A2 syntax 3 min de lecture

Interrogative क्यों:

To ask 'Why', simply place `क्यों` (kyon) immediately before the verb or negative marker in the sentence.

The Rule in 30 Seconds

  • Means 'Why' in Hindi.
  • Place it before the verb.
  • Subject + Object + क्यों + Verb.
  • Answer usually starts with 'क्योंकि'.

Quick Reference

Sentence Type Hindi Structure Example (Hindi) English Translation
Standard Subj + **क्यों** + Verb `तुम **क्यों** हँस रहे हो?` Why are you laughing?
With Object Subj + Obj + **क्यों** + Verb `वह चाय **क्यों** बना रही है?` Why is she making tea?
Negative Subj + **क्यों** + `नहीं` + Verb `आप **क्यों** नहीं आए?` Why did you not come?
Emphatic (Rare) **क्यों** + Subj + Verb `**क्यों** किया तुमने ये?` WHY did you do this?!
Past Tense Subj + **क्यों** + Verb (Past) `राज **क्यों** गया?` Why did Raj go?
Future Tense Subj + **क्यों** + Verb (Fut) `हम **क्यों** रुकेंगे?` Why will we stop?

Exemples clés

3 sur 10
1

Tum udaas kyon ho?

Why are you sad?

2

Baccha kyon ro raha hai?

Why is the child crying?

3

Aapne yeh kyon kiya?

Why did you do this?

🎯

The Velcro Rule

Imagine `क्यों` has velcro on its back and sticks to the verb. `Subject` + `...` + `[क्यों-Verb]`. They love being together!

⚠️

Intonation Matters

Just saying `क्यों` abruptly can sound like "What now?!" Soften your voice to sound curious, not annoyed.

The Rule in 30 Seconds

  • Means 'Why' in Hindi.
  • Place it before the verb.
  • Subject + Object + क्यों + Verb.
  • Answer usually starts with 'क्योंकि'.

Overview

Ready to channel your inner inquisitive toddler? Good, because today we are mastering क्यों (kyon), the Hindi word for "Why". Whether you are asking someone why they are late, why the sky is blue, or why they put pineapple on pizza (a valid question), this is your go-to word. It is one of the most essential question words you will learn because it unlocks the ability to understand *reasons* and *motivations*. Without it, conversations stay pretty surface-level. So, let's dig in!

How This Grammar Works

In English, we usually stick question words right at the start of the sentence: "Why are you happy?" Hindi is a bit more flexible but has a favorite spot for क्यों. It acts as an interrogative adverb, meaning it modifies the verb by asking for the cause. The cool thing? You don't need to do complex gymnastics with auxiliary verbs like "do" or "does" (e.g., "Why *do* you go?"). In Hindi, the verb structure mostly stays the same as a normal statement; you just drop क्यों in the sweet spot.

Formation Pattern

  1. 1The "sweet spot" I mentioned? It's usually right before the verb (or the negative marker नहीं).
  2. 2Start with the Subject (The person doing the action).
  3. 3Add the Object or other details (Time, place, etc.).
  4. 4Insert क्यों.
  5. 5Finish with the Verb.
  6. 6Structure: Subject + Object + क्यों + Verb?
  7. 7* Example: तुम (You) उदास (sad) क्यों (why) हो (are)?
  8. 8* "Why are you sad?"
  9. 9Think of क्यों as a VIP guest who likes to sit right next to the host (the verb) at the dinner table.

When To Use It

Use क्यों whenever you need a reason or explanation. It expects an answer that often starts with क्योंकि (kyonki - because). Use it for:

  • Curiosity: आसमान नीला क्यों है? (Why is the sky blue?)
  • Concern: आप रो क्यों रहे हैं? (Why are you crying?)
  • Logistics: ट्रेन लेट क्यों है? (Why is the train late?)

It works for all tenses—past, present, and future. The word क्यों itself doesn't change form.

When Not To Use It

Don't use क्यों for Yes/No questions. That's क्या (kya)'s job.

  • Wrong: क्यों आप खुश हैं? (Trying to ask "Are you happy?" - This actually means "Why are you happy?")
  • Right: क्या आप खुश हैं? (Are you happy?)

