Hindi Informal Commands: The Friendly "Tum" (-o)
-na with -o and use mat for negation.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
To give a friendly command to someone you know well, take the verb root and add '-o'.
- Add '-o' to the verb root: 'padh' (read) becomes 'padho' (read!).
- For negative commands, use 'mat' before the verb: 'mat padho' (don't read!).
- Use this only for friends, family, or peers; never for strangers or elders.
Overview
The Hindi imperative system distinguishes between three levels of formality or intimacy when issuing commands or making requests: tu (तू), tum (तुम), and aap (आप). Each form dictates a specific verb ending, reflecting the speaker's relationship with the listener. The tum imperative, ending typically in -o (ओ), serves as the most widely used informal command, striking a balance between the extreme intimacy or potential rudeness of tu and the formal deference of aap.
This register is essential for navigating everyday interactions with friends, close acquaintances, peers, and certain family members. Mastering the tum imperative allows you to sound natural and connected within social circles, avoiding the stiff formality that an overuse of aap might convey or the disrespectful tone of tu.
The tum command is formed by adapting the verb stem, derived from the infinitive. Its consistent structure makes it a foundational element for A2-level learners, enabling them to direct actions politely but informally. This guide will clarify its formation, appropriate contexts, common pitfalls, and demonstrate its usage in contemporary Hindi conversations.
How This Grammar Works
-na (ना). For example, bolna (बोलना - to speak), jaana (जाना - to go), karna (करना - to do).tum imperative, you remove this infinitive ending -na to obtain the verb stem.tum command. The standard suffix for regular verbs is -o (ओ). This simple transformation from infinitive to imperative is a hallmark of Hindi grammar, reflecting a consistent, predictable pattern for verb modification based on grammatical person and mood.-o ending phonetically signals a direct, yet non-deferential, address.bolna (बोलना) becomes bolo (बोलो - "you speak" or "speak!"), and jaana (जाना) becomes jaao (जाओ - "you go" or "go!"). This pattern is remarkably stable across most Hindi verbs. However, like many languages, Hindi includes a small set of highly frequent, irregular verbs whose imperative forms do not strictly follow this -na to -o rule.tum commands also follows a specific rule: you use the particle mat (मत) directly before the imperative verb. This is distinct from the general negation nahin (नहीं) used for declarative statements. The use of mat for prohibitions is a fundamental aspect of Hindi imperatives across all honorific registers, underscoring its grammatical role in expressing negative commands.Formation Pattern
tum imperative for regular verbs is a straightforward, two-step process involving the verb's infinitive form.
-na (ना). Remove this -na to isolate the verb stem. This stem represents the core meaning of the verb.
likhna (लिखना) | likh (लिख) | to write
dekhna (देखना) | dekh (देख) | to see/watch
sunna (सुनना) | sun (सुन) | to listen
aana (आना) | aa (आ) | to come
tum Imperative Ending -o
-o (ओ) to the verb stem. This transforms the stem into the tum imperative form.
tum Imperative (तुम आज्ञार्थक) | Meaning
likh (लिख) | likho (लिखो) | You write / Write!
dekh (देख) | dekho (देखो) | You see / See! / Look!
sun (सुन) | suno (सुनो) | You listen / Listen!
aa (आ) | aao (आओ) | You come / Come!
Tum kal mujhe phone karo. (तुम कल मुझे फ़ोन करो।) – "You call me tomorrow." (Here, karna is irregular, see below, but phone karna acts as a unit and the karo form is used.)
Kitaab padho! (किताब पढ़ो!) – "Read the book!"
Dheeraj se baitho. (धीरज से बैठो।) – "Sit patiently."
-o pattern. These verbs are highly frequent in daily conversation, making their irregular forms crucial for A2 learners. Their irregularity often involves a complete change in the stem or a unique ending.
tum Imperative (तुम आज्ञार्थक) | Meaning
dena (देना) | do (दो) | to give / You give / Give!
lena (लेना) | lo (लो) | to take / You take / Take!
karna (करना) | karo (करो) | to do / You do / Do!
pina (पीना) | piyo (पियो) | to drink / You drink / Drink!
pina (पीना): The y (य) in piyo (पियो) is an epenthetic glide, inserted between the vowel stem pi (पी) and the vowel ending o (ओ) to ensure a smoother, more natural pronunciation, preventing a harsh vowel clash. This phonetic phenomenon is common in many languages.
