Idiomatic Uses of 'Un' (उन)
un not just for 'them', but as the respectful 'he/she' for elders and to distance topics in time or space.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'un' (उन) instead of 've' (वे) whenever a postposition (like 'ko', 'se', 'ka') follows it.
- Use 'un' when followed by 'ko': Unko (उनको) - To them.
- Use 'un' when followed by 'se': Unse (उनसे) - From/with them.
- Use 'un' when followed by 'ka/ke/ki': Unka (उनका) - Theirs.
Overview
You likely encountered un (उन) early in your Hindi journey, primarily understanding it as the oblique form of ve (वे) – meaning "them" or "those." While this foundational knowledge is correct, a C1-level understanding reveals un as a far more nuanced and culturally significant linguistic tool. Beyond simple plurality, un primarily functions as a marker of distal deixis, signaling distance from the speaker across multiple dimensions: social hierarchy, physical space, and temporal context. Mastering its idiomatic uses is crucial for achieving fluency and socio-linguistic appropriateness.
At an advanced level, un transcends a mere grammatical transformation. It becomes an essential mechanism for conveying respect towards a single individual, creating narrative distance in historical or past-tense accounts, and subtly expressing psychological detachment from concepts or groups. The choice between us (उस), in (इन), and un (उन) is not arbitrary; it encodes layers of meaning about proximity, deference, and the speaker's relationship to the subject.
Understanding the 'why' behind these choices unlocks a deeper comprehension of Hindi's intricate sociopragmatics.
How This Grammar Works
un (उन) is the oblique case form of the distal demonstrative pronoun ve (वे, "they/those"). In Hindi, pronouns and nouns change form when they are followed by a postposition. This change is the oblique case.ve precedes a postposition (like ko, se, ka, mein, par), it obligatorily transforms into un. This rule is consistent and forms the bedrock of its usage.un lie in its deictic function, particularly distal deixis. Deixis refers to words and phrases that cannot be fully understood without additional contextual information, often related to the speaker's position in space or time. Distal forms (vah/ve, us/un) refer to entities perceived as further away from the speaker, while proximal forms (yah/ye, is/in) refer to entities closer to the speaker.- Social Distance (Honorificity): Referring to a single, respected individual (e.g., a teacher, elder, boss, or stranger) using
un(which is morphologically plural) rather than the singularus(उस) creates social distance. This distance is interpreted as respect and deference. It's a grammaticalized politeness strategy, elevating the addressee. The choice signals that you perceive the person as socially "above" or distinct from you. - Temporal Distance:
uncan mark events or periods in the past, positioning them as remote in time. Phrases likeun dinon(उन दिनों, "in those days") explicitly utilize this temporal distancing function. - Psychological/Abstract Distance: When discussing ideas, groups, or abstract concepts from which the speaker wishes to maintain a detached or critical perspective,
uncan be employed. This subtly indicates a psychological separation from the subject matter.
ve to un is parallel to the singular vah (वह, "he/she/it/that") becoming us (उस) before postpositions, and the proximal ye (ये, "these/they") becoming in (इन), and yah (यह, "this/he/she/it") becoming is (इस). This systematic transformation across the demonstrative pronoun paradigm underscores its fundamental role in Hindi grammar.Formation Pattern
un (उन) from ve (वे) is a straightforward process of oblique transformation that occurs consistently before any postposition. It’s essential to internalize this pattern to avoid grammatical errors and maintain natural speech flow.
ve (वे) - they/those | un (उन) |
un form then combines with various postpositions to create different grammatical functions. Note the specific variants for ko (को) and ne (ने).
ko (को) | unko | उनको | To them/him/her (direct object or indirect object – often used for people) |
unhe | उन्हें | To them/him/her (alternative to unko, often preferred for people, sounds softer) |
se (से) | unse | उनसे | From/with/by them/him/her |
ka/ke/ki | unka/unke/unki | उनका/उनके/उनकी | Their/his/her (possessive, gender/number agreement with possessed noun) |
mein (में) | unmein | उनमें | In them/him/her |
par (पर) | unpar | उनपर | On them/him/her |
ne (ने) | unhone | उन्होंने | By them/him/her (agentive marker for transitive verbs in past/perfective aspects) |
unko vs. unhe: Both unko and unhe are grammatically correct for direct and indirect objects. unhe is frequently considered slightly more formal or respectful in spoken Hindi when referring to people, while unko is also widely accepted. When referring to non-living plural objects, unko is typically used.