Also, avoid using it when you actually mean "For what purpose?" or "What for?" In strict formal contexts, किसलिए (kisliye) might be better, though क्यों is universally accepted in daily chat.

Common Mistakes

  • The "English Hangover": Placing क्यों at the very beginning of the sentence every time. While क्यों तुम जा रहे हो? isn't grammatically illegal (it emphasizes the shock of the "Why"), the standard, neutral phrasing is तुम क्यों जा रहे हो?.
  • forgetting the nasal sound: It's not "kyo". It's क्यों with a nasal 'n' at the end. Imagine you have a tiny cold when saying it.
  • Confusing with क्या: Beginners often mix up क्या (What) and क्यों (Why). Remember: क्यों rhymes with "Yawn" (almost), and asking "why" makes you yawn if the answer is boring!

Contrast With Similar Patterns

  • क्यों vs. किसलिए: क्यों asks for the *cause* (past-looking). किसलिए asks for the *purpose* (future-looking). Often interchangeable, but किसलिए is more specific to "what for."
  • क्यों vs. कैसे: कैसे means "How".
  • तुम दिल्ली क्यों गए? (Why did you go to Delhi? -> To see the Taj Mahal.)
  • तुम दिल्ली कैसे गए? (How did you go to Delhi? -> By train.)

Quick FAQ

Q: Can I just say क्यों? on its own?

Absolutely. Just like in English. "I'm leaving." -> "क्यों?"

Q: Is it rude to ask क्यों?

Not inherently, but tone matters. A sharp क्यों! can sound aggressive. A soft क्यों? shows concern.

Reference Table

Sentence Type Hindi Structure Example (Hindi) English Translation
Standard Subj + **क्यों** + Verb `तुम **क्यों** हँस रहे हो?` Why are you laughing?
With Object Subj + Obj + **क्यों** + Verb `वह चाय **क्यों** बना रही है?` Why is she making tea?
Negative Subj + **क्यों** + `नहीं` + Verb `आप **क्यों** नहीं आए?` Why did you not come?
Emphatic (Rare) **क्यों** + Subj + Verb `**क्यों** किया तुमने ये?` WHY did you do this?!
Past Tense Subj + **क्यों** + Verb (Past) `राज **क्यों** गया?` Why did Raj go?
Future Tense Subj + **क्यों** + Verb (Fut) `हम **क्यों** रुकेंगे?` Why will we stop?
🎯

The Velcro Rule

Imagine `क्यों` has velcro on its back and sticks to the verb. `Subject` + `...` + `[क्यों-Verb]`. They love being together!

⚠️

Intonation Matters

Just saying `क्यों` abruptly can sound like "What now?!" Soften your voice to sound curious, not annoyed.

💬

The Rhetorical Why

Indians often use `क्यों?` (Why?) when they actually mean "Really?" or "Is that so?" in casual chat. It's not always a demand for facts.

💡

Why Not?

To agree enthusiastically, say `क्यों नहीं!` (Kyon nahin!). It means "Why not!" or "Of course!"

Exemples

10
#1 `तुम उदास क्यों हो?`

Tum udaas kyon ho?

Focus: kyon

Why are you sad?

Standard adjective sentence.

#2 `बच्चा क्यों रो रहा है?`

Baccha kyon ro raha hai?

Focus: kyon

Why is the child crying?

Continuous tense.

#3 `आपने यह क्यों किया?`

Aapne yeh kyon kiya?

Focus: kyon

Why did you do this?

Past tense with transitive verb (ne).

#4 `वे यहाँ क्यों नहीं आते?`

Ve yahan kyon nahin aate?

Focus: kyon

Why do they not come here?

Negative sentence placement.

#5 `हमें हिंदी क्यों सीखनी चाहिए?`

Humein Hindi kyon seekhni chahiye?

Focus: kyon

Why should we learn Hindi?

Modal verb 'should'.

#6 `दरवाज़ा खुला क्यों है?`

Darvaza khula kyon hai?

Focus: kyon

Why is the door open?

State of being.

#7 ✗ `क्यों तुम जा रहे हो?` → ✓ `तुम क्यों जा रहे हो?`

Tum kyon ja rahe ho?

