B2 syntax 3 دقيقة للقراءة

जब तक and

Use `jab tak` ... `na` for "until" (negative logic), and `jab tak` without `na` for "as long as".

The Rule in 30 Seconds

  • `Jab tak` means both "until" and "as long as".
  • For "until", use a negative verb (`na`/`nahi`).
  • It pairs with `tab tak` (then/until then).
  • Used for durations and time limits.

Quick Reference

Meaning Hindi Structure Example (Hindi) Example (English)
Until (Deadline) Jab tak ... [verb] + na ... `Jab tak` bas `na` aaye... Until the bus comes (doesn't come)...
As long as (Duration) Jab tak ... [verb] (Positive) `Jab tak` tum rahoge... As long as you stay...
Result Clause Tab tak ... ... `tab tak` yahin ruko. ... (until then) stay here.
Past Tense Jab tak ... tha `Jab tak` main wahan tha... As long as I was there...
Future (Subjunctive) Jab tak ... na [subjunctive] `Jab tak` wo `na` kahe... Until he says...
Short Form Jab tak (implied) Khana khalo `jab tak` garam hai. Eat while/as long as it's hot.

أمثلة رئيسية

3 من 10
1

जब तक तुम तैयार हो रहे हो, मैं कॉफ़ी बना लेता हूँ।

As long as (while) you are getting ready, I'll make coffee.

2

जब तक डॉक्टर न आए, मरीज़ को मत हिलाना।

Don't move the patient until the doctor comes.

3

जब तक बारिश नहीं रुकती, हम यहीं रहेंगे।

We will stay here until the rain stops.

🎯

The 'Not' Logic

If your brain fights the 'Until = Not' logic, translate `jab tak... na` as 'While... not'. E.g., 'While he does NOT come, wait.' It makes perfect sense!

⚠️

Don't Double Negative

If you use `jab tak... na`, don't put a negative in the result clause unless you really mean it. 'Until you eat, don't go' is fine. 'Until you don't eat, don't go' is confusing.

The Rule in 30 Seconds

  • `Jab tak` means both "until" and "as long as".
  • For "until", use a negative verb (`na`/`nahi`).
  • It pairs with `tab tak` (then/until then).
  • Used for durations and time limits.

Overview

Meet the timekeeper of Hindi grammar: jab tak. This phrase is your go-to tool for connecting two actions based on time. It acts like a bridge, defining boundaries for when things happen. Whether you're telling someone to wait, describing a duration, or setting a deadline, jab tak is the boss. It literally translates to "when up to" or "when until," but in practice, it covers both "until" and "as long as." Master this, and your complex sentences will flow like water. It's the difference between saying "Wait" and "Wait until I actually finish my coffee."

How This Grammar Works

Jab tak works in pairs. It usually hangs out with its partner tab tak (until then/so long). Think of them as a seesaw. One side sets the condition (jab tak), and the other side explains the result (tab tak).

The trickiest part? The negative. In English, we say "Until you come." In Hindi, the logic is often "Until you *don't* come." It sounds backward, I know! But to a Hindi speaker, saying "Wait until I come" implies waiting during the state of my *non-arrival*. So, we often add a sneaky na (not) or nahi in the first part. Don't worry, we'll break it down.

Formation Pattern

  1. 1Here is the blueprint for building these sentences.
  2. 2Start with jab tak (until/as long as).
  3. 3Add your Subject + Object.
  4. 4CRITICAL CHOICE:
  5. 5Meaning "Until"? Add na or nahi + Verb.
  6. 6Meaning "As long as"? Just add the Verb.
  7. 7Add the comma or tab tak (then/until then).
  8. 8Finish with the second clause (the result).
  9. 9Structure: jab tak + [Clause A] + tab tak + [Clause B]

When To Use It

Use this pattern when one action depends entirely on the duration of another.

  • Deadlines: "Don't eat until dad comes home."
  • Durations: "As long as the boss is here, look busy!"
  • Conditions: "I won't leave until you pay me."

It's perfect for negotiating, giving instructions, or just complaining about how long something is taking.

When Not To Use It

Don't use jab tak for simple time points like "at 5 o'clock" or "on Monday." Use tak (by/until) alone for those.

  • Correct: Kal tak (By tomorrow).
  • Incorrect: Jab tak kal.

