Hindi Passive Voice: Actions without Doers (Verb + जाना)
जाना to form the professional-sounding passive voice.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use the passive voice when the action matters more than the person doing it by adding 'jana' to the verb root.
- Take the perfective participle of the main verb (e.g., 'kiya').
- Add the appropriate form of 'jana' (to go) to match the subject.
- The subject of the passive sentence is the object of the active sentence.
Overview
The Hindi passive voice, particularly the construction using a verb's perfective participle followed by conjugated जाना (जाना literally meaning 'to go'), allows you to shift the focus of a sentence from the agent (the one performing the action) to the action itself or the recipient of the action. This grammatical structure detransitivizes the verb, making the direct object of an active sentence the subject of the passive one. It is a fundamental tool for expressing actions where the doer is unknown, unimportant, or intentionally omitted, mirroring similar structures in English such as "The letter was written." You'll find this construction prevalent in formal announcements, scientific explanations, and situations where politeness or an impersonal tone is desired.
Mastery of this passive voice is crucial for achieving B1 proficiency, enabling you to understand nuanced communication and express concepts more indirectly.
Conjugation Table
Perfective Participle + जाना Form (Masculine Singular) |
Perfective Participle + जाना Form (Feminine Singular) |
Perfective Participle + जाना Form (Masculine Plural) |
Perfective Participle + जाना Form (Feminine Plural) |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| :--------------------------------------------------------- | :-------------------------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------------ | ||
| Present Indefinite | |||||
लिखा जाता है (likhaa jaataa hai) |
लिखी जाती है (likhii jaatii hai) |
लिखे जाते हैं (likhe jaate hain) |
लिखी जाती हैं (likhii jaatii hain) |
||
| Present Continuous | |||||
लिखा जा रहा है (likhaa jaa rahaa hai) |
लिखी जा रही है (likhii jaa rahii hai) |
लिखे जा रहे हैं (likhe jaa rahe hain) |
लिखी जा रही हैं (likhii jaa rahii hain) |
||
| Past Indefinite | |||||
लिखा गया (likhaa gayaa) |
लिखी गई (likhii ga.ii) |
लिखे गए (likhe ga.e) |
लिखी गईं (likhii ga.iin) |
||
| Past Continuous | |||||
लिखा जा रहा था (likhaa jaa rahaa thaa) |
लिखी जा रही थी (likhii jaa rahii thii) |
लिखे जा रहे थे (likhe jaa rahe the) |
लिखी जा रही थीं (likhii jaa rahii thiin) |
||
| Future Indefinite | |||||
लिखा जाएगा (likhaa jaaegaa) |
लिखी जाएगी (likhii jaaegii) |
लिखे जाएँगे (likhe jaaenge) |
लिखी जाएँगी (likhii jaaengii) |
How This Grammar Works
जाना loses its literal meaning of 'to go' and instead functions as a grammatical marker for the passive voice.जाना here as the grammatical engine that carries the passive meaning, conjugating for tense, aspect, and mood, and crucially, for gender and number agreement with the new subject of the sentence.राहुल ने चिट्ठी लिखी (Rahul ne chiṭṭhii likhii - Rahul wrote the letter). Here, राहुल is the agent and चिट्ठी (letter, feminine singular) is the object. When you convert this to passive, चिट्ठी becomes the subject: चिट्ठी लिखी गई (chiṭṭhii likhii ga.ii - The letter was written).लिखी (the perfective participle of लिखना (to write)) and गई (the past indefinite form of जाना agreeing with a feminine singular subject) both reflect the gender and number of चिट्ठी. This agreement is non-negotiable and differentiates the passive voice from other constructions. The agent, if mentioned, typically follows से (se) or के द्वारा (ke dvaara).चिट्ठी राहुल के द्वारा लिखी गई (chiṭṭhii raahul ke dvaaraa likhii ga.ii - The letter was written by Rahul).Formation Pattern
जाना involves a precise two-step process that you must follow consistently. This pattern ensures correct grammatical structure and meaning. The primary active verb is converted into its perfective participle form, which then remains invariant in terms of its root but changes its ending to agree with the gender and number of the new grammatical subject. Following this, the auxiliary verb जाना is added and fully conjugated to reflect the sentence's tense, aspect, and mood, also agreeing in gender and number with the new subject. The agreement with the new subject (the object of the original active sentence) is the most critical aspect to remember.