Focus: Tum kyon

Why are you going?

Correction: Move `kyon` before the verb for standard tone.

#8 ✗ `तुम लेट हो क्यों?` → ✓ `तुम लेट क्यों हो?`

Tum late kyon ho?

Focus: kyon ho

Why are you late?

Correction: `kyon` shouldn't hang at the end.

#9 `आपकी गाड़ी पुरानी क्यों है?`

Aapki gaadi purani kyon hai?

Focus: kyon

Why is your car old?

Adjective placement.

#10 `बारिश क्यों हो रही है?`

Baarish kyon ho rahi hai?

Focus: kyon

Why is it raining?

Nature/Universal event.

Teste-toi

Complete the sentence to ask 'Why are you running?'

Tum ___ bhaag rahe ho?

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : kyon

We need a reason for running, so we use `kyon`.

Choose the correct word order for 'Why did he eat?'

___ khaya?

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : Usne kyon

Subject (`Usne`) usually comes before the question word (`kyon`).

Asking 'Why not?'

Kyon ___?

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : nahin

'Kyon nahin' is the standard phrase for 'Why not?'

🎉 Score : /3

Aides visuelles

Interrogative Showdown

क्यों (Kyon)
Reason Why?
तुम क्यों आए? Why did you come?
क्या (Kya)
Yes/No or Object What?
तुम क्या लाए? What did you bring?

Do I use Kyon?

1

Asking for a reason?

YES ↓
NO
Don't use Kyon (Try Kya, Kahan, etc.)
2

Is it a Yes/No question?

YES ↓
NO
Use 'Kyon' (Before verb)

Common Why Situations

😢

Emotions

  • • उदास क्यों? (Why sad?)
  • • खुश क्यों? (Why happy?)
🏃

Actions

  • • क्यों भागा? (Why ran?)
  • • क्यों रुका? (Why stopped?)
thak

Health

  • • थके क्यों? (Why tired?)
  • • बीमार क्यों? (Why sick?)

Questions fréquentes

21 questions

The safest place is right before the verb. Tum **kyon** ja rahe ho? is perfect.

You can, but it adds drama or strong emphasis. **Kyon** kiya tumne aisa? (WHY did you do like this?). Avoid it for normal questions.

Start your answer with क्योंकि (kyonki), which means "because". Kyonki mujhe bhook lagi hai (Because I am hungry).

Kyon asks for a cause (past reason). Kisliye asks for a purpose (future goal). In casual Hindi, people use kyon for both.

Say क्यों नहीं (Kyon nahin). It's very common for agreeing to plans.

No! Kyon stays exactly the same whether you are talking to a boy, a girl, or a group. Woh kyon aaya? vs Woh kyon aayi?

Place kyon before the main verb structure. Tum hindi kyon seekhna chahte ho? (Why do you want to learn Hindi?).

Yes. Tum kyon gaye? (Why did you go?). The word order remains the same.

It can be if you are blunt. Use polite pronouns like Aap and a soft tone. Aap pareshan kyon hain? (Why are you worried?) is polite.

Nope! Hindi saves you that trouble. Just Subject + Kyon + Verb. No helper verbs needed for the question part.

That is इसलिए (isliye). It's the partner to kyon. Question: Kyon? Answer: ...isliye.

In very informal slang, yes: Ja rahe ho kyon? But avoid this in learning; it sounds messy.

Kyon = Why (Reason). Kya = What (Thing) or Yes/No marker. Tum kyon khate ho? (Why do you eat?) vs Tum kya khate ho? (What do you eat?).

Main hi kyon? (Me only why?) is the dramatic way to say it!

Yes. Yeh mehnga kyon hai? (Why is this expensive?).

It's one syllable. Don't say 'Key-on'. Say 'Kyon' with a nasal finish.

Aisa kyon? (Like this why?). Short and punchy.

It's the most common, but you can also just state the fact if it's obvious. Q: Kyon? A: Bhook lagi hai (Hungry).

Yes. Wahan mat jao (Don't go there). Kyon? (Why?).

No, the verb changes based on the Subject, not the question word.

Pata nahin kyon. This is a very useful phrase!

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