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A2 pronoun #2,000 most common 15 min read

किसको

kisko
Practice it Examples Notes & Tips किसको in 30 Seconds
Explanation किसको in your Level:
At the A1 beginner level, the most important thing to understand is that 'किसको' (kisako) is the Hindi word for 'whom' or 'to whom'. You already know that 'कौन' (kaun) means 'who'. But in Hindi, when you do something TO a person, the word 'कौन' changes. It becomes 'किस' (kis) and we add the word 'को' (ko) after it. So, 'किस' + 'को' = 'किसको'. You use this word when you are asking questions about giving things to people, telling things to people, or seeing people. For example, if you want to ask 'Whom did you see?', you say 'तुमने किसको देखा?'. If you want to ask 'To whom did you give the book?', you say 'तुमने किताब किसको दी?'. It is very important to remember that 'किसको' is only used for people, never for things. If you are asking about a thing, you use 'क्या' (kya), which means 'what'. Practice using 'किसको' with simple verbs like देना (to give), बताना (to tell), and बुलाना (to call). This will help you ask basic questions in everyday conversations.
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At the A2 level, your understanding of 'किसको' needs to expand beyond just 'to whom'. The most crucial new concept to learn is the 'dative subject'. In English, we say 'Who wants tea?' where 'who' is the subject. But in Hindi, the verb 'चाहिए' (chahiye - to want/need) requires the subject to have the 'को' marker. So, 'Who wants tea?' translates to 'किसको चाय चाहिए?'. Literally, this means 'To whom is tea needed?'. You must use 'किसको' with verbs expressing likes, needs, and feelings. For example, 'किसको पसंद है?' means 'Who likes it?'. Another important use at this level is asking about obligation. When you want to ask 'Who has to go?', you use 'किसको' followed by the infinitive verb and 'है'. So, 'किसको जाना है?' means 'Who has to go?'. Mastering these constructions—किसको चाहिए, किसको पसंद है, and किसको जाना है—is a major milestone in A2 Hindi and will make your speech sound much more natural and fluent.
At the B1 intermediate level, you should be comfortable with the dative subject constructions and start using 'किसको' with a wider range of verbs, particularly verbs of experience and cognition. Phrases like 'किसको मालूम है?' (Who knows?), 'किसको पता है?' (Who knows/is aware?), and 'किसको लगता है?' (Who thinks/feels?) are essential for expressing opinions and asking about knowledge. You should also clearly understand the difference between 'किसको' (whom/to whom), 'किसने' (who - ergative subject for past tense), and 'किससे' (from/with whom). Mixing these up is a common B1 error. For example, knowing that 'पूछना' (to ask) takes 'से' (किससे पूछा?) while 'बताना' (to tell) takes 'को' (किसको बताया?) is critical. Furthermore, you should start recognizing the more formal synonym 'किसे' (kise) in written texts or formal speech, understanding that it functions exactly like 'किसको' but elevates the register of the language.
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At the B2 upper-intermediate level, your use of 'किसको' should be highly accurate and nuanced. You will encounter 'किसको' frequently in passive voice constructions. In Hindi passive sentences, if the original object was an animate being marked with 'को', it often retains that marker even when it becomes the subject of the passive verb. For example, 'किसको बुलाया गया है?' (Who has been called?). You should also be comfortable using 'किसको' in complex sentences and subordinate clauses. Additionally, you will start understanding rhetorical uses of 'किसको'. Phrases like 'किसको पड़ी है?' (Who cares?) or 'किसको फुर्सत है?' (Who has the time?) are idiomatic expressions that rely on the dative construction to convey attitude rather than just asking a literal question. At this level, you should also flawlessly switch between the singular 'किसको' and the plural/respectful 'किनको' depending on the social context and the person you are referring to.
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At the C1 advanced level, 'किसको' is fully integrated into your active vocabulary, and you manipulate it with native-like intuition. You understand the subtle pragmatic differences between choosing 'किसको' versus 'किसे' in various sociolinguistic contexts. You recognize that while 'किसको' is standard, 'किसे' might be chosen for poetic meter, literary elegance, or to establish a formal tone in a debate or academic discussion. You are also adept at using 'किसको' in relative-correlative structures, although 'जिसको' is the standard relative pronoun. For instance, in complex interrogative structures like 'वह किसको ढूँढ रहा है, यह किसी को नहीं पता' (Whom he is looking for, nobody knows). You also understand the historical and morphological evolution of the oblique case and how the postposition 'को' interacts with the base pronoun 'कौन' to create this specific semantic function, allowing you to explain the grammar to lower-level learners accurately.
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At the C2 mastery level, your comprehension of 'किसको' encompasses its deepest literary, historical, and cultural dimensions. You can analyze its usage in classical Hindi literature, poetry (kavita), and ghazals, where meter and rhyme might dictate the choice between 'किसको', 'किसे', or even older forms. You understand the etymological roots of the dative/accusative markers in Indo-Aryan languages and how 'किसको' functions within the broader animacy hierarchy of Hindi syntax. You can effortlessly employ 'किसको' in highly complex, multi-clause rhetorical questions designed to persuade, mock, or provoke thought in advanced discourse. Your usage is flawless, reflecting a profound, intuitive grasp of Hindi's sociolinguistic nuances, ensuring that whether you are delivering a formal keynote address or engaging in rapid-fire street slang, your application of 'किसको' is perfectly calibrated to the audience, the medium, and the precise emotional resonance you intend to convey.
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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

