C2 morphology 4 min de lectura

Linguistic Features of Avadhī

Avadhī morphology simplifies case markers (no ergative 'ne') but adds richness with 'b-future' and 's-past' verb endings.

The Rule in 30 Seconds

  • Drop the 'ne' particle completely.
  • Future tense uses '-b' endings.
  • Past tense 3rd person uses '-is/-in'.
  • Possessives change: mera → mor.

Quick Reference

Feature Standard Hindi Avadhī Function/Note
Future (1st Pers) maiñ karūṅgā maiñ karab The 'b' future marker
Past (3rd Pers) usne kahā u kahis The 's' ending; no 'ne'
Possessive merā / terā mor / tohar Distinctive pronouns
Past Plural unhone kahā ui kahin The 'in' ending
Noun (Strong) ghoṛā ghoṛwā Definite/Emphatic form
Negative mat / nahīñ jani / nāhi Prohibitive usage

Ejemplos clave

3 de 10
1

u paan khais

He ate betel leaf.

2

ham abhi jaab

I will go right now.

3

tohar naam ka hai?

What is your name?

🎯

The 'Wa' Emphasis

If you want to sound authentic, add `-wa` to nouns when you are pointing them out specifically. `Kitab` is a book, `kitabwa` is *that* specific book.

💬

No 'Ne' Zone

The absence of `ne` is the single biggest giveaway that you are speaking an Eastern dialect. If you use `ne`, you instantly sound 'Dilli-wala' (from Delhi).

The Rule in 30 Seconds

  • Drop the 'ne' particle completely.
  • Future tense uses '-b' endings.
  • Past tense 3rd person uses '-is/-in'.
  • Possessives change: mera → mor.

Overview

Welcome to the soulful world of Avadhī! If Standard Hindi (Khari Boli) is the formal suit you wear to the office, Avadhī is the comfortable kurta you wear at home. It’s the language of Tulsidas’s *Ramcharitmanas* and the dialect you’ll hear echoing through the streets of Lucknow and Ayodhya. As a C2 learner, you aren't just learning grammar; you're unlocking a treasure chest of literature and cultural nuance. Understanding Avadhī morphology—how words change shape—gives you superpowers to read medieval poetry and understand millions of speakers in Eastern UP.

How This Grammar Works

Avadhī operates on a slightly different operating system than Standard Hindi. The biggest headline? It generally ignores the infamous ne marker that haunts so many learners. While Hindi loves to split transitive and intransitive constructions in the past tense, Avadhī prefers a smoother, more direct flow. It also loves to decorate nouns with suffixes to show affection or specificity, and its verb endings are distinctively musical. It’s consistent, rhythm-driven, and honestly, a bit more relaxed than standard Hindi.

Formation Pattern

  1. 1Let's break down the morphological makeover. We look at three main areas: Nouns, Pronouns, and Verbs.
  2. 2The "No-Ne" Rule: Just drop ne. The subject doesn't change case in the past tense.
  3. 3Noun Forms (The Short, Long, and Extra-Long): Avadhī nouns have three grades.
  4. 4Short: ghor (horse) – abstract or general.
  5. 5Long: ghorā – specific (like Hindi).
  6. 6Redundant/Affectionate: ghorwā – very specific or familiar.
  7. 7Pronouns: Possessives change flavor.
  8. 8merā becomes mor.
  9. 9terā becomes tohar.
  10. 10hamārā becomes hamār.
  11. 11The B-Future: Future tense markers use a 'b' sound.
  12. 12Hindi: karūṅgā (I will do).
  13. 13Avadhī: karab.
  14. 14The S-Past: Past tense often ends in 'is' (singular) or 'in' (plural) for 3rd person.
  15. 15Hindi: kuhā / khiyā.
  16. 16Avadhī: kahis / khāis.

When To Use It

Pull this out when you are reading the *Ramcharitmanas* or *Padmavat*. It is essential for appreciating Sufi poetry (Premakhans) and Bhakti literature. In spoken contexts, use these forms when talking to elders in the Awadh region to show intimacy and respect for their heritage. It’s also great for understanding folk songs (*kajri*, *sohar*) during festivals. Think of it as a key to connect deeper with the heartland of India.

When Not To Use It

Do not use these forms in a formal news report, a legal document in Delhi, or a standard Hindi exam (unless you are quoting literature!). Using kahis instead of kahā in a formal interview in Mumbai might make you sound like you walked out of a village folk play. Keep it context-appropriate. It’s a dialectal register, not the standard administrative one.

