The English word "have" is one of the most fundamental verbs in any language, expressing possession, obligation, experience, and various other relationships. In Hindi, "have" doesn't have a single direct equivalent. Instead, Hindi uses several different constructions depending on what type of "having" is being expressed.
Definition: In Hindi, the concept of "have" is primarily expressed through: -
के पास है (ke paas hai) - literally "near/with is" - for physical possession -
को है (ko hai) - for experiencing states or conditions -
Various compound verb constructions for different meanings
Question: What does "have" mean in Hindi? Answer: The English word "have" is expressed in Hindi through multiple constructions. The most common is "के पास है" (ke paas hai) for possession, literally meaning "near/with is." For experiences or states, Hindi uses "को है" (ko hai). Hindi doesn't have a single word that directly translates to "have."
In this lesson, we will explore various ways Hindi expresses the concept of "having" through 15 carefully constructed examples. These sentences will demonstrate possession of objects, experiencing states, obligations, and other relationships that English expresses with "have."
Course: Hindi Language Learning Level: Beginner to Intermediate Topic: Expressing "have" in Hindi Learning Objective: Students will learn multiple Hindi constructions for expressing possession and states Language Pair: English to Hindi Method: Construed Text with Interlinear Translation
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Hindi doesn't have a single word for "have" - it uses different constructions -
के पास है (ke paas hai) is the most common way to express possession -
को है (ko hai) is used for states and experiences -
Word order in Hindi differs significantly from English -
The verb है (hai) changes to हैं (hain) for plural subjects -
Understanding these constructions is essential for basic Hindi communication
11.1 मेरे I (mere) पास near/with (paas) एक one/a (ek) कार car (kaar) है is (hai)
11.2 उसके he/she (uske) पास near/with (paas) तीन three (teen) किताबें books (kitaabein) हैं are (hain)
11.3 हमारे we (hamaare) पास near/with (paas) समय time (samay) नहीं not (nahin) है is (hai)
11.4 बच्चों children (bachchon) के of (ke) पास near/with (paas) खिलौने toys (khilaune) हैं are (hain)
11.5 मुझे I-to (mujhe) बुखार fever (bukhaar) है is (hai)
11.6 तुम्हारे you (tumhaare) पास near/with (paas) कितने how-many (kitne) पैसे money (paise) हैं are (hain)?
11.7 राज Raj (Raaj) के of (ke) पास near/with (paas) नई new (nayi) नौकरी job (naukri) है is (hai)
11.8 उन्हें they-to (unhein) भूख hunger (bhookh) है is (hai)
11.9 मेरी my (meri) माँ mother (maa) के of (ke) पास near/with (paas) सुंदर beautiful (sundar) साड़ी saree (saari) है is (hai)
11.10 आपके you-formal (aapke) पास near/with (paas) कलम pen (kalam) है is (hai)?
11.11 बच्चे child (bachche) को to (ko) खांसी cough (khaansi) है is (hai)
11.12 दुकानदार shopkeeper (dukaandaar) के of (ke) पास near/with (paas) ताज़ी fresh (taazi) सब्जियाँ vegetables (sabziyaan) हैं are (hain)
11.13 मुझे I-to (mujhe) काम work (kaam) है is (hai)
11.14 उसके his/her (uske) पास near/with (paas) अच्छा good (achhaa) विचार idea (vichaar) है is (hai)
11.15 हमें we-to (hamein) एक one (ek) समस्या problem (samasyaa) है is (hai)
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11.1 मेरे पास एक कार है। I have a car.
11.2 उसके पास तीन किताबें हैं। He/She has three books.
11.3 हमारे पास समय नहीं है। We don't have time.
11.4 बच्चों के पास खिलौने हैं। The children have toys.
11.5 मुझे बुखार है। I have a fever.
11.6 तुम्हारे पास कितने पैसे हैं? How much money do you have?
11.7 राज के पास नई नौकरी है। Raj has a new job.
11.8 उन्हें भूख है। They have hunger./They are hungry.
11.9 मेरी माँ के पास सुंदर साड़ी है। My mother has a beautiful saree.
11.10 आपके पास कलम है? Do you have a pen?
11.11 बच्चे को खांसी है। The child has a cough.
11.12 दुकानदार के पास ताज़ी सब्जियाँ हैं। The shopkeeper has fresh vegetables.