किसको in 30 Seconds

  • Means 'whom' or 'to whom'.
  • Used for people, never for things.
  • Combines 'किस' (oblique who) and 'को' (to).
  • Essential for asking 'Who wants/needs?'
The Hindi word 'किसको' (kisako) is an essential interrogative pronoun that serves as the objective case of 'कौन' (kaun), which means 'who'. To fully grasp what 'किसको' means, one must delve into the mechanics of the Hindi case system, specifically the oblique case and the use of postpositions. In English, the pronoun 'who' changes to 'whom' when it functions as the object of a verb or a preposition. Similarly, in Hindi, when the interrogative pronoun 'कौन' is followed by the dative or accusative postposition 'को' (ko), the base pronoun 'कौन' must transform into its oblique form, which is 'किस' (kis). Therefore, 'किस' + 'को' combines to form 'किसको'. This word translates directly to 'to whom' or 'whom' in English. It is primarily used to ask questions about the receiver of an action, the beneficiary of an action, or the experiencer of a feeling or state.
Morphological Breakdown
The word is composed of two distinct grammatical elements: 'किस' (the oblique singular form of the interrogative pronoun 'कौन') and 'को' (the dative/accusative postposition marker). Understanding this breakdown is crucial for mastering Hindi syntax.

तुमने यह किताब किसको दी?

When we talk about the accusative case in Hindi, 'को' is used to mark a specific, animate direct object. For example, if you are asking 'Whom did you see?', the action of seeing is directed at a person. In Hindi, this requires the accusative marker 'को', resulting in the question 'तुमने किसको देखा?'. On the other hand, the dative case is used for indirect objects, typically involving verbs of giving, telling, or showing. If you ask 'To whom did you give the money?', the person receiving the money is the indirect object, necessitating the dative 'को', hence 'तुमने पैसे किसको दिए?'.
Dative Subject Construction
A unique feature of Hindi is the dative subject, where the logical subject of the sentence takes the postposition 'को'. This happens with verbs expressing needs, wants, likes, and physical or mental states.

किसको चाय चाहिए?

Beyond simple direct and indirect objects, 'किसको' plays a vital role in expressing compulsion or obligation. In Hindi, when someone has to do something, the construction often involves the subject taking the 'को' postposition followed by the infinitive verb and the auxiliary verb 'है' or 'था'. For instance, 'Who has to go?' translates to 'किसको जाना है?'. Here, 'किसको' acts as the logical subject experiencing the obligation. This construction is incredibly common in everyday conversational Hindi and is a fundamental concept for learners to master.
Singular vs. Plural
It is important to note that 'किसको' is the singular form. It asks about one specific person. If you are asking about multiple people, or if you want to show immense respect, you would use the plural oblique form 'किन', resulting in 'किनको' (kinko).

यह बात किसको मालूम है?

पार्टी में किसको बुलाना है?

आप किसको ढूँढ रहे हैं?

In summary, 'किसको' is a highly versatile and frequently used interrogative pronoun in Hindi. It bridges the gap between the English concepts of 'whom' as a direct object, 'to whom' as an indirect object, and 'who' in specific psychological or obligatory constructions. Mastering its meaning requires a solid understanding of Hindi postpositions, the oblique case, and the unique ways in which Hindi structures sentences around experiences, needs, and direct animate actions. Without a firm grasp of 'किसको', asking basic questions about people in Hindi would be virtually impossible.
Using 'किसको' correctly in a Hindi sentence requires an understanding of Hindi word order, syntax, and the specific verbs that demand the dative or accusative case. Hindi is a Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) language, which means that the verb typically comes at the very end of the sentence. Interrogative words in Hindi, including 'किसको', generally prefer to sit immediately before the verb or the verb phrase. This placement is the most natural and neutral way to ask a question. For example, in the sentence 'तुम किसको बुला रहे हो?' (Whom are you calling?), 'तुम' (you) is the subject, 'किसको' (whom) is the object, and 'बुला रहे हो' (are calling) is the verb phrase. Placing 'किसको' right before the verb creates a smooth, standard Hindi sentence.
Standard Word Order
The most common syntactic structure is: Subject + Indirect Object / Direct Object (किसको) + Verb. This ensures clarity and follows the natural rhythm of the Hindi language.

वह किसको देख रहा है?

Let us explore the different grammatical contexts where 'किसको' is mandatory. First, as a direct object marker for animate beings. When the object of an action is a specific person, Hindi requires the 'को' postposition. Verbs like 'देखना' (to see), 'बुलाना' (to call), 'मारना' (to hit/kill), and 'पहचानना' (to recognize) will trigger the use of 'किसको' when asking 'whom'. For instance, 'आपने किसको पहचाना?' (Whom did you recognize?). Second, as an indirect object marker. Ditransitive verbs, which take both a direct and an indirect object, use 'किसको' for the indirect object (the recipient). Verbs like 'देना' (to give), 'बताना' (to tell), 'सिखाना' (to teach), and 'भेजना' (to send) fall into this category. If you want to ask 'To whom did you send the letter?', you would say 'तुमने पत्र किसको भेजा?'.
Verbs of Experience
A critical usage of 'किसको' is with verbs denoting mental states, knowledge, or physical sensations. In these cases, 'किसको' acts as the logical subject of the sentence.

