B1 · Intermédiaire Chapitre 9

The Power of Influence: Causative Verbs

4 Règles totales
35 exemples
6 min
Règles dans ce chapitre Pratique rapide

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of delegation and influence by transforming simple actions into causative powers.

  • Apply the 'ne' particle correctly with transitive causative verbs.
  • Construct First Causative verbs to show direct influence over others.
  • Utilize Second Causative verbs to describe delegating tasks to third parties.
Don't just do it—get it done!

Ce que tu vas apprendre

Hey friend! Ready to sound like someone who truly gets things done? This chapter moves you beyond just doing tasks yourself, to "getting them done with others' help or even delegating completely." Think about it: you want a haircut. You don't cut it yourself; you say,

The barber cuts my hair.
Need a new dress?
The tailor sews it for me.
This is precisely where Hindi causative verbs become essential! You'll learn to transform simple verbs (like 'to eat', 'to read') into forms showing you *caused* an action. We'll explore two types: The First Causative is for when you directly make someone do something (e.g., using suffixes like «-ā» or «-ānā»). You'll be able to say,
I made him eat.
The Second Causative is for when you arrange for someone else to perform an action, often involving a third party (with suffixes like «-vā» or -vanā). For example,
Have this food delivered to so-and-so.
By chapter's end, your Hindi will be more natural and precise. You'll make smoother requests, delegate tasks, and narrate situations where you influence outcomes without being the direct doer. Let's boost your linguistic power!

Learning Objectives

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

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to conjugate any standard verb into its first and second causative forms.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to correctly use the 'ne' particle in past tense sentences involving causative actions.
  3. 3
    By the end you will be able to explain the difference between doing a task yourself versus having it done by someone else.

Guide du chapitre

Overview

Hey friend! Welcome to the
Power of Influence: Causative Verbs
chapter, a crucial step in mastering Hindi grammar B1. This section is all about transforming your ability to express actions from merely doing to getting things done or
making others do them.
As you advance in B1 Hindi, you'll find that native speakers frequently use these structures to describe situations where they influence outcomes without directly performing the action themselves.
Think about everyday scenarios: you don't cut your own hair; you get the barber to cut it. You don't always cook a meal; you might have someone else prepare it.
This chapter unlocks a new level of fluency, helping you sound more natural and precise. We'll delve into the fascinating world of Hindi causative verbs, which allow you to indicate that you *caused* an action to happen. This skill is vital for making requests, delegating tasks, and narrating events where your influence is key.
By the end, you'll be confidently using these powerful verbs, making your Hindi conversations much richer and more authentic. Get ready to boost your linguistic power and truly get things done in Hindi!

How This Grammar Works

Hindi causative verbs are formed by modifying a simple verb (like खाना - khānā, to eat) to show that someone is causing the action. There are generally two types, often distinguished by the degree of directness in the causation.
The First Causative: Making Someone Do
This form is used when you directly make someone perform an action. It's like saying
I make him eat.
The rule topics
Hindi First Causative: Making Someone Do (-aa)
and
Hindi First Causative Verbs: Making Things Happen (-ānā)
refer to this.
Often, the root of the simple verb changes by adding an -ā sound, and then the infinitive suffix -nā is added.
* Simple Verb: पढ़ना (paṛhnā - to read)
* First Causative: पढ़ाना (paṛhānā - to teach, to make someone read).
* Example: मैं बच्चे को पढ़ाता हूँ। (Main bacche ko paṛhātā hū̃. - I make the child read/I teach the child.)
* Simple Verb: उठना (uṭhnā - to get up)
* First Causative: उठाना (uṭhānā - to make someone get up).
* Example: माँ बच्चे को उठाती है। (Mā̃ bacche ko uṭhātī hai. - Mother makes the child get up.)
The Second Causative: Getting Things Done
This form is used when you arrange for someone else to perform an action, often implying a third party or a more indirect cause. It's like saying
I get someone to make him eat
or
I get it done.
The rule topics
Getting Things Done: Second Causative Verbs (-vana)
and "The 'Get It Done' Verbs (Second Causative)
describe this. The prompt also highlights
Hindi Causative Verbs: Making Things Happen (karānā, karvānā)", with करवाना being a prime example of the second causative.
Here, the root of the First Causative verb often changes by adding a -vā sound, then the infinitive suffix -nā is added.
* Simple Verb: पढ़ना (paṛhnā - to read)
* First Causative: पढ़ाना (paṛhānā - to teach)
* Second Causative: पढ़वाना (paṛhvānā - to get someone to teach).
* Example: मैंने बच्चे को शिक्षक से पढ़वाया। (Maine bacche ko shikshak se paṛhvāyā. - I got the child taught by the teacher.)
* Simple Verb: करना (karnā - to do)
* First Causative: कराना (karānā - to make someone do)
* Second Causative: करवाना (karvānā - to get something done by someone else).
* Example: मैं अपना घर नौकर से साफ़ करवाता हूँ। (Main apnā ghar naukar se sāf karvātā hū̃. - I get my house cleaned by the servant.)
By understanding the suffixes -ānā (for First Causative) and -vanā (for Second Causative), you'll be able to transform simple verbs and express a broader range of actions, a key skill for B1 Hindi learners.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: मैं खाना खाता हूँ। (Main khānā khātā hū̃. - I eat food.)
✓ Correct: मैं बच्चे को खाना खिलाता हूँ। (Main bacche ko khānā khilātā hū̃. - I make the child eat food.)
*Explanation:* The first sentence implies *you* are eating. If you want to say you are *feeding* someone (making them eat), you need the First Causative form खिलाना (khilānā), not the simple verb खाना (khānā).
  1. 1✗ Wrong: मैंने अपना पत्र लिखा। (Maine apnā patra likhā. - I wrote my letter.)
✓ Correct: मैंने अपना पत्र उससे लिखवाया। (Maine apnā patra usse likhvāyā. - I got my letter written by him/her.)
*Explanation:* The wrong sentence implies you wrote the letter yourself. If you arranged for someone else to write it for you, the Second Causative लिखवाना (likhvānā - to get something written) is necessary. This shows indirect causation.