Common Mistakes

  • The Ergative Slip: Learners often try to force ne into Avadhī sentences. Resist the urge! Ram ne kaha is Hindi; Ram kahis is Avadhī.
  • Gender Confusion: Avadhī is sometimes less strict about gender agreement in verbs than Standard Hindi. Don't panic if the endings don't flip for gender as often as you expect.
  • Mixing Dialects: Don't mix Bhojpuri (which also has ba) with Avadhī blindly. They are cousins, not twins.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

Compare the Future Tense:

  • Standard Hindi: maiñ jāūṅgā (gender marked, -ga ending).
  • Bhojpuri: ham jāib.
  • Avadhī: ham jāb or maiñ jāb.

Compare the Past Transitive:

  • Standard Hindi: usne dekhā (ergative).
  • Braj Bhasha: vāne dekhyau.
  • Avadhī: u dekhis (no ergative, -is ending).

Quick FAQ

Q: Is Avadhī a separate language or a dialect?

Linguistically, it's an Eastern Hindi language. Politically/Socially, it's treated as a dialect of Hindi. For you, it's a rich variation.

Q: Do people still speak this?

Absolutely. Millions do, though it often mixes with Standard Hindi in cities. It's alive and kicking in rural areas and homes.

Q: Why does 'Mor' sound like 'Peacock'?

Ha! Good catch. Mor means "my" in Avadhī, but "peacock" in Standard Hindi. Context is everything!

Reference Table

Feature Standard Hindi Avadhī Function/Note
Future (1st Pers) maiñ karūṅgā maiñ karab The 'b' future marker
Past (3rd Pers) usne kahā u kahis The 's' ending; no 'ne'
Possessive merā / terā mor / tohar Distinctive pronouns
Past Plural unhone kahā ui kahin The 'in' ending
Noun (Strong) ghoṛā ghoṛwā Definite/Emphatic form
Negative mat / nahīñ jani / nāhi Prohibitive usage
🎯

The 'Wa' Emphasis

If you want to sound authentic, add `-wa` to nouns when you are pointing them out specifically. `Kitab` is a book, `kitabwa` is *that* specific book.

💬

No 'Ne' Zone

The absence of `ne` is the single biggest giveaway that you are speaking an Eastern dialect. If you use `ne`, you instantly sound 'Dilli-wala' (from Delhi).

⚠️

Don't Overdo It

Not every word needs to be twisted. Start with the verbs (`-is`, `-ab`). If you change every single vowel, you might become unintelligible!

💡

Musicality

Avadhī is naturally poetic. Try lengthening the vowels slightly at the end of sentences. It’s a language meant to be sung.

Ejemplos

10
#1 u paan khais

u paan khais

Focus: khais

He ate betel leaf.

Standard: Usne paan khāyā. Notice no 'ne'.

#2 ham abhi jaab

ham abhi jaab

Focus: jaab

I will go right now.

Standard: Maiñ abhi jāūṅgā. The 'b' future.

#3 tohar naam ka hai?

tohar naam ka hai?

Focus: tohar

What is your name?

Standard: Terā nām kyā hai?

#4 sita ram ko dekhin

sita ram ko dekhin

Focus: dekhin

Sita looked at Ram.

Past tense plural/honorific ending '-in'.

#5 jani jahu wahan

jani jahu wahan

Focus: jani

Don't go there.

Imperative/Prohibitive. Standard: Mat jāo.

#6 ✗ usne kahis

✗ usne kahis → ✓ u kahis

Focus: u kahis

He said.

Correction: Never use 'ne' with Avadhī verb forms.

#7 ✗ maiñ karūṅgā

✗ maiñ karūṅgā → ✓ maiñ karab

Focus: karab

I will do.

Correction: In an Avadhī context, use the 'b' future.

#8 larkwa aawat hai

larkwa aawat hai

Focus: larkwa

The (specific) boy is coming.

The '-wa' suffix adds specificity or emphasis.

#9 raja dasrath ke char thau bitwa rahen

raja dasrath ke char thau bitwa rahen

Focus: bitwa

King Dashrath had four sons.

Classic narrative style. 'Thau' is a classifier.

#10 kauno nahin janat

kauno nahin janat

Focus: kauno

No one knows.

Pronoun 'kauno' (koi) + Participle 'janat' (janta).

Ponte a prueba

Convert the Standard Hindi 'Usne diyā' (He gave) to Avadhī.

U ___ (gave).