किसको पता है कि वह कहाँ है?

Another vital application is expressing obligation or compulsion. When you want to ask 'Who has to do [something]?', you use 'किसको' followed by the infinitive form of the verb and the appropriate tense of the verb 'होना' (to be). For example, 'किसको काम करना है?' translates to 'Who has to work?'. If it is in the past tense, 'किसको जाना था?' means 'Who had to go?'. This structure is pervasive in Hindi and is a clear indicator of intermediate proficiency when used correctly. Furthermore, 'किसको' is used when asking about possession in the context of abstract concepts or relationships, though 'किसका' is more common for physical possession. For example, 'यह अधिकार किसको है?' (Who has this right?).
Passive Voice
In passive constructions, the original object becomes the subject of the passive verb, but if it is an animate pronoun, it often retains the 'को' marker, making 'किसको' highly relevant.

मीटिंग के लिए किसको चुना गया है?

इनाम किसको दिया जाएगा?

कल किसको डांटा गया था?

To master 'किसको', practice forming questions with ditransitive verbs, verbs of experience, and expressions of obligation. Pay close attention to the verb ending, as it must agree with the subject of the sentence, not with 'किसको' (unless 'किसको' is part of a dative subject construction where the verb defaults to third-person singular masculine). Consistent practice with these syntactic structures will make the use of 'किसको' feel intuitive and natural.
The interrogative pronoun 'किसको' is ubiquitous in the Hindi-speaking world. You will hear it in virtually every context where Hindi is spoken, from the most informal street conversations to highly formal news broadcasts and literary discussions. Because asking 'whom' or 'to whom' is a fundamental aspect of human communication, 'किसको' is an unavoidable and essential piece of vocabulary. In everyday domestic life, it is constantly used to manage household affairs, distribute items, and inquire about family members' needs. A mother might ask, 'यह मिठाई किसको चाहिए?' (Who wants this sweet?), or a sibling might ask, 'तुम किसको फोन कर रहे हो?' (Whom are you calling?). These mundane interactions rely heavily on the dative and accusative functions of 'किसको'.
Workplace and Professional Settings
In offices and professional environments, 'किसको' is crucial for delegating tasks, clarifying responsibilities, and directing communication.

यह ईमेल किसको भेजना है?

In media and entertainment, particularly in Bollywood movies and television soap operas, 'किसको' is frequently used in dramatic dialogues, interrogations, and emotional confrontations. A classic trope involves a police inspector asking a suspect, 'तुमने खून किसको करते हुए देखा?' (Whom did you see committing the murder?), or a dramatic romantic scene where a character asks, 'तुम किसको ज्यादा प्यार करते हो?' (Whom do you love more?). Furthermore, rhetorical questions using 'किसको' are a staple of Hindi conversational style. Phrases like 'किसको पड़ी है?' (Who cares? / To whom does it matter?) or 'किसको मालूम?' (Who knows?) are used to express indifference, uncertainty, or resignation. These idiomatic usages are deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of Hindi communication.
Regional Variations
While 'किसको' is standard, you will encounter regional flavors. In Mumbai Hindi (Bambaiya Hindi), you might hear 'किसको मांगता है?' instead of 'किसको चाहिए?' (Who wants it?).

अरे भाई, यह बात किसको समझा रहे हो?

You will also hear 'किसको' extensively in educational settings. Teachers use it to test comprehension, asking questions like 'यह कविता किसको याद है?' (Who remembers this poem?) or 'बोर्ड पर किसको आना है?' (Who has to come to the board?). In customer service or retail environments, shopkeepers might ask, 'यह पार्सल किसको देना है?' (To whom should this parcel be given?). The versatility of 'किसको' means that it seamlessly transitions across all registers of the language. Whether you are reading a classic Hindi novel, watching a contemporary web series, listening to a political debate, or simply buying vegetables at the local market, your ability to comprehend and respond to questions containing 'किसको' will be constantly tested and reinforced.
Public Transportation
In buses or trains, conductors or passengers often use 'किसको' to manage seating or tickets.

अगले स्टेशन पर किसको उतरना है?

यह टिकट किसको चाहिए?

पीछे किसको जाना है?

In conclusion, 'किसको' is not confined to any specific domain or demographic. It is a core structural element of the Hindi language, essential for navigating the social, professional, and practical aspects of life in a Hindi-speaking environment. Immersing yourself in authentic Hindi media and conversations will quickly reveal just how indispensable this single word truly is.
For learners of Hindi, interrogative pronouns can be a minefield of potential errors, primarily because the English word 'who' translates into several different Hindi words depending on its grammatical function in the sentence. The most frequent and glaring mistake learners make is confusing 'किसको' (whom/to whom) with 'किसने' (who - ergative case). In Hindi, when a sentence is in the past tense and the verb is transitive (takes a direct object), the subject must take the ergative postposition 'ने' (ne). Therefore, the question 'Who ate the apple?' translates to 'सेब किसने खाया?'. Many beginners incorrectly say 'सेब किसको खाया?', which is grammatically nonsensical and translates roughly to 'To whom did the apple eat?'. Understanding the strict boundary between the ergative 'किसने' (subject) and the accusative/dative 'किसको' (object) is paramount.
Animacy Restriction
Another common error is using 'किसको' for inanimate objects. 'किसको' is exclusively reserved for human beings or, occasionally, animals treated with personhood.

