Advanced Hindi Passive Voice (Karmavachya)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
The Hindi passive voice shifts focus from the doer to the action by using 'jaana' (to go) as an auxiliary verb.
- The main verb becomes a past participle (e.g., 'kiya').
- Add the appropriate form of 'jaana' (to go) after the participle.
- The agent (if mentioned) is marked with 'ke dwara' or 'se'.
Overview
The advanced Hindi passive voice, or कर्मवाच्य (Karmavachya), is a sophisticated grammatical structure crucial for achieving C1 fluency. Unlike the active voice, which emphasizes the agent performing an action, the passive voice shifts focus to the action itself or its recipient. This linguistic choice is not merely about rephrasing sentences; it fundamentally alters the tone and perceived objectivity of communication.
You'll encounter कर्मवाच्य extensively in formal settings such as news broadcasts, academic papers, legal documents, and literary works. It lends an authoritative, impersonal, and often timeless quality to discourse. By de-emphasizing the agent, the passive voice suggests universality, established fact, or a deliberate omission of responsibility, making it indispensable for advanced learners aiming for nuanced expression.
The core mechanism of the Hindi passive involves the auxiliary verb जाना (jana). While जाना typically means 'to go,' in passive constructions, it functions as a grammatical marker, similar to 'to be' in English passive sentences. Understanding this distinct role is paramount; it’s a grammatical transformation, not an indication of movement.
This structure elevates your Hindi from conversational to eloquent, allowing you to engage with complex topics authentically.
Conjugation Table
| Tense/Aspect | Masculine Singular (काम किया जाना) |
Feminine Singular (किताब लिखी जाना) |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| :------------- | :------------------------------------ | :------------------------------------ | ||
| Present Indefinite | काम किया जाता है (kaam kiya jata hai) |
किताब लिखी जाती है (kitaab likhi jati hai) |
||
| Past Indefinite | काम किया गया (kaam kiya gaya) |
किताब लिखी गई (kitaab likhi gayi) |
||
| Future Indefinite | काम किया जाएगा (kaam kiya jayega) |
किताब लिखी जाएगी (kitaab likhi jayegi) |
||
| Present Continuous | काम किया जा रहा है (kaam kiya ja raha hai) |
किताब लिखी जा रही है (kitaab likhi ja rahi hai) |
||
| Past Continuous | काम किया जा रहा था (kaam kiya ja raha tha) |
किताब लिखी जा रही थी (kitaab likhi ja rahi thi) |
||
| Present Perfect | काम किया गया है (kaam kiya gaya hai) |
किताब लिखी गई है (kitaab likhi gayi hai) |
||
| Past Perfect | काम किया गया था (kaam kiya gaya tha) |
किताब लिखी गई थी (kitaab likhi gayi thi) |
How This Grammar Works
कर्मवाच्य reassigns grammatical control. In an active sentence, the verb agrees with the subject (e.g., मैं किताब पढ़ता हूँ - main kitaab padhta hoon - "I read the book"). In the passive voice, the verb—specifically the auxiliary जाना (jana)—agrees with the object of the original active sentence.किताब पढ़ी जाती है (kitaab padhi jati hai) - "The book is read," where पढ़ी जाती है (padhi jati hai) agrees with किताब (kitaab, feminine singular).द्वारा (dwara) for formal contexts or से (se) for more informal or general contexts. यह उपन्यास लेखक द्वारा लिखा गया है (yah upanyas lekhak dwara likha gaya hai) - "This novel has been written by the author."कर्मवाच्य primarily applies to transitive verbs, which are verbs that take a direct object. Intransitive verbs, which do not take a direct object, generally cannot form a standard कर्मवाच्य. However, intransitive verbs can sometimes appear in an impersonal passive, known as भाववाच्य (Bhavavachya), which conveys inability or a general statement without an explicit subject.भाववाच्य, the verb always defaults to masculine singular. For example, मुझसे चला नहीं जाता (mujhse chala nahin jata) - "I cannot walk (literally: by me, walking is not gone/done)" expresses inability, using an intransitive verb (चलना - chalna, to walk).लिखना (likhna) -> लिखा/लिखी/लिखे). It is जाना (jana) that then undergoes conjugation for tense and agreement, providing the temporal and relational framework for the entire verbal phrase.Formation Pattern
कर्मवाच्य involves a precise sequence of transformations from an active sentence. Adhering to these steps ensures grammatical correctness and the desired formal tone.
जाना (jana).
सरकार ने नियम बदले। (Sarkar ne niyam badle.) - "The government changed the rules." (Object: नियम - niyam, rules, masculine plural)
जाना (jana). Remember the common endings: -आ (-a) for masculine singular, -ई (-i) for feminine singular, and -ए (-e) for masculine plural.
