Using 'Kaise' to Ask

At its core, kaise asks about the process or state of something. In English, we use "How" for a lot of different things, and Hindi is similar, but with a twist. Kaise can function in two main ways: as an adverb (asking *how* an action is done) and as an adjective (asking *what kind* or *how* a person/thing is).

When it modifies a verb (like "speak," "go," "eat"), it stays kaise. But—and here’s the kicker—when it asks about a noun (like "How is the food?"), it changes its outfit to match the gender and number of that noun (becoming kaisa, kaise, or kaisi). Don't panic! We'll break this down. Basically, it’s like a grammar chameleon that sometimes matches the furniture and sometimes just hangs out unchanged.

1. 1The placement of kaise is generally quite flexible, but for the most neutral, standard questions, here is the golden rule:
2. 2Subject (The person or thing)
3. 3Object (If there is one)
4. 4kaise (The question word)
5. 5Verb (The action or state)
6. 6Pattern 1: Asking about Action (Adverb)
7. 7Subject + Object + kaise + Verb?
8. 8*Example:* Tum (You) + school + kaise + jaate ho (go)?
9. 9Pattern 2: Asking about State/Quality (Adjective)
10. 10Subject + kaisa/kaise/kaisi + Verb (is/are)?
11. 11*Example:* Khana (Food) + kaisa + hai (is)?

You will use kaise constantly. Here are the big moments:

• Asking about health/well-being: "How are you?" (Aap kaise hain?). This is the classic opener.
• Asking about method: "How do you make tea?" (Chai kaise banate hain?). Essential for foodies.
• Asking for directions/transport: "How do I go to Delhi?" (Delhi kaise jaun?).
• Asking for opinions: "How was the movie?" (Movie kaisi thi?).

Don't use kaise when you are asking for a specific quantity—that's kitna (how much). If you ask a shopkeeper Aloo kaise hain? (How are the potatoes?), they might tell you "They are happy and round." If you want the *price*, you ask Kitne ke hain?. Also, avoid using it when asking for a definition; for "What is X?", use kya.

The biggest trap students fall into is ignoring the gender agreement when kaise acts as an adjective.

• Mistake: Asking a girl, "Tum kaisa ho?" (Masculine adjective).
• Correction: "Tum kaisi ho?" (Feminine adjective).

Another slip-up is word order. In English, "How" starts the sentence. In Hindi, putting Kaise at the very beginning adds heavy emphasis or shock ("HOW did you do that?!"), but for normal questions, keep it before the verb. It sounds much more natural, like you're a local and not reading from a script.

• Kaise vs. Kyun (Why): Kyun asks for the reason; kaise asks for the method.
• Kaise vs. Kitna (How much): Kitna is for quantity/amount. Kaise is for quality/manner.
• Ye kaise hai? = How is this? (Quality)
• Ye kitna hai? = How much is this? (Quantity/Price)

Q: Can I just say Kaise? as a one-word question?

Yes! If someone says "I fixed the car," you can say "Kaise?" (How?). It's perfectly natural conversationally.

Q: Does kaise always change for gender?

No. Only when it describes a noun (like asking "How is the food?"). If it describes a verb (action), like "How do you speak?", it stays kaise regardless of gender.

Q: Is kaise formal or informal?

The word itself is neutral. The formality comes from the pronoun (Tu/Tum/Aap) and the verb ending you pair with it.