Unhone unhe kitabon ka ek set diya. (उन्होंने उन्हें किताबों का एक सेट दिया।) – "He/She (respected) gave them/him/her (respected) a set of books."
unhone (उन्होंने): This form is particularly important as it marks the agent of a transitive verb in perfective aspects (simple past, present perfect, past perfect). It can be singular honorific or plural.
Guru ji ne unhone bahut achha sikhaya. (गुरु जी ने उन्होंने बहुत अच्छा सिखाया।) – "The teacher (respected) taught him/her (respected) very well." (Here, unhone refers to the singular respected person being taught, not the agent Guru ji). Correction: Guru ji ne bahut achha sikhaya. (गुरु जी ने बहुत अच्छा सिखाया।) "The teacher taught very well." If using unhone as agent: Unhone ek nayi theory pesh ki. (उन्होंने एक नई थ्योरी पेश की।) "He/she (respected) presented a new theory."
unka, unke, unki agree in gender and number with the possessed item, not with un itself.
Unka ghar bada hai. (उनका घर बड़ा है।) – "His/Her/Their house is big." (ghar is masculine singular)
Unki gadi nayi hai. (उनकी गाड़ी नई है।) – "His/Her/Their car is new." (gadi is feminine singular)
When To Use It
un (उन) at a C1 level involves discerning the subtle cues for its application across various contexts. It's about selecting un not just because something is plural or distant, but because the specific shade of meaning—respect, temporal remoteness, or psychological detachment—is required.un. When referring to a single person who commands respect, such as an elder, a teacher, a boss, a revered public figure, or even an unfamiliar adult, un (along with its derived forms like unhone, unko, unka) is used. This grammatical pluralization signals deference and social distance, elevating the person's status.- Rule: Use
unfor a singular individual when you intend to show respect or formality, especially if they are older, in a position of authority, or unfamiliar to you. - Example 1:
Pradhanacharya ne unhe bulaya.(प्रधानाचार्य ने उन्हें बुलाया।) – "The principal called him/her (respected)." (Here,unherefers to a single respected individual, not a group.) - Example 2:
Unka karyalaya kahan hai?(उनका कार्यालय कहाँ है?) – "Where is his/her (respected) office?" (Inquiring about a single, respected individual's office.) - Cultural Insight: This usage reflects the hierarchical nature of social interactions in Hindi-speaking cultures, where linguistic markers of respect are deeply ingrained.
un is consistently used for referring to plural items or people that are physically distant from the speaker or listener. This contrasts with in (इन), which indicates proximity. The distinction is crucial for clear spatial referencing.- Rule: Employ
unwhen pointing out or referring to multiple objects or individuals situated at a noticeable physical distance. - Example 1:
Un pedon par bahut phal hain.(उन पेड़ों पर बहुत फल हैं।) – "There are many fruits on those trees." (The trees are far away.) - Example 2:
Un logon ko dekho, kitne khush hain!(उन लोगों को देखो, कितने खुश हैं!) – "Look at those people, how happy they are!" (The people are at a distance.)
un establishes a temporal gap, differentiating past occurrences from present ones.- Rule: Utilize
unwhen referring to past periods, events, or historical figures where the intent is to place them in a chronologically distant context. - Example 1:
Un dinon mein, internet itna aam nahi tha.(उन दिनों में, इंटरनेट इतना आम नहीं था।) – "In those days, the internet wasn't so common." (Clearly referring to a past era.) - Example 2:
Unhone apni jawani desh ke liye tyag di.(उन्होंने अपनी जवानी देश के लिए त्याग दी।) – "He/She (respected, historical figure) sacrificed his/her youth for the country." (Referring to a figure from the past).
un can be used to subtly convey a speaker's detachment, disagreement, or critical stance towards abstract concepts, opinions, or groups of people. It creates a linguistic barrier between the speaker and the subject.- Rule: Use
unwhen you wish to distance yourself from ideas, arguments, or groups, often implying a critical or non-associative stance. - Example 1:
Main un vicharon se sahmat nahi hoon.(मैं उन विचारों से सहमत नहीं हूँ।) – "I do not agree with those views." (Signaling intellectual distance from the views.) - Example 2:
Unhone jo kaha, woh theek nahi laga.(उन्होंने जो कहा, वो ठीक नहीं लगा।) – "What they/he/she (respected) said, didn't feel right (to me)." (Expressing disagreement with a statement made by a respected individual or group.)