बदलना (badalna, to change)
बदले (badle) - for masculine plural नियम.
जाना (jana)
जाना (jana) after the perfective participle. This जाना must agree in tense, aspect, mood, gender, and number with the new grammatical subject (the original direct object).
नियम (niyam, masculine plural)
जाना conjugation: गए (gaye) for masculine plural past.
नियम बदले गए। (Niyam badle gaye.) - "The rules were changed."
द्वारा (dwara) immediately after the agent for formal contexts, or से (se) for informal/instrumental contexts. द्वारा is typically used with animate agents.
सरकार द्वारा नियम बदले गए। (Sarkar dwara niyam badle gaye.) - "The rules were changed by the government."
से (informal agent/instrument): यह पत्र कलम से लिखा गया (yah patr kalam se likha gaya) - "This letter was written with a pen." (instrument) or मुझसे यह काम किया गया (mujhse yah kaam kiya gaya) - "This work was done by me." (informal agent)
किसान अनाज उगाते हैं। (kisan anaj ugate hain.) "Farmers grow grain." | अनाज उगाया जाता है। (anaj ugaya jata hai.) "Grain is grown." |
उसने चिट्ठी लिखी। (usne chitthi likhi.) "She wrote a letter." | चिट्ठी लिखी गई। (chitthi likhi gayi.) "A letter was written." |
When To Use It
कर्मवाच्य (Karmavachya) signals specific intentions and stylistic preferences.नए कानून पास किए गए हैं।(naye kanoon paas kiye gaye hain.) - "New laws have been passed." (Formal, objective news report)
मेरा फ़ोन टूट गया था।(mera phone toot gaya tha.) - "My phone was broken." (Agent unknown/irrelevant)निर्णय लिया गया है कि...(nirnay liya gaya hai ki...) - "It has been decided that..." (Agent intentionally unstated)
पानी को गर्म किया जाता है।(pani ko garam kiya jata hai.) - "The water is heated." (Scientific process)
भाववाच्य): This is a powerful and common use, especially with intransitive verbs. It conveys that someone cannot perform an action, often implying a deep personal constraint or reluctance, rather than simple unwillingness.मुझसे अब और नहीं सहा जाता।(mujhse ab aur nahin saha jata.) - "I cannot bear it any longer." (Intransitiveसहना-sahna, to bear/tolerato)बूढ़े आदमी से चला नहीं जाता।(boodhe aadmi se chala nahin jata.) - "The old man cannot walk." (Intransitiveचलना-chalna, to walk)
कहा जाता है कि दिल्ली बहुत पुरानी है।(kaha jata hai ki dilli bahut purani hai.) - "It is said that Delhi is very old."
कर्मवाच्य to create distance, highlight fate, or evoke specific emotions. It can make events seem more profound or predetermined.उसे अचानक महल में लाया गया।(use achanak mahal mein laya gaya.) - "He was suddenly brought into the palace." (Emphasizes the sudden action, not the bringer)
Common Mistakes
जाना (jana) must agree in gender and number with the object of the original active sentence, which becomes the grammatical subject of the passive construction. Learners often mistakenly try to make it agree with the original active subject.- Incorrect:
मेरे द्वारा किताब पढ़ा जाता है।(mere dwara kitaab padha jata hai.) - Here,पढ़ा जाता है(padha jata hai) is masculine singular, butकिताब(kitaab, book) is feminine singular. - Correct:
मेरे द्वारा किताब पढ़ी जाती है।(mere dwara kitaab padhi jati hai.) - "The book is read by me."
द्वारा (dwara): While द्वारा is the formal marker for an agent, its indiscriminate use can make sentences sound overly stiff, unnatural, or even archaic. It's best reserved for animate agents in formal contexts. Avoid using it with inanimate objects as agents.- Awkward:
पेड़ द्वारा फल खाए गए।(ped dwara phal khaye gaye.) - "Fruits were eaten by the tree." (Trees don't 'eat' in this sense, andद्वाराis ill-suited.) - Better (if agent needed):
फल पक्षियों द्वारा खाए गए।(phal pakshiyon dwara khaye gaye.) - "Fruits were eaten by birds."
कर्मवाच्य with Intransitive Verbs (Outside of Inability Context): Standard passive voice requires a direct object. Attempting to use it with intransitive verbs for general actions creates ungrammatical or extremely awkward constructions, unless specifically expressing inability (भाववाच्य).- Ungrammatical:
उसके द्वारा सोया गया।(uske dwara soya gaya.) - "It was slept by him." (An intransitive verb likeसोना(sona, to sleep) generally doesn't form a transitive passive.) - Correct (Impersonal Passive of Inability):
उससे रात भर सोया नहीं जाता।(usse raat bhar soya nahin jata.) - "He cannot sleep all night."
