The Hindi Particle "भी": Also
Place `भी` immediately after any word to include it or add emphasis as 'also' or 'even'.
The Rule in 30 Seconds
- The particle `भी` means 'also', 'too', or 'even' in Hindi.
- Always place `भी` immediately after the word you want to emphasize.
- It never changes form, regardless of gender, number, or tense.
- Use it to include items or express surprise in 'even' scenarios.
Quick Reference
| Context | Hindi Structure | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Including Subject | मैं भी चलूँगा | I will also go along |
| Including Object | मुझे पानी भी चाहिए | I want water too |
| Emphasis (Even) | उसने देखा भी नहीं | He didn't even look |
| Negative (Neither) | वह भी नहीं आया | He didn't come either |
| With Verbs | वह गाता भी है | He also sings |
| With Adjectives | यह सस्ता भी है | This is also cheap |
Key Examples
3 of 8राम भी बाज़ार जा रहा है।
Ram is also going to the market.
मुझे एक समोसा भी दीजिए।
Please give me a samosa too.
उसने मुझसे बात भी नहीं की।
He didn't even talk to me.
The Sticky Note Rule
Imagine `भी` is a sticky note. In English, you can drop 'also' anywhere. In Hindi, if you don't stick it right after the word, the sentence falls apart!
The 'Very' Trap
Don't use `भी` to mean 'very'. If you say 'The food is also good,' use `भी`. If you mean 'The food is very good,' use `बहुत`.
The Rule in 30 Seconds
- The particle `भी` means 'also', 'too', or 'even' in Hindi.
- Always place `भी` immediately after the word you want to emphasize.
- It never changes form, regardless of gender, number, or tense.
- Use it to include items or express surprise in 'even' scenarios.
Overview
Ever felt like your Hindi sentences were missing a little extra 'oomph'? Meet भी. This tiny word is a powerhouse. It usually translates to 'also,' 'too,' or 'even' in English. Think of it as the social butterfly of Hindi grammar. It loves to attach itself to other words to include them in the party. Whether you are ordering a second samosa or telling someone that even you are tired, भी is your best friend. It is an emphatic particle, meaning it adds stress or focus. It is like a highlighter for your speech. Use it well, and you will sound like a local in no time. Just remember, it is small but mighty.
How This Grammar Works
In English, we move 'also' or 'too' around quite a bit. In Hindi, भी is much more disciplined. It is a post-positional particle. This means it always follows the word it is emphasizing. If you want to say 'I also,' you say मैं भी. If you want to say 'tea also,' you say चाय भी. It does not change its form. It does not care about gender, number, or case. It is indeclinable and stubborn in the best way possible. Think of it like a sticky note. You stick it right after the thing you want to highlight. If you move the sticky note, the whole meaning of your sentence might shift. It is like a grammar traffic light; it tells the listener exactly where to stop and look.
Formation Pattern
- 1Using
भीis as easy as making instant noodles. Here is the three-step recipe: - 2Pick the word you want to emphasize or include.
- 3Place
भीimmediately after that word. - 4Complete the rest of your sentence as usual.
- 5Pattern: [Subject/Object/Verb] +
भी+ [Rest of Sentence]. - 6Example:
वह(He) +भी(also) +आएगा(will come) =वह भी आएगा(He also will come). - 7Example:
आम(Mango) +भी(also) +चाहिए(want) =आम भी चाहिए(I want mango also).
When To Use It
Use भी when you want to add something to a list. Imagine you are at a cafe. You ordered coffee. Now you want a muffin. You say, 'I want a muffin too.' In Hindi: मुझे मफ़िन भी चाहिए.
Use it for 'even' to show surprise or extremes. If a task is so easy that even a child can do it, you say: यह बच्चा भी कर सकता है.
Use it in negative sentences to mean 'not even' or 'neither.' If you don't like tea or coffee, you might say: मैं चाय भी नहीं पीता. This adds a layer of 'not even tea.'
Use it in job interviews to list your skills. 'I speak English, and I also speak Hindi.' मैं हिंदी भी बोलता हूँ. It makes you sound inclusive and capable.
When Not To Use It
Do not place भी before the word it modifies. This is a classic rookie mistake. It is not like the English 'also' which can start a sentence.
Do not use भी when you actually mean 'very.' Some learners confuse it with बहुत. If the soup is very hot, use बहुत. If the soup is also hot (like the tea), use भी.
Do not use it to mean 'and.' और connects two things. भी includes one thing into a pre-existing context.
Avoid using it if you want to be exclusive. If you only want tea and nothing else, भी is your enemy. It is the 'plus one' of the language world.
Common Mistakes
Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes, but usually just in fast speech. The biggest trap is placement.
भी मैं जाऊँगा is wrong. It sounds like you are trying to invent a new language. Always मैं भी जाऊँगा.
Another mistake is using it with ही. These two are rivals. ही means 'only,' and भी means 'also.' Using them together usually results in a 'does not compute' error in the listener's brain.
Don't forget the nasal sound. It is bhee (भी), not bee (बी). Pronouncing it like a honeybee might get you some confused smiles at the dinner table.
Contrast With Similar Patterns
Let's look at भी vs. ही.
भी is the 'Includer.' It says 'This AND that.'
ही is the 'Excluder.' It says 'This ONLY.'
Example: मैं भी खाऊँगा (I will also eat—don't leave me out!).
Example: मैं ही खाऊँगा (Only I will eat—stay away from my pizza!).
Also, contrast it with और.
और is a bridge between two nouns: चाय और कॉफ़ी.
भी is an attachment to one noun: चाय भी.
