Getting Things Done: Second Causative Verbs (-vana)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use the -vana suffix to indicate that you are having someone else perform an action through a third party.
- Add -vana to the root of a transitive verb (e.g., karna -> karvana -> karvana).
- Use this when you are not the direct cause, but the organizer of the action.
- The person being asked to do the task is marked with 'se' (by/from).
Overview
The Second Causative verb form in Hindi, characterized by the suffix -vānā (-वाना), is a critical grammatical structure at the B1 level. It expresses that the grammatical subject causes an action to be performed by someone else, without directly participating in the action itself. Instead, the subject is the initiator or orchestrator of the task, delegating, hiring, requesting, or instructing another agent to carry it out.
This contrasts sharply with performing an action yourself (direct verb) or directly making someone do something (first causative verb).
Consider the fundamental difference: you are not the one holding the tools or performing the physical labor. You are the one who ensures the task gets completed, often by paying for a service, assigning a duty, or making a polite request. For example, main gāṛī ṭhīk karvātā hū̃ (मैं गाड़ी ठीक करवाता हूँ - I get the car repaired) implies you paid a mechanic, while main gāṛī ṭhīk kartā hū̃ (मैं गाड़ी ठीक करता हूँ - I repair the car) means you did it yourself.
Mastering the second causative is essential for navigating daily interactions involving services, delegation, and indirect influence in Hindi-speaking environments.
Conjugation Table
| Direct Verb (Root) | Meaning | First Causative (Root) | Meaning | Second Causative (Root) | Meaning | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| :------------------- | :----------- | :----------------------- | :----------------- | :------------------------ | :-------------------- | ||
karnā (करना) |
to do | karānā (कराना) |
to make do, to get done | karvānā (करवाना) |
to get something done, to cause to be done | ||
paṛhnā (पढ़ना) |
to read | paṛhānā (पढ़ाना) |
to teach | paṛhvānā (पढ़वाना) |
to get taught, to cause to be read/taught | ||
sunnā (सुनना) |
to hear | sunānā (सुनाना) |
to tell, to recite | sunvānā (सुनवाना) |
to cause to be heard, to announce | ||
khānā (खाना) |
to eat | khilānā (खिलाना) |
to feed | khilvānā (खिलवाना) |
to cause to be fed, to get someone to feed | ||
| Tense/Aspect | Male Singular | Female Singular | Male Plural | Female Plural | |||
| :------------------ | :-------------------- | :-------------------- | :-------------------- | :-------------------- | |||
| Simple Present | karvātā hū̃ (करवाता हूँ) |
karvātī hū̃ (करवाती हूँ) |
karvāte haĩ (करवाते हैं) |
karvātī haĩ (करवाती हैं) |
|||
| Simple Past | karvāyā (करवाया) |
karvāyī (करवाई) |
karvāye (करवाए) |
karvāyī̃ (करवाईं) |
|||
| Simple Future | karvāū̃gā (करवाऊँगा) |
karvāū̃gī (करवाऊँगी) |
karvāẽge (करवाएँगे) |
karvāẽgī (करवाएँगी) |
|||
| Present Continuous | karvā rahā hū̃ (करवा रहा हूँ) |
karvā rahī hū̃ (करवा रही हूँ) |
karvā rahe haĩ (करवा रहे हैं) |
karvā rahī haĩ (करवा रही हैं) |
How This Grammar Works
- 1Direct Action: The subject directly performs the action.
bacce ne khānā khāyā(बच्चे ने खाना खाया - The child ate food). Here, the child is the sole agent and performer. - 2First Causative: The subject makes or helps another agent perform the action.
mā̃ ne bacce ko khānā khilāyā(माँ ने बच्चे को खाना खिलाया - Mom fed the child). Mom is directly involved in the act of feeding. - 3Second Causative: The subject gets or causes another agent to perform the action.
mā̃ ne naukrānī se bacce ko khānā khilvāyā(माँ ने नौकरानी से बच्चे को खाना खिलवाया - Mom got the maid to feed the child). Mom initiates, the maid performs, and the child is the beneficiary. Mom's involvement is purely supervisory or delegated.
