In Hindi, the English word "that" has multiple equivalents depending on its grammatical function. The two primary translations are कि (ki) when used as a conjunction meaning "that" in clauses like "I know that...", and वह (vah) when used as a demonstrative pronoun meaning "that" to point to something distant. Additionally, जो (jo) is used as a relative pronoun in constructions like "the book that I read."
Q: What does "that" mean in Hindi? A: "That" in Hindi can be translated as कि (ki) when used as a conjunction, वह (vah) when used as a demonstrative pronoun, or जो (jo) when used as a relative pronoun. The choice depends on the grammatical context of the sentence.
This lesson will demonstrate all three uses of "that" in Hindi through 15 varied examples. Students will learn to distinguish between कि (ki) as a conjunction, वह (vah) as a demonstrative, and जो (jo) as a relative pronoun. The examples progress from simple to more complex constructions, providing learners with a comprehensive understanding of how Hindi handles the various functions of the English word "that."
Course: Hindi Language Learning Level: Beginner to Intermediate Topic: Conjunctions, Demonstratives, and Relative Pronouns Learning Objectives: Students will be able to correctly use कि, वह, and जो in appropriate contexts Materials Type: Self-study reading lesson with interlinear glosses
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कि (ki) functions as a conjunction meaning "that" in reported speech and subordinate clauses -
वह (vah) serves as a demonstrative pronoun meaning "that" (distant object/person) -
जो (jo) acts as a relative pronoun in constructions like "the one that/which" -
Context determines which Hindi equivalent to use for English "that" -
Word order in Hindi differs significantly from English, especially in complex sentences
13.1 वह that (vah) लड़की girl (laṛkī) बहुत very (bahut) सुंदर beautiful (sundar) है is (hai)
13.2 मुझे me-to (mujhe) पता knowledge (patā) है is (hai) कि that (ki) तुम you (tum) आओगे will-come (āoge)
13.3 पुस्तक book (pustak) जो that-which (jo) मैंने I-by (mainne) पढ़ी read (paṛhī) बहुत very (bahut) रोचक interesting (rochak) थी was (thī)
13.4 उसने he/she-by (usne) कहा said (kahā) कि that (ki) बारिश rain (bārish) होगी will-happen (hogī)
13.5 वह that (vah) घर house (ghar) मेरा my (merā) है is (hai)
13.6 शिक्षक teacher (shikṣak) ने by (ne) बताया told (batāyā) कि that (ki) परीक्षा exam (parīkṣā) कल tomorrow (kal) है is (hai)
13.7 आदमी man (ādmī) जो who/that (jo) वहाँ there (vahān̐) खड़ा standing (khaṛā) है is (hai) मेरा my (merā) पिता father (pitā) है is (hai)
13.8 मैं I (main) जानता know (jāntā) हूँ am (hūn̐) कि that (ki) यह this (yah) सच true (sach) है is (hai)
13.9 वह that (vah) किताब book (kitāb) बहुत very (bahut) महंगी expensive (mahan̐gī) है is (hai)
13.10 वे they (ve) मानते believe (mānte) हैं are (hain̐) कि that (ki) ईश्वर God (īshvar) है exists (hai)
13.11 फिल्म film (film) जो that (jo) हमने we-by (hamne) देखी saw (dekhī) मजेदार enjoyable (mazedār) थी was (thī)
13.12 माँ mother (mān̐) ने by (ne) सोचा thought (sochā) कि that (ki) बच्चे children (bachche) सो sleep (so) गए went (gae) हैं are (hain̐)
13.13 वह that (vah) लड़का boy (laṛkā) जो who (jo) गा sing (gā) रहा continuous (rahā) है is (hai) मेरा my (merā) भाई brother (bhāī) है is (hai)
13.14 उम्मीद hope (ummīd) है is (hai) कि that (ki) सब all (sab) ठीक fine (ṭhīk) होगा will-be (hogā)
13.15 वह that (vah) जगह place (jagah) बहुत very (bahut) दूर far (dūr) है is (hai)
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13.1 वह लड़की बहुत सुंदर है। That girl is very beautiful.
13.2 मुझे पता है कि तुम आओगे। I know that you will come.
13.3 जो पुस्तक मैंने पढ़ी वह बहुत रोचक थी। The book that I read was very interesting.
