The word "you" in Hindi is more complex than in English because Hindi distinguishes between levels of formality and respect through three different pronouns: आप (aap) for formal/respectful address, तुम (tum) for familiar/informal address, and तू (tu) for intimate or sometimes disrespectful address. This tripartite system reflects the hierarchical nature of Indian society and the importance of showing proper respect in social interactions.
Question: What does "you" mean in Hindi? Answer: The English word "you" translates to three different pronouns in Hindi: आप (aap) for formal/respectful situations, तुम (tum) for informal/familiar situations, and तू (tu) for intimate or very informal situations. The choice depends on the relationship between speakers and social context.
In this lesson, we will explore how these three forms of "you" function in various contexts, from formal business interactions to intimate family conversations. The examples will demonstrate not just the grammatical differences but also the social implications of choosing one form over another.
Course: Hindi Language Learning Level: Beginner to Intermediate Topic: Personal Pronouns - Second Person Learning Objective: Students will understand and correctly use the three Hindi equivalents of "you" in appropriate social contexts Prerequisite: Basic understanding of Hindi script (Devanagari)
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Hindi has three words for "you": आप (aap), तुम (tum), and तू (tu) -
The choice of pronoun depends on social relationship, age, and formality -
आप (aap) is the safest choice for learners as it shows respect -
Verb conjugations change depending on which "you" is used -
Cultural sensitivity is crucial when selecting the appropriate form
9.1 आप (aap) you कहाँ (kahaan) where जा (jaa) go रहे (rahe) -ing हैं (hain) are? Where are you going?
9.2 तुम (tum) you कब (kab) when आओगे (aaoge) will-come? When will you come?
9.3 क्या (kyaa) what/interrogative तू (tu) you खाना (khaana) food खाएगा (khaaegaa) will-eat? Will you eat food?
9.4 आपका (aapkaa) your नाम (naam) name क्या (kyaa) what है (hai) is? What is your name?
9.5 मैं (main) I आपसे (aapse) from-you/to-you मिलकर (milkar) having-met खुश (khush) happy हूँ (hun) am I am happy to meet you
9.6 तुम्हारे (tumhaare) your माता-पिता (maataa-pitaa) mother-father/parents कैसे (kaise) how हैं (hain) are? How are your parents?
9.7 तेरा (teraa) your घर (ghar) house कहाँ (kahaan) where है (hai) is? Where is your house?
9.8 आप (aap) you हिंदी (hindi) Hindi बहुत (bahut) very अच्छी (achchhi) good बोलते (bolte) speak हैं (hain) are You speak Hindi very well
9.9 क्या (kyaa) interrogative तुमने (tumne) you-ergative काम (kaam) work खत्म (khatam) finished किया (kiyaa) did? Did you finish the work?
9.10 तूने (tune) you-ergative यह (yah) this क्यों (kyon) why किया (kiyaa) did? Why did you do this?
9.11 आपको (aapko) to-you चाय (chaay) tea चाहिए (chaahiye) needed/wanted? Do you want tea?
9.12 मैं (main) I तुम्हें (tumhen) to-you एक (ek) one कहानी (kahaani) story सुनाऊंगा (sunaaoongaa) will-tell I will tell you a story
9.13 तुझे (tujhe) to-you कुछ (kuchh) something चाहिए (chaahiye) needed क्या (kyaa) interrogative? Do you need something?
9.14 आपके (aapke) your बच्चे (bachche) children कहाँ (kahaan) where पढ़ते (padhte) study हैं (hain) are? Where do your children study?
9.15 वह (vah) he/she तुमसे (tumse) from-you/with-you बात (baat) talk करना (karnaa) to-do चाहता (chaahtaa) wants है (hai) is He/She wants to talk with you
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9.1 आप कहाँ जा रहे हैं? Where are you going? (formal)
9.2 तुम कब आओगे? When will you come? (informal)
9.3 क्या तू खाना खाएगा? Will you eat food? (intimate/casual)
9.4 आपका नाम क्या है? What is your name? (formal)
9.5 मैं आपसे मिलकर खुश हूँ। I am happy to meet you. (formal)
9.6 तुम्हारे माता-पिता कैसे हैं? How are your parents? (informal)
9.7 तेरा घर कहाँ है? Where is your house? (intimate)
9.8 आप हिंदी बहुत अच्छी बोलते हैं। You speak Hindi very well. (formal)
9.9 क्या तुमने काम खत्म किया? Did you finish the work? (informal)
9.10 तूने यह क्यों किया? Why did you do this? (intimate/reproachful)
9.11 आपको चाय चाहिए? Would you like tea? (formal)
9.12 मैं तुम्हें एक कहानी सुनाऊंगा। I will tell you a story. (informal)
9.13 तुझे कुछ चाहिए क्या? Do you need something? (intimate)
9.14 आपके बच्चे कहाँ पढ़ते हैं? Where do your children study? (formal)
9.15 वह तुमसे बात करना चाहता है। He wants to talk with you. (informal)
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9.1 आप कहाँ जा रहे हैं?