Also, avoid it if there's no duration involved. If it's a one-time instant event, jab (when) is usually enough.

Common Mistakes

The "Negative" Trap:

Learners often forget the negative na when they mean "until."

  • English: "Wait until I return."
  • Wrong Hindi: Jab tak main wapas aaun, intezaar karo. (Sounds incomplete)
  • Right Hindi: Jab tak main wapas *na* aaun, intezaar karo. (Until I *don't* return...)

The "Tab Tak" Omission:

While you can sometimes drop tab tak in casual speech, dropping it in long sentences makes you sound lost. Keep it to anchor your sentence.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

  • Jab vs. Jab tak: Jab is a point in time (When I arrived). Jab tak is a stretch of time (As long as I was there).
  • Tak (Postposition): Used with nouns (Somvaar tak - until Monday). Jab tak is used with whole sentences/verbs.

Quick FAQ

Q: Do I always need na for "until"?

In 95% of cases involving a limit or deadline, yes. It feels more natural to Hindi ears.

Q: Can I swap the order?

Yes! You can put the tab tak part first for emphasis. "Don't go out, jab tak rain stops."

Q: Is tab tak mandatory?

Not strictly. In conversation, a pause (comma) often does the job. But learn it with tab tak first to be safe.

Reference Table

Meaning Hindi Structure Example (Hindi) Example (English)
Until (Deadline) Jab tak ... [verb] + na ... `Jab tak` bas `na` aaye... Until the bus comes (doesn't come)...
As long as (Duration) Jab tak ... [verb] (Positive) `Jab tak` tum rahoge... As long as you stay...
Result Clause Tab tak ... ... `tab tak` yahin ruko. ... (until then) stay here.
Past Tense Jab tak ... tha `Jab tak` main wahan tha... As long as I was there...
Future (Subjunctive) Jab tak ... na [subjunctive] `Jab tak` wo `na` kahe... Until he says...
Short Form Jab tak (implied) Khana khalo `jab tak` garam hai. Eat while/as long as it's hot.
🎯

The 'Not' Logic

If your brain fights the 'Until = Not' logic, translate `jab tak... na` as 'While... not'. E.g., 'While he does NOT come, wait.' It makes perfect sense!

⚠️

Don't Double Negative

If you use `jab tak... na`, don't put a negative in the result clause unless you really mean it. 'Until you eat, don't go' is fine. 'Until you don't eat, don't go' is confusing.

💬

Dramatic Bollywood

You'll hear `jab tak` constantly in dramatic movie dialogues like 'Jab tak main zinda hoon...' (As long as I am alive...). It's high-emotion grammar!

💡

Short Answers

If someone asks 'Kab tak?' (Until when?), you can answer just `kal tak` (by tomorrow) or `jab tak main na bolun` (until I say so).

أمثلة

10
#1 Jab tak tum taiyaar ho rahe ho, main coffee bana leta hoon.

जब तक तुम तैयार हो रहे हो, मैं कॉफ़ी बना लेता हूँ।

Focus: Jab tak

As long as (while) you are getting ready, I'll make coffee.

Here, it means "while/as long as" because there is no negative.

#2 Jab tak doctor na aaye, mareez ko mat hilana.

जब तक डॉक्टर न आए, मरीज़ को मत हिलाना।

Focus: na aaye

Don't move the patient until the doctor comes.

Notice `na aaye` (doesn't come) implies "until he comes".

#3 Jab tak baarish nahi rukti, hum yahin rahenge.

जब तक बारिश नहीं रुकती, हम यहीं रहेंगे।

Focus: nahi rukti

We will stay here until the rain stops.

Standard "until" usage with `nahi`.

#4 Main tab tak intezaar karunga jab tak tum haan nahi kahogi.

मैं तब तक इंतज़ार करूँगा जब तक तुम 'हाँ' नहीं कहोगी।

Focus: tab tak

I will wait until you say 'yes'.

Reversed order putting the result first.

#5 Jab tak hai jaan, main naachungi!

जब तक है जान, मैं नाचूँगी!

Focus: hai jaan

As long as there is life, I will dance!

Famous movie line. Positive usage = As long as.

#6 Jab tak tum wapas aaoge, tab tak bahut der ho chuki hogi.

जब तक तुम वापस आओगे, तब तक बहुत देर हो चुकी होगी।

Focus: der ho chuki

By the time you come back, it will be too late.

