उनसे

The Hindi word उनसे (unse) is a foundational pronoun-postposition combination that every learner must master to reach functional fluency. Grammatically, it is the oblique form of the third-person plural pronoun वे (ve), which means 'they', combined with the versatile postposition से (se). In Hindi, postpositions function similarly to English prepositions but follow the noun or pronoun they modify. When ve meets se, it transforms into unse. This word is not just for groups; it is also the standard way to refer to a single person with respect (honorific). If you are talking about your teacher, your boss, or an elderly relative, you would use unse instead of the singular usse to show proper etiquette and social awareness.

Grammatical Breakdown

The word is composed of 'un' (the oblique base for 'they') and 'se' (a postposition meaning from, with, by, or than). This fusion is essential because Hindi pronouns must change their form before a postposition can be attached.

The versatility of unse comes from the postposition se. Depending on the context of the sentence, unse can translate to 'from them', 'with them', 'by them', 'than them', or even 'since them'. For example, if you are receiving a gift, you get it unse (from them). If you are having a conversation, you are speaking unse (with them). If you are comparing heights, you might be taller unse (than them). This multi-functional nature makes it one of the most frequently occurring words in both spoken and written Hindi. Understanding the context is the only way to determine the exact English equivalent in any given scenario.

In social settings, unse is used to maintain distance and politeness. In a business meeting, you would refer to a client using unse to signal professionalism. In a family setting, children are taught to use unse when speaking about their parents or grandparents. This cultural nuance is vital; using the singular form usse for an elder can be perceived as rude or overly familiar. Therefore, unse serves a dual purpose: it indicates plurality and it enforces the social hierarchy of respect that is deeply embedded in Indian culture. Whether you are asking for directions from a group of strangers or inquiring about a professor's health, unse is your go-to pronoun.

Common Contexts

Used in comparisons (than them), communication (talk with them), origins (from them), and passive voice (done by them).

Furthermore, unse is used in time-related expressions. If someone has been working at a company for a long time, you might say you have known the company unse (since their time/through them). It also appears in passive constructions where the agent of the action is marked with se. For instance, 'The work was done by them' would involve unse. This makes the word indispensable for complex sentence structures. As you progress from A2 to higher levels, you will find unse appearing in more abstract ways, such as expressing the cause of an emotion or the source of an inspiration. It is a linguistic workhorse that bridges the gap between simple identification and complex relational descriptions.

Using उनसे (unse) correctly requires an understanding of how the postposition se interacts with different verbs. In Hindi, the verb often dictates which postposition is needed. For example, verbs of speaking like bolna (to speak) or kehna (to say) almost always take se. Therefore, if you want to say 'Tell them', you say unse kaho. This is a common point of confusion for English speakers who might expect to use a word meaning 'to' (like ko). However, in Hindi logic, you speak 'with' or 'from' someone in a conversational exchange, making unse the natural choice.

Verbs of Communication

Words like 'puchna' (ask), 'kehna' (tell), and 'baat karna' (talk) require 'unse'. Example: 'Unse pucho' (Ask them).

Another major use case is for comparison. In English, we use 'than' to compare two things. In Hindi, the postposition se serves this purpose. If you want to say 'This house is bigger than theirs', you would say Yah ghar unse bada hai. Here, unse acts as the benchmark for comparison. This is extremely common in daily life when discussing prices, sizes, or qualities of items. It is important to note that when comparing, unse refers to the people or the entity they represent, providing a concise way to make relative statements without repeating the noun.

The word unse also indicates the source or origin of something. If you received information, a physical object, or even a disease from a group of people, unse is used. 'I heard it from them' translates to Maine unse suna. This usage is very literal and aligns well with the English 'from'. However, it extends to more abstract origins as well, such as 'I learned this from them' (Maine unse yeh seekha). In these instances, unse highlights the role of 'them' as the provider or the starting point of the action or knowledge.

Finally, unse is used in passive or 'incapacity' constructions. In Hindi, to say 'I cannot do this', one can say Mujhse yeh nahi hoga. Similarly, to say 'They cannot do this', you would say उनसे यह नहीं होगा (Unse yeh nahi hoga). This construction implies that the ability or the act itself is coming 'from' them. It is a very common way to express inability or to describe an action that happens involuntarily. For example, 'The glass broke by them (accidentally)' would be Unse glass toot gaya. Here, unse suggests that they were the instrument of the action, even if it wasn't intentional. Mastering these patterns allows a learner to sound much more like a native speaker.

You will encounter उनसे (unse) in almost every layer of Indian society, from the bustling streets of Delhi to the formal boardrooms of Mumbai. In everyday conversation, it is the standard way to refer to a group of people who are not present or are standing a short distance away. For example, at a grocery store, you might hear a customer say, Unse pucho kitna hua (Ask them how much it cost), referring to the staff. It is the language of coordination and social interaction. Because Hindi speakers are very conscious of social hierarchy, unse is the default pronoun used when talking about parents, teachers, or anyone older, making it ubiquitous in family dialogues.

