At the A1 level, you are just beginning to learn how to identify people and things. You might not use 'jin' much yourself, but you will see it in very simple plural contexts. Think of 'jin' as a special version of 'jo' (who/which) that we use when we want to say things like 'the books in which' or 'the friends with whom'. At this stage, just try to recognize that when you see 'jin' followed by a small word like 'ko' or 'se', it is talking about more than one person or thing. It's like the plural version of 'this' or 'that' when they are doing something or having something done to them. You might see it in simple sentences like 'Jin logon ko chai chahiye...' (The people who want tea...). Don't worry about the complex grammar yet; just remember that 'Jin' = Plural + Relative (linking) + a little helper word (postposition). It helps you point to a specific group of people you are talking about. You will mostly hear it in phrases like 'jinke paas' (who have) or 'jinse' (from whom). It's a building block for making your sentences longer and more interesting than just 'I like this' or 'I like that'.
At the A2 level, you are starting to connect sentences. Instead of saying 'I have friends. They live in Delhi,' you want to say 'The friends who live in Delhi are coming today.' When those friends are the object of a postposition, you use 'jin'. For example, 'The friends to whom I gave the gift' becomes 'Jin doston ko maine tohfa diya'. You should start practicing 'jin' with common postpositions like 'ko' (to), 'se' (with/from), and 'mein' (in). A very common A2 use is 'jinke paas' to show possession for a group. 'Jin bacchon ke paas kitabein hain...' (The children who have books...). You are moving away from simple 'Jo' and learning that Hindi changes the word 'Jo' to 'Jin' when a postposition is added. This is a big step in Hindi grammar! You will also start to notice 'jinhone' in stories. This is just 'jin' + 'ne', used when a group of people did something in the past. For example, 'Jinhone gana gaya' (Those who sang the song). Try to use 'jin' to describe groups of people in your daily life, like your classmates or your family members.
As a B1 learner, 'jin' is a vital tool for your fluency. You are now expected to create complex relative clauses. 'Jin' allows you to provide detailed descriptions of plural subjects. You should be comfortable using 'jin' with a wide range of postpositions: 'jin par' (on which), 'jinke liye' (for whom), 'jinse' (from whom/than whom). At this level, you are also learning the correlative structure: 'Jin... un'. For example, 'Jin logon ne mehnat ki, unhe phal mila' (Those people who worked hard, received the fruit/reward). Notice how 'jin' starts the thought and 'unhe' (un + ko) completes it. You should also be aware of the honorific use of 'jin'. If you are talking about a teacher or a grandparent with respect, you use 'jin' instead of 'jis', even though they are just one person. This shows you understand the cultural nuances of the language. You will encounter 'jin' frequently in news articles and intermediate-level books. It helps you understand who is doing what to whom in a sentence. Practice transforming two simple sentences into one complex sentence using 'jin'. For example: 'I have many books. I haven't read them.' -> 'Jin kitabon ko maine nahi padha, ve mere paas hain.'
At the B2 level, 'jin' should be second nature. You are using it to express abstract ideas and complex logical relationships. You can use 'jin' to refer to non-physical things like 'the theories on which this research is based' (Jin siddhanton par yeh shodh adharit hai). You are also becoming more adept at using 'jinhone' in the ergative case without hesitation. Your sentences are becoming more 'Hindi-like' because you are using the 'Jin... un' structure naturally rather than trying to translate directly from English. You might also start using 'jin' in more formal or literary contexts, such as 'jin-jin' (whichever ones/all those which) to add emphasis. For example, 'Jin-jin logon ne madad ki, unka dhanyavad' (Thanks to each and every person who helped). You understand that 'jin' is not just a plural marker, but a way to create a specific 'scope' for your sentence. You can follow 'jin' with complex postpositions like 'ke baare mein' (about whom) or 'ke khilaaf' (against whom). Your ability to use 'jin' correctly in high-pressure speaking situations, like a debate or a presentation, is a key indicator of your B2 proficiency.
At the C1 level, you use 'jin' with precision and stylistic flair. You understand its role in formal rhetoric and classical Hindi literature. You can navigate sentences where 'jin' is separated from its antecedent by several words, and you never lose the grammatical thread. You are comfortable with the 'oblique-oblique' agreement, where 'jin' modifies a plural noun that is also in the oblique case (e.g., 'Jin ladkon ko...'). You use 'jin' to create nuanced legal or academic definitions. For example, in a legal context: 'Jin paristhitiyon mein yeh kanoon lagu hota hai...' (The circumstances in which this law applies...). You also recognize the use of 'jin' in archaic or poetic forms where it might appear in slightly different configurations. You can use 'jin' to create irony or emphasis by playing with the correlative structure. Your writing is sophisticated, using 'jin' to weave together multiple layers of information into a single, cohesive paragraph. You also have a deep understanding of the honorific plural and use 'jin' perfectly to maintain the appropriate level of 'lihaaz' (etiquette) when discussing respected figures in history or society.
At the C2 level, 'jin' is a tool you use with the mastery of a native speaker. You can appreciate the subtle differences between using 'jin' and other relative constructions to achieve specific rhythmic or emotional effects in your prose. You are familiar with the use of 'jin' in various dialects and historical stages of Hindi/Urdu. You can effortlessly switch between formal 'jin' and more colloquial structures depending on your audience. In your own writing, you use 'jin' to construct complex, multi-clause sentences that are both grammatically perfect and aesthetically pleasing. You can analyze the use of 'jin' in the works of great Hindi authors like Premchand or modern poets, understanding how it contributes to the overall structure and meaning of the text. For you, 'jin' is no longer a 'rule' to be remembered, but a natural part of your linguistic repertoire. You can even use it in wordplay or puns. You understand the deep connection between 'jin' and the Indo-Aryan roots of the language, and you can explain these nuances to others. Your command of 'jin' is absolute, whether in a high-level diplomatic meeting, a complex scientific discussion, or a deep philosophical debate.

