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उन्हें

A2 pronoun #1,000 most common 10 min read

उन्हें

unhen Top 1,000

At the A1 level, learners are introduced to the basic concept of pronouns. You first learn 'वे' (ve) for 'they'. उन्हें is the next step, used when 'they' are the ones receiving an action. Think of it as the Hindi equivalent of 'them'. At this stage, focus on simple sentences like 'Give them water' or 'Call them'. You don't need to worry about the complex honorific rules yet; just treat it as the plural of 'him/her' (them). It is essential to recognize that Hindi pronouns change when they are the object of a sentence. If you want to say 'I know them', you cannot say 'मैं वे जानता हूँ'; you must use उन्हें. This is a fundamental shift from English where 'they' becomes 'them'. Practice with common verbs like 'give' (देना), 'call' (बुलाना), and 'see' (देखना).

At the A2 level, you begin to use उन्हें for politeness. This is where you learn that उन्हें isn't just for multiple people; it's for any single person you want to show respect to, like a teacher or a doctor. You will also start using it with the word 'चाहिए' (chahiye - should/want). For example, 'उन्हें चाय चाहिए' (They want tea). You should also be able to distinguish between उन्हें (them - far) and 'इन्हें' (them - near). This level focuses on daily interactions where you refer to people in your environment or family. You will learn that उन्हें is a contraction of 'उनको', and while both are correct, उन्हें is very common in spoken Hindi. You should also start noticing the nasalization at the end of the word.

By B1, you should be comfortable using उन्हें in more complex sentence structures, such as indirect speech and relative clauses. For example, 'I told them that I would come' (मैंने उन्हें बताया कि मैं आऊंगा). You will also encounter 'ko-subject' verbs more frequently, such as 'उन्हें डर लग रहा है' (They are feeling scared). At this level, you must strictly distinguish between उन्हें and 'उन्होंने' (the ergative subject). You should be able to tell a story where उन्हें is used to maintain a consistent level of respect for a protagonist or an elder. You'll also start to see it in newspapers and more formal contexts, where it refers to groups like 'the authorities' or 'the public'.

At the B2 level, you are expected to use उन्हें with nuanced modal verbs and passive voice. For example, 'उन्हें सूचित किया गया' (They were informed). You should understand the stylistic choice between उन्हें and 'उनको' and choose the one that fits the register of your writing. You will also use it in conditional sentences: 'अगर आप उन्हें बताते, तो वे मदद करते' (If you had told them, they would have helped). Your understanding of the 'distal' nature of the word should be solid—you use it for people not present or people mentioned previously in a text. You should also be able to use the emphatic form 'उन्हीं' correctly when you want to specify 'those very people'.

At the C1 level, you use उन्हें in academic, literary, and highly formal settings. You will encounter it in classical literature where the 'hẽ' ending provides a certain poetic rhythm. You should be able to analyze how the use of उन्हें vs. 'उसे' can change the entire tone of a narrative, indicating social distance, irony, or deep respect. You will also use it in complex legal or bureaucratic Hindi, where pronouns must be precise to avoid ambiguity. At this stage, your pronunciation should be flawless, including the subtle nasalization. You should also be aware of how regional dialects might influence the word but remain steadfast in using the standard form in professional communication.

At the C2 level, your mastery of उन्हें is near-native. You can use it in philosophical discourse to refer to abstract groups or historical figures with the appropriate level of gravitas. You understand the historical linguistics behind the word, including its evolution from Sanskrit and Prakrit. You can effortlessly switch between registers, using उन्हें in a formal speech and perhaps a more colloquial 'उनको' or a dialectal variant when appropriate for the context. You can also spot and correct subtle errors in others' usage, such as the redundant 'ko' or improper ergative switching. Your use of उन्हें is not just grammatically correct but stylistically sophisticated, contributing to the overall 'flow' (pravah) of your Hindi.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

उन्हें in 30 Seconds

Means 'them' or 'to them' in Hindi.
Contraction of 'उन' + 'को' (unko).
Used for plural groups or singular respected individuals.
Distal pronoun, referring to people away from the speaker.