Incorrect: तुमने किसको तोड़ा? (When asking about a window)

A third significant area of confusion lies in the distinction between 'किसको' and 'किससे' (from whom / with whom). The postposition 'से' (se) denotes instrument, source, or association. If you want to ask 'Whom did you talk to?', the Hindi translation requires 'से', resulting in 'तुमने किससे बात की?'. Learners often directly translate the English 'to' and incorrectly use 'किसको', saying 'तुमने किसको बात की?', which is entirely wrong. Verbs like 'बात करना' (to talk), 'पूछना' (to ask), and 'मिलना' (to meet) generally take 'से', not 'को'. Memorizing which verbs require 'को' and which require 'से' is a critical step in achieving fluency and avoiding these jarring mistakes.
Genitive Confusion
Learners sometimes mix up 'किसको' with 'किसका' (whose). 'किसका' shows possession, while 'किसको' shows the receiver of an action.

Incorrect: यह किसको किताब है?

Furthermore, learners often struggle with the dative subject construction. Because English says 'Who wants water?', English speakers naturally want to use the nominative 'कौन' and say 'कौन पानी चाहिए?'. This is a severe grammatical error in Hindi. The verb 'चाहिए' mandates a dative subject, so it must be 'किसको पानी चाहिए?'. Failing to apply 'किसको' with verbs of necessity, liking, and feeling is a hallmark of beginner-level Hindi. Finally, there is the issue of plurality and respect. Using 'किसको' when referring to a group of people or an elder/respected individual can sound slightly rude or grammatically imprecise. In such cases, the plural/respectful form 'किनको' (kinko) or 'किन्हें' (kinhein) should be used.
Respectful Usage
Always be mindful of the social hierarchy and respect levels in Hindi. Defaulting to 'किसको' for elders is a subtle but important pragmatic mistake.

Better: मंत्री जी, यह पत्र किनको देना है?

Incorrect: पिताजी, आपने किसको बुलाया?

Correct: पिताजी, आपने किनको बुलाया?

By actively practicing the distinctions between किसने, किसको, किससे, and किसका, and by memorizing the specific verbs that require the dative subject construction, learners can quickly eliminate these common errors and speak Hindi with much greater accuracy and confidence.
The Hindi language offers several interrogative pronouns that share morphological roots or semantic similarities with 'किसको'. Understanding the nuances and distinctions between these similar words is crucial for precise communication. The most direct synonym for 'किसको' is 'किसे' (kise). Grammatically and semantically, 'किसको' and 'किसे' are identical; they both mean 'whom' or 'to whom' and serve as the singular dative/accusative form of 'कौन'. The difference lies entirely in register and style. 'किसको' is the standard, everyday conversational form. It is what you will hear on the streets, in homes, and in casual dialogue. 'किसे', on the other hand, is slightly more formal, literary, and refined. You are more likely to encounter 'किसे' in written Hindi, formal speeches, news broadcasts, or polite, educated conversation.
किसको vs. किसे
Both mean 'whom'. Use 'किसको' for daily chat and 'किसे' for writing or formal situations. 'तुम किसे ढूँढ रहे हो?' sounds a bit more polished than 'तुम किसको ढूँढ रहे हो?'.

यह पुरस्कार किसे मिलेगा?

Another closely related set of words are the plural forms: 'किनको' (kinko) and 'किन्हें' (kinhein). Just as 'किसको' and 'किसे' are the singular forms, 'किनको' and 'किन्हें' are the plural equivalents. They mean 'to whom (plural)' or 'whom (plural)'. Crucially, in Hindi, plural forms are also used to show respect to a single individual (the honorific plural). Therefore, if you are asking 'Whom did you invite?' and you are referring to a group of people, or a single respected elder, you must use 'किनको' or the more formal 'किन्हें'. Using 'किसको' in these situations would be grammatically incorrect for plurals and socially inappropriate for respected individuals.
The 'किस' Family
The base oblique form 'किस' combines with various postpositions to create different meanings: किसने (who - ergative), किससे (from/with whom), किसका (whose), किसमें (in whom), किस पर (on whom).

यह गाड़ी किसकी है?

It is also helpful to compare 'किसको' with its demonstrative and relative counterparts. The relative pronoun equivalent is 'जिसको' (to whom / the one whom), used in relative clauses like 'जिसको जाना है, वह जा सकता है' (Whoever wants to go, can go). The demonstrative equivalents are 'इसको' (to him/her/it - near) and 'उसको' (to him/her/it - far). Understanding this symmetrical system—किसको (interrogative), जिसको (relative), इसको/उसको (demonstrative)—is a massive leap forward in mastering Hindi pronoun declension.
Colloquial Alternatives
In very informal or regional dialects, you might hear phrases like 'किस बंदे को' (to which guy) or 'किस इंसान को' (to which person) used instead of a simple 'किसको'.