जिन in 30 Seconds

  • Jin is the plural oblique form of the relative pronoun 'Jo', used before postpositions.
  • It translates to 'whom', 'whose', or 'of which' depending on the following postposition.
  • It is essential for creating complex sentences that describe groups of people or things.
  • Common forms include 'jinke' (whose), 'jinse' (from whom), and 'jinhone' (who - past tense).

The Hindi word जिन (jin) is a cornerstone of intermediate Hindi grammar, specifically serving as the oblique plural form of the relative pronoun जो (jo). To understand 'jin', one must first grasp the concept of the 'oblique case' in Hindi. In Hindi, when a pronoun is followed by a postposition (like 'ka', 'se', 'me', 'par', or 'ne'), the base form of the pronoun changes. For the relative pronoun 'jo' (meaning 'who', 'which', or 'that'), the plural direct form remains 'jo', but the plural oblique form transforms into 'jin'. This transformation is essential for creating complex, descriptive sentences that link multiple ideas together. When you want to say 'the people to whom I spoke' or 'the books in which I read this', you cannot use 'jo'; you must use 'jin' because the postpositions 'ko' or 'me' are present.

Grammatical Function
It acts as a relative pronoun that refers back to a plural antecedent. It never stands alone; it is always followed by a postposition or is part of a compound construction like 'jinhone'.
Semantic Range
Depending on the postposition, 'jin' can mean 'whom', 'whose', 'of which', 'with whom', or 'in which'. It is the plural counterpart to the singular oblique relative pronoun 'jis'.
Social Context
Using 'jin' correctly signals a move from basic survival Hindi to a more nuanced, literate level of communication. It is used in formal writing, news reporting, and respectful daily conversation when referring to multiple people or objects.

वे बच्चे जिनके पास खिलौने नहीं हैं, बहुत उदास हैं। (Those children who do not have toys are very sad.)

In the example above, 'jin' is combined with 'ke' (possessive) to form 'jinke'. This specifically refers to the plural 'bacche' (children). If we were talking about only one child, we would use 'jis'. The word 'jin' provides the necessary grammatical 'hook' to attach additional information to a plural subject. Without 'jin', Hindi sentences would be limited to short, choppy fragments. By using 'jin', speakers can create elegant relative clauses that mirror the complexity of English 'whom' or 'whose'.

ये वे किताबें हैं जिनमें इतिहास की जानकारी है। (These are the books in which there is historical information.)

Furthermore, 'jin' is used in the ergative case (past tense of transitive verbs) as 'jinhone'. For example, 'The people who did this' becomes 'Jin logon ne yeh kiya' or more commonly 'Jinhone yeh kiya'. This demonstrates how 'jin' serves as the base for various functional transformations. It is not just a word; it is a grammatical pivot point. In formal Hindi, 'jin' is also used as a mark of respect (honorific) even for a single person, treating them grammatically as plural to show high status or distance.

Mastering जिन (jin) requires understanding how it interacts with different postpositions to change its meaning. Unlike English, where 'whom' or 'whose' are distinct words, Hindi uses 'jin' as a universal base. Let's break down the most common combinations you will encounter in both spoken and written Hindi. The most frequent use is with the possessive markers 'ka', 'ke', and 'ki'.

Possessive: जिनके / जिनकी / जिनका
Used to mean 'whose' or 'of which' for plural antecedents. Example: 'Jin logon ki car...' (The people whose car...). The gender of the object (car) determines whether you use 'ka', 'ke', or 'ki'.
Instrumental/Ablative: जिनसे
Means 'from whom', 'with whom', or 'by which'. Example: 'Jinse maine baat ki' (With whom I spoke). This is vital for describing interactions with groups of people.
Locative: जिनमें / जिन पर
Means 'in which' or 'on which'. Example: 'Jin kamron mein...' (In the rooms which...). This is used frequently for plural objects or locations.

वे छात्र जिनसे आप कल मिले थे, आज यहाँ नहीं हैं। (The students whom you met yesterday are not here today.)

A crucial aspect of using 'jin' is the correlative structure. In English, we might say 'The people who are here are my friends.' In Hindi, we often use a 'Those... who' structure: 'Jo log yahan hain, ve mere dost hain.' However, when the 'who' part needs a postposition, 'jin' comes into play. For example: 'Jin logon ko aapne bulaya, ve aa gaye hain' (The people whom you called have arrived). Note how 'jin' is paired with 've' (those) in the second half of the sentence. This symmetry is a hallmark of natural-sounding Hindi.

ऐसी कहानियाँ जिनका कोई अंत नहीं होता, मुझे पसंद हैं। (I like stories which have no end.)

In advanced usage, 'jin' can be used to create very long, descriptive relative clauses that provide context before the main verb. For example, in a news report: 'Jin deshon ne sandhi par hastakshar kiye hain, unki ek baithak kal hogi' (A meeting of those countries which have signed the treaty will be held tomorrow). Here, 'jin' helps group the 'countries' into a specific category before the main action of the sentence is even mentioned. This 'front-loading' of information is very common in formal Hindi and is a skill that B1 learners should begin to practice.