The Hindi word उन्हें (unhẽ) is a cornerstone of Hindi grammar, serving as the third-person plural pronoun in the objective (dative/accusative) case. To understand its usage, one must first look at the base pronoun 'वे' (ve), which means 'they'. In Hindi, when a postposition like 'को' (ko - to/at/for) is applied to 'वे', the pronoun transforms into its oblique form 'उन' (un). While 'उनको' (unko) is a perfectly valid way to say 'to them' or 'them', the word उन्हें is a more synthetic, elegant, and frequently used contraction that combines the oblique base with the case marker.

Grammatical Role: It acts as the direct or indirect object of a sentence, representing 'them' or 'to them'.
Honorific Usage: Crucially, because Hindi uses plural forms to show respect, उन्हें is also used to refer to a single person (him or her) in a formal or respectful context, such as a teacher, a parent, or a stranger.

Beyond simple translation, उन्हें carries a sense of distance; it refers to people who are not in the immediate vicinity of the speaker (distal), as opposed to 'इन्हें' (inhẽ), which refers to people nearby (proximal).

क्या आपने उन्हें खाना दिया? (Did you give them/him/her food?)

This word is ubiquitous in daily conversation, literature, and news reporting. Whether you are telling a story about a group of friends or speaking respectfully about a dignitary, उन्हें is the tool you use to place them in the receiving end of an action. In the hierarchy of Hindi pronouns, it sits comfortably in the middle-to-high register, sounding slightly more polished than the analytical 'उनको'. Historically, this form evolved from the merging of the oblique pronoun and the ancient case markers of Middle Indo-Aryan languages. It represents a linguistic shift toward brevity. When you use उन्हें, you are participating in a tradition of social marking that defines the relationship between the speaker and the subject. If you are talking about your parents, you would never use the singular 'उसे' (use); you would always use उन्हें to signify their status.

मैंने उन्हें बाज़ार में देखा। (I saw them/him/her in the market.)

In this sentence, the verb 'देखा' (saw) acts upon the object उन्हें. Notice how the gender of the people being seen doesn't change the word उन्हें itself; it is gender-neutral in form, though the surrounding verbs might change if उन्हें were the subject (which it isn't here). Understanding उन्हें is essential for navigating the complex web of Hindi social interactions, where the line between 'he/she' and 'they' is often blurred by the requirements of politeness.

Distal vs. Proximal: Use उन्हें for people 'there' (far) and 'इन्हें' for people 'here' (near).

In summary, this word is the bridge between the subject 'they' and the action being performed toward them, carrying the weight of both plurality and respect.

Using उन्हें correctly requires an understanding of how Hindi handles objects. In English, we distinguish between 'they' (subject) and 'them' (object). In Hindi, this distinction is made by changing 'वे' to उन्हें. The most common use case is with transitive verbs where the action is directed at a group or a respected individual.

शिक्षक ने उन्हें बुलाया। (The teacher called them.)

In this example, 'शिक्षक' is the subject, and उन्हें is the object. Another frequent usage involves verbs that require the dative case, often translated as 'to them'. Verbs like 'देना' (to give), 'बताना' (to tell), and 'कहना' (to say) are prime candidates.

मैंने उन्हें सब कुछ बता दिया। (I told them everything.)

A more advanced use of उन्हें occurs in 'ko-subject' constructions, where the logical subject of the sentence is actually in the objective case. This happens with verbs of feeling, needing, or liking. For instance, 'उन्हें प्यास लगी है' (They are thirsty / To them thirst is attached). Here, उन्हें is the one experiencing the state.

With Modal Verbs: When using 'चाहिए' (should/want), the person who 'should' do something is marked with 'ko', thus becoming उन्हें. Example: उन्हें जाना चाहिए (They should go).

It is also vital to distinguish उन्हें from 'उन्होंने' (unhonne). While both come from 'वे', 'उन्होंने' is used only for the subject in the past tense with transitive verbs (ergative case). If you say 'उन्होंने देखा', it means 'They saw'. If you say 'मैंने उन्हें देखा', it means 'I saw them'. Mixing these up is a common beginner error.

उन्हें हिंदी आती है। (They know Hindi / To them Hindi comes.)