Common Mistakes
un, but in its nuanced, idiomatic uses, particularly confusing it with similar-sounding or seemingly interchangeable pronouns. Avoiding these pitfalls is key to achieving native-like proficiency.un is exclusively a plural marker. This overlooks its crucial honorific singular function. Using us (उस) for a single, respected individual can be perceived as rude or disrespectful, regardless of grammatical correctness in isolation.- Error: Saying
Uska naam kya hai?(उसका नाम क्या है?) when asking about a professor's name. This sounds overly familiar or even impolite. - Correction: Use
Unka naam kya hai?(उनका नाम क्या है?) for respectful inquiry about a singular, esteemed person. - Why it's a mistake: Hindi's politeness system is deeply embedded in its pronoun usage. Failing to employ the honorific
unfor elders, superiors, or respected strangers breaches social etiquette.
un (उन) and in (इन):un and in are oblique plural forms, their deictic functions are opposite. un marks distal entities (far), while in marks proximal entities (near). Misapplying them leads to spatial and temporal incongruity.un (उन) | in (इन) |un dinon) | These days (present, in dinon) |Un kitaabon ko laao. (उन किताबों को लाओ।) | In kitaabon ko dekho. (इन किताबों को देखो।) |- Error: Saying
In dinon Mumbai mein bheed thi.(इन दिनों मुंबई में भीड़ थी।) when referring to Mumbai in the 1980s.In dinonspecifically means "nowadays." - Correction:
Un dinon Mumbai mein bheed thi.(उन दिनों मुंबई में भीड़ थी।) – "In those days, Mumbai was crowded." - Why it's a mistake: It creates a temporal mismatch, indicating a present state for a past event.
un:un is a mistake, overusing it for individuals who don't warrant that level of formality can also be awkward. Using un for close friends, younger siblings, or even children can create an unnecessary social distance and sound stiff or even sarcastic.- Error: Using
Unka naam Rohan hai.(उनका नाम रोहन है।) when referring to your close friend Rohan. While grammatically possible, it sounds unnatural for a peer. - Correction:
Uska naam Rohan hai.(उसका नाम रोहन है।) is more appropriate for a peer or someone you're familiar with. - Why it's a mistake: It disrupts the natural flow of informal conversation and can make the speaker sound overly formal or even condescending.
ve into un before postpositions is a basic but common error, particularly in rapid speech or early C1 stages. This results in ungrammatical constructions.- Error:
Ve ko bulaya.(वे को बुलाया।) instead ofUnko bulaya.(उनको बुलाया।) - Correction: Always oblique
vetounwhen a postposition immediately follows.
un with vah (वह) and us (उस) for Singular Use:un (singular honorific) versus vah (singular nominative neutral) or us (singular oblique non-honorific) is crucial.vah | Nominative | Neutral, non-honorific singular (he/she/it). Used when no postposition follows. | Vah mera bhai hai. (वह मेरा भाई है।) "He is my brother." |us | Oblique | Non-honorific singular (him/her/it). Used before postpositions for familiar/junior people. | Usne kaha. (उसने कहा।) "He/She said." (e.g., a friend) |un | Oblique | Honorific singular (him/her). Used before postpositions for respected people. | Unhone kaha. (उन्होंने कहा।) "He/She said." (e.g., a teacher) |- Error: Using
uswhenunis socially mandated. This is the direct result of the "literal plural" trap. - Why it's a mistake: As previously noted, it's a social faux pas, indicating disrespect.
Real Conversations
To truly grasp the idiomatic uses of un (उन), it's essential to see how native speakers deploy it in authentic, modern communication. From workplace emails to casual family chats, un subtly conveys respect, distance, or a particular stance.
1. Formal Professional Context (Workplace Email/Meeting):
In professional settings, un is frequently used honorifically to refer to superiors, clients, or colleagues who are not close personal friends, even if they are singular.
- Scenario: Discussing feedback from a senior manager, Ms. Sharma.
- Example: Ms. Sharma ka feedback bahut upyogi tha. Unhone project ki disha mein kai mahatvapurna sujhav diye. (Ms. Sharma का फीडबैक बहुत उपयोगी था। उन्होंने प्रोजेक्ट की दिशा में कई महत्वपूर्ण सुझाव दिए।) – "Ms. Sharma's feedback was very useful. She (respected) gave several important suggestions regarding the project's direction."
- Analysis: Unhone here refers to the singular Ms. Sharma, clearly demonstrating honorific usage. It maintains a respectful professional tone.