You will encounter जिन (jin) in a variety of settings, ranging from the highly formal to the moderately informal. Because it is a grammatical function word rather than a slang term, its usage is consistent across the Hindi-speaking world. However, the frequency and complexity of the sentences it inhabits will vary depending on the context. In everyday conversation, 'jin' is used to clarify which group of people or things you are discussing.

News and Media
News anchors frequently use 'jin' to describe groups of people involved in events. 'Jin logo ne virodh kiya...' (Those people who protested...). It provides a professional and precise way to categorize subjects.
Literature and Poetry
In Hindi literature, 'jin' is used to create evocative descriptions. A poet might write about 'jin galiyon mein hum khele' (the streets in which we played), using the word to ground a nostalgic memory in a specific plural location.
Legal and Official Documents
This is where 'jin' is most common. Contracts often refer to 'jin pakshon ne...' (the parties who...). Its precision is necessary for legal clarity.

'जिनके पास कुछ नहीं होता, उनके पास सपने होते हैं।' (Those who have nothing, have dreams.) - A common philosophical sentiment.

In Bollywood movies, you'll hear 'jin' in emotional dialogues or songs. Song lyrics often use 'jin' to refer to memories, moments, or people from the past. For instance, 'Jin raahon par hum chale' (The paths on which we walked). In this context, 'jin' adds a layer of poetic depth, making the 'paths' feel more specific and significant. It's less about 'any paths' and more about 'those specific paths' that the characters shared.

In academic settings, professors use 'jin' to refer to theories, data sets, or groups of researchers. 'Jin vaigyanikon ne yeh khoj ki...' (The scientists who made this discovery...). It is an indispensable tool for intellectual discourse. Even in casual settings, if you are telling a story about a group of friends, you might say, 'Jin doston ke saath main gaya tha...' (The friends with whom I had gone...). It keeps your storytelling organized and grammatically sound.

Even advanced learners of Hindi sometimes stumble when using जिन (jin). The most common errors usually stem from confusing it with its singular counterpart or forgetting the mandatory postposition. Because English grammar handles relative pronouns differently, there is often a 'translation lag' that leads to mistakes. Let's look at the most frequent pitfalls.

Mistake 1: Using 'Jin' without a Postposition
Learners often say 'Jin log yahan hain' (Incorrect). You must use the direct form 'Jo' if there is no postposition. Correct: 'Jo log yahan hain'. Use 'Jin' only if you are adding something like 'ko', 'se', or 'ne'.
Mistake 2: Confusing 'Jin' (Pronoun) with 'Jeans' (Clothing)
In modern Hinglish, the word 'jeans' is often pronounced similarly to 'jin'. While context usually clears this up, beginners might occasionally mishear 'jin' as a reference to denim pants!
Mistake 3: Number Mismatch
Using 'jin' for a single person (unless using the honorific plural). If you are talking about one friend, use 'jis'. If you are talking about many friends, use 'jin'.

Incorrect: वह आदमी जिनसे मैंने बात की। (That man [plural] whom I spoke to.)
Correct: वह आदमी जिससे मैंने बात की। (That man [singular] whom I spoke to.)

Another subtle mistake is forgetting to use the correlative pronoun in the second part of the sentence. In English, we say 'The people whom I met are nice.' In Hindi, it's more natural to say 'Jin logon se main mila, ve acche hain.' Forgetting that 've' (they/those) can make the sentence feel incomplete to a native speaker. The 'Jin... un/ve' pairing is like a mathematical bracket that needs to be closed.

Lastly, be careful with the word 'Jin' (Spirit/Genie) which comes from Arabic. While spelled similarly in Roman script, in Hindi/Urdu, the 'Genie' word is often written as 'जिन्न' (Jinn) with a double 'n' sound. The pronoun 'jin' has a short, crisp 'n'. Confusing a relative pronoun with a supernatural being can lead to some very funny (or very confusing) sentences!

To truly understand जिन (jin), it helps to see it alongside its 'cousins' in the Hindi pronoun family. Hindi pronouns are highly systematic, and 'jin' fits into a specific grid of number (singular/plural) and case (direct/oblique). By comparing 'jin' to other similar-sounding words, you can lock in its meaning and avoid common mix-ups.

जिन (Jin) vs. जिस (Jis)
'Jis' is the singular oblique relative pronoun. Use 'jis' for one person/thing (Jis ladke ne... - The boy who...) and 'jin' for multiple (Jin ladko ne... - The boys who...).
जिन (Jin) vs. किन (Kin)
'Kin' is the interrogative plural oblique pronoun. It is used for questions. 'Jin' is for statements/relative clauses. 'Kin logon ne?' (Which people?) vs. 'Jin logon ne...' (The people who...).
जिन (Jin) vs. उन (Un) / इन (In)
'Un' and 'In' are demonstrative pronouns (those/these). 'Un logon ko' (To those people) vs. 'Jin logon ko' (To which people/the people whom). 'Jin' starts the relative clause, and 'un' often answers it.