13.4 उसने कहा कि बारिश होगी। He/She said that it will rain.
13.5 वह घर मेरा है। That house is mine.
13.6 शिक्षक ने बताया कि परीक्षा कल है। The teacher told (us) that the exam is tomorrow.
13.7 जो आदमी वहाँ खड़ा है वह मेरा पिता है। The man who is standing there is my father.
13.8 मैं जानता हूँ कि यह सच है। I know that this is true.
13.9 वह किताब बहुत महंगी है। That book is very expensive.
13.10 वे मानते हैं कि ईश्वर है। They believe that God exists.
13.11 जो फिल्म हमने देखी वह मजेदार थी। The film that we saw was enjoyable.
13.12 माँ ने सोचा कि बच्चे सो गए हैं। Mother thought that the children have gone to sleep.
13.13 वह लड़का जो गा रहा है मेरा भाई है। That boy who is singing is my brother.
13.14 उम्मीद है कि सब ठीक होगा। I hope that everything will be fine.
13.15 वह जगह बहुत दूर है। That place is very far.
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13.1 वह लड़की बहुत सुंदर है।
13.2 मुझे पता है कि तुम आओगे।
13.3 जो पुस्तक मैंने पढ़ी वह बहुत रोचक थी।
13.4 उसने कहा कि बारिश होगी।
13.5 वह घर मेरा है।
13.6 शिक्षक ने बताया कि परीक्षा कल है।
13.7 जो आदमी वहाँ खड़ा है वह मेरा पिता है।
13.8 मैं जानता हूँ कि यह सच है।
13.9 वह किताब बहुत महंगी है।
13.10 वे मानते हैं कि ईश्वर है।
13.11 जो फिल्म हमने देखी वह मजेदार थी।
13.12 माँ ने सोचा कि बच्चे सो गए हैं।
13.13 वह लड़का जो गा रहा है मेरा भाई है।
13.14 उम्मीद है कि सब ठीक होगा।
13.15 वह जगह बहुत दूर है।
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Hindi uses three different words to translate the English word "that," each serving a distinct grammatical function:
1. कि (ki) - Conjunction -
Used to introduce subordinate clauses -
Functions like English "that" in sentences such as "I know that..." -
Always follows the main verb -
Never begins a sentence -
Common with verbs of thinking, saying, knowing: सोचना (to think), कहना (to say), जानना (to know)
2. वह (vah) - Demonstrative Pronoun -
Points to distant objects or people -
Equivalent to English "that" when pointing -
Can be used as a subject or object -
Changes form in oblique cases: उस (us), उसे (use), उसका (uskā) -
Plural form: वे (ve)
3. जो (jo) - Relative Pronoun -
Means "who/which/that" in relative clauses -
Always paired with a correlative pronoun (usually वह) -
The जो-clause typically comes before the main clause in Hindi -
Does not change for gender or number
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Using कि at the beginning of a sentence -
Wrong: कि वह आएगा, मैं जानता हूँ। -
Correct: मैं जानता हूँ कि वह आएगा। -
Confusing वह (that) with यह (this) -
वह = distant (that) -
यह = near (this) -
Forgetting the correlative with जो -
Wrong: जो लड़का आया मेरा दोस्त है। -
Correct: जो लड़का आया वह मेरा दोस्त है। -
Using English word order with relative clauses -
English: The book that I read -
Hindi: जो किताब मैंने पढ़ी (literally: which book I read)
Step 1: Identify the function -
Is it introducing a clause? → Use कि -
Is it pointing to something? → Use वह -
Is it describing something? → Use जो
Step 2: Check word order -
कि clauses follow the main verb -
जो clauses come before what they describe -
वह can start a sentence or follow other words
Step 3: Apply correct grammar -
कि remains unchanged -
वह changes in oblique cases -
जो needs a correlative pronoun
Demonstrative Pronouns: -
Nominative: वह (that), वे (those) -
Oblique: उस (of that), उन (of those) -
With postpositions: उसे (to that), उन्हें (to those)
Conjunction: -
कि - invariable, always follows main clause
Relative Pronoun: -
जो - invariable for gender/number -
Correlatives: वह, वही, उसी
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The use of "that" in Hindi reflects important cultural and linguistic patterns that differ from English. In Hindi, the distinction between यह (this) and वह (that) is more rigidly observed than in colloquial English, where "that" is often used loosely. This reflects the Hindi speaker's attention to spatial relationships and the importance of proximity in Indian culture.