In this sentence, उन्हें is the recipient of the knowledge. This 'dative subject' construction is very common in Hindi for mental states and physical sensations. Furthermore, in passive constructions, उन्हें identifies the person to whom something was done. 'उन्हें सजा दी गई' (They were given punishment). By mastering उन्हें, you unlock the ability to describe complex interactions involving multiple people or respected figures. It allows for a flow in speech that avoids the clunkier 'उनको' while maintaining grammatical precision.

Sentence Placement: Usually appears before the verb, often right after the subject or at the very beginning of the sentence in dative-subject constructions.

Remember, the 'hẽ' sound at the end is nasalized; failing to nasalize it might make it sound like 'unhe' (without the dot), which is less standard. Practice saying it with a soft 'n' sound at the end to sound like a native speaker. Whether you are asking for their opinion (उन्हें क्या लगता है?) or offering them a seat (उन्हें बैठने को कहें), this word is your primary tool for plural/formal objective reference.

You will encounter उन्हें in almost every sphere of Hindi-speaking life. In a domestic setting, children are taught to use उन्हें when talking about their grandparents or guests. For example, a mother might tell her child, 'जाओ, उन्हें पानी दो' (Go, give them/him water). Here, the use of उन्हें for a single guest is a sign of 'Sanskar' or good upbringing. In the professional world, colleagues use उन्हें to refer to managers or clients. In a meeting, you might hear, 'उन्हें हमारी रिपोर्ट पसंद आई' (They liked our report). The news media is another place where उन्हें is heard constantly. News anchors use it to refer to groups of people, like 'प्रदर्शनकारियों' (protestors) or 'नेताओं' (leaders).

पुलिस ने उन्हें हिरासत में लिया। (The police took them into custody.)

Bollywood movies and Hindi TV serials are rich with this word, especially in dramatic dialogues involving family honor or romantic respect. A character might say about their beloved's parents, 'मैं उन्हें कैसे समझाऊं?' (How do I explain to them?).

Literature: In Hindi literature (Sahitya), उन्हें is preferred over 'उनको' for its rhythmic quality and brevity, appearing frequently in the works of Premchand or modern novelists.

Even in casual street slang, while 'उनको' might be heard more often in some dialects, उन्हें remains the standard for anyone aiming for 'Shuddh' (pure) or standard Hindi. If you are listening to a political speech, the orator will use उन्हें to refer to the opposition or the public. 'जनता ने उन्हें चुना है' (The public has chosen them).

भगवान उन्हें शांति दे। (May God give them peace.)

This is a common phrase heard during condolences. The word transcends social classes, though its frequency increases in formal settings. In schools, teachers use it for students in a group: 'मैंने उन्हें कल होमवर्क दिया था' (I gave them homework yesterday). In summary, whether it's the reverence of a prayer, the formality of a courtroom, or the simple act of sharing a meal, उन्हें is the linguistic thread that connects the speaker to the 'others' with the appropriate level of distance and respect. It is a word that embodies the collective and the honorable.

For English speakers learning Hindi, उन्हें can be a source of several common errors. The first and most frequent mistake is confusing उन्हें (them) with 'उन्होंने' (they - ergative). Beginners often say 'उन्हें खाना खाया' when they mean 'उन्होंने खाना खाया' (They ate food). Remember: उन्हें is the object (them), while 'उन्होंने' is the subject in the past tense (they). Another common error is adding an extra 'ko' after उन्हें. Since उन्हें already contains the meaning of 'ko', saying 'उन्हें को' is redundant and grammatically incorrect. It’s like saying 'to them to' in English.

Incorrect: मैंने उन्हें को बुलाया।
Correct: मैंने उन्हें बुलाया।

Confusion between उन्हें (distal - those people) and 'इन्हें' (proximal - these people) is also prevalent. If the people you are talking about are standing right next to you, use 'इन्हें'. If they are away or not present, use उन्हें.

Singular vs. Plural: Learners often forget to use उन्हें for a single respected person, mistakenly using 'उसे' (use). While 'उसे' is grammatically singular, using it for a teacher or father sounds 'badtameez' (rude).