पढ़ना (to read), बनाना (to make), खाना (to eat)).
-ना (-naa) ending and adding appropriate agreement endings. For masculine singular subjects, use -आ (-aa). For feminine singular subjects, use -ई (-ii). For masculine plural or honorific subjects, use -ए (-e). For feminine plural subjects, use -ईं (-iin). For example, पढ़ना becomes पढ़ा, पढ़ी, पढ़े, पढ़ीं respectively. खाना becomes खाया, खाई, खाए, खाईं.
जाना: Place the conjugated form of जाना directly after the perfective participle. This जाना will be conjugated to match the tense of the sentence and the gender and number of the new subject (the original object). For instance, if the new subject is किताब (kitaab - book, feminine singular) and the tense is past indefinite, you would use पढ़ी गई (paṛhii ga.ii).
पुलिस चोर को पकड़ती है (Pulis chor ko pakaṛtii hai - The police catch the thief).
चोर (chor - thief, masculine singular).
पकड़ना (to catch) for masculine singular: पकड़ा (pakaṛaa).
जाना conjugated for present indefinite, masculine singular: जाता है (jaataa hai).
चोर पकड़ा जाता है (Chor pakaṛaa jaataa hai - The thief is caught).
उन्होंने मिठाइयाँ बनाईं (Unhone miṭhaaiyaan banaa.iin - They made sweets).
मिठाइयाँ (miṭhaaiyaan - sweets, feminine plural).
बनाना (to make) for feminine plural: बनाईं (banaa.iin).
जाना conjugated for past indefinite, feminine plural: गईं (ga.iin).
मिठाइयाँ बनाईं गईं (Miṭhaaiyaan banaa.iin ga.iin - The sweets were made).
When To Use It
V-stem + आ/ई/ए + जाना) serves various critical communicative functions beyond simply transforming active sentences. It enables you to communicate effectively when the agent is unknown, irrelevant, or when an impersonal, formal, or objective tone is required. Understanding these contexts is key to using the passive voice naturally and appropriately.- Unknown or Unimportant Agent: This is the most common reason. When you don't know who performed an action, or when the identity of the agent adds no value to the information conveyed, the passive voice is ideal. For instance,
घर साफ़ किया गया(Ghar saaf kiyaa gayaa- The house was cleaned). Here, who cleaned the house is less important than the fact that it is clean. - Formal and Impersonal Communication: In official announcements, reports, news headlines, or scientific texts, the passive voice lends an air of objectivity and formality. It emphasizes the event or outcome rather than attributing it to a specific person. You will frequently encounter it in public notices, such as
गाड़ी यहाँ रोकी जाएगी(Gaaṛii yahaan rokii jaaegii- The train will be stopped here), making the statement an impersonal directive rather than an instruction to a specific individual. - Avoiding Blame or Responsibility: Sometimes, the passive voice is used strategically to distance the speaker from an action, especially if the outcome is negative or undesirable. For example, rather than
मैंने गलती की(Maine galtii kii- I made a mistake), one might sayगलती हो गई(Galtii ho ga.ii- A mistake was made) or more formally,गलती की गई(Galtii kii ga.ii- The mistake was made), subtly shifting responsibility. - Expressing Inability (The
सेPassive): A particularly common and important usage, especially in spoken Hindi, is to convey a lack of ability or capacity to perform an action. This construction always usesसे(se) with the agent, followed by the perfective participle of the verb andजानाin the negative. For example,मुझसे अब चला नहीं जाता(Mujhse ab chalaa nahiin jaataa- I cannot walk anymore / It is not walked by me now). This expresses a physical or emotional inability, often indicating fatigue or weakness. Similarly,बच्चों से शोर नहीं सहा जाता(BacchoN se shor nahiin sahaa jaataa- The children cannot tolerate noise), implying the noise is too much for them. - Describing General Truths or Processes: When stating facts or processes that are universally true or regularly occur, the passive voice can be employed.
