Navigating Social Nuance: Honorifics & Register (Tu/Tum/Aap)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Hindi uses three levels of 'you' (तू, तुम, आप) to define social distance and respect.
- Use 'तू' (tu) for intimate friends, God, or pets (very informal).
- Use 'तुम' (tum) for peers, younger people, or casual acquaintances (neutral/informal).
- Use 'आप' (aap) for elders, strangers, and professional settings (formal/respectful).
Overview
Mastering Hindi honorifics—tu (तू), tum (तुम), and aap (आप)—is fundamental to achieving C1 proficiency, extending far beyond simple politeness. These pronouns, along with their corresponding verb conjugations and lexical choices, form a sophisticated system for encoding social distance, intimacy, and hierarchy within speech. They are not merely interchangeable ways to say "you"; rather, they are strategic linguistic tools that allow you to navigate complex social landscapes, signaling respect, familiarity, anger, or deference.
Your choice of honorific subtly dictates the nature of your relationship with the interlocutor, influencing how your message is received and perceived. Understanding the nuanced interplay of these forms is essential for appropriate and effective communication in diverse Hindi-speaking contexts.
In Hindi, the honorific system reflects deep-seated cultural values concerning age, status, and interpersonal relationships. Unlike English, where a single "you" serves all purposes, Hindi compels a speaker to make a conscious social assessment before uttering an address. This constant evaluation shapes not only the pronoun used but also the verb's ending, the accompanying vocabulary, and even the overall sentence structure.
At the C1 level, you move beyond merely avoiding insult; you learn to manipulate these linguistic cues to build rapport, express displeasure, or establish authority with precision, making your communication both grammatically correct and socially astute.
How This Grammar Works
tu, tum, and aap—each trigger specific grammatical consequences that permeate the entire sentence. Your choice of pronoun for "you" directly influences the verb's conjugation, requiring agreement not just in number and gender, but also in the level of respect implied.Tu (तू) is singular and informal, used for extreme intimacy or extreme contempt. It triggers singular verb forms. Tum (तुम) is plural and informal, used for familiarity, peers, or addressing inferiors/juniors.Aap (आप) is plural and formal, used for universal respect, elders, superiors, or strangers. Like tum, it also triggers plural verb forms.tera (तेरा)/tumhara (तुम्हारा)/aapka (आपका) – your), reflexive pronouns (e.g., apne (अपने)), and specific lexical choices. Certain verbs or nouns have honorific equivalents that subtly raise the register of your speech. For example, instead of khaana (खाना – to eat), you might use bhojan karna (भोजन करना – to dine) in a more formal context.Formation Pattern
tu, tum, aap) dictates the verb's form and other grammatical elements. You must ensure consistent agreement across the sentence to maintain the intended level of respect.
tu and tum.
jaana – to go) | Transliteration | Devanagari | Usage |
tu | tu | तू | jaata hai (m.) | jaata hai | जाता है | Intimate/Contempt, singular, male speaker |
tu | tu | तू | jaati hai (f.) | jaati hai | जाती है | Intimate/Contempt, singular, female speaker |
tum | tum | तुम | jaate ho (m.) | jaate ho | जाते हो | Familiar, plural verb form, male speaker |
tum | tum | तुम | jaati ho (f.) | jaati ho | जाती हो | Familiar, plural verb form, female speaker |
aap | aap | आप | jaate hain (m./f.) | jaate hain | जाते हैं | Formal, universal respect, plural verb form |
Tu kahaan jaata hai? (तू कहाँ जाता है?) – Where do you (intimate, male) go?
Tum kya khaate ho? (तुम क्या खाते हो?) – What do you (familiar, male) eat?
Aap kaun si kitaab padhte hain? (आप कौन सी किताब पढ़ते हैं?) – Which book do you (formal, m./f.) read?
ji (जी)
ji (जी) is a powerful, flexible honorific particle that can be appended to names, titles, and even adverbs to confer respect. It functions as an intensifier of politeness without changing grammatical structure directly. While not always mandatory, its presence significantly elevates the perceived deference in speech. You can use it after names, family relations, or as a standalone affirmative/negative.