Pronunciation is another hurdle. The nasalization (the 'bindu' or dot on the 'e') is vital. Without it, it sounds like 'unhe', which can be confused with other regional variations or simply sound non-native.

Practice: Say 'un-hay' but let the sound go through your nose at the end.

Lastly, learners sometimes struggle with 'ko-subject' verbs. They might say 'वे प्यास लगी है' instead of 'उन्हें प्यास लगी है'. In Hindi, you don't 'be' thirsty; thirst 'attaches to you'. Therefore, the person must be in the objective case.

The 'Chahiye' Trap: Saying 'वे जाना चाहिए' is wrong. It must be 'उन्हें जाना चाहिए'. Whenever 'should' is involved, the subject usually turns into the 'ko' form (उन्हें).

Avoiding these pitfalls will significantly improve your Hindi fluency and ensure you are perceived as a respectful and competent speaker. Pay close attention to whether you are describing an action *by* them or an action *to* them.

While उन्हें is the most common way to say 'them', there are several alternatives and similar-sounding words that you should be aware of to enrich your vocabulary.

उनको (unko): This is the most direct synonym. It is the analytic form (उन + को). It is 100% interchangeable with उन्हें in terms of meaning, but उन्हें is often preferred in writing and formal speech for its conciseness.
इन्हें (inhẽ): The proximal version. Use this for 'them' (these people) when they are close to you. Example: 'इन्हें देखो' (Look at these people).
उसे (use): The singular objective form (him/her/it). Use this for a single person who does not require honorifics, like a younger sibling or a close friend.

In very formal or legal contexts, you might see 'उन व्यक्तियों को' (un vyaktiyon ko - to those individuals) or 'उन लोगों को' (un logon ko - to those people). These are more specific and emphasize the plurality.

Comparison:
उन्हें बुलाओ (Call them - standard/formal)
उन लोगों को बुलाओ (Call those people - emphasizes the group)

Another word often confused is 'उन्हीं' (unhīñ). This is the emphatic form, meaning 'to those very people' or 'to them specifically'. The 'ī' sound adds emphasis. Example: 'मैंने उन्हीं को पैसे दिए' (I gave money to those very people, not anyone else).

Summary of Case Forms for 'वे': 1. वे (Subject)
2. उन्होंने (Subject - Past Transitive)
3. उन्हें / उनको (Object)
4. उनका / उनकी / उनके (Possessive)

Understanding these nuances helps you choose the right level of formality and emphasis. While उन्हें is your 'workhorse' word for 'them', knowing when to use 'उनको' for clarity or 'उन्हीं' for emphasis will make your Hindi sound much more natural and sophisticated. In some dialects, like those in Bihar or Eastern UP, you might hear 'उनका के' or other variations, but in Standard Hindi (Khari Boli), उन्हें is the gold standard.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"उन्हें सूचित कर दिया गया है।"

Neutral

"मैंने उन्हें कल देखा था।"

Informal

"उन्हें भी बुला ले क्या?"

Child friendly

"जाओ, दादाजी को पानी दो, उन्हें प्यास लगी है।"

Slang

"उन्हें छोड़, अपनी बता।"

Fun Fact

The 'h' in 'unhẽ' is a remnant of the plural marker from Apabhramsa, which helps distinguish it from the singular 'use'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ʊn.ɦẽː/

US /ʊn.heɪn/

The stress is equal on both syllables, but the nasalization at the end is the most distinct feature.

Rhymes With

इन्हें (inhẽ) जिन्हें (jinhẽ) किन्हें (kinhẽ) हमें (hamẽ) तुम्हें (tumhẽ) दें (dẽ) लें (lẽ) जाएँ (jāẽ)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'un-he' without the nasal sound.
Over-pronouncing the 'h' so it sounds like two separate words.
Confusing it with 'un-ho-ne' (ergative).
Making the 'u' too long like 'oon'.
Failing to distinguish it from 'in-hẽ' (proximal).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize once you know the 've' family.

Writing 3/5

Need to remember the nasalization dot (bindu).

Speaking 3/5

Requires practice to use honorifically for singular subjects.

