Expressing Advice and Obligation (chāhiye/paṛnā)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'chāhiye' for advice/desire and 'paṛnā' for external obligation.
- Use 'chāhiye' for 'should': Mujhe paṛhnā chāhiye (I should study).
- Use 'paṛnā' for 'must/have to': Mujhe paṛhnā paṛtā hai (I have to study).
- The subject takes the 'ko' marker (Mujhe/Tujhe/Use).
Overview
In Hindi, expressing advice, obligation, or necessity involves a grammatical structure distinct from English. Instead of a direct subject-verb construction like "I should go," Hindi employs a dative construction, translating more literally to "To me, going is needed" or "To me, going falls." This shift from an active subject to a dative recipient is fundamental, re-framing the action not as something you perform, but as a requirement or desire that pertains to you.
This rule primarily covers three key expressions: चाहिए (chāhiye), होना (honā), and पड़ना (paṛnā). While chāhiye broadly conveys advice or general necessity akin to 'should' or 'need,' honā indicates an internal, self-imposed obligation or plan ('have to'), and paṛnā signifies an external, often unwilling, compulsion ('have to,' 'must'). Mastering these forms allows for nuanced communication, distinguishing between a polite suggestion, a personal commitment, and an unavoidable chore.
This structure is a hallmark of intermediate Hindi, moving beyond simple transitive verbs to convey complex modal meanings.
How This Grammar Works
को (ko). This makes the logical subject grammatically an indirect object, often referred to as the dative subject.चाहिए (chāhiye), typically translated as 'should' or 'is needed,' is an invariant form. It does not change based on gender, number, or tense in modern standard Hindi. When used with an infinitive verb (ending in -ना (nā)), chāhiye expresses advice or general necessity.आपको हिंदी सीखनी चाहिए (āpko hindī sīkhnī chāhiye) means 'You should learn Hindi.' Here, आपको (to you) is the dative subject, and सीखनी (to learn) agrees with हिंदी (feminine object).होना (honā) and पड़ना (paṛnā) are conjugated verbs. They function as auxiliaries, indicating specific types of obligation. The main verb always remains in its infinitive form (e.g., जाना (jānā) 'to go', खाना (khānā) 'to eat').मुझे खाना बनाना है (mujhe khānā banānā hai), 'I have to cook food.' Here, मुझे (to me) is the dative subject, खाना (food) is the masculine singular object, and बनाना (to make/cook) agrees with खाना. If the object were feminine, like रोटी (roṭī) 'bread,' it would be मुझे रोटी बनानी है (mujhe roṭī banānī hai).Word Order Rules
- 1Dative Subject: This is the logical subject of the sentence, the person for whom the advice or obligation exists. It is always followed by the postposition
को(ko). When using pronouns, their oblique forms are used beforeको. For example,मैं(main) becomesमुझे(mujhe) orमुझको(mujhko).
मुझे(mujhe) – to meतुम्हें(tumhẽ) – to you (informal singular)आपको(āpko) – to you (formal/plural)उसे(use) – to him/her/it (near)उन्हें(unhẽ) – to him/her/it (far/formal)हमें(hamẽ) – to usआपको जल्दी जाना चाहिए।(āpko jaldī jānā chāhiye.) – You should go quickly.
- 1Object (Optional): If the verb is transitive and has a direct object, it typically precedes the infinitive verb. The presence and gender/number of this object are crucial for verb agreement.
तुम्हें यह किताब पढ़नी है।(tumhẽ yah kitāb paṛhnī hai.) – You have to read this book.
- 1Infinitive Verb: The main action verb always appears in its infinitive form, ending in
-ना(nā), such asपढ़ना(paṛhnā) 'to read',लिखना(likhnā) 'to write',जाना(jānā) 'to go'. This infinitive form then agrees with the direct object in gender and number. If there is no direct object, the verb defaults to the masculine singular form.