se (से - by, through). For example, in main ne ḍrāvāīvar se gāṛī calvāyī (मैंने ड्राईवर से गाड़ी चलवाई - I got the driver to drive the car), ḍrāvāīvar (ड्राईवर) is the agent doing the driving, and se clarifies their role.se phrase can be omitted, as in main ne gāṛī ṭhīk karvāyī (मैंने गाड़ी ठीक करवाई - I got the car repaired). This happens frequently in everyday conversation, where the context often implies a professional service provider.Formation Pattern
-nā, -na). Remove this ending to obtain the root. For example, from dekhnā (देखना - to see), the root is dekh (देख).
ā (आ) becomes short a (अ):
jāgnā (जागना - to wake up) → Root: jāg (जाग) → jag (जग)
jagānā (जगाना) and jagvānā (जगवाना).
ī (ई) or e (ए) becomes short i (इ):
sīkhnā (सीखना - to learn) → Root: sīkh (सीख) → sikh (सिख)
sikhānā (सिखाना) and sikhvānā (सिखवाना).
lenā (लेना - to take) → Root: le (ले) → li (लि) (This is an irregular case for first causative lilānā (दिलाना), then lilvānā (दिलाना), though denā's pattern is more common).
ū (ऊ) or o (ओ) becomes short u (उ):
ghūmnā (घूमना - to roam) → Root: ghūm (घूम) → ghum (घुम)
ghumānā (घुमाना) and ghumvānā (घुमवाना).
dhonā (धोना - to wash) → Root: dho (धो) → dhu (धु)
dhulānā (धुलाना) and dhulvānā (धुलवाना).
-वा): Attach this suffix directly to the vowel-shortened root.
jag (जग) → jagvā (जगवा)
sikh (सिख) → sikhvā (सिखवा)
ghum (घुम) → ghumvā (घुमवा)
-vā stem. For example, for the simple present tense, masculine singular, you would add -tā hū̃ (-ता हूँ).
jagvā (जगवा) + tā hū̃ (ता हूँ) → jagvātā hū̃ (जगवाता हूँ - I cause to be woken up)
sikhvā (सिखवा) + tā hū̃ (ता हूँ) → sikhvātā hū̃ (सिखवाता हूँ - I get someone taught)
ghumvā (घुमवा) + tī hū̃ (ती हूँ) → ghumvātī hū̃ (घुमवाती हूँ - I get someone roamed/taken for a walk (female))
denā (देना - to give) transforming to dilānā (दिलाना - to cause to give) for the first causative, and dilvānā (दिलवाना - to cause to be given) for the second causative. Similarly, karnā (करना - to do) becomes karānā (कराना - to make do) and karvānā (करवाना - to get done).
When To Use It
- 1Hiring Services or Professionals: This is perhaps the most common application. When you pay someone to perform a task for you, the second causative is essential.
main ne apane bāl kaṭvāe(मैंने अपने बाल कटवाए - I got my hair cut (by a hairdresser)).āj-kal ham gāṛī ghar par dhulvāte haĩ(आज-कल हम गाड़ी घर पर धुलवाते हैं - Nowadays, we get the car washed at home (by someone)).us ne pūrā ghar rangvāyā(उसने पूरा घर रंगवाया - He got the entire house painted (by painters)).
- 1Delegating Tasks to Subordinates or Employees: In professional or household contexts, when you instruct someone under your authority to do something.
maine apane karmacārī se riporṭ likhvāyī(मैंने अपने कर्मचारी से रिपोर्ट लिखवाई - I got my employee to write the report).mā̃ naukrānī se kapṛe dhulvātī haĩ(माँ नौकरानी से कपड़े धुलवाती हैं - Mom gets the maid to wash the clothes).
- 1Making Requests or Giving Instructions (Indirectly): When you ask or tell someone to ensure an action happens, even if they aren't doing it themselves, but are managing its completion.
kr̥pyā mujhse yeh phāīl parastut karvāẽ(कृपया मुझसे यह फ़ाइल प्रस्तुत करवाएँ - Please have me present this file (i.e., cause me to present it)).us ne mujhe patr likhvāyā(उसने मुझे पत्र लिखवाया - He got me to write the letter).