9.2 तुम कब आओगे?
9.3 क्या तू खाना खाएगा?
9.4 आपका नाम क्या है?
9.5 मैं आपसे मिलकर खुश हूँ।
9.6 तुम्हारे माता-पिता कैसे हैं?
9.7 तेरा घर कहाँ है?
9.8 आप हिंदी बहुत अच्छी बोलते हैं।
9.9 क्या तुमने काम खत्म किया?
9.10 तूने यह क्यों किया?
9.11 आपको चाय चाहिए?
9.12 मैं तुम्हें एक कहानी सुनाऊंगा।
9.13 तुझे कुछ चाहिए क्या?
9.14 आपके बच्चे कहाँ पढ़ते हैं?
9.15 वह तुमसे बात करना चाहता है।
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Hindi distinguishes between three levels of formality when addressing someone as "you," each with its own pronouns and verb conjugations:
1. आप (aap) - Formal/Respectful -
Used for: elders, strangers, superiors, formal situations -
Takes plural verb conjugation even for one person -
Possessive: आपका/आपकी/आपके (aapkaa/aapki/aapke) -
Object form: आपको (aapko), आपसे (aapse)
2. तुम (tum) - Informal/Familiar -
Used for: friends, younger people, equals -
Takes special तुम-conjugation -
Possessive: तुम्हारा/तुम्हारी/तुम्हारे (tumhaaraa/tumhaari/tumhaare) -
Object form: तुम्हें (tumhen), तुमसे (tumse)
3. तू (tu) - Intimate/Very Informal -
Used for: very close friends, children, sometimes disrespectfully -
Takes singular verb conjugation -
Possessive: तेरा/तेरी/तेरे (teraa/teri/tere) -
Object form: तुझे (tujhe), तुझसे (tujhse)
Present Tense: -
आप जाते हैं (aap jaate hain) - You go (formal) -
तुम जाते हो (tum jaate ho) - You go (informal) -
तू जाता है (tu jaataa hai) - You go (intimate, masculine)
Future Tense: -
आप जाएंगे (aap jaaenge) - You will go (formal) -
तुम जाओगे (tum jaaoge) - You will go (informal) -
तू जाएगा (tu jaaegaa) - You will go (intimate, masculine)
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Using तू inappropriately: English speakers often use तू thinking it's casual like "you" in English, but it can be offensive if used with the wrong person. -
Forgetting gender agreement: With तू, adjectives and verbs must agree with the gender of the person addressed. -
Mixing pronoun levels: Don't switch between आप/तुम/तू in the same conversation unless the relationship dynamic changes. -
Wrong verb conjugation: Each pronoun requires specific verb endings that must be memorized. -
Cultural insensitivity: Using तुम or तू with elders or in formal situations is considered extremely rude.
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Assess the situation: Is it formal or informal? -
Consider the age: Is the person older than you? -
Evaluate the relationship: How well do you know them? -
When in doubt: Always use आप - it's better to be too formal than too casual -
Listen to how they address you: Often you can mirror their level of formality
Nominative (Subject): -
आप (aap) -
तुम (tum) -
तू (tu)
Oblique Case (used with postpositions): -
आप → आप -
तुम → तुम -
तू → तुझ (tujh)
Ergative (past tense transitive): -
आपने (aapne) -
तुमने (tumne) -
तूने (tune)
Possessive: -
आपका/की/के (aapkaa/ki/ke) -
तुम्हारा/री/रे (tumhaaraa/ri/re) -
तेरा/री/रे (teraa/ri/re)
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The Hindi system of three "you" pronouns reflects deep cultural values about respect, hierarchy, and relationships in Indian society. This tripartite distinction is not merely linguistic but embodies centuries of social stratification and cultural etiquette.
In traditional Indian society, using the appropriate form of "you" is crucial for maintaining social harmony. The use of आप (aap) with elders, teachers, and authority figures is non-negotiable. Even adult children often address their parents with आप, reflecting the lifelong respect accorded to parents in Indian culture.
The informal तुम (tum) creates a comfortable middle ground, allowing for friendly interaction without the stiffness of extreme formality or the potential offense of over-familiarity. It's the pronoun of friendship, casual acquaintance, and equal-status relationships.
The intimate तू (tu) is complex - it can express deep affection between close friends or spouses, but can also be used to show contempt or assert dominance. In North India, many parents use तू with their children as a sign of affection, while in some regions, its use is more restricted.
