B2 · Upper Intermediate Chapter 2

Comparing and Emphasizing

8 Total Rules
83 examples
6 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Elevate your Hindi by mastering the art of comparison and the power of subtle emphasis.

  • Construct precise comparisons using 'se' and 'sab se'.
  • Express correlative relationships with 'jitnā... utnā'.
  • Apply emphatic particles like 'hii' and 'bhi' to change sentence meaning.
Refine your voice: Compare with clarity, emphasize with impact.

What You'll Learn

Hey there, language adventurer! Ready to truly refine your Hindi? This chapter, 'Comparing and Emphasizing,' is where your spoken Hindi starts to shine with native-like precision. We're diving deep into expressing nuances, making specific comparisons, and adding powerful emphasis to your words. **What you'll master:** You'll learn to say 'better than,' 'more than,' and 'the best' using particles like se (से) and sab se (सब से). Want to say 'the more you practice, the better you get'? We'll cover jitnā... utnā (जितना... उतना) and the subtle differences between ki tarah (की तरह) and jaisa (जैसा) to describe things and actions. Crucially, you'll discover the magic of emphatic particles: hii (ही) for 'only' or 'just,' bhi (भी) for 'also' or 'even,' and bahut (बहुत) as your go-to intensifier for 'very.' Plus, you'll learn to casually express 'about' or 'nearly' with karīb (करीब). **Why it matters:** Imagine you’re in a Delhi market, needing to say,

This one is *much* softer than that one,
or
I *only* want the red one.
Or maybe you're sharing a story, and you want to convey,
Even I was surprised!
These precise tools transform simple statements into engaging, authentic conversations. They help you convey not just facts, but feelings and specific intentions, elevating your communication. **Your learning journey & outcome:** We'll build from basic comparisons to complex ones, then add layers of emphasis, turning ordinary sentences into impactful expressions. By the end, you'll speak Hindi with newfound sophistication and natural flow. You'll make subtle distinctions, highlight exactly what you mean, and confidently give estimates. Get ready to fine-tune your expression and sound incredibly natural, just like a native Hindi speaker!

Learning Objectives

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

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Compare two or more items using comparative and superlative markers.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to: Create complex sentences showing proportional change using correlative adjectives.
  3. 3
    By the end you will be able to: Distinguish between 'like' (jaisa) and 'similar to' (ki tarah) in various contexts.
  4. 4
    By the end you will be able to: Use 'hii' and 'bhi' to add nuance and focus to specific parts of a sentence.

Chapter Guide

Overview

Welcome, language adventurer, to 'Comparing and Emphasizing,' a pivotal chapter in your journey to master B2 Hindi grammar! This isn't just about learning new words; it's about unlocking the true potential of your expression, allowing you to speak with native-like precision and nuance. As you progress in Hindi grammar, you'll find that expressing comparisons and adding emphasis are crucial for clarity, impact, and sounding genuinely natural. This chapter will equip you with the tools to move beyond basic statements and articulate your thoughts with greater sophistication.
Understanding how to compare things – saying something is 'better than,' 'more than,' or 'the best' – and how to emphasize specific points is fundamental for effective communication. Whether you're making a choice, describing an experience, or sharing an opinion, these structures will elevate your spoken and written Hindi. You'll learn to use key particles and constructions that are frequently used by native speakers, transforming your simple sentences into engaging, authentic conversations.
By the end of this module, you won't just know the rules; you'll intuitively feel how to make subtle distinctions, highlight exactly what you mean, and even confidently give estimates. This chapter is your gateway to refining your Hindi language skills, allowing you to convey not just facts, but feelings and specific intentions, ultimately making your communication more dynamic and impactful. Get ready to fine-tune your expression and speak with a newfound natural flow!