11.13 मुझे काम है। I have work.
11.14 उसके पास अच्छा विचार है। He/She has a good idea.
11.15 हमें एक समस्या है। We have a problem.
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11.1 मेरे पास एक कार है।
11.2 उसके पास तीन किताबें हैं।
11.3 हमारे पास समय नहीं है।
11.4 बच्चों के पास खिलौने हैं।
11.5 मुझे बुखार है।
11.6 तुम्हारे पास कितने पैसे हैं?
11.7 राज के पास नई नौकरी है।
11.8 उन्हें भूख है।
11.9 मेरी माँ के पास सुंदर साड़ी है।
11.10 आपके पास कलम है?
11.11 बच्चे को खांसी है।
11.12 दुकानदार के पास ताज़ी सब्जियाँ हैं।
11.13 मुझे काम है।
11.14 उसके पास अच्छा विचार है।
11.15 हमें एक समस्या है।
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Hindi expresses the concept of "having" through several distinct grammatical constructions, each serving different purposes:
This is the most common way to express possession of physical objects or abstract things like time or money.
Structure: Subject (possessive) + के पास + object + है/हैं -
मेरे पास (mere paas) = I have (literally: near me) -
तुम्हारे पास (tumhaare paas) = you have -
उसके पास (uske paas) = he/she has -
हमारे पास (hamaare paas) = we have -
आपके पास (aapke paas) = you (formal) have -
उनके पास (unke paas) = they have
The verb है (hai) is used for singular objects, हैं (hain) for plural.
Used for physical sensations, emotions, or conditions.
Structure: Subject + को + condition + है -
मुझे बुखार है (mujhe bukhaar hai) = I have fever -
उसे भूख है (use bhookh hai) = he/she has hunger
For family relationships and inherent possessions:
Structure: Possessive pronoun + noun + है/हैं -
मेरा भाई है (meraa bhaai hai) = I have a brother -
उसकी बहन है (uski bahan hai) = he/she has a sister
-
Using है (hai) with wrong subject: Remember that को (ko) changes the grammatical subject. -
Wrong: मैं बुखार है (main bukhaar hai) -
Correct: मुझे बुखार है (mujhe bukhaar hai) -
Forgetting के (ke) in के पास (ke paas): -
Wrong: मेरे पास कार है (mere paas kaar hai) - while understood, less formal -
Better: मेरे पास एक कार है (mere paas ek kaar hai) -
Number agreement: है/हैं must agree with the object, not the possessor. -
Singular object: है (hai) -
Plural object: हैं (hain)
-
Identify what type of "having" you want to express -
Choose the appropriate construction: -
Physical possession → के पास है -
States/conditions → को है -
Relationships → possessive + noun + है -
Form the possessive correctly based on the subject -
Make sure the verb agrees with the object in number
के पास है construction declension: -
First person singular: मेरे पास (mere paas) -
Second person informal: तेरे पास (tere paas) -
Second person formal: तुम्हारे पास (tumhaare paas) -
Second person respectful: आपके पास (aapke paas) -
Third person singular: उसके/इसके पास (uske/iske paas) -
First person plural: हमारे पास (hamaare paas) -
Third person plural: उनके/इनके पास (unke/inke paas)
को construction declension: -
First person: मुझे (mujhe) -
Second person informal: तुझे (tujhe) -
Second person formal: तुम्हें (tumhein) -
Second person respectful: आपको (aapko) -
Third person singular: उसे/इसे (use/ise) -
First person plural: हमें (hamein) -
Third person plural: उन्हें/इन्हें (unhein/inhein)
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The Hindi constructions for "have" reflect deep cultural perspectives on possession and experience. The use of के पास (ke paas), literally meaning "near" or "with," suggests a less permanent, more relational view of possession compared to English. This aligns with Indian philosophical traditions that often emphasize the temporary nature of material possessions.
The को (ko) construction for states and experiences reflects a different conceptualization where the person is seen as the recipient or experiencer of a condition rather than its possessor. When you say मुझे भूख है (mujhe bhookh hai), you're literally saying "to me hunger is" - positioning yourself as experiencing hunger rather than possessing it.
In Indian culture, certain possessions are considered more permanent or inherent (like family relationships), while others are seen as temporary. This distinction is reflected in the grammar - family relationships often use simple possessive constructions (मेरा भाई - my brother) while material objects use के पास (mere paas kaar hai - I have a car).