Sharma ji (शर्मा जी), Papa ji (पापा जी), Madam ji (मैडम जी).
Haan ji (हाँ जी – Yes, sir/ma'am), Nahin ji (नहीं जी – No, sir/ma'am).
Ji? (जी?) is a polite acknowledgment.
aana (आना) | tashreef laana | tashreef laana | तशरीफ़ लाना | To come (respectful, lit. 'bring noble presence') |
baithna (बैठना) | birajmaan hona | birajmaan hona | विराजमान होना | To sit (respectful, lit. 'to be seated') |
bolna (बोलना) | farmaana | farmaana | फ़रमाना | To say/speak (respectful, lit. 'to command')|
dena (देना) | bhent karna, arpan karna | bhent karna | भेंट करना | To give (respectful, lit. 'to present/offer')|
jaana (जाना) | tashreef le jaana | tashreef le jaana| तशरीफ़ ले जाना | To go (respectful, lit. 'take noble presence')|
khana (खाना) | bhojan karna | bhojan karna | भोजन करना | To eat (formal, lit. 'to dine') |
sona (सोना) | aaraam farmaana | aaraam farmaana | आराम फ़रमाना | To sleep (respectful, lit. 'to take rest')|
Tum kab aaoge? (तुम कब आओगे?) – When will you come?
Aap kab tashreef laayenge? (आप कब तशरीफ़ लाएँगे?) – When will you (respectful) grace us with your presence?
Hum (हम)
hum (हम – we) is used in place of main (मैं – I) for a singular first person. This usage is not grammatically plural for the verb (hum jaate hain – we go) but rather a stylistic choice to soften one's ego or to project a sense of humility or gravitas. It's akin to the 'royal we' in English but used in a more localized, personal context. While grammatically distinct from main, it functions as a first-person honorific. Be aware that outside these specific contexts, it can sound overly formal, archaic, or even affected.
Humne aapka kaam kar diya hai. (हमने आपका काम कर दिया है।) – I (royal hum) have done your work.
kya kiya jaaye? (क्या किया जाए?) – What should be done?) instead of direct commands, or forming requests with modal verbs (kya aap madad kar sakte hain? (क्या आप मदद कर सकते हैं?) – Can you help?) inherently carries more politeness than direct, imperative forms. Your C1 mastery should include recognizing and employing these subtle cues.
When To Use It
tu, tum, or aap is a reflection of your perceived relationship with the interlocutor and the specific context of the interaction. Misapplying these forms can range from a minor social faux pas to a significant insult, underscoring the importance of contextual awareness.tu (तू): The Extremes of Intimacy and ContemptTu (तू) is a high-stakes pronoun, used for relationships of profound intimacy or profound disrespect. You typically reserve tu for:- Extreme Intimacy: Very close family members (e.g., parents to children, siblings to very young siblings, sometimes between spouses or very close childhood friends in private moments), addressing God, or pets. The intimacy here is one of complete emotional vulnerability and lack of social barrier.
- Example:
Tu kaisa hai, mere dost?(तू कैसा है, मेरे दोस्त?) – How are you, my friend? (Between very close friends). - Extreme Contempt/Anger: When deliberately trying to insult, dismiss, or express extreme anger towards someone, particularly an inferior or a child. This usage is confrontational and should be avoided in most social situations.
- Example:
Tu chup kar!(तू चुप कर!) – You shut up! (Highly aggressive and disrespectful).
tum (तुम): Familiarity and Casual AuthorityTum (तुम) occupies the middle ground, indicating a degree of familiarity without the intense intimacy of tu or the universal respect of aap. It's the most common informal honorific and is suitable for:- Friends and Peers: Most interactions with friends, classmates, or colleagues of similar age and status.
- Example:
Tum kab aaoge party mein?(तुम कब आओगे पार्टी में?) – When will you come to the party? - Addressing Juniors/Subordinates: Parents to older children, older siblings to younger siblings, teachers to students, or a boss to an employee of lower rank. This implies a gentle authority or a nurturing relationship.