हमें सोना चाहिए।(hamẽ sonā chāhiye.) – We should sleep. (No object, soसोना(sonā) is masculine singular)
- 1Obligation Marker (Auxiliary): This is either
चाहिए(chāhiye), or the conjugated forms ofहोना(honā) orपड़ना(paṛnā) (e.g.,है,पड़ता है,था,पड़ेगा). This auxiliary verb concludes the main clause of the sentence and indicates the modality of advice or obligation.
उसे काम करना पड़ता है।(use kām karnā paṛtā hai.) – He has to work.
Formation Pattern
chāhiye and paṛnā/honā requires careful attention to the dative subject, verb agreement, and the choice of auxiliary verb. The patterns presented below provide a clear framework for construction.
चाहिए - chāhiye)
चाहिए is invariant, meaning it does not change based on the dative subject or object. However, the infinitive verb still agrees with the object.
चाहिए | मुझे पानी पीना चाहिए। | mujhe pānī pīnā chāhiye. | I should drink water. |
हमें पढ़ना चाहिए। | hamẽ paṛhnā chāhiye. | We should study. |
आपको किताब पढ़नी चाहिए। | āpko kitāb paṛhnī chāhiye. | You should read the book. |
नहीं before Inf. Verb | तुम्हें वहाँ नहीं जाना चाहिए। | tumhẽ vahāṁ nahīṁ jānā chāhiye. | You should not go there. |
होना - honā)
होना (honā) is conjugated according to the tense (present, past, future).
है/था/होगा | मुझे आज जाना है। | mujhe āj jānā hai. | I have to go today. |
उसे काम करना था। | use kām karnā thā. | He had to work. |
हमें रात का खाना बनाना होगा। | hamẽ rāt kā khānā banānā hogā. | We will have to make dinner. |
तुम्हें चिट्ठी लिखनी है। | tumhẽ ciṭṭhī likhnī hai. | You have to write a letter. |
उन्हें कपड़े धोने हैं। | unhẽ kapṛe dhone haĩ. | They have to wash clothes. |
पड़ना - paṛnā)
पड़ना (paṛnā) is conjugated like a regular verb.
पड़ता है/पड़ेगा/पड़ा था | मुझे रोज़ दफ़्तर जाना पड़ता है। | mujhe roz daftar jānā paṛtā hai. | I have to go to the office daily. |
उसे देर तक काम करना पड़ा। | use der tak kām karnā paṛā. | He had to work late. |
आपको इंतज़ार करना पड़ेगा। | āpko intazār karnā paṛegā. | You will have to wait. |
उन्हें किताबें पढ़नी पड़ती हैं। | unhẽ kitābẽ paṛhnī paṛtī haĩ. | They have to read books (regularly). |
जाना, सोना).
खाना खाना → खाना खाना).
सवाल पूछना → सवाल पूछने).
चाय पीना → चाय पीनी).
बातें करना → बातें करनी).
When To Use It
chāhiye, honā, or paṛnā) is crucial for conveying the precise nuance of advice or obligation. Each carries a distinct implication about the source and nature of the necessity.- 1
चाहिए(chāhiye) – Advice, General Necessity, Desire:
- General Advice/Recommendation: Use
chāhiyefor suggestions or what is considered appropriate or good. It's the softest form of obligation.
आपको रोज़ व्यायाम करना चाहिए। (āpko roz vyāyām karnā chāhiye.) – You should exercise daily.- Moral or Social Obligation: For what one ought to do.
हमें सच बोलना चाहिए। (hamẽ sach bolnā chāhiye.) – We should speak the truth.- Desire (without an action verb): When used without an infinitive verb,
chāhiyemeans 'to want' or 'to need' a noun.
मुझे एक कप चाय चाहिए। (mujhe ek kap cāy chāhiye.) – I want a cup of tea.- Past Advice ('Should have'): Combine
chāhiyewithथा/थी/थे(thā/thī/the).
तुम्हें मुझे बताना चाहिए था। (tumhẽ mujhe batānā chāhiye thā.) – You should have told me.- 1
होना(honā) – Internal Obligation, Plan, Personal Necessity:
- Self-imposed Task/Plan: Use
honā(conjugated asहै/था/होगाetc.) for things you've decided to do, or that are scheduled as part of your internal agenda.
