The Hindi verb सकना (saknā) expresses ability, possibility, or permission, corresponding to the English auxiliary verb "can" or "to be able to." This is one of the most essential verbs in Hindi as it allows speakers to express capability, potential, and permission in various contexts.
Definition: सकना (saknā) is a compound verb that always follows the stem form of the main verb, creating a construction that means "can do" or "be able to do" something. It conjugates according to person, number, gender, and tense, making it a versatile tool for expressing various degrees of ability and possibility.
FAQ SchemaQuestion: What does सकना (saknā) mean in Hindi? Answer: सकना (saknā) means "can" or "to be able to" in Hindi. It is used as an auxiliary verb that follows the main verb stem to express ability, possibility, or permission. For example, कर सकना (kar saknā) means "to be able to do" and जा सकना (jā saknā) means "to be able to go."
How this topic word will be used: In this lesson, you will encounter सकना (saknā) in various contexts - from simple abilities like "I can speak Hindi" to more complex expressions involving permission, physical capability, and potential actions. The examples progress from basic present tense uses to more sophisticated constructions involving different tenses and moods.
Educational SchemaCourseTitle: Hindi Language Learning - Lesson 37 Topic: Can/Able - सकना (saknā) Level: Beginner to Intermediate LearningObjective: Students will learn to use the Hindi auxiliary verb सकना to express ability, possibility, and permission Prerequisites: Basic Hindi verb conjugation, present tense EstimatedTime: 45-60 minutes
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सकना (saknā) always follows the stem form of the main verb -
It conjugates according to the subject's gender and number -
Can express physical ability, learned skills, permission, or possibility -
Often softens requests when used in questions -
Different from English as it requires two verbs to express what English does with one modal
37.1 मैं (main) I हिंदी (hindi) Hindi बोल (bol) speak सकता (saktā) can हूं (hūn) am
37.2 वह (vah) she पानी (pānī) water में (mein) in तैर (tair) swim सकती (saktī) can है (hai) is
37.3 क्या (kyā) [question] तुम (tum) you यह (yah) this काम (kām) work कर (kar) do सकते (sakte) can हो (ho) are
37.4 बच्चे (bachche) children अभी (abhī) now नहीं (nahīn) not पढ़ (paṛh) read सकते (sakte) can हैं (hain) are
37.5 मेरी (merī) my माँ (mān) mother बहुत (bahut) very अच्छा (achchhā) good खाना (khānā) food बना (banā) make सकती (saktī) can है (hai) is
37.6 हम (ham) we कल (kal) tomorrow मिल (mil) meet सकते (sakte) can हैं (hain) are
37.7 आप (āp) you अंग्रेज़ी (angrezī) English में (mein) in लिख (likh) write सकते (sakte) can हैं (hain) are
37.8 वे (ve) they रात (rāt) night को (ko) at काम (kām) work कर (kar) do सकते (sakte) can हैं (hain) are
37.9 तुम (tum) you कितनी (kitnī) how दूर (dūr) far दौड़ (dauṛ) run सकते (sakte) can हो (ho) are
37.10 मैं (main) I तुम्हारी (tumhārī) your मदद (madad) help कर (kar) do सकता (saktā) can हूं (hūn) am
37.11 बारिश (bārish) rain में (mein) in हम (ham) we बाहर (bāhar) outside नहीं (nahīn) not जा (jā) go सकते (sakte) can
37.12 वह (vah) he गिटार (giṭār) guitar बजा (bajā) play सकता (saktā) can है (hai) is
37.13 आप (āp) you यहाँ (yahān) here से (se) from देख (dekh) see सकते (sakte) can हैं (hain) are
37.14 बच्चा (bachchā) child अकेला (akelā) alone यात्रा (yātrā) travel नहीं (nahīn) not कर (kar) do सकता (saktā) can
37.15 मैं (main) I तुम्हें (tumhein) you समझ (samajh) understand सकता (saktā) can हूं (hūn) am
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37.1 मैं हिंदी बोल सकता हूं। I can speak Hindi.
37.2 वह पानी में तैर सकती है। She can swim in water.
37.3 क्या तुम यह काम कर सकते हो? Can you do this work?
37.4 बच्चे अभी नहीं पढ़ सकते। The children cannot read yet.
37.5 मेरी माँ बहुत अच्छा खाना बना सकती है। My mother can make very good food.
37.6 हम कल मिल सकते हैं। We can meet tomorrow.
