Postposition को (to, for) - dative/accusative marker

In English, we say "I see the boy." In Hindi, we say मैं लड़के को देखता हूँ. Notice that को comes *after* the word it modifies. That is why we call it a "postposition" instead of a "preposition." It acts like a marker for the direct object (the person being seen) or the indirect object (the person being given something). It also triggers a magical change in the word before it. This change is called the "oblique case." For example, लड़का (boy) becomes लड़के before you add को. It is like the word is putting on a special suit to prepare for the postposition. Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes when they are in a hurry! But once you get the hang of it, it feels totally natural.

1. 1Using को is a simple three-step process:
2. 2Pick your noun or pronoun (e.g., वह or बच्चा).
3. 3Change it to the oblique form if necessary (e.g., वह becomes उस, बच्चा becomes बच्चे).
4. 4Add को immediately after the word.
5. 5When you combine pronouns with को, they often merge into a single short word. For example, मुझ + को becomes मुझे. Both are correct, but मुझे is much more common in daily chat. Think of it like a contraction in English, such as "do not" becoming "don't."

There are four main times you will reach for को in your pocket:

• Specific People: If you are doing something to a specific person, use को. Example: "Call Rahul" is राहुल को बुलाओ.
• The Receiver: When you give or tell something to someone. Example: "Give the book to her" is उसको किताब दो.
• Feelings and Physical States: Hindi uses को for things happening *to* you. If you are hungry, you say "To me, hunger is attached." मुझे भूख लगी है. This applies to being cold, thirsty, or even liking something (मुझे यह पसंद है).
• Specific Time: Use it for specific times like "at night" (रात को) or "on Monday" (सोमवार को).

Imagine you are at a job interview. You want to say "I know Hindi." You wouldn't say मैं हिंदी जानता हूँ (though you could). It sounds more natural to say मुझे हिंदी आती है. This literally means "To me, Hindi comes." It sounds very professional!

Don't get too excited and put को everywhere. It is a common trap!

• Inanimate Objects: If you are eating an apple, you usually don't need को. मैं सेब खाता हूँ is perfect. Adding को makes the apple sound like a specific, famous apple you've been talking about all day.
• General Statements: If the object is vague or general, leave को out.
• With other postpositions: You can't stack them. You wouldn't say को में or को से. One at a time, please!

Think of it like a grammar traffic light. If the object is a person, the light is green—use को. If it's a generic sandwich, the light is red—stop and leave it out.

One big mistake is forgetting the oblique case. Saying लड़का को instead of लड़के को sounds a bit like saying "He gave it to I" in English. It’s understandable, but it will make people realize you're still learning. Another mistake is using को with the subject. Remember, को marks the *object* or the *experiencer*. If you are the one doing the action (like running or eating), you usually don't need को on yourself unless you are talking about your feelings or needs.

Learners often confuse को with के लिए (for).

• Use को when the action is directed *at* someone (Give it to him).
• Use के लिए when you are doing something *on behalf of* someone or for their benefit (I bought this for him).

Also, watch out for से (from/with). You use से to ask someone a question (उससे पूछो), but you use को to tell someone something (उसको बताओ). It’s a subtle shift that makes a big difference in how polite or direct you sound.