Advanced: Here `jab tak` functions almost like "by the time".

#7 ✗ Jab tak tum aaoge, main rukunga.

जब तक तुम आओगे, मैं रुकूँगा।

Focus: ✗ aaoge

Incorrect: Waiting usually implies a limit (until), so it needs a negative.

Mistake: Missing `na`.

#8 ✓ Jab tak tum nahi aaoge, main rukunga.

जब तक तुम नहीं आओगे, मैं रुकूँगा।

Focus: ✓ nahi aaoge

Correct: I will stay until you come.

Correction with negative.

#9 Jab tak light na aayegi, hum kaise padhenge?

जब तक लाइट न आएगी, हम कैसे पढ़ेंगे?

Focus: light na aayegi

Until the electricity comes back, how will we study?

Colloquial usage of future tense instead of subjunctive.

#10 Jab tak saans, tab tak aas.

जब तक साँस, तब तक आस।

Focus: Saans/Aas

As long as there is breath, there is hope.

Proverb/Idiomatic usage. Verbs are omitted.

اختبر نفسك

Choose the correct phrase to complete the meaning 'Until the bus comes'.

___ bus nahi aati, hum yahin khade rahenge.

✓ صحيح! ✗ ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة: Jab tak

`Jab tak` is required for duration/condition. `Jab` is for a point in time.

Select the correct verb form for 'Until you finish'.

Jab tak tum kaam khatam ___, main nahi jaunga.

✓ صحيح! ✗ ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة: nahi karte

For 'until', we need the negative form. `Nahi karte` (don't do) fits the condition logic best here.

Complete the 'As long as' sentence.

Jab tak tum mere saath ho, mujhe dar ___.

✓ صحيح! ✗ ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة: nahi lagta

The result of 'As long as you are with me' is usually 'I don't feel scared'.

🎉 النتيجة: /3

وسائل تعلم بصرية

Until vs. As Long As

Until (Stop Point)
Jab tak ... NAHI ... Until ... NOT ...
Jab tak wo na aaye Until he comes
As Long As (Duration)
Jab tak ... (Positive) While ... happens
Jab tak wo yahan hai As long as he is here

Do I need 'Nahi'?

1

Are you setting a deadline?

YES ↓
NO
Use Positive Verb (As long as)
2

Does the action STOP when condition is met?

YES ↓
NO
Use Positive Verb
3

Use Jab Tak + Na/Nahi

Common Verbs with Jab Tak

⏳

Wait/Stay

  • • Rukna (Stop)
  • • Intezaar karna (Wait)
📝

Conditions

  • • Kehna (Say)
  • • Hona (Happen)

الأسئلة الشائعة

22 أسئلة

Jab means when, and tak means up to/until. So literally 'when up to'.

You don't use jab tak. You just use tak. Say 5 baje tak intezaar karo.

Hindi views the period of waiting as the time when the event has *not* happened yet.

Yes, nahi is common in spoken Hindi. Na is slightly more formal or subjunctive.

Jab tak is the statement (until/as long as). Kab tak is the question (until when?).

Rarely. But you can omit tab tak (the second part) if you pause.

No! It works in the past too. Jab tak main wahan tha, sab theek tha (As long as I was there, all was fine).

No, usually jahan tak is used for 'as far as'. Jab tak is strictly for time.

It's awkward. Stick to simple verbs. Jab tak wo aayega is better than jab tak wo aane wala hoga.

Jab tak ho sake or jahan tak ho sake.

Not at all. 'Jab tak main na aaun, mat jana' is a standard instruction, not rude.

People might misunderstand it as 'as long as'. 'Jab tak baarish rukegi' sounds like 'While the rain stops'.

No. Use tak with nouns. Monday tak (Right). Jab tak Monday (Wrong).

Yes. Past, present, and future all work. The structure remains the same.

Using aaye instead of aayega (comes vs will come). It's very common with jab tak.

Only if the context is known. 'Tab tak main sounga' (Until then, I'll sleep).

Not really, but people speak fast and might slur it to japtak.

Aakhir tak or anth tak. Again, just tak because 'end' is a noun.

It gets messy. Better to split the sentence.

It is standard in both Hindi and Urdu. Universally understood.

Jab pairs with tab. Jab tak pairs with tab tak.

Yes! 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan' is a classic example of the 'as long as' usage.

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