The formal/informal distinctions in pronouns (तुम/आप) also reflect the hierarchical nature of Indian society, where age, social status, and relationships determine the level of formality in speech. When asking "Do you have...?" the choice between तुम्हारे पास (tumhaare paas) and आपके पास (aapke paas) carries social significance.
Understanding these constructions helps English speakers appreciate not just the grammar but the cultural worldview embedded in the Hindi language.
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From Premchand's "Godaan" (गोदान):
"होरी के पास न बैल थे, न हल। वह दूसरों के खेत जोतकर अपना निर्वाह करता था। उसके पास केवल एक इच्छा थी - एक गाय की।"
होरी Hori (Hori) के of (ke) पास near/with (paas) न not (na) बैल oxen (bail) थे were (the), न not (na) हल plough (hal)। वह he (vah) दूसरों others' (doosron) के of (ke) खेत fields (khet) जोतकर plowing (jotkar) अपना his-own (apnaa) निर्वाह livelihood (nirvaah) करता did (kartaa) था was (thaa)। उसके his (uske) पास near/with (paas) केवल only (keval) एक one (ek) इच्छा desire (ichchhaa) थी was (thi) - एक one (ek) गाय cow (gaay) की of (ki)।
"होरी के पास न बैल थे, न हल। वह दूसरों के खेत जोतकर अपना निर्वाह करता था। उसके पास केवल एक इच्छा थी - एक गाय की।"
"Hori had neither oxen nor plough. He made his living by plowing others' fields. He had only one desire - that of a cow."
This passage from Munshi Premchand's masterpiece "Godaan" perfectly illustrates the use of के पास (ke paas) construction for possession in Hindi. The repetition of this construction emphasizes what the protagonist Hori lacks (oxen, plough) and what he possesses (only a desire). The past tense forms थे/थी (the/thi) show how "have" is expressed in past tense by changing the auxiliary verb.
-
के पास न...थे (ke paas na...the) = didn't have (past negative plural) -
के पास...थी (ke paas...thi) = had (past feminine singular) -
The construction remains के पास but the auxiliary verb changes for tense -
न...न (na...na) = neither...nor construction -
की (ki) at the end shows possession/desire "of a cow"
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11.16 क्या what/do (kyaa) तुम्हारे your (tumhaare) पास near/with (paas) आज today (aaj) खाली free (khaali) समय time (samay) है is (hai)?
11.17 माफ़ forgive (maaf) करना doing (karnaa), मेरे my (mere) पास near/with (paas) अभी now (abhi) पैसे money (paise) नहीं not (nahin) हैं are (hain)
11.18 बच्चों children (bachchon) को to (ko) आज today (aaj) स्कूल school (school) में in (mein) परीक्षा exam (pareekshaa) है is (hai)
11.19 तुम्हारे your (tumhaare) घर house (ghar) में in (mein) कितने how-many (kitne) कमरे rooms (kamre) हैं are (hain)?
11.20 मेरे my (mere) दोस्त friend (dost) के of (ke) पास near/with (paas) नया new (nayaa) फोन phone (phone) है is (hai)
11.21 उसे him/her-to (use) आज today (aaj) सिरदर्द headache (sirdard) है is (hai), इसलिए therefore (isliye) वह he/she (vah) नहीं not (nahin) आएगी will-come (aaegi)
11.22 हमारे our (hamaare) पास near/with (paas) कल tomorrow (kal) के of/for (ke) लिए for (liye) टिकट tickets (ticket) हैं are (hain)
11.23 आपको you-to (aapko) कोई any (koi) शिकायत complaint (shikaayat) है is (hai)?
11.24 मेरी my (meri) बहन sister (bahan) के of (ke) पास near/with (paas) दो two (do) बिल्लियाँ cats (billiyaan) हैं are (hain)
11.25 उनके their (unke) पास near/with (paas) बहुत very/much (bahut) अच्छा good (achhaa) घर house (ghar) है is (hai)
11.26 तुम्हें you-to (tumhein) कुछ some (kuchh) काम work (kaam) है is (hai) क्या what/question (kyaa)?
11.27 दुकान shop (dukaan) में in (mein) ताज़ा fresh (taazaa) दूध milk (doodh) है is (hai)?