- Example:
Tum apna kaam samay par khatm karna.(तुम अपना काम समय पर ख़त्म करना।) – You (junior) finish your work on time.
aap (आप): Universal Respect and FormalityAap (आप) is the default for showing respect and maintaining social distance. When in doubt, always default to aap. It is appropriate for:- Elders and Superiors: Parents, grandparents, teachers, bosses, government officials.
- Example:
Aapki sehat kaisi hai?(आपकी सेहत कैसी है?) – How is your health? (To an elder). - Strangers: Anyone you don't know well, regardless of perceived age or status.
- Example:
Aap kahan se hain?(आप कहाँ से हैं?) – Where are you from? (To a stranger). - Formal Settings: Business meetings, official correspondence, customer service interactions (both as the service provider and the customer).
- Example:
Aapko kya pasand aayega?(आपको क्या पसंद आएगा?) – What would you like? (In a restaurant setting). - Public Discourse: News anchors, public speakers, politicians generally use
aapwhen addressing the audience.
aaptotum: This shift often indicates a deepening of friendship or familiarity. If an elder or superior starts usingtumwith you, it suggests they feel closer to you. You might reciprocate if appropriate.- Example: Initial:
Aap kaise hain?(आप कैसे हैं?) -> After building rapport:Tum kaise ho?(तुम कैसे हो?) tumtoaap: Conversely, moving fromtumtoaapwithin an established relationship can signal displeasure, a re-establishment of formal boundaries, or a warning. It creates distance.- Example: A parent angry with a child:
Aapko yeh nahin karna chahiye tha.(आपको यह नहीं करना चाहिए था।) – You (formal, expressing disappointment) should not have done this. tumtotu: This is rare but signifies either extreme emotional intimacy (e.g., between very close friends during a moment of deep sharing) or extreme anger/contempt, often preceding a serious confrontation. The context is everything here.
Common Mistakes
tu Trap: Misjudging Intimacytu because its singular nature seems logically appealing. However, using tu with anyone outside a very specific, deeply intimate relationship (e.g., childhood best friend, spouse, God, young children) is considered highly impolite, condescending, or even aggressive. This mistake stems from a direct translation mindset from languages without such a distinct honorific system.- Error: Using
Tu kahan jaa raha hai?(तू कहाँ जा रहा है?) with a new acquaintance or a service provider. - Correction: Always use
aap(आप) for strangers or those you respect. For acquaintances,tum(तुम) is safer thantu.Aap kahaan jaa rahe hain?(आप कहाँ जा रहे हैं?) orTum kahaan jaa rahe ho?(तुम कहाँ जा रहे हो?) as appropriate.
aap or tum) but failing to conjugate the verb in its corresponding plural form. This creates a grammatical jarring that native speakers immediately notice, signaling a lack of proficiency.- Error:
Aap kya kar raha hai?(आप क्या कर रहा है?) – You (formal) what doing (singular)? - Correction: Remember that
aapandtum(even for a single person) require plural verb forms. The correct form isAap kya kar rahe hain?(आप क्या कर रहे हैं?) orTum kya kar rahe ho?(तुम क्या कर रहे हो?).
aap is generally safe, over-reliance on highly formal vocabulary or aap in extremely casual or intimate settings can make your speech sound unnatural, stiff, or even ironic. C1 learners should develop a sense of when to relax the register.- Error: Addressing a close friend,
Aap tashreef laaiye.(आप तशरीफ़ लाइए।) – You (respectful) please bring your noble presence (to a casual hangout). - Correction: For close friends,
Tum aao.(तुम आओ।) orTum aa jaao.(तुम आ जाओ।) is much more natural and fitting.
kripya (कृपया) for Politenesskripya (कृपया – please) to a sentence automatically makes it polite. While kripya adds a plea, it cannot override the impoliteness conveyed by an inappropriate honorific or informal verb conjugation. Politeness in Hindi is structural, not just lexical.- Error:
Kripya tu jaldi aa.(कृपया तू जल्दी आ।) – Please you come quickly (still rude due totu). - Correction: Ensure the entire structure reflects politeness:
Kripya aap jaldi aayiye.(कृपया आप जल्दी आइए।) orKripya aap jaldi aayen.(कृपया आप जल्दी आएँ।).
