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B2 pronouns 4 min de lectura

Reflexive "Apna

Always replace specific possessive pronouns (mera, tera, uska) with 'apna' when the subject of the sentence is referring to their own possession.

The Rule in 30 Seconds

  • Subject = Owner → Use 'Apna'
  • Matches the gender of the OBJECT, not owner
  • Replaces mera/tumhara/uska in reflexive contexts
  • Essential for clarity (his own vs his friend's)

Quick Reference

Subject (Owner) Possessive used Example (Masc. Object) Example (Fem. Object)
Main (I) Apna/e/i Main apna ghar saaf karta hoon Main apni car saaf karta hoon
Tum (You) Apna/e/i Tum apna phone do Tum apni bottle do
Woh (He/She) Apna/e/i Woh apna kaam karta hai Woh apni sister ko laaya
Hum (We) Apna/e/i Hum apna sheher bachayenge Hum apni team layenge
Aap (Formal You) Apna/e/i Aap apna number dijiye Aap apni rai (opinion) dijiye
Ve (They) Apna/e/i Ve apne gaon gaye Ve apni dukan kholenge

Ejemplos clave

3 de 9
1

मैं अपने घर जा रहा हूँ।

I am going to my (own) house.

2

वह अपनी गलती मानती है।

She admits her (own) mistake.

3

अपना काम समय पर करो।

Do your work on time.

🎯

The Mirror Trick

Whenever you translate a sentence, look at the Subject. If the possessive word points back to the Subject like a reflection in a mirror, you MUST use 'Apna'.

⚠️

The 'Maine Mera' Trap

In Bollywood movies or Mumbai streets, you might hear 'Maine mera kaam kiya'. Don't copy this! In standard Hindi, it's always 'Maine APNA kaam kiya'.

The Rule in 30 Seconds

  • Subject = Owner → Use 'Apna'
  • Matches the gender of the OBJECT, not owner
  • Replaces mera/tumhara/uska in reflexive contexts
  • Essential for clarity (his own vs his friend's)

Overview

Imagine you are looking in a mirror. You don't see "him" or "her" or "me"; you see *yourself*. In Hindi grammar, apna is that mirror. It is a special reflexive possessive pronoun that always reflects back to the subject of the sentence. In English, we use words like "my," "his," "her," or "their" regardless of who the subject is. But Hindi is smarter (and a bit pickier). If *I* am doing something with *my* own thing, I don't use the standard word for "my" (mera); I use the reflexive owner word: apna. It’s the difference between saying "Ram kissed his wife" (his own wife) versus "Ram kissed his wife" (someone else's wife—scandalous!). Using apna correctly clears up any potential scandals instantly.

How This Grammar Works

The logic is simple: Ask yourself, "Does the object belong to the Subject of the sentence?"

  • If YES → Use apna (or its forms apne/apni).
  • If NO → Use the specific possessive (mera, uska, tumhara, etc.).

Think of apna as a variable like X. X always equals the Subject. If the Subject is "Main" (I), apna means "my". If the Subject is "Woh" (He), apna means "his". It’s a shapeshifter that aligns with whoever is running the show in that sentence.

Formation Pattern

  1. 1Apna behaves exactly like an adjective ending in -aa (like achha or bada). It changes its shape to match the gender and number of the object possessed, NOT the owner.
  2. 2Apna (अपना): Used with Masculine Singular objects.
  3. 3*Main apna kamra saaf kar raha hoon.* (I am cleaning my room.)
  4. 4Apne (अपने): Used with Masculine Plural objects OR Masculine Singular objects in the Oblique case (followed by a postposition like mein, ko, se).
  5. 5*Woh apne kapde dho raha hai.* (He is washing his clothes.)
  6. 6*Main apne ghar mein hoon.* (I am in my house.)
  7. 7Apni (अपनी): Used with Feminine objects (Singular and Plural).
  8. 8*Sita apni kitaab padh rahi hai.* (Sita is reading her book.)

When To Use It

You use apna in almost every sentence where the subject acts upon something they own or possess. It works with all persons:

  • 1st Person: *Main apna kaam karta hoon.* (I do my work.)
  • 2nd Person: *Tum apna phone dikhao.* (You show your phone.)
  • 3rd Person: *Papa apni car chala rahe hain.* (Dad is driving his car.)

It’s also used in imperative commands because the implied subject is "You" (Tum/Aap).

  • *Apna khayal rakhna.* (Take care of [your] self.)

When Not To Use It

This is where learners trip up. You do NOT use apna if the possessor is NOT the subject.

  • *Main uski madad kar raha hoon.* (I am helping him/her.) → Here, the help belongs to him, but I am the subject. We are different people.
  • *Woh meri kitaab padh raha hai.* (He is reading my book.) → Subject is "He", Owner is "Me". No match, so no apna.