11.28 मेरे my (mere) पिता father (pitaa) के of (ke) पास near/with (paas) पुरानी old (puraani) गाड़ी car (gaadi) है is (hai)
11.29 बच्चे child (bachche) को to (ko) बहुत much (bahut) तेज़ high (tez) बुखार fever (bukhaar) है is (hai)
11.30 आपके your (aapke) पास near/with (paas) मेरा my (meraa) पता address (pataa) है is (hai)?
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11.16 क्या तुम्हारे पास आज खाली समय है? Do you have free time today?
11.17 माफ़ करना, मेरे पास अभी पैसे नहीं हैं। Sorry, I don't have money right now.
11.18 बच्चों को आज स्कूल में परीक्षा है। The children have an exam at school today.
11.19 तुम्हारे घर में कितने कमरे हैं? How many rooms does your house have?
11.20 मेरे दोस्त के पास नया फोन है। My friend has a new phone.
11.21 उसे आज सिरदर्द है, इसलिए वह नहीं आएगी। She has a headache today, so she won't come.
11.22 हमारे पास कल के लिए टिकट हैं। We have tickets for tomorrow.
11.23 आपको कोई शिकायत है? Do you have any complaint?
11.24 मेरी बहन के पास दो बिल्लियाँ हैं। My sister has two cats.
11.25 उनके पास बहुत अच्छा घर है। They have a very nice house.
11.26 तुम्हें कुछ काम है क्या? Do you have some work?
11.27 दुकान में ताज़ा दूध है? Does the shop have fresh milk?
11.28 मेरे पिता के पास पुरानी गाड़ी है। My father has an old car.
11.29 बच्चे को बहुत तेज़ बुखार है। The child has a very high fever.
11.30 आपके पास मेरा पता है? Do you have my address?
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11.16 क्या तुम्हारे पास आज खाली समय है?
11.17 माफ़ करना, मेरे पास अभी पैसे नहीं हैं।
11.18 बच्चों को आज स्कूल में परीक्षा है।
11.19 तुम्हारे घर में कितने कमरे हैं?
11.20 मेरे दोस्त के पास नया फोन है।
11.21 उसे आज सिरदर्द है, इसलिए वह नहीं आएगी।
11.22 हमारे पास कल के लिए टिकट हैं।
11.23 आपको कोई शिकायत है?
11.24 मेरी बहन के पास दो बिल्लियाँ हैं।
11.25 उनके पास बहुत अच्छा घर है।
11.26 तुम्हें कुछ काम है क्या?
11.27 दुकान में ताज़ा दूध है?
11.28 मेरे पिता के पास पुरानी गाड़ी है।
11.29 बच्चे को बहुत तेज़ बुखार है।
11.30 आपके पास मेरा पता है?
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In daily Hindi conversations, the various "have" constructions appear frequently with specific patterns:
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के पास questions: Add क्या (kyaa) at the beginning or end -
क्या तुम्हारे पास समय है? (kyaa tumhaare paas samay hai?) -
तुम्हारे पास समय है क्या? (tumhaare paas samay hai kyaa?) -
को questions: Similar pattern with क्या -
क्या आपको बुखार है? (kyaa aapko bukhaar hai?) -
आपको बुखार है क्या? (aapko bukhaar hai kyaa?)
Add नहीं (nahin) before the verb: -
मेरे पास पैसे नहीं हैं (mere paas paise nahin hain) - I don't have money -
मुझे भूख नहीं है (mujhe bhookh nahin hai) - I don't have hunger/I'm not hungry
-
माफ़ करना (maaf karnaa) - Sorry/Excuse me (used before negative statements) -
कितने/कितनी (kitne/kitni) - How many (agrees with gender/number) -
कुछ (kuchh) - some/any -
बहुत (bahut) - very/much
-
आज (aaj) - today -
कल (kal) - tomorrow/yesterday -
अभी (abhi) - now/right now -
के लिए (ke liye) - for (future reference)
In daily conversations, the level of formality affects pronoun choice: -
तुम्हारे पास (tumhaare paas) - informal "you have" -
आपके पास (aapke paas) - formal/respectful "you have"
The genre section demonstrates how these constructions naturally flow in everyday Hindi conversations, from asking about availability to expressing possession or states.
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