जाना (jana) with जाना (jana) 'to go': The context clearly distinguishes these two functions. The passive जाना always follows a perfective participle, whereas जाना 'to go' functions as a main verb, often with a different preceding verbal form (e.g., infinitive).मैं बाज़ार जाता हूँ।(main bazaar jata hoon.) - "I go to the market." (Main verbजाना)खाना खाया जाता है।(khana khaya jata hai.) - "Food is eaten." (Passive auxiliaryजानाfollowing participleखाया)
करना (karna) -> किया (kiya), लिखना (likhna) -> लिखा (likha)) is critical. Learners sometimes use the infinitive or other incorrect forms.- Incorrect:
यह काम करना जाता है।(yah kaam karna jata hai.) (Using infinitiveकरना) - Correct:
यह काम किया जाता है।(yah kaam kiya jata hai.) - "This work is done."
Contrast With Similar Patterns
कर्मवाच्य) shares some surface similarities with other grammatical constructions, leading to potential confusion. A clear distinction is vital for precision at the C1 level.कर्तृवाच्य - Kartruvachya) vs. Passive Voice (कर्मवाच्य - Karmavachya):- Active:
मैंने पत्र लिखा।(maine patr likha.) - "I wrote the letter." (Focus onमैंने- I) - Passive:
पत्र मेरे द्वारा लिखा गया।(patr mere dwara likha gaya.) - "The letter was written by me." (Focus onपत्र- letter)
जाना (jana) vs. Accidental/Spontaneous होना (hona) Constructions:कर्मवाच्य with जाना implies an action performed, even if the agent is unnamed. होना (hona) in constructions like हो गया (ho gaya) often denotes an event that happened spontaneously, accidentally, or without an explicit agent's active initiation.गिलास तोड़ा गया।(gilas toda gaya.) - "The glass was broken." (Implies someone broke it, possibly intentionally.)गिलास टूट गया।(gilas toot gaya.) - "The glass broke." (Implies it broke on its own, accidentally.)
प्रेरणार्थक क्रिया - Preranaarthak Kriya):- Passive:
कमरा साफ़ किया गया।(kamra saaf kiya gaya.) - "The room was cleaned." (Focus on the room being cleaned) - Causal:
मैंने कमरा साफ़ करवाया।(maine kamra saaf karwaya.) - "I had the room cleaned." (Focus on 'I' causing the cleaning)
द्वारा (dwara) Passive vs. Informal से (se) Constructions (for Inability/Spontaneity):से construction with intransitive verbs, often used to express inability, can superficially resemble the passive but functions differently in terms of formality and semantic nuance. The से here indicates the 'experiencer' rather than a formal agent.- Formal Passive (transitive):
सरकार द्वारा कानून बनाए गए।(sarkar dwara kanoon banaye gaye.) - "Laws were made by the government." - Informal
से(intransitive inability):मुझसे हँसा नहीं जाता।(mujhse hansa nahin jata.) - "I cannot laugh." (expresses inability, not a passive action done to laughter)
Real Conversations
The advanced passive voice isn't confined to dusty old texts; it thrives in modern Hindi communication, particularly in formal, public, and semi-formal contexts. Observing its use in real-world scenarios helps solidify understanding.
News and Media
कर्मवाच्य for conciseness and objectivity.- नई योजनाएँ घोषित की जाएँगी। (nayi yojnayen ghoshit ki jayengi.) - "New schemes will be announced." (Typical news headline for future actions)
- अपराधी को पकड़ लिया गया है। (apradhi ko pakad liya gaya hai.) - "The criminal has been caught." (Standard police/news report)
Official Communications (Emails, Announcements): In professional and governmental contexts, the passive voice adds a layer of professionalism and formality.
- Email Subject: आपकी शिकायत पर कार्रवाई की गई है। (aapki shikayat par karwai ki gayi hai.) - "Action has been taken on your complaint." (Formal customer service response)
- Public Notice: सभी छात्रों को सूचित किया जाता है कि... (sabhi chhatron ko suchit kiya jata hai ki...) - "All students are hereby informed that..." (Common opening for formal announcements)
Social Media (Official Accounts): Even on platforms like Twitter or Instagram, official accounts of brands, government bodies, or public figures use the passive to convey announcements or updates authoritatively.