aap is universally formal, the usage of tum versus tu can vary regionally. In some areas, tum is the most common informal form for friends and family, while tu is reserved for very specific contexts. In others, tu might be more broadly used among close peers. Being aware of the local norms is an advanced skill.- Avoid: Assuming one regional norm applies everywhere. Observing and adapting to local usage is key.
- Tip: When in a new Hindi-speaking region, observe how locals address each other in casual settings before adopting
tuortumwith new acquaintances.
Real Conversations
Understanding honorifics moves from theoretical knowledge to practical application when observing how native speakers utilize them in everyday interactions. The choice of tu, tum, or aap is often intuitive for native speakers, reflecting a lifetime of social conditioning. As a C1 learner, you can begin to internalize these patterns by analyzing varied conversational contexts.
1. Family Dynamics (Parent to Child, Adult Sibling to Younger Sibling)
In a family, honorifics often shift with age and roles. Parents typically use tum or tu with their children, while children are expected to use aap with parents and elders.
- Parent to child (adult):
- माँ: Beta, tumne khana kha liya? (बेटा, तुमने खाना खा लिया?) – Son, have you (familiar) eaten?
- बेटा: Haan Maa, maine kha liya. Aapne khaaya? (हाँ माँ, मैंने खा लिया। आपने खाया?) – Yes Mom, I've eaten. Have you (formal) eaten?
- Older sibling to younger sibling:
- बड़ी बहन: Chhote, tu aaj shaam ko free hai? (छोटे, तू आज शाम को फ़्री है?) – Little one, are you (intimate) free this evening?
- छोटा भाई: Haan didi, main free hoon. Tumhe kuch chahiye tha? (हाँ दीदी, मैं फ़्री हूँ। तुम्हें कुछ चाहिए था?) – Yes sister, I'm free. Did you (familiar) need something?
2. Workplace Interactions (Colleagues)
In professional settings, aap is the default, especially with superiors or new colleagues. However, among close colleagues of similar rank, a shift to tum is common, signaling camaraderie.
- Manager to Employee:
- मैनेजर: Rina, aapne report taiyar kar li? (रीना, आपने रिपोर्ट तैयार कर ली?) – Rina, have you (formal) prepared the report?
- रीना: Ji sir, mainne kar li hai. (जी सर, मैंने कर ली है।) – Yes sir, I have.
- Close Colleagues:
- सहकर्मी 1: Ankit, tumne project par kitna kaam kiya hai? (अंकित, तुमने प्रोजेक्ट पर कितना काम किया है?) – Ankit, how much work have you (familiar) done on the project?
- सहकर्मी 2: Bas abhi aadha hua hai. Tumne apna kaam kar liya? (बस अभी आधा हुआ है। तुमने अपना काम कर लिया?) – Only half is done. Have you (familiar) done your work?
3. Customer Service
In customer service, both parties typically maintain a formal register using aap, even if the customer is younger. The service provider will almost always use aap to show respect to the customer.
- Shopkeeper to Customer:
- दुकानदार: Ji, aapko kya chahiye? (जी, आपको क्या चाहिए?) – Yes, what would you (formal) like?
- ग्राहक: Mujhe yeh shirt dekhni hai. Kya aap iska price bata sakte hain? (मुझे यह शर्ट देखनी है। क्या आप इसका प्राइस बता सकते हैं?) – I want to see this shirt. Can you (formal) tell me its price?
4. Online Communication (Texting/Social Media)
Online, the lines can blur. While aap is still used formally, tum is very common among friends, and tu might appear in very close friend groups or for playful banter. Abbreviations and mixed registers are also frequent.
- Friends texting:
- Friend A: Tum kab free ho aaj? (तुम कब फ़्री हो आज?) – When are you (familiar) free today?