2. Respectful Family Conversations (Elders):
When talking about parents, grandparents, or other respected elders, un is the standard for conveying familial reverence.
- Scenario: A child asking about their grandfather.
- Example: Dadi, Dada ji kahan hain? Unhone kaha tha ki woh bahar jayenge. (दादी, दादा जी कहाँ हैं? उन्होंने कहा था कि वो बाहर जाएंगे।) – "Grandma, where is Grandpa? He (respected) said he would go out."
- Analysis: Unhone is used for the singular grandfather, reflecting the inherent respect for elders within the family structure.
3. News and Media Discourse:
News reporters, analysts, and public figures consistently use un when referring to politicians, dignitaries, or other public personalities, irrespective of their number, if the context demands respect or formal distance.
- Scenario: Reporting on the Prime Minister's statement.
- Example: Pradhan Mantri ne kal ek bhashan diya. Unhone deshvasiyon ko shanti aur ekta ka sandesh diya. (प्रधान मंत्री ने कल एक भाषण दिया। उन्होंने देशवासियों को शांति और एकता का संदेश दिया।) – "The Prime Minister gave a speech yesterday. He (respected) gave a message of peace and unity to the countrymen."
- Analysis: Unhone refers to the singular Prime Minister, maintaining a formal and respectful journalistic tone.
4. Casual Social Media/Texting (Subtle Nuance):
Even in informal digital communication, un retains its core functions. It might be used for elders, or sometimes to subtly express detachment from an opinion or a third party.
- Scenario A (Respect): Texting a friend about their parents.
- Example: Kya unhone tumhe nayi car ke bare mein bataya? (क्या उन्होंने तुम्हें नई कार के बारे में बताया?) – "Did they (your parents, respected) tell you about the new car?"
- Scenario B (Psychological Distance): Commenting on a differing opinion.
- Example: Unki soch alag hai, mujhe usse sahamati nahi. (उनकी सोच अलग है, मुझे उससे सहमति नहीं।) – "Their/His/Her (respected) thinking is different, I don't agree with it."
- Analysis: In Scenario A, unhone respectfully refers to the friend's parents. In Scenario B, unki distances the speaker from the 'thinking' of an unnamed person or group, often implying subtle disagreement.
5. Narrative and Storytelling (Temporal Distance):
When recounting past events or setting a historical scene, un marks the temporal remoteness.
- Scenario: Narrating a story about childhood.
- Example: Un dinon mein, hum ghanton tak gali mein khelte the. Un khelon mein ek alag hi maza tha. (उन दिनों में, हम घंटों तक गली में खेलते थे। उन खेलों में एक अलग ही मज़ा था।) – "In those days, we used to play in the lane for hours. There was a unique joy in those games."
- Analysis: Un dinon and Un khelon clearly establish a past, temporally distant context for the narrative.
These examples illustrate that un is not merely a grammatical rule but a communicative strategy, deeply embedded in Hindi's social and expressive fabric.
Quick FAQ
un (उन), clarifying nuances and dispelling misconceptions.un refer to inanimate objects?Yes, but only when referring to plural, physically distant inanimate objects. For example, Un kitaabon ko mez par rakh do. (उन किताबों को मेज़ पर रख दो।) – "Put those books on the table." (The books are far away.) However, you would never use un honorifically for a single inanimate object. A single book does not command respect; you would use us (उस).
unhone (उन्होंने) always plural?No. This is one of the most important idiomatic uses to internalize at the C1 level. unhone is very frequently used as the agentive marker for a singular, respected person. For instance, if referring to Mahatma Gandhi, you would say Unhone ahinsa ka marg apnaya. (उन्होंने अहिंसा का मार्ग अपनाया।) – "He (respected) adopted the path of non-violence." Here, unhone clearly refers to a single individual, not a group. The context, typically a proper noun or preceding reference to a singular respected person, clarifies this.
un (उन)?When in doubt, especially with an older person, a stranger, or someone in an ambiguous position of authority, it is always safer and more polite to use un. It is generally better to be perceived as overly polite than potentially rude. As you gain more experience and cultural understanding, you'll develop a stronger intuition for these social distinctions.
un refer to animals?Yes, if you are referring to plural animals and they are physically distant. For example, Un janwaron ko mat chhedo. (उन जानवरों को मत छेड़ो।) – "Don't bother those animals." However, honorific un is typically reserved for humans and their social hierarchy; it is not applied to individual animals, regardless of personal affection.