How This Grammar Works

In this chapter, we delve into the mechanics of Hindi comparisons and emphasis. To compare things, we frequently use se (से) for 'than' and sab se (सब से) for 'the most/best'. For instance, to say "This book is better than that one," you'd say, yah kitāb us kitāb se acchī hai (यह किताब उस किताब से अच्छी है). To express 'more than,' we combine se with zyādā (ज़्यादा), as in mujhe ām se zyādā seb pasand hai (मुझे आम से ज़्यादा सेब पसंद है - I like apples more than mangoes). For Hindi superlatives, 'the best' is simply sab se acchā (सबसे अच्छा), as in yah sab se acchī filam hai (यह सबसे अच्छी फिल्म है - This is the best film).
For correlative comparisons like "The more X, the more Y," we use the elegant structure jitnā... utnā (जितना... उतना). For example, jitnā aap abhyās karenge, utnā aap behtar honge (जितना आप अभ्यास करेंगे, उतना आप बेहतर होंगे - The more you practice, the better you will get). When describing similarities, we distinguish between ki tarah (की तरह) for 'like/similar to' (often used with nouns) and jaisa (जैसा) which functions more like 'as' or 'the way' (can be used with clauses or adjectives). For example, vah ek sher kī tarah bahādur hai (वह एक शेर की तरह बहादुर है - He is brave like a lion) versus jaisā aap chahen (जैसा आप चाहें - As you wish).
Adding emphasis is vital for B2 Hindi fluency. The emphatic particle hii (ही) means 'only,' 'just,' or 'exactly.' So, mujhe yahī cāhie (मुझे यही चाहिए - I want only this/exactly this). Bhi (भी) adds 'also' or 'even,' as in maiṁ bhī jāūngā (मैं भी जाऊँगा - I will also go) or usne mujhe dekhā tak nahīṁ, maiṁ bhī hairān thā (उसने मुझे देखा तक नहीं, मैं भी हैरान था - He didn't even look at me, even I was surprised). For general intensification, bahut (बहुत) is your go-to for 'very' or 'much': yah bahut sundar hai (यह बहुत सुंदर है - This is very beautiful). Finally, to express approximation like 'about' or 'nearly,' we use karīb (करीब), as in karīb das log the (करीब दस लोग थे - There were about ten people).

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: मुझे यह सेब ज़्यादा पसंद है वह आम।
✓ Correct: मुझे यह सेब आम से ज़्यादा पसंद है। (I like this apple more than that mango.)
*Explanation:* When comparing 'more than,' you must include the particle se (से) with the item you are comparing *against*. Simply placing zyādā (ज़्यादा) after the first item is incorrect.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: वह मेरा भाई जैसा दिखता है।
✓ Correct: वह मेरे भाई की तरह दिखता है। (He looks like my brother.)
*Explanation:* While jaisa (जैसा) can mean 'like,' ki tarah (की तरह) is more commonly used when comparing two nouns or stating something is 'like' something else in appearance or manner. Jaisa often implies 'as' or 'the way' a particular action or state occurs.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: मैं भी ही यह काम करूँगा।
✓ Correct: मैं ही यह काम करूँगा। (I *only* will do this work.) OR मैं यह काम भी करूँगा। (I will *also* do this work.)
*Explanation:* Hii (ही) and bhi (भी) are both emphatic particles, but they convey different meanings ('only' vs. 'also/even'). Using them together on the same word is redundant and grammatically incorrect. Choose the one that conveys your intended emphasis.

Real Conversations

A

A

यह गाड़ी पिछली वाली से ज़्यादा अच्छी है। (This car is better than the previous one.)
B

B

हाँ, और यह sab se तेज़ भी है! (Yes, and it's the fastest too!)
A

A

Jitnā तुम मेहनत करोगे, utnā सफल होगे। (The more you work hard, the more successful you will be.)
B

B

मैं hii जानता हूँ कि यह कितना मुश्किल है। (Only I know how difficult it is.)
A

A

क्या तुम bhi मेरे साथ चलोगे? (Will you also come with me?)
B

B

हाँ, मैं karīb पाँच बजे वहाँ पहुँचूँगा। (Yes, I will reach there around five o'clock.)

Quick FAQ

Q

How do I say "the best" in Hindi using sab se?

You place sab se (सबसे) directly before the adjective, like sab se acchā (सबसे अच्छा - the best) or sab se baṛā (सबसे बड़ा - the biggest).

Q

Can jaisa and ki tarah be used interchangeably in Hindi comparisons?

Not always. Ki tarah is for direct noun-to-noun comparison, while jaisa often introduces a clause or describes a manner, like jaisa ki maiṁne kahā (जैसा कि मैंने कहा - as I said).

Q

What's the main difference between hii and bhi for emphasis?

Hii (ही) emphasizes exclusivity or exactness ('only,' 'just'), while bhi (भी) emphasizes inclusion or additionalness ('also,' 'even').

