Pronouns: Adessive Case — Hindi Grammar

The adessive case is used to indicate location, specifically the idea of being "on," "at," or "upon" a surface. In Hindi, this is expressed using the postposition (par).

Because (par) is a postposition, it affects the word that comes immediately before it. When used with pronouns, the pronoun must change from its direct form (nominative) into its oblique form before (par) can be added.

First and Second Person Pronouns

For the first person ("I", "We") and second person ("You"), the changes are straightforward. Note that the pronoun (ma͠imain) changes significantly, while others remain similar to their base forms.

(ma͠imain) - I, becomes (mujh) + (par) → (mujh par)
(ham) - we, remains (ham) + (par) → (ham par)
(tum) - you [informal], remains (tum) + (par) → (tum par)
(āpap) - you [formal], remains (āpap) + (par) → (āp parap par)

मुझ पर एक मकड़ी है।
mujh par ek makṛī hai.mujh par ek makri hai.
There is a spider on me.
हम पर बहुत ज़िम्मेदारी है।
ham par bahut zimmedārī hai.ham par bahut zimmedari hai.
There is a lot of responsibility on us.

Third Person and Demonstrative Pronouns

Third-person pronouns (he, she, it, they) and demonstratives (this, that, these, those) undergo distinct changes in the oblique case. You must distinguish between singular and plural, as well as proximity (near vs. far).

Singular (He / She / It / This / That)

(yah) - this/he/she [near], becomes (is) + (par) → (is par)
(vahwah) - that/he/she [far], becomes (us) + (par) → (us par)

Plural and Formal (They / These / Those)

(ye) - these/they [near], becomes (in) + (par) → (in par)
(vewe) - those/they [far], becomes (un) + (par) → (un par)

इस पर मत बैठो।
is par mat baiṭho.
Do not sit on this.
उन पर दबाव है।
un par dabāv hai.un par dabaw hai.
There is pressure on them.

Using 'Par' for Abstract Concepts

While (par) literally means "on," it is frequently used with abstract concepts where English might use "in," "at," or "with." This is common with emotions, trust, and anger.

Trust and Belief

In Hindi, you do not believe "in" someone; you place your belief "on" them.

क्या तुम्हें मुझ पर भरोसा है?
kyā tumheṃ mujh par bharosā hai?kya tumheṃ mujh par bharosa hai?
Do you trust me? (Lit: Is there trust on me?)

Anger

To be angry "at" someone is expressed as being angry "on" someone.

वह तुम पर गुस्सा है।
vah tum par gussā hai.wah tum par gussa hai.
He is angry at you. (Lit: He is angry on you.)

Mercy and Pity

Showing mercy or pity is directed "on" the person.

उस पर दया करो।
us par dayā karo.us par daya karo.
Have mercy on him.

Interrogative Pronouns

When asking "on whom" or "on what," the question word (kaun) - who and (kyākya) - what also change to the oblique case.

(kaun) - who, becomes (kis) + (par) → (kis par)
(kaun) - who [plural], becomes (kin) + (par) → (kin par)

तुम किस पर हंस रहे हो?
tum kis par haṃs rahe ho?
Who are you laughing at? (Lit: On whom are you laughing?)

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