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: dihis

The past tense 3rd person singular in Avadhī typically ends in '-is'.

Choose the correct Avadhī possessive for 'Your house'.

___ ghar.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: tohar

'Tohar' is the characteristic Avadhī form for 'your' (informal/singular).

Complete the future tense sentence: 'Hum khāyenge' (We will eat).

Ham ___.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: khāib

Avadhī uses the 'b-future' marker. 'Khāib' fits the pattern.

🎉 Puntuación: /3

Ayudas visuales

Pronoun Showdown: Hindi vs. Avadhī

Standard Hindi
Mera My
Tera Your
Usne He (erg)
Avadhī
Mor My
Tohar Your
U He (nom)

Is it Avadhī or Standard Hindi?

1

Does the verb end in -is or -in?

YES ↓
NO
Likely Standard Hindi or other dialect
2

Is the sentence missing 'ne'?

YES ↓
NO
Check again
3

Does the noun end in -wa?

YES ↓
NO
Possible Avadhī

Common Avadhī Markers

⏳

Tense Endings

  • • -is (Past)
  • • -ab (Future)
🤝

Possessives

  • • Mor
  • • Tohar
⛔

Negation

  • • Jani
  • • Naahi
📦

Nouns

  • • -wa suffix
  • • Short forms

Preguntas frecuentes

21 preguntas

Yes, but it is often less explicitly marked on the verb than in Standard Hindi. Sometimes the same verb form works for both, or the distinction is subtler.

They are close cousins! Bhojpuri uses ba for 'is' (e.g., thik ba), while Avadhī often uses hai or ahai. Their verb endings also differ slightly.

You'll hear it often in movies set in rural UP (like *Lagaan* or *Peepli Live*). Characters often mix Avadhī with Hindi to establish a rural identity.

In Standard Hindi: Main ja raha hoon. In Avadhī: Ham jaat hai or Ham jaat ahan.

In Avadhī (and many Eastern dialects), Hum is often used for the singular 'I'. To specify plural, you might say Hum log.

That is essentially Old Avadhī! The *Ramcharitmanas* is the gold standard for this language.

Use nāhi or na. For commands (don't do this), use jani. Example: Jani jahu (Don't go).

It shows degrees of definiteness or familiarity. Ghor (general horse), Ghora (standard), Ghorwa (that specific horse).

Yes, adjectives often agree with the noun's form. Barka ghorwa (The big horse).

No, it is written in Devanagari, just like Standard Hindi.

Look for the b. Karab (I will do), Jaab (I will go), Khaab (I will eat).

Look for s or n. Dihis (gave), Lihis (took), Dikhin (saw - plural).

Not necessarily rude, but it is informal. Like Tumhara or Tera. Use it with friends or younger people.

It means 'Any' or 'Someone'. Equivalent to Hindi Koi or Kisi.

Standard Hindi: Kya hua?. Avadhī: Ka bha? or Ka bhawa?.

Yes, Bha is the past form of 'to be' or 'to happen' in Avadhī.

These are demonstratives like 'Iska' and 'Uska' (His/Her). Ikar and Ukar are also common.

People do it all the time! U phone karat raha (He was making a phone call).

It's more fluid than standardized Khari Boli. Word order can be quite flexible, especially in poetry.

Listen to folk songs from the Awadh region or read the *Hanuman Chalisa* (yes, that's Avadhī!).

It's often used in compound verbs or general statements. Paani (water) vs Paani-wa (the water).

¿Te ha servido?

Gramática relacionada

C1

Colloquial Reduplication

Overview Ever heard someone ask if you want `chai-wai`? No, `wai` isn't a secret exotic tea blend. It’s Hindi’s way of a...

C1

Hindi Reduplication:

Overview Welcome to the wonderful world of saying things twice! In Hindi, repeating a word isn't a stutter—it's a superp...

B2

Dvandva Compounds: Joining Two

Overview Welcome to the world of word power couples! In Hindi, we love efficiency. Why say "bread and butter" with a bor...

B2

Hindi Abstract Nouns:

Overview Ready to level up your Hindi conversations? Abstract nouns are the secret sauce. They let you talk about ideas,...

B2

Hindi Agent Nouns:

Overview Imagine a magical suffix that turns almost any word into a person or a specific thing. That is the power of Age...

Comentarios (0)

Inicia Sesión para Comentar
¡No hay comentarios todavía. Sé el primero en compartir tus ideas!

Empieza a aprender idiomas gratis

Empieza Gratis