Present continuous: रहा/रही/रहे + हूँ/है/हैं

Hindi verbs are like Lego sets. You start with a base. This base is called the verb root. Then, you add a special marker. This marker tells us the action is ongoing. Finally, you add a helping verb. This helping verb tells us the time. In this case, the time is "now." The marker changes based on gender. It also changes based on number. If you are a man, you use one form. If you are a woman, you use another. If you are talking about a group, you use a third. It sounds complex, but it is very consistent. Think of it like a three-part harmony. You need all three parts for the sentence to sound right. Gender agreement is like matching socks; it just looks better when they match.

1. 1Find the verb root. Take the infinitive (like karna - to do). Remove the na. You are left with kar.
2. 2Choose the aspect marker. For a male, use raha. For a female, use rahi. For plural or formal, use rahe.
3. 3Add the auxiliary verb. This matches the subject. Use hoon for "I." Use hai for "he/she/it." Use ho for "you." Use hain for "we/they/formal you."
4. 4Example: Main (I) + khana (to eat) -> kha (root) + raha (male) + hoon (am).
5. 5Result: Main kha raha hoon. (I am eating). It is like a math equation. Root + Aspect + Auxiliary = Continuous Action. If you skip a part, the sentence falls apart like a cheap umbrella.

Use this when you are in the middle of something. You are at a cafe. The waiter asks what you are doing. You say, "I am waiting for a friend." Use it for temporary situations. Maybe you are living in Mumbai for a month. You say, "I am living in Mumbai." Use it for trends happening these days. "People are using more apps." It is perfect for phone calls. "I am driving, call you later!" It is also great for describing photos. "In this picture, my sister is laughing." It brings your stories to life. It makes your Hindi feel immediate and real. It is the grammar of the "now."

Do not use this for habits. If you drink tea every morning, do not use raha. Use the Simple Present instead. Habits are permanent; this grammar is for "right now." Also, avoid it for some "state" verbs. In English, we say "I am knowing." In Hindi, we just say "I know." We do not usually say "I am liking." We say "I like." It is like a camera. Use this grammar for a video, not a still photo. If the action doesn't have a clear "start" and "stop" right now, be careful. Think of it like a grammar traffic light; only go when the action is moving.

The biggest mistake is forgetting the last word. Many people say Main ja raha. This is like saying "I going." You must add hoon. It feels like a small thing, but it is vital. Another mistake is gender confusion. A man saying rahi sounds a bit funny to locals. It is like wearing shoes on the wrong feet. Also, watch out for the plural hain. It needs that tiny nasal "n" sound at the end. Without it, you sound singular. Don't worry, though. Even native speakers trip up when they speak fast. Just keep practicing the "Root + Marker + Help" formula.

Compare Main khata hoon and Main kha raha hoon. The first one means "I eat." It is your habit. Maybe you eat apples every day. The second one means "I am eating." You have an apple in your hand right now. It is the difference between a lifestyle and a moment. Think of Simple Present as a map. Think of Present Continuous as a GPS showing your current movement. One is where you go; the other is where you are moving. One is your character; the other is your current scene.