Example Comparison:
1. किन लोगों ने खाना खाया? (Which people ate?) - Question
2. जिन लोगों ने खाना खाया, वे खुश हैं। (The people who ate are happy.) - Statement

In some contexts, you might use 'jo' as an alternative to 'jin' if you restructure the sentence to avoid a postposition. For example, instead of 'Jin logon ko maine dekha' (The people whom I saw), you could technically say 'Jo log maine dekhe' (The people I saw), though the former is often preferred for clarity. However, in most cases where a postposition is required by the verb (like 'milna' requiring 'se'), 'jin' is the only correct choice.

Finally, remember that 'jin' is part of the 'J-series' of relative words. Just as 'jahan' (where) relates to 'vahan' (there), and 'jab' (when) relates to 'tab' (then), 'jin' relates to 'un'. This systematic nature of Hindi pronouns is actually a great help to learners once the pattern is recognized. By mastering 'jin', you are essentially mastering a whole quadrant of the Hindi grammatical map.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The 'J' sound in Hindi relative pronouns (Jo, Jahan, Jab) is cognate with the 'Wh' sounds in English (Who, Where, When) through their shared Proto-Indo-European ancestor.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /dʒɪn/
US /dʒɪn/
The stress is evenly distributed, but the vowel is very short. Do not elongate it to 'jeen'.
Rhymes With
दिन (din - day) गिन (gin - count) पिन (pin - pin) बिन (bin - without) छिन (chin - moment) तिन (tin - straw) किन (kin - which plural) इन (in - these)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing it like 'jeans' (long vowel).
  • Using a retroflex 'n' (tongue curled back) instead of a dental 'n'.
  • Confusing it with 'jinn' (the spirit), which has a slightly longer 'n' sound.
  • Nasalizing the vowel too much.
  • Failing to pronounce the 'j' clearly, making it sound like 'zin'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize in text once you know the 'J' rule.

Writing 6/5

Requires careful attention to postpositions and correlatives.

Speaking 7/5

Hard to use spontaneously without confusing it with 'jis' or 'un'.

Listening 4/5

Can be easily heard, but must be distinguished from 'jinn' or 'jeans'.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

जो (Jo) को (Ko) से (Se) का/के/की (Ka/Ke/Ki) लोग (Log)

Learn Next

जिन्होंने (Jinhone) Correlative Sentences Honorific Plural Passive Voice in Hindi

Advanced

तिन (Tin - archaic correlative) यद्यपि (Yadyapi - although) तथापि (Tathapi - nonetheless)

Grammar to Know

Oblique Case Transformation

Jo (Direct Plural) becomes Jin (Oblique Plural) before a postposition.

Correlative Pronouns

Jin... un (The ones who... those ones).

Ergative Case with Relative Pronouns

Jin + ne = Jinhone (for past transitive actions).

Honorific Plural

Using 'jin' for a single respected person (e.g., Gandhiji, jinne...).

Agreement with Postpositions

Jinka/Jinke/Jinki must agree with the gender/number of the possessed object.

Examples by Level

1

जिन लोगों को पानी चाहिए, यहाँ आएँ।

The people who want water, come here.

Jin + logon (plural) + ko (postposition).

2

वे बच्चे जिनके पास खिलौने हैं।

Those children who have toys.

Jinke = Jin + ke (possessive).

3

जिन कमरों में रोशनी है।

In the rooms which have light.

Jin + kamron (plural) + mein (in).

4

जिन दोस्तों से मैं मिला।

The friends whom I met.

Jin + doston + se (with/whom).

5

जिन किताबों पर नाम है।

On the books which have names.

Jin + kitabon + par (on).

6

जिन दुकानों में फल हैं।

In the shops which have fruits.

Jin + dukanon + mein.

7

जिन पेड़ों पर फल लगे हैं।

On the trees which have fruits.

Jin + pedon + par.

8

जिन रास्तों पर हम चले।

On the paths which we walked.

Jin + raston + par.

1

जिन छात्रों ने गृहकार्य किया, वे बाहर जा सकते हैं।

The students who did homework can go out.

Jin + chatron + ne (ergative plural).

2

जिन शहरों में मेट्रो है, वहाँ भीड़ कम है।

In the cities which have a metro, there is less crowd.

Jin + shahron + mein.

3

जिन फूलों की खुशबू अच्छी है, उन्हें चुनें।

Choose the flowers whose scent is good.

Jin + phoolon + ki (possessive).

4

जिन कुत्तों से आपको डर लगता है, उनसे दूर रहें।

Stay away from the dogs which you are afraid of.

Jin + kutton + se (from/whom).

5

जिन कुर्सियों पर धूल है, उन्हें साफ करें।

Clean the chairs which have dust on them.

Jin + kursiyon + par.

6

जिन लड़कों के पास गेंद है, वे खेल रहे हैं।

The boys who have the ball are playing.

Jin + ladkon + ke paas.

7

जिन बैगों में कपड़े हैं, उन्हें यहाँ रखें।

Keep the bags which have clothes in them here.

Jin + baigon + mein.

8

जिन खिड़कियों से हवा आती है, उन्हें खोलें।

Open the windows from which air comes.

Jin + khidkiyon + se.

1

जिन वैज्ञानिकों ने यह दवा बनाई, उन्हें पुरस्कार मिला।

The scientists who made this medicine received an award.

Jin + vaigyanikon + ne (ergative).

2

जिन देशों के बीच युद्ध हो रहा है, वहाँ शांति चाहिए।

In the countries between which war is happening, peace is needed.

Jin + deshon + ke beech.

3

जिन समस्याओं का समाधान नहीं मिला, उन पर चर्चा करें।

Discuss the problems for which no solution was found.

