Advanced Hindi Conjunctions

Lekin means 'but' and introduces a contrast while accepting the first clause. Balki means 'rather' or 'on the contrary' and usually follows a negative clause to correct it. Example: Woh amir hai lekin kanjoos hai (He is rich but stingy) vs Woh amir nahi, balki garib hai (He isn't rich, rather he is poor).

Rarely. It usually connects two clauses, coming in the middle. If you start with it, it sounds like you are continuing a previous conversation or adding a clause to a contract.

Ideally, yes. Since maano implies something isn't true (hypothetical), we use the subjunctive (ho) or past conditional (hota/hote). Using a simple present hai can sound like you believe it's actually true.

It is slightly formal and poetic, but very common in established phrases like warnings. In very casual slang, people might just say dhyaan se, gir jaoge (careful, you'll fall) instead of the full kahin aisa na ho ki... structure.

This wraps around the subject and verb. Chahe tum kyon na aao (Even if you don't come / No matter if you come). It’s a rhetorical way of saying the outcome won't change.

A clause describing the condition. Usually, the verb is in the subjunctive or future tense. Bhasharte ki tum waqt par aao (Provided you come on time).

Yes! It can mean 'not only X, but in fact Y'. Usne sirf meri madad nahi ki, balki mujhe paise bhi diye (He didn't just help me, in fact, he gave me money too).

Yes, they are very similar. Varna is slightly more formal or dramatic than nahi toh (otherwise). Both warn of consequences.

Yes, educated native speakers use these constantly to articulate complex thoughts. You won't hear them as much in basic market transactions, but definitely in debates, stories, and professional settings.

Yes, yadyapi is the formal Sanskritized version of halaanki (although). If you use yadyapi, you must pair it with tathapi (still/yet). Halaanki pairs with phir bhi.

It comes from Urdu ba-shart, meaning 'on the condition'. Shart means bet or condition.

You don't need another 'na' inside the clause because the phrase itself implies prevention. Kahin aisa na ho ki wo gir jaaye (Lest he falls). If you add 'na', it flips the meaning, which is confusing.

Jaise ki is broader and can mean 'such as' or 'like'. Maano is specifically for 'as if' hypotheticals. Maano adds more flavor of imagination.

Yes, atah means 'therefore'. It is very formal. In conversation, use isliye.

Yadi is the formal Hindi version of agar. In writing or speeches, yadi is common. In speech, 99% of the time we use agar.

Sometimes, in a running dialogue to forcefully correct a previous speaker's point. Speaker A: 'It's bad.' Speaker B: 'Balki, it's terrible!'

Varan is a very formal synonym for balki (rather). You will mostly see it in literature, rarely hear it in coffee shops.

Use bhale hi. Bhale hi wo gussa ho... (Even though/Even if he is angry...).

Yes, the ki connects the condition. Dropping it makes the sentence feel incomplete.

Try translating 'correction' sentences for balki and 'warning' sentences for kahin aisa na ho ki. These distinct contexts make them easier to remember.