un usage?While the core grammatical and deictic principles of un are consistent across standard Hindi, the frequency and degree of its honorific usage can vary subtly. Some regions or specific social groups might be more inclined towards formality and thus use honorific un more extensively than others. However, the underlying meaning and respect conveyed remain universal. Learners should focus on mastering the standard usage first.
un and plural un?Context is paramount. The surrounding sentences, the names or titles previously mentioned, and general world knowledge will usually make it clear whether un refers to a single respected individual or a group. For instance, if you're discussing "Mr. Sharma," and then unhone is used, it's singular. If you're talking about "the students," and then unhone is used, it's plural. Verb agreement, particularly with the copula (hai for singular, hain for plural), can also provide clues, though un itself does not directly trigger number agreement on the verb. Example: Unka ghar bada hai. (उनका घर बड़ा है।) – "His/Her (respected singular) house is big." (Verb hai is singular). Unke ghar bade hain. (उनके घर बड़े हैं।) – "Their (plural) houses are big." (Verb hain is plural). This often depends on the possessed noun's number too.
Un (उन) + Postposition Table
| Pronoun Base | Postposition | Resulting Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
|
उन
|
को
|
उनको
|
To them
|
|
उन
|
से
|
उनसे
|
From/With them
|
|
उन
|
का
|
उनका
|
Their (masc. sing.)
|
|
उन
|
के
|
उनके
|
Their (masc. pl.)
|
|
उन
|
की
|
उनकी
|
Their (fem.)
|
|
उन
|
में
|
उनमें
|
In them
|
|
उन
|
पर
|
उनपर
|
On them
|
|
उन
|
के लिए
|
उनके लिए
|
For them
|
Meanings
The oblique form of the third-person plural pronoun 've' (they), used exclusively when followed by a postposition.
Direct Object/Indirect Object
Used with 'ko' to indicate the recipient of an action.
“मैंने उनको बुलाया।”
“उनको खाना दे दो।”
Possessive
Used with 'ka/ke/ki' to indicate possession.
“उनका घर बड़ा है।”
“उनकी बातें सच हैं।”
Instrumental/Ablative
Used with 'se' or 'ke saath' to indicate association or origin.
“उनसे पूछो।”
“उनके साथ चलो।”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Un + Postposition
|
उनका घर (Their house)
|
|
Negative
|
Un + Postposition + Nahi
|
उनसे बात नहीं हुई (Didn't talk to them)
|
|
Question
|
Kya + Un + Postposition
|
क्या उनको पता है? (Do they know?)
|
|
Possessive
|
Un + ka/ke/ki
|
उनके दोस्त (Their friends)
|
|
Instrumental
|
Un + se
|
उनसे पूछो (Ask them)
|
|
Dative
|
Un + ko
|
उनको दो (Give to them)
|
Formality Spectrum
मैं उनसे बात कर रहा हूँ। (General)
मैं उनसे बात कर रहा हूँ। (General)
मैं उनसे बात कर रहा हूँ। (General)
उनसे बतिया रहा हूँ। (General)
The 'Un' Transformation
Add Postposition
- उनको To them
- उनसे From them
Examples by Level
उनका नाम क्या है?
What is their name?
उनको पानी दो।
Give them water.
उनसे मिलो।
Meet them.
उनका घर यहाँ है।
Their house is here.
मैंने उनसे बात की।
I spoke with them.
उनको यह पसंद नहीं है।
They don't like this.
उनके पास कार है।
They have a car.
क्या तुमने उनको देखा?
Did you see them?
उनके सुझाव बहुत अच्छे थे।
Their suggestions were very good.
उनसे पूछना पड़ेगा।
We will have to ask them.
उनको स्टेशन छोड़ दो।
Drop them at the station.
उनके बिना हम नहीं जाएंगे।
We won't go without them.
उनका काम सराहनीय है।
Their work is commendable.
उनसे बेहतर कोई नहीं समझा सकता।
No one can explain better than them.
उनके आने की खबर मिली है।
News of their arrival has been received.
उनको सूचित कर दिया गया है।
They have been informed.
उनके दृष्टिकोण से यह समस्या अलग दिखती है।
From their perspective, this problem looks different.
उनका योगदान अतुलनीय रहा है।
Their contribution has been incomparable.
उनसे संबंधित सभी दस्तावेज तैयार हैं।
All documents related to them are ready.
उनको इस निर्णय पर आपत्ति है।
They have an objection to this decision.