37.7 आप अंग्रेज़ी में लिख सकते हैं। You can write in English.
37.8 वे रात को काम कर सकते हैं। They can work at night.
37.9 तुम कितनी दूर दौड़ सकते हो? How far can you run?
37.10 मैं तुम्हारी मदद कर सकता हूं। I can help you.
37.11 बारिश में हम बाहर नहीं जा सकते। We cannot go outside in the rain.
37.12 वह गिटार बजा सकता है। He can play guitar.
37.13 आप यहाँ से देख सकते हैं। You can see from here.
37.14 बच्चा अकेला यात्रा नहीं कर सकता। The child cannot travel alone.
37.15 मैं तुम्हें समझ सकता हूं। I can understand you.
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37.1 मैं हिंदी बोल सकता हूं।
37.2 वह पानी में तैर सकती है।
37.3 क्या तुम यह काम कर सकते हो?
37.4 बच्चे अभी नहीं पढ़ सकते।
37.5 मेरी माँ बहुत अच्छा खाना बना सकती है।
37.6 हम कल मिल सकते हैं।
37.7 आप अंग्रेज़ी में लिख सकते हैं।
37.8 वे रात को काम कर सकते हैं।
37.9 तुम कितनी दूर दौड़ सकते हो?
37.10 मैं तुम्हारी मदद कर सकता हूं।
37.11 बारिश में हम बाहर नहीं जा सकते।
37.12 वह गिटार बजा सकता है।
37.13 आप यहाँ से देख सकते हैं।
37.14 बच्चा अकेला यात्रा नहीं कर सकता।
37.15 मैं तुम्हें समझ सकता हूं।
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The verb सकना (saknā) is a compound verb auxiliary that expresses ability, possibility, or permission. It follows specific grammatical patterns that differ significantly from English modal verbs.
Basic Structure: Main Verb Stem + सकना (conjugated)
Step-by-Step Guide: -
Take the stem form of the main verb (remove -ना from the infinitive) -
Add the appropriate form of सकना -
सकना conjugates according to gender, number, and tense of the subject
Conjugation Pattern for Present Tense: -
मैं ___ सकता/सकती हूं (I can ___) -
तू ___ सकता/सकती है (You informal can ___) -
तुम ___ सकते/सकती हो (You familiar can ___) -
आप ___ सकते/सकती हैं (You formal can ___) -
वह ___ सकता/सकती है (He/She can ___) -
वे ___ सकते/सकती हैं (They can ___)
Gender Agreement: -
Masculine singular: सकता (saktā) -
Feminine singular: सकती (saktī) -
Masculine plural: सकते (sakte) -
Feminine plural: सकती (saktī)
Common Mistakes: -
Forgetting to use the stem form of the main verb -
Wrong: मैं जाना सकता हूं -
Correct: मैं जा सकता हूं -
Not matching gender agreement -
Wrong: वह (feminine) खेल सकता है -
Correct: वह खेल सकती है -
Using English word order -
Wrong: मैं सकता हूं जाना -
Correct: मैं जा सकता हूं -
Confusing सकना with other ability expressions like पाना
Comparison with English: -
English uses a single modal verb "can" -
Hindi requires two verbs: main verb stem + conjugated सकना -
Hindi सकना changes with gender, English "can" doesn't -
Hindi सकना can be conjugated in all tenses, English "can" has limited forms
Past Tense Forms: -
सका/सकी/सके (was able to - completed action) -
सकता था/सकती थी (could/was able to - habitual past)
Future and Other Tenses: -
सकूंगा/सकूंगी (will be able to) -
सक रहा है (is being able to - continuous)
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The use of सकना (saknā) in Hindi reflects important cultural values and communication patterns in Indian society. Understanding these cultural nuances will help English speakers use this construction more naturally and appropriately.
Politeness and Indirectness: In Hindi culture, using सकना in questions is often a polite way to make requests. "क्या आप मेरी मदद कर सकते हैं?" (Can you help me?) is more polite than the direct imperative. This reflects the Indian cultural preference for indirect communication, especially with elders or in formal situations.
Gender Awareness: Unlike English, where "can" remains unchanged, Hindi सकना must agree with the subject's gender. This linguistic feature reflects the gender-conscious nature of Hindi grammar, requiring speakers to be aware of and correctly identify gender in conversation.