तुम किस आदमी को ढूँढ रहे हो?

यह काम किसको सौंपा जाए?

वहाँ किसको भेजा था?

By mapping out these similar words and their specific grammatical roles, learners can build a robust mental framework for Hindi interrogatives, ensuring they always choose the exact right word for the context, whether it be 'किसको', 'किसे', 'किनको', or 'किसका'.

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

The Oblique Case in Hindi

Postpositions (को, से, ने, का)

Dative Subject Constructions (चाहिए, पसंद है, मालूम है)

Transitive vs. Intransitive Verbs

Interrogative Word Order in Hindi

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Examples by Level

1

तुमने किसको देखा?

Whom did you see?

Direct object marker for an animate being.

2

यह किताब किसको दूँ?

To whom should I give this book?

Indirect object with the verb 'dena' (to give).

3

आप किसको बुला रहे हैं?

Whom are you calling?

Direct object with the verb 'bulana' (to call).

4

उसने किसको मारा?

Whom did he hit?

Direct object with the verb 'maarna' (to hit).

5

तुम किसको ढूँढ रहे हो?

Whom are you looking for?

Direct object with the verb 'dhoondhna' (to search).

6

यह पत्र किसको भेजना है?

To whom is this letter to be sent?

Indirect object with 'bhejna' (to send).

7

किसको पानी चाहिए?

Who wants water?

Dative subject with 'chahiye' (want/need).

8

वह किसको बता रहा है?

To whom is he telling?

Indirect object with 'batana' (to tell).

1

पार्टी में किसको आना है?

Who has to come to the party?

Expressing obligation: Kisko + infinitive + hai.

2

किसको हिंदी बोलना पसंद है?

Who likes to speak Hindi?

Dative subject with 'pasand hai' (likes).

3

कल किसको जाना था?

Who had to go yesterday?

Past obligation: Kisko + infinitive + tha.

4

मुझे नहीं पता कि किसको बुलाना है।

I don't know whom to invite.

Embedded question using 'kisko'.

5

किसको भूख लगी है?

Who is hungry?

Dative subject with physical states (bhookh lagna).

6

यह काम किसको करना चाहिए?

Who should do this work?

Obligation with 'chahiye' acting as 'should'.

7

तुमने मेरी बात किसको बताई?

To whom did you tell my matter (secret)?

Indirect object in past tense.

8

किसको क्या मिला?

Who got what?

Double interrogative (kisko + kya) with verb 'milna' (to get/receive).

1

किसको मालूम था कि ऐसा होगा?

Who knew that this would happen?

Dative subject with verb of knowledge (maalum tha).

2

यह जिम्मेदारी किसको सौंपी जाए?

To whom should this responsibility be handed over?

Passive subjunctive voice.

3

किसको लगता है कि हम जीतेंगे?

Who thinks that we will win?

Dative subject with verb of feeling/thinking (lagta hai).

4

आपने किसको अपना नेता चुना है?

Whom have you elected as your leader?

Direct object with complex predicate (apna neta).

5

किसको फर्क पड़ता है?

Who cares? (To whom does it make a difference?)

Idiomatic use of dative subject (farq padna).

6

पुलिस किसको गिरफ्तार करने वाली है?

Whom is the police about to arrest?

Direct object with prospective aspect (karne wali hai).

7

किसको यकीन है तुम्हारी बातों पर?

Who believes your words?

Dative subject with 'yakeen hai' (has belief).

8

यह घर किसको बेचा गया?

To whom was this house sold?

Indirect object in a passive sentence.

1

किसको इतनी फुर्सत है कि तुम्हारी बकवास सुने?

Who has so much free time to listen to your nonsense?

Rhetorical question using dative subject for possession of time.

2

समझ में नहीं आ रहा कि किसको दोष दूँ।

I can't understand whom to blame.

Indirect question with complex verb phrase (dosh dena).

3

मीटिंग में किसको क्या बोलना है, यह पहले से तय था।

Who has to say what in the meeting, this was decided in advance.

Multiple interrogatives in a noun clause.

4

किसको अधिकार है हमारे फैसले पर सवाल उठाने का?

Who has the right to question our decision?

Dative subject expressing abstract possession (adhikaar - right).

5

आखिर किसको खुश करने की कोशिश कर रहे हो तुम?

After all, whom are you trying to please?

Direct object of a gerund phrase (khush karne ki koshish).

6

किसको सजा मिलेगी और किसको इनाम, यह वक्त बताएगा।

Who will get punishment and who will get a reward, time will tell.

Parallel clauses using dative subjects with 'milna'.

7

यह प्रोजेक्ट किसको सौंपा गया है, इसकी जानकारी मुझे नहीं है।

I don't have the information about to whom this project has been assigned.

Passive voice in a relative clause structure.

8

किसको पड़ी है दुनिया की परवाह करने की?

Who bothers to care about the world?

Highly idiomatic rhetorical use (kisko padi hai).