मुझे आज शाम को बाज़ार जाना है। (mujhe āj śām ko bāzār jānā hai.) – I have to go to the market this evening (it's my plan).- Imminent Action: Often used for actions that are about to happen or are considered certain.
ट्रेन आने वाली है, हमें निकलना है। (ṭren āne vālī hai, hamẽ nikalnā hai.) – The train is about to come, we have to leave.- Personal Aspiration: Can indicate something one feels compelled to do for personal growth or goals.
मुझे अपनी पढ़ाई पूरी करनी है। (mujhe apnī paṛhāī pūrī karnī hai.) – I have to complete my studies.- 1
पड़ना(paṛnā) – External Compulsion, Unavoidable Circumstance:
- Forced Action: Use
paṛnā(conjugated like a regular verb:पड़ता है,पड़ा,पड़ेगा, etc.) for obligations imposed by external factors, rules, or other people. It often implies a lack of choice and sometimes reluctance.
हमें टैक्स भरना पड़ता है। (hamẽ ṭaiks bharnā paṛtā hai.) – We have to pay taxes (external rule).- Recurring Unpleasant Task: Commonly used for daily chores or responsibilities that one might not enjoy.
उसे रोज़ खाना बनाना पड़ता है। (use roz khānā banānā paṛtā hai.) – She has to cook daily (a recurring duty).- Unforeseen Necessity: When something unexpected forces an action.
गाड़ी ख़राब हो गई, मुझे पैदल जाना पड़ा। (gāṛī k͟harāb ho gaī, mujhe paidal jānā paṛā.) – The car broke down, I had to walk.honā and paṛnā is a subtle yet significant aspect of conveying agency. If you frame an obligation with honā, it suggests a degree of acceptance or personal scheduling. Using paṛnā, however, implies a external imposition, potentially highlighting a feeling of burden or lack of personal control.Common Mistakes
- 1Omitting
को(ko) with the Dative Subject: This is arguably the most pervasive error. Direct translation from English often leads to constructions likeमैं जाना चाहिए(main jānā chāhiye) instead of the correctमुझे जाना चाहिए(mujhe jānā chāhiye). Remember that the logical subject is treated as an indirect object, requiringकोor its inherent forms (likeमुझे,तुम्हें). The sentence literally means 'to me, going is needed', not 'I should go'.
- 1Incorrect Infinitive Verb Agreement: A significant challenge is ensuring the infinitive verb's gender and number match the direct object. Learners often default to the masculine singular infinitive (
-ना) regardless of the object. For example, sayingमुझे रोटी खाना चाहिए(mujhe roṭī khānā chāhiye) instead of the correctमुझे रोटी खानी चाहिए(mujhe roṭī khānī chāhiye) becauseरोटी(roṭī) 'bread' is feminine. The verbखाना(khānā) must becomeखानी(khānī) to agree.
-ना to -नी (e.g., पढ़नापढ़नी, पीना → पीनी). If the object is masculine plural, it often changes from -ना to -ने (e.g., देखना → देखने for masculine plural object).- 1Confusing
चाहिएwithहोनाandपड़ना: Misinterpreting the degree or source of obligation can lead to awkward or incorrect usage. Usingchāhiyefor an absolute, external compulsion (मुझे दफ़्तर जाना चाहिएinstead ofमुझे दफ़्तर जाना पड़ता है) softens the obligation inappropriately. Conversely, usingpaṛnāfor a mere suggestion (तुम्हें यह किताब पढ़नी पड़ती हैinstead ofतुम्हें यह किताब पढ़नी चाहिए) makes one sound overly dramatic or burdened when simply offering advice.
- Correction: Revisit the core distinction:
चाहिए(advice/general need),होना(internal plan/self-imposed),पड़ना(external compulsion/reluctance). Consider the source of the necessity.
- 1Using
चाहिएं(chāhiyeṁ) for Plural: While older Hindi texts might showचाहिएंfor plural objects, modern standard Hindi consistently usesचाहिए(chāhiye) for all cases. Attempting to pluralizechāhiyeis unnecessary and grammatically non-standard in contemporary usage.