Hierarchical Relationships: The combination of सकना with different pronouns (तू, तुम, आप) reflects social hierarchies. Using आप with सकते हैं shows respect, while तू with सकता है indicates intimacy or sometimes disrespect if used inappropriately.
Physical vs. Learned Abilities: Hindi speakers often distinguish between innate abilities and learned skills, both expressed with सकना. Cultural emphasis on education and skill acquisition means learned abilities (like languages or arts) are particularly valued and frequently discussed using this construction.
Permission vs. Ability: सकना can express both permission and ability, and context determines which meaning applies. In Indian joint family systems, permission from elders is often culturally required, making this dual meaning particularly relevant.
Humility in Expression: Indians often downplay their abilities out of modesty. Even when highly capable, speakers might say "थोड़ा सा कर सकता हूं" (I can do a little) rather than asserting full competence, reflecting cultural values of humility.
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From Premchand's "गोदान" (Godaan), Chapter 3:
"होरी ने कहा - मैं अब भी खेत में काम कर सकता हूं। मेरे हाथों में अभी भी दम है। मैं अपने बेटों से ज्यादा मेहनत कर सकता हूं। बुढ़ापा मुझे नहीं रोक सकता।"
होरी (Hori) Hori ने (ne) [ergative] कहा (kahā) said - मैं (main) I अब (ab) now भी (bhī) also खेत (khet) field में (mein) in काम (kām) work कर (kar) do सकता (saktā) can हूं (hūn) am। मेरे (mere) my हाथों (hāthon) hands में (mein) in अभी (abhī) still भी (bhī) also दम (dam) strength है (hai) is। मैं (main) I अपने (apne) my बेटों (beton) sons से (se) than ज्यादा (zyādā) more मेहनत (mehnat) hard-work कर (kar) do सकता (saktā) can हूं (hūn) am। बुढ़ापा (buṛhāpā) old-age मुझे (mujhe) me नहीं (nahīn) not रोक (rok) stop सकता (saktā) can।
"होरी ने कहा - मैं अब भी खेत में काम कर सकता हूं। मेरे हाथों में अभी भी दम है। मैं अपने बेटों से ज्यादा मेहनत कर सकता हूं। बुढ़ापा मुझे नहीं रोक सकता।"
"Hori said - I can still work in the field. There is still strength in my hands. I can work harder than my sons. Old age cannot stop me."
This passage from Premchand's masterpiece "Godaan" showcases the repeated use of सकना to express Hori's defiant assertion of his continued abilities despite advancing age. The protagonist uses सकना four times, each expressing a different aspect of capability - physical ability, comparative ability, and the inability of age to limit him.
The passage demonstrates several key uses of सकना: -
कर सकता हूं - standard ability expression -
रोक सकता - showing how सकना works with transitive verbs -
The contrast between positive abilities (what Hori can do) and negative (what age cannot do to him) -
All instances use masculine singular form (सकता) agreeing with the male speaker
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37.16 माँ (mān) mother सुबह (subah) morning जल्दी (jaldī) early उठ (uṭh) wake सकती (saktī) can है (hai) is और (aur) and चाय (chāy) tea बना (banā) make सकती (saktī) can है (hai) is
37.17 पिताजी (pitājī) father बाज़ार (bāzār) market से (se) from सब्ज़ी (sabzī) vegetables ला (lā) bring सकते (sakte) can हैं (hain) are
37.18 बच्चे (bachche) children अपने (apne) their कमरे (kamre) room साफ़ (sāf) clean कर (kar) do सकते (sakte) can हैं (hain) are
37.19 मैं (main) I रोटी (roṭī) bread गोल (gol) round बेल (bel) roll सकती (saktī) can हूं (hūn) am
37.20 दादीजी (dādījī) grandmother अचार (achār) pickle बना (banā) make सकती (saktī) can हैं (hain) are
37.21 हम (ham) we मेहमानों (mehmānon) guests के (ke) for लिए (liye) for खाना (khānā) food तैयार (taiyār) prepare कर (kar) do सकते (sakte) can हैं (hain) are
37.22 तुम (tum) you कपड़े (kapṛe) clothes धो (dho) wash सकते (sakte) can हो (ho) are
37.23 वह (vah) she सिलाई (silāī) sewing मशीन (mashīn) machine चला (chalā) operate सकती (saktī) can है (hai) is
37.24 पापा (pāpā) papa बिजली (bijlī) electricity का (kā) [possessive] बिल (bil) bill भर (bhar) pay सकते (sakte) can हैं (hain) are
37.25 बहन (bahan) sister फूलों (phūlon) flowers को (ko) [object] पानी (pānī) water दे (de) give सकती (saktī) can है (hai) is
37.26 मैं (main) I दूध (dūdh) milk गर्म (garam) hot कर (kar) do सकता (saktā) can हूं (hūn) am
37.27 नानी (nānī) grandmother कहानी (kahānī) story सुना (sunā) tell सकती (saktī) can हैं (hain) are
37.28 भाई (bhāī) brother साइकिल (sāikal) bicycle ठीक (ṭhīk) fix कर (kar) do सकता (saktā) can है (hai) is
37.29 हम (ham) we रात (rāt) night का (kā) [possessive] खाना (khānā) dinner जल्दी (jaldī) early बना (banā) make सकते (sakte) can हैं (hain) are
37.30 तुम (tum) you घर (ghar) house की (kī) [possessive] सफ़ाई (safāī) cleaning कर (kar) do सकते (sakte) can हो (ho) are
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37.16 माँ सुबह जल्दी उठ सकती है और चाय बना सकती है। Mother can wake up early in the morning and make tea.
