Imperative mood (आप): verb stem + इए/ईजिए
To request politely in Hindi, add `iye` to the verb stem, or `jiye` for the four irregulars.
The Rule in 30 Seconds
- Used for formal requests (Aap).
- Remove 'na', add 'iye' suffix.
- Only 4 irregulars: kijiye, dijiye, lijiye, pijiye.
- Safe choice for strangers and elders.
Quick Reference
| Verb (Infinitive) | Stem | Ending | Polite Command |
|---|---|---|---|
| bolna (to speak) | bol | + iye | boliye (please speak) |
| aana (to come) | aa | + iye | aaiye (please come) |
| baithna (to sit) | baith | + iye | baithiye (please sit) |
| karna (to do) | kar* | + ijiye | kijiye (please do) |
| dena (to give) | de* | + ijiye | dijiye (please give) |
| lena (to take) | le* | + ijiye | lijiye (please take) |
| pina (to drink) | pi* | + ijiye | pijiye (please drink) |
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 9andar aaiye
Please come inside.
apna naam boliye
Please state your name.
thoda paani pijiye
Please have some water.
The 'Jiye' Code
If a verb is extremely common (do, give, take, drink), it probably ends in 'jiye'. It's like the VIP club for verbs.
Hospitality Hero
In India, 'Lijiye' (please take/have) is heard constantly when eating. It's the magic word for offering food to guests.
The Rule in 30 Seconds
- Used for formal requests (Aap).
- Remove 'na', add 'iye' suffix.
- Only 4 irregulars: kijiye, dijiye, lijiye, pijiye.
- Safe choice for strangers and elders.
Overview
Welcome to the VIP lounge of Hindi grammar. This is the Imperative Mood (आप). It's your golden ticket to sounding polite, respectful, and sophisticated. Think of it as the "please" built right into the verb. In Hindi culture, respect is huge. Like, really huge. Using the wrong level of formality can be as awkward as wearing pajamas to a wedding. This form helps you navigate social hierarchies without stepping on toes. It's the standard for talking to elders, strangers, your boss, or anyone you want to show respect to. Basically, when in doubt, use this form. It's the safest bet to avoid accidentally insulting someone's grandmother.
How This Grammar Works
The logic here is straightforward. Hindi verbs change based on who you are talking to. We have three levels: Tu (intimate/rude), Tum (informal), and Aap (formal). This lesson focuses entirely on the Aap form. It turns a command like "Sit!" into a polite request like "Please sit." You don't always need to say the word Aap (you) explicitly because the verb ending gives it away. It's efficient like that. Think of the suffix as a little bow tie you put on the verb to make it fancy.
Formation Pattern
- 1Creating this form is usually as easy as adding a suffix. Here is the recipe:
- 2Take the infinitive verb (e.g.,
bolna- to speak). - 3Chop off the
naat the end to get the stem (e.g.,bol). - 4Add
iye(इए) to the stem. - 5If the stem ends in a vowel (like
aainaana), simply addiyeto make it flow (e.g.,aaiye). - 6There are just 4 common rebels (irregular verbs) you need to memorize. They end in
jiye(जिए) instead: - 7
karna(to do) →kijiye - 8
dena(to give) →dijiye - 9
lena(to take) →lijiye - 10
pina(to drink) →pijiye
When To Use It
Use this anytime you want to be polite. Ordering food? Use it. Asking for directions? Use it. Talking to your boss? Definitely use it. Meeting your future in-laws? Use it or perish. It implies a sense of distance and respect. It's also great for soft commands, like a yoga instructor telling you to "breathe" (saans lijiye).
When Not To Use It
Don't use this with close friends, younger siblings, or pets (unless your cat is extremely dignified). Using Aap with a best friend can sound cold, sarcastic, or like you're in a fight. It creates distance. Also, don't use it if you are intentionally trying to be rude, though we generally advise against that!
Common Mistakes
The biggest trap is the irregular verbs. Beginners often say kariye instead of kijiye. While people will understand kariye, it sounds a bit unpolished. Another mistake is mixing levels—saying Tum (you informal) but using the polite verb ending, like Tum aaiye. That's a grammatical identity crisis. Stick to Aap aaiye.
Contrast With Similar Patterns
Compare this to the Tum form (informal). For 'Sit', Tum is baitho (ends in 'o'). Aap is baithiye (ends in 'iye'). The 'o' sound is casual; the 'iye' sound is formal. It's a clear auditory distinction. Also, unlike English where "Please" is a separate word, here the politeness is baked into the verb, though you can add kripya (please) for extra brownie points.
Quick FAQ
Q. Can I use this for myself?
A. No! You never command yourself politely. It's only for 'You'.
Q. Is this only for older people?
A. Mostly, but also for strangers of your age or professional peers.
Reference Table
| Verb (Infinitive) | Stem | Ending | Polite Command |
|---|---|---|---|
| bolna (to speak) | bol | + iye | boliye (please speak) |
| aana (to come) | aa | + iye | aaiye (please come) |
| baithna (to sit) | baith | + iye | baithiye (please sit) |
| karna (to do) | kar* | + ijiye | kijiye (please do) |
| dena (to give) | de* | + ijiye | dijiye (please give) |
| lena (to take) | le* | + ijiye | lijiye (please take) |
| pina (to drink) | pi* | + ijiye | pijiye (please drink) |
The 'Jiye' Code
If a verb is extremely common (do, give, take, drink), it probably ends in 'jiye'. It's like the VIP club for verbs.