पानी सौ डिग्री सेल्सियस पर उबाला जाता है(Paanii sau ḍigrii selsiyas par ubaalaa jaataa hai- Water is boiled at 100 degrees Celsius). This emphasizes the characteristic of water rather than who boils it.
Common Mistakes
जाना. Being aware of these common errors and understanding why they occur will help you avoid them and refine your usage.- Incorrect Agreement: The most frequent mistake is failing to make the perfective participle and the auxiliary
जानाagree with the new grammatical subject (the object of the original active sentence) in gender and number. Beginners often incorrectly try to make them agree with the agent (theने-marked subject of the active sentence). Remember: inचिट्ठी लिखी गई(chiṭṭhii likhii ga.ii- The letter was written), bothलिखीandगईagree withचिट्ठी(feminine singular), regardless of who wrote it. If you are male and write a letter, sayingमैंने चिट्ठी लिखी(Maine chiṭṭhii likhii) is correct actively. But passively,चिट्ठी लिखी गईmust use feminine forms, asचिट्ठीis feminine. This requires a mental shift from agent-centric to object-centric agreement. - Confusing Passive
जानाwith Literalजाना:जानाtypically means 'to go.' In the passive construction, it functions purely as an auxiliary. Do not interpret it literally. For example,किताब पढ़ी गई(Kitaab paṛhii ga.ii- The book was read) does not mean "The book went read." This distinction is crucial. If you sayमैं स्कूल गया(MaiN skuul gayaa), it means "I went to school." If you intend a passive meaning, you must have the perfective participle precedingजाना. - Omitting the Perfective Participle: You cannot form the passive by simply attaching
जानाto the infinitive or stem of the verb.लिखना जाता हैis grammatically incorrect. It must beलिखा जाता है(likhaa jaataa hai), using the perfective participle. The perfective participle signals the completed nature of the action that is then acted upon by the passive auxiliaryजाना. - Overuse of Agent (
से/के द्वारा): Whileसेorके द्वाराcan introduce the agent in passive sentences, their overuse sounds unnatural and overly formal in many contexts. Hindi speakers prefer to omit the agent when it's obvious, unimportant, or unknown.खाने में नमक डाला गया(Khaane men namak ḍaalaa gayaa- Salt was added to the food) is more common and natural thanमेरे द्वारा खाने में नमक डाला गया(Mere dvaaraa khaane men namak ḍaalaa gayaa- Salt was added to the food by me) unless specific emphasis on the agent is required. - Applying Passive to Intransitive Verbs: The
V-stem + आ/ई/ए + जानाpassive construction primarily applies to transitive verbs (verbs that take a direct object). Intransitive verbs (verbs that do not take a direct object, likeसोना(to sleep) orचलना(to walk)) generally cannot be made passive in this manner, as there is no object to promote to subject. However, theसेpassive for inability (मुझसे चला नहीं जाता) is an exception for some intransitive verbs, where the inability to perform the action is highlighted.
Contrast With Similar Patterns
V-stem + आ/ई/ए + जाना passive voice from other seemingly similar or related grammatical constructions in Hindi. Misinterpreting these can lead to confusion and incorrect sentence formation. The key lies in understanding the subtle semantic differences and grammatical roles of the auxiliary verbs involved.- Passive Voice (
V-stem + आ/ई/ए + जाना) vs. Involuntary Action (हो जाना/V-stem + आ/ई/ए + हो जाना): The passive voice, as discussed, implies an action performed by an agent (even if unstated) upon an object, focusing on the action's result. For example,दरवाज़ा खोला गया(Darvaazaa kholaa gayaa- The door was opened) implies someone opened it. In contrast,हो जाना(to happen, to become) orV-stem + आ/ई/ए + हो जानाoften denotes an action that occurred spontaneously or accidentally, without a discernible agent.दरवाज़ा खुल गया(Darvaazaa khul gayaa- The door opened / The door got opened) suggests the door opened on its own accord, perhaps due to wind or a faulty latch, without explicit human agency. Whileकिया गयाemphasizes the completion of an action,हो गयाemphasizes the occurrence or outcome.