- 1Incorrect Placement of Negation: The negation word
नहीं(nahīṁ) should generally precede the infinitive verb in these constructions.
- Correct:
तुम्हें वहाँ नहीं जाना चाहिए।(tumhẽ vahāṁ nahīṁ jānā chāhiye.) – You should not go there. - Incorrect:
तुम्हें नहीं वहाँ जाना चाहिए।(tumhẽ nahīṁ vahāṁ jānā chāhiye.)
Contrast With Similar Patterns
chāhiye and paṛnā constructions differ from other expressions of desire or necessity clarifies their specific roles and prevents misuse.चाहिए (chāhiye) as 'to need/want' (for nouns) vs. चाहना (chāhnā) 'to want' (for actions):चाहिएfor Nouns: Whenchāhiyeis used without an infinitive verb, it expresses wanting or needing a noun. The dative subject +कोpattern is still used.
मुझे पानी चाहिए। (mujhe pānī chāhiye.) – I need/want water.चाहनाfor Verbs:चाहनाis a transitive verb meaning 'to want' or 'to desire.' It is used with an infinitive verb followed byचाहनाconjugated normally. The subject is nominative (not dative).
मैं पानी पीना चाहता हूँ। (main pānī pīnā cāhtā hūṁ.) – I want to drink water.मैं हिंदी सीखना चाहती हूँ। (main hindī sīkhnā cāhtī hūṁ.) – I want to learn Hindi.चाहिए (Noun) vs. चाहना (Verb)चाहिए (with Noun) | चाहना (with Verb) |मुझे) | Nominative (e.g., मैं) |चाहना conjugation |मुझे खाना चाहिए। (I need food.) | मैं खाना खाना चाहता हूँ। (I want to eat food.) |ज़रूरी है (zarūrī hai) 'it is necessary' vs. Dative Constructions:ज़रूरी है (zarūrī hai) is a more impersonal way of stating necessity. It means 'it is necessary' or 'it is important.' While it conveys obligation, it lacks the dative subject structure and verb agreement found in chāhiye/honā/paṛnā patterns.पढ़ाई करना ज़रूरी है।(paṛhāī karnā zarūrī hai.) – Studying is necessary/important.- To specify for whom it is necessary, you would still use
के लिए(ke lie) 'for' withज़रूरी है.
आपके लिए पढ़ना ज़रूरी है। (āpke lie paṛhnā zarūrī hai.) – For you, studying is necessary.आपको पढ़ना चाहिए।(āpko paṛhnā chāhiye.) – You should study.आपको पढ़ना है।(āpko paṛhnā hai.) – You have to study (personal plan).आपको पढ़ना पड़ता है।(āpko paṛhnā paṛtā hai.) – You have to study (external compulsion).
चाहिए:पढ़ो! (paṛho!) 'Read!'). While it conveys a strong instruction, chāhiye offers a softer, more polite suggestion or advice. Using chāhiye is often preferred in social interactions as it avoids sounding overly direct or demanding, which can be perceived as impolite in Hindi culture.- Imperative:
यहाँ आओ!(yahāṁ āo!) – Come here! (Direct command) - Advice with
चाहिए:आपको यहाँ आना चाहिए।(āpko yahāṁ ānā chāhiye.) – You should come here. (Polite suggestion)
Real Conversations
These dative constructions are pervasive in everyday Hindi, reflecting a culture that often prefers indirect expressions of advice and obligation. Observing their use in authentic contexts reveals their practical application.
Scenario 1
- Speaker A: यार, हमें कहीं घूमने जाना चाहिए! (Yār, hamẽ kahīṁ ghūmne jānā chāhiye!) – Man, we should go travel somewhere!
(Uses chāhiye for a suggestion/desire.)*
- Speaker B: हाँ, ज़रूर! पर मुझे अगले हफ़्ते तक अपना प्रोजेक्ट पूरा करना है। (Hāṁ, zarūr! Par mujhe agle hafte tak apnā projaikṭ pūrā karnā hai.) – Yes, definitely! But I have to complete my project by next week.