- 1Social Media and Photography: A very common modern usage is for getting photos taken.
main ne apane dost se tasvīr khichvāyī(मैंने अपने दोस्त से तस्वीर खिंचवाई - I got my friend to click a picture (of me)).hamen apanī shaadī ke lie ek peshevar se photoshoot karvānā hai(हमें अपनी शादी के लिए एक पेशेवर से फोटोशूट करवाना है - We need to get a photoshoot done by a professional for our wedding).
Common Mistakes
- 1Ignoring Vowel Shortening/Change: This is the most pervasive error. Beginners often forget to shorten the long vowel in the verb root before adding
-vā. Forgetting this fundamentally alters the word or makes it non-idiomatic.
- Incorrect:
sīkhvānā(सीखवाना) for 'to get taught'. - Correct:
sikhvānā(सिखवाना). - Why it's wrong: The long vowel signals the direct or first causative form. The shortening is a morphological marker for the second causative, and its absence indicates a lack of understanding of the causative system.
- Incorrect:
dekhvānā(देखवाना) for 'to cause to be seen'. - Correct:
dikhvānā(दिखवाना).
- 1Confusing First and Second Causative: While related, the first (
-ānā) and second (-vānā) causatives have distinct semantic nuances. Using one when the other is appropriate is a common error.
- Example 1: You are teaching a child.
main bacce ko paṛhātā hū̃(मैं बच्चे को पढ़ाता हूँ - I teach the child) - Correct First Causative. You are directly performing the action of teaching.main bacce ko paṛhvātā hū̃(मैं बच्चे को पढ़वाता हूँ) - Incorrect here. This would mean 'I get someone else to teach the child'.- Example 2: You want your clothes washed.
main apane kapṛe dhulātā hū̃(मैं अपने कपड़े धुलाता हूँ - I wash my clothes (myself or I am making someone wash them directly)). This implies a more direct involvement.main apane kapṛe dhulvātā hū̃(मैं अपने कपड़े धुलवाता हूँ - I get my clothes washed (by a laundromat or a maid)). This is the correct Second Causative for delegation.- Why it's wrong: It misrepresents the degree of your direct involvement. The second causative emphasizes delegation, while the first suggests active participation in causing the action.
- 1Incorrect or Missing Use of
se(से): When the agent performing the delegated action is explicitly mentioned,seis almost always required to mark them.
- Incorrect:
main ne us kām karvāyā(मैंने उस काम करवाया) - sounds like 'I caused him (to be) done' or is grammatically awkward. - Correct:
main ne us se kām karvāyā(मैंने उस से काम करवाया - I got him to do the work / I got the work done by him). - Why it's wrong: Without
se, the sentence becomes ambiguous or grammatically unsound. It's crucial for clearly identifying the actual performer of the action.
- 1Applying Causatives to Inappropriate Verbs: Not all verbs logically form causatives, especially many intransitive verbs where there's no clear object or direct action to be caused.
ānā(आना - to come) does not typically formānavānā(आनावाना) orānvānā(आनवाना).- While you can make someone
come(bulānā- बुलाना), you cannot 'cause to be come' in the same delegated sense. - Why it's wrong: The meaning becomes nonsensical or the verb simply doesn't exist in that form. Causatives primarily work with verbs where an action can be physically or conceptually delegated.