- Passive Voice vs. Compound Verbs: Hindi features many compound verbs formed by a main verb stem plus an auxiliary verb (e.g.,
कर लेना,खा जाना,पढ़ देना). These auxiliaries add nuances of completion, intensity, or benefit. For example,किताब पढ़ ली(Kitaab paṛh lii- (I) read the book completely) usesलेनाto indicate completion or benefit to the agent. This is distinctly different from the passiveकिताब पढ़ी गई(Kitaab paṛhii ga.ii- The book was read), whereजानाmarks the passive voice and shifts focus. Do not confuseजानाas a passive marker withजानाas a component of compound verbs likeखा जाना(to eat up completely), where it still retains some sense of 'going away' or 'completing' the action.
- Passive Voice vs. Permissive (
V-stem + ने देना): The permissive constructionV-stem + ने देना(to let/allow to V) focuses on permission.मुझे जाने दो(Mujhe jaane do- Let me go). This is structurally and semantically distinct from any passive usage ofजाना, as it involves active permission rather than agentless action. The agent is explicitly present and giving permission.
- Passive Voice vs. Agentive with
को(V-stem + ना पड़ता है): Sometimes a sense of obligation or necessity is expressed withकोand an infinitive verb followed byपड़ना. For instance,मुझे जाना पड़ता है(Mujhe jaanaa paṛtaa hai- I have to go). This highlights the compulsion on the agent (मुझे), whereas the passive voice removes or de-emphasizes the agent.
जाना in the passive context is unique in its function to detransitivize a verb.Real Conversations
The V-stem + आ/ई/ए + जाना passive voice is not confined to formal texts; it's a vital part of everyday Hindi, appearing in various registers from casual texts to semi-formal work emails. Its usage often reflects a desire for conciseness, politeness, or a focus on the event itself, rather than the person responsible. Observing these contemporary applications can enhance your grasp of its practical utility.
- Texting and Messaging: In quick digital communication, the passive voice often streamlines messages, especially for updates or confirmations. For instance, instead of मैंने मैसेज भेज दिया है (Maine message bhej diyaa hai - I have sent the message), a common text might be मैसेज भेजा गया (Message bhejaa gayaa - The message was sent) or मैसेज मिल गया (Message mil gayaa - Message received/found). This succinctly conveys the status without emphasizing the sender or receiver unnecessarily. Similarly, to report an accidental deletion, फ़ोटो डिलीट हो गई (Photo delete ho ga.ii - The photo got deleted) is very common, allowing for ambiguity about who exactly deleted it.
- Social Media: On platforms like Instagram or Twitter, passive constructions can create an impersonal or general statement, often used in captions or updates. If someone posts about an event, they might caption it बहुत मज़ा किया गया (Bahut mazaa kiyaa gayaa - A lot of fun was had), focusing on the collective experience rather than who specifically organized the fun. For official accounts or public service announcements, यह सूचना दी जाती है (Yah suucanaa dii jaatii hai - This information is being given) maintains a formal and detached tone.
- Workplace Communication (Emails/Meetings): In a professional context, the passive voice can be used to present information objectively or to soften requests. For example, in an email, rather than आपको यह काम करना होगा (Aapko yah kaam karnaa hogaa - You will have to do this work), a more polite or formal phrasing might be यह काम कल तक किया जाना चाहिए (Yah kaam kal tak kiyaa jaanaa caahiye - This work should be done by tomorrow). This removes the direct instruction, making it sound more like a standard procedure or expectation. Similarly, फाइल भेज दी गई है (File bhej dii ga.ii hai - The file has been sent) is a standard confirmation.