- Friend B: Shaam ko. Tu bata, kya plan hai? (शाम को। तू बता, क्या प्लान है?) – Evening. You (intimate) tell, what's the plan?
5. Expressing Displeasure or Distance
A strategic shift in honorifics can powerfully convey a change in emotional state or relationship dynamics. Moving from tum to aap can create immediate distance.
- Between partners (argument):
- Partner A (angry): Maine aapse kaha tha ki aisa mat kijiye. (मैंने आपसे कहा था कि ऐसा मत कीजिए।) – I had told you (formal, implying distance) not to do that.
- (Normally, they might use tum but switch to aap to signal seriousness or anger).
These examples demonstrate that honorifics are not static rules but fluid tools, constantly adjusted based on context, relationship, and intent. Your ability to interpret and employ these subtleties will mark your C1 mastery.
Quick FAQ
tu (तू) always bad or disrespectful?No, absolutely not. Tu is inherently neither good nor bad; its meaning is entirely context-dependent. It signifies either profound intimacy (e.g., addressing children, very close family, your spouse, or God) or extreme contempt/anger. Its use creates a binary effect: either you are deeply connected, or you are deeply alienated. Using tu with strangers or superiors is almost always inappropriate, but its use among very close friends or by elders to children is perfectly natural and affectionate. Always assess the relationship and power dynamic before using tu.
When addressing any group that includes elders, superiors, or even just individuals you don't know well, the safest and most respectful option is to use aap (आप) for the entire group. Hindi defaults to the highest level of respect required within a mixed audience. While you might use tum with individual friends within that group in a one-on-one conversation, the collective address should always be aap to avoid unintentionally disrespecting anyone.
hum (हम) instead of main (मैं) for "I"?Yes, but with significant caveats. Using hum for a singular "I" is a specific regionalism, most commonly found in parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in India. In these areas, it can convey humility, a softened ego, or a traditional way of speaking. Outside these regions, using hum for main might sound archaic, overly formal, or even pretentious, akin to the "royal we" in English. While grammatically permissible, it's generally best for C1 learners to stick to main unless they are thoroughly immersed in a region where singular hum is natural and understood.
When in doubt, always default to aap (आप). It is the universal honorific and is never incorrect in terms of politeness, even if it might sometimes be overly formal for a close peer. It is far better to be perceived as too polite than to accidentally cause offense by using tum or, worse, tu. As you interact more, you can observe how the person addresses you and others, and potentially adjust your own usage if appropriate. When they use tum with you, and the context feels right, you can consider reciprocating.
ji (जी) make any pronoun polite?Ji (जी) is a powerful honorific particle, but it primarily enhances politeness rather than transforms an impolite pronoun into a polite one. You can use ji with aap (e.g., aap ji), though it's less common, to add extra deference. You can also hear it with tum (tum ji), but it would not typically be used with tu. The core politeness comes from the choice of aap or tum and the corresponding verb conjugation. Ji adds a layer of respect to whatever pronoun is already being used or to a standalone affirmative/negative.
Hindi's honorific system is far more integrated into its grammar than English's. In English, politeness is largely conveyed through lexical choices (e.g., "please," "thank you," modal verbs like "would you"), tone, and indirectness. The pronoun "you" remains constant. In Hindi, however, the choice of honorific pronoun fundamentally alters verb conjugation and often triggers a shift in vocabulary, creating a pervasive system of respect concord. While languages like Japanese or Korean have even more complex honorific systems, Hindi's tu/tum/aap framework offers a distinct and vital mechanism for encoding social relationships within its linguistic structure.
Pronoun-Verb Agreement
| Pronoun | Register | Verb Ending (Present) | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
तू
|
Intimate
|
-ता/ती है
|
तू जाता है
|
|
तुम
|
Neutral
|
-ते/ती हो
|
तुम जाते हो
|
|
आप
|
Formal
|
-ते/ती हैं
|
आप जाते हैं
|
Meanings
The Hindi honorific system is a set of second-person pronouns that dictate the level of social distance, intimacy, and respect between speakers.