1

यह विडंबना ही है कि किसको न्याय मिलता है और किसको नहीं।

It is an irony indeed as to who gets justice and who does not.

Philosophical statement using parallel dative structures.

2

साहित्य अकादमी पुरस्कार इस वर्ष किसको प्रदान किया जाएगा?

To whom will the Sahitya Akademi Award be conferred this year?

Formal register, passive voice with 'pradaan kiya jaega'.

3

किसको इल्म था कि हालात इस कदर बिगड़ जाएंगे?

Who had the knowledge that the situation would deteriorate to this extent?

Use of Urdu vocabulary (ilm) with dative subject.

4

यह तय करना मुश्किल है कि किसको प्राथमिकता दी जाए।

It is difficult to decide to whom priority should be given.

Subjunctive passive voice in a complex sentence.

5

सत्ता का नशा किसको अंधा नहीं कर देता?

Whom does the intoxication of power not blind?

Rhetorical question, direct object of a causative verb.

6

किसको क्या हासिल हुआ इस लंबी बहस से?

Who achieved what from this long debate?

Double interrogative with abstract verb 'haasil hona'.

7

यह रहस्य किसको ज्ञात है, यह कोई नहीं जानता।

To whom this secret is known, nobody knows.

Formal vocabulary (gyaat) with dative subject.

8

किसको मुकम्मल जहाँ मिलता है?

Who gets a complete/perfect world? (Famous poetic line reference)

Poetic and philosophical usage.

1

यह तय कर पाना कि ऐतिहासिक भूलों का खामियाजा किसको भुगतना चाहिए, एक जटिल विमर्श है।

Deciding who should bear the brunt of historical blunders is a complex discourse.

Highly academic syntax, dative subject with complex idiom (khamiyaza bhugatna).

2

किसको खबर थी कि उस खामोशी के पीछे एक तूफान पल रहा था?

Who had the inkling that a storm was brewing behind that silence?

Literary and dramatic narrative style.

3

राजनीतिक शतरंज में किसको मोहरा बनाया जा रहा है, यह समझना आम जन के बस की बात नहीं।

Understanding who is being made a pawn in the political chess is not within the capacity of the common man.

Metaphorical usage, passive voice with causative verb.

4

किसको परवाह है उन उसूलों की, जो अब महज़ किताबों में दफ्न हैं?

Who cares about those principles which are now merely buried in books?

Rhetorical question expressing deep cynicism.

5

यह एक यक्ष प्रश्न है कि विकास की इस अंधी दौड़ में किसको पीछे छोड़ा जा रहा है।

It is a crucial/unanswerable question as to who is being left behind in this blind race of development.

Use of mythological idiom (Yaksha Prashna) with passive continuous.

6

किसको मयस्सर है वो सुकून जो फकीरी में है?

Who is privileged to have that peace which exists in asceticism?

Deeply poetic, using Urdu vocabulary (mayassar) with dative subject.

7

यह विमर्श का विषय है कि वैश्वीकरण का वास्तविक लाभ किसको प्राप्त हुआ है।

It is a subject of discourse as to who has received the actual benefit of globalization.

Formal academic register, abstract noun as object of 'praapt hua'.

8

किसको शिकायत करें जब मुंसिफ ही कातिल हो?

To whom should one complain when the judge himself is the murderer?

Classic poetic/ghazal trope using subjunctive.

Common Collocations

किसको पता
किसको चाहिए
किसको बुलाना
किसको देना
किसको देखना
किसको कहना
किसको मारना
किसको भेजना
किसको चुनना
किसको पूछना

Common Phrases

किसको पता है?
किसको मालूम?
किसको चाहिए?
किसको जाना है?
किसको क्या?
किसको पड़ी है?
किसको बुला रहे हो?
किसको दे रहे हो?
किसको समझ आया?
किसको बुरा लगा?

Often Confused With

किसको vs किसने

किसको vs किससे

किसको vs किसका

Idioms & Expressions

"किसको पड़ी है"
"किसको क्या पड़ी"
"किसको मालूम"
"किसको खबर"
"किसको परवाह है"
"किसको फुर्सत है"
"किसको क्या लेना देना"
"किसको दोष दें"
"किसको मुकम्मल जहाँ मिलता है"
"किसको रोएं"

Easily Confused

किसको vs

किसको vs

किसको vs

किसको vs

किसको vs

Sentence Patterns

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How to Use It

note

The distinction between 'किसको' (object) and 'किसने' (subject in past tense) is the most critical hurdle for learners. Master this early to avoid confusion.

Common Mistakes
  • Using 'किसको' instead of 'किसने' for past tense subjects (e.g., saying 'किसको खाया?' instead of 'किसने खाया?').
  • Using 'कौन' instead of 'किसको' with the verb 'चाहिए' (e.g., saying 'कौन चाय चाहिए?' instead of 'किसको चाय चाहिए?').
  • Using 'किसको' for inanimate objects instead of 'क्या' (e.g., asking 'तुमने किसको खरीदा?' when asking about a car).
  • Confusing 'किसको' with 'किससे' when using verbs like 'पूछना' or 'बात करना' (e.g., saying 'तुमने किसको पूछा?' instead of 'तुमने किससे पूछा?').
  • Using the singular 'किसको' when referring to respected elders instead of the respectful plural 'किनको'.