For English speakers learning Hindi, mastering these distinctions is essential for successful communication. Using the wrong pronoun can instantly change the tone of an interaction, potentially causing offense or creating awkwardness. The safest approach for learners is to err on the side of formality, using आप until explicitly invited to use a more informal form.
In modern urban India, these distinctions are evolving. English-medium education and globalization have led some younger speakers to be more flexible with pronoun use, but the traditional system remains strong, especially in formal settings and smaller towns. Understanding and respecting these pronouns is key to navigating Indian society successfully.
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From Premchand's "ईदगाह" (Eidgah), a beloved Hindi short story:
हामिद (Hamid) Hamid ने (ne) ergative-marker कहा (kahaa) said, "दादी (daadi) grandmother, आप (aap) you मेरे (mere) my लिए (liye) for क्या (kyaa) what लाई (laai) brought हैं (hain) are? मैं (main) I आपके (aapke) your लिए (liye) for चिमटा (chimtaa) tongs लाया (laayaa) brought हूँ (hun) am। अब (ab) now आप (aap) you रोटी (roti) bread सेंकते (senkte) roasting समय (samay) time अपना (apnaa) your हाथ (haath) hand नहीं (nahin) not जलाएंगी (jalaaengi) will-burn।"
हामिद ने कहा, "दादी, आप मेरे लिए क्या लाई हैं? मैं आपके लिए चिमटा लाया हूँ। अब आप रोटी सेंकते समय अपना हाथ नहीं जलाएंगी।"
Hamid said, "Grandmother, what have you brought for me? I have brought tongs for you. Now you won't burn your hand while roasting bread."
This touching excerpt from Premchand's "Eidgah" demonstrates the respectful use of आप between a young boy and his grandmother. Despite his poverty and youth, Hamid maintains proper linguistic etiquette, addressing his grandmother with the formal आप throughout. This reflects not just grammatical correctness but the deep respect for elders ingrained in Indian culture. The child's selfless gift of tongs, purchased with his meager Eid money to protect his grandmother's hands, becomes even more poignant when expressed with such respectful language.
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Note how Hamid consistently uses आप with his grandmother -
The verb जलाएंगी (jalaaengi) agrees with आप in the plural form -
आपके लिए (aapke liye) shows the possessive form of आप -
The respectful tone is maintained throughout despite the emotional content
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9.16 बेटा (betaa) son, तुम (tum) you स्कूल (school) school से (se) from कब (kab) when आए (aaye) came? Son, when did you come from school?
9.17 माँ (maan) mother, आप (aap) you आज (aaj) today बहुत (bahut) very थकी (thaki) tired लग (lag) seem रही (rahi) -ing हैं (hain) are Mother, you seem very tired today
9.18 पापा (papa) father, क्या (kyaa) interrogative आप (aap) you मेरे (mere) my साथ (saath) with बाज़ार (bazaar) market चलेंगे (chalenge) will-go? Father, will you go to the market with me?
9.19 दीदी (didi) elder-sister, तुमने (tumne) you-ergative मेरी (meri) my किताब (kitaab) book देखी (dekhi) saw है (hai) is क्या (kyaa) interrogative? Elder sister, have you seen my book?
9.20 नानी (naani) grandmother, आपने (aapne) you-ergative खाना (khaana) food खा (khaa) eat लिया (liyaa) taken? Grandmother, have you eaten?
9.21 भैया (bhaiyaa) elder-brother, तू (tu) you फिर (phir) again देर (der) late से (se) from क्यों (kyon) why उठा (uthaa) woke-up? Brother, why did you wake up late again?
9.22 मामा (mama) maternal-uncle जी (ji) honorific, आप (aap) you कल (kal) tomorrow हमारे (hamaare) our घर (ghar) house आइएगा (aaiyegaa) please-come Uncle, please come to our house tomorrow
9.23 छोटू (chhotu) little-one, तुम (tum) you अपना (apnaa) your होमवर्क (homework) homework कर (kar) do लो (lo) take/complete Little one, complete your homework
9.24 बुआ (buaa) paternal-aunt जी (ji) honorific, आपके (aapke) your बच्चे (bachche) children कैसे (kaise) how हैं (hain) are? Aunt, how are your children?
9.25 राजू (Raju) Raju, तू (tu) you अभी (abhi) now खेलने (khelne) to-play नहीं (nahin) not जाएगा (jaaegaa) will-go Raju, you will not go to play now
9.26 दादा (dada) grandfather जी (ji) honorific, आप (aap) you अपनी (apni) your दवाई (davaai) medicine ले (le) take लीजिए (lijiye) please-take Grandfather, please take your medicine
9.27 बहन (bahan) sister, तुम्हारा (tumhaaraa) your फोन (phone) phone बज (baj) ring रहा (rahaa) -ing है (hai) is Sister, your phone is ringing
9.28 चाचा (chacha) paternal-uncle जी (ji) honorific, आप (aap) you कब (kab) when दिल्ली (Delhi) Delhi जा (jaa) go रहे (rahe) -ing हैं (hain) are? Uncle, when are you going to Delhi?