Real Conversations

A

A

तुम्हारी कार कब ठीक होगी? (Tumhārī kār kab ṭhīk hogī? - When will your car be fixed?)
B

B

मैं उसे आज मैकेनिक से ठीक करवा रहा हूँ। (Main use āj mechanic se ṭhīk karvā rahā hū̃. - I am getting it fixed by the mechanic today.)
A

A

तुमने बच्चों को यह कहानी क्यों पढ़ाई? (Tumne bachchoṅ ko yah kahānī kyoṅ paṛhāī? - Why did you teach the children this story?)
B

B

यह उनके पाठ्यक्रम में है। (Yah unke pāṭhyakram meṅ hai. - It's in their syllabus.)
A

A

क्या तुम यह काम खुद करोगे? (Kyā tum yah kām khud karoge? - Will you do this work yourself?)
B

B

नहीं, मैं अपने सहायक से करवाऊँगा। (Nahīṅ, main apne sahāyak se karvāūṅgā. - No, I will get it done by my assistant.)

Quick FAQ

Q

What's the main difference between First and Second Causative verbs in Hindi grammar for a B1 Hindi learner?

The First Causative (e.g., पढ़ाना - paṛhānā) means you directly make someone do an action. The Second Causative (e.g., पढ़वाना - paṛhvānā) means you arrange for someone else to perform the action, often involving a third party, implying more indirect involvement.

Q

Can all Hindi verbs be made causative?

While many verbs can be made causative, not all can. Intransitive verbs (verbs without a direct object, like सोना - sonā, to sleep) are often made causative. Transitive verbs (verbs with a direct object, like खाना - khānā, to eat) can also form causatives, but the resulting causative verb will have an additional object or agent.

Q

Are causative verbs common in everyday B1 Hindi conversations?

Absolutely! Causative verbs are very common and essential for expressing a wide range of actions, particularly when delegating tasks, giving instructions, or describing situations where you influence others. Mastering them will significantly improve your fluency and naturalness in Hindi conversations.

Cultural Context

In Hindi-speaking cultures, using causative verbs often reflects a polite way of delegating or requesting tasks, especially in formal or hierarchical settings. It's common to hear phrases like
मैंने अपना काम नौकर से करवाया
(I got my work done by the servant) rather than always stating one

Exemples clés (2)

1

Maa bachhe ko khaana khilaati hai.

La mère nourrit l'enfant.

Le premier causatif en hindi : Faire faire quelque chose (-aa)
2

Mujhe apni nayi photo dikhao.

Montre-moi ta nouvelle photo.

Le premier causatif en hindi : Faire faire quelque chose (-aa)

Conseils et astuces (3)

💡

Raccourcis la voyelle

En ajoutant -ā ou -vā, les voyelles longues du radical rétrécissent souvent. 'Jīt' (gagner) devient
Mujhe match jitānā hai.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Causatifs Hindi : Faire faire les choses (-ā & -vā)
⚠️

La particule 'Ne'

Les causatifs sont toujours transitifs. N'oublie pas d'utiliser 'ne' avec le sujet au passé : Maine use dikhaaya.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Le premier causatif en hindi : Faire faire quelque chose (-aa)
🎯