Mujhe paani do. (मुझे पानी दो।) – "Give me water."
Yeh kitaab lo. (यह किताब लो।) – "Take this book."
Apna kaam karo. (अपना काम करो।) – "Do your work."
Chai piyo! (चाय पियो!) – "Drink tea!"
tum Commands
tum command, place the prohibitory particle mat (मत) directly before the imperative verb. Crucially, do not use nahin (नहीं) for commands. While nahin negates declarative statements ("I am not going"), mat is exclusively used for expressing prohibitions or negative injunctions ("Don't go!").
tum Imperative | Negative tum Imperative |
jaao (जाओ) | mat jaao (मत जाओ) |
likho (लिखो) | mat likho (मत लिखो) |
karo (करो) | mat karo (मत करो) |
dekho (देखो) | mat dekho (मत देखो) |
tum Usage:
Wahaan mat jaao. (वहाँ मत जाओ।) – "Don't go there."
Mujhse mat ladho. (मुझसे मत लड़ो।) – "Don't fight with me."
Use pareshan mat karo. (उसे परेशान मत करो।) – "Don't bother him/her."
When To Use It
tum imperative signifies a specific social distance and level of respect, sitting between the highly informal/intimate tu and the formal/respectful aap. Its appropriate usage is paramount for effective and polite communication in Hindi-speaking environments.tum. When speaking with friends, classmates, colleagues of similar rank, or anyone with whom you share a comfortable, reciprocal informal relationship, tum is the natural choice. Using aap in these contexts can create an awkward distance, making the speaker sound overly formal or even sarcastic.Mere ghar aao. (मेरे घर आओ।) – "Come to my place."tum is typically used with younger siblings, cousins, or children. It can also be used with older siblings or family members if the relationship is exceptionally close and informal, though aap remains common for those significantly older. Bhai, zara yeh kaam karo. (भाई, ज़रा यह काम करो।) – "Bro, just do this work."tum when addressing a younger or subordinate individual. This includes teachers addressing students, employers addressing junior staff, or older individuals addressing younger acquaintances. This usage establishes a familiar, yet authoritative, tone without resorting to the strict formality of aap.Yeh report likho. (यह रिपोर्ट लिखो।) – "Write this report."tum might be used with service staff (e.g., a street vendor, a rickshaw driver) if the interaction is brief and impersonal, and a sense of directness is desired. However, for a safe and universally polite approach, especially if unsure of local customs or the other person's age/status, aap is always the safer default in service interactions. An example could be: Bhaiya, jaldi chalo! (भैया, जल्दी चलो!) – "Brother, walk fast!" (Addressing a rickshaw driver, bhaiya adds a touch of familiarity).tum is the standard. It reflects the direct, conversational tone of these platforms. Mujhe message bhejo. (मुझे मैसेज भेजो।) – "Send me a message."aap to tum. This shift indicates a deepening of intimacy, trust, and a move from respectful distance to close familiarity. Similarly, maintaining aap with close friends might signal a subtle formality, a lack of complete openness, or even playful teasing, depending on the context and relationship history.Common Mistakes
tum commands is crucial for avoiding miscommunication and cultural gaffes. These mistakes often stem from a direct transfer of English politeness norms or insufficient exposure to Hindi's nuanced honorific system.Tu Trap: Inappropriate Intimacy or Rudenesstu (तू - the most intimate/singular informal "you") as simpler (just the verb stem, e.g., ja for jaana), mistakenly use it with people they don't know well. This is a significant error. tu is reserved for:- Addressing very young children.
- Addressing God (in prayer).
- Extreme intimacy (e.g., between spouses who have explicitly established this level of familiarity).
- When expressing anger or disrespect, deliberately insulting someone.