- नया उत्पाद लॉन्च किया गया। (naya utpad launch kiya gaya.) - "New product launched." (Concise, impactful announcement)
Discussions of Inability/Suffering: The impersonal passive (भाववाच्य) is very common in spoken Hindi to express deep inability or a state of being overwhelmed, rather than simply "I don't want to."
- इतना काम मुझसे नहीं किया जाता। (itna kaam mujhse nahin kiya jata.) - "I cannot do this much work." (Expressing being overwhelmed)
- यह दर्द मुझसे सहा नहीं जाता। (yah dard mujhse saha nahin jata.) - "I cannot bear this pain." (Expressing profound suffering)
Understanding these real-world applications helps you recognize and naturally integrate कर्मवाच्य into your own advanced Hindi, making your communication more authentic and contextually appropriate. It's the language of public discourse and deeper personal expression.
Progressive Practice
To truly internalize the advanced Hindi passive voice, a structured and progressive practice regimen is essential. Move from recognition to active production, gradually increasing complexity.
1. Identify and Analyze:
- News Articles/Editorials: Actively read Hindi news articles, paying close attention to verbs. Underline every instance of जाना (jana) and determine if it's acting as a passive auxiliary or meaning 'to go'. Analyze why the passive was chosen in each case (formality, agent suppression, objectivity).
- Literary Excerpts: Select passages from contemporary Hindi literature. Identify passive constructions and try to convert them mentally back into the active voice to understand the author's stylistic choice and emphasis.
2. Transformation Exercises:
- Active to Passive Conversion: Take a list of active transitive sentences and systematically convert them into passive constructions, ensuring correct perfective participle forms and जाना (jana) agreement with the new grammatical subject.
- Example: पुलिस ने चोर को पकड़ा। (police ne chor ko pakada.) -> चोर को पुलिस द्वारा पकड़ा गया। (chor ko police dwara pakada gaya.) or simply चोर पकड़ा गया। (chor pakada gaya.) - "The thief was caught."
- Agent Inclusion/Exclusion: Practice both versions: one where the agent is omitted, and another where a formal agent is included using द्वारा (dwara). Consider the subtle difference in tone.
3. Contextual Application:
- Formal Report Writing: Draft short paragraphs or summaries on topics like a scientific experiment, a historical event, or an official announcement, making a conscious effort to use कर्मवाच्य where appropriate to convey objectivity and formality.
- Expressing Inability: Practice forming sentences using the impersonal passive (भाववाच्य) to express inability or deep reluctance with various intransitive verbs (e.g., मुझसे गाया नहीं जाता - mujhse gaya nahin jata - "I cannot sing"). Pay attention to the से postposition.
4. Differentiating Similar Structures:
- होना vs. जाना Passive: Create pairs of sentences, one using होना for accidental/spontaneous events and another using the जाना passive for actions performed. Explain the nuance of each choice.
- Example: दरवाज़ा टूट गया। (darwaza toot gaya.) vs. दरवाज़ा तोड़ा गया। (darwaza toda gaya.) - "The door broke" vs. "The door was broken."
Consistent engagement with these varied practice types will solidify your command over the advanced Hindi passive voice, moving your understanding from theoretical knowledge to fluent, practical application.
Quick FAQ
द्वारा (dwara) always necessary when using the passive voice?No. In fact, in many formal contexts like news or official reports, the agent is deliberately omitted to maintain objectivity or because it's irrelevant. द्वारा is used when specifying a formal, usually animate, agent is desired.
Absolutely. You simply conjugate the auxiliary verb जाना (jana) into its future tense form, agreeing with the grammatical subject (original object). For example: परिणाम घोषित किए जाएँगे। (parinam ghoshit kiye jayenge.) - "Results will be declared."
This is done through the impersonal passive (भाववाच्य), typically with intransitive verbs, using the से (se) postposition before the subject/experiencer, followed by the perfective participle and जाना (jana) in the present indefinite, often with negation. मुझसे भागा नहीं जाता। (mujhse bhaga nahin jata.) - "I cannot run."
In the passive construction, the direct object of the active sentence becomes the grammatical subject. Therefore, the auxiliary verb जाना (jana) must agree with this new subject in gender and number, just as a main verb would in an active sentence.
कर्मवाच्य only used in very formal or written Hindi?While it predominates in formal and written contexts (news, literature, official communication), the impersonal passive (भाववाच्य) for inability is quite common in spoken, everyday Hindi. Additionally, certain passive constructions appear in semi-formal speech or announcements, especially in public discourse. It's a spectrum of formality.