Tips

The 'Ko' Rule

Whenever you see a verb that involves giving, telling, or showing, immediately think of 'को'. If you are asking a question about these verbs, you will almost certainly need 'किसको'.

Chahiye requires Kisko

Burn this phrase into your memory: 'किसको चाहिए?'. Never say 'कौन चाहिए'. Any time you want to ask 'who wants' or 'who needs', 'किसको' is the only correct word.

Tone matters

The way you say 'किसको' changes its meaning. Said softly, it's a polite inquiry. Said loudly and sharply (किसको!!), it can sound like a challenge, meaning 'Who do you think you are talking to?'.

Formal alternative

If you are writing an essay or a formal email in Hindi, try substituting 'किसको' with 'किसे'. It instantly makes your writing look more sophisticated and advanced.

Listen for the 'Ne'

When listening to native speakers, pay close attention to whether they say 'Kis-ko' or 'Kis-ne'. This single syllable completely changes the meaning from 'whom' to 'who'.

Respectful Plural

If you are talking to your boss and asking who they want to meet, do not say 'आप किसको मिलना चाहते हैं?'. Say 'आप किनको मिलना चाहते हैं?'. Using the plural shows respect.

Rhetorical Questions

Native speakers love using 'किसको' for rhetorical questions. 'किसको मालूम?' (Who knows?) is a great phrase to use when you want to shrug off a question you can't answer.

Obligation Structure

To ask 'Who has to do X?', use the formula: किसको + X करना + है. For example, 'किसको काम करना है?' (Who has to work?). This is a very high-frequency structure.

Animate vs Inanimate

Never point at a broken vase and ask 'तुमने किसको तोड़ा?'. 'किसको' implies the vase is a person. Always use 'क्या' for things.

Verb Matching

Make a list of verbs that take 'को' (देना, बताना, बुलाना) and verbs that take 'से' (पूछना, कहना, मिलना). Practice making questions with 'किसको' and 'किससे' for each list.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Kiss Co. Imagine you have a company that gives kisses. You ask, 'To WHOM should Kiss Co. give a kiss?' Kiss Co = Kis-ko = To whom.

Word Origin

Sanskrit -> Prakrit -> Old Hindi

Cultural Context

In Mumbai slang (Bambaiya Hindi), you will often hear 'किसको मांगता है?' instead of the standard 'किसको चाहिए?' for 'Who wants it?'.

Using 'किसको' for elders can be seen as slightly disrespectful. Always use 'किनको' or 'किन्हें' for older people or in formal situations.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"आज रात के खाने में किसको क्या खाना है?"

"यह फिल्म किसको देखनी है?"

"छुट्टियों में किसको कहाँ जाना है?"

"इस सवाल का जवाब किसको पता है?"

"पार्टी की तैयारी किसको करनी है?"

Journal Prompts

Write about a time you didn't know 'किसको' to ask for help.

List three things you have to do today using the 'किसको [verb] है' structure.

Describe a situation where you had to decide 'किसको' to give a gift to.

Write a short dialogue between a teacher asking 'किसको मालूम है?' and students.

Explain why it is important to know 'किसको' to trust.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, 'किसको' is strictly used for people or animate beings. If you want to ask 'what' you are looking at or hitting, you should use 'क्या' (kya). Using 'किसको' for a table or a car sounds very unnatural in Hindi. Always remember: किसको = whom, क्या = what.

This is the most important distinction to learn. 'किसने' is the subject of an action in the past tense (Who did it?). 'किसको' is the receiver of the action (To whom was it done?). For example, 'किसने मारा?' means 'Who hit?', but 'किसको मारा?' means 'Whom did they hit?'. Never mix these two up.

In Hindi, verbs expressing need, want, or liking (like चाहिए or पसंद है) do not take a normal subject. They require a 'dative subject'. This means the person experiencing the need must have the 'को' marker. Since 'कौन' + 'को' becomes 'किसको', the correct phrase is 'किसको चाय चाहिए?' (To whom is tea needed?).

Yes, grammatically and semantically, they are identical. Both mean 'whom' or 'to whom'. The only difference is the register. 'किसको' is standard spoken Hindi, while 'किसे' is slightly more formal and is often preferred in writing, literature, or polite speech.

If you are asking about a group of people, you cannot use the singular 'किसको'. You must use the plural form, which is 'किनको' (kinko) or the more formal 'किन्हें' (kinhein). For example, 'तुमने किनको बुलाया?' (Whom [plural] did you invite?).

It is better not to. In Hindi, plural forms are used to show respect to a single elder or authority figure. Therefore, instead of using the singular 'किसको', you should use the respectful plural 'किनको' or 'किन्हें' when referring to someone older or respected.

This is a very common idiomatic expression. Literally, it means 'To whom does it lie?', but it translates to 'Who cares?' or 'Who gives a damn?'. It is used rhetorically to express indifference or that nobody is bothered about a particular issue.

Yes, while the standard position for interrogative words is right before the verb (तुम किसको बुला रहे हो?), you can move 'किसको' to the beginning for emphasis (किसको बुला रहे हो तुम?). However, the pre-verbal position is the most natural for beginners to learn.