(Uses honā (karnā hai) for a personal, internal obligation.)*
- Speaker A: अच्छा, तो फिर तुम्हें अभी से शुरू करना पड़ेगा। (Acchā, to phir tumhẽ abhī se śurū karnā paṛegā.) – Okay, then you will have to start right now.
(Uses paṛnā (karnā paṛegā) for an external necessity; if he wants to go, he must finish.)*
Scenario 2
- Child: मम्मी, मुझे पार्क जाना है। (Mammī, mujhe pārk jānā hai.) – Mom, I have to go to the park.
(Uses honā (jānā hai) for a strong personal desire/plan.)*
- Parent: ठीक है, पर पहले तुम्हें अपना होमवर्क ख़त्म करना चाहिए। (ṭhīk hai, par pahle tumhẽ apnā homavark k͟hatm karnā chāhiye.) – Okay, but first you should finish your homework.
(Uses chāhiye for advice/moral obligation.)*
- Child: पर मुझे होमवर्क करना अच्छा नहीं लगता, करना पड़ता है। (Par mujhe homavark karnā acchā nahīṁ lagtā, karnā paṛtā hai.) – But I don't like doing homework, I have to do it.
(Uses paṛnā (karnā paṛtā hai) to express external compulsion and reluctance.)*
Scenario 3
Subject
Reminder: Project Deadlineप्रिय टीम, (Priy ṭīm,)
हमें शुक्रवार तक रिपोर्ट जमा करनी है। सभी को अपनी-अपनी भूमिकाएँ पूरी करनी होंगी।
(Hamẽ śukravār tak riport jamā karnī hai. Sabhī ko apnī-apnī bhūmikāẽ pūrī karnī hoṁgī.)
(Dear Team, We have to submit the report by Friday. Everyone will have to complete their respective roles.)*
(Uses honā (karnī hai, karnī hoṁgī) to state a collective, scheduled obligation/plan.)*
किसी भी समस्या के लिए, आपको मुझे तुरंत सूचित करना चाहिए।
(Kisī bhī samasyā ke lie, āpko mujhe turant sūcit karnā chāhiye.)
(For any issues, you should inform me immediately.)*
(Uses chāhiye for polite advice/instruction.)*
These examples illustrate how the choice between chāhiye, honā, and paṛnā subtly communicates not just what needs to be done, but also the reason and the feeling associated with that obligation.
Quick FAQ
चाहिए change for plural subjects or objects?चाहिए (chāhiye) remains invariant regardless of the number or gender of the dative subject or the object. The infinitive verb will still agree with the object, but चाहिए itself does not change.को always required for the dative subject?को (ko) or its inherent oblique pronoun forms (e.g., मुझे (mujhe), तुम्हें (tumhẽ)) are essential. Omitting it is a common grammatical error.नहीं (nahīṁ) before the infinitive verb. For example, तुम्हें वहाँ नहीं जाना चाहिए। (tumhẽ vahāṁ nahīṁ jānā chāhiye.) – 'You should not go there.'जाना (jānā), सोना (sonā), खाना (khānā)). For example, मुझे जाना है। (mujhe jānā hai.) – 'I have to go.'chāhiye express 'desire' or 'want' for a person?chāhiye is used with a noun referring to a person, it means 'to want' or 'to need' that person. For example, मुझे मदद के लिए एक दोस्त चाहिए। (mujhe madad ke lie ek dost chāhiye.) – 'I need a friend for help.'तू, तुम, आप). Only the choice of pronoun (तुझे, तुम्हें, आपको) changes to reflect the desired level of formality or intimacy. The core dative and agreement rules are unaffected.पड़ना (paṛnā) is generally the best choice. You can also add adverbs like ज़रूरी (zarūrī) 'necessary' or तुरंत (turant) 'immediately' to further stress urgency, e.g., आपको तुरंत जाना है। (āpko turant jānā hai.) – 'You have to go immediately.'chāhiye for absolute necessity in casual speech?chāhiye more broadly, even for stronger obligations. However, for precise communication, especially in formal settings or when learning, it is best to adhere to the distinction between chāhiye, honā, and paṛnā to convey the intended nuance accurately. Using paṛnā or honā for absolute necessity is generally more grammatically appropriate and clear.मुझे सोना चाहिए। (mujhe sonā chāhiye.) – 'I should sleep.' सोना (sonā) remains masculine singular.chāhiye and paṛnā constructions provides the foundation for expressing a wide range of advice and obligations in Hindi, crucial for intermediate learners navigating complex social interactions and nuanced meanings.Formation of Obligation
