Hindi Verb सकना

In Hindi, सकना is an auxiliary verb. This means it cannot usually stand alone. It needs a partner—a main verb—to make sense. You wouldn't just say "I can" in Hindi without implying an action. The main verb provides the meaning, while सकना provides the "ability." One of the best things about सकना is that it is very consistent. Unlike some other Hindi verbs that change based on whether the action is finished or not, सकना follows a very predictable path. It behaves like an intransitive verb. This is great news for you because it means you never, ever use the ने (ne) particle with it. Even if the main verb is something like "eat" or "read," the presence of सकना cancels out the need for ने. It is like a grammar shield that protects you from one of Hindi's trickiest rules.

1. 1Building a sentence with सकना is a simple three-step process.
2. 2Start with your main verb in its stem form. To get the stem, take the infinitive (the ना form) and chop off the ना. For example, बोलना (to speak) becomes बोल (bol).
3. 3Add the appropriate form of सकना immediately after the stem.
4. 4Conjugate सकना to match the subject in gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural), and then add the correct form of "to be" (होना).
5. 5For example, if a man wants to say "I can go":
6. 6Subject: मैं (Main)
7. 7Stem: जा (jaa)
8. 8Sakna form: सकता (sakta)
9. 9Helping verb: हूँ (hoon)
10. 10Result: मैं जा सकता हूँ (Main jaa sakta hoon).
11. 11If a woman says it: मैं जा सकती हूँ (Main jaa sakti hoon).
12. 12If a group says it: हम जा सकते हैं (Hum jaa sakte hain).
13. 13It is like a puzzle where the pieces always fit the same way.

There are four main scenarios where सकना shines. First is Physical or Mental Ability. Use it when you are physically able to lift a box or mentally able to solve a math problem. For example, "I can lift this" or "I can read Sanskrit." Second is Permission. This is very common in social settings. If you are entering a room, you ask, क्या मैं अंदर आ सकता हूँ? (Can I come in?). It sounds polite and natural. Third is Possibility. If you think it might rain, you can use सकना to express that chance. Finally, use it for Requesting Favors. "Can you help me?" is a classic use case. Think of it as your social lubricant for navigating daily life. Whether you are ordering food ("Can I get a chai?") or asking for directions, सकna has your back.

While सकना is powerful, it isn't always the right choice. A common trap for English speakers is using it for learned skills. In English, we say "I can swim" or "I can play guitar." In Hindi, if it is a skill you had to study or practice to master, we often use the verb आना (to come/to know) instead. Saying मैं तैर सकता हूँ means you have the physical strength to swim right now. Saying मुझे तैरना आता है means you actually know the technique of swimming. Also, do not use सकना to express "may" in the sense of a formal blessing or a very remote hypothetical; there are other structures for that. Think of सकना as the "immediate ability" button. If you are talking about deep expertise, look elsewhere.

Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes, but usually, it is learners who fall into these two traps. The biggest mistake is using the full infinitive instead of the stem. You might be tempted to say मैं बोलना सकता हूँ. Stop right there! That sounds like you are saying "I can to-speak." Always drop the ना. Another huge mistake is using the ने (ne) particle in the past tense. You might think, "I ate is मैंने खाया, so I could eat should be मैंने खा सका." Nope! It is always मैं खा सका. सकना hates ने. Think of ने and सकना as two magnets that repel each other. Finally, remember agreement. If you are a woman, use सकती. If you use सकता, people will understand you, but it will sound a bit like a grammar glitch.

How do you tell सकना apart from पाना (paana) or आना (aana)? It is a common point of confusion. सकना is about general ability or permission. पाना is about managing to do something despite obstacles. If you say मैं नहीं जा सका, it means "I couldn't go" (maybe I wasn't allowed). If you say मैं नहीं जा पाया, it implies "I couldn't manage to go" (maybe the traffic was too bad). आना, as mentioned before, is for acquired skills. If you "can" do it because you took a class, use आना. If you "can" do it because your legs work or you have permission, use सकना. It is like a grammar traffic light: आना is the green light of knowledge, and सकना is the green light of physical capability.