Hospitality Hero
In India, 'Lijiye' (please take/have) is heard constantly when eating. It's the magic word for offering food to guests.
Mat vs. Nahi
To say 'Please don't', use `Mat` before the verb (Mat jaiye). `Nahi` is for statements, `Mat` is for commands.
Don't Mix & Match
Never say 'Tu aaiye'. It confuses the listener—like wearing a tuxedo with flip-flops. Keep the pronoun and verb level matched.
Beispiele
9andar aaiye
Focus: aaiye
Please come inside.
Standard polite welcome.
apna naam boliye
Focus: boliye
Please state your name.
Common in formal interviews.
thoda paani pijiye
Focus: pijiye
Please have some water.
Irregular verb 'pina' becomes 'pijiye'.
mujhe bill dijiye
Focus: dijiye
Please give me the bill.
Essential for dining out. Irregular verb.
chinta mat kijiye
Focus: kijiye
Please don't worry.
Negative command using 'mat'.
yahan dekhiye
Focus: dekhiye
Please look here.
Standard regular verb.
✗ Aap baitho ✓ Aap baithiye
Focus: baithiye
Please sit.
Correction: Match 'Aap' with 'iye'.
✗ kaam kariye ✓ kaam kijiye
Focus: kijiye
Please do the work.
Correction: 'karna' becomes 'kijiye', not 'kariye'.
tashreef rakhiye
Focus: rakhiye
Please keep your presence (sit down).
Urdu-influenced, very respectful idiom.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence to tell someone to 'listen' politely.
Sunna (to listen) -> Kripya meri baat ___.
For polite requests, we add 'iye' to the stem 'sun'. 'Suno' is too informal.
Choose the correct form for 'to give' (dena).
Mujhe pen ___.
'Dena' is an irregular verb. The polite command form is 'dijiye'.
Make a polite negative command: 'Please don't go'.
Mat ___ (Jaana - to go).
The stem of 'jaana' is 'ja'. Add 'iye' to get 'jaiye'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /3
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Levels of Commands
Is it Irregular?
Is the verb Karna, Dena, Lena, or Pina?
Apply irregular 'jiye' suffix
Verb Transformation Examples
Regular Consonant Ending
- • Bol -> Boliye
- • Ruk -> Rukiye
Regular Vowel Ending
- • Ja -> Jaiye
- • Aa -> Aaiye
The Rebel Irregulars
- • Karna -> Kijiye
- • Dena -> Dijiye
Häufig gestellte Fragen
20 FragenNot necessarily. If you look at someone and say Aaiye (Please come), the respect is implied in the verb itself. However, adding Aap makes it clearer and slightly more formal.
Good catch! For verbs like si (sew), you just blend it. But mostly, you'll encounter vowel stems like aa or ja. si -> sijiye is rare for beginners. Stick to the main patterns first.
You *can*, to teach them manners or to be affectionate, but it's not required. Usually, Tum or Tu is used with kids. Using Aap with a child is cute and respectful but optional.
No. The iye ending already acts like 'please'. Adding Kripya makes it very formal, like a written notice or an announcement.
The verb is rukna. Stem is ruk. Add iye. Result: Rukiye. Use this if your rickshaw driver is zooming past your destination!
Kariye is actually heard often in spoken Hindi (dialects), but Kijiye is the standard, grammatically correct form. Stick to Kijiye for exams and formal writing.
Jaaiye means 'Please go' (leave). Chaliye often means 'Please come along' or 'Let's go' (inclusive), depending on context.
Interestingly, for God, people often use the intimate Tu to show closeness, or Aap for majesty. Both are acceptable depending on your personal relationship with the divine.
Use the word mat before the verb. Yahan mat baithiye (Please don't sit here).
Aap is grammatically plural, even when talking to one person (honorific plural). So Aaiye works for one boss or ten bosses.
Hona isn't typically used as a command in this way ('Please be'). You might hear hoiye, but it's very rare in this context.
Nope! Whether you are speaking to a man or a woman, Aap aaiye remains exactly the same. One less thing to worry about!
Saying Aap aao sounds jarring to a native speaker. It's not the end of the world, but it marks you as a beginner immediately.
The verb is khaana. Stem is khaa. Add iye. Result: Khaaiye.
There are minor variations, but Karna, Dena, Lena, and Pina cover 99% of the irregularities you'll face at A1 level.
Yes, Farmaiye comes from Urdu (farmana - to command/speak). You'll hear Farmaiye meaning 'Please speak/state your wish'. It's very polite.
You can say 'Please jaao', but it's Hinglish. To sound like a pro, use the proper structure: Jaaiye.
If you panic and say Dena kijiye or Deiye, people will understand context, but Dijiye is the target. Practice the 4 irregulars until they stick.
Intezaar kijiye (Please do waiting) or simply Rukiye (Please stop/stay).
Yes. Aap aaiye with a flat tone is a request. Aap aaiye? isn't really a question form. Questions usually use Kya aap aaenge? (Will you come?). The imperative is for telling/asking someone to do something now.
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