- Polite Requests/Suggestions: The से passive (inability) can be used to express a polite refusal or an inability without directly stating मैं नहीं कर सकता (MaiN nahiin kar saktaa - I cannot do it), which can sound blunt. If you're too tired for another activity, saying मुझसे अब और नहीं खेला जाता (Mujhse ab aur nahiin khelaa jaataa - I can't play anymore / It is not played by me anymore) is a softer way to decline. This implies a physical or circumstantial limitation rather than a personal unwillingness.
These examples demonstrate how the passive voice is woven into the fabric of daily Hindi, serving practical communicative needs in both formal and informal registers. Its flexibility allows speakers to manage agency and focus, making communication more efficient and contextually appropriate.
Progressive Practice
To truly master the Hindi passive voice, you need to engage in progressive practice that moves beyond simple recognition to active production. Start with foundational exercises and gradually incorporate more complex scenarios. This approach will solidify your understanding and allow you to use this structure naturally in various contexts.
- Step 1: Active to Passive Transformation (Basic):
- Begin by taking simple active, transitive sentences and converting them into their passive counterparts. Focus intently on the agreement of the perfective participle and जाना with the new subject.
- Example: मैंने चाय पी (Maine caay pii - I drank tea) -> चाय पी गई (Caay pii ga.ii - Tea was drunk).
- Create flashcards with active sentences on one side and the correct passive version on the other. Drill these daily until the agreement patterns become intuitive.
- Step 2: Focusing on Agent Omission:
- Practice forming passive sentences where the agent is deliberately omitted. Think about situations where the doer is irrelevant (e.g., news, general statements).
- Example: कोई ने दरवाज़ा खोला (Ko.ii ne darvaazaa kholaa - Someone opened the door) -> दरवाज़ा खोला गया (Darvaazaa kholaa gayaa - The door was opened).
- Write short narratives about events where specific agents are unknown or unimportant, using the passive voice consistently.
- Step 3: Integrating the से Passive for Inability:
- This is a crucial and idiomatic use. Practice expressing various inabilities using मुझसे, उससे, उनसे, etc., followed by the perfective participle of the intransitive verb and negative जाना.
- Example: मैं दौड़ नहीं सकता (MaiN dauṛ nahiin saktaa - I cannot run) -> मुझसे दौड़ा नहीं जाता (Mujhse dauṛaa nahiin jaataa - I am unable to run / It is not run by me).
- Keep a journal where you write down things you were unable to do during the day, using this passive construction. This connects the grammar to your personal experience.
- Step 4: Contextual Application (Role-Playing & Writing):
- Engage in role-playing scenarios that necessitate the passive voice (e.g., being a news reporter, giving an official announcement, making a polite suggestion at work).
- Write short emails, formal announcements, or social media posts, consciously choosing passive constructions where appropriate.
- Pay attention to native speakers' usage in movies, news, and daily conversations. Try to identify why they chose the passive voice in specific instances. This analytical step is vital for internalizing the 'why.'
- Step 5: Differentiating from Similar Constructions:
- Regularly review the
Passive Voice Formation
| Tense | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Past
|
Participle + gaya/gayi
|
Kaam kiya gaya
|
|
Present
|
Participle + jata hai
|
Kaam kiya jata hai
|
|
Future
|
Participle + jayega
|
Kaam kiya jayega
|
|
Continuous
|
Participle + ja raha hai
|
Kaam kiya ja raha hai
|
|
Perfect
|
Participle + gaya hai
|
Kaam kiya gaya hai
|
|
Modal
|
Participle + jana chahiye
|
Kaam kiya jana chahiye
|
Meanings
The passive voice is used when the agent (doer) is unknown, irrelevant, or when you want to emphasize the object receiving the action.
Agentless Action
Focusing on the result of an action without mentioning who performed it.
“खाना बनाया गया।”
“पत्र लिखा गया।”
Inability/Difficulty
Expressing that an action cannot be performed (often with 'se').