Contrast With Similar Patterns
main paṛhtā hū̃ (मैं पढ़ता हूँ) | I read. |-ānā / -lānā suffix | Makes/Helps another do it (direct involvement) | main bacce ko paṛhātā hū̃ (मैं बच्चे को पढ़ाता हूँ) | I teach the child (I make the child read). |-vānā suffix | Gets/Causes another to do it (delegated) | main mahetar se bacce ko paṛhvātā hū̃ (मैं महतर से बच्चे को पढ़वाता हूँ) | I get the tutor to teach the child. |dekhnā(देखना - to see/watch):- Direct:
main film dekhtā hū̃(मैं फ़िल्म देखता हूँ - I watch a movie). - First Causative (
dikhānā- दिखाना - to show):main usko film dikhātā hū̃(मैं उसको फ़िल्म दिखाता हूँ - I show him the movie / I make him watch the movie). - Second Causative (
dikhvānā- दिखवाना - to cause to be shown):main apne assistant se usko film dikhvātā hū̃(मैं अपने असिस्टेंट से उसको फ़िल्म दिखवाता हूँ - I get my assistant to show him the movie).
karnā(करना - to do):- Direct:
main kām kartā hū̃(मैं काम करता हूँ - I do the work). - First Causative (
karānā- कराना - to make do):mā̃ bacce se kām karātī haĩ(माँ बच्चे से काम कराती हैं - Mom makes the child do the work). - Second Causative (
karvānā- करवाना - to get done):main mahetar se kām karvātā hū̃(मैं महतर से काम करवाता हूँ - I get the tutor to do the work).
denā(देना - to give): This is a notably irregular verb in its causative forms.- Direct:
main paise detā hū̃(मैं पैसे देता हूँ - I give money). - First Causative (
dilānā- दिलाना - to cause to give / get for someone):main usko paise dilātā hū̃(मैं उसको पैसे दिलाता हूँ - I make him give money / I get him money). - Second Causative (
dilvānā- दिलवाना - to cause to be given / get something given):main manager se usko paise dilvātā hū̃(मैं मैनेजर से उसको पैसे दिलवाता हूँ - I get the manager to give him money).
ke dvārā (के द्वारा). In a second causative sentence, the subject is still the active causer, the one initiating the action, even if another agent performs it.Real Conversations
Second causative verbs are pervasive in everyday Hindi, reflecting the common need to delegate or request services. Here’s how they appear in contemporary usage, from casual chats to more formal requests.
1. Casual Conversation (Texting/Friends):
- Scenario: Discussing house chores.
- A: yār, merī gāṛī bahut gandi hai. kal dhulvānī hai. (यार, मेरी गाड़ी बहुत गंदी है। कल धुलवानी है। - Dude, my car is very dirty. Need to get it washed tomorrow.)
- B: kisse dhulvāegā? (किससे धुलवाएगा? - By whom will you get it washed?)
- A: jo hameshā dhulvātā hū̃, vahī āegā. (जो हमेशा धुलवाता हूँ, वही आएगा। - The one I always get it washed by, he will come.)
- Scenario: Getting a photo clicked.
- A: chal, ek tasvīr khichvāte haĩ! (चल, एक तस्वीर खिंचवाते हैं! - Come on, let's get a picture clicked!)
- B: kis se? (किस से? - By whom?)
- A: us laṛke se bolte haĩ. (उस लड़के से बोलते हैं। - Let's tell that boy (to click it).)
2. Professional or Formal Context (Email/Work Discussion):
- Scenario: A manager assigning a task.
- main chātā hū̃ ki apko is riporṭ ko jaldee se banvānā hogā. (मैं चाहता हूँ कि आपको इस रिपोर्ट को जल्दी से बनवाना होगा। - I want you to get this report made quickly.)
- kṛpyā hamārī agalī baiṭhak agale hafte ke lie nirdhārit karvāẽ. (कृपया हमारी अगली बैठक अगले हफ़्ते के लिए निर्धारित करवाएँ। - Please get our next meeting scheduled for next week.)
- Scenario: Client discussing a project.
- hamen is vebasāiṭ kā dizāīn ek peshevar se banvānā hai. (हमें इस वेबसाइट का डिज़ाइन एक पेशेवर से बनवाना है। - We need to get the design of this website made by a professional.)
3. Social Media/Online Posts:
- mere dost ne merī yah tasvīr khichvāyī hai. kya apko pasand āyī? (मेरे दोस्त ने मेरी यह तस्वीर खिंचवाई है। क्या आपको पसंद आई? - My friend got this picture clicked of me. Do you like it?)
