due to circumstances, rather than personal choice. Whether it's a work commitment or a family responsibility, padnā will help you sound like a native speaker when discussing your duties.
This is a common point of confusion for B1 Hindi learners, but we'll make it clear and simple.
Finally, prepare to unleash the power of karnā (to do) and honā (to be) in conjunction with nouns. This verb hack is a hallmark of modern Hindi, allowing you to transform countless nouns into active verbs, making your language incredibly flexible. From to help (madad karnā) to to be late (der honā), these conjunct verbs are indispensable for discussing a vast array of daily actions and states.
By the end of this chapter, you'll be able to confidently discuss your abilities, obligations, and daily life, sounding much more authentic in your Hindi conversations.

How This Grammar Works

Let's break down the core grammar rules that will elevate your Hindi grammar B1 skills. First up is Using Sakna (Can/Able to). Saknā is an auxiliary verb that follows the stem of the main verb.
The main verb stem remains unchanged, and saknā is conjugated according to the subject and tense. For example,
I can speak Hindi
is main Hindī bol saktā hū̃ (मैं हिंदी बोल सकता हूँ). If the subject is feminine, it would be bol saktī hū̃ (बोल सकती हूँ).
For Negative Ability: Saying 'Can't' (नहीं सकना), simply place nahī̃ (नहीं) before saknā. So, "I can't come today" becomes main āj nahī̃ ā saktā hū̃ (मैं आज नहीं आ सकता हूँ).
Moving on to Strong Obligation (Having to do it), Hindi uses a special construction with padnā (पड़ना). This structure often implies that the obligation is due to external circumstances rather than a personal desire. The structure is typically: (Noun/Pronoun) + को (ko) + (main verb stem) + padnā (conjugated according to the subject's gender/number, or often impersonally in the masculine singular).
For instance,
I have to go to work
is mujhe kām par jānā paṛtā hai (मुझे काम पर जाना पड़ता है). The ko marks the experiencer of the obligation.
Next, we have Hindi's 'Do' Verb Hack: Mastering Conjunct Verbs (Karnā). This is a fantastic way to expand your vocabulary! Many nouns can be turned into verbs by simply adding karnā (करना) after them.
The noun remains unchanged, and karnā is conjugated. For example, madad (मदद - help) becomes madad karnā (मदद करना - to help). Similarly, baat (बात - talk/matter) becomes baat karnā (बात करना - to talk).
These are extremely common in daily Hindi. Finally, Intransitive Conjunct Verbs (Noun + Hona) are used when something *happens* or *becomes* a certain state, rather than being actively *done*. Here, honā (होना - to be/happen) is used.
For instance, der (देर - delay) becomes der honā (देर होना - to be late/delay to occur), as in mujhe der ho rahī hai (मुझे देर हो रही है - I am getting late). Another example is pyaar honā (प्यार होना - to fall in love/love to happen). These structures make your Hindi more nuanced and natural.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: मैं हिंदी बोल सकता। (Main Hindī bol saktā.)
✓ Correct: मैं हिंदी बोल सकता हूँ। (Main Hindī bol saktā hū̃.)
*Explanation:* Saknā is an auxiliary verb and needs the appropriate form of honā (होना - to be) at the end to complete the tense. Without hū̃, the sentence is grammatically incomplete in the present tense.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: मैं काम पर जाना पड़ता है। (Main kām par jānā paṛtā hai.)
✓ Correct: मुझे काम पर जाना पड़ता है। (Mujhe kām par jānā paṛtā hai.)
*Explanation:* For obligations using padnā, the experiencer of the obligation (the I in I have to) must be marked with ko (को), which transforms main (मैं) into mujhe (मुझे).
  1. 1✗ Wrong: मैं मदद कर रहा हूँ। (Main madad kar rahā hū̃.) - *If the intention is
    I am being helped.
    *
✓ Correct: मेरी मदद हो रही है। (Merī madad ho rahī hai.)
*Explanation:* While madad karnā means to help, if you want to express to be helped or
help is happening to me,
you use honā (होना) with the noun, often with a possessive pronoun like merī (मेरी). Karnā implies active doing, honā implies happening or being.

Real Conversations

A

A

क्या तुम आज शाम को मुझसे मिल सकते हो? (Kyā tum āj shām ko mujhse mil sakte ho?)

(Can you meet me this evening?)

B

B

नहीं, मुझे आज जल्दी घर जाना पड़ेगा। (Nahī̃, mujhe āj jaldi ghar jānā paṛegā.)

(No, I will have to go home early today.)

A

A

तुम्हें इस प्रोजेक्ट पर कितना काम करना है? (Tumhe is project par kitnā kām karnā hai?)

(How much work do you have to do on this project?)

B

B

अभी बहुत काम करना है, और मुझे लग रहा है कि देर हो जाएगी। (Abhī bahut kām karnā hai, aur mujhe lag rahā hai ki der ho jāegī.)

(There's still a lot of work to do, and I feel like I'll be late.)

Quick FAQ

Q

What's the difference between saknā and other ways to express ability in Hindi grammar?