Q

Is bahut the only way to say 'very' in Hindi?

While bahut (बहुत) is the most common and versatile intensifier, other words like kāfī (काफ़ी - quite/enough) or atyadhik (अत्यधिक - excessively) can be used, though bahut is your primary tool.

Cultural Context

In everyday Hindi, the use of these comparative and emphatic particles is incredibly fluid and intuitive. Native speakers often subtly shift the position of hii (ही) or bhi (भी) to change the focus of emphasis, a skill that comes with practice. For instance, maiṁ hii jānā cāhtā hūṁ (मैं ही जाना चाहता हूँ - *Only I* want to go) is different from maiṁ jānā hii cāhtā hūṁ (मैं जाना ही चाहता हूँ - I *really* want to go). This flexibility allows for rich, nuanced expression, making your Hindi grammar sound less textbook and more authentic. Mastering these small particles will significantly enhance your ability to convey precise meaning and emotion, making your speech much more engaging and natural.

Key Examples (8)

1

Mera phone tumhare phone se zyādā nayā hai.

My phone is newer than your phone.

Comparing Things in Hindi: Better, More, and the Best (से, ज़्यादा, सब से)
2

Yeh gānā us gāne se behtar hai.

This song is better than that song.

Comparing Things in Hindi: Better, More, and the Best (से, ज़्यादा, सब से)
3

यह वाला सबसे सस्ता है।

This one is the cheapest.

Hindi Superlatives: The Best, The Worst (Sabse)
4

तुम दुनिया में सबसे सुंदर हो।

You are the most beautiful in the world.

Hindi Superlatives: The Best, The Worst (Sabse)
5

जितनी चीनी डालोगे, उतनी मीठी चाय होगी।

The more sugar you put, the sweeter the tea will be.

The More X, The More Y (Jitnā... Utnā)
6

जितना सस्ता, उतना बेकार।

The cheaper it is, the more useless it is.

The More X, The More Y (Jitnā... Utnā)
7

तुम्हारी आवाज़ कोयल जैसी है।

Your voice is like a cuckoo.

Comparisons: Ki Tarah vs Jaisa (Like...)
8

वह रोबोट की तरह काम करता है।

He works like a robot.

Comparisons: Ki Tarah vs Jaisa (Like...)

Tips & Tricks (4)

💡

Keep it simple

Don't try to change the adjective. Just add 'se'.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Comparing Things in Hindi: Better, More, and the Best (से, ज़्यादा, सब से)
💡

Placement

Always put sabse before the adjective.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Hindi Superlatives: The Best, The Worst (Sabse)
💡

Omit the Obvious

If you're pointing at rice, you don't need to say 'chāwal'. Just say 'Jitnā cāhiye, utnā lo' (Take as much as you need).
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The More X, The More Y (Jitnā... Utnā)
💡

Possessive Trick

Always treat 'tarah' as a lady! That's why we say 'meri' tarah and 'uski' tarah, never 'mera' or 'uska'.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Comparisons: Ki Tarah vs Jaisa (Like...)

Key Vocabulary (6)

बेहतर(behtar) better ज़्यादा(zyādā) more कम(kam) less/few शायद(shāyad) perhaps तुलना(tulnā) comparison बिल्कुल(bilkul) absolutely/at all

Real-World Preview

shopping-bag

Shopping at a Boutique

Review Summary

  • A + B + से (se) + Adjective
  • Word + ही (hii)

Common Mistakes

Do not use 'se' after 'sabse'. 'Sabse' already includes the comparative sense.

Wrong: यह घर सबसे से बड़ा है (Yeh ghar sabse se baṛā hai)
Correct: यह घर सबसे बड़ा है (Yeh ghar sabse baṛā hai)

You generally cannot use 'hii' and 'bhi' together for the same word as they contradict each other (only vs also).

Wrong: मैं भी ही जाऊँगा (Main bhī hī jāūñgā)
Correct: मैं ही जाऊँगा या मैं भी जाऊँगा (Main hī jāūñgā or Main bhī jāūñgā)

'Jaisa' does not take 'kī' before it, whereas 'tarah' must have 'kī'.

