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 (ma͠imain) - I: add (-ū̃-un)
For (tum) - you, informal: add (-o)
For (yah / vahyah / wah) - he/she/it/this/that: add (-e)
For (ham) - we: add (-ẽ)
For (āp / ye / veap / ye / we) - you formal/these/they: add (-ẽ)

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

maiṃ karūṃ
ma͠i karū̃main karun
I may do / Should I do?
vah kare
vah karewah kare
He/she may do
ham kareṃ
ham karẽ
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 ma͠i andar āū̃?kya main andar aun?
May I come in?
ab ham kyā kareṃ?
ab ham kyā karẽ?ab ham kya karẽ?
What should we do now?
maiṃ kyā likhūṃ?
ma͠i kyā likhū̃?main kya likhun?
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 calẽ.chalo, ghar chalẽ.
Come, let's go home.
āj rāt bāhar khānā khāeṃ.
āj rāt bāhar khānā khāẽ.aj rat bahar khana khaẽ.
Let's eat out tonight.
hindī sīkheṃ.
hindī sīkhẽ.hindi sikhẽ.
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 pahuñcẽ.shayad ham der se pahunchẽ.
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 yahā̃ baiṭhẽ.ap yahan baiṭhẽ.
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 karẽ.krpaya darwaza band karẽ.
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 pahuñcẽ.jaldi chalo taki ham samay par pahunchẽ.
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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