Jin + samasyaon + ka (possessive).

4

जिन इमारतों की नींव कमज़ोर है, वे गिर सकती हैं।

The buildings whose foundations are weak might fall.

Jin + imaraton + ki.

5

जिन लेखकों से मैं प्रेरित हूँ, उनकी किताबें यहाँ हैं।

The books of the authors by whom I am inspired are here.

Jin + lekhakon + se.

6

जिन फिल्मों में सामाजिक संदेश होता है, वे मुझे पसंद हैं।

I like the movies in which there is a social message.

Jin + filmon + mein.

7

जिन नदियों का पानी प्रदूषित है, उन्हें साफ करना होगा।

The rivers whose water is polluted must be cleaned.

Jin + nadiyon + ka.

8

जिन परिस्थितियों में हमने काम किया, वे कठिन थीं।

The circumstances in which we worked were difficult.

Jin + paristhitiyon + mein.

1

जिन सिद्धांतों पर यह शोध आधारित है, वे बहुत पुराने हैं।

The principles on which this research is based are very old.

Jin + siddhanton + par.

2

जिन नेताओं ने भ्रष्टाचार किया, उनके खिलाफ कार्रवाई होगी।

Action will be taken against the leaders who committed corruption.

Jin + netaon + ne.

3

जिन कंपनियों के मुनाफे गिरे हैं, वे छंटनी कर रही हैं।

The companies whose profits have fallen are doing layoffs.

Jin + kampaniyon + ke.

4

जिन विसंगतियों की ओर आपने इशारा किया, वे महत्वपूर्ण हैं।

The discrepancies towards which you pointed are important.

Jin + visangatiyon + ki aur.

5

जिन संस्कृतियों में अतिथि को देवता माना जाता है, वे महान हैं।

The cultures in which a guest is considered a god are great.

Jin + sanskritiyon + mein.

6

जिन चुनौतियों का हमने सामना किया, उन्होंने हमें मज़बूत बनाया।

The challenges which we faced made us strong.

Jin + chunautiyon + ka.

7

जिन कानूनों में बदलाव की आवश्यकता है, सरकार उन पर विचार कर रही है।

The government is considering the laws in which changes are needed.

Jin + kanoonon + mein.

8

जिन कलाकारों ने अपनी कला का प्रदर्शन किया, वे सराहनीय हैं।

The artists who displayed their art are commendable.

Jin + kalakaron + ne.

1

जिन दार्शनिकों ने अस्तित्ववाद पर लिखा, उनके विचार जटिल हैं।

The ideas of the philosophers who wrote on existentialism are complex.

Jin + darshnikon + ne.

2

जिन ऐतिहासिक दस्तावेजों की खोज हुई, वे इतिहास बदल सकते हैं।

The historical documents which were discovered could change history.

Jin + aitihasik dastavezon + ki.

3

जिन सूक्ष्मजीवों का अध्ययन हम कर रहे हैं, वे नग्न आँखों से नहीं दिखते।

The microorganisms which we are studying are not visible to the naked eye.

Jin + sukshmajeevon + ka.

4

जिन सामाजिक कुरीतियों के विरुद्ध उन्होंने आवाज़ उठाई, वे आज भी मौजूद हैं।

The social evils against which they raised their voice still exist today.

Jin + samajik kuritiyon + ke viruddh.

5

जिन नीतियों के कारण अर्थव्यवस्था में सुधार हुआ, उनकी प्रशंसा हो रही है।

The policies due to which the economy improved are being praised.

Jin + neetiyon + ke karan.

6

जिन साहित्यिक कृतियों ने समाज को प्रभावित किया, वे कालजयी हैं।

The literary works which influenced society are timeless.

Jin + sahityik kritiyon + ne.

7

जिन मनोवैज्ञानिक पहलुओं पर ध्यान नहीं दिया गया, वे अब सामने आ रहे हैं।

The psychological aspects which were not attended to are now surfacing.

Jin + manovaigyanik pehluon + par.

8

जिन भाषाई बारीकियों को समझना कठिन है, वे ही भाषा की सुंदरता हैं।

The linguistic nuances which are hard to understand are the beauty of language.

Jin + bhashayi bariqiyon + ko.

1

जिन ब्रह्मांडीय पिंडों की गति का हम अवलोकन करते हैं, वे अनंत हैं।

The celestial bodies whose motion we observe are infinite.

Jin + brahmandiya pindon + ki.

2

जिन वैचारिक मतभेदों ने इस विवाद को जन्म दिया, उनका समाधान असंभव प्रतीत होता है।

The ideological differences which gave birth to this dispute seem impossible to resolve.

Jin + vaicharik matbhedon + ne.

3

जिन पारिस्थितिक तंत्रों का विनाश हो रहा है, वे मानवता के लिए अनिवार्य हैं।

The ecosystems whose destruction is occurring are essential for humanity.

Jin + paristhitik tantron + ka.

4

जिन दार्शनिक मान्यताओं ने आधुनिक विश्व को आकार दिया, वे अब प्रश्नांकित हैं।

The philosophical beliefs which shaped the modern world are now being questioned.

Jin + darshnik manyataon + ne.

5

जिन गूढ़ रहस्यों की खोज में मनुष्य सदियों से लगा है, वे अब भी अनसुलझे हैं।

The profound mysteries in search of which man has been engaged for centuries are still unsolved.

Jin + goodh rahasyon + ki khoj mein.