Quick FAQ
Q. Does भी change for feminine words?
A. No, it stays भी forever. It is very low-maintenance.
Q. Can I use भी twice in one sentence?
A. Yes, but use it sparingly. 'I also will also go' sounds repetitive in any language.
Q. Where does it go with verbs?
A. Right after the verb if you want to say 'even doing [action].' वह सोता भी है (He even sleeps!).
Reference Table
| Context | Hindi Structure | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Including Subject | मैं भी चलूँगा | I will also go along |
| Including Object | मुझे पानी भी चाहिए | I want water too |
| Emphasis (Even) | उसने देखा भी नहीं | He didn't even look |
| Negative (Neither) | वह भी नहीं आया | He didn't come either |
| With Verbs | वह गाता भी है | He also sings |
| With Adjectives | यह सस्ता भी है | This is also cheap |
The Sticky Note Rule
Imagine `भी` is a sticky note. In English, you can drop 'also' anywhere. In Hindi, if you don't stick it right after the word, the sentence falls apart!
The 'Very' Trap
Don't use `भी` to mean 'very'. If you say 'The food is also good,' use `भी`. If you mean 'The food is very good,' use `बहुत`.
Negative Power
In negative sentences, `भी` + `नहीं` often means 'not even'. `उसने देखा भी नहीं` (He didn't even look). It's great for adding drama!
Politeness through Inclusion
Using `भी` when inviting someone (e.g., `आप भी आइए`) makes the invitation feel warmer and more inclusive.
مثالها
8राम भी बाज़ार जा रहा है।
Focus: राम भी
Ram is also going to the market.
Here, `भी` includes Ram in the action.
मुझे एक समोसा भी दीजिए।
Focus: समोसा भी
Please give me a samosa too.
Used when you've already ordered something else.
उसने मुझसे बात भी नहीं की।
Focus: बात भी
He didn't even talk to me.
Here `भी` functions as 'even' to show disappointment.
आप भी इस सभा में आमंत्रित हैं।
Focus: आप भी
You are also invited to this meeting.
Polite inclusion in a professional setting.
✗ भी मैं आऊँगा → ✓ मैं भी आऊँगा।
Focus: मैं भी
I will also come.
The particle must follow the noun, never precede it.
✗ वह बहुत भी थका है → ✓ वह बहुत थका भी है।
Focus: थका भी
He is also very tired.
Don't confuse `भी` with `बहुत` (very).
वहाँ खाना भी था और संगीत भी।
Focus: संगीत भी
There was food as well as music.
Using `भी` twice to balance two included items.
क्या तुम भी थक गए हो?
Focus: तुम भी
Are you also tired?
A common way to check if someone shares your feeling.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct placement for 'also' in the sentence: 'I want tea too.'
मुझे चाय ___ चाहिए।
`भी` is used to mean 'also' or 'too' and follows the noun `चाय`.
How do you say 'Even he doesn't know'?
___ उसे ___ नहीं पता।
The particle `भी` must follow the pronoun `उसे` to mean 'even he'.
Select the word that makes this sentence mean 'I will also go.'
मैं ___ जाऊँगा।
`मैं भी` translates to 'I also'.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
भी vs. ही
Where does 'भी' go?
Which word are you adding/emphasizing?
Is the word a Noun, Pronoun, or Verb?
Place 'भी' immediately AFTER that word.
Real World Usage
Shopping
- • यह भी दिखाओ (Show this also)
- • वह भी महँगा है (That is also expensive)
Social
- • मैं भी आऊँगा (I'll come too)
- • आप भी चलिए (You also come)
Frequently Asked Questions
20 questionsIt most commonly means 'also,' 'too,' or 'even.' It's a particle used to include something in a group or to add emphasis.
Always place it immediately after the word you want to emphasize. For example, मैं भी (I also) or कल भी (Even tomorrow).
No, भी is indeclinable. It stays the same whether you are talking about one person or a hundred.
Yes! Placing it after a verb adds emphasis to the action. वह रोता भी है means 'He even cries' or 'He also cries.'
और is a conjunction meaning 'and' (joining two things), while भी is a particle meaning 'also' (adding one thing to a context).
You use भी in a negative sentence. मैं भी नहीं जाऊँगा can mean 'I will not go either' or 'Neither will I go.'
Yes, especially in sentences expressing surprise. छोटा बच्चा भी यह जानता है means 'Even a small child knows this.'
No, that's a big no-no in Hindi. Unlike English 'Also, I went...', Hindi requires the subject first: मैं भी गया.
Nope! It's one of the easiest words because it never changes shape. It's always भी.
The meaning changes! मैं भी फल खाऊँगा means 'I also will eat fruit.' मैं फल भी खाऊँगा means 'I will eat fruit also (along with other things).'
It is neutral and used in every context, from casual chats with friends to formal business presentations.
Generally, no. They have opposite functions (inclusion vs. exclusion). Using them together is very rare and usually incorrect for learners.
It's a voiced aspirated 'b'. Think of the 'bh' in 'abhor' but smoother. Make sure to include that puff of air!
Yes. यह घर सुंदर भी है means 'This house is also beautiful.' It follows the adjective सुंदर.
Absolutely. वह आ रहा है और उसका भाई भी means 'He is coming and his brother as well.'
Yes. क्या आप भी चलेंगे? means 'Will you also come along?' It follows the same placement rules.
You use अगर... तो भी. For example, अगर बारिश हुई, तो भी मैं आऊँगा (Even if it rains, I will come).
In the phrase अभी भी, it means 'even now' or 'still.' वह अभी भी सो रहा है (He is still sleeping).
Yes, it usually follows the postposition. दिल्ली में भी (In Delhi also) or मुझसे भी (From me also).
Yes, like कभी भी (anytime) or कहीं भी (anywhere). The भी adds the 'any' or 'ever' sense.
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