Verbs: Subjunctive Mood — Hindi Grammar

The subjunctive mood is used to express subjective attitudes rather than objective facts. While the indicative mood describes what is happening, the subjunctive describes what might, should, could, or is desired to happen.

In English, this mood is often represented by helper words like "may," "might," "should," "let," or "would." In Hindi, it is formed by changing the verb ending.

Forming the Subjunctive

To form the subjunctive, take the verb root (the infinitive minus (-nā-na)) and add the following endings. Note that these endings are very similar to the Future Tense, but without the (gāga), (ge), or (gīgi) suffix.

For (maiṃ) - I: add (-ūṃ-uṃ)
For (tum) - you, informal: add (-o)
For (yah / vahyah / wah) - he/she/it/this/that: add (-e)
For (ham) - we: add (-eṃ)
For (āp / ye / veap / ye / we) - you formal/these/they: add (-eṃ)

Here is the verb (karnākarna) - to do in the subjunctive:

maiṃ karūṃ
maiṃ karūṃmaiṃ karuṃ
I may do / Should I do?
vah kare
vah karewah kare
He/she may do
ham kareṃ
ham kareṃ
We may do / Let's do

Asking for Permission or Advice

One of the most common uses for beginners is asking "Should I?" or "May I?". This is used when asking for permission or seeking an opinion.

kyā maiṃ andar āūṃ?
kyā maiṃ andar āūṃ?kya maiṃ andar auṃ?
May I come in?
ab ham kyā kareṃ?
ab ham kyā kareṃ?ab ham kya kareṃ?
What should we do now?
maiṃ kyā likhūṃ?
maiṃ kyā likhūṃ?maiṃ kya likhuṃ?
What should I write?

Making Suggestions (Let's)

When used with the pronoun (ham) - we, the subjunctive creates a proposal or suggestion, equivalent to "Let's" in English. The word (calochalo) - come on/move is often added at the beginning for emphasis.

calo, ghar caleṃ.
calo, ghar caleṃ.chalo, ghar chaleṃ.
Come, let's go home.
āj rāt bāhar khānā khāeṃ.
āj rāt bāhar khānā khāeṃ.aj rat bahar khana khaeṃ.
Let's eat out tonight.
hindī sīkheṃ.
hindī sīkheṃ.hindi sikheṃ.
Let's learn Hindi.

Expressing Possibility and Uncertainty

The subjunctive is used to talk about things that are not certain. It is frequently paired with the word (śāyadshayad) - maybe/perhaps.

śāyad āj bāriś ho.
śāyad āj bāriś ho.shayad aj barish ho.
Maybe it rains today.
ho saktā hai ki vah kal āe.
ho saktā hai ki vah kal āe.ho sakta hai ki wah kal ae.
It is possible that he comes tomorrow.
śāyad ham der se pahuñceṃ.
śāyad ham der se pahuñceṃ.shayad ham der se pahuncheṃ.
Perhaps we arrive late.

Polite Requests and Instructions

While the imperative mood is used for commands, the subjunctive offers a softer, more polite way to tell someone to do something. This is particularly common with the formal (āpap). It implies a request rather than a direct order.

āp yahāṃ baiṭheṃ.
āp yahāṃ baiṭheṃ.ap yahaṃ baiṭheṃ.
Please sit here.
āp thoḍī der rukie.
āp thoḍī der rukie.ap thoḍi der rukie.
Please wait a little while. (Note: rukie is a common irregular polite form).
kṛpayā darvāzā band kareṃ.
kṛpayā darvāzā band kareṃ.krpaya darwaza band kareṃ.
Please close the door.

Wishes and Purpose

The subjunctive is used to express desires, blessings, or the purpose of an action (often using (tākitaki) - so that).

āp kī yātrā śubh ho.
āp kī yātrā śubh ho.ap ki yatra shubh ho.
May your journey be auspicious. (Have a good trip).
jaldi calo tāki ham samay par pahuñceṃ.
jaldi calo tāki ham samay par pahuñceṃ.jaldi chalo taki ham samay par pahuncheṃ.
Walk fast so that we arrive on time.
bhagavān tumhārī madad kare.
bhagavān tumhārī madad kare.bhagawan tumhari madad kare.
May God help you.

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