6

जिन संवैधानिक प्रावधानों के तहत यह निर्णय लिया गया, वे अत्यंत स्पष्ट हैं।

The constitutional provisions under which this decision was taken are extremely clear.

Jin + sanvaidhanik pravadhanon + ke tehat.

7

जिन कूटनीतिक प्रयासों के माध्यम से शांति स्थापित हुई, वे सराहनीय हैं।

The diplomatic efforts through which peace was established are commendable.

Jin + kootneetik prayason + ke madhyam se.

8

जिन सांस्कृतिक विरासतों को हमने संजोया है, वे हमारी पहचान हैं।

The cultural heritages which we have cherished are our identity.

Jin + sanskritik virasaton + ko.

Common Collocations

जिन लोगों को
जिनके पास
जिनमें से
जिनके लिए
जिनके बारे में
जिनसे मिलकर
जिन पर
जिनकी वजह से
जिनके साथ
जिनके द्वारा

Common Phrases

जिनके घर शीशे के होते हैं

— A proverb similar to 'People who live in glass houses'.

जिनके घर शीशे के होते हैं, वे दूसरों पर पत्थर नहीं फेंकते।

जिनमें दम है

— Those who have strength or courage.

जिनमें दम है, वे आगे आएँ।

जिनसे कोई उम्मीद न हो

— Those from whom nothing is expected.

जिनसे कोई उम्मीद न हो, अक्सर वही कमाल करते हैं।

जिनके पास सब कुछ है

— Those who have everything.

जिनके पास सब कुछ है, वे भी कभी-कभी दुखी होते हैं।

जिनकी लाठी उनकी भैंस

— Might is right (Those who have the stick, have the buffalo).

आजकल तो वही हो रहा है—जिनकी लाठी उनकी भैंस।

जिनके भाग्य में

— In whose destiny.

जिनके भाग्य में सुख लिखा है, उन्हें मिलेगा।

जिनसे हम प्यार करते हैं

— Those whom we love.

जिनसे हम प्यार करते हैं, उन्हें खोना कठिन है।

जिनमें रुचि हो

— In which one is interested.

वही काम करें जिनमें आपकी रुचि हो।

जिनके बिना

— Without whom.

जिनके बिना हम अधूरे हैं।

जिनके नाम

— Whose names.

जिनके नाम इस सूची में हैं, वे यहाँ रुकें।

Often Confused With

जिन vs जिस (Jis)

Jis is singular; Jin is plural. This is the most common mistake for learners.

जिन vs किन (Kin)

Kin is for questions (Which?); Jin is for relative statements (The ones who).

जिन vs जिन्न (Jinn)

Jinn refers to a spirit or genie; Jin is a pronoun. Pronunciation is slightly different.

Idioms & Expressions

"जिनके पेट में दाढ़ी होना"

— To be very cunning or wise beyond one's years (plural context).

वे बच्चे बहुत चालाक हैं, जिनके पेट में दाढ़ी है।

Colloquial
"जिनके मुँह में खून लगना"

— To get a taste for something bad/corrupt (plural).

जिनके मुँह में रिश्वत का खून लग गया है, वे नहीं सुधरेंगे।

Informal
"जिनके चिराग बुझ जाना"

— To lose one's children or heirs (plural context).

युद्ध में उन माताओं के चिराग बुझ गए, जिनके बेटे शहीद हुए।

Literary
"जिनके सिर पर भूत सवार होना"

— To be obsessed with something (plural).

जिनके सिर पर कामयाबी का भूत सवार होता है, वे दिन-रात मेहनत करते हैं।

Informal
"जिनके हाथ काले होना"

— To be involved in dirty work (plural).

जिनके हाथ काले हैं, वे कानून से नहीं बच पाएंगे।

Informal
"जिनके तलवे चाटना"

— To flatter someone excessively (plural context).

जिनके तलवे चाटकर तुम यहाँ पहुँचे हो, वे तुम्हारी मदद नहीं करेंगे।

Slang/Derogatory
"जिनके पंख निकल आना"

— To start acting overconfident or rebellious (plural).

आजकल के बच्चों के पंख निकल आए हैं, जिनके सामने बोलना मुश्किल है।

Informal
"जिनके कान भरना"

— To poison someone's ears against another (plural context).

जिनके कान तुमने भरे हैं, वे अब मुझसे बात नहीं करते।

Informal
"जिनके पैरों तले ज़मीन खिसकना"

— To be shocked or lose ground (plural).

जब सच सामने आया, तो उन लोगों के पैरों तले ज़मीन खिसक गई जिनके नाम घोटाले में थे।

Informal
"जिनके आँखों पर पट्टी बँधना"

— To be blind to the truth (plural).

जिनकी आँखों पर पट्टी बँधी है, उन्हें समझाना बेकार है।

Informal

Easily Confused

जिन vs जीन (Jeans)

Similar sound in Hinglish.

Jeans is clothing; Jin is a pronoun. Context usually prevents confusion.

मैंने नई जीन खरीदी (I bought new jeans) vs जिन लोगों ने... (The people who...).

जिन vs गिन (Gin)

Identical sound.

Gin is the imperative verb 'to count'.

पैसे गिन लो (Count the money).

जिन vs इन (In)

Both are plural oblique pronouns.

In means 'these'; Jin means 'who/which'.

इन लोगों को (To these people) vs जिन लोगों को (To the people who).

जिन vs उन (Un)

Both are plural oblique pronouns.

