Learning a new language can be a daunting task, but with the right guidance and tools, it becomes a rewarding and enriching experience. If you are an English speaker looking to learn Urdu, one of the most crucial aspects to master is the use of auxiliary verbs. Auxiliary verbs, also known as helping verbs, play a vital role in Urdu grammar, much like they do in English. They help form various tenses, moods, and voices of main verbs. This article will explore the different auxiliary verbs in Urdu, their usage, and how they can help you construct grammatically correct sentences.
Understanding Auxiliary Verbs
Auxiliary verbs in Urdu are called “madadgar fe’l” (مددگار فعل). They are used in conjunction with main verbs to indicate the time of action (tense), the nature of action (aspect), and the attitude of the speaker (mood). The three primary auxiliary verbs in Urdu are “hai” (ہے), “tha” (تھا), and “raha” (رہا).
Hai (ہے)
The verb “hai” (ہے) is used as an auxiliary verb to denote the present tense. It corresponds to the English verb “is/am/are.” Here are some examples to illustrate its usage:
1. وہ لڑکا پڑھ رہا ہے۔ (Woh larka parh raha hai.) – The boy is studying.
2. میں خوش ہوں۔ (Main khush hoon.) – I am happy.
3. وہ بچے کھیل رہے ہیں۔ (Woh bachay khel rahay hain.) – The children are playing.
In these examples, “hai” (ہے) helps to form the present continuous tense, while “hoon” (ہوں) and “hain” (ہیں) are its variations used for different subjects.
Tha (تھا)
The verb “tha” (تھا) is used to indicate the past tense. It corresponds to the English verb “was/were.” Here are some examples:
1. وہ لڑکا پڑھ رہا تھا۔ (Woh larka parh raha tha.) – The boy was studying.
2. میں خوش تھا۔ (Main khush tha.) – I was happy.
3. وہ بچے کھیل رہے تھے۔ (Woh bachay khel rahay thay.) – The children were playing.
In these sentences, “tha” (تھا) helps to form the past continuous tense. Note that “tha” changes to “thi” (تھی) when referring to feminine subjects, and “thay” (تھے) for plural subjects.
Raha (رہا)
The verb “raha” (رہا) is used to form the continuous tenses. It is often used in conjunction with “hai” (ہے) and “tha” (تھا). For example:
1. وہ لڑکا پڑھ رہا ہے۔ (Woh larka parh raha hai.) – The boy is studying.
2. وہ لڑکا پڑھ رہا تھا۔ (Woh larka parh raha tha.) – The boy was studying.
Here, “raha” (رہا) is used to indicate that the action is ongoing. It changes to “rahi” (رہی) for feminine subjects and “rahay” (رہے) for plural subjects.
Forming Sentences with Auxiliary Verbs
To construct sentences using auxiliary verbs in Urdu, it is essential to understand the subject-verb agreement and the correct placement of auxiliary verbs in a sentence. Let’s break down the process:
Present Tense
In the present tense, the auxiliary verb “hai” (ہے) is used. The structure of a present continuous tense sentence in Urdu is:
**Subject + Main Verb + رہا/رہی/رہے (raha/rahi/rahay) + ہے/ہوں/ہیں (hai/hoon/hain)**
Examples:
1. وہ لڑکی گانا گا رہی ہے۔ (Woh larki gana ga rahi hai.) – The girl is singing a song.
2. میں کتاب پڑھ رہا ہوں۔ (Main kitaab parh raha hoon.) – I am reading a book.
3. وہ لڑکے کھیل رہے ہیں۔ (Woh larkay khel rahay hain.) – The boys are playing.
Past Tense
In the past tense, the auxiliary verb “tha” (تھا) is used. The structure of a past continuous tense sentence in Urdu is:
**Subject + Main Verb + رہا/رہی/رہے (raha/rahi/rahay) + تھا/تھی/تھے (tha/thi/thay)**
Examples:
1. وہ لڑکی گانا گا رہی تھی۔ (Woh larki gana ga rahi thi.) – The girl was singing a song.
2. میں کتاب پڑھ رہا تھا۔ (Main kitaab parh raha tha.) – I was reading a book.
3. وہ لڑکے کھیل رہے تھے۔ (Woh larkay khel rahay thay.) – The boys were playing.
Future Tense
In the future tense, the auxiliary verb “ho ga” (ہو گا) is used. The structure of a future continuous tense sentence in Urdu is:
**Subject + Main Verb + رہا/رہی/رہے (raha/rahi/rahay) + ہوگا/ہوگی/ہوں گے (ho ga/ho gi/hon gay)**
Examples:
1. وہ لڑکی گانا گا رہی ہوگی۔ (Woh larki gana ga rahi ho gi.) – The girl will be singing a song.
2. میں کتاب پڑھ رہا ہوں گا۔ (Main kitaab parh raha hoon ga.) – I will be reading a book.
3. وہ لڑکے کھیل رہے ہوں گے۔ (Woh larkay khel rahay hon gay.) – The boys will be playing.
Negative Sentences
To form negative sentences in Urdu, the word “نہیں” (nahi) is used before the auxiliary verb. Let’s look at examples for each tense:
Present Tense
1. وہ لڑکی گانا نہیں گا رہی ہے۔ (Woh larki gana nahi ga rahi hai.) – The girl is not singing a song.
2. میں کتاب نہیں پڑھ رہا ہوں۔ (Main kitaab nahi parh raha hoon.) – I am not reading a book.
3. وہ لڑکے نہیں کھیل رہے ہیں۔ (Woh larkay nahi khel rahay hain.) – The boys are not playing.
Past Tense
1. وہ لڑکی گانا نہیں گا رہی تھی۔ (Woh larki gana nahi ga rahi thi.) – The girl was not singing a song.
2. میں کتاب نہیں پڑھ رہا تھا۔ (Main kitaab nahi parh raha tha.) – I was not reading a book.
3. وہ لڑکے نہیں کھیل رہے تھے۔ (Woh larkay nahi khel rahay thay.) – The boys were not playing.
Future Tense
1. وہ لڑکی گانا نہیں گا رہی ہوگی۔ (Woh larki gana nahi ga rahi ho gi.) – The girl will not be singing a song.
2. میں کتاب نہیں پڑھ رہا ہوں گا۔ (Main kitaab nahi parh raha hoon ga.) – I will not be reading a book.
3. وہ لڑکے نہیں کھیل رہے ہوں گے۔ (Woh larkay nahi khel rahay hon gay.) – The boys will not be playing.
Interrogative Sentences
To form interrogative sentences in Urdu, the auxiliary verb is placed at the beginning of the sentence. Here are examples for each tense:
Present Tense
1. کیا وہ لڑکی گانا گا رہی ہے؟ (Kya woh larki gana ga rahi hai?) – Is the girl singing a song?
2. کیا میں کتاب پڑھ رہا ہوں؟ (Kya main kitaab parh raha hoon?) – Am I reading a book?
3. کیا وہ لڑکے کھیل رہے ہیں؟ (Kya woh larkay khel rahay hain?) – Are the boys playing?
Past Tense
1. کیا وہ لڑکی گانا گا رہی تھی؟ (Kya woh larki gana ga rahi thi?) – Was the girl singing a song?
2. کیا میں کتاب پڑھ رہا تھا؟ (Kya main kitaab parh raha tha?) – Was I reading a book?
3. کیا وہ لڑکے کھیل رہے تھے؟ (Kya woh larkay khel rahay thay?) – Were the boys playing?
Future Tense
1. کیا وہ لڑکی گانا گا رہی ہوگی؟ (Kya woh larki gana ga rahi ho gi?) – Will the girl be singing a song?
2. کیا میں کتاب پڑھ رہا ہوں گا؟ (Kya main kitaab parh raha hoon ga?) – Will I be reading a book?
3. کیا وہ لڑکے کھیل رہے ہوں گے؟ (Kya woh larkay khel rahay hon gay?) – Will the boys be playing?
Common Pitfalls and Tips
Learning to use auxiliary verbs in Urdu can be challenging, especially for English speakers. Here are some common pitfalls and tips to help you avoid them:
Gender Agreement
In Urdu, verbs must agree with the gender of the subject. This is different from English, where verbs do not change based on gender. For example:
– وہ لڑکی خوش ہے۔ (Woh larki khush hai.) – The girl is happy.
– وہ لڑکا خوش ہے۔ (Woh larka khush hai.) – The boy is happy.
Notice how “khush” (happy) remains the same, but the auxiliary verb “hai” (ہے) changes to match the gender of the subject.
Plural Agreement
Similarly, verbs must agree with the number of the subject in Urdu. This is akin to English but requires more attention to detail. For example:
– وہ لڑکے خوش ہیں۔ (Woh larkay khush hain.) – The boys are happy.
– وہ لڑکیاں خوش ہیں۔ (Woh larkiyan khush hain.) – The girls are happy.
Here, “hain” (ہیں) is used for plural subjects, regardless of gender.
Practice Makes Perfect
The best way to master auxiliary verbs in Urdu is through practice. Create sentences in different tenses, both positive and negative, and practice speaking them out loud. Try to immerse yourself in Urdu by listening to native speakers, watching Urdu-language shows, and reading Urdu texts.
Conclusion
Understanding and using auxiliary verbs is a crucial step in mastering Urdu grammar. These verbs help you form correct sentences and convey the right tense, mood, and aspect of actions. By learning the rules and practicing regularly, you can become proficient in using auxiliary verbs in Urdu. Remember to pay attention to gender and number agreement, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Every error is an opportunity to learn and improve.
Happy learning!