Tu ja! (तू जा!) with a peer.Tum jaao! (तुम जाओ!) – "You go!"tu with anyone outside the very narrow contexts of extreme intimacy or addressing subordinates can be perceived as highly rude, insulting, or aggressive, especially to strangers or even casual friends.Nahin Instead of Matnahin (नहीं), the general negative particle, with imperative verbs instead of the prohibitory particle mat (मत).Tum wahaan nahin jaao. (तुम वहाँ नहीं जाओ।) – This sounds unnatural, like a descriptive statement "You don't go there" rather than a command.Tum wahaan mat jaao. (तुम वहाँ मत जाओ।) – "Don't go there!"mat is grammatically mandated for all negative commands in Hindi. Using nahin indicates a misunderstanding of how Hindi expresses prohibitions.dena, lena, karna, pina) is a common error.Mujhe paani deno. (मुझे पानी देनो।) or Kaam karno. (काम करनो।)Mujhe paani do. (मुझे पानी दो।) and Kaam karo. (काम करो।)Tum with Superiors/Elderstum with individuals who command respect (elders, bosses, teachers, senior relatives, strangers in formal settings) is a significant social misstep in Hindi-speaking cultures.Sir, yeh kitaab padho. (सर, यह किताब पढ़ो।)Sir, yeh kitaab padhiye. (सर, यह किताब पढ़िए।) – Using the aap imperative.na as a Softenersuno (सुनो) means "listen," adding the particle na (ना) immediately after the imperative verb (suno na) transforms it into a softer request, often implying "won't you?" or "please."Baitho. (बैठो – "Sit!") without any softening.Baitho na! (बैठो ना!) – "Sit, won't you?" or Idhar aao na. (इधर आओ ना।) – "Come here, please."na, the bare imperative can sound abrupt or overly direct, especially if the speaker's tone isn't inherently soft. na adds a layer of warmth and persuasion, making the command feel more like an invitation or gentle suggestion. This is a subtle but important nuance for sounding natural.Real Conversations
Observing tum commands in actual dialogue reveals their natural rhythm and social function. These examples reflect typical interactions in modern Hindi-speaking environments.
Scenario 1
- Riya: Aaj shaam ko kya plan hai? (आज शाम को क्या प्लान है?) – "What's the plan for this evening?"
- Amit: Kuch khaas nahin. Movie dekho ge? (कुछ ख़ास नहीं। मूवी देखो गे?) – "Nothing special. Will you watch a movie?"
- Riya: Haan! Achha idea hai. Tum mere ghar aao. (हाँ! अच्छा आइडिया है। तुम मेरे घर आओ।) – "Yes! Good idea. You come to my place."
- Amit: Theek hai, main paanch baje tak aata hoon. Magar late mat karo na! (ठीक है, मैं पाँच बजे तक आता हूँ। मगर लेट मत करो ना!) – "Okay, I'll come by five. But don't be late!"
Scenario 2
- Bhai (Older Brother): Arjun, zara mera phone do na! (अर्जुन, ज़रा मेरा फ़ोन दो ना!) – "Arjun, please give me my phone!"
- Arjun (Younger Brother): Main khel raha hoon. Ek minute ruko! (मैं खेल रहा हूँ। एक मिनट रुको!) – "I'm playing. Wait a minute!"
- Bhai: Zyada der mat lo! Mujhe zaroori phone karna hai. (ज़्यादा देर मत लो! मुझे ज़रूरी फ़ोन करना है।) – "Don't take too long! I have an important call to make."
Scenario 3
- Manager: Sumit, yeh file lo aur isme changes karo. (सुमित, यह फ़ाइल लो और इसमें चेंजिस करो।) – "Sumit, take this file and make changes in it."
- Sumit: Ji sir, abhi karta hoon. (जी सर, अभी करता हूँ।) – "Yes sir, doing it now."
- Manager: Aur dhyan se likho, koi galti mat karo. (और ध्यान से लिखो, कोई ग़लती मत करो।) – "And write carefully, don't make any mistakes."
Scenario 4
- Friend A: Hey, party kab hai? (हे, पार्टी कब है?) – "Hey, when's the party?"
- Friend B: Aaj raat 9 baje. Tum sabko bulao. (आज रात ९ बजे। तुम सबको बुलाओ।) – "Tonight at 9 PM. You call everyone."
- Friend A: Okay, location bhejo. (ओके, लोकेशन भेजो।) – "Okay, send the location."
These examples illustrate that tum commands are deeply integrated into daily interactions, allowing for direct and efficient communication while maintaining an appropriate level of informality and familiarity.