Passive Voice Formation
| Tense | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Past
|
Participle + gaya/gayi
|
Kiya gaya
|
|
Present
|
Participle + jaata hai
|
Kiya jaata hai
|
|
Future
|
Participle + jaayega
|
Kiya jaayega
|
|
Continuous
|
Participle + ja raha hai
|
Kiya ja raha hai
|
|
Perfect
|
Participle + gaya hai
|
Kiya gaya hai
|
Meanings
The passive voice is used when the subject of the sentence is the recipient of the action, or when the agent is unknown or irrelevant.
Formal/Official
Used in news, legal, or formal reports.
“कानून पास किया गया।”
“मीटिंग आयोजित की गई।”
Agent-less
When the actor is unknown or intentionally omitted.
“खिड़की तोड़ दी गई।”
“चाय पी ली गई।”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Obj + V-participle + gaya
|
Kaam kiya gaya
|
|
Negative
|
Obj + nahi + V-participle + gaya
|
Kaam nahi kiya gaya
|
|
Interrogative
|
Kya + Obj + V-participle + gaya?
|
Kya kaam kiya gaya?
|
|
Agentive
|
Obj + Agent + ke dwara + V-participle
|
Kaam ram ke dwara kiya gaya
|
Formality Spectrum
कार्य पूर्ण किया गया। (Workplace)
काम पूरा किया गया। (Workplace)
काम हो गया। (Workplace)
काम निपट गया। (Workplace)
Passive Voice Components
Core
- Participle Verb form
- Jaana Auxiliary
Examples by Level
काम किया गया।
The work was done.
चाय पी गई।
The tea was drunk.
यह किताब लिखी गई थी।
This book was written.
प्रोजेक्ट मैनेजर के द्वारा रिपोर्ट दी गई।
The report was given by the project manager.
कानून को संसद में पारित किया गया।
The law was passed in parliament.
इतिहास के पन्नों में इसे दर्ज किया गया है।
It has been recorded in the pages of history.
Easily Confused
Learners mix up the agent marker.
Common Mistakes
Maine kiya gaya.
Kaam kiya gaya.
Kaam kiya hai.
Kaam kiya gaya hai.
Kaam kiye gaye.
Kaam kiya gaya.
Kaam gaya kiya.
Kaam kiya gaya.
Ram ne kaam kiya gaya.
Kaam Ram ke dwara kiya gaya.
Patra likha hai.
Patra likha gaya hai.
Khana khaya gaya hai.
Khana khaya gaya.
Uske dwara kaam kiya.
Uske dwara kaam kiya gaya.
Kaam kiya jaata tha.
Kaam kiya gaya tha.
Kitabein likha gaya.
Kitabein likhi gayin.
Sarkar dwara niyam badla.
Sarkar dwara niyam badla gaya.
Niyam badal diye gaye.
Niyam badal diya gaya.
Yeh kaam usne kiya gaya.
Yeh kaam uske dwara kiya gaya.
Baat kahi jaati hai.
Baat kahi gayi.
Sentence Patterns
___ (object) ___ (verb) gaya.
Real World Usage
दोषी को गिरफ्तार किया गया।
Focus on the Object
Smart Tips
Use passive to sound objective.
Pronunciation
Jaana
Ensure the 'j' is crisp and the 'aa' is long.
Falling
Kaam kiya gaya ↓
Finality and objectivity.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Passive is 'Past-ive': Use the past participle and 'go' (jaana).
Visual Association
Imagine a letter floating in the air, being written by an invisible hand.
Rhyme
Action first, actor last, use 'jaana' for the past.
Story
The king sat on his throne. The decree was written (likha gaya). The order was given (diya gaya). The kingdom was saved (bachaya gaya).
Word Web
Challenge
Write 5 sentences about your day using only passive voice.
Cultural Notes
Extremely common in government documents.
Derived from Sanskrit passive structures.
Conversation Starters
क्या काम पूरा किया गया?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
काम ___ गया।
Score: /1
Practice Exercises
1 exercisesकाम ___ गया।
Score: /1
Practice Bank
10 exercisesThe decision was taken by the committee.
इतनी गर्मी में मुझसे ______ नहीं जाता। (काम करना)
गया / द्वारा / सूचित / हमें / गया / अधिकारियों
Match the following:
The results will be announced soon.
मुझसे रोटी नहीं खाया जाता।
नया कानून कल ______। (लागू करना - Future Passive)
It is said that truth always wins.
Choose the formal option:
यह काम मेरे से किया गया। (Formal context)
Score: /10
FAQ (1)
Yes, but it sounds formal.
Scaffolded Practice
1
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Se + verb
Hindi uses a full auxiliary verb.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
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