Hindi grammar · Beginner (A1)
The present habitual: I do, I usually do
Talk about habits, routines and facts with the -ता, -ती, -ते form of the verb plus हूँ, है, हो or हैं.
How it's built
Take the stem of the verb, which is the infinitive without -ना (-naa): (bolnaa, to speak) → (bol). Add -ता (-taa) for a man, -ती (-tee) for a woman, or -ते (-te) for a plural or polite masculine subject. Then add the right form of “to be”: , , or (hoon, hai, ho, hain).
The feminine form is -ती everywhere, in the singular and the plural: the plural shows only in or (ho, hain).
| Person | Man | Woman |
|---|---|---|
| (main) | (boltaa hoon) | (boltee hoon) |
| (too) | (boltaa hai) | (boltee hai) |
| (tum) | (bolte ho) | (boltee ho) |
| (aap) | (bolte hain) | (boltee hain) |
| , (yah, vah) | (boltaa hai) | (boltee hai) |
| (ham) | (bolte hain) | (boltee hain) |
| , (ye, ve) | (bolte hain) | (boltee hain) |
When to use it
Use it for habits and routines, for general facts, and for things that are true about you in general, such as your job or where you live.
It does not describe what is happening at this moment. For “I'm eating (right now)”, use the present continuous: (main khaa rahaa hoon).
- आप कहाँ काम करते हैं?Aap kahaan kaam karte hain?Where do you work?
- मेरी माँ हर सुबह योग करती हैं।Meree maan har subah yog kartee hain.My mother does yoga every morning.
- हम रविवार को घर पर रहते हैं।Ham ravivaar ko ghar par rahte hain.We stay at home on Sundays.
- भारत में बहुत-से लोग हिंदी बोलते हैं।Bhaarat men bahut-se log Hindee bolte hain.Many people in India speak Hindi.
Negatives and questions
Put (naheen) before the verb. In negative sentences the “to be” part is usually dropped: (main maans naheen khaataa, I don't eat meat). If it is dropped after a group of women, the nasal sound moves to the verb: (ve maans naheen khaateen, they don't eat meat).
For a question, start with (kyaa) or use a question word before the verb.
- मैं मांस नहीं खाता।Main maans naheen khaataa.I don't eat meat. (man speaking)
- वह शराब नहीं पीती।Vah sharaab naheen peetee.She doesn't drink alcohol.
- क्या आप हिंदी समझते हैं?Kyaa aap Hindee samajhte hain?Do you understand Hindi?