The English preposition "to" is expressed in Marathi through several different forms, primarily ला (la), कडे (kade), and पर्यंत (paryanta), depending on the context and grammatical function. Understanding these various forms is crucial for English speakers learning Marathi, as the choice of which form to use depends on factors like direction, purpose, recipient, and grammatical case.
In Marathi, "to" can be translated as: -
ला/ल्या (la/lya) - used for indirect objects, recipients, and purposes (dative case) -
कडे (kade) - used for direction or movement towards something -
पर्यंत (paryanta) - used for extent, limit, or "up to/until" -
साठी (sathi) - used for purpose, "for/in order to"
Question: What does "to" mean in Marathi? Answer: The English word "to" has multiple translations in Marathi depending on context: ला/ल्या (la/lya) for giving or indirect objects, कडे (kade) for direction towards, पर्यंत (paryanta) for extent or limit, and साठी (sathi) for purpose. The most common form is ला (la), which changes based on the gender and number of the noun it modifies.
In this lesson, we will explore all major uses of "to" in Marathi through 15 varied examples, showing how context determines which Marathi word to use. Students will learn to recognize patterns and understand when to apply each form correctly.
Course: Marathi Language Learning Level: Beginner to Intermediate Topic: Prepositions - "to" in Marathi Type: Reading Lesson for Autodidacts Language of Instruction: English Target Language: Marathi
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Marathi has multiple words for "to" unlike English's single form -
The most common translation is ला (la), which changes form based on gender and number -
Direction uses कडे (kade), extent uses पर्यंत (paryanta) -
Purpose often uses साठी (sathi) rather than ला (la) -
Understanding case endings is essential for proper usage
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6.1 राम Ram (raam) शाळेला school-to (shaa-le-laa) जातो goes (jaa-to)
6.2 मी I (mee) तुला you-to (tu-laa) पुस्तक book (pus-tak) देतो give (de-to)
6.3 आम्ही we (aam-hee) मुंबईला Mumbai-to (mum-bai-laa) उद्या tomorrow (ud-yaa) जाणार will-go (jaa-naar) आहोत are (aa-hot)
6.4 ती she (tee) घराकडे home-towards (gha-raa-ka-de) चालत walking (chaa-lat) आहे is (aa-he)
6.5 सकाळी morning-in (sa-kaa-lee) नऊ nine (na-oo) पर्यंत until (par-yan-ta) झोप sleep (jhop)
6.6 आई mother (aa-ee) मुलांना children-to (mu-laan-naa) गोष्ट story (gosht) सांगते tells (saan-ga-te)
6.7 अभ्यासासाठी study-for (ab-hyaa-saa-saa-thee) वाचनालयाला library-to (vaa-cha-naa-la-yaa-laa) जा go (jaa)
6.8 शिक्षक teacher (shik-shak) विद्यार्थ्यांना students-to (vid-yaar-thyaan-naa) गणित mathematics (ga-nit) शिकवतात teach (shi-ka-va-taat)
6.9 पाऊस rain (paa-oos) संध्याकाळपर्यंत evening-until (san-dhyaa-kaal-par-yan-ta) पडेल will-fall (pa-del)
6.10 बाबा father (baa-baa) कामासाठी work-for (kaa-maa-saa-thee) पुण्याला Pune-to (pun-yaa-laa) गेले went (ge-le)
6.11 मुलगा boy (mul-gaa) आईकडे mother-towards (aa-ee-ka-de) धावत running (dhaa-vat) आला came (aa-laa)
6.12 आपण we-formal (aa-pan) मंदिराला temple-to (man-di-raa-laa) दर every (dar) रविवारी Sunday (ra-vi-vaa-ree) जातो go (jaa-to)
6.13 तो he (to) मित्राला friend-to (mi-traa-laa) संदेश message (san-desh) पाठवतो sends (paa-tha-va-to)
6.14 रात्री night-at (raa-tree) दहा ten (da-haa) पर्यंत until (par-yan-ta) अभ्यास study (ab-hyaas) करा do (ka-raa)
6.15 आजी grandmother (aa-jee) नातवंडांना grandchildren-to (naat-van-daan-naa) प्रेम love (prem) करते does (kar-te)
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6.1 राम शाळेला जातो. Ram goes to school.
6.2 मी तुला पुस्तक देतो. I give a book to you.
6.3 आम्ही मुंबईला उद्या जाणार आहोत. We will go to Mumbai tomorrow.
