Hindi Time Clauses: Using Jab

In English, we just say "When I go, I'll call you." We don't usually say "then" in the second part. But Hindi loves balance. Hindi loves pairs.

• The relative marker jab introduces the time clause.
• The correlative marker tab (or sometimes to) introduces the main clause.

So the structure literally translates to: "When I go, then I will call you."

It’s like a grammar sandwich. Jab is the top bun, your first sentence is the filling, tab is the bottom bun, and the result is the plate it sits on. Okay, maybe that analogy made you hungry, but you get the point! You need both parts to make it feel complete, especially when you are starting out.

1. 1Here is the secret formula to building these sentences perfectly every time:
2. 2Start with jab: This signals a time clause is coming.
3. 3Add the first action: Subject + Object + Verb.
4. 4Add a comma: Take a breath!
5. 5Add tab (or to): This signals the consequence or next step.
6. 6Add the second action: Subject + Object + Verb.
7. 7The Pattern:
8. 8Jab + [Subject 1] + [Verb 1], tab + [Subject 2] + [Verb 2].
9. 9*Example:*
10. 10Jab tum aaoge, tab hum khayenge.
11. 11(When you come, then we will eat.)

Use this structure whenever one action depends on the timing of another. It’s perfect for:

• Routines: "When I wake up, I drink water."
• Future Plans: "When we reach Delhi, we will visit the Red Fort."
• Past Narratives: "When I lived in Mumbai, I ate vada pav every day."
• Instructions: "When the water boils, add the tea leaves."

Basically, anytime you want to link two events by time, jab is your best friend.

This is the big one. DO NOT use jab to ask a question.

If you want to ask "When are you coming?", you use kab.

• Correct: Tum kab aaoge? (When will you come?)
• Incorrect: Tum jab aaoge? (This sounds like an incomplete sentence: "When you come...?")

Think of it this way: K words are usually for questions (kya, kyun, kab, kahan). J words are for answers or statements (jab, jo, jahan). If you use jab to ask a question, people will stare at you waiting for the rest of the sentence!

• The English Hangover: In English, we often put the "when" part second. "I will call you when I arrive." In Hindi, while technically possible, it sounds much more natural to start with the jab clause first. Stick to the Jab... tab... order for now.
• Mixing Tenses: If you are talking about the future, both verbs often take the future tense ending. In English, we say "When I *arrive* (present), I *will call* (future)." In Hindi, it's often "When I *will arrive* (future), I *will call* (future)." (Jab main pahunchunga, tab call karunga).
• Forgetting tab: Native speakers sometimes drop tab when speaking fast, but as a learner, dropping it makes your sentence feel like it's falling off a cliff. Keep it safe—use tab.

• Jab vs. Agar: This is crucial. Agar means "if". Jab means "when".
• Agar main aaunga... (If I come... implies doubt. Maybe I won't.)
• Jab main aaunga... (When I come... implies certainty. I definitely will.)

Use jab when you are sure the event will happen. Use agar when you are betting on it.

Q: Can I use to instead of tab?

Yes! In spoken Hindi, to is very common and slightly less formal than tab. Jab main bolun, to suno. (When I speak, [then] listen.)

Q: Can I swap the order?

You can say "Main tab aaunga, jab tum bulaoge" (I will come then, when you call), but it puts heavy emphasis on the *condition*. The standard Jab... tab... flow is safer and more neutral.

Q: Is jaise hi the same?

Jaise hi means "as soon as". It's jab's hyperactive cousin. Use it for immediate reactions. Jab is for general timing.