Quick FAQ
tu, tum, and aap imperatives?tu (तू) is singular and highly intimate or highly rude. tum (तुम) is plural and informal, used with friends, peers, or inferiors, and never implies disrespect unless used with a superior.aap (आप) is plural and formal, conveying respect to elders, superiors, or strangers. While tum is grammatically plural, it functions as a singular informal address.kripya) with tum commands to soften them?kripya (कृपया) with tum commands. However, kripya is quite formal. For a more natural and friendly softening of a tum command, it's better to add the particle na (ना) immediately after the verb (e.g., aao na – आओ ना) or use informal address terms like yaar (यार – friend) at the beginning (e.g., Yaar, suno na! – यार, सुनो ना!).kripya might make your informal command sound a little stiff.khaa (खा - from khaana खाना - to eat)?-o (ओ) to it. For instance, khaa (खा) + o (ओ) becomes khao (खाओ - "eat!"). The pronunciation naturally blends the two vowel sounds.pina (पीना) which includes a y for a smoother glide (piyo - पियो).aap to be safe?aap is always the safest and most respectful choice. It shows deference and prevents accidental offense. You can then observe how the other person addresses you or others to adjust your register accordingly if they initiate a more informal tone.tum commands?tum imperatives (-o ending) is consistent across Standard Hindi, the social contexts in which tu, tum, and aap are employed can exhibit regional nuances. In some areas, tum might be used more broadly, even with people who might traditionally receive aap. Conversely, some regions or families might maintain a higher degree of formality, reserving tum for only the closest relations.tum imperative pattern?chalo (चलो). This word is indeed the tum imperative form of the verb chalna (चलना - to walk/move). Although grammatically a tum command, chalo is widely adopted as an idiomatic expression for "Let's go" or "Come on," irrespective of the listener's honorific standing, making it a quasi-independent phrase in everyday usage.The '-o' Imperative Conjugation
| Verb (Infinitive) | Root | Affirmative | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Padhna
|
Padh
|
Padho
|
Mat padho
|
|
Khana
|
Kha
|
Khao
|
Mat khao
|
|
Pina
|
Pi
|
Piyo
|
Mat piyo
|
|
Jana
|
Ja
|
Jao
|
Mat jao
|
|
Bolna
|
Bol
|
Bolo
|
Mat bolo
|
|
Karna
|
Kar
|
Karo
|
Mat karo
|
Meanings
The '-o' imperative is used to give direct, friendly instructions to people you address as 'tum'. It is the standard way to tell a peer or younger person what to do.
Direct Instruction
Giving a simple order to a friend.
“खाना खाओ। (Eat food.)”
“पानी पियो। (Drink water.)”
Friendly Suggestion
Encouraging someone to do something.
“यह फिल्म देखो। (Watch this movie.)”
“थोड़ा सो जाओ। (Sleep a little.)”
Negative Command
Prohibiting an action.
“वहाँ मत जाओ। (Don't go there.)”
“शोर मत करो। (Don't make noise.)”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Root + o
|
Aao (Come)
|
|
Negative
|
Mat + Root + o
|
Mat aao (Don't come)
|
|
Question
|
Root + o?
|
Aao? (Should I come?)
|
|
Emphasis
|
Root + o + hi
|
Aao hi (Do come!)
|
|
Suggestion
|
Root + o + na
|
Aao na (Come on, come!)
|
Formality Spectrum
Yahaan aaiye (General)
Yahaan aaiye (General)
Yahaan aao (General)
Yahaan aa (General)
The Hindi Imperative Map
Formal
- Kijiye Do (Aap)
Informal
- Karo Do (Tum)
Intimate
- Kar Do (Tu)
Command Levels
Examples by Level
यहाँ आओ।
Come here.
पानी पियो।
Drink water.
किताब पढ़ो।
Read the book.
जल्दी करो।
Hurry up.
वहाँ मत जाओ।
Don't go there.
यह गाना सुनो।
Listen to this song.
शोर मत करो।
Don't make noise.
सच बोलो।
Tell the truth.
मेरी बात सुनो, वहाँ मत जाओ।
Listen to me, don't go there.
थोड़ा और खाओ।
Eat a little more.
कल मुझे फोन करो।
Call me tomorrow.
अपनी किताब खोलो।
Open your book.
ज्यादा मत सोचो, बस करो।
Don't think too much, just do it.
मुझे परेशान मत करो।
Don't bother me.
सबको बताओ कि क्या हुआ।
Tell everyone what happened.
