Expressing Advice and Obligation

Here is the big secret: the subject usually takes को (ko). In English, you say "I should go." In Hindi, you basically say "To me, going is needed." This is called the dative subject. It feels weird at first, like wearing your shoes on the wrong feet. But once you get used to it, it feels totally natural. Your main verb will stay in the infinitive form (ending in -ना). However, there is a twist! The verb ending might change to match the object you are talking about. If you should eat an apple (सेब), the verb is masculine. If you should eat bread (रोटी), the verb becomes feminine. It is like the verb is flirting with the noun.

1. 1Follow these steps to build your sentence:
2. 2Start with the person (Subject).
3. 3Add the magic particle को (ko). Remember: मैं + को = मुझे.
4. 4Pick your action verb in the infinitive form (e.g., खाना, जाना).
5. 5If there is an object, change the -ना to -ने or -नी to match its gender/number.
6. 6End with चाहिए (for advice) or पड़ता है (for obligation).
7. 7Example for advice: आपको (You) + हिंदी (Hindi) + सीखनी (to learn - fem) + चाहिए (should).
8. 8Example for obligation: मुझे (I) + काम (work) + करना (to do - masc) + पड़ता है (have to).

Use चाहिए when you are playing the role of a helpful friend. Use it for giving suggestions or moral advice. "You should try this spicy tea!" or "We should help him." It is perfect for ordering food too. If you are at a restaurant, you might say मुझे एक पानी चाहिए (I need/want a water).

Use पड़ता है when life is forcing your hand. This is for external pressure. Use it for chores, taxes, or that annoying gym routine. "I have to wake up at 5 AM." It implies you might not want to do it, but you have no choice. It is the grammar of adulting.

Use होना (infinitive + है) for planned obligations. This is like your digital calendar. "I have to meet Rahul at 4." It is not a heavy burden, just a plan.

Do not use चाहिए if you are talking about physical ability. If you want to say "I can swim," use सकना instead. चाहिए is about what is right or needed, not what is possible.

Also, do not use पड़ता है for things you enjoy doing voluntarily. If you love running, do not say मुझे दौड़ना पड़ता है. That makes it sound like a punishment! Instead, just say मैं दौड़ता हूँ.

Avoid using को with the subject if you are using the simple verb चाहना (to want). मैं आम चाहता हूँ (I want a mango) is different from मुझे आम चाहिए (I need a mango). The first one is a desire; the second is a requirement.

The biggest trap is forgetting the को. If you say मैं जाना चाहिए, people will understand you, but it sounds like saying "Me should go" in English. Always use मुझे, आपको, or उसे.

Another mistake is ignoring gender agreement. If the object is feminine, like चाय (tea), the verb must be पीनी. Saying मुझे चाय पीना चाहिए is a classic learner move. It is like wearing a neon sign that says "I am still learning!"

Lastly, do not confuse चाहिए (should) with चाहिए था (should have). If you missed your bus, you need the past tense. Adding था at the end changes the whole meaning from a suggestion to a regret.

Let us compare चाहिए vs पड़ता है vs होना.

• मुझे पढ़ना चाहिए: "I should study." (It is a good idea, maybe I will do it later).
• मुझे पढ़ना है: "I have to study." (I have an exam tomorrow, it is on my schedule).
• मुझे पढ़ना पड़ता है: "I have to study." (My parents are forcing me, or the subject is just really hard).

Think of it like a grammar traffic light. चाहिए is green (advice), होना is yellow (planned), and पड़ता है is red (compulsion).