Listening 2/5

Commonly heard, easy to distinguish from 'use'.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

वे को उन उसे मैं

Learn Next

इन्हें जिन्हें किन्हें उन्होंने चाहिए

Advanced

तस्मात् एभ्यः सम्प्रदान कारक कर्म कारक

Grammar to Know

Oblique Case Transformation

वे + को = उन्हें (or उनको)

Honorific Plurality

Referring to one's father as 'उन्हें' instead of 'उसे'.

Dative Subject Construction

उन्हें प्यास लगी है (They are thirsty).

Distal vs Proximal Pronouns

उन्हें (those) vs इन्हें (these).

Synthetic vs Analytic forms

उन्हें (Synthetic) vs उनको (Analytic).

Examples by Level

उन्हें बुलाओ।

Call them.

Simple imperative with direct object.

उन्हें पानी दो।

Give them water.

Indirect object usage.

मैंने उन्हें देखा।

I saw them.

Past tense transitive verb object.

उन्हें फल चाहिए।

They want fruits.

Usage with 'chahiye' (want).

क्या आप उन्हें जानते हैं?

Do you know them?

Interrogative sentence.

उन्हें यहाँ लाओ।

Bring them here.

Imperative with 'laao'.

उन्हें मत मारो।

Don't hit them.

Negative imperative.

उन्हें खाना खिलाओ।

Feed them.

Causative verb object.

उन्हें हिंदी नहीं आती।

They don't know Hindi.

Dative subject construction.

उन्हें आज जाना है।

They have to go today.

Infinitive + 'hai' (obligation).

मैंने उन्हें सच बताया।

I told them the truth.

Indirect object with 'batana'.

उन्हें बुखार है।

They have a fever.

Possession of a physical state.

उन्हें यह गाना पसंद है।

They like this song.

Usage with 'pasand' (like).

उन्हें अंदर बुलाइए।

Please call them inside.

Formal imperative.

उन्हें मेरी मदद चाहिए।

They need my help.

Usage with 'chahiye' (need).

उन्हें कल मत बुलाना।

Don't call them tomorrow.

Negative future imperative.

मैंने उन्हें बताया कि मैं व्यस्त हूँ।

I told them that I am busy.

Indirect speech.

उन्हें शायद मेरी बात समझ नहीं आई।

They probably didn't understand what I said.

Usage with 'samajh aana'.

उन्हें बहुत गुस्सा आ रहा था।

They were getting very angry.

Experiencer subject with 'gussa'.

क्या आपने उन्हें पैसे लौटा दिए?

Did you return the money to them?

Compound verb 'lauta dena'.

उन्हें समय पर पहुँचने की आदत है।

They have a habit of arriving on time.

Possession of a habit.

उन्हें अपनी गलती का एहसास हुआ।

They realized their mistake.

Abstract experience subject.

उन्हें नया घर खरीदना चाहिए।

They should buy a new house.

Modal 'chahiye' for suggestion.

मैंने उन्हें बाज़ार में घूमते हुए देखा।

I saw them wandering in the market.

Participle phrase with object.

उन्हें सूचित किया गया कि मीटिंग रद्द हो गई है।

They were informed that the meeting has been cancelled.

Passive voice.

उन्हें अपनी मेहनत का फल मिला।

They got the fruit of their hard work.

Idiomatic usage.

उन्हें इस बात का गहरा दुख हुआ।

They were deeply saddened by this.

Intense emotional state.

उन्हें लगा कि हम नहीं आएंगे।

They thought that we wouldn't come.

Verb of perception 'lagna'.

उन्हें यह जिम्मेदारी संभालनी होगी।

They will have to handle this responsibility.

Future obligation 'hoga'.

उन्हें समाज में बहुत सम्मान मिलता है।

They receive a lot of respect in society.

Passive-like active construction.

उन्हें अपनी राय व्यक्त करने का मौका दें।

Give them a chance to express their opinion.

Formal request with infinitive.

उन्हें इस योजना के बारे में सब पता है।

They know everything about this plan.

State of knowledge.

उन्हें इस ऐतिहासिक जीत का श्रेय जाता है।

The credit for this historic victory goes to them.

Formal attribution.

उन्हें परिस्थितियों के अनुसार ढलना पड़ा।

They had to adapt according to the circumstances.