Also, you generally don't use apna as the subject itself.

  • Incorrect: *Apna bhai aa raha hai.*
  • Correct: *Mera bhai aa raha hai.* (My brother is coming.)

Why? Because "My brother" is the subject here, and apna needs a preceding subject to reflect back on.

Common Mistakes

The most classic mistake (often called the "Translationese Trap") is saying:

  • ❌ *Main mera kaam kar raha hoon.*
  • ✓ *Main apna kaam kar raha hoon.*

Native speakers might say the first one in very casual, slangy contexts (especially in Mumbai Hindi), but grammatically, it sounds like you are two different people. "I am doing [that other guy who is also me]'s work." Weird, right? Stick to apna for standard Hindi.

Another mistake is mixing up the agreement. Remember, apna/ne/ni matches the thing, not the person.

  • ❌ *Sita apna chai pee rahi hai.* (Chai is feminine!)
  • ✓ *Sita apni chai pee rahi hai.*

Contrast With Similar Patterns

  • Apna vs. Khud: Apna shows possession (my/his/her own). Khud is emphatic (myself/himself).
  • *Main apni car chalaunga.* (I will drive my car.)
  • *Main khud car chalaunga.* (I will drive the car myself.)
  • Apna vs. Swayam: Swayam is just the fancy, formal Sanskrit version of khud. You'll hear it in announcements or mythology, not at the chai stall.

Quick FAQ

Q: Can I use apna for plural subjects?

Yes! *Hum apna desh badalenge* (We will change our country).

Q: What if the subject is "Aap" (formal you)?

Still works the same. *Aap apna seat belt baandh lijiye.*

Q: Does apna ever change for the owner's gender?

Never. Only the object's gender matters.

Reference Table

Subject (Owner) Possessive used Example (Masc. Object) Example (Fem. Object)
Main (I) Apna/e/i Main apna ghar saaf karta hoon Main apni car saaf karta hoon
Tum (You) Apna/e/i Tum apna phone do Tum apni bottle do
Woh (He/She) Apna/e/i Woh apna kaam karta hai Woh apni sister ko laaya
Hum (We) Apna/e/i Hum apna sheher bachayenge Hum apni team layenge
Aap (Formal You) Apna/e/i Aap apna number dijiye Aap apni rai (opinion) dijiye
Ve (They) Apna/e/i Ve apne gaon gaye Ve apni dukan kholenge
🎯

The Mirror Trick

Whenever you translate a sentence, look at the Subject. If the possessive word points back to the Subject like a reflection in a mirror, you MUST use 'Apna'.

⚠️

The 'Maine Mera' Trap

In Bollywood movies or Mumbai streets, you might hear 'Maine mera kaam kiya'. Don't copy this! In standard Hindi, it's always 'Maine APNA kaam kiya'.

💬

Apnapan

The word 'Apna' is so powerful in Indian culture that it spawned the noun 'Apnapan'—meaning a sense of closeness, informality, and warmth you feel with loved ones.

💡

Agreement is with the Object

Even if a boy is talking, if he talks about his 'book' (kitaab - feminine), he must say 'Apni kitaab'. The gender of the owner is irrelevant!

Ejemplos

9
#1 Main apne ghar ja raha hoon.

मैं अपने घर जा रहा हूँ।

Focus: apne

I am going to my (own) house.

Uses 'apne' because 'ghar' is oblique here (destination).

#2 Woh apni galti maanti hai.

वह अपनी गलती मानती है।

Focus: apni

She admits her (own) mistake.

'Galti' is feminine, so we use 'apni'.

#3 Apna kaam samay par karo.

अपना काम समय पर करो।

Focus: Apna

Do your work on time.

Imperative sentence implies 'Tum', so 'Apna' is used.

#4 Usne apni jeb se paise nikale.

उसने अपनी जेब से पैसे निकाले।

Focus: apni

He took money out of his pocket.

Oblique case for 'pocket' (jeb se), but feminine, so it stays 'apni'.

#5 Kripya apna saaman saath rakhein.

कृपया अपना सामान साथ रखें।

Focus: apna

Please keep your luggage with you.

Formal request (Aap).

#6 Ram uski kitab padh raha hai. (Mistake Check)

राम उसकी किताब पढ़ रहा है।

Focus: uski

Ram is reading his (someone else's) book.

If Ram is reading his OWN book, this is wrong. Use 'apni'.

#7 Main mera naam likh raha hoon. (Mistake Check)

मैं मेरा नाम लिख रहा हूँ।

Focus: mera

I am writing my name.

Colloquially common, but grammatically incorrect. Should be 'apna naam'.