The conjunction कि is essential in Hindi for reported speech and indirect discourse. In Indian culture, where oral tradition and storytelling are highly valued, the ability to accurately report what others have said is crucial. The phrase "उसने कहा कि..." (he/she said that...) is one of the most common constructions in Hindi conversation.
The relative pronoun जो and its correlative structure (जो...वह) reflects the Sanskrit heritage of Hindi. This paired construction, foreign to English speakers, is natural to Hindi speakers and appears in proverbs, poetry, and everyday speech. Common sayings like "जो होगा, वह अच्छा होगा" (What will be, that will be good) demonstrate this pattern.
In formal Hindi, especially in government documents and news media, these distinctions are strictly maintained. However, in casual conversation, especially among urban speakers influenced by English, some mixing occurs. Young speakers might occasionally use English "that" directly in code-mixed sentences.
The demonstrative वह also carries social implications. When referring to people, using वह can sometimes sound distant or even disrespectful if the person is present. In such cases, speakers might use names or titles instead, reflecting the importance of respect and social hierarchy in Indian society.
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From the Premchand story "ईदगाह" (Idgah):
"हामिद ने सोचा कि चिमटा कितनी उपयोगी चीज़ है। दादी के हाथ में वह चिमटा देखकर वे कितनी प्रसन्न होंगी! जो लोग मेले से खिलौने लाए हैं, वे तो कुछ दिन में टूट जाएंगे।"
हामिद Hamid (Hāmid) ने by (ne) सोचा thought (sochā) कि that (ki) चिमटा tongs (chimṭā) कितनी how-much (kitnī) उपयोगी useful (upyogī) चीज़ thing (chīz) है is (hai) दादी grandmother (dādī) के of (ke) हाथ hand (hāth) में in (men̐) वह that (vah) चिमटा tongs (chimṭā) देखकर seeing (dekhkar) वे they (ve) कितनी how-much (kitnī) प्रसन्न happy (prasann) होंगी will-be (hon̐gī) जो who/which (jo) लोग people (log) मेले fair (mele) से from (se) खिलौने toys (khilaune) लाए brought (lāe) हैं are (hain̐) वे those (ve) तो indeed (to) कुछ some (kuch) दिन days (din) में in (men̐) टूट break (ṭūṭ) जाएंगे will-go (jāen̐ge)
"हामिद ने सोचा कि चिमटा कितनी उपयोगी चीज़ है। दादी के हाथ में वह चिमटा देखकर वे कितनी प्रसन्न होंगी! जो लोग मेले से खिलौने लाए हैं, वे तो कुछ दिन में टूट जाएंगे।"
Hamid thought that tongs are such a useful thing. How happy grandmother will be seeing those tongs in her hands! The toys that people have brought from the fair will break in a few days.
हामिद ने सोचा कि चिमटा कितनी उपयोगी चीज़ है। दादी के हाथ में वह चिमटा देखकर वे कितनी प्रसन्न होंगी! जो लोग मेले से खिलौने लाए हैं, वे तो कुछ दिन में टूट जाएंगे।
This passage from Premchand's famous story demonstrates all three uses of "that" in Hindi: -
कि appears after सोचा (thought) to introduce Hamid's thought -
वह is used demonstratively to refer to "those tongs" specifically -
जो introduces a relative clause about "people who brought toys"
The passage shows typical Hindi word order with the कि-clause following the main verb. The relative clause with जो precedes its main clause, and the correlative वे appears in the main clause. Note how Premchand uses these constructions naturally to create a child's internal monologue, showing Hamid's practical wisdom in choosing tongs over toys for his grandmother.
