The Hindi word क्या (kyā) is one of the most essential interrogative words in the language, corresponding to the English "what." This versatile word forms the foundation of countless questions in Hindi and is crucial for basic communication. Unlike English, where "what" always appears at the beginning of a question, क्या can appear in different positions within a Hindi sentence, serving both as an interrogative pronoun and as a question marker.
क्या (kyā) primarily means "what" when used as an interrogative pronoun. However, it also functions as a yes/no question marker when placed at the beginning of a sentence, similar to "do/does" in English questions.
Question: What does क्या mean in Hindi? Answer: क्या (kyā) means "what" in Hindi when used as an interrogative pronoun. It is used to ask questions about things, situations, or actions. Additionally, when placed at the beginning of a sentence, it functions as a question marker for yes/no questions.
Course: Hindi Language Learning Level: Beginner Lesson: 28 Topic: Interrogative Pronoun "what" (क्या) Learning Objectives: - Understand the use of क्या as "what" - Learn to form questions using क्या - Recognize क्या in different sentence positions Target Audience: English speakers learning Hindi Duration: Self-paced
In this lesson, क्या will appear in various contexts showing its dual function: as the interrogative pronoun "what" and as a yes/no question marker. The examples progress from simple to more complex constructions, demonstrating how क्या interacts with different verb tenses, cases, and sentence structures. Students will learn to recognize and use क्या in everyday conversational contexts.
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क्या (kyā) means "what" and is essential for forming questions in Hindi -
It can appear at different positions in a sentence unlike English "what" -
When placed at the beginning, it creates yes/no questions -
The word remains unchanged regardless of gender, number, or case -
Pronunciation: "kyaa" with a long 'a' sound -
Essential for basic Hindi communication and comprehension
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28.1 What क्या (kyā) your आपका (āpkā) name नाम (nām) is है (hai)?
28.2 You आप (āp) what क्या (kyā) want चाहते (chāhte) are हैं (hain)?
28.3 This यह (yah) what क्या (kyā) is है (hai)?
28.4 She वह (vah) what क्या (kyā) doing कर (kar) is रही (rahī) is है (hai)?
28.5 What क्या (kyā) you आप (āp) Hindi हिंदी (hindī) speak बोलते (bolte) are हैं (hain)?
28.6 Tomorrow कल (kal) what क्या (kyā) happen होगा (hogā) will ?
28.7 Your आपके (āpke) father पिताजी (pitājī) what क्या (kyā) work काम (kām) do करते (karte) are हैं (hain)?
28.8 Food खाने (khāne) in में (mein) what क्या (kyā) is है (hai)?
28.9 He उसने (usne) what क्या (kyā) said कहा (kahā)?
28.10 You आपको (āpko) what क्या (kyā) like पसंद (pasand) is है (hai)?
28.11 Market बाज़ार (bazār) in में (mein) what क्या (kyā) buy खरीदा (kharīdā) did?
28.12 Children बच्चे (bachche) what क्या (kyā) studying पढ़ (paṛh) are रहे (rahe) are हैं (hain)?
28.13 Time समय (samay) what क्या (kyā) happened हुआ (huā) has है (hai)?
28.14 Your आपकी (āpkī) problem समस्या (samasyā) what क्या (kyā) is है (hai)?
28.15 India भारत (bhārat) in में (mein) weather मौसम (mausam) what कैसा (kaisā) is है (hai)?
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28.1 आपका नाम क्या है? What is your name?
28.2 आप क्या चाहते हैं? What do you want?
28.3 यह क्या है? What is this?
28.4 वह क्या कर रही है? What is she doing?
28.5 क्या आप हिंदी बोलते हैं? Do you speak Hindi?
28.6 कल क्या होगा? What will happen tomorrow?
28.7 आपके पिताजी क्या काम करते हैं? What work does your father do?
28.8 खाने में क्या है? What is in the food?
28.9 उसने क्या कहा? What did he say?
28.10 आपको क्या पसंद है? What do you like?
28.11 बाज़ार में क्या खरीदा? What did you buy in the market?
28.12 बच्चे क्या पढ़ रहे हैं? What are the children studying?