#8 Apna haath jagannath.

अपना हाथ जगन्नाथ।

Focus: Apna

Self-help is the best help. (Idiom)

Advanced usage in proverbs.

#9 Bachche apne khilono se khel rahe hain.

बच्चे अपने खिलौनों से खेल रहे हैं।

Focus: apne

The children are playing with their toys.

Plural subject, plural object in oblique case -> 'apne'.

Ponte a prueba

Choose the correct possessive word based on the subject.

Main ___ (my) doston ke saath movie dekhne gaya.

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

Since the subject is 'Main' (I) and the friends belong to me, we must use the reflexive 'apne'. 'Mere' is grammatically weak here.

Select the correct form agreeing with the object.

Sita ne ___ (her) car bech di.

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

Car is feminine in Hindi, so we use 'apni'. Also, subject is Sita (owner), so 'uski' is incorrect.

Identify the non-reflexive situation.

Rahul ___ (his - referring to Ravi's) ghar gaya.

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

Rahul is going to SOMEONE ELSE'S house (Ravi's). Since the subject (Rahul) is not the owner, we cannot use 'apne'. We use 'uske'.

🎉 Puntuación: /3

Ayudas visuales

When to use Mera vs Apna

Use APNA (Reflexive)
Main apna kaam karta hoon I do MY work
Woh apni car chalata hai He drives HIS OWN car
Use MERA/USKA (Specific)
Woh mera kaam karta hai He does MY work (Subject != Owner)
Woh uski car chalata hai He drives HIS (friend's) car

Decision Tree: Which word to use?

1

Is the possessor the same person as the Subject?

YES ↓
NO
Use Mera, Tumhara, Uska, Inka, etc.
2

Is the object Feminine?

YES ↓
NO
Check if Object is Plural or Oblique

Common Idioms with Apna

🦊

Selfishness

  • • Apna ullu seedha karna (Serve own ends)
  • • Apne munh miyan mitthu (Self-praise)
🏠

Belonging

  • • Apna desh (Own country)
  • • Apnapan (Sense of kinship)

Preguntas frecuentes

20 preguntas

No! This is a huge relief. Whether the owner is a boy, a girl, or a group, apna only changes form based on the *object* being owned (the thing, not the person).

You say Mera naam Rahul hai. Why? Because here 'Mera naam' acts as the subject itself (or part of the subject phrase). Apna is generally used when the subject acts on something else.

Grammatically, yes, it is incorrect. It should be Maine apna dinner kha liya. However, you will hear native speakers make this mistake casually, just like English speakers say 'Me and him went out'.

Big difference! Woh apni patni se pyaar karta hai (His own). Woh uski patni se pyaar karta hai (Someone else's). Use carefully!

Apne aap means 'by oneself' or 'automatically'. For example: Darwaza apne aap khul gaya (The door opened by itself).

Yes. Hum apna kaam karenge (We will do our work). Ve apna kaam karenge (They will do their work). The word apna stays the same; the context tells you whose it is.

It becomes apne. For example: Apne bhai ko bulao (Call your brother). Apna changes to Apne because ko follows it.

Yes. Phone ne apni battery khatam kar di (The phone drained its battery). It treats the phone as the subject.

It means 'My/Our time will come'. Here Apna is functioning slightly differently, emphasizing 'Our turn'. It's a very popular slogan.

Apna itself is neutral. It's just grammar. But using Apne with elders (like Apne pitaji) respects the grammar rules of honorifics.

Then you don't use apna. Tum meri car chalao (You drive MY car). Subject (Tum) != Owner (Me). So use meri.

That happens when the word is in the **Oblique Case**. If there is a postposition like mein, se, par, or ko after the object, Apna becomes Apne. E.g., Apne ghar mein.

Niji means 'private' or 'personal' (like 'Niji mamla' - private matter). Apna is just the grammatical indicator of ownership by the subject.

Yes, always! Apna munh band rakho (Keep your mouth shut). Commands imply 'Tum/Aap' as the subject, so apna is correct.

Not really. English uses 'own' (my own, his own) to emphasize, but Hindi REQUIRES apna just to be grammatically correct, not just for emphasis.

It stays Apni. Apni covers both singular and plural feminine objects. Apni aankhen (My eyes).

It can be, but it gets tricky. Usually, it refers back to the agent. Ram dwara apna kaam kiya gaya (Work was done by Ram).

It literally means 'our own people' (family, kin, community). It implies closeness.

In slang (Tapori/Mumbai Hindi), yes. Apne ko kya? (What's it to me?). In formal Hindi, avoid this.

Etymologically, yes, they share roots in self-referencing Sanskrit terms (Atman), but they function differently in modern Hindi.

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