Saknā is the most direct and common way to say can or be able to in Hindi, focusing on physical or mental capacity. Other ways might use phrases like eligible to or capable of, but saknā is for general ability.

Q

When should I use karnā vs. a simple verb in B1 Hindi?

Many actions in Hindi are expressed using a noun + karnā (e.g., baat karnā - to talk) even if a simple verb exists (e.g., bolnā - to speak). Often, the conjunct verb with karnā can feel more natural or polite, or it's simply the standard way to express that action (e.g., safāī karnā - to clean).

Q

Is padnā always about obligation, or can it mean something else?

While primarily used for obligation in this context, padnā also literally means to fall or to happen. For example, barf paṛ rahī hai (बर्फ पड़ रही है - it's snowing/snow is falling). However, in the

X ko Y karnā paṛtā hai
structure, it specifically denotes obligation.

Q

How do I know if I should use karnā or honā with a noun?

Use karnā when the subject *actively performs* the action (e.g., main madad kartā hū̃ - I help). Use honā when the action *happens to* the subject, or the subject *undergoes* a change of state (e.g., mujhe bukhār ho gayā hai - I have a fever/fever has happened to me). Think of karnā as to do and honā as to be or to happen.

Cultural Context

These grammatical structures are deeply embedded in how Hindi speakers interact daily. The use of saknā for requests, such as kyā āp merī madad kar sakte haĩ? (क्या आप मेरी मदद कर सकते हैं? - Can you help me?), is a polite and common way to seek assistance.
The padnā construction, conveying obligation, often subtly communicates a sense of external pressure or duty, which is a significant aspect of social interaction in many Hindi-speaking regions. Similarly, the widespread use of conjunct verbs with karnā and honā makes Hindi conversations fluid and efficient. It's not just about grammar; it's about adopting a more natural, nuanced way of expressing actions and states, making your Hindi conversations sound genuinely authentic.

Exemples clés (8)

1

मैं हिंदी बोल सकता हूँ।

Je peux parler hindi.

Utiliser "Sakna" (Pouvoir/Capacité)
2

क्या आप रिपीट कर सकते हैं?

Pouvez-vous répéter ?

Utiliser "Sakna" (Pouvoir/Capacité)
3

Main aaj party mein nahin aa sakta hoon.

Je ne peux pas venir à la fête aujourd'hui.

Incapacité : Dire 'Ne pas pouvoir' (नहीं सकना)
4

Kya aap mera password nahin dekh sakte?

Vous ne pouvez pas voir mon mot de passe ?

Incapacité : Dire 'Ne pas pouvoir' (नहीं सकना)
5

Mujhe naya password set karna padega.

Je vais devoir configurer un nouveau mot de passe.

Obligation Forte (Devoir le faire)
6

Kya tumhein aaj overtime karna pad raha hai?

Est-ce que tu es obligé de faire des heures sup' aujourd'hui ?

Obligation Forte (Devoir le faire)
7

Kyā tum merā intezār kar rahe ho?

Est-ce que tu m'attends ?

L'astuce du verbe 'faire' en hindi : Les verbes conjoints avec (Karnā)
8

Maine kal use call kiyā.

Je l'ai appelé hier.

L'astuce du verbe 'faire' en hindi : Les verbes conjoints avec (Karnā)

Conseils et astuces (4)

⚠️

Jamais de 'Pouvoir' tout seul

En français, on peut dire 'Je peux'. En hindi, c'est impossible, il faut toujours ajouter le verbe d'action. Dis
Main kar saktā hūn
(Je peux faire), mais jamais juste
Main saktā hūn
.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Utiliser "Sakna" (Pouvoir/Capacité)
🎯

L'astuce pour parler plus vite

À l'oral, tu peux zapper le 'hai/hoon' à la fin. «मैं नहीं कर सकता» sonne très natif et te fait gagner du temps !
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Incapacité : Dire 'Ne pas pouvoir' (नहीं सकना)
💡

Le switch de pronom

Change toujours 'Main' en 'Mujhe' et 'Tum' en 'Tumhein'. Si tu commences par 'Main', c'est raté ! Dis plutôt : Mujhe jaana hai.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Obligation Forte (Devoir le faire)
🎯

Le hack du 'Hinglish'

Si tu oublies un verbe précis, utilise le mot anglais + 'karnā'. On te comprendra à coup sûr ! Call karnā.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: L'astuce du verbe 'faire' en hindi : Les verbes conjoints avec (Karnā)

Vocabulaire clé (7)

बोलना(bolna) to speak मदद(madad) help कोशिश(koshish) effort/try काम(kaam) work शुरू(shuru) start/begin साफ़(saaf) clean इंतज़ार(intezaar) wait

Real-World Preview

calendar

Explaining a Busy Schedule

Review Summary

  • [Verb Root] + sakna (conjugated)
  • [Subject + ko] + [Infinitive] + padna (conjugated)
  • [Noun/Adj] + karna/hona

Erreurs courantes

Do not use the full infinitive (bolna) with sakna. Use only the root (bol).