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13.16 एक one (ek) राजा king (rājā) था was (thā) जो who (jo) मानता believed (māntā) था was (thā) कि that (ki) वह he (vah) सबसे most (sabse) बुद्धिमान wise (buddhimān) है is (hai)
13.17 उसके his (uske) मंत्री minister (mantrī) ने by (ne) कहा said (kahā) कि that (ki) राज्य kingdom (rājya) में in (men̐) एक one (ek) किसान farmer (kisān) है is (hai) जो who (jo) उससे than-him (usse) चतुर clever (chatur) है is (hai)
13.18 वह that (vah) किसान farmer (kisān) गाँव village (gān̐v) में in (men̐) रहता lived (rahtā) था was (thā)
13.19 राजा king (rājā) ने by (ne) सोचा thought (sochā) कि that (ki) यह this (yah) असंभव impossible (asambhav) है is (hai)
13.20 उसने he-by (usne) घोषणा announcement (ghoṣaṇā) की did (kī) कि that (ki) जो who (jo) तीन three (tīn) प्रश्नों questions (prashnon̐) का of (kā) उत्तर answer (uttar) देगा will-give (degā) वह he (vah) इनाम reward (inām) पाएगा will-get (pāegā)
13.21 पहला first (pahlā) प्रश्न question (prashn) था was (thā) कि that (ki) संसार world (sansār) में in (men̐) सबसे most (sabse) तेज़ fast (tez) क्या what (kyā) है is (hai)
13.22 दूसरा second (dūsrā) यह this (yah) था was (thā) कि that (ki) वह that (vah) कौन who (kaun) सी which (sī) चीज़ thing (chīz) है is (hai) जो which (jo) सबसे most (sabse) मीठी sweet (mīṭhī) है is (hai)
13.23 तीसरा third (tīsrā) प्रश्न question (prashn) था was (thā) कि that (ki) वह that (vah) क्या what (kyā) है is (hai) जो which (jo) कभी never (kabhī) समाप्त end (samāpt) नहीं not (nahīn̐) होता happens (hotā)
13.24 किसान farmer (kisān) आया came (āyā) और and (aur) उसने he-by (usne) कहा said (kahā) कि that (ki) मैं I (main̐) जानता know (jāntā) हूँ am (hūn̐)
13.25 उसने he-by (usne) बताया told (batāyā) कि that (ki) विचार thought (vichār) सबसे most (sabse) तेज़ fast (tez) है is (hai)
13.26 राजा king (rājā) ने by (ne) पूछा asked (pūchā) कि that (ki) वह he (vah) कैसे how (kaise) जानता knows (jāntā) है is (hai)
13.27 किसान farmer (kisān) ने by (ne) उत्तर answer (uttar) दिया gave (diyā) कि that (ki) जो what (jo) आप you (āp) सोचते think (sochte) हैं are (hain̐) वह that (vah) तुरंत immediately (turant) मन mind (man) में in (men̐) आता comes (ātā) है is (hai)
13.28 फिर then (phir) उसने he-by (usne) कहा said (kahā) कि that (ki) नींद sleep (nīn̐d) सबसे most (sabse) मीठी sweet (mīṭhī) है is (hai) क्योंकि because (kyon̐ki) वह that (vah) सब all (sab) दुख sorrows (dukh) भुला forget (bhulā) देती gives (detī) है is (hai)
13.29 अंत end (ant) में in (men̐) उसने he-by (usne) बताया told (batāyā) कि that (ki) ज्ञान knowledge (gyān) की of (kī) खोज search (khoj) वह that (vah) चीज़ thing (chīz) है is (hai) जो which (jo) कभी never (kabhī) समाप्त end (samāpt) नहीं not (nahīn̐) होती happens (hotī)
13.30 राजा king (rājā) समझ understand (samajh) गया went (gayā) कि that (ki) वह that (vah) किसान farmer (kisān) सचमुच truly (sachmuch) बुद्धिमान wise (buddhimān) था was (thā)
13.16 एक राजा था जो मानता था कि वह सबसे बुद्धिमान है। There was a king who believed that he was the wisest.
13.17 उसके मंत्री ने कहा कि राज्य में एक किसान है जो उससे चतुर है। His minister said that there is a farmer in the kingdom who is cleverer than him.
13.18 वह किसान गाँव में रहता था। That farmer lived in the village.
13.19 राजा ने सोचा कि यह असंभव है। The king thought that this is impossible.
13.20 उसने घोषणा की कि जो तीन प्रश्नों का उत्तर देगा वह इनाम पाएगा। He announced that whoever answers three questions will get a reward.