37.17 पिताजी बाज़ार से सब्ज़ी ला सकते हैं। Father can bring vegetables from the market.
37.18 बच्चे अपने कमरे साफ़ कर सकते हैं। The children can clean their rooms.
37.19 मैं रोटी गोल बेल सकती हूं। I can roll chapati round.
37.20 दादीजी अचार बना सकती हैं। Grandmother can make pickle.
37.21 हम मेहमानों के लिए खाना तैयार कर सकते हैं। We can prepare food for guests.
37.22 तुम कपड़े धो सकते हो। You can wash clothes.
37.23 वह सिलाई मशीन चला सकती है। She can operate a sewing machine.
37.24 पापा बिजली का बिल भर सकते हैं। Papa can pay the electricity bill.
37.25 बहन फूलों को पानी दे सकती है। Sister can water the flowers.
37.26 मैं दूध गर्म कर सकता हूं। I can heat the milk.
37.27 नानी कहानी सुना सकती हैं। Grandmother can tell stories.
37.28 भाई साइकिल ठीक कर सकता है। Brother can fix the bicycle.
37.29 हम रात का खाना जल्दी बना सकते हैं। We can make dinner early.
37.30 तुम घर की सफ़ाई कर सकते हो। You can do house cleaning.
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37.16 माँ सुबह जल्दी उठ सकती है और चाय बना सकती है।
37.17 पिताजी बाज़ार से सब्ज़ी ला सकते हैं।
37.18 बच्चे अपने कमरे साफ़ कर सकते हैं।
37.19 मैं रोटी गोल बेल सकती हूं।
37.20 दादीजी अचार बना सकती हैं।
37.21 हम मेहमानों के लिए खाना तैयार कर सकते हैं।
37.22 तुम कपड़े धो सकते हो।
37.23 वह सिलाई मशीन चला सकती है।
37.24 पापा बिजली का बिल भर सकते हैं।
37.25 बहन फूलों को पानी दे सकती है।
37.26 मैं दूध गर्म कर सकता हूं।
37.27 नानी कहानी सुना सकती हैं।
37.28 भाई साइकिल ठीक कर सकता है।
37.29 हम रात का खाना जल्दी बना सकते हैं।
37.30 तुम घर की सफ़ाई कर सकते हो।
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Compound Abilities: In household contexts, सकना often appears in compound sentences showing multiple abilities: -
माँ सुबह जल्दी उठ सकती है और चाय बना सकती है (Mother can wake up early and make tea)
Gender-Specific Traditional Roles: While modern Indian households are changing, traditional examples often show gender patterns that learners should be aware of: -
Feminine activities traditionally use सकती -
These patterns are cultural, not grammatical requirements
Respectful Forms: When referring to elders (दादीजी, नानी), always use the plural honorific: -
दादीजी अचार बना सकती हैं (not है)
Common Household Verb Stems with सकना: -
बना (make/prepare) -
कर (do) -
ला (bring) -
दे (give) -
धो (wash) -
साफ़ कर (clean)
Time Expressions: Household activities often include time markers: -
सुबह (morning) जल्दी (early) -
रात का खाना (dinner/night's food)
Object Markers: को is used with direct objects that need marking: -
फूलों को पानी दे सकती है (can water the flowers)
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