In the world of Bollywood and Hindi cinema, unse is a staple in romantic and dramatic dialogues. Characters often talk about their beloved or their rivals using this pronoun. A classic line might be, Mujhe unse mohabbat hai (I am in love with them/him/her). Here, the use of unse instead of usse adds a layer of respect and poetic distance, which is a hallmark of Hindi romantic expression. In dramatic scenes, a hero might say, Unse keh do ki main aa raha hoon (Tell them that I am coming), using the pronoun to refer to a group of villains. The word carries the weight of the relationship between the speaker and the subject.

Media and News

In news broadcasts, reporters use 'unse' to refer to politicians, officials, or groups of protesters. It maintains a neutral, respectful journalistic tone.

If you listen to Hindi news or read Hindi newspapers, unse appears constantly in reports about public figures. Journalists use it to maintain a professional distance. For instance, 'The reporter asked them a question' would be Patrakar ne unse sawal pucha. In political speeches, leaders use unse to refer to the opposition or to the public they serve. It is a word that balances inclusivity and formality. Even in religious or spiritual discourses, gurus and preachers use unse to refer to the divine or to ancient sages, further emphasizing the word's association with reverence and high status.

In a professional environment, unse is essential. When writing an email or speaking to a colleague about a manager, you would always use unse. For example, Maine unse report maangi hai (I have asked them for the report). Using the singular usse in this context would be a major faux pas and could be seen as a lack of professional etiquette. Thus, unse is not just a word; it is a social tool that helps you navigate the complex interpersonal dynamics of Hindi-speaking communities. Whether you are watching a soap opera, listening to a podcast, or attending a wedding, unse will be one of the most frequent sounds you hear.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when learning उनसे (unse) is failing to use it as an honorific for a single person. In English, we use 'him' or 'her' regardless of how much we respect the person. In Hindi, however, using the singular usse for a teacher or a parent is considered disrespectful. Beginners often default to the singular because they are thinking of 'one person'. To avoid this, you must train your brain to associate 'respect' with 'plurality'. If the person is older than you or in a position of authority, always use unse.

The 'To' vs 'With' Confusion

Many learners try to say 'Unko bolo' (Tell to them) because they translate literally from English. While 'unko' is sometimes used, 'unse' is the standard postposition for verbs like 'kehna' and 'bolna'.

Another common error is confusing unse with unke or unko. While all three start with the same base, the postposition changes the meaning entirely. Unke means 'their' or 'theirs', and unko means 'to them'. A learner might say Maine unko poocha instead of Maine unse poocha. While people will likely understand you, it sounds grammatically 'off' to a native ear. The verb puchna (to ask) specifically requires the se postposition. Learning which verbs pair with which postpositions is a key part of moving past the beginner stage.

Pronunciation can also be a stumbling block. Some learners pronounce the 'n' too heavily or fail to blend the 'un' and 'se' smoothly. It should sound like one fluid word, un-se, with a soft 'n'. Additionally, learners sometimes forget that unse refers to people who are 'far' or 'not present'. If the people are close by, you should use inse (from these). Using unse for someone standing right next to you can be confusing, as it implies a distance that isn't there. This distinction between 'this' (proximal) and 'that' (distal) is fundamental to Hindi pronouns.

Lastly, avoid using unse in contexts where a more specific postposition is required. For example, 'I am going with them' is Main unke saath ja raha hoon. While se can mean 'with' in some contexts (like talking), for physical accompaniment, ke saath is necessary. Beginners often over-rely on se because it is so versatile, but this can lead to sentences that are technically incorrect or ambiguous. Pay close attention to how native speakers use unse versus unke saath to describe different types of 'togetherness'.

To truly understand उनसे (unse), it is helpful to compare it with its counterparts in the Hindi pronoun system. The most direct comparison is with उससे (usse). While unse is plural or honorific, usse is strictly singular and used for people of equal or lower status, or for inanimate objects. For example, if you are talking about a child, you say usse pucho. If you are talking about a teacher, you say unse pucho. This distinction is the bedrock of Hindi social grammar and is something learners must internalize early on.

Unse vs. Inse

'Unse' refers to 'those' people (distal), while 'Inse' refers to 'these' people (proximal). If the people are right here, use 'Inse'.

Another similar word is उनको (unko). As mentioned before, unko means 'to them' or 'them' as a direct object. The choice between unse and unko depends entirely on the verb. Verbs like dena (to give) and dekhna (to see) use ko, whereas puchna (to ask) and milna (to meet) use se. Interestingly, the verb milna can take both, but with different meanings: unse milna means to meet them intentionally, while unko milna often means to find something or for something to be available to them.

In more formal or literary Hindi, you might encounter उनके द्वारा (unke dwara), which specifically means 'by them' or 'through them'. While unse can also mean 'by them' in passive sentences, unke dwara is more explicit and formal. It is often used in official documents or academic writing. For example, 'This book was written by them' could be Yeh pustak unke dwara likhi gayi hai. For a learner, unse is usually sufficient for daily conversation, but knowing unke dwara helps in understanding formal texts and news reports.

Lastly, consider the word उनमें (unme), which means 'in them' or 'among them'. This is used when talking about qualities or being part of a group. 'There is a lot of talent in them' would be Unme bahut hunar hai. While it shares the same base un, the postposition me changes the spatial relationship from 'origin/association' to 'containment'. By mastering this family of words—unse, unko, unke, unme—you gain the ability to describe complex relationships and interactions with any group of people or respected individuals in Hindi.