B2 morphology 4 دقیقه مطالعه

Postposition के

Use `ke` when the owned object is masculine plural, deserving of respect, or followed by another postposition.

The Rule in 30 Seconds

  • Masculine plural objects trigger `ke`.
  • Respectful singular people trigger `ke`.
  • Used before compound postpositions (`ke liye`).
  • Transforms `kā` to `ke` in oblique cases.

Quick Reference

Owner Object (Condition) Construction Meaning
Rām Shoes (Masc. Plural) Rām `ke` jūte Ram's shoes
Main (I) Teacher (Respect) `Mere` adhyāpak My teacher
Tum (You) Friends (Masc. Plural) `Tumhāre` dost Your friends
Ghar (House) Inside (Oblique) Ghar `ke` andar Inside the house
Voh (He/She) Money (Masc. Plural) `Uske` paise His/Her money
Yeh (This) About (Compound) Is`ke` bāre mein About this

مثال‌های کلیدی

3 از 8
1

Rahul ke jūte nae hain.

Rahul's shoes are new.

2

Mere pitājī doctor hain.

My father is a doctor.

3

Ghar ke pās ek peṛ hai.

There is a tree near the house.

🎯

The Sandwich Rule

Think of `ke` as the cheese in a grammar sandwich. It connects two nouns (Bread + Cheese + Bread). If the second piece of bread is plural or fancy (respect), you need `ke` cheese, not `kā` cheese.

⚠️

Don't Ignore the Hidden 'In'

If you say 'in my room', the word 'in' (`mein`) is invisible at first but it changes 'my'. `Merā kamrā` -> `Mere kamre mein`. That `mein` forces `merā` to become `mere`.

The Rule in 30 Seconds

  • Masculine plural objects trigger `ke`.
  • Respectful singular people trigger `ke`.
  • Used before compound postpositions (`ke liye`).
  • Transforms `kā` to `ke` in oblique cases.

Overview

Meet ke (के). If Hindi grammar were a social club, kā (का) is the guy who hangs out with single guys, kī (की) hangs out with the ladies, and ke (के) is the busy one handling everything else. Basically, ke is the shapeshifter form of kā that shows up when things get plural, polite, or complicated (grammatically speaking). It’s the glue that connects two words, usually showing possession or relationship, but with a specific twist. Think of it as the "flexible" connector.

How This Grammar Works

In Hindi, the word for "of" (which is what kā/ke/kī usually means) changes its outfit based on the word that comes *after* it. Yes, it ignores the owner and stares intensely at the owned object.

You switch to ke in three specific situations:

  1. 1The owned object is masculine and plural (e.g., two dogs).
  2. 2The owned object is masculine and singular, but acts like a VIP because it demands respect (e.g., your dad).
  3. 3The owned object is about to get hit by *another* grammar particle (like mein or ko), forcing it into the "Oblique Case" (the grammar equivalent of an awkward crouch).

Formation Pattern

  1. 1The formula is simple but strict.
  2. 2Take the Owner (Subject).
  3. 3Add ke.
  4. 4Add the Owned Object (the thing or person triggering the change).
  5. 5Examples:
  6. 6laṛkā (boy) + ke + dost (friends) = laṛke ke dost (The boy's friends).
  7. 7āp (you) + ke + pitājī (father) = āpke pitājī (Your father).
  8. 8*Note: When pronouns get involved, they merge. main + ke becomes mere, tum + ke becomes tumhāre.*

When To Use It

Use ke when the thing being possessed fits these criteria:

  • Plural Masculine: "My shoes" (mere jūte). One shoe is merā, but two? mere.
  • Respect: "My father" (mere pitājī). Dad is one guy, but he’s a VIP, so we treat him as plural grammatically. It’s the ultimate sign of respect—like giving him a verbal throne.
  • Compound Postpositions: This is a huge one for B2 learners. Most fancy location words need ke as a buffer. ke sāmne (in front of), ke pās (near), ke liye (for). You can't just say ghar sāmne; you need ghar ke sāmne.
  • Oblique Case: If you say "in my house," house is singular (ghar), but the word "in" (mein) twists the previous words. So merā ghar becomes mere ghar mein.

When Not To Use It

  • Don't use ke if the following word is feminine. It doesn't matter if it's plural, respectful, or oblique. Feminine words always demand kī (की). "My mother" is merī mā, never mere mā.
  • Don't use ke for a single, direct masculine object. "My brother" is merā bhāī, unless you are talking *to* him or *about* his location.

