A2 verb_system 3 دقیقه مطالعه

Compound Verbs:

Compound verbs combine a verb root with a helper verb to show an action is complete, sudden, or intense—dropping the helper's literal meaning.

The Rule in 30 Seconds

  • Main Verb Root + Conjugated Vector Verb
  • Vector adds nuance (completeness, benefit, suddenness)
  • Vector takes the tense/gender/number changes
  • Avoid in negative sentences generally

Quick Reference

Vector Verb Literal Meaning Nuance Added Example (Root + Vector)
`jānā` to go Completeness / Change of state `aa jānā` (to arrive)
`lenā` to take Self-benefit / Internal action `khā lenā` (to eat up)
`denā` to give Benefit to others / External `de denā` (to give away)
`paṛnā` to fall Suddenness / Accident `gir paṛnā` (to fall down)
`uṭhnā` to rise Sudden start / Outburst `bol uṭhnā` (to speak up)
`ḍālnā` to put/pour Intensity / Violence / Rashness `mār ḍālnā` (to kill)

مثال‌های کلیدی

3 از 10
1

उसने सारा खाना खा लिया।

He ate up all the food.

2

वो अचानक गिर पड़ा।

He fell down suddenly.

3

ये चिट्ठी पढ़ दो।

Read this letter out (for me).

💡

The 'Ne' Rule Trick

Look at the *second* verb (the vector). If the vector is `jānā`, `paṛnā`, or `uṭhnā` (intransitive), you usually don't need `ne` in the past. If it's `lenā`, `denā`, or `ḍālnā`, bring in the `ne`!

⚠️

Negative Nancy

Remember, compound verbs are positive vibes only (mostly). If you're saying 'no', drop the fancy vector. `nahī̃ gayā`, not `nahī̃ jā sakā` (wait, that's modal) - `nahī̃ calā gayā` is wrong.

The Rule in 30 Seconds

  • Main Verb Root + Conjugated Vector Verb
  • Vector adds nuance (completeness, benefit, suddenness)
  • Vector takes the tense/gender/number changes
  • Avoid in negative sentences generally

Overview

Ready to sound less like a robot and more like a Bollywood star? Welcome to Compound Verbs. In English, you might say "I ate the pizza." In Hindi, we say "I ate *up* the pizza" or "I ate the pizza *completely*." We don't just do things; we do them with flair. Compound verbs are the secret sauce—literally the masala—that turns a bland sentence into a native-sounding masterpiece. They add shades of meaning like completeness, suddenness, or doing something for someone's benefit.

How This Grammar Works

Think of a compound verb as a dynamic duo: Batman and Robin.

  1. 1The Hero (Main Verb): This is the first verb. It carries the actual meaning (eating, sleeping, falling). It sits there in its root form (stem), doing the heavy lifting.
  2. 2The Sidekick (Vector Verb): This is the second verb. It loses its original meaning (like "to go" or "to take") and just adds "color" or grammatical nuance to the Hero. It takes all the grammar hits—tense, gender, and number markings.

Formation Pattern

  1. 1It's a simple two-step recipe:
  2. 2Take the root of the main verb (remove from the infinitive). e.g., khānā (to eat) → khā.
  3. 3Add the conjugated vector verb. e.g., lenā (to take) becomes liyā (past).
  4. 4Result: khā liyā (ate up).

When To Use It

Use these when an action is fully completed, done suddenly, or done with intensity. It's the difference between "I did it" (neutral) and "I got it done!" (emphatic).

  • jānā (to go): Adds completeness or change of state. aa jānā (to arrive/come completely).
  • lenā (to take): Action done for *self-benefit*. paṛh lenā (read to oneself).
  • denā (to give): Action done for *someone else*. paṛh denā (read out loud for others).
  • paṛnā (to fall): Suddenness. gir paṛnā (to fall down suddenly).

When Not To Use It

Don't use compound verbs in negative sentences. This is the golden rule for beginners. If you didn't do it, you didn't do it with flair.

  • Correct: maine nahī̃ khāyā (I didn't eat).
  • Incorrect: maine nahī̃ khā liyā.