28.13 क्या समय हुआ है? What time is it?
28.14 आपकी समस्या क्या है? What is your problem?
28.15 भारत में मौसम कैसा है? What is the weather like in India?
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28.1 आपका नाम क्या है?
28.2 आप क्या चाहते हैं?
28.3 यह क्या है?
28.4 वह क्या कर रही है?
28.5 क्या आप हिंदी बोलते हैं?
28.6 कल क्या होगा?
28.7 आपके पिताजी क्या काम करते हैं?
28.8 खाने में क्या है?
28.9 उसने क्या कहा?
28.10 आपको क्या पसंद है?
28.11 बाज़ार में क्या खरीदा?
28.12 बच्चे क्या पढ़ रहे हैं?
28.13 क्या समय हुआ है?
28.14 आपकी समस्या क्या है?
28.15 भारत में मौसम कैसा है?
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The word क्या functions in two primary ways in Hindi:
1. As an Interrogative Pronoun ("what") When used to ask about things, क्या directly translates to "what" and typically appears after the subject: -
आप क्या चाहते हैं? (You what want?) = What do you want? -
यह क्या है? (This what is?) = What is this?
2. As a Yes/No Question Marker When placed at the beginning of a sentence, क्या converts a statement into a yes/no question: -
क्या आप हिंदी बोलते हैं? (Do you speak Hindi?) -
क्या वह आएगा? (Will he come?)
Unlike English where "what" must begin the question, Hindi allows more flexibility: -
English: What is your name? -
Hindi: आपका नाम क्या है? (Your name what is?)
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Placing क्या at the beginning for all questions -
Wrong: क्या आपका नाम है? (This asks "Is it your name?") -
Right: आपका नाम क्या है? (What is your name?) -
Forgetting verb agreement -
Hindi verbs must agree with gender and number, even in questions -
वह क्या कर रही है? (feminine) -
वह क्या कर रहा है? (masculine) -
Confusing क्या with कैसा/कैसी/कैसे -
क्या = what (for things/actions) -
कैसा/कैसी/कैसे = what kind/how (for qualities)
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For "what" questions: -
Start with the subject (आप, वह, यह) -
Add क्या -
Add the verb or predicate -
Example: आप + क्या + खा रहे हैं = What are you eating? -
For yes/no questions: -
Start with क्या -
Follow with the complete statement -
Example: क्या + आप खा रहे हैं = Are you eating?
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Part of speech: Interrogative pronoun / Question particle -
Gender: Invariable (does not change) -
Number: Invariable (same for singular and plural) -
Case: Can be used in any case -
Position: Flexible, depending on question type
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In Hindi-speaking cultures, the way questions are asked reflects important social dynamics. The use of क्या is often softened or modified based on the relationship between speakers and the context of the conversation.
Hindi speakers often prefer indirect questioning, especially with elders or in formal situations. Instead of directly asking "क्या चाहिए?" (What do you want?), one might say "कुछ चाहिए क्या?" (Do you need something?), placing क्या at the end to make it less abrupt.
The pronunciation and usage of क्या varies across Hindi-speaking regions: -
In Delhi and urban areas: Clear "kyaa" with emphasis -
In rural areas: Sometimes shortened to "ka" in rapid speech -
In Eastern Hindi regions: May be pronounced with a softer 'k' sound
The placement and tone of क्या can indicate respect levels: -
With elders: Questions are often prefaced with respectful phrases -
With peers: More direct use of क्या is acceptable -
In formal settings: क्या is often combined with जी (ji) for added respect
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In markets and shops: "यह क्या भाव है?" (What is the price of this?) is a standard opening for bargaining -
During meals: "और क्या चाहिए?" (What else would you like?) shows hospitality -
In education: Teachers often use "समझ में आया क्या?" (Did you understand?) to check comprehension
In Indian philosophical traditions, the question "क्या?" extends beyond the material. The spiritual question "मैं कौन हूं?" (Who am I?) and "जीवन का उद्देश्य क्या है?" (What is the purpose of life?) are central to Hindu and Buddhist thought, showing how क्या serves both mundane and profound inquiries.