Le 'V' est la clé

Si tu entends un son 'V' avant la fin du verbe, c'est que quelqu'un donne des ordres. C'est la marque de la délégation : Kar-va-na.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Faire faire les choses : Second Causatif (-vana)

Vocabulaire clé (7)

करना (karna) to do कराना (karana) to cause to do / to make happen करवाना (karvana) to have (something) done by someone बनाना (banana) to make / to build बनवाना (banvana) to have (something) built सिखाना (sikhaana) to teach (causative of 'to learn') दर्जी (darzi) tailor

Real-World Preview

scissors

At the Tailor Shop

book-open

Teaching a Friend

Review Summary

  • [Subject] + ने + [Object] + [Verb agreeing with Object]
  • Root + आ (aa) / आना (aana)
  • Root + वा (vaa) / वाना (vaana)

Erreurs courantes

Because 'khilana' is a causative (transitive) verb, the subject must take 'ne' in the past tense.

Wrong: मैं दोस्त को खाना खिलाया (main dost ko khana khilaya)
Correct: मैंने दोस्त को खाना खिलाया (maine dost ko khana khilaya)

Use the -vaa form when you are the instigator but someone else (like a cleaner) is the actual doer.

Wrong: मैंने घर साफ़ कराया (maine ghar saaf karaya) [when meaning a professional did it]
Correct: मैंने घर साफ़ करवाया (maine ghar saaf karvaya)

Pronouns change form when 'ne' is added (voh + ne = usne).

Wrong: वह मुझको सिखाया (vah mujhko sikhaya)
Correct: उसने मुझे सिखाया (usne mujhe sikhaya)

Next Steps

You've just unlocked a major level of Hindi fluency. Being able to delegate and influence is a key B1 skill. Keep practicing those suffixes!

Look at objects around your room and say who you 'had them made' by (tailor, carpenter, etc.)

Continue to: Focusing on the Action: Passive Voice

Pratique rapide (9)

Fill in the blank.

Maine roti ____.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: khayi
Roti is feminine.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The Ergative ने in Depth: Agreement Rules in Perfective Tenses

Trouve et corrige l'erreur dans la phrase.

Find and fix the mistake:

उसने मुझे अपनी फोटो देखाई।

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: उसने मुझे अपनी फोटो दिखाई।
La voyelle 'ee' de 'deekhnaa' doit se raccourcir en 'i' dans 'dikhaanaa'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Le premier causatif en hindi : Faire faire quelque chose (-aa)

Quelle phrase utilise correctement la forme causative de 'khaanaa' ?

Choisis la bonne phrase :

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: मैं बच्चे को खाना खिलाता हूँ।
'Khilaanaa' est la forme correcte avec le raccourcissement de la voyelle et le pont en 'L'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Le premier causatif en hindi : Faire faire quelque chose (-aa)

Complète la phrase avec la forme correcte du premier causatif de 'parhnaa'.

क्या तुम मुझे हिंदी ___ सकते हो? (Peux-tu m'enseigner le hindi ?)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: पढ़ा
'Parhaanaa' est le premier causatif de 'parhnaa', utilisé pour l'enseignement.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Le premier causatif en hindi : Faire faire quelque chose (-aa)

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Maine khaya
Maine is the correct form.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The Ergative ने in Depth: Agreement Rules in Perfective Tenses

Correct the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Usne kitaabein khayi.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Usne kitaabein khayin
Plural feminine agreement.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The Ergative ने in Depth: Agreement Rules in Perfective Tenses

Choose the correct verb.

Maine usko ____.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: dekha
Ko-marked object.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The Ergative ने in Depth: Agreement Rules in Perfective Tenses

Fill in the blank.

Humne ____ dekhi.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: film
Film is feminine.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The Ergative ने in Depth: Agreement Rules in Perfective Tenses

Correct the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Maine gaya.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Main gaya
Gaya is intransitive.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The Ergative ने in Depth: Agreement Rules in Perfective Tenses

Score: /9

Questions fréquentes (6)

It marks the subject of a transitive verb in the past.
It changes the subject pronoun (e.g., Main -> Maine).
Karnā, c'est toi qui fais. Karānā, c'est quand tu aides ou fais faire (direct). Karvānā, c'est déléguer à un pro, genre
Main kaam karvata hoon.
Certains verbes sont irréguliers. 'Khā' change en 'khi' + 'l' + 'ānā'. C'est pareil pour
Main paani pilata hoon.
C'est une question de distance ! Le premier causatif (-aa) signifie que tu fais l'action avec la personne, comme dans
Main use khilaata hoon
.
Le hindi utilise un 'l' comme pont pour les racines se terminant par une voyelle :
Maa bachhe ko khilaati hai
.
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Adding Nuance with Compound Verbs
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Focusing on the Action: Passive Voice
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