6.4 ती घराकडे चालत आहे. She is walking towards home.
6.5 सकाळी नऊ पर्यंत झोप. Sleep until nine in the morning.
6.6 आई मुलांना गोष्ट सांगते. Mother tells a story to the children.
6.7 अभ्यासासाठी वाचनालयाला जा. Go to the library for studying.
6.8 शिक्षक विद्यार्थ्यांना गणित शिकवतात. The teacher teaches mathematics to the students.
6.9 पाऊस संध्याकाळपर्यंत पडेल. It will rain until evening.
6.10 बाबा कामासाठी पुण्याला गेले. Father went to Pune for work.
6.11 मुलगा आईकडे धावत आला. The boy came running to mother.
6.12 आपण मंदिराला दर रविवारी जातो. We go to the temple every Sunday.
6.13 तो मित्राला संदेश पाठवतो. He sends a message to his friend.
6.14 रात्री दहा पर्यंत अभ्यास करा. Study until ten at night.
6.15 आजी नातवंडांना प्रेम करते. Grandmother loves (gives love to) her grandchildren.
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6.1 राम शाळेला जातो.
6.2 मी तुला पुस्तक देतो.
6.3 आम्ही मुंबईला उद्या जाणार आहोत.
6.4 ती घराकडे चालत आहे.
6.5 सकाळी नऊ पर्यंत झोप.
6.6 आई मुलांना गोष्ट सांगते.
6.7 अभ्यासासाठी वाचनालयाला जा.
6.8 शिक्षक विद्यार्थ्यांना गणित शिकवतात.
6.9 पाऊस संध्याकाळपर्यंत पडेल.
6.10 बाबा कामासाठी पुण्याला गेले.
6.11 मुलगा आईकडे धावत आला.
6.12 आपण मंदिराला दर रविवारी जातो.
6.13 तो मित्राला संदेश पाठवतो.
6.14 रात्री दहा पर्यंत अभ्यास करा.
6.15 आजी नातवंडांना प्रेम करते.
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The Marathi language expresses the English preposition "to" through several different postpositions and case endings. Understanding when to use each form is essential for proper Marathi communication.
1. ला/ल्या (la/lya) - Dative Case Marker This is the most common way to express "to" when indicating: -
Recipients of actions: मी तुला देतो (I give to you) -
Destinations: शाळेला जातो (goes to school) -
Indirect objects: मुलांना सांगते (tells to children)
The ending changes based on gender and number: -
Masculine singular: -ला (raam-la = to Ram) -
Feminine singular: -ला (sitaa-la = to Sita) -
Neuter singular: -ला (ghar-la = to house) -
Plural (all genders): -ना (mulaan-na = to children)
2. कडे (kade) - Direction Towards Used to indicate movement or direction towards: -
घराकडे (towards home) -
आईकडे (towards mother) This emphasizes the direction rather than the destination.
3. पर्यंत (paryanta) - Until/Up to Indicates extent in time or space: -
दहा पर्यंत (until ten) -
स्टेशनपर्यंत (up to the station)
4. साठी (saathi) - For/Purpose Used when "to" indicates purpose: -
अभ्यासासाठी (for study/to study) -
कामासाठी (for work)
1. Using ला with time expressions Wrong: दहाला (to ten o'clock) Correct: दहा पर्यंत (until ten o'clock)
2. Confusing कडे and ला -
Use ला for arrival at destination: घरला पोहोचलो (reached home) -
Use कडे for movement towards: घराकडे जात आहे (going towards home)
3. Forgetting case changes with pronouns -
मी → मला (I → to me) -
तू → तुला (you → to you) -
तो → त्याला (he → to him)
4. Wrong postposition with verbs Some verbs require specific postpositions: -
बोलणे (to speak) uses शी not ला: त्याच्याशी बोललो (spoke to him)
Step 1: Identify the function of "to" in English -
Is it showing recipient? Use ला/ना -
Is it showing direction? Consider कडे -
Is it showing extent/limit? Use पर्यंत -
Is it showing purpose? Use साठी
Step 2: Check the gender and number of the noun -
Singular nouns take -ला -
Plural nouns take -ना
Step 3: Apply sandhi rules where necessary -
शाळा + ला = शाळेला (school + to = to school) -
मुले + ना = मुलांना (children + to = to children)
Declension Pattern for ला/ना: Masculine: -
राम → रामला (to Ram) -
मुलगे → मुलांना (to boys)
Feminine: -
सीता → सीतेला (to Sita) -
मुली → मुलींना (to girls)
Neuter: -
घर → घरला (to house) -
घरे → घरांना (to houses)
Pronouns with dative case: -
मी → मला (I → to me) -
तू → तुला (you informal → to you) -
तो/ती/ते → त्याला/तिला/त्याला (he/she/it → to him/her/it) -
आम्ही → आम्हाला (we → to us) -
तुम्ही → तुम्हाला (you plural/formal → to you) -
ते/त्या → त्यांना (they → to them)
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Understanding the various forms of "to" in Marathi provides insight into the culture's emphasis on relationships and respect. The choice between different postpositions often reflects social dynamics and cultural values.