| Subject | Verb (Infinitive) | Modal/Aux | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Mujhe
|
jānā
|
chāhiye
|
I should go
|
|
Mujhe
|
jānā
|
paṛtā hai
|
I have to go
|
|
Use
|
khānā
|
chāhiye
|
He/She should eat
|
|
Use
|
khānā
|
paṛtā hai
|
He/She has to eat
|
|
Hamein
|
sonā
|
chāhiye
|
We should sleep
|
|
Hamein
|
sonā
|
paṛtā hai
|
We have to sleep
|
Meanings
These constructions express necessity, obligation, and advice. 'Chāhiye' is softer, while 'paṛnā' implies a forced requirement.
Advice
Giving or asking for recommendations.
“Tumhein khānā khānā chāhiye.”
“Mujhe kya karnā chāhiye?”
External Obligation
Something that must be done due to external circumstances.
“Mujhe roz kām par jānā paṛtā hai.”
“Use bhāg-dauṛ karni paṛti hai.”
Desire
Wanting an object.
“Mujhe ek kitāb chāhiye.”
“Use pānī chāhiye.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative Advice
|
Sub-ko + V-nā + chāhiye
|
Mujhe paṛhnā chāhiye
|
|
Negative Advice
|
Sub-ko + nahin + V-nā + chāhiye
|
Mujhe nahin paṛhnā chāhiye
|
|
Affirmative Obligation
|
Sub-ko + V-nā + paṛtā hai
|
Mujhe kām karnā paṛtā hai
|
|
Negative Obligation
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Sub-ko + nahin + V-nā + paṛtā hai
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Mujhe kām nahin karnā paṛtā hai
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Question
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Kya + Sub-ko + V-nā + chāhiye?
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Kya mujhe jānā chāhiye?
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Past Obligation
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Sub-ko + V-nā + paṛā
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Mujhe jānā paṛā
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Formality Spectrum
Mujhe jānā chāhiye. (Leaving a meeting)
Mujhe jānā chāhiye. (Leaving a meeting)
Mujhe nikalnā chāhiye. (Leaving a meeting)
Chalna chahiye. (Leaving a meeting)
The Modality Map
Advice
- chāhiye should
Obligation
- paṛnā must/have to
Examples by Level
Mujhe pānī chāhiye.
I want water.
Mujhe ghar jānā chāhiye.
I should go home.
Mujhe roz kām karnā paṛtā hai.
I have to work every day.
Mujhe wahan jānā paṛā.
I had to go there.
Use wahan jānā hī paṛegā.
He will absolutely have to go there.
Mujhe aisa karnā chāhiye thā.
I should have done so.
Easily Confused
Learners think they are interchangeable.
Both can imply obligation.
Tense confusion.
Common Mistakes
Main jānā chāhiye
Mujhe jānā chāhiye
Mujhe jānā hoon
Mujhe jānā hai
Mujhe chāhiye jānā
Mujhe jānā chāhiye
Mujhe jānā paṛtā
Mujhe jānā paṛtā hai
Use jānā chāhiyein
Use jānā chāhiye
Mujhe khānā paṛtā
Mujhe khānā paṛtā hai
Mujhe khānā chāhiye thā
Mujhe khānā chāhiye
Mujhe kitāb chāhiyein
Mujhe kitābein chāhiyein
Mujhe jānā paṛegā
Mujhe jānā paṛegā
Mujhe jānā chāhiye tha
Mujhe jānā chāhiye thā
Mujhe jānā hī paṛtā
Mujhe jānā hī paṛegā
Mujhe jānā chāhiye ho
Mujhe jānā chāhiye
Mujhe jānā paṛtā hai
Mujhe jānā paṛtā hai
Sentence Patterns
Mujhe ___ chāhiye.
