Compound Verbs:
Compound verbs combine a root verb with a helper to show completion, intensity, or who benefits from the action.
The Rule in 30 Seconds
- Root of Main Verb + Conjugated Vector Verb.
- Adds nuance: completion, suddenness, or beneficiary.
- Don't use in negative sentences.
- Changes the 'vibe' not just the meaning.
Quick Reference
| Vector Verb | Literal Meaning | Nuance Added | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| जाना (jana) | to go | Completion / Change of state | भूल जाना (to forget completely) |
| लेना (lena) | to take | Self-benefit / Internal action | पढ़ लेना (to read to oneself) |
| देना (dena) | to give | Benefit to others / External action | भेज देना (to send away) |
| पड़ना (padna) | to fall | Suddenness / Uncontrollable | हँस पड़ना (to burst out laughing) |
| डालना (dalna) | to put/pour | Intensity / Violence / Rashness | मार डालना (to kill off) |
| उठना (uthna) | to rise | Sudden start / Upward emotion | बोल उठना (to speak up suddenly) |
| बैठना (baithna) | to sit | Regret / Stubbornness / Mistake | लड़ बैठना (to quarrel foolishly) |
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 8Maine apna kaam kar liya.
I finished my work (for my own benefit).
Usne meri kitaab kho di.
He lost my book (completely).
Vah achanak ro padi.
She suddenly burst into tears.
The "L-D" Rule
Memorize `L` for Lena (Love myself) and `D` for Dena (Donate to others). It helps you pick the right vector instantly.
Don't Double Conjugate
Remember: only the SECOND verb (the vector) changes tense. The first verb stays in the root form (minus `na`). Don't conjugate both!
The Rule in 30 Seconds
- Root of Main Verb + Conjugated Vector Verb.
- Adds nuance: completion, suddenness, or beneficiary.
- Don't use in negative sentences.
- Changes the 'vibe' not just the meaning.
Overview
Ready to sound less like a robot and more like a Bollywood star? Enter compound verbs. These are the secret sauce of Hindi. Without them, your sentences are grammatically correct but emotionally flat. They add flavor, urgency, and completeness to your actions. Think of them as high-definition verbs.
How This Grammar Works
In English, we use adverbs or prepositions to add nuance (e.g., "eat *up*," "give *away*," "burst *out* laughing"). In Hindi, we smash two verbs together. The first verb carries the meaning (what you did). The second verb (the helper or "vector") carries the grammatical weight (tense, person, gender) and adds a specific vibe or nuance. You stop translating the second verb literally; it just adds color.
Formation Pattern
- 1It's a simple recipe:
- 2Take the root of the main verb (remove
ना). - 3Add the helper verb conjugated for tense and subject.
- 4Boom! You have a compound verb.
- 5*Example:*
खाना(to eat) +लेना(to take) →खा(root) +लिया(past ofलेना) =खा लिया(ate it up/finished eating).
When To Use It
Use these when an action is fully completed, sudden, intense, or done for a specific benefit.
- Completeness:
काम कर लिया(I did the work—completely). - Suddenness:
वह रो पड़ा(He burst out crying). - Regret/Mistake:
वह सब बता बैठा(He blurted everything out—oops). - Intensity:
साँप को मार डाला(He killed the snake violently).
When Not To Use It
Here is the trap. Don't use compound verbs in:
- Negative sentences: You usually don't say
मैं नहीं खा गया. Just sayमैंने नहीं खाया. - Continuous tenses (often):
खा रहा हैis preferred overखा ले रहा है(though you might hear the latter colloquially). - With Modals: If you use
सकना(can) orपाना(manage to), drop the compound vector.
Common Mistakes
- Translating literally:
आ गयाdoesn't mean "came and went." It just means "arrived" (action completed). - Wrong vector: Using
लेना(self-benefit) when you meantदेना(benefit to others). - Using them in negatives: "I didn't
कर लिया" is a dead giveaway you're a learner. Stick to simple verbs for "no."
Contrast With Similar Patterns
- Simple Verb:
मैंने खाना खाया(I ate food). Fact. Neutral. - Compound Verb:
मैंने खाना खा लिया(I ate up the food). Completed. Satisfied. चुकना(Chukna):मैं खा चुका(I have already eaten). Focuses on the timeline, not the nuance of the action.
Quick FAQ
Q: Do I have to use them?
If you want to reach B1/B2, yes. Otherwise, you sound robotic.
Q: How many vector verbs are there?
There are about 10 common ones, but जाना, लेना, and देना cover 80% of cases.
Q: Can I combine any two verbs?
No, specific main verbs pair with specific vectors based on meaning. It's like wine pairing, but for grammar.
