Self-Benefection with लेना — Hindi Grammar

In Hindi, compound verbs are formed by combining the stem of a main verb with a conjugated auxiliary verb. When (lenālena) is used as the auxiliary, it adds a specific nuance to the main action: it indicates that the action is performed for the benefit of the subject, or that the action is directed inward toward the subject.

This construction is formed by taking the root of the main verb (e.g., (paṛhparh) from (paṛhnāparhna)) and adding the conjugated form of (lenālena).

Actions for Personal Benefit

The primary function of (lenālena) as an auxiliary is to show "self-benefaction." It implies that the subject did the work for themselves, or that the result of the action stays with the subject. This is often used with verbs like buying, making, or keeping.

मैंने अपने लिए एक नई गाड़ी ख़रीद ली।
ma͠inne apne lie ek naī gāṛī xarīd lī.mainnne apne lie ek nai gari kharid li.
I bought a new car (for myself).
तुम थोड़ा आराम कर लो।
tum thoṛā ārām kar lo.tum thora aram kar lo.
Take some rest (for yourself).
हम यह रख लेंगे।
ham yah rakh leṅge.ham yah rakh lenge.
We will keep this (for ourselves).

Internalization and Senses

Because (lenālena) literally means "to take," it is naturally used with verbs that involve taking something into the body or mind. This includes actions related to eating, drinking, understanding, and perceiving. In these cases, it emphasizes the completion of absorbing something.

बच्चे ने दूध पी लिया।
bacce ne dūdh pī liyā.bachche ne dudh pi liya.
The child drank the milk.
मैं आपकी बात समझ लेता हूँ।
ma͠i āpkī bāt samajh letā hū̃.main apki bat samajh leta hun.
I understand what you are saying.
उसने मेरा नाम सुन लिया।
usne merā nām sun liyā.usne mera nam sun liya.
He heard my name.

Contrast with 'Denā' (To Give)

To fully understand (lenālena), it is helpful to compare it with the auxiliary (denādena). While (lenālena) indicates action directed inward or for the self, (denādena) indicates action directed outward or for others.

For example, using the verb (paṛhnāparhna) - to read:

(paṛh lenāparh lena): To read silently to oneself (internal).
(paṛh denāparh dena): To read out loud for someone else to hear (external).

कृपया यह पत्र पढ़ लो।
kṛpayā yah patr paṛh lo.krpaya yah patr parh lo.
Please read this letter (to yourself).
कृपया यह पत्र पढ़ दो।
kṛpayā yah patr paṛh do.krpaya yah patr parh do.
Please read this letter (out loud to me/us).

Grammatical Structure

Since (lenālena) is a transitive verb, compound verbs formed with it usually require the ergative marker (ne) when used in the past tense. The verb agrees with the object of the sentence, not the subject.

राम ने खाना खा लिया।
rām ne khānā khā liyā.ram ne khana kha liya.
Ram ate the food.
शीला ने चाय बना ली।
śīlā ne cāy banā lī.shila ne chay bana li.
Sheila made the tea.

Comments

Loading comments…