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Original Text (48 words): "होरी ने पूछा - क्या बात है भाई? क्या कोई संकट आ गया? धनिया ने कहा - संकट क्या आएगा? जो कुछ होना था, वह तो हो गया। अब क्या बाकी रह गया है? बेटा परदेस चला गया, बेटी ससुराल चली गई।"
Hori होरी (Horī) asked ने (ne) पूछा (pūchā) - What क्या (kyā) matter बात (bāt) is है (hai) brother भाई (bhāī)? What क्या (kyā) some कोई (koī) trouble संकट (saṅkaṭ) come आ (ā) has gone गया (gayā)? Dhaniya धनिया (Dhaniyā) said ने (ne) कहा (kahā) - Trouble संकट (saṅkaṭ) what क्या (kyā) will come आएगा (āegā)? Whatever जो (jo) some कुछ (kuch) to happen होना (honā) was था (thā), that वह (vah) then तो (to) happened हो (ho) has gone गया (gayā). Now अब (ab) what क्या (kyā) remaining बाकी (bākī) left रह (rah) has gone गया (gayā) is है (hai)? Son बेटा (beṭā) abroad परदेस (pardes) went चला (chalā) gone गया (gayā), daughter बेटी (beṭī) in-laws' house ससुराल (sasurāl) went चली (chalī) gone गई (gaī).
होरी ने पूछा - क्या बात है भाई? क्या कोई संकट आ गया? धनिया ने कहा - संकट क्या आएगा? जो कुछ होना था, वह तो हो गया। अब क्या बाकी रह गया है? बेटा परदेस चला गया, बेटी ससुराल चली गई।
Hori asked - What's the matter, brother? Has some trouble come? Dhaniya said - What trouble will come? Whatever had to happen has already happened. What remains now? The son has gone abroad, the daughter has gone to her in-laws' house.
होरी ने पूछा - क्या बात है भाई? क्या कोई संकट आ गया? धनिया ने कहा - संकट क्या आएगा? जो कुछ होना था, वह तो हो गया। अब क्या बाकी रह गया है? बेटा परदेस चला गया, बेटी ससुराल चली गई।
This excerpt from Premchand's masterpiece demonstrates the multiple uses of क्या in emotional dialogue. The passage shows: -
क्या as a simple interrogative: "क्या बात है?" (What's the matter?) -
क्या in yes/no questions: "क्या कोई संकट आ गया?" (Has some trouble come?) -
क्या in rhetorical questions: "संकट क्या आएगा?" (What trouble will come?) - expressing resignation -
क्या in philosophical inquiry: "अब क्या बाकी रह गया है?" (What remains now?)
The repetition of क्या emphasizes the emotional weight of the conversation. Dhaniya's response uses क्या to express both defiance and despair, showing how this simple word can carry deep emotional resonance. The passage reflects the rural Hindi dialect and the fatalistic philosophy common in Premchand's portrayal of Indian village life.
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28.16 Brother भाई (bhāī) what क्या (kyā) will take लेंगे (leṅge) you आप (āp)?
28.17 Tea चाय (chāy) in में (mein) what क्या (kyā) put डालूं (ḍālūṅ) shall I? Sugar चीनी (chīnī) or या (yā) without बिना (binā)?
28.18 What क्या (kyā) samosas समोसे (samose) fresh ताज़े (tāze) are हैं (hain)?
28.19 These इनका (inkā) what क्या (kyā) price दाम (dām) is है (hai)?
28.20 Today आज (āj) newspaper अख़बार (akhbār) in में (mein) what क्या (kyā) news खबर (khabar) is है (hai)?
28.21 What क्या (kyā) you आप (āp) here यहाँ (yahāṅ) daily रोज़ (roz) come आते (āte) are हैं (hain)?
28.22 Rain बारिश (bārish) what क्या (kyā) will happen होगी (hogī) today आज (āj)?
28.23 Your आपका (āpkā) shop दुकान (dukān) what क्या (kyā) time समय (samay) until तक (tak) open खुली (khulī) remains रहती (rahtī) is है (hai)?
