The English word "his" translates to Hindi as उसका (uska), उसकी (uski), or उसके (uske), depending on the gender and number of the possessed object. This is a fundamental difference from English, where "his" remains unchanged regardless of what is being possessed. In Hindi, the possessive pronoun agrees with the object being possessed, not with the possessor.
Definition: "His" is a third-person singular masculine possessive pronoun in English that indicates ownership or possession by a male person or masculine entity. In Hindi, this concept is expressed through three forms that change based on the grammatical properties of the possessed noun.
FAQ Schema: Question: What does "his" mean in Hindi? Answer: "His" in Hindi is expressed as उसका (uska) for masculine singular nouns, उसकी (uski) for feminine nouns, and उसके (uske) for masculine plural nouns. The form changes based on the gender and number of the object being possessed, not the possessor.
How this topic word will be used: In this lesson, you will encounter "his" in various contexts showing possession of different types of objects - from family members to everyday items. The examples will demonstrate how the possessive form changes based on what is being possessed, helping you understand this crucial grammatical pattern in Hindi.
Educational Schema: Course: Hindi Language Learning Level: Beginner to Intermediate Topic: Possessive Pronouns - Third Person Singular Masculine Learning Objective: Students will learn to correctly use उसका/उसकी/उसके to express possession in Hindi Prerequisites: Basic Hindi vocabulary and gender recognition Duration: Self-paced study
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Hindi possessive pronouns agree with the possessed object, not the possessor -
उसका (uska) is used with masculine singular nouns -
उसकी (uski) is used with feminine nouns (both singular and plural) -
उसके (uske) is used with masculine plural nouns -
The possessor's gender doesn't affect the form of the possessive pronoun -
Word order in Hindi typically places the possessive before the possessed noun
29.1 His उसका (uska) house घर (ghar) is है (hai) very बहुत (bahut) big बड़ा (bada)
29.2 He वह (vah) loves प्यार करता है (pyaar karta hai) his उसकी (uski) mother माँ (maa) very much बहुत (bahut)
29.3 His उसके (uske) friends दोस्त (dost) are हैं (hain) coming आ रहे (aa rahe) today आज (aaj)
29.4 Where कहाँ (kahaan) is है (hai) his उसकी (uski) book किताब (kitaab)?
29.5 His उसका (uska) brother भाई (bhai) studies पढ़ता है (padhta hai) in में (mein) Delhi दिल्ली (Dilli)
29.6 I मैं (main) saw देखा (dekha) his उसकी (uski) sister बहन (bahan) at पर (par) the market बाज़ार (bazaar)
29.7 His उसका (uska) work काम (kaam) is है (hai) always हमेशा (hamesha) excellent उत्कृष्ट (utkrisht)
29.8 His उसके (uske) children बच्चे (bachche) play खेलते हैं (khelte hain) in में (mein) the garden बगीचा (bagicha)
29.9 His उसकी (uski) wife पत्नी (patni) cooks बनाती है (banati hai) delicious स्वादिष्ट (swadisht) food खाना (khana)
29.10 This यह (yah) is है (hai) his उसका (uska) new नया (naya) phone फ़ोन (phone)
29.11 His उसकी (uski) car गाड़ी (gaadi) broke down खराब हो गई (kharab ho gayi) yesterday कल (kal)
29.12 All सब (sab) his उसके (uske) plans योजनाएं (yojanaen) were थीं (thin) successful सफल (safal)
29.13 His उसका (uska) father पिता (pita) is है (hai) a एक (ek) doctor डॉक्टर (doctor)
29.14 I मुझे (mujhe) like पसंद है (pasand hai) his उसकी (uski) teaching शिक्षा (shiksha) style शैली (shaili)
29.15 His उसका (uska) dream सपना (sapna) came हो गया (ho gaya) true सच (sach)
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29.1 उसका घर बहुत बड़ा है। His house is very big.
29.2 वह अपनी माँ से बहुत प्यार करता है। He loves his mother very much.
29.3 उसके दोस्त आज आ रहे हैं। His friends are coming today.
29.4 उसकी किताब कहाँ है? Where is his book?
29.5 उसका भाई दिल्ली में पढ़ता है। His brother studies in Delhi.
29.6 मैंने उसकी बहन को बाज़ार में देखा। I saw his sister at the market.
29.7 उसका काम हमेशा उत्कृष्ट होता है। His work is always excellent.