Common Mistakes

  • The "Respect" Trap: Learners often say merā pitājī because dad is one person. Don't do it. It sounds like you're talking about a buddy, not your dad. Use mere.
  • The "Ki" Confusion: Mixing up ke (of) with ki (that). ki (short sound) connects sentences. ke (long sound like 'café') connects nouns.
  • The Double Postposition: Saying Rām kā ghar mein. As soon as mein shows up, kā must turn into ke. Correct: Rām ke ghar mein.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

  • vs. kā (का): kā is for singular, direct, masculine things. Ram kā amrūd (Ram's guava).
  • vs. kī (की): kī is for ALL feminine things, no matter what. Ram kī gāṛī (Ram's car).
  • vs. ko (को): ko marks the receiver of an action. ke marks possession or relation.

Quick FAQ

Q. Does ke ever change pronunciation?

A. Nope, it always rhymes with "café" or "hey".

Q. Why is it mere and not main ke?

A. Pronouns are rebels. They fuse with the postposition. Main + ke = mere. Hum + ke = hamāre. Just memorize the fusion forms; they are super common.

Reference Table

Owner Object (Condition) Construction Meaning
Rām Shoes (Masc. Plural) Rām `ke` jūte Ram's shoes
Main (I) Teacher (Respect) `Mere` adhyāpak My teacher
Tum (You) Friends (Masc. Plural) `Tumhāre` dost Your friends
Ghar (House) Inside (Oblique) Ghar `ke` andar Inside the house
Voh (He/She) Money (Masc. Plural) `Uske` paise His/Her money
Yeh (This) About (Compound) Is`ke` bāre mein About this
🎯

The Sandwich Rule

Think of `ke` as the cheese in a grammar sandwich. It connects two nouns (Bread + Cheese + Bread). If the second piece of bread is plural or fancy (respect), you need `ke` cheese, not `kā` cheese.

⚠️

Don't Ignore the Hidden 'In'

If you say 'in my room', the word 'in' (`mein`) is invisible at first but it changes 'my'. `Merā kamrā` -> `Mere kamre mein`. That `mein` forces `merā` to become `mere`.

💬

Respect is Grammar

In India, using the singular `kā` for an elder sounds rude, like you're talking down to them. Always upgrade elders to `ke` (masculine) or `kī` (feminine/plural) to show you were raised right!

💡

Compound Hack

Memorize `ke liye`, `ke pās`, and `ke sāth` as single vocabulary words. Don't try to analyze the grammar every time. Just treat `ke-liye` as one word meaning 'for'.

مثال‌ها

8
#1 राहुल के जूते नए हैं।

Rahul ke jūte nae hain.

Focus: Rahul ke jūte

Rahul's shoes are new.

Standard usage: 'Shoes' are masculine plural.

#2 मेरे पिताजी डॉक्टर हैं।

Mere pitājī doctor hain.

Focus: Mere pitājī

My father is a doctor.

Respect usage: Father is singular but gets the plural/respect treatment.

#3 घर के पास एक पेड़ है।

Ghar ke pās ek peṛ hai.

Focus: Ghar ke pās

There is a tree near the house.

Compound postposition: 'ke pās' acts as a single unit.

#4 उसकी बहन के लिए पानी लाओ।

Uskī behen ke liye pānī lāo.

Focus: behen ke liye

Bring water for his/her sister.

Compound postposition: 'ke liye' (for). Notice 'behen' doesn't change 'ke'.

#5 कमरे के अंदर कौन है?

Kamre ke andar kaun hai?

Focus: Kamre ke andar

Who is inside the room?

Oblique noun: 'Kamrā' becomes 'Kamre' because of 'ke'.

#6 ✗ राम का जूते कहाँ हैं? → ✓ राम के जूते कहाँ हैं?

Ram ke jūte kahān hain?

Focus: Ram ke jūte

Where are Ram's shoes?

Correction: Shoes are plural, so 'kā' must be 'ke'.

#7 ✗ मेरा पिताजी आ रहा है। → ✓ मेरे पिताजी आ रहे हैं।

Mere pitājī ā rahe hain.

Focus: Mere pitājī

My father is coming.

Correction: Respect requires 'mere' and plural verb 'hain'.

#8 भारत के लोगों को क्रिकेट पसंद है।

Bhārat ke logon ko cricket pasand hai.

Focus: Bhārat ke logon

The people of India like cricket.

Complex: 'Logon' is oblique plural because of 'ko', so 'India's' becomes 'ke'.