Intimate/Divine
Used for extreme closeness or addressing the Divine.
“तू मेरा भाई है।”
“हे ईश्वर, तू महान है।”
Peer/Casual
Used for friends and family of similar age.
“तुम क्या कर रहे हो?”
“तुम कल आओगे क्या?”
Formal/Respectful
Used for elders, superiors, and strangers.
“आप क्या करते हैं?”
“आप यहाँ बैठिए।”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Pronoun + Verb
|
आप जाते हैं
|
|
Negative
|
Pronoun + nahi + Verb
|
आप नहीं जाते हैं
|
|
Interrogative
|
Kya + Pronoun + Verb
|
क्या आप जाते हैं?
|
|
Short Answer
|
Pronoun + Verb
|
हाँ, मैं जाता हूँ
|
|
Imperative (Formal)
|
Verb + iye
|
आप बैठिए
|
|
Imperative (Neutral)
|
Verb + o
|
तुम बैठो
|
|
Imperative (Intimate)
|
Verb + a
|
तू बैठ
|
Formality Spectrum
आप कैसे हैं? (Greeting)
तुम कैसे हो? (Greeting)
तू कैसा है? (Greeting)
क्या हाल है? (Greeting)
The Hindi Honorific Spectrum
Intimate
- तू Tu
Neutral
- तुम Tum
Formal
- आप Aap
Examples by Level
आप कैसे हैं?
How are you? (Formal)
तुम कहाँ हो?
Where are you? (Neutral)
तू मेरा दोस्त है।
You are my friend. (Intimate)
आप क्या खाते हैं?
What do you eat? (Formal)
आप यहाँ बैठिए।
Please sit here. (Formal)
तुम कल आओगे?
Will you come tomorrow? (Neutral)
तू चुप रह।
You stay quiet. (Intimate/Rude)
आपकी उम्र क्या है?
What is your age? (Formal)
क्या आप चाय लेंगे?
Would you like tea? (Formal)
तुमने अपना काम किया?
Did you do your work? (Neutral)
तूने मुझे बताया क्यों नहीं?
Why didn't you tell me? (Intimate)
आपसे मिलकर खुशी हुई।
Nice to meet you. (Formal)
आप कृपया मुझे बता सकते हैं?
Could you please tell me? (Formal)
तुमको यह बात समझनी चाहिए।
You should understand this. (Neutral)
तू तो हमेशा ऐसा ही करता है।
You always do this. (Intimate)
आपकी राय क्या है?
What is your opinion? (Formal)
आपकी गरिमा का हम सम्मान करते हैं।
We respect your dignity. (Formal)
तुमने जो कहा, वह गलत था।
What you said was wrong. (Neutral)
तू ही मेरा सहारा है।
You are my only support. (Intimate/Poetic)
आप इस विषय पर क्या सोचते हैं?
What do you think on this topic? (Formal)
आपकी उपस्थिति हमारे लिए सौभाग्य है।
Your presence is a privilege for us. (Formal)
तुमने इस अवसर को खो दिया।
You lost this opportunity. (Neutral)
तू तो बस मेरा है।
You are just mine. (Intimate)
आपकी आज्ञा का पालन होगा।
Your order will be followed. (Formal)
Easily Confused
Learners often use 'tu' thinking it's just 'you'.
Learners use 'aap' for friends, sounding distant.
Forgetting to change the verb ending.
Common Mistakes
आप क्या करता है?
आप क्या करते हैं?
तू कैसे हैं?
तू कैसा है?
तुम क्या है?
तुम क्या हो?
आप तुम हो?
आप कौन हैं?
आप जाओ।
आप जाइए।
तुम जाइए।
तुम जाओ।
तू जाइए।
तू जा।
मैं आप के साथ हूँ।
मैं आपके साथ हूँ।
तुम का घर।
तुम्हारा घर।
आप का नाम क्या है?
आपका नाम क्या है?
आप क्या कर रहे हो?
आप क्या कर रहे हैं?
तुम क्या कर रहे हैं?
तुम क्या कर रहे हो?