29.8 उसके बच्चे बगीचे में खेल रहे हैं। His children are playing in the garden.
29.9 उसकी पत्नी स्वादिष्ट खाना बनाती है। His wife cooks delicious food.
29.10 यह उसका नया फ़ोन है। This is his new phone.
29.11 उसकी गाड़ी कल खराब हो गई थी। His car broke down yesterday.
29.12 उसकी सब योजनाएं सफल रहीं। All his plans were successful.
29.13 उसके पिता डॉक्टर हैं। His father is a doctor.
29.14 मुझे उसकी शिक्षा शैली पसंद है। I like his teaching style.
29.15 उसका सपना सच हो गया। His dream came true.
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29.1 उसका घर बहुत बड़ा है।
29.2 वह अपनी माँ से बहुत प्यार करता है।
29.3 उसके दोस्त आज आ रहे हैं।
29.4 उसकी किताब कहाँ है?
29.5 उसका भाई दिल्ली में पढ़ता है।
29.6 मैंने उसकी बहन को बाज़ार में देखा।
29.7 उसका काम हमेशा उत्कृष्ट होता है।
29.8 उसके बच्चे बगीचे में खेल रहे हैं।
29.9 उसकी पत्नी स्वादिष्ट खाना बनाती है।
29.10 यह उसका नया फ़ोन है।
29.11 उसकी गाड़ी कल खराब हो गई थी।
29.12 उसकी सब योजनाएं सफल रहीं।
29.13 उसके पिता डॉक्टर हैं।
29.14 मुझे उसकी शिक्षा शैली पसंद है।
29.15 उसका सपना सच हो गया।
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The possessive pronoun "his" in Hindi follows a pattern that is fundamentally different from English. Here are the essential rules: -
Agreement with the Possessed Object: Unlike English where "his" never changes, Hindi possessive pronouns must agree with the gender and number of the object being possessed, not the possessor. -
Three Forms: -
उसका (uska) - used with masculine singular nouns -
उसकी (uski) - used with feminine nouns (both singular and plural) -
उसके (uske) - used with masculine plural nouns -
Gender Recognition: You must know the gender of the possessed noun to use the correct form. For example: -
घर (ghar - house) is masculine, so: उसका घर (his house) -
किताब (kitaab - book) is feminine, so: उसकी किताब (his book) -
बच्चे (bachche - children) is masculine plural, so: उसके बच्चे (his children)
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Using the Wrong Gender Form: English speakers often struggle to remember which form to use because they're thinking about the possessor's gender rather than the possessed object's gender. -
Wrong: उसका किताब (using masculine form with feminine noun) -
Correct: उसकी किताब -
Forgetting Plural Agreement: Remember that उसके is specifically for masculine plural nouns. -
Wrong: उसका दोस्त (when referring to multiple friends) -
Correct: उसके दोस्त -
Overusing उसका: Since उसका sounds closest to "his," beginners tend to use it for everything.
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Identify what is being possessed (the object) -
Determine the gender of that object -
Determine if the object is singular or plural -
Apply the rule: -
Masculine singular → उसका -
Feminine (any number) → उसकी -
Masculine plural → उसके
In English: "his book," "his books," "his sister," "his sisters" - the word "his" never changes.
In Hindi: उसकी किताब (his book), उसकी किताबें (his books), उसकी बहन (his sister), उसकी बहनें (his sisters) - note how feminine objects always take उसकी regardless of number.
Possessive Forms for Third Person Singular (his/her/its): -
Masculine singular object: उसका (uska) -
Feminine singular object: उसकी (uski) -
Feminine plural object: उसकी (uski) -
Masculine plural object: उसके (uske)
Note: The same forms (उसका/उसकी/उसके) are used for "her" and "its" as well - Hindi doesn't distinguish the possessor's gender in third person possessives.
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Understanding possessive pronouns in Hindi provides insight into how the language reflects cultural perspectives on relationships and ownership. In Indian culture, possessive expressions often extend beyond mere ownership to indicate relationships, responsibilities, and social connections.
The use of possessives in Hindi is deeply embedded in the social fabric. For instance, when referring to family members, Indians often use possessive pronouns even when speaking about them in general terms, reflecting the collectivist nature of Indian society where individual identity is closely tied to family relationships.