9.29 मुन्नी (Munni) Munni, तेरे (tere) your पापा (papa) father आ (aa) come गए (gaye) have हैं (hain) are Munni, your father has come
9.30 ताऊ (taau) elder-paternal-uncle जी (ji) honorific, आपका (aapkaa) your स्वास्थ्य (svaasthya) health अब (ab) now कैसा (kaisaa) how है (hai) is? Uncle, how is your health now?
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9.16 बेटा, तुम स्कूल से कब आए? Son, when did you come from school?
9.17 माँ, आप आज बहुत थकी लग रही हैं। Mother, you look very tired today.
9.18 पापा, क्या आप मेरे साथ बाज़ार चलेंगे? Father, will you come to the market with me?
9.19 दीदी, तुमने मेरी किताब देखी है क्या? Sister, have you seen my book?
9.20 नानी, आपने खाना खा लिया? Grandmother, have you eaten?
9.21 भैया, तू फिर देर से क्यों उठा? Brother, why did you wake up late again?
9.22 मामा जी, आप कल हमारे घर आइएगा। Uncle, please come to our house tomorrow.
9.23 छोटू, तुम अपना होमवर्क कर लो। Little one, finish your homework.
9.24 बुआ जी, आपके बच्चे कैसे हैं? Aunt, how are your children?
9.25 राजू, तू अभी खेलने नहीं जाएगा। Raju, you're not going to play right now.
9.26 दादा जी, आप अपनी दवाई ले लीजिए। Grandfather, please take your medicine.
9.27 बहन, तुम्हारा फोन बज रहा है। Sister, your phone is ringing.
9.28 चाचा जी, आप कब दिल्ली जा रहे हैं? Uncle, when are you going to Delhi?
9.29 मुन्नी, तेरे पापा आ गए हैं। Munni, your father has arrived.
9.30 ताऊ जी, आपका स्वास्थ्य अब कैसा है? Uncle, how is your health now?
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9.16 बेटा, तुम स्कूल से कब आए?
9.17 माँ, आप आज बहुत थकी लग रही हैं।
9.18 पापा, क्या आप मेरे साथ बाज़ार चलेंगे?
9.19 दीदी, तुमने मेरी किताब देखी है क्या?
9.20 नानी, आपने खाना खा लिया?
9.21 भैया, तू फिर देर से क्यों उठा?
9.22 मामा जी, आप कल हमारे घर आइएगा।
9.23 छोटू, तुम अपना होमवर्क कर लो।
9.24 बुआ जी, आपके बच्चे कैसे हैं?
9.25 राजू, तू अभी खेलने नहीं जाएगा।
9.26 दादा जी, आप अपनी दवाई ले लीजिए।
9.27 बहन, तुम्हारा फोन बज रहा है।
9.28 चाचा जी, आप कब दिल्ली जा रहे हैं?
9.29 मुन्नी, तेरे पापा आ गए हैं।
9.30 ताऊ जी, आपका स्वास्थ्य अब कैसा है?
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The family conversation genre perfectly illustrates the nuanced use of Hindi pronouns within the family hierarchy:
Upward Respect (Speaking to Elders): -
Parents: Usually आप (aap), though some modern families use तुम (tum) -
Grandparents: Always आप (aap) -
Uncles/Aunts: आप (aap) with जी (ji) honorific -
Elder siblings: तुम (tum) or आप (aap) depending on age gap
Downward Affection (Speaking to Younger): -
Children: तुम (tum) or तू (tu) showing affection -
Younger siblings: तुम (tum) normally, तू (tu) when scolding or being affectionate -
Small children/babies: Usually तू (tu) as term of endearment
Special Family Terms: -
जी (ji) - honorific suffix added to show extra respect -
Kinship terms often replace pronouns entirely -
Pet names (छोटू, मुन्नी) indicate intimate relationships allowing तू (tu)
Verb Agreement Patterns: -
आप requires plural verb forms even for one person -
तुम has its own special conjugation -
तू takes singular forms and shows gender agreement
Common Family Conversation Patterns: -
Questions about welfare: "आपका स्वास्थ्य कैसा है?" -
Instructions to children: "तुम अपना होमवर्क कर लो" -
Invitations: "आप कल हमारे घर आइएगा" -
Gentle scolding: "तू फिर देर से क्यों उठा?"
These examples show how pronoun choice instantly communicates relationship dynamics, emotional tone, and social hierarchy within the Indian family structure.
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