خودت رو بسنج

Choose the correct possessive particle based on the noun 'dost' (friends - plural).

Yeh Amit ___ dost hain.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: ke

'Dost' here implies multiple friends (indicated by 'hain'), so we use masculine plural 'ke'.

Select the correct form for 'My father'.

___ pitājī bahut acche hain.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Mere

Father requires respect, which grammatically functions like the masculine plural. So 'Mera' becomes 'Mere'.

Complete the compound postposition phrase 'for me'.

Mere ___ ek coffee lāo.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: liye

The structure is 'ke liye' (for). Since 'Mere' already includes the 'ke' sound modification from 'Main', we just add 'liye'.

🎉 امتیاز: /3

ابزارهای بصری یادگیری

When to switch to KE

Masc. Plural
kute dogs
jūte shoes
Respect (VIP)
pitājī father
gurujī teacher
Compound/Oblique
ke liye for
ke pās near

Which Particle Do I Choose?

1

Is the owned object Feminine?

NO
Use 'kī'
2

Is the object Plural OR Respectful?

NO
Use 'ke'
3

Is there another postposition after it?

NO
Use 'ke'
4

Default

NO
Use 'kā'

Pronoun Mutations with KE

👤

Main (I) -> Mere

  • • Mere dost
  • • Mere liye
👉

Tum (You) -> Tumhāre

  • • Tumhāre ghar
  • • Tumhāre pās
👀

Voh (He/She) -> Uske

  • • Uske kapṛe
  • • Uske sāth
❓

Kaun (Who) -> Kiske

  • • Kiske jūte?
  • • Kiske liye?

سوالات متداول

20 سوال

ke shows possession or relationship when the object is masculine plural or oblique. Think of it as 'of' for plural things. Example: Ram ke dost (Ram's friends).

This is the 'Honorific Plural'. In Hindi, we treat respected people as if they are plural to show politeness. So merā becomes mere.

The owner's gender doesn't matter! ke only cares about the shoes. Since shoes (jūte) are masculine plural, it is still Sita ke jūte.

No. Feminine objects always use kī, regardless of number or case. 'Ram's daughter' is Ram kī beṭī and 'Ram's daughters' is Ram kī beṭiyān.

They merge. Main + ke = Mere. Tum + ke = Tumhāre. Ham + ke = Hamāre. Voh + ke = Uske.

It means 'for'. It's a compound postposition. The ke is there to connect the person to the word liye. Mere liye = For me.

No, that's a classic error! The mein (in) forces the ghar into the oblique case, which ripples back and turns kā into ke. It must be Ram ke ghar mein.

Usually, the masculine plural ke takes over if you are grouping them, or it matches the closest noun. Ram ke bhāī-behen (Ram's siblings).

Yes, absolutely. But in very casual slang (like Mumbai Hindi), people might use kā wrongly or use mereko instead of mujhe, but standard Hindi always uses ke.

Pronunciation! ke rhymes with 'bay'. ki rhymes with 'key'. Also, ke connects words (Ram of House), while ki connects sentences (He said that...).

Yes. Rahul ke, Amit ke. If the name ends in 'a' like 'Raja', the name itself doesn't change, just the particle. Raja ke dost.

It's a shape-shift nouns undergo when followed by a postposition. If a noun goes oblique, its possessive marker (kā) must also shift to ke.

Yes! Rahul ke hān or just Rahul ke can sometimes imply 'at Rahul's place', similar to 'chez Rahul' in French.

Never. Feminine is always kī. Merī kitāben (My books). Don't let the plural trick you!

It means 'near' or 'with'. Mere paas paise hain (I have money / Money is with me).

Kaun (who) becomes Kiske (singular oblique/plural). Yeh kiske jūte hain? (Whose shoes are these?).

Yes! Apnā becomes apne in the same way kā becomes ke. Ram apne ghar mein hai (Ram is in his own house).

People will understand you, but it sounds childish or foreign. It's like saying 'Me want cookie' instead of 'I want a cookie'.

No. Mataji ke (Mother's...) and Pitaji ke (Father's...) are same. The owner's gender is irrelevant to ke.

Not really. The rule is very consistent. kā -> ke for MP/Oblique/Respect. It's one of the most reliable rules in Hindi.

مفید بود؟

قواعد مرتبط

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...

نظرات (0)

برای نظر دادن وارد شوید
هنوز نظری وجود ندارد. اولین نفری باشید که افکار خود را به اشتراک می‌گذارد!

یادگیری زبان‌ها را رایگان شروع کنید

شروع رایگان یادگیری