In formal Hindi, there's a distinction between अपना (apna - one's own) and उसका (uska - his/her), which doesn't exist in English. This distinction helps clarify whether someone is referring to their own possession or someone else's, reducing ambiguity in communication.
The gender agreement system in Hindi possessives also reflects the language's Indo-European roots, similar to languages like Spanish or French. This system requires speakers to be constantly aware of grammatical gender, which can seem foreign to English speakers but is second nature to Hindi speakers.
In everyday conversation, Hindi speakers might also use kinship terms possessively without explicit possessive pronouns, especially in rural areas or informal settings. For example, "भाई साहब आ गए" (Brother sir has come) might refer to "his brother" in context, showing how cultural norms of respect and relationship marking influence language use.
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From the Panchatantra (पंचतंत्र), "The Lion and the Rabbit" (सिंह और खरगोश):
The rabbit खरगोश (khargosh) said बोला (bola), "His उसकी (uski) strength शक्ति (shakti) is है (hai) great महान (mahaan), but लेकिन (lekin) his उसकी (uski) wisdom बुद्धि (buddhi) is है (hai) small छोटी (chhoti). His उसका (uska) pride घमंड (ghamand) will be होगा (hoga) his उसका (uska) downfall पतन (patan)."
खरगोश बोला, "उसकी शक्ति महान है, लेकिन उसकी बुद्धि छोटी है। उसका घमंड उसका पतन होगा।"
The rabbit said, "His strength is great, but his wisdom is small. His pride will be his downfall."
खरगोश बोला, "उसकी शक्ति महान है, लेकिन उसकी बुद्धि छोटी है। उसका घमंड उसका पतन होगा।"
This excerpt from the Panchatantra demonstrates the use of possessive pronouns in classical Hindi literature. Notice how उसकी is used with both शक्ति (strength) and बुद्धि (wisdom) because both are feminine nouns, while उसका is used with घमंड (pride) and पतन (downfall) because both are masculine nouns.
The passage illustrates the moral teaching style of the Panchatantra, where animals represent human characteristics. The repetition of possessive pronouns emphasizes that the lion's own qualities will lead to his destruction - a common theme in Indian moral literature where one's character determines one's fate.
The grammatical structure here is particularly instructive for learners: the parallel construction "उसकी शक्ति... उसकी बुद्धि" followed by "उसका घमंड... उसका पतन" shows how possessive agreement works in practice within literary Hindi.
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29.16 His उसके (uske) grandparents दादा-दादी (dada-dadi) live रहते हैं (rahte hain) in में (mein) the village गाँव (gaon)
29.17 His उसकी (uski) daughter बेटी (beti) got मिली (mili) married शादी (shaadi) last पिछले (pichhle) month महीने (mahine)
29.18 Everyone सब (sab) loves प्यार करते हैं (pyaar karte hain) his उसके (uske) small छोटे (chhote) grandson पोते को (pote ko)
29.19 His उसका (uska) uncle चाचा (chacha) brought लाया (laaya) sweets मिठाई (mithai) from से (se) Agra आगरा (Agra)
29.20 His उसकी (uski) aunt चाची (chachi) teaches पढ़ाती है (padhati hai) music संगीत (sangeet) to को (ko) children बच्चों (bachchon)
29.21 His उसका (uska) elder बड़ा (bada) brother भाई (bhai) helps मदद करता है (madad karta hai) him उसकी (uski) always हमेशा (hamesha)
29.22 His उसकी (uski) younger छोटी (chhoti) sister बहन (bahan) is है (hai) studying पढ़ रही (padh rahi) medicine डॉक्टरी (doctori)
29.23 His उसके (uske) cousins चचेरे भाई (chachere bhai) came आए (aaye) for के लिए (ke liye) the festival त्योहार (tyohaar)
29.24 His उसकी (uski) mother-in-law सास (saas) makes बनाती है (banati hai) excellent बेहतरीन (behtareen) pickles अचार (achaar)
29.25 His उसका (uska) father-in-law ससुर (sasur) owns है (hai) a एक (ek) big बड़ी (badi) farm खेत (khet)
29.26 His उसके (uske) nephews भतीजे (bhatije) play खेलते हैं (khelte hain) cricket क्रिकेट (cricket) very well बहुत अच्छा (bahut achcha)
29.27 His उसकी (uski) niece भतीजी (bhatiji) won जीता (jeeta) first पहला (pahla) prize पुरस्कार (puraskar) in में (mein) dance नृत्य (nritya)
29.28 His उसका (uska) son-in-law दामाद (damad) works काम करता है (kaam karta hai) in में (mein) a एक (ek) bank बैंक (bank)
29.29 His उसकी (uski) daughter-in-law बहू (bahu) respects सम्मान करती है (samman karti hai) all सभी (sabhi) elders बड़ों का (badon ka)
29.30 His उसका (uska) whole पूरा (poora) family परिवार (parivaar) celebrates मनाता है (manata hai) festivals त्योहार (tyohaar) together साथ (saath)
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29.16 उसके दादा-दादी गाँव में रहते हैं। His grandparents live in the village.