धीरे चलो, रास्ता खराब है।
Walk slowly, the path is bad.
इतना भाव मत खाओ, हाँ कह दो।
Don't act so pricey, just say yes.
जो करना है करो, मुझे परवाह नहीं।
Do what you want, I don't care.
मुझसे पंगा मत लो।
Don't mess with me.
अपनी हद में रहो।
Stay within your limits.
ज़रा मेरी बात पर गौर करो।
Just pay attention to what I'm saying.
इतनी जल्दी हार मत मानो।
Don't give up so soon.
ज़िंदगी को खुलकर जियो।
Live life to the fullest.
अपनी गलतियों से सीखो।
Learn from your mistakes.
Easily Confused
Learners mix up formal and informal.
Using 'nahi' for commands.
Using 'tu' (too intimate) instead of 'tum'.
Common Mistakes
Aaiye (to friend)
Aao
Nahi aao
Mat aao
Aana
Aao
Tum aao
Aao
Mat kijiye (to friend)
Mat karo
Aao na
Aao
Jao mat
Mat jao
Aao ji
Aao
Mat jao ji
Mat jao
Tum mat jao
Mat jao
Aao na ji
Aao
Mat aao na
Mat aao
Aao tum
Aao
Mat karo tum
Mat karo
Sentence Patterns
___ aao.
___ mat karo.
___ khao.
___ dekho.
Real World Usage
Jaldi aao!
Yeh dekho!
Chalo!
Yahaan ruko.
Jaldi lao.
Bolo!
Context is Key
Avoid with Elders
Use 'Mat'
Friendly Tone
Smart Tips
Add 'na' to make it a soft request.
Use 'mat' for commands, never 'nahi'.
The '-o' form works for both singular and plural 'tum'.
Add 'hi' for emphasis.
Pronunciation
Vowel length
The 'o' is a long vowel, hold it slightly.
Command
Aao! ↓
Falling intonation for firm commands.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'O' as an 'Open' invitation to a friend.
Visual Association
Imagine a friend waving at you and shouting 'Aao!' (Come!). The 'o' sound is like an open mouth ready to speak to a buddy.
Rhyme
To tell a friend what to do, just add an O to the root for you.
Story
Rohan is at the park. He sees his friend Priya. He shouts 'Priya, yahaan aao!' (Priya, come here!). She smiles and says 'Khao!' (Eat!) as she offers him a snack. They are using the friendly '-o' form because they are best friends.
Word Web
Challenge
For the next 5 minutes, write down 5 things you would tell a friend to do using the '-o' form.
Cultural Notes
The '-o' form is very common among friends in Delhi and Punjab.
Using this with strangers is considered rude.
Often combined with English words.
Derived from Sanskrit imperative forms.
Conversation Starters
Kya tum mere saath chaloge?
Mujhe bhook lagi hai.
Main bore ho raha hoon.
Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha.
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
Tum yahaan ___ (aana).
Which is the correct negative command?
Find and fix the mistake:
Aaiye (to friend).
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Karna -> ___
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Use 'khao' in a sentence.
To a friend: '___ the movie.'
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesTum yahaan ___ (aana).
Which is the correct negative command?
Find and fix the mistake:
Aaiye (to friend).
jau / mat / tum
Karna -> ___
Match: Padhna -> ?
Use 'khao' in a sentence.
To a friend: '___ the movie.'
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesPaani ___ (piyo/pina/pee).
aao / mat / yahaan
Read this book.
Kaam ___.
Match the verbs
Tum yahaan aaiye.
Shor ___ machao (Don't make noise).
Yeh lo.
Choose the best option.
dekho / phone / ki taraf
Match correctly
Tum ghar ___.
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
No, use 'aap' and '-iye' for teachers.
Not with friends, but yes with strangers.
Just add '-o' as usual.
'Mat' is specifically for imperatives.
Only if you are very close friends.
No, it's the same for everyone.
It's the root, used for extreme intimacy.
Add 'na' at the end.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Tú command
Spanish uses different endings for -ar/-er/-ir verbs.
Tu imperative
French drops the 's' for -er verbs.
Du imperative
German is more direct.
Te-form
Japanese is more indirect.
Imperative
Hindi is gender-neutral for commands.
Ba particle
Chinese verbs don't conjugate.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
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