Compulsion in the past 'pada'.

उन्हें अपनी जड़ों से गहरा लगाव है।

They have a deep attachment to their roots.

Abstract emotional connection.

उन्हें न्याय मिलने की पूरी उम्मीद है।

They have full hope of getting justice.

Noun-based construction for hope.

उन्हें इस विषय पर बोलने के लिए आमंत्रित किया गया।

They were invited to speak on this subject.

Formal passive voice.

उन्हें अपनी कला के लिए अंतरराष्ट्रीय ख्याति प्राप्त हुई।

They achieved international fame for their art.

High-register vocabulary.

उन्हें इस बात का आभास तक नहीं था।

They didn't even have an inkling of this.

Nuanced word for 'realization' (abhas).

उन्हें अपनी संस्कृति पर गर्व है।

They are proud of their culture.

Usage with 'garv' (pride).

उन्हें आत्म-साक्षात्कार की अनुभूति हुई।

They experienced self-realization.

Philosophical/Spiritual register.

उन्हें इस विभीषिका का सामना करना पड़ा।

They had to face this catastrophe.

Highly formal word for 'catastrophe'.

उन्हें अपनी विचारधारा के कारण प्रताड़ित किया गया।

They were persecuted because of their ideology.

Political/Human rights context.

उन्हें इस गूढ़ रहस्य का ज्ञान था।

They had knowledge of this profound mystery.

Literary/Esoteric register.

उन्हें अपनी सत्यनिष्ठा के लिए जाना जाता है।

They are known for their integrity.

Abstract character trait.

उन्हें इस व्यवस्था में कोई दोष नज़र नहीं आता।

They see no flaw in this system.

Analytical/Critical register.

उन्हें अपनी नियति पर पूर्ण विश्वास है।

They have complete faith in their destiny.

Existential register.

उन्हें इस महान परंपरा का उत्तराधिकारी माना जाता है।

They are considered the heirs to this great tradition.

Cultural/Historical register.

Common Collocations

उन्हें बुलाना

उन्हें देना

उन्हें बताना

उन्हें चाहिए

उन्हें पसंद है

उन्हें पता है

उन्हें देखना

उन्हें समझाना

उन्हें रोकना

उन्हें खिलाना

Common Phrases

उन्हें जाने दो

उन्हें क्या हुआ?

उन्हें कैसे पता?

उन्हें आने दो

उन्हें बुरा लगा

उन्हें याद करना

उन्हें फर्क नहीं पड़ता

उन्हें शांति मिले

उन्हें हक है

उन्हें शर्म आनी चाहिए

Often Confused With

उन्हें vs उन्होंने (unhonne)

This is the subject form used in the past tense. 'उन्होंने देखा' (They saw) vs 'मैंने उन्हें देखा' (I saw them).

उन्हें vs इन्हें (inhẽ)

This means 'these people' (near), while उन्हें means 'those people' (far).

उन्हें vs उन्हीं (unhīñ)

This is the emphatic form meaning 'to those very people'.

Idioms & Expressions

"उन्हें आड़े हाथों लेना"

To take them to task or rebuke them severely.

गलती करने पर बॉस ने उन्हें आड़े हाथों लिया।

Formal

"उन्हें चने चबवाना"

To make things very difficult for them (literally: make them chew chickpeas).

भारतीय सेना ने दुश्मनों को लोहे के चने चबवाए (उन्हें परेशान किया)।

Colloquial

"उन्हें ठेंगा दिखाना"

To refuse them mockingly or to show them the thumb.

जब उन्होंने मदद मांगी, तो उसने उन्हें ठेंगा दिखा दिया।

Slang

"उन्हें नीचा दिखाना"

To humiliate or belittle them.

वह हमेशा उन्हें नीचा दिखाने की कोशिश करता है।

Neutral

"उन्हें सिर पर चढ़ाना"

To pamper them too much or give them too much importance.

तुमने बच्चों को सिर पर चढ़ा रखा है, उन्हें डाँटो।

Colloquial

"उन्हें धूल चटाना"

To defeat them badly.