- mīṭhā khāne kā man kar rahā hai! ghar par gulāb jāmun banvātā hū̃. (मीठा खाने का मन कर रहा है! घर पर गुलाब जामुन बनवाता हूँ। - Feeling like eating sweets! I'm getting Gulab Jamun made at home.)
These examples demonstrate how speakers fluidly integrate the second causative to express delegated actions, whether in informal plans with friends or formal assignments at work. The context often clarifies who the unspoken agent (se phrase) is, making the language efficient and natural.
Progressive Practice
Mastering Hindi second causative verbs requires consistent, structured practice that builds from recognition to production. Here are some exercises to reinforce your understanding and usage.
1. Identify the Causative Level:
Read each sentence and determine if the verb is direct, first causative, or second causative. Explain your reasoning.
- main roj khet jātā hū̃. (मैं रोज़ खेत जाता हूँ। - I go to the field daily.)
- kisān belõ se hal calvātā hai. (किसान बैलों से हल चलवाता है। - The farmer gets the oxen to plough.)
- mā̃ bacce ko khānā khilātī haĩ. (माँ बच्चे को खाना खिलाती हैं। - Mom feeds the child.)
2. Convert the Verb Form:
Transform the given verb into its first and then its second causative form, paying close attention to vowel changes.
- sonā (सोना - to sleep) → First: sulānā (सुलाना), Second: sulvānā (सुलवाना)
- jītnā (जीतना - to win) → First: jitānā (जिताना), Second: jitvānā (जितवाना)
- pīnā (पीना - to drink) → First: pilānā (पिलाना), Second: pilvānā (पिलवाना)
3. Sentence Transformation (Direct to Causative):
Rewrite the direct action sentences using either the first or second causative, as appropriate, introducing an agent with se where necessary.
- main patr likhtā hū̃. (मैं पत्र लिखता हूँ। - I write a letter.)
- (First Causative) main bacce ko patr likhātā hū̃. (मैं बच्चे को पत्र लिखाता हूँ। - I make the child write a letter.)
- (Second Causative) main sekretarī se patr likhvātā hū̃. (मैं सेक्रेटरी से पत्र लिखवाता हूँ। - I get the secretary to write a letter.)
- vah gāṛī calātā hai. (वह गाड़ी चलाता है। - He drives the car.)
- (First Causative) vah mujhe gāṛī calātā hai. (वह मुझे गाड़ी चलाता है। - He makes me drive the car.)
- (Second Causative) vah ḍrāvāīvar se gāṛī calvātā hai. (वह ड्राईवर से गाड़ी चलवाता है। - He gets the driver to drive the car.)
4. Fill in the Blanks:
Complete the sentences with the correct second causative form of the verb in parentheses, ensuring proper agreement.
- main roj kapṛe _____. (dhonā - धोना) → main roj kapṛe dhulvātā hū̃. (मैं रोज़ कपड़े धुलवाता हूँ। - I get clothes washed daily.)
- usne apanī betī ko hindī _____. (sīkhnā - सीखना) → usne apanī betī ko hindī sikhvāyī. (उसने अपनी बेटी को हिंदी सिखवाई। - He got his daughter taught Hindi.)
- hamen is kamre ko _____. (rangnā - रंगना) → hamen is kamre ko rangvānā hai. (हमें इस कमरे को रंगवाना है। - We need to get this room painted.)
5. Scenario Practice:
Describe in Hindi how you would achieve the following, using a second causative verb.
- You want your smartphone repaired.
- You need someone to clean your apartment.
- You want a traditional Indian dress stitched for a wedding.
- You are hosting a party and need catering.
Focus on internalizing the vowel changes and the distinct meaning of delegation that the second causative conveys. Repetition and contextual usage are key.