28.24 Morning सुबह (subah) from से (se) what क्या (kyā) crowd भीड़ (bhīṛ) is है (hai)!
28.25 What क्या (kyā) special खास (khās) make बनाते (banāte) are हैं (hain) you आप (āp) today आज (āj)?
28.26 Biscuits बिस्कुट (biskuṭ) what कौन (kaun) which से (se) good अच्छे (achche) are हैं (hain)?
28.27 What क्या (kyā) change छुट्टे (chuṭṭe) money पैसे (paise) are हैं (hain) with you आपके (āpke) near पास (pās)?
28.28 Tomorrow कल (kal) what क्या (kyā) holiday छुट्टी (chuṭṭī) is है (hai)?
28.29 Bus बस (bas) what क्या (kyā) time समय (samay) at पर (par) comes आती (ātī) is है (hai) here यहाँ (yahāṅ)?
28.30 People लोग (log) what क्या (kyā) saying कह (kah) are रहे (rahe) are हैं (hain) elections चुनाव (chunāv) about के (ke) matter बारे (bāre) in में (mein)?
28.16 भाई, आप क्या लेंगे? Brother, what will you have?
28.17 चाय में क्या डालूं? चीनी या बिना? What shall I put in the tea? Sugar or without?
28.18 क्या समोसे ताज़े हैं? Are the samosas fresh?
28.19 इनका क्या दाम है? What is their price?
28.20 आज अख़बार में क्या खबर है? What's the news in today's newspaper?
28.21 क्या आप यहाँ रोज़ आते हैं? Do you come here daily?
28.22 क्या आज बारिश होगी? Will it rain today?
28.23 आपकी दुकान क्या समय तक खुली रहती है? Until what time does your shop remain open?
28.24 सुबह से क्या भीड़ है! What a crowd since morning!
28.25 आप आज क्या खास बनाते हैं? What special thing are you making today?
28.26 कौन से बिस्कुट अच्छे हैं? Which biscuits are good?
28.27 क्या आपके पास छुट्टे पैसे हैं? Do you have change?
28.28 कल क्या छुट्टी है? Is tomorrow a holiday?
28.29 यहाँ बस क्या समय पर आती है? What time does the bus come here?
28.30 लोग चुनाव के बारे में क्या कह रहे हैं? What are people saying about the elections?
28.16 भाई, आप क्या लेंगे?
28.17 चाय में क्या डालूं? चीनी या बिना?
28.18 क्या समोसे ताज़े हैं?
28.19 इनका क्या दाम है?
28.20 आज अख़बार में क्या खबर है?
28.21 क्या आप यहाँ रोज़ आते हैं?
28.22 क्या आज बारिश होगी?
28.23 आपकी दुकान क्या समय तक खुली रहती है?
28.24 सुबह से क्या भीड़ है!
28.25 आप आज क्या खास बनाते हैं?
28.26 कौन से बिस्कुट अच्छे हैं?
28.27 क्या आपके पास छुट्टे पैसे हैं?
28.28 कल क्या छुट्टी है?
28.29 यहाँ बस क्या समय पर आती है?
28.30 लोग चुनाव के बारे में क्या कह रहे हैं?
In daily conversation, क्या appears in several distinct patterns:
1. Service Interactions -
आप क्या लेंगे? (What will you have?) - standard hospitality phrase -
क्या चाहिए? (What do you need?) - shopkeeper's query
2. Exclamatory Use -
सुबह से क्या भीड़ है! (What a crowd since morning!) -
Shows surprise or emphasis, not really asking a question
3. Clarification Questions -
कौन से / किस का (which/whose) often replaces क्या for specificity -
Example: कौन से बिस्कुट? (Which biscuits?) vs. क्या बिस्कुट हैं? (What biscuits are there?)
4. Time-Related Questions -
क्या समय (what time) is often shortened to कितने बजे (at what hour) -
Both are acceptable in casual conversation
Common Conversational Shortcuts -
क्या है? → क्या? (What is it? → What?) -
क्या चाहिए? → क्या? (What do you want? → What?) -
क्या हुआ? → क्या? (What happened? → What?)
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