हमारी टीम ने उन्हें धूल चटा दी।

Competitive

"उन्हें हाथों-हाथ लेना"

To welcome them with great enthusiasm.

जनता ने नए नेता को हाथों-हाथ लिया।

Positive

"उन्हें अपनी उंगलियों पर नचाना"

To make them dance to one's tunes (control them).

वह उन्हें अपनी उंगलियों पर नचाती है।

Critical

"उन्हें सबक सिखाना"

To teach them a lesson.

पुलिस उन्हें सबक सिखाएगी।

Neutral

"उन्हें आँखों का तारा बनाना"

To make them very dear or beloved.

दादाजी ने उन्हें अपनी आँखों का तारा बना लिया है।

Affectionate

Easily Confused

उन्हें vs उन्हें

Sounds like 'unko'

उन्हें is synthetic (one word), उनको is analytic (two parts). उन्हें is often more formal.

उन्हें बुलाओ / उनको बुलाओ।

उन्हें vs जिन्हें

Rhymes with उन्हें

जिन्हें is a relative pronoun meaning 'whom' or 'to whom'.

जिन्हें आप जानते हैं (Those whom you know).

उन्हें vs किन्हें

Rhymes with उन्हें

किन्हें is an interrogative pronoun meaning 'whom?' (plural/formal).

आपने किन्हें बुलाया? (Whom did you call?)

उन्हें vs हमें

Rhymes with उन्हें

हमें means 'us' or 'to us'.

हमें पानी दो (Give us water).

उन्हें vs तुम्हें

Rhymes with उन्हें

तुम्हें means 'you' or 'to you'.

तुम्हें क्या चाहिए? (What do you want?)

Sentence Patterns

उन्हें + [Noun] + [Verb]

उन्हें पानी दो।

उन्हें + [Noun] + पसंद है

उन्हें फल पसंद हैं।

मैंने + उन्हें + बताया कि...

मैंने उन्हें बताया कि मैं आ रहा हूँ।

उन्हें + [Verb-Infinitive] + पड़ा

उन्हें जाना पड़ा।

उन्हें + [Abstract Noun] + की अनुभूति हुई

उन्हें शांति की अनुभूति हुई।

उन्हें + [Verb-Infinitive] + चाहिए

उन्हें पढ़ना चाहिए।

उन्हें + [Feeling] + लग रहा है

उन्हें डर लग रहा है।

उन्हें + [Action] + किया गया

उन्हें सम्मानित किया गया।

Word Family

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in both spoken and written Hindi.

Common Mistakes

उन्हें को → उन्हें
Adding 'ko' is redundant because 'unhẽ' already means 'to them'.
उन्हें खाना खाया → उन्होंने खाना खाया
In the past tense with transitive verbs, the subject must be 'unhonne', not 'unhẽ'.
वे प्यास लगी है → उन्हें प्यास लगी है
Feelings like thirst require the objective case 'unhẽ'.
उसे (for a teacher) → उन्हें
Using 'use' for a respected person is considered rude; 'unhẽ' is the honorific singular.
वे जाना चाहिए → उन्हें जाना चाहिए
The modal 'chahiye' requires the subject to be in the 'ko' form.

Tips

The 'Ko' Rule

Never add 'ko' after 'unhẽ'. It's already built-in!

Respect Matters

Always use 'unhẽ' for elders, even if it's just one person.

Nasalize It

Don't forget the soft 'n' sound at the end of the word.

Distal vs Proximal

Think of 'U' in 'Unhẽ' as 'Up there' (far) and 'I' in 'Inhẽ' as 'In here' (near).

Formal Writing

Prefer 'unhẽ' over 'unko' in essays and formal letters.

Subject vs Object

Remember: Unhonne = They (did), Unhẽ = Them.

Check the Verb

Verbs like 'chahiye' and 'pasand' always take 'unhẽ'.

Rhyming Family

Learn inhẽ, jinhẽ, and kinhẽ together to master the pattern.

Flow

Practice saying 'Maine unhẽ dekha' quickly to get the natural rhythm.

Identify Respect

If you hear 'unhẽ' for one person, you know that person is respected.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'UN' (United Nations - a group of people) + 'HE' (but nasalized). You are talking to or about 'them' (the UN).