Quick FAQ
sonā (सोना - to sleep) can form sulvānā (सुलवाना - to cause to be put to sleep), but honā (होना - to happen) cannot logically form hovānā).se (से) phrase always necessary to mention the agent?se is crucial when you explicitly want to name the agent performing the action, it is often omitted when the agent is either obvious from the context, unknown, or irrelevant to the speaker. For example, main ne apane bāl kaṭvāe (मैंने अपने बाल कटवाए - I got my hair cut) implies a hairdresser.First Causative + se and Second Causative + se?main ne bacce se kām karāyā (मैंने बच्चे से काम कराया - I made the child do the work) suggests direct supervision or instruction; you were actively involved in making the child do it. In contrast, main ne naukrānī se kām karvāyā (मैंने नौकरानी से काम करवाया - I got the work done by the maid) implies delegation, where you are the orchestrator but the maid is the primary actor, with less direct, moment-to-moment involvement from you.Second Causative Formation
| Root Verb | Meaning | Second Causative | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
|
kar
|
do
|
karvana
|
get done
|
|
likh
|
write
|
likhvana
|
get written
|
|
padh
|
read
|
padhvana
|
get read
|
|
ban
|
make
|
banvana
|
get made
|
|
kat
|
cut
|
katvana
|
get cut
|
|
sil
|
stitch
|
silvana
|
get stitched
|
Meanings
The second causative indicates indirect causation, where the subject arranges for an action to be performed by someone else.
Indirect Causation
Arranging for a service or task to be completed.
“मैंने घर पेंट करवाया (I had the house painted).”
“उसने पत्र लिखवाया (He had the letter written).”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Subj + Agent-se + Obj + V-vana
|
Maine darzi se kapde silvaye
|
|
Negative
|
Subj + Agent-se + Obj + nahi + V-vana
|
Maine darzi se kapde nahi silvaye
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Interrogative
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Kya + Subj + Agent-se + Obj + V-vana?
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Kya tumne darzi se kapde silvaye?
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Past
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V-vana (past tense)
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Maine karvaya
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Present
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V-vana (present tense)
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Main karvata hoon
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Future
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V-vana (future tense)
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Main karvaunga
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Formality Spectrum
Maine karya karvaya. (Work)
Maine kaam karvaya. (Work)
Maine kaam karva liya. (Work)
Kaam ho gaya. (Work)
Causative Hierarchy
Direct
- karna to do
Causative 1
- karana to make do
Causative 2
- karvana to get done
Examples by Level
Maine kaam karvaya.
I got the work done.
Usne ghar banvaya.
He had the house built.
Maine khana banvaya.
I had the food prepared.
Maine patra likhvaya.
I had the letter written.
Maine darzi se kapde silvaye.
I had the tailor stitch the clothes.
Kya tumne bal katvaye?
Did you get a haircut?
Maine gadi thik karvayi.
I had the car repaired.
Usne mujhse kaam karvaya.
He made me do the work.
Maine manager se file sign karvayi.
I had the manager sign the file.
Usne apne bete se sabzi mangvayi.
He had his son fetch the vegetables.
Maine doctor se check-up karvaya.
I had a check-up done by the doctor.
Kya tumne plumber se nal thik karvaya?
Did you have the plumber fix the tap?
Maine architect se naksha banvaya.
I had the architect draw the blueprint.
Usne lawyer se kagazat taiyar karvaye.
He had the lawyer prepare the documents.
Maine computer technician se software install karvaya.
I had the technician install the software.
Humne event planner se party organize karvayi.
We had the event planner organize the party.
Usne apne pratinidhi se sandesh bhijvaya.
He had the message sent through his representative.
Maine accountant se audit karvaya.
I had the accountant conduct the audit.
Usne contractor se kaam pura karvaya.
He had the contractor complete the work.
Maine editor se kitab edit karvayi.
I had the editor edit the book.
Rajya ne adhikariyon se niyam lagu karvaye.
The state had the officials implement the rules.
Maine visheshagya se salah dilvayi.
I had the expert provide advice.
Usne prashasak se nivesh karvaya.
He had the administrator make the investment.
Maine vidvan se anuvad karvaya.
I had the scholar perform the translation.
Easily Confused
Learners mix up direct vs indirect causation.
Both involve someone else doing the action.
Only transitive verbs take causative suffixes.
Common Mistakes
Maine kapde silaye.