Wrong: वह शेर की जैसा है (Voh sher kī jaisā hai)
Correct: वह शेर जैसा है या वह शेर की तरह है (Voh sher jaisā hai or Voh sher kī tarah hai)

Rules in This Chapter (8)

1

Comparing Things in Hindi: Better, More, and the Best (से, ज़्यादा, सब से)

B2
Comparisons in Hindi use the particle से as 'than' and सब से for the absolute 'best'.
Mera phone tumhare phone se zyādā nayā hai.
12 examples
2

Hindi Superlatives: The Best, The Worst (Sabse)

B2
To say 'est' or 'most' in Hindi, simply place sabse (सबसे) before the adjective.
यह वाला सबसे सस्ता है।
11 examples
3

The More X, The More Y (Jitnā... Utnā)

B2
Use jitnā and utnā together to show that the second amount depends entirely on the first amount.
जितनी चीनी डालोगे, उतनी मीठी चाय होगी।
10 examples
4

Comparisons: Ki Tarah vs Jaisa (Like...)

B2
Use jaisa to describe what something IS like, and ki tarah to describe how someone DOES something.
तुम्हारी आवाज़ कोयल जैसी है।
10 examples
5

Emphasis with 'Hii': Only, Just, Exactly (ही)

B2
Use ही to emphasize or exclude; it turns 'this' into 'this exact one' and 'me' into 'only me'.
Main hii ghar jaauungaa.
10 examples
6

The Magic of 'Bhi' (Also/Even)

B2
Place 'bhi' (भी) immediately after the specific word you want to emphasize or include.
Main bhi tumhare saath chalunga.
10 examples
7

The Ultimate Intensifier: Bahut (बहुत)

B2
Use bahut as a universal, non-changing intensifier for adjectives and verbs in any social context.
Yah film bahut acchī hai.
10 examples
8

Expressing Approximation: About & Nearly (करीब)

B2
Use करीब before a number for a casual estimate and के करीब for physical proximity.
Qareeb paanch-sau log party mein aaye the.
10 examples

Next Steps

You've just unlocked the ability to express preference and intensity—the heart of personality in any language. Keep practicing these small particles; they make a huge difference!

Go to a grocery store and compare prices of two items aloud in Hindi.

Write 5 sentences about your 'best' and 'worst' habits.

Continue to: Linking Thoughts and Reasons

Quick Practice (10)

Choose the correct order.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Bahut achha
Bahut precedes the adjective.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The Ultimate Intensifier: Bahut (बहुत)

Choose the correct word.

Yeh ___ meetha hai.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: us se
Comparative marker.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Comparing Things in Hindi: Better, More, and the Best (से, ज़्यादा, सब से)

Fill in the blank with the correct approximator.

___ दस लोग आए थे।

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: करीब
Used for numerical approximation.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Expressing Approximation: About & Nearly (करीब)

Fill in the blank with 'ki tarah' or 'jaisa'.

Woh sher ___ lada.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ki tarah
It's an action.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Comparisons: Ki Tarah vs Jaisa (Like...)

Fill in the blank.

Yeh ___ mushkil kaam hai.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: bahut
Bahut is the standard intensifier.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The Ultimate Intensifier: Bahut (बहुत)

Fill in the blank.

___ चार बजे हैं।

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: लगभग
Used for time approximation.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Expressing Approximation: About & Nearly (करीब)

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Jitnā kaam, utnā paisa.
Kaam is masculine singular.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The More X, The More Y (Jitnā... Utnā)

Correct the mistake.

Find and fix the mistake:

वह ही आदमी है।

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: वही आदमी है
Demonstrative merge.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Emphasis with 'Hii': Only, Just, Exactly (ही)

Choose the correct form.

Mujhe tumhare ___ dost chahiye.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: jaise
Matches plural/oblique.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Comparisons: Ki Tarah vs Jaisa (Like...)

Correct the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Jitnā garmi, utnā pyās.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Jitnī garmi, utnī pyās.
Both are feminine.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The More X, The More Y (Jitnā... Utnā)

Score: /10

Common Questions (6)

No, Hindi adjectives remain the same.
It is a postposition meaning 'than' in comparisons.
No, it is invariant.
No, they are a correlative pair. You need both for the proportional meaning.
Yes, as long as you match the gender and number.
Yes, but it implies a comparison of manner rather than type.
Previous Chapter
Building Complex Nouns and Phrases
Next Chapter
Linking Thoughts and Reasons
Back to Roadmap