Visual Association

Imagine pointing to a group of people far away and handing them a gift. The action of giving 'to them' is 'unhẽ'.

Word Web

वे उन उनको उन्होंने उनका उन्हें इन्हें किन्हें

Challenge

Try to use 'उन्हें' in three different ways today: once for a group of friends, once for a respected elder, and once with the word 'chahiye'.

Word Origin

Derived from the Old Indo-Aryan (Sanskrit) pronominal system. The base 'un' comes from the distal demonstrative 'adas' or 'tad'. The suffix '-hẽ' is a development of the Middle Indo-Aryan dative/locative plural markers.

Original meaning: To those / Them.

Indo-Aryan

Cultural Context

Always err on the side of using 'उन्हें' if you are unsure about the level of respect required. It is never offensive to be too respectful.

English speakers often struggle with the honorific singular. Remember that 'them' can mean 'him' or 'her' if they are older than you.

Used frequently in the Bhagavad Gita translations to refer to the Lord or the ancestors. Common in Bollywood songs like 'उन्हें अपना बना लूँ' (Let me make them/him mine). Found in Premchand's stories to describe the villagers' respect for the Panchayat.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Giving/Offering

उन्हें चाय दें
उन्हें बैठने को कहें
उन्हें तोहफा दो
उन्हें जगह दें

Informing

उन्हें बता दो
उन्हें खबर कर दो
उन्हें सच बताओ
उन्हें मैसेज करो

Asking/Inquiring

उन्हें क्या चाहिए?
उन्हें कैसा लगा?
उन्हें कहाँ जाना है?
उन्हें कौन जानता है?

Emotions/Needs

उन्हें भूख लगी है
उन्हें डर लगता है
उन्हें खुशी हुई
उन्हें दुख है

Respectful Reference

उन्हें प्रणाम करो
उन्हें अंदर बुलाओ
उन्हें खाना खिलाओ
उन्हें आराम करने दें

Conversation Starters

"क्या आपने उन्हें आज देखा?"

"उन्हें कौन सी मिठाई पसंद है?"

"उन्हें यहाँ किसने बुलाया?"

"क्या हमें उन्हें सच बता देना चाहिए?"

"उन्हें हिंदी सीखने में कितना समय लगा?"

Journal Prompts

उन लोगों के बारे में लिखें जिन्हें आप सबसे ज्यादा पसंद करते हैं और क्यों।

क्या आपने कभी किसी को 'उन्हें' कहकर संबोधित किया जब वे आपके सामने थे?

एक कहानी लिखें जहाँ मुख्य पात्र को 'उन्हें' की मदद की ज़रूरत है।

अपने शिक्षकों के बारे में लिखें और बताएं कि आप उन्हें क्यों याद करते हैं।

अगर आप किसी मशहूर हस्ती से मिलें, तो आप उन्हें क्या उपहार देंगे?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, in Hindi, 'उन्हें' is also used for a single person to show respect (honorific singular). For example, you would use it for your father or a teacher.

There is no difference in meaning. 'उन्हें' is a contraction of 'उनको'. 'उन्हें' is slightly more common in formal writing and literature, while 'उनको' is often used in casual speech.

No, that is incorrect. The 'hẽ' ending already includes the meaning of 'ko'. Adding another 'ko' is redundant.

Use 'इन्हें' for people who are physically close to you (these people). Use 'उन्हें' for people who are far away or not present (those people).

No, 'उन्हें' is used for both males and females. The gender is usually understood from the context or the verb.

The dot (bindu) indicates nasalization. The 'e' sound should be pronounced partly through your nose, similar to the French 'en'.

Only in specific constructions like 'उन्हें भूख लगी है' (They are hungry) or 'उन्हें जाना चाहिए' (They should go). It cannot be the subject of a standard past tense transitive verb.

The singular (non-honorific) version is 'उसे' (use), meaning 'him', 'her', or 'it'.

Yes, if you are referring to a group of animals or an animal you are speaking about with some level of personification or distance.

Poets prefer 'उन्हें' because it is shorter than 'उनको' and has a nasalized ending that fits well with many Hindi poetic meters.