Maine kapde silvaye.
Maine darzi kapde silvaye.
Maine darzi se kapde silvaye.
Maine karana.
Maine karvaya.
Maine silvana kapde.
Maine kapde silvaye.
Usne mujhko kaam karvaya.
Usne mujhse kaam karvaya.
Maine bal kataya.
Maine bal katvaya.
Main karvaya.
Maine karvaya.
Maine manager se sign karaya.
Maine manager se sign karvaya.
Usne mujhse likhvaya patra.
Usne mujhse patra likhvaya.
Maine doctor se checkup karaya.
Maine doctor se checkup karvaya.
Maine niyam lagu karaya.
Maine niyam lagu karvaya.
Usne pratinidhi se sandesh bheja.
Usne pratinidhi se sandesh bhijvaya.
Maine audit karaya.
Maine audit karvaya.
Sentence Patterns
Maine ___ se ___ karvaya.
Kya tumne ___ karvaya?
Usne ___ se ___ banvaya.
Maine ___ nahi karvaya.
Real World Usage
Maine kapde silvaye.
Maine gadi thik karvayi.
Maine file sign karvayi.
Maine bal katvaye.
Maine ghar paint karvaya.
Maine kagazat taiyar karvaye.
Use 'se'
Transitive only
Context matters
Politeness
Smart Tips
Always think: 'Who is doing this for me?'
Check if the verb is transitive.
Use -vana for professional requests.
Use 'se' to be specific.
Pronunciation
Vana sound
The 'v' is a soft labiodental sound.
Statement
Maine kaam karvaya ↓
Falling intonation for facts.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Vana is for the 'Vana-be' manager who gets others to do the work.
Visual Association
Imagine a 'Vana' (van) pulling a trailer. The van is you, the trailer is the work being done by someone else.
Rhyme
When you want it done but don't want to do, add -vana to the verb and you're through.
Story
I wanted a suit. I didn't sew it. I went to the tailor. I used -vana. Now I have a suit.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 things you had done for you today using -vana.
Cultural Notes
Very common in daily life for service interactions.
Used to show delegation of authority.
Used in government offices.
Derived from Sanskrit causative structures.
Conversation Starters
Kya tumne aaj koi kaam karvaya?
Tumne apna ghar kab banvaya?
Kya tumne kabhi koi document sign karvaya hai?
Tumne ye kapde kahan se silvaye?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
Maine darzi se kapde ____.
Which is the second causative?
Find and fix the mistake:
Maine darzi kapde silvaye.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
I had the house painted.
Answer starts with: Mai...
What is the second causative of likhna?
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Use: Maine, plumber, nal, thik karvaya.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesMaine darzi se kapde ____.
Which is the second causative?
Find and fix the mistake:
Maine darzi kapde silvaye.
se / Maine / silvaye / darzi / kapde
I had the house painted.
What is the second causative of likhna?
Match: katna -> ?
Use: Maine, plumber, nal, thik karvaya.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesPapa ne mechanic se car ___ (repair).
kamra / saaf / main / karvaunga
Maa bachche ko khana ___ hai (feeds directly).
Match the pairs:
Usne us-se chithhi likhvayi.
Maine usko seekhvaya.
Boss ne Rahul ___ file mangvayi.
Which verb means 'to get something built'?
Main kal ye kaam ___ (will get done).
photo / usne / khichvayi
How do you say 'I can get this done' (by delegating)?
Maine baal katvayi.
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
-ana is direct causative; -vana is indirect causative.
Only transitive verbs.
To mark the agent.
It is standard in all registers.
No, it implies someone else.
You can omit 'se'.
Yes, very.
Add 'nahi'.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Hacer + infinitive
Hindi is morphological (suffix); Spanish is periphrastic (verb + infinitive).
Faire + infinitive
Hindi uses a specific causative suffix.
Lassen + infinitive
Hindi uses a suffix.
Causative form (-seru/-saseru)
Japanese has a single causative; Hindi has two levels.
Form IV/X verbs
Hindi uses suffixes.
Shi/Rang
Hindi is morphological.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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