Also, avoiding them in continuous tenses (rahā hai) is common for beginners, though not strictly forbidden, it just sounds clunky often.

Common Mistakes

  • Translating the Sidekick: Learners often try to translate the vector verb literally. wo mar gayā is "he died," NOT "he died and went."
  • Using ne wrong: If the vector verb is intransitive (like jānā), you generally don't use ne in the past tense, even if the main verb is transitive. (Though usually, vector matches main verb transitivity). actually, the rule is: Transitivity usually follows the vector verb. If you use jānā, no ne. If you use lenā/denā, yes ne.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

Don't confuse this with "Conjunct Verbs" (Noun + Verb, like kām karnā). Compound verbs are Verb + Verb.

  • Compound: khā lenā (Verb root + Verb)
  • Conjunct: madad karnā (Noun + Verb)

Quick FAQ

Q. Do I have to use them?

A. To be understood? No. To sound human? Yes.

Q. Can I combine any two verbs?

A. No, only specific "vector" verbs work as the sidekick. You can't just mash nācnā (dance) and khānā (eat) together.

Q. Does the meaning change completely?

A. Rarely. samajhnā is to understand; samajh lenā is to understand completely/grasp.

Reference Table

Vector Verb Literal Meaning Nuance Added Example (Root + Vector)
`jānā` to go Completeness / Change of state `aa jānā` (to arrive)
`lenā` to take Self-benefit / Internal action `khā lenā` (to eat up)
`denā` to give Benefit to others / External `de denā` (to give away)
`paṛnā` to fall Suddenness / Accident `gir paṛnā` (to fall down)
`uṭhnā` to rise Sudden start / Outburst `bol uṭhnā` (to speak up)
`ḍālnā` to put/pour Intensity / Violence / Rashness `mār ḍālnā` (to kill)
💡

The 'Ne' Rule Trick

Look at the *second* verb (the vector). If the vector is `jānā`, `paṛnā`, or `uṭhnā` (intransitive), you usually don't need `ne` in the past. If it's `lenā`, `denā`, or `ḍālnā`, bring in the `ne`!

⚠️

Negative Nancy

Remember, compound verbs are positive vibes only (mostly). If you're saying 'no', drop the fancy vector. `nahī̃ gayā`, not `nahī̃ jā sakā` (wait, that's modal) - `nahī̃ calā gayā` is wrong.

🎯

The Polite Command

Using `denā` in imperatives (commands) makes you sound nicer. `paṛh do` (read it out for me) sounds sweeter than just `paṛho`.

💬

Dramatic Flair

Hindi speakers love drama. We don't just 'kill' (`mārnā`), we 'kill completely' (`mār ḍālnā`). Use `ḍālnā` when you want to sound intense!

مثال‌ها

10
#1 usne sārā khānā khā liyā

उसने सारा खाना खा लिया।

Focus: khā liyā

He ate up all the food.

Uses `lenā` for completion/self-benefit.

#2 vo achānak gir paṛā

वो अचानक गिर पड़ा।

Focus: gir paṛā

He fell down suddenly.

Uses `paṛnā` to show suddenness.

#3 ye ciṭṭhī paṛh do

ये चिट्ठी पढ़ दो।

Focus: paṛh do

Read this letter out (for me).

Uses `denā` because the reading benefits the listener.

#4 maine kām kar liyā hai

मैंने काम कर लिया है।

Focus: kar liyā

I have finished the work.

Perfect tense example.

#5 bas aa gaī

बस आ गई।

Focus: aa gaī

The bus has arrived.

Common everyday phrase.

#6 bachā ro paṛā

बच्चा रो पड़ा।

Focus: ro paṛā

The child burst out crying.

Sudden start of action.

#7 usne mujhe nahī̃ dekh liyā (✗)

उसने मुझे नहीं देख लिया (✗)

Focus: nahī̃ dekhā

Wrong usage in negative.

Correct: `usne mujhe nahī̃ dekhā`.

#8 usne kām kar diyā

उसने काम कर दिया।

Focus: kar diyā

He did the work (for someone else).