13.21 पहला प्रश्न था कि संसार में सबसे तेज़ क्या है? The first question was, what is the fastest thing in the world?
13.22 दूसरा यह था कि वह कौन सी चीज़ है जो सबसे मीठी है? The second was, what is that thing which is the sweetest?
13.23 तीसरा प्रश्न था कि वह क्या है जो कभी समाप्त नहीं होता? The third question was, what is that which never ends?
13.24 किसान आया और उसने कहा कि मैं जानता हूँ। The farmer came and said that he knows.
13.25 उसने बताया कि विचार सबसे तेज़ है। He told that thought is the fastest.
13.26 राजा ने पूछा कि वह कैसे जानता है? The king asked how he knows.
13.27 किसान ने उत्तर दिया कि जो आप सोचते हैं वह तुरंत मन में आता है। The farmer answered that what you think comes immediately to mind.
13.28 फिर उसने कहा कि नींद सबसे मीठी है क्योंकि वह सब दुख भुला देती है। Then he said that sleep is the sweetest because it makes one forget all sorrows.
13.29 अंत में उसने बताया कि ज्ञान की खोज वह चीज़ है जो कभी समाप्त नहीं होती। Finally, he told that the search for knowledge is that thing which never ends.
13.30 राजा समझ गया कि वह किसान सचमुच बुद्धिमान था। The king understood that that farmer was truly wise.
13.16 एक राजा था जो मानता था कि वह सबसे बुद्धिमान है।
13.17 उसके मंत्री ने कहा कि राज्य में एक किसान है जो उससे चतुर है।
13.18 वह किसान गाँव में रहता था।
13.19 राजा ने सोचा कि यह असंभव है।
13.20 उसने घोषणा की कि जो तीन प्रश्नों का उत्तर देगा वह इनाम पाएगा।
13.21 पहला प्रश्न था कि संसार में सबसे तेज़ क्या है?
13.22 दूसरा यह था कि वह कौन सी चीज़ है जो सबसे मीठी है?
13.23 तीसरा प्रश्न था कि वह क्या है जो कभी समाप्त नहीं होता?
13.24 किसान आया और उसने कहा कि मैं जानता हूँ।
13.25 उसने बताया कि विचार सबसे तेज़ है।
13.26 राजा ने पूछा कि वह कैसे जानता है?
13.27 किसान ने उत्तर दिया कि जो आप सोचते हैं वह तुरंत मन में आता है।
13.28 फिर उसने कहा कि नींद सबसे मीठी है क्योंकि वह सब दुख भुला देती है।
13.29 अंत में उसने बताया कि ज्ञान की खोज वह चीज़ है जो कभी समाप्त नहीं होती।
13.30 राजा समझ गया कि वह किसान सचमुच बुद्धिमान था।
Folk tales in Hindi frequently use all three forms of "that" to create narrative flow and maintain clarity in storytelling:
1. कि in Reported Speech Folk tales heavily rely on कि for reporting dialogue and thoughts: -
राजा ने सोचा कि... (The king thought that...) -
उसने कहा कि... (He said that...) This pattern is essential for traditional storytelling where characters' words and thoughts drive the narrative.
2. वह for Narrative Distance The demonstrative वह creates narrative distance and formal tone: -
वह किसान (that farmer) - maintains story-telling distance -
वह राजा (that king) - formal reference to characters This usage distinguishes folk tale register from conversational Hindi.
3. जो in Descriptive Phrases Relative clauses with जो are common in folk tales for: -
Character descriptions: राजा जो मानता था (the king who believed) -
Defining questions: वह क्या है जो... (what is that which...) -
Creating riddles and philosophical questions
Common Folk Tale Patterns: -
Question-Answer Sequences -
प्रश्न था कि... (the question was that...) -
उत्तर दिया कि... (answered that...) -
Belief and Knowledge Expressions -
मानता था कि... (believed that...) -
जानता है कि... (knows that...) -
Demonstrative Chains -
वह...जो... (that...which...) Used to maintain clarity in complex narratives -
Philosophical Constructions -
वह चीज़ है जो... (it is that thing which...) Common in moral teachings and wisdom literature
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The construed text approach presents language learning in three stages: -
Interlinear glossing (Section A) where each word is independently glossed, allowing learners to acquire vocabulary while following familiar English syntax patterns -
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