Expressing 'must' with पड़ना — Hindi Grammar

To express strong necessity, compulsion, or the idea that someone "has to" do something because of external circumstances, Hindi uses the verb (paṛnāparna). While (paṛnāparna) literally means to fall, in this grammatical context, it functions as a helper verb equivalent to the English must, have to, or be forced to.

This construction implies that the subject has no choice in the matter.

Sentence Structure

The structure for this construction requires the subject to be marked with the postposition (ko). Because the subject is marked, the verb does not agree with the person doing the action.

The main action verb is placed in its infinitive form (ending in (-nā-na)), followed by the conjugated form of (paṛnāparna).

मुझे जाना है।
mujhe jānā hai.mujhe jana hai.
I have to go. (General necessity)
मुझे जाना पड़ता है।
mujhe jānā paṛtā hai.mujhe jana parta hai.
I have to go. (Compulsion/Forced to go)

Using Different Tenses

The verb (paṛnāparna) changes according to the tense to indicate when the compulsion occurred.

Present Tense (Habitual)

Use (paṛtā haiparta hai) to express something one has to do regularly or generally.

रोहन को रोज़ काम करना पड़ता है।
rohan ko roz kām karnā paṛtā hai.rohan ko roz kam karna parta hai.
Rohan has to work every day.
हमें हिंदी बोलनी पड़ती है।
hameṃ hiṃdī bolnī paṛtī hai.hameṃ hiṃdi bolni parti hai.
We have to speak Hindi.

Past Tense

Use (paṛāpara) for a specific event where someone was forced to do something once. Use (paṛtā thāparta tha) for repeated compulsion in the past.

मुझे कल घर जाना पड़ा।
mujhe kal ghar jānā paṛā.mujhe kal ghar jana para.
I had to go home yesterday.
उसे इंतज़ार करना पड़ा।
use iṃtazār karnā paṛā.use iṃtazar karna para.
He had to wait.

Future Tense

Use (paṛegāparega) to express that someone will be obliged to do something.

तुम्हें यह किताब पढ़नी पड़ेगी।
tumheṃ yah kitāb paṛhnī paṛegī.tumheṃ yah kitab parhni paregi.
You will have to read this book.
हमें अब निकलना पड़ेगा।
hameṃ ab nikalnā paṛegā.hameṃ ab nikalna parega.
We will have to leave now.

Agreement with Objects

Since the subject is marked with (ko), the verb (paṛnāparna) (and the main infinitive verb) agrees with the object of the sentence, not the subject.

If the object is masculine, use (paṛtā / paṛā / paṛegāparta / para / parega).
If the object is feminine, use (paṛtī / paṛī / paṛegīparti / pari / paregi).
If there is no object, the verb stays in the default masculine singular form.

Notice how the verb changes in the following examples based on the object (medicine vs. water):

सीता को दवाई खानी पड़ी।
sītā ko davāī khānī paṛī.sita ko dawai khani pari.
Sita had to take (eat) medicine.
सीता को पानी पीना पड़ा।
sītā ko pānī pīnā paṛā.sita ko pani pina para.
Sita had to drink water.

Difference from चाहिए (cāhie)

Learners often confuse (paṛnāparna) with (cāhiechahie).

(cāhiechahie) implies a moral duty, advice, or internal need (should, need to).
(paṛnāparna) implies external pressure or lack of alternatives (have to, forced to).

मुझे जाना चाहिए।
mujhe jānā cāhie.mujhe jana chahie.
I should go. (It is a good idea).
मुझे जाना पड़ता है।
mujhe jānā paṛtā hai.mujhe jana parta hai.
I have to go. (I have no choice).

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