“मुझसे चला नहीं जाता।”
“उससे यह काम नहीं किया जाता।”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Obj + Verb(participle) + gaya
|
Patra likha gaya
|
|
Negative
|
Obj + nahi + Verb(participle) + gaya
|
Patra nahi likha gaya
|
|
Interrogative
|
Kya + Obj + Verb(participle) + gaya?
|
Kya patra likha gaya?
|
|
Future
|
Obj + Verb(participle) + jayega
|
Patra likha jayega
|
|
Present
|
Obj + Verb(participle) + jata hai
|
Patra likha jata hai
|
|
Ability
|
Subject(se) + Verb(participle) + jata
|
Mujhse likha nahi jata
|
Formality Spectrum
कार्य पूर्ण किया गया। (Work completion)
काम किया गया। (Work completion)
काम हो गया। (Work completion)
काम निपट गया। (Work completion)
Passive Voice Components
Auxiliary
- जाना to go
Verb Form
- भूतकाल कृदंत Past Participle
Focus
- कर्म Object
Examples by Level
काम किया गया।
The work was done.
खाना खाया गया।
The food was eaten.
पानी पिया गया।
The water was drunk.
किताब पढ़ी गई।
The book was read.
क्या पत्र भेजा गया?
Was the letter sent?
यह काम नहीं किया गया।
This work was not done.
क्या फिल्म देखी गई?
Was the movie watched?
सफाई नहीं की गई।
The cleaning was not done.
मुझसे यह नहीं सहा जाता।
I cannot bear this.
यहाँ हिंदी बोली जाती है।
Hindi is spoken here.
कल बैठक आयोजित की जाएगी।
The meeting will be organized tomorrow.
क्या आपसे यह काम हो पाएगा?
Will you be able to do this work?
इस समस्या पर विचार किया जाना चाहिए।
This problem should be considered.
उसे सभा में आमंत्रित किया गया था।
He was invited to the meeting.
नियमों का पालन किया जाना अनिवार्य है।
Following the rules is mandatory.
यह निर्णय जनता द्वारा लिया गया।
This decision was taken by the public.
ऐतिहासिक इमारतों का संरक्षण किया जाना अत्यंत आवश्यक है।
The conservation of historical buildings is extremely necessary.
प्रस्ताव को सर्वसम्मति से स्वीकार कर लिया गया।
The proposal was accepted unanimously.
उसे उसके पद से हटा दिया गया।
He was removed from his position.
इस विषय पर शोध किया जा रहा है।
Research is being conducted on this topic.
साहित्यिक कृतियों का विश्लेषण करते समय निष्पक्षता बरती जानी चाहिए।
Objectivity should be maintained while analyzing literary works.
अतीत की गलतियों को दोहराया न जाए, यह सुनिश्चित किया जाना चाहिए।
It should be ensured that mistakes of the past are not repeated.
उसकी बातों को गंभीरता से लिया गया।
His words were taken seriously.
परंपराओं का निर्वहन पीढ़ियों से किया जाता रहा है।
Traditions have been carried out for generations.
Easily Confused
Learners confuse 'Kaam ho gaya' (The work happened) with 'Kaam kiya gaya' (The work was done).
Learners try to use 'ne' in passive sentences.
Confusing passive with reflexive actions.
Common Mistakes
Maine kaam kiya gaya.
Kaam kiya gaya.
Kaam kiya hai.
Kaam kiya gaya hai.
Kaam ki gayi.
Kaam kiya gaya.
Kaam gaya kiya.
Kaam kiya gaya.
Kaam nahi kiya.
Kaam nahi kiya gaya.
Kya kaam kiya?
Kya kaam kiya gaya?
Kaam kiya jata.
Kaam kiya gaya.
Mujhe kaam kiya gaya.
Mujhse kaam kiya gaya.
Kaam kiya jana hai.
Kaam kiya jana chahiye.
Kaam ho gaya.
Kaam kiya gaya.
Kaam kiya gaya tha.
Kaam kiya gaya.
Kaam kiya ja raha tha.
Kaam kiya ja raha hai.
Kaam kiya jana padega.
Kaam kiya jana hai.
Sentence Patterns
___ (Object) ___ (Verb) gaya.
Kya ___ (Object) ___ (Verb) gaya?