Reference Table
| Vector Verb | Literal Meaning | Nuance Added | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| जाना (jana) | to go | Completion / Change of state | भूल जाना (to forget completely) |
| लेना (lena) | to take | Self-benefit / Internal action | पढ़ लेना (to read to oneself) |
| देना (dena) | to give | Benefit to others / External action | भेज देना (to send away) |
| पड़ना (padna) | to fall | Suddenness / Uncontrollable | हँस पड़ना (to burst out laughing) |
| डालना (dalna) | to put/pour | Intensity / Violence / Rashness | मार डालना (to kill off) |
| उठना (uthna) | to rise | Sudden start / Upward emotion | बोल उठना (to speak up suddenly) |
| बैठना (baithna) | to sit | Regret / Stubbornness / Mistake | लड़ बैठना (to quarrel foolishly) |
The "L-D" Rule
Memorize `L` for Lena (Love myself) and `D` for Dena (Donate to others). It helps you pick the right vector instantly.
Don't Double Conjugate
Remember: only the SECOND verb (the vector) changes tense. The first verb stays in the root form (minus `na`). Don't conjugate both!
Sounding Native
In spoken Hindi, `जाना` is used constantly with intransitive verbs. `मैं आ गया` (I arrived) sounds much better than `मैं आया`.
The Negative Trap
If you are saying "No," drop the fancy compound. It sounds like saying "I didn't eat up the apple"—just say "I didn't eat the apple."
Beispiele
8Maine apna kaam kar liya.
Focus: kar liya
I finished my work (for my own benefit).
Uses `lena` for self-satisfaction.
Usne meri kitaab kho di.
Focus: kho di
He lost my book (completely).
`Dena` indicates the action affected someone else (you).
Vah achanak ro padi.
Focus: ro padi
She suddenly burst into tears.
`Padna` shows sudden, involuntary action.
Doodh phat gaya.
Focus: phat gaya
The milk went bad (curdled).
`Jana` shows a change of state.
Kripya yah patra padh lijiye.
Focus: padh lijiye
Please read this letter.
Formal request using compound verb for politeness/completion.
Maine khana kha nahi liya. → Maine khana nahi khaya.
Focus: nahi khaya
I didn't eat.
MISTAKE: Do not use compound verbs in simple negatives.
Vah so gaya hai. → Vah so raha hai.
Focus: so gaya
He is sleeping.
`So gaya` means he has fallen asleep (transition complete), not that he is currently sleeping.
Are! Tum mera phone tod baithe!
Focus: tod baithe
Oh no! You went and broke my phone!
`Baithna` implies a foolish mistake or regret.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the correct vector to show 'benefiting someone else'.
कृपया मुझे पेन ___ (give - pass it to me). (Pass root: पकड़ा)
Because the action implies giving something *to* someone else, we use `देना` (do).
Select the correct form for a sudden, involuntary action.
शेर को देखकर बच्चा ___ (screamed). (Scream root: चीख़)
`पड़ना` is the best vector for sudden, reflex actions like screaming or crying.
Choose the correct negative form.
मैंने आज चाय ___ (did not drink).
Compound verbs are generally avoided in negative sentences. Just use the simple past.
🎉 Ergebnis: /3
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Simple vs. Compound Nuance
Choosing Your Vector
Is it a reflex/sudden?
Is it violent/intense?
Vector Vibes
Violent/Intense
- • डालना (Kill/Destroy)
- • मारना (Hit)
Oops/Mistake
- • बैठना (Regret)
- • कर बैठना (Did foolishly)
Häufig gestellte Fragen
20 FragenIt's a main verb stem + a helper verb that adds shading to the meaning. For example, खा लेना means to eat completely.
You can, but don't force it. Use them when you want to emphasize completion or a specific nuance.
Because compound verbs emphasize *completion*. You can't emphasize the 'completion' of something that didn't happen!
जाना (Jana) is the MVP. It works with almost all movement and change-of-state verbs.
Not really. जाना doesn't mean 'go' in भूल जाना (forget). It just signals completion.
सुनना is 'to listen'. सुन लेना is 'to listen carefully' or 'take heed'.
No. मरना means 'to die' (intransitive). मार डालना means 'to kill violently' (transitive).
No. Avoid खा ले सकता हूँ. Just say खा सकता हूँ. Modals don't like company.
Start with the big three: लेना (self), देना (others), जाना (movement). That covers most daily speech.
It adds a sense of finality, stubbornness, or often, regret. Like 'going and doing something stupid'.
Absolutely. मैं यह काम कर लूँगा (I will finish this work).
Yes, Bihari or Dakkhini Hindi might use them slightly differently, but standard Hindi follows these rules.
People will understand you, but it might sound funny. Like saying 'I ate the water' instead of drank.
Yes! चलना (move) + जाना (go) = to go away / depart.
Sort of. Phrasal verbs like 'burn down' or 'eat up' are the closest cousins.
They are very common in commands! दे दीजिए (Please give) is polite and complete.
Rarely, but sometimes in passive constructions like किया जा सकता है (can be done).
As a vector, no. It means suddenness. हँस पड़ा (Laughed suddenly).
It's for sudden starts or intensity from a neutral state, like बोल उठना (speak up).
Both! You'll hear it in street slang and read it in newspapers.
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