Un means 'those'; Jin means 'who/which'.

उन लोगों को (To those people) vs जिन लोगों को (To the people who).

जिन vs जैन (Jain)

Slightly similar sound.

Jain refers to a follower of Jainism.

वे जैन हैं (They are Jains).

Sentence Patterns

A1

जिन [Noun] को [Verb]

जिन लोगों को भूख लगी है।

A2

जिनके पास [Noun] है

जिनके पास चाबी है।

B1

जिनसे [Subject] [Verb]

जिनसे मैंने बात की।

B1

जिन... उन...

जिनको फल चाहिए, उन्हें यहाँ आना होगा।

B2

जिन [Noun] पर [Verb]

जिन मुद्दों पर हम सहमत हैं।

C1

जिनके द्वारा [Verb-Passive]

जिनके द्वारा यह कार्य संपन्न हुआ।

C1

जिन-जिन को [Verb]

जिन-जिन को पुरस्कार मिला, वे खुश थे।

C2

जिन [Abstract Noun] के अंतर्गत...

जिन प्रावधानों के अंतर्गत यह निर्णय लिया गया।

Word Family

Nouns

जो (jo - relative pronoun base)

Related

जिस (jis - singular oblique)
जिन्होंने (jinhone - ergative plural)
जिनका (jinka - possessive)
जिनसे (jinse - instrumental)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in written and formal spoken Hindi; moderately high in casual speech.

Common Mistakes
  • Jin log yahan hain. Jo log yahan hain.

    You cannot use 'jin' without a postposition. Since there is no 'ko', 'se', etc., use 'jo'.

  • वह आदमी जिनसे मैंने बात की। वह आदमी जिससे मैंने बात की।

    Using plural 'jin' for a singular man (unless honorific). Use 'jis' for singular.

  • Kin logon ne yeh kiya? (as a statement) Jin logon ne yeh kiya...

    'Kin' is for questions. 'Jin' is for relative statements.

  • Jin bacchon ke paas kitabein hai. Jin bacchon ke paas kitabein hain.

    Since 'jin' is plural, the verb at the end must also be plural ('hain' instead of 'hai').

  • Jinhone khana khaya, voh khush hai. Jinhone khana khaya, ve khush hain.

    The correlative must match the plural number of 'jinhone'. Use 've/hain'.

Tips

The Buddy System

Always look for the 'buddy' postposition after 'jin'. If there's no buddy, you probably need 'jo' instead.

Respect the Elders

When talking about your parents or teachers, always use 'jin' (plural) to show respect, even though they are singular.

Close the Loop

If you start a sentence with 'jin', make sure to use 'un' or 've' later to complete the thought.

Short Vowel Alert

Listen for the very short 'i' sound. If it's long, it might be a different word like 'jeans'.

J-V Pairings

Relative words start with J, correlative words start with V. Jin goes with Un/Ve.

Jin = Join

Think of 'Jin' as the word that joins a group of people to a description.

Formal Contexts

In news and books, 'jin' is the standard way to describe groups. Mastering it makes you sound literate.

Not for Questions

Never use 'jin' to ask a question. Use 'kin' for 'Which ones?'.

Dental N

Make sure your tongue touches your teeth for the 'n' in 'jin'.

Start Simple

Practice with 'jinke paas' (who have) first, as it's the most common and easiest plural relative phrase.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Jin' as 'Joint'. It joins two parts of a sentence together for a group of people. 'Jin' = 'Join' for plural.

Visual Association

Imagine a group of people (plural) holding hands (relative link) with a postposition (like a 'ko' or 'se' sign).

Word Web

जो (Jo) जिस (Jis) जिन (Jin) किन (Kin) उन (Un) इन (In) जहाँ (Jahan) जब (Jab)

Challenge

Try to write three sentences about your favorite books, using 'जिनमें' (in which), 'जिनके' (whose), and 'जिनसे' (from which).

Word Origin

Derived from the Sanskrit relative pronoun 'yad' (यद्). Over centuries, 'yad' evolved through Prakrit and Apabhramsha into the modern Hindi 'jo' and its oblique forms like 'jis' and 'jin'.

Original meaning: The root meaning has always been relative—referring back to a previously mentioned subject or object.

Indo-Aryan / Indo-European.

Cultural Context

Always use 'jin' for elders or superiors to avoid sounding disrespectful. Using 'jis' for your boss is a major social faux pas.

English speakers often struggle because English uses 'who' for both singular and plural. You must consciously switch to 'jin' when the subject is more than one.

The song 'Jin raahon par hum chale' from old Bollywood. Proverbs like 'Jin khoja tin paiya' (Those who seek, find). Legal documents in India often start with 'Jin pakshon ke beech...' (Between which parties...).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Giving Instructions

  • जिन लोगों ने...
  • जिनके पास...
  • जिनको जाना है...
  • जिनसे काम नहीं हुआ...

Storytelling

  • जिन रास्तों पर...
  • जिन दोस्तों के साथ...
  • जिन यादों को...
  • जिन शहरों में...

Academic Writing

  • जिन सिद्धांतों के अनुसार...
  • जिन आंकड़ों के आधार पर...
  • जिन लेखकों ने...
  • जिन परिस्थितियों में...

Formal Events

  • जिन अतिथियों ने...
  • जिनके सहयोग से...
  • जिनका स्वागत है...
  • जिनकी उपस्थिति...