Mujhe ___ paṛtā hai.
Kya mujhe ___ chāhiye?
Use ___ paṛegā.
Real World Usage
Mujhe nikalnā chāhiye.
Mujhe kām karnā paṛtā hai.
Mujhe ticket chāhiye.
Mujhe pizza chāhiye.
Mujhe kya paṛhnā chāhiye?
Mujhe ye dekhnā chāhiye!
Subject Case
Infinitive Form
Chāhiye vs Chāhnā
Politeness
Smart Tips
Add 'hī' after the infinitive.
Always check if the subject is the experiencer.
Use 'chāhiye' instead of 'chāhiyein'.
Use 'paṛā' for specific instances.
Pronunciation
Chāhiye
The 'ch' is soft, 'hiye' is pronounced as two syllables.
Question
Kya mujhe jānā chāhiye? ↑
Rising intonation at the end for questions.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Chāhiye is for 'Choice' (Advice), Paṛnā is for 'Pain' (Forced obligation).
Visual Association
Imagine a soft pillow for 'chāhiye' (advice is soft) and a heavy iron chain for 'paṛnā' (obligation is heavy).
Rhyme
Chāhiye for advice, nice and light, Paṛnā for duty, with all your might.
Story
I wanted to sleep (Mujhe sonā chāhiye), but my boss called. Now I have to work (Mujhe kām karnā paṛtā hai). I am tired!
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences about things you should do today and 3 things you have to do.
Cultural Notes
Very common to use 'chāhiye' in daily life.
Avoid 'paṛnā' if possible; use more polite phrasing.
Often drop the 'Mujhe' if context is clear.
Derived from Sanskrit roots relating to desire and necessity.
Conversation Starters
Aapko kya karnā chāhiye?
Kya aapko roz kām par jānā paṛtā hai?
Aaj kya khānā chāhiye?
Kya aapko kabhi der tak ruknā paṛtā hai?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
Mujhe ghar ___ chāhiye.
___ pānī chāhiye.
Find and fix the mistake:
Main jānā paṛtā hai.
Mujhe jānā paṛtā hai.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Mujhe jānā paṛtā hai -> Use ___ paṛtā hai.
Order: chāhiye / mujhe / jānā
Chāhiye changes based on gender.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesMujhe ghar ___ chāhiye.
___ pānī chāhiye.
Find and fix the mistake:
Main jānā paṛtā hai.
Mujhe jānā paṛtā hai.
Match: 1. Chāhiye, 2. Paṛtā hai
Mujhe jānā paṛtā hai -> Use ___ paṛtā hai.
Order: chāhiye / mujhe / jānā
Chāhiye changes based on gender.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesArrange: 'You should speak Hindi'
Translate: 'I have to leave' (Personal plan)
Select: 'You should have come yesterday.'
अगले महीने मुझे दिल्ली जाना ___। (I will have to go to Delhi next month.)
हम पानी बचाना चाहिए। (We should save water.)
आपको रोटी ___ चाहिए। (You should eat the bread.)
तुम्हें जल्दी सोना चाहिए।
Which auxiliary is used for personal plans/intentions?
Arrange: 'He/She has to do homework.'
Select: 'You should not tell a lie.'
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
No, it is a fixed particle.
When you are forced by circumstances.
No, always use 'Mujhe'.
It is neutral and used everywhere.
Use 'chāhiye thā' or 'paṛā'.
Use 'Mujhe chāhiye'.
Mostly, but variations exist.
Add 'nahin' before the verb.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Tener que
Spanish conjugates the verb 'tener'.
Müssen
Hindi uses dative subjects.
Il faut
Hindi allows personal subjects.
Nakereba naranai
Japanese is agglutinative.
Yajib an
Arabic uses impersonal verbs.
Dei
Chinese lacks case markers.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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