Using Ke Saath for Accom

In English, we say "with + [person/thing]".

In Hindi, the order is flipped: "[person/thing] + ke + saath".

Literally, it translates to "in the company of". The important part here is the ke. This little word is possessive, which means the word coming before it needs to change into its "oblique" form (if it’s a noun) or its possessive form (if it’s a pronoun). Think of ke saath as a VIP club—you can't just walk in wearing your pajamas (basic subject form); you need to dress up (oblique/possessive form) to enter.

1. 1Let’s break it down into steps. It’s like making a sandwich.
2. 2Pick your companion (The person or thing you are with).
3. 3Example: Ram, dost (friend), main (me).
4. 4Change it to the Oblique or Possessive form.
5. 5Nouns (Singular Masculine ending in -aa): Change -aa to -e. Example: kutta (dog) → kutte.
6. 6Nouns (most others): Stay the same or just add ke after.
7. 7Pronouns: This is the tricky part! You don't say main ke saath. You use the possessive forms (mera, tumhara, etc.) and change them to fit ke.
8. 8Main → Mere
9. 9Tum → Tumhare
10. 10Hum → Hamare
11. 11Vah → Uske
12. 12Add ke saath.
13. 13Ram ke saath (With Ram)
14. 14Mere saath (With me)
15. 15Doston ke saath (With friends - notice doston is plural oblique!)

Use ke saath whenever you want to express accompaniment. If two things are physically together or happening together, this is your guy.

• With People: "I am going with mom." → Main maa ke saath ja raha hoon.
• With Things: "Eat paratha with pickle." → Paratha achaar ke saath khao.
• With Emotions (Abstract): "He spoke with love." → Usne pyaar ke saath baat ki.

Here is where it gets spicy. Do not use ke saath when you are using an object as a tool to do something. That is the job for se.

• The Tool Rule:
• "I write with a pen." (Pen is a tool) → Main pen se likhta hoon. (NOT pen ke saath—unless you are taking the pen on a date!)
• "I cut the apple with a knife." → Main chaaku se seb kaat-ta hoon.

1. 1The Pronoun Trap: Beginners love to say main ke saath. It hurts my ears! It must be mere saath.
2. 2The Tool Confusion: Using ke saath for instruments. Remember: You travel train se (by train), but you travel dost ke saath (with a friend).
3. 3Forgetting the Oblique: Saying ladka ke saath instead of ladke ke saath. The ke forces the change!

• Ke saath vs. Aur:
• Aur means "and". "Ram and I went" (Ram aur main gaye).
• Ke saath means "with". "I went with Ram" (Main Ram ke saath gaya). The meaning changes slightly. One is a group effort; the other highlights companionship.
• Ke paas: This means "near" or "have". Mere paas (I have/near me) vs Mere saath (With me).

Q: Can I use it for food combinations?

A: Yes! Chai ke saath biscuit (Biscuits with tea) is a classic combo.

Q: Is saath always required?

A: In casual Hindi, sometimes people drop ke if using pronouns like mere, uske, but standard grammar requires the full ke saath. Stick to the rules until you're a pro!