Wrong: मैं बोल सकता हूँ (Main bolna sakta hoon)
Correct: मैं बोल सकता हूँ (Main bol sakta hoon)

Obligation verbs like 'padna' require the subject to take 'ko' (indirect subject).

Wrong: मैं जाना पड़ता है (Main jaana padta hai)
Correct: मुझे जाना पड़ता hai (Mujhe jaana padta hai)

Use 'Karna' when you are the one performing the action. 'Hona' implies the action is happening to you or by itself.

Wrong: मैं काम होता हूँ (Main kaam hota hoon)
Correct: मैं काम करता हूँ (Main kaam karta hoon)

Next Steps

You've just crossed a major threshold in Hindi! Being able to discuss obligations and abilities makes your speech sound significantly more mature and nuanced. Keep practicing these 'power verbs'!

Record a 1-minute voice note describing 3 things you have to do tomorrow.

Write 5 sentences about things you can do now that you couldn't do a year ago.

Continue to: Adding Nuance with Compound Verbs

Pratique rapide (9)

Complète la phrase avec la forme correcte de 'sakna' (négatif).

मैं यह काम ___ (cannot do).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: नहीं कर सकता
Pour dire 'ne pas pouvoir faire', utilise la racine 'kar' + 'nahin' + 'sakta'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Incapacité : Dire 'Ne pas pouvoir' (नहीं सकना)

Quelle phrase dit correctement 'J'ai dû partir' ?

Select the correct Hindi translation:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Mujhe jaana pada.
Le sujet doit être 'Mujhe' (datif) et l'événement passé spécifique demande 'pada'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Obligation Forte (Devoir le faire)

Corrige l'erreur de grammaire dans cette phrase.

Tum hindi bolna padega.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tumhein hindi bolni padegi.
Le sujet devient 'Tumhein'. 'Hindi' est féminin, donc le verbe doit s'accorder : 'bolni padegi'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Obligation Forte (Devoir le faire)

Choisis la bonne forme de 'padna' pour une obligation future.

Kal mujhe jaldi uthna ___ (I will have to wake up early tomorrow).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: padega
Comme la phrase mentionne 'Kal' (demain), on doit utiliser le futur 'padega'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Obligation Forte (Devoir le faire)

Trouve l'erreur dans cette phrase.

Find and fix the mistake:

वह हिंदी बोल नहीं सकता है। (Si le sujet est 'Elle')

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: वह हिंदी बोल नहीं सकती है।
Comme le sujet est féminin, le verbe de capacité doit être 'sakti'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Incapacité : Dire 'Ne pas pouvoir' (नहीं सकना)

Quelle phrase est correcte ?

Comment dis-tu 'J'ai utilisé le téléphone' ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: मैंने फोन इस्तेमाल किया।
'Istemāl karnā' au passé devient 'istemāl kiyā' et nécessite 'ne' avec le sujet.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: L'astuce du verbe 'faire' en hindi : Les verbes conjoints avec (Karnā)

Trouve l'erreur

Find and fix the mistake:

वह मेरा मदद किया। (Il m'a aidé.)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: उसने मेरी मदद की।
'Madad' est féminin, donc au passé, 'karnā' devient 'kī' et le sujet prend 'ne'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: L'astuce du verbe 'faire' en hindi : Les verbes conjoints avec (Karnā)

Complète la phrase avec la forme correcte de 'karnā'.

मैं रोज़ कसरत (exercise) _____ हूँ।

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: करता
En supposant que le locuteur est un homme, 'kartā hūn' est le présent habituel pour 'je fais de l'exercice'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: L'astuce du verbe 'faire' en hindi : Les verbes conjoints avec (Karnā)

Quelle phrase est correcte pour une femme qui parle ?

Choisis la bonne phrase :

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: मैं नहीं जा सकती हूँ।
Pour un sujet féminin, 'sakna' devient 'sakti'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Incapacité : Dire 'Ne pas pouvoir' (नहीं सकना)

Score: /9

Questions fréquentes (6)

Oui, mais tu dois conjuguer 'sakna' au futur. Par exemple :
Main kal aa sakūngā
(Je pourrai venir demain). Le 'saktā' devient 'sakūngā'.
'Sakna' sert à la capacité ou possibilité. Pour 'autoriser' quelqu'un, on utilise souvent le verbe 'denā' (donner).
Main jane de saktā hūn
signifie 'Je peux te laisser partir'.
Oui, dans les paroles de chansons pour l'emphase, mais en conversation normale, garde le sujet au début : «मैं नहीं जा सकता।»
'Saka' veut dire que tu n'as pas réussi à un moment précis : «मैं नहीं कर सका।» 'Sakta tha' est plus général sur une période.
'Mujhe jaana hai' est un projet ou une obligation légère. 'Mujhe jaana padega' est une contrainte forte, tu n'as pas le choix : Mujhe jaana padega.
Oui ! Il s'accorde avec l'objet. Si tu dois manger une 'roti' (féminin), tu diras :
roti khaani padti hai
.
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