तू क्या कर रहे हैं?
तू क्या कर रहा है?
आपकी क्या राय है?
आपकी क्या राय है?
Sentence Patterns
___ कैसे हैं?
___ क्या कर रहे ___?
क्या ___ चाय लेंगे?
___ को यहाँ आना चाहिए।
Real World Usage
आप क्या काम करते हैं?
तुम कहाँ हो?
आप मुझे पिज्जा दीजिए।
तू क्या कर रहा है?
आप कैसे हैं?
तुमने यह फोटो देखी?
When in doubt, use Aap
Avoid Tu with strangers
Watch the verb
The 'Ji' suffix
Smart Tips
Always start with 'आप'.
Use 'तुम' to build rapport.
Always use 'आप'.
Use 'तू' or 'तुम'.
Pronunciation
Nasalization
The 'hain' ending for 'आप' must be nasalized.
Question
आप कैसे हैं? ↗
Rising intonation for polite questions.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
A-P (Aap) is for A-dults and P-rofessionals.
Visual Association
Imagine a ladder. 'तू' is at the bottom (close to the ground/intimate), 'तुम' is in the middle, and 'आप' is at the top (respectful/formal).
Rhyme
Use 'आप' for the boss, 'तुम' for the friend, 'तू' for the one who's with you until the end.
Story
Rohan meets his boss and says 'आप'. He meets his friend and says 'तुम'. He meets his brother and says 'तू'. He never mixes them up.
Word Web
Challenge
Write three sentences addressing a stranger, a friend, and a sibling using the correct pronoun.
Cultural Notes
Very strict adherence to honorifics.
Increasingly using 'तुम' for everyone.
Use of 'आप' is mandatory for elders.
Derived from Sanskrit roots for respect and distance.
Conversation Starters
आप क्या काम करते हैं?
तुम कल क्या कर रहे हो?
आपकी राय में, यह कैसा है?
तुमने यह क्यों किया?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
___ कैसे हैं? (Addressing a teacher)
तुम क्या कर ___? (ho/hain/hai)
Find and fix the mistake:
आप क्या कर रहे हो?
तुम कहाँ जा रहे हो?
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
___ मेरा भाई है। (Addressing brother)
आप यहाँ बैठ ___। (iye/o/a)
Find and fix the mistake:
तू क्या कर रहे हैं?
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises___ कैसे हैं? (Addressing a teacher)
तुम क्या कर ___? (ho/hain/hai)
Find and fix the mistake:
आप क्या कर रहे हो?
तुम कहाँ जा रहे हो?
Match: Tu, Tum, Aap
___ मेरा भाई है। (Addressing brother)
आप यहाँ बैठ ___। (iye/o/a)
Find and fix the mistake:
तू क्या कर रहे हैं?
Score: /8
Practice Bank
11 exercisesPair the pronoun with the person you would use it with.
Aap kahan ja rahe ___?
Asking a guest to sit down:
kya / sakte / aap / hain / madad / meri ?
To an interviewer: 'Tu kya pooch raha tha?'
Please come inside.
Mantri (Minister) ___ aa rahe hain.
Wife speaking to husband:
Match the verbs.
Kya humse baat ___ sakti hai?
Aap kya kar raha hai?
Score: /11
FAQ (8)
Yes, it is the safest and most polite option.
No, it is intimate with close friends/family.
Observe the other person's register.
Apologize and switch to 'aap'.
No, never use 'tum' for elders.
Yes, 'aap' is used for both singular and plural respect.
Yes, it is common in devotional poetry.
It is the middle ground between intimacy and respect.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Tú/Usted
Hindi has a third 'Tum' tier.
Tu/Vous
Hindi's 'Tum' is a unique middle ground.
Du/Sie
Hindi's 'Tum' is more common than German's 'Ihr'.
Omae/Anata
Hindi uses pronouns; Japanese uses verb suffixes.
Anta/Antum
Hindi uses specific honorific pronouns.
Ni/Nin
Hindi has three tiers, Chinese has two.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Videos
Related Grammar Rules
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