Legal/Official

  • जिन नियमों के तहत...
  • जिन व्यक्तियों द्वारा...
  • जिन शर्तों पर...
  • जिन दस्तावेजों की...

Conversation Starters

"जिन फिल्मों को आपने हाल ही में देखा, उनमें से आपकी पसंदीदा कौन सी है?"

"जिन देशों की आपने यात्रा की है, वहाँ का खाना कैसा था?"

"जिन दोस्तों के साथ आप बचपन में खेलते थे, क्या आप अभी भी उनसे मिलते हैं?"

"जिन किताबों ने आपके जीवन को बदला, उनके नाम क्या हैं?"

"जिन समस्याओं का सामना आज युवा कर रहे हैं, उनका समाधान क्या है?"

Journal Prompts

उन लोगों के बारे में लिखें जिन पर आप सबसे ज्यादा भरोसा करते हैं और क्यों।

उन जगहों का वर्णन करें जिन पर आप भविष्य में जाना चाहते हैं।

उन गलतियों के बारे में लिखें जिनसे आपने सबसे ज्यादा सीखा।

उन सपनों के बारे में लिखें जिनके लिए आप कड़ी मेहनत कर रहे हैं।

उन सामाजिक बदलावों पर चर्चा करें जिनकी आज दुनिया को जरूरत है।

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is plural. It is the oblique form of 'jo' used for multiple people or things. However, it can be used for one person as a sign of respect (honorific plural).

Use 'jin' when the relative pronoun is followed by a postposition like 'ko', 'se', 'me', 'ka', 'ne', etc. Use 'jo' when there is no postposition.

'Jinhone' is a combination of 'jin' and the ergative marker 'ne'. It means 'those who' when they are the subject of a past tense transitive verb (e.g., 'Those who ate').

Yes, 'jin' can refer to both people and inanimate objects. For example, 'jin kitabon mein' (in the books which).

It is grammatically standard. It's not inherently formal, but using it correctly is necessary for formal writing and respectful speech.

You use 'jinka', 'jinke', or 'jinki' depending on the gender and number of the object being possessed.

'Jin' is used for statements (the people who...), while 'kin' is used for questions (which people?).

Only if you are being respectful (honorific). Otherwise, use 'jis' for one person.

In Hindi, pronouns change their form when followed by a postposition. This 'changed' form is called the oblique case.

No, 'jin' itself is the same for masculine and feminine. However, if you add 'ka/ke/ki', that part will change based on the object.

Test Yourself 180 questions

writing

Translate: 'The people whom I called are coming.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Translate: 'The children who have toys are happy.'

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writing

Translate: 'The books in which I read this are old.'

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writing

Translate: 'Those who worked hard succeeded.'

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writing

Translate: 'The cities in which we lived were big.'

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writing

Translate: 'The friends with whom I play are nice.'

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Translate: 'The scientists who discovered this are famous.'

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Translate: 'The problems which we faced were difficult.'

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writing

Translate: 'The stories whose end is sad are good.'

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writing

Translate: 'The countries which signed the treaty are here.'

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writing

Use 'जिनके' in a sentence about family.

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writing

Use 'जिनसे' in a sentence about teachers.

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writing

Use 'जिनमें' in a sentence about rooms.

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writing

Use 'जिन्होंने' in a sentence about history.

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writing

Use 'जिन पर' in a sentence about trust.

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writing

Use 'जिनकी' in a sentence about cars.

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writing

Use 'जिनके लिए' in a sentence about work.

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writing

Use 'जिनके द्वारा' in a sentence about a book.

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writing

Use 'जिन-जिन' for emphasis.

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writing

Write a complex sentence using 'जिन' and 'उन'.

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speaking

Say: 'The people whom I met are nice.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say: 'Those who have books, please read.'

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Say: 'The cities in which it rains are green.'

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say: 'The friends with whom I go to school.'

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Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say: 'The teachers from whom I learned Hindi.'

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speaking

Say: 'Those who did this will be punished.'

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say: 'The problems which we solved were hard.'

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say: 'The movies whose songs are good.'

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say: 'The people about whom we are talking.'

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Say: 'The countries in which there is peace.'

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Describe your favorite books using 'जिनमें'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Describe your friends using 'जिनके साथ'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Talk about your family using 'जिनसे'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Talk about a successful person using 'जिनकी'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Talk about a group of people using 'जिन्होंने'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Talk about a place using 'जहाँ' and 'जिन'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Explain a rule using 'जिनके अंतर्गत'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Discuss a social issue using 'जिनकी वजह से'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Express gratitude using 'जिनके सहयोग से'.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
speaking

Use 'जिन-जिन' in a sentence about a party.

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen and write the postposition: 'जिनके पास'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen and write the postposition: 'जिनसे'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen and write the postposition: 'जिनमें'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen and write the postposition: 'जिनपर'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Listen and write the postposition: 'जिनको'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Identify the word: 'जिन्होंने'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Identify the word: 'जिनका'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Identify the word: 'जिनकी'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Identify the word: 'जिनके'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Identify the word: 'जिनसे'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Is the speaker talking about one person or many? 'जिन लोगों ने...'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Is the speaker talking about one person or many? 'जिस लड़के ने...'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Translate what you hear: 'जिनके पास समय है।'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Translate what you hear: 'जिनसे मैंने पूछा।'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
listening

Translate what you hear: 'जिनमें पानी है।'

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a sentence using 'जिनके लिए'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a sentence using 'जिन पर'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
writing

Write a sentence using 'जिनकी'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

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