___ (Object) ___ (Verb) jana chahiye.
Mujhse ___ (Verb) nahi jata.
Real World Usage
दोषियों को गिरफ्तार किया गया।
मुझे इस पद के लिए चुना गया।
फोटो पोस्ट की गई।
ऑर्डर तैयार किया जा रहा है।
टिकट बुक किया गया है।
मैसेज भेजा गया।
Object is King
Don't 'Go' to the Passive
The Excuse Maker
Smart Tips
Use passive voice to sound objective.
Use passive to avoid guessing.
Passive is perfect for step-by-step guides.
Use 'se' + passive for inability.
Pronunciation
Jana
The 'j' is soft, like 'jump'. The 'a' is long.
Statement
Kaam kiya gaya ↘
Falling intonation for finality.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Jana' as a taxi that takes the action to the object.
Visual Association
Imagine a letter floating in the air with no one holding it—it's just 'being written' by the wind.
Rhyme
When the doer is out of sight, use 'jana' to make it right.
Story
The king ordered a feast. The food was cooked (khana banaya gaya). The guests were invited (mehman bulaye gaye). The music was played (sangeet bajaya gaya). The king never touched a pan!
Word Web
Challenge
Write 5 sentences about your day using only passive voice.
Cultural Notes
Passive voice is preferred in official documents to sound neutral.
People often use 'ho gaya' instead of passive to sound more natural.
Passive is standard for reporting events.
The passive construction in Hindi evolved from Sanskrit roots combined with the auxiliary 'ya' (to go).
Conversation Starters
क्या आज का काम पूरा किया गया?
क्या आपको लगता है कि नियम बदले जाने चाहिए?
क्या यहाँ हिंदी बोली जाती है?
क्या कल की बैठक आयोजित की गई थी?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
काम ___ (karna) गया।
Find and fix the mistake:
Maine kaam kiya gaya.
Which is correct?
Ram ne kitab padhi.
Passive voice uses 'ne'.
A: Kya kaam hua? B: Haan, kaam ___.
gaya / kaam / kiya
Kaam ___ (karna) jayega.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesकाम ___ (karna) गया।
Find and fix the mistake:
Maine kaam kiya gaya.
Which is correct?
Ram ne kitab padhi.
Passive voice uses 'ne'.
A: Kya kaam hua? B: Haan, kaam ___.
gaya / kaam / kiya
Kaam ___ (karna) jayega.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesकल छुट्टी ___ । (Holiday will be announced)
रहा / काम / है / किया / जा
The letter was written by Rahul.
दरवाज़ा खोला गया। (The door was opened)
Match the following:
Select the inability expression:
सड़क ___ । (The road is being built)
Tea is made.
किताब पढ़ा गया।
जाएगा / सब / बताया / कुछ
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
The 'ne' marker is only for active transitive verbs in the past tense. Passive voice changes the focus to the object, so the agent marker is dropped.
Yes, use 'kiya jata hai' for habitual passive actions.
No, it's actually considered more polite and objective in formal settings.
It depends on the gender of the object. 'Kitab' is feminine, so 'gayi'. 'Kaam' is masculine, so 'gaya'.
You can, but it sounds unnatural if used too much. Use it only when the agent is unknown or irrelevant.
'Hua' means 'happened' (intransitive), while 'gaya' is the auxiliary for passive (transitive).
It's used, but less than in formal writing. People prefer active voice for clarity.
Because it uses the verb 'jana' (to go) as the auxiliary marker.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Se + verb
Hindi uses a full auxiliary verb, Spanish uses a reflexive pronoun.
Être + participe passé
French uses 'être', Hindi uses 'jana'.
Werden + Partizip II
German has complex case endings, Hindi uses postpositions.
Verb-reru/rareru
Hindi uses a separate auxiliary word, Japanese uses a verb suffix.
Internal vowel change
Hindi is analytic (uses extra words), Arabic is synthetic (changes the word itself).
Bei (被)
Hindi uses an auxiliary verb, Chinese uses a preposition-like particle.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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