힌디어 사동사: 남에게 시키기 (-ā & -vā)

• Base Verb (Direct Action/Intransitive): This is the fundamental form of the verb, indicating that the subject performs the action directly, or that the action happens to the subject without external intervention. It represents the primary agent's action. For example, khānā (खाना – to eat), paṛhnā (पढ़ना – to read/study), chalnā (चलना – to walk/move). In these cases, the subject is the sole actor or experiencer.

• First Causative (Direct Causation/Assistance): This form indicates that the subject (the causer) directly causes another agent to perform the action, or assists them in doing so. The causer is actively involved in initiating or overseeing the action. This can be translated as

  to make (someone) do

  or to feed/teach. For instance, khilānā (खिलाना – to feed, i.e., make someone eat), paṛhānā (पढ़ाना – to teach, i.e., make someone study/read), chalānā (चलाना – to drive/operate, i.e., make something move). Here, there is an intermediary agent who performs the action, but under the direct influence or supervision of the causer.

• Second Causative (Indirect Causation/Delegation): This is the highest tier of agency, signifying that the subject (the causer) causes an action to be performed by delegating it to an intermediary agent, who then involves a final agent (or performs the action themselves). The causer is typically detached from the physical act of performing the verb. This translates to

  to have/get (something) done (by someone).

  For example, khilvānā (खिलवाना – to have someone fed), paṛhvānā (पढ़वाना – to have someone taught/have something read), chalvānā (चलवाना – to have someone drive/operate something). In this structure, the causer instructs an intermediary, who then ensures the action is carried out. The initial causer is further removed from the actual execution.

• Transitive: mãi kitāb paṛhtā hū̃. (मैं किताब पढ़ता हूँ। – I read a book.) Here, paṛhtā (पढ़ता) is the base transitive verb. The action is performed directly by the subject on the object.
• First Causative: mãi bachche ko kitāb paṛhātā hū̃. (मैं बच्चे को किताब पढ़ाता हूँ। – I teach the child a book / I make the child read a book.) Here, paṛhātā (पढ़ाता) is the first causative, indicating that the subject is causing the child to read or teaching them.

• English Make/Force: I made him go.
• Hindi: maine usko bhejjā. (मैंने उसको भेजा। – I sent him.) bhejjā (भेजा) is causative of bhejnā (भेजना – to send), from root jānā (जाना – to go). jānā has irregular causatives bhejnā (1st) and bhijvānā (2nd).
• English

  Have/Get something done

  : I had my hair cut.
• Hindi: maine apnā bāl kaṭvāyā. (मैंने अपना बाल कटवाया। – I had my hair cut.) kaṭvāyā (कटवाया) is the second causative of kāṭnā (काटना – to cut).

• dēnā (देना – to give/to allow): When used as a light verb with another verb stem, dēnā can imply permission or allowing an action, but it doesn't form a causative verb.
• mujhe jānā do. (मुझे जाना दो। – Let me go.) Here, do is from dēnā, functioning as an auxiliary, not a causative suffix.
• *Contrast:* maine usko bhejjā. (I sent him.) This uses a true causative verb.

• Passive: Focuses on the receiver of the action, and the agent is often marked with se.
• patra mere dvārā likhā gayā. (पत्र मेरे द्वारा लिखा गया। – The letter was written by me.) Here, likhā gayā (लिखा गया) is passive.
• Second Causative: Focuses on the causer, who delegates the action.
• maine usse patra likhvāyā. (मैंने उससे पत्र लिखवाया। – I had him write the letter.) Here, likhvāyā (लिखवाया) is a causative.

Almost every action verb can form causatives. Stative verbs (e.g., honā – होना, to be; rahanā – रहना, to live/stay in a place) generally do not form causatives in the same way, as they do not describe an action that can be *caused* by another agent. Similarly, verbs describing inherent states or involuntary actions are less likely to form standard causatives.

Many verbs in Hindi are already derived causatives. For instance, sikhānā (सिखाना – to teach) is the first causative of sīkhnā (सीखना – to learn). In such cases, the second causative (sikhvānā – सिखवाना, to have someone taught) is formed from the existing first causative. You would not typically form a first causative of sikhānā itself, as it already embodies that level of causation.

While most verbs follow the -ā and -vā pattern with vowel shortening, some common verbs have irregular forms. A notable example is dēnā (देना – to give), whose causatives are dilānā (दिलाना – to cause to give/to get for someone) and dilvānā (दिलवाना – to have someone give/to get something obtained by someone). Another is lenā (लेना – to take), whose causatives are lilānā (लिलाना) and lilvānā (लिलवाना), though these are less common than dilānā/dilvānā. For such verbs, it's best to learn their causative forms individually. Context usually clarifies if a verb is truly irregular or just follows a less common phonetic shift.

Yes, causative verbs can be used in all tenses, aspects, and moods, including the imperative and subjunctive. Once a verb is in its causative form (e.g., karānā, karvānā), it functions grammatically like any other verb, taking the appropriate endings for imperative commands, subjunctive wishes, or different tenses. For example, karāo! (कराओ! – Make him do it! - imperative) or kāsh mãi use samjhā pātā. (काश मैं उसे समझा पाता। – I wish I could make him understand. - subjunctive with causative).

The prevalence of causative verbs in Hindi can be seen as a reflection of social hierarchies and the importance of delegation in many cultural contexts. Historically, and even in modern daily life, it's common for individuals of higher status to delegate tasks to those below them, or for families to arrange for services rather than performing all tasks themselves. This is not necessarily about laziness but about the structured nature of social interactions and the division of labor. The language provides a precise tool to express these dynamics, from a boss instructing an employee to a homeowner hiring a plumber.