Similar to 'चाहिए', verbs of knowledge or experience like 'पता है' (is known) or 'मालूम है' (is known) require a dative subject. You are literally asking 'To whom is it known?'. Therefore, you must use 'किसको पता है?' instead of 'कौन पता है'.

'किसको' means 'to whom' or 'whom' (receiver of action). 'किससे' means 'from whom' or 'with whom' (source or association). If you give something, use 'किसको' (किसको दिया?). If you ask something or talk to someone, use 'किससे' (किससे पूछा? / किससे बात की?).

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Test Yourself 200 questions

writing

Write a Hindi sentence asking 'Whom did you see?'

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

Sample answer

तुमने किसको देखा?

Direct object for seeing a person.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Direct object for seeing a person.

writing

Write a Hindi sentence asking 'Who wants water?'

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

Sample answer

किसको पानी चाहिए?

Dative subject with 'chahiye'.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Dative subject with 'chahiye'.

writing

Write a Hindi sentence asking 'To whom should I give this book?'

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

Sample answer

यह किताब किसको दूँ?

Indirect object with subjunctive verb.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Indirect object with subjunctive verb.

writing

Write a Hindi sentence asking 'Who has to go to Delhi?'

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

Sample answer

दिल्ली किसको जाना है?

Obligation structure.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Obligation structure.

writing

Write a Hindi sentence asking 'Who knows the answer?'

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Sample answer

जवाब किसको पता है?

Dative subject with 'pata hai'.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Dative subject with 'pata hai'.

writing

Write a Hindi sentence asking 'Whom are you calling?'

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

Sample answer

तुम किसको बुला रहे हो?

Present continuous with direct object.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Present continuous with direct object.

writing

Write a Hindi sentence asking 'Who likes Hindi?'

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

Sample answer

किसको हिंदी पसंद है?

Dative subject with 'pasand hai'.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Dative subject with 'pasand hai'.

writing

Write a Hindi sentence asking 'Who got the prize?'

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

Sample answer

इनाम किसको मिला?

Dative subject with 'milna'.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Dative subject with 'milna'.

writing

Write a Hindi sentence asking 'Whom did the police arrest?'

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

Sample answer

पुलिस ने किसको गिरफ्तार किया?

Direct object of arrest.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Direct object of arrest.

writing

Write a Hindi sentence using the idiom 'Who cares?'

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

Sample answer

किसको पड़ी है?

Idiomatic expression.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Idiomatic expression.

writing

Translate: 'To whom was this letter sent?'

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

Sample answer

यह पत्र किसको भेजा गया?

Passive voice.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Passive voice.

writing

Translate: 'Who is feeling cold?'

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

Sample answer

किसको ठंड लग रही है?

Physical sensation.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Physical sensation.

writing

Translate: 'Whom did you tell my secret?'

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

Sample answer

तुमने मेरा राज़ किसको बताया?

Indirect object.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Indirect object.

writing

Translate: 'Who remembers this?'

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

Sample answer

यह किसको याद है?

Memory state.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Memory state.

writing

Translate: 'Whom are you trying to fool?'

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

Sample answer

तुम किसको बेवकूफ बना रहे हो?

Direct object.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Direct object.

writing

Write a formal version of 'तुम किसको ढूँढ रहे हो?'

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

Sample answer

आप किसे ढूँढ रहे हैं?

Using 'kise' and 'aap'.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Using 'kise' and 'aap'.

writing

Translate: 'Who has the right to speak?'

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

Sample answer

बोलने का अधिकार किसको है?

Abstract possession.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Abstract possession.

writing

Translate: 'Who felt bad?'

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

Sample answer

किसको बुरा लगा?

Emotional state.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Emotional state.

writing

Translate: 'Whom should we invite?'

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

Sample answer

हम किसको बुलाएँ?

Subjunctive mood.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Subjunctive mood.

writing

Translate: 'Who got what?'

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

Sample answer

किसको क्या मिला?

Double interrogative.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Double interrogative.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Use dative subject.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Use direct object.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Use obligation structure.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Use the respectful plural 'kinko'.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Use the idiom.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Use dative subject with 'maalum'.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Use direct object in past tense.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Use dative subject with 'pasand'.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Use subjunctive mood.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Use dative subject with 'milna'.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Use physical state structure.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Use indirect object.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Use memory state structure.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Use indirect object with obligation.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Use emotional state structure.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Use abstract possession.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Use direct object.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Use double interrogative.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Use passive voice.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Use abstract possession of time.

listening

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

Indirect object with 'dena'.

listening

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

Dative subject for wanting.

listening

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

Embedded question with obligation.

listening

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

Idiomatic expression.

listening

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

'Maalum thi' indicates past knowledge.

listening

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

'Police' is doing the searching, 'kisko' is the object.

listening

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

Obligation structure for tomorrow.

listening

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

Double interrogative.

listening

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

Passive voice indirect object.

listening

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

Idiomatic use of 'aana' for language proficiency.

listening

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

Accusing someone of deception.

listening

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

Abstract possession.

listening

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

Asking about physical state.

listening

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

Asking about emotional state.

listening

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

Subjunctive passive.

/ 200 correct

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