उनके द्वारा प्रस्तुत तर्क अत्यंत प्रभावशाली थे।
The arguments presented by them were extremely impressive.
उनसे विमुख होना कठिन है।
It is difficult to turn away from them.
उनका व्यक्तित्व प्रेरणादायक है।
Their personality is inspiring.
उनको इस स्थिति का भान नहीं था।
They were unaware of this situation.
Easily Confused
Both mean 'to them' in some contexts.
Both mean 'they'.
Agreement with the object.
Common Mistakes
Ve ko
Unko
Ve ka
Unka
Ve se
Unse
Ve mein
Unmein
Ve ke liye
Unke liye
Ve par
Unpar
Ve ke saath
Unke saath
Unka baatein
Unki baatein
Unke gharon
Unke ghar
Unko baat
Unse baat
Ve dwara
Unke dwara
Unka dwara
Unke dwara
Ve ke karan
Unke karan
Ve ke liye
Unke liye
Sentence Patterns
___ का घर बड़ा है।
मैंने ___ से बात की।
___ को खाना दे दो।
___ के बिना हम नहीं जाएंगे।
Real World Usage
Unse milna hai.
Unke anubhav se humein seekhna chahiye.
Unke liye bhi order kar do.
Unko ticket dikha do.
Unki photos dekho!
Unke dwara prastut report.
Check the postposition
Don't use 'Ve'
Agreement matters
Politeness
Smart Tips
Always check if the pronoun is 've'.
Check the gender of the object.
Practice the 'un' + postposition chunks.
Use 'un' for professional tone.
Pronunciation
Nasalization
The 'n' in 'un' is slightly nasalized.
Question
क्या उनको पता है? ↗
Rising intonation at the end.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Un' as 'Under'—it goes under the influence of a postposition.
Visual Association
Imagine a group of people (Ve) standing alone. When a postposition (a heavy box) arrives, they must crouch down into the 'Un' shape to carry it.
Rhyme
When a postposition comes to play, 'Ve' must hide and 'Un' will stay.
Story
The group 'Ve' was walking down the street. Suddenly, they met a postposition named 'Ka'. 'Ve' couldn't handle the weight, so they transformed into 'Un'. Now they are 'Unka' and can walk together perfectly.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 5 sentences about your friends using 'un' + postpositions in 5 minutes.
Cultural Notes
Used daily in formal and informal speech.
Essential for polite address.
Used in poetry and prose.
Derived from Sanskrit 'tad' (that).
Conversation Starters
क्या आपने उनसे बात की?
उनका घर कहाँ है?
उनको क्या चाहिए?
उनके विचार क्या हैं?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
___ घर बहुत बड़ा है।
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Ve ka naam kya hai?
Ve (they) + ko (to) = ?
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Unka/Unki baatein
___ के बिना काम नहीं होगा।
Unse / baat / karo
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises___ घर बहुत बड़ा है।
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Ve ka naam kya hai?
Ve (they) + ko (to) = ?
Match Un + se
Unka/Unki baatein
___ के बिना काम नहीं होगा।
Unse / baat / karo
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesWo mere nana ji hain. ___ Namaste karo.
___ main college mein tha.
Mummy kitchen mein hain, usse bulao.
Pointing to people across the street:
Match the correct form
kaha / ne / unhone / haan
Select the Hindi translation
Which is correct for 'Talk to him (respectful)'?
Main un ladka ko jaanta hoon.
___ ki baat hi kuch aur thi. (Those days were something else)
Unhone khana khaya. Who ate?
Yeh ___ faisla hai. (It is their/his decision)
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
It is the oblique form required by postpositions.
No, it is grammatically incorrect.
Yes, for third-person plural.
It is a specific dative form.
No, 'un' is gender-neutral.
The same way as in speech.
Yes, sometimes for respect.
No, the rule is consistent.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
les/sus
Hindi requires the oblique base 'un' for all postpositions.
leur
Hindi requires agreement with the possessed object.
ihnen/ihr
Hindi's oblique case is more systematic.
karera-ni
Hindi changes the pronoun stem.
lahum
Hindi's oblique stem is distinct.
tamen-de
Hindi has a complex case system.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
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Stylistic Inversion: Breaking the SOV Rules
Overview You have likely been taught that Hindi adheres to a rigid Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) word order. While this cano...
Advanced Negation: Lest, Hardly & Don't You Dare
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Hindi Correlative Adverbs: Connecting Ideas (जब... तब)
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