29.17 उसकी बेटी की पिछले महीने शादी हुई। His daughter got married last month.
29.18 सब लोग उसके छोटे पोते से प्यार करते हैं। Everyone loves his small grandson.
29.19 उसके चाचा आगरा से मिठाई लाए। His uncle brought sweets from Agra.
29.20 उसकी चाची बच्चों को संगीत सिखाती है। His aunt teaches music to children.
29.21 उसका बड़ा भाई हमेशा उसकी मदद करता है। His elder brother always helps him.
29.22 उसकी छोटी बहन डॉक्टरी पढ़ रही है। His younger sister is studying medicine.
29.23 उसके चचेरे भाई त्योहार के लिए आए थे। His cousins came for the festival.
29.24 उसकी सास बेहतरीन अचार बनाती है। His mother-in-law makes excellent pickles.
29.25 उसके ससुर के पास बड़ा खेत है। His father-in-law owns a big farm.
29.26 उसके भतीजे बहुत अच्छा क्रिकेट खेलते हैं। His nephews play cricket very well.
29.27 उसकी भतीजी ने नृत्य में पहला पुरस्कार जीता। His niece won first prize in dance.
29.28 उसका दामाद बैंक में काम करता है। His son-in-law works in a bank.
29.29 उसकी बहू सभी बड़ों का सम्मान करती है। His daughter-in-law respects all elders.
29.30 उसका पूरा परिवार त्योहार साथ मनाता है। His whole family celebrates festivals together.
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29.16 उसके दादा-दादी गाँव में रहते हैं।
29.17 उसकी बेटी की पिछले महीने शादी हुई।
29.18 सब लोग उसके छोटे पोते से प्यार करते हैं।
29.19 उसके चाचा आगरा से मिठाई लाए।
29.20 उसकी चाची बच्चों को संगीत सिखाती है।
29.21 उसका बड़ा भाई हमेशा उसकी मदद करता है।
29.22 उसकी छोटी बहन डॉक्टरी पढ़ रही है।
29.23 उसके चचेरे भाई त्योहार के लिए आए थे।
29.24 उसकी सास बेहतरीन अचार बनाती है।
29.25 उसके ससुर के पास बड़ा खेत है।
29.26 उसके भतीजे बहुत अच्छा क्रिकेट खेलते हैं।
29.27 उसकी भतीजी ने नृत्य में पहला पुरस्कार जीता।
29.28 उसका दामाद बैंक में काम करता है।
29.29 उसकी बहू सभी बड़ों का सम्मान करती है।
29.30 उसका पूरा परिवार त्योहार साथ मनाता है।
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When using possessive pronouns with family relation terms in Hindi, several important patterns emerge: -
Compound Family Terms: Some family terms like दादा-दादी (grandparents) are treated as masculine plural, hence उसके is used. -
Respectful Forms: In Hindi culture, even when talking about someone else's family members, respectful forms are maintained. Notice how plural verb forms are often used with singular subjects to show respect. -
Gender of Family Terms: -
Masculine: भाई (brother), चाचा (uncle), पिता (father), पुत्र (son), दामाद (son-in-law) -
Feminine: बहन (sister), चाची (aunt), माता (mother), पुत्री (daughter), बहू (daughter-in-law) -
Cultural Usage: In Indian families, relationships are often expressed possessively even in contexts where English might not use possessives. For example, "उसकी बहू" (his daughter-in-law) emphasizes the family connection. -
Extended Family Vocabulary: Hindi has specific terms for relationships that English groups together. For instance: -
चाचा (chacha) - father's brother -
मामा (mama) - mother's brother -
Both translate to "uncle" in English but require different Hindi terms
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