Contrast with `kar liyā` (did it for himself).

#9 sā̃p ko mār ḍālo!

साँप को मार डालो!

Focus: mār ḍālo

Kill the snake!

Intense/violent action.

#10 maiṃ sab samajh gayā

मैं सब समझ गया।

Focus: samajh gayā

I understood everything.

Internal change of state.

خودت رو بسنج

Complete the sentence using the correct compound form of 'to eat' (khānā + lenā) in Past Tense for 'he'.

Usne pizza ___.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: khā liyā

We use 'lenā' (liyā) with eating because it benefits the self. 'khā diyā' would imply feeding someone else roughly.

Choose the best vector verb for a sudden accident: 'He fell ___'.

Vo gir ___.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: paṛā

'paṛnā' (to fall/lie) indicates suddenness or accidental actions.

Convert this to a negative sentence: 'Maine kām kar liyā'.

Maine kām ___.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: nahī̃ kiyā

In negative sentences, we usually drop the compound vector and use the simple past verb.

🎉 امتیاز: /3

ابزارهای بصری یادگیری

Simple vs. Compound

Simple Verb
khāyā ate (fact)
Compound Verb
khā liyā ate up (complete)

Should I use a Compound?

1

Is the sentence Negative?

NO
Use Simple Verb (usually)
2

Is the action complete/intense?

YES ↓
NO
Simple Verb is fine

The Big 4 Vectors

🚶

jānā

  • Completion
  • Change
🤲

lenā

  • Self-benefit
  • Internal
🎁

denā

  • Other-benefit
  • External

paṛnā

  • Suddenness
  • Unplanned

سوالات متداول

22 سوال

It's a combination of two verbs where the first holds the meaning and the second adds flavor. Like aa jānā (to come).

You can! But compound verbs make you sound fluent and emphasize that an action is *fully* done. khāyā is 'ate', khā liyā is 'ate it all'.

No. In khā liyā, you didn't 'take' (lenā) anything. The liyā just indicates the action was done for yourself.

No, there is a closed club of 'vector' verbs. The VIPs are jānā, lenā, denā, paṛnā, uṭhnā, and ḍālnā.

Ignore the first verb (root). Conjugate the second verb (vector) exactly as you would any other verb. khā stays khā; liyā changes to lenge, letā, etc.

Absolutely. maiṃ kar lū̃gā (I will do it/finish it). It implies you'll definitely get it done.

It's rare and often sounds redundant. We usually avoid khā le rahā hū̃. Just say khā rahā hū̃.

lenā is for you (incoming). denā is for others (outgoing). paṛh liyā (I read it for myself). paṛh diyā (I read it out for you).

It usually shows completeness or a change of state. samajh jānā (to realize/understand).

Suddenness or something happening by chance/accident. ro paṛnā (to burst into tears).

Generally, no. It sounds unnatural to A2 learners. Stick to simple verbs for 'no'. nahī̃ kiyā (didn't do).

The vector verb decides the rules. If the vector is lenā (transitive), use ne. If it's jānā (intransitive), don't.

Technically no, that's a modal verb (can). Compound verbs are about *how* the action happened (nuance), not ability.

Use the imperative of the vector. ye de dījiye (Please give this away/to me). It sounds very polite.

It means 'to kill'. mārnā alone can mean 'to beat' or 'to hit'. The ḍālnā confirms the violence implies death.

Yes, they are used everywhere, from street slang to news reports. They are integral to the language.

Yes, because English uses phrasal verbs ('eat up', 'burn down') which are similar but not identical in logic.

Yes, but that's advanced! kar diyā jāegā (It will be done - passive compound). Don't worry about that yet.

You will still be understood perfectly. You'll just sound a bit 'foreign' or very literal.

It's great for sudden starts. bol uṭhnā (to speak up suddenly). It's very expressive.

cuknā (to have finished) is similar but functions more as a tense marker for 'already done'. Some classify it differently, but it fits the pattern.

Take a simple verb like karnā and try to pair it with lenā and denā in sentences to feel the difference.

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