Respect and Hierarchy In Marathi culture, the way you express "giving to" someone can indicate respect levels. When speaking to elders or in formal situations, speakers often use more elaborate constructions. For example, instead of simply saying "तुला देतो" (I give to you), one might say "आपल्याला देतो" using the respectful pronoun form.
Directional Precision Marathi speakers distinguish between "going to" a place (reaching it) versus "going towards" a place (in that direction). This reflects a cultural appreciation for precision in spatial relationships. घरी जातो (going home - will arrive) versus घराकडे जातो (going homeward - in that direction).
Temporal Boundaries The use of पर्यंत (until/up to) reflects the Indian concept of time as more fluid than in Western cultures. When someone says "संध्याकाळपर्यंत येईन" (I'll come by evening), it indicates a flexible timeframe rather than a specific hour.
Religious and Social Contexts The postposition used with temples, mosques, or churches (मंदिराला, मशिदीला, चर्चला) always uses -ला, showing these as destinations of purpose and devotion. Similarly, when referring to giving offerings or prayers, specific constructions are used that reflect religious customs.
Family Relationships In family contexts, the choice of postposition can indicate emotional closeness. आईकडे (towards mother) suggests seeking comfort or help, while आईला (to mother) is more neutral. This subtle distinction reflects the intimate nature of family bonds in Marathi culture.
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Source: From संत तुकाराम गाथा (Sant Tukaram Gatha), Abhang 2721
देवा God (de-vaa) माझ्या my (maa-jhyaa) घराला house-to (gha-raa-laa) या come (yaa) । . माझ्या my (maa-jhyaa) जीवाला soul-to (jee-vaa-laa) पाव्हा reach (paav-haa) । . तुझ्या your (tu-jhyaa) चरणाला feet-to (cha-ra-naa-laa) मी I (mee) शरण refuge (sha-ran) आलो came (aa-lo) । . मला me-to (ma-laa) तार save (taar) देवराया O-Lord (dev-raa-yaa) ॥
देवा माझ्या घराला या । माझ्या जीवाला पाव्हा । तुझ्या चरणाला मी शरण आलो । मला तार देवराया ॥
O God, come to my house. Reach to my soul. I have come to take refuge at your feet. Save me, O Lord.
देवा माझ्या घराला या । माझ्या जीवाला पाव्हा । तुझ्या चरणाला मी शरण आलो । मला तार देवराया ॥
This abhang (devotional poem) by Sant Tukaram beautifully demonstrates multiple uses of the dative case marker -ला:
घराला (to my house) - Shows destination, inviting the divine to one's home जीवाला (to my soul) - Indicates the spiritual destination चरणाला (to your feet) - Traditional expression of seeking refuge at the deity's feet मला (to me) - Pronoun in dative case, seeking divine grace
The repetition of -ला creates a rhythmic pattern typical of Marathi devotional poetry. Note how the poet uses the dative case to express both physical movement (coming to the house) and spiritual connection (reaching the soul). The phrase "चरणाला शरण" (refuge at the feet) is a common devotional expression showing complete surrender.
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6.16 सकाळी morning-in (sa-kaa-lee) मी I (mee) कॉफी coffee (kaw-fee) घेण्यासाठी taking-for (ghe-nyaa-saa-thee) कॅफेला cafe-to (ka-fe-laa) गेलो went (ge-lo) होतो was (ho-to)
6.17 काका uncle (kaa-kaa) म्हणाले said (mha-naa-le) "आता now (aa-taa) घराकडे home-towards (gha-raa-ka-de) निघूया" let's-leave (ni-ghoo-yaa)
6.18 दुपारