For English speakers learning Hindi, understanding the use of relative pronouns in complex sentences is crucial for achieving fluency. Relative pronouns not only link clauses together but also add depth and detail to sentences. This article delves into the use of relative pronouns in Hindi grammar, providing a comprehensive guide to mastering this essential element of the language.
Introduction to Relative Pronouns in Hindi
In Hindi, relative pronouns are used to connect a relative clause to a main clause. These pronouns refer back to a noun mentioned earlier in the sentence, known as the antecedent. The most common relative pronouns in Hindi are जो (jo), जिस (jis), जिसे (jise), जिसका (jiska), जिसके (jiske), and जिसकी (jiski). Understanding the correct usage of these pronouns is essential for constructing complex sentences.
Basic Relative Pronouns
1. **जो (jo)**: This is the most basic relative pronoun in Hindi, equivalent to “who,” “which,” or “that” in English. It is used to refer to both people and objects.
– Example: वह आदमी जो वहाँ खड़ा है मेरा दोस्त है।
– Translation: The man who is standing there is my friend.
2. **जिस (jis)**: This form is used when the relative pronoun is in the oblique case, often following a postposition. It corresponds to “whom” or “which” in English.
– Example: वह किताब जिस पर मैंने लिखा वह मेरी है।
– Translation: The book on which I wrote is mine.
3. **जिसे (jise)**: This is the accusative form of the relative pronoun, used to indicate the direct object of the verb in the relative clause.
– Example: वह व्यक्ति जिसे मैंने देखा वह मेरा दोस्त है।
– Translation: The person whom I saw is my friend.
4. **जिसका (jiska), जिसके (jiske), जिसकी (jiski)**: These forms show possession and correspond to “whose” in English. They agree in gender and number with the noun they refer to.
– Example: वह लड़का जिसका बस्ता खो गया वह रो रहा है।
– Translation: The boy whose bag got lost is crying.
Usage in Complex Sentences
Relative pronouns are used to join two clauses, where one clause gives additional information about a noun in the main clause. This makes sentences more informative and interconnected.
Subject Relative Clauses
Subject relative clauses describe the subject of the main clause. The relative pronoun acts as the subject of the relative clause.
– Example: वह लड़की जो गाना गा रही है मेरी बहन है।
– Translation: The girl who is singing is my sister.
In this example, “जो” refers back to “लड़की” and acts as the subject of the relative clause “जो गाना गा रही है.”
Object Relative Clauses
Object relative clauses describe the object of the main clause. The relative pronoun acts as the object within the relative clause.
– Example: वह आदमी जिसे मैंने बुलाया वह आ गया।
– Translation: The man whom I called has arrived.
Here, “जिसे” refers back to “आदमी” and serves as the object in the relative clause “जिसे मैंने बुलाया.”
Possessive Relative Clauses
Possessive relative clauses indicate ownership or association. The relative pronoun shows possession and agrees with the noun it refers to.
– Example: वह महिला जिसकी बेटी डॉक्टर है वह यहाँ रहती है।
– Translation: The woman whose daughter is a doctor lives here.
In this sentence, “जिसकी” shows possession and refers back to “महिला.”
Agreement and Concord
Relative pronouns in Hindi must agree with their antecedents in gender, number, and case. This agreement ensures that the sentence is grammatically correct and makes sense to the listener or reader.
Gender Agreement
Hindi nouns are gendered, and relative pronouns must match the gender of the noun they refer to. For example:
– Masculine singular: वह लड़का जो खेल रहा है।
– Translation: The boy who is playing.
– Feminine singular: वह लड़की जो खेल रही है।
– Translation: The girl who is playing.
Number Agreement
Relative pronouns also need to match the number of their antecedents, whether singular or plural.
– Singular: वह आदमी जो वहाँ खड़ा है।
– Translation: The man who is standing there.
– Plural: वे आदमी जो वहाँ खड़े हैं।
– Translation: The men who are standing there.
Case Agreement
The case of the relative pronoun is determined by its function in the relative clause. This includes the nominative, accusative, genitive, and oblique cases.
– Nominative: वह किताब जो मैंने पढ़ी।
– Translation: The book that I read.
– Accusative: वह आदमी जिसे मैंने देखा।
– Translation: The man whom I saw.
– Genitive: वह महिला जिसकी गाड़ी चोरी हो गई।
– Translation: The woman whose car was stolen.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Learning to use relative pronouns correctly can be challenging, but being aware of common mistakes can help you avoid them.
Incorrect Agreement
One common mistake is using a relative pronoun that does not agree with the antecedent in gender, number, or case. Always double-check the antecedent and ensure the relative pronoun matches correctly.
– Incorrect: वह आदमी जो किताब पढ़ रही है।
– Correct: वह आदमी जो किताब पढ़ रहा है।
– Translation: The man who is reading the book.
Misplaced Relative Pronouns
Another common mistake is placing the relative pronoun incorrectly within the sentence. The relative pronoun should immediately follow the noun it refers to.
– Incorrect: वह किताब मैंने पढ़ी जो।
– Correct: वह किताब जो मैंने पढ़ी।
– Translation: The book that I read.
Overusing Relative Pronouns
While relative pronouns are useful, overusing them can make sentences cumbersome. Use them judiciously to avoid redundancy.
– Overuse: वह आदमी जो वहाँ खड़ा है जो मेरा दोस्त है जो बहुत अच्छा है।
– Improved: वह आदमी जो वहाँ खड़ा है मेरा दोस्त है और बहुत अच्छा है।
– Translation: The man who is standing there is my friend and is very nice.
Advanced Usage
Once you are comfortable with basic relative pronouns, you can explore more advanced structures that involve relative clauses.
Nested Relative Clauses
In complex sentences, you may encounter nested relative clauses, where one relative clause is embedded within another.
– Example: वह आदमी जो वह किताब पढ़ रहा है जो मैंने उसे दी थी।
– Translation: The man who is reading the book that I gave him.
Relative Clauses with Compound Antecedents
Relative clauses can also refer to compound antecedents, where the relative pronoun agrees with the combined noun phrase.
– Example: वह लड़का और लड़की जो खेल रहे हैं मेरे दोस्त हैं।
– Translation: The boy and girl who are playing are my friends.
Practice Exercises
To solidify your understanding of relative pronouns in Hindi, try these practice exercises.
1. Complete the sentences with the correct relative pronoun:
– वह महिला _____ खाना बना रही है वह मेरी माँ है।
– वह आदमी _____ मैंने देखा वह पुलिसवाला है।
– यह वही किताब है _____ मैंने कल खरीदी थी।
2. Translate the following sentences into Hindi:
– The girl who is dancing is my sister.
– The car that he bought is very expensive.
– The teacher whose class I attended is very knowledgeable.
3. Correct the mistakes in the following sentences:
– वह आदमी जो वहाँ खड़ी है मेरा दोस्त है।
– वह फिल्म जो मैंने देखी जो बहुत अच्छी थी।
– वह लड़का जिसकी गाड़ी चोरी हो गई वह रो रही है।
Conclusion
Mastering the use of relative pronouns in Hindi is a vital step towards constructing complex and meaningful sentences. By understanding the various forms and their correct usage, you can enhance your fluency and comprehension in Hindi. Remember to pay attention to agreement in gender, number, and case, and practice regularly to avoid common mistakes. With dedication and practice, you will find yourself more comfortable and confident in using relative pronouns in Hindi.
Relative pronouns serve as the glue that holds complex sentences together, providing clarity and depth to your communication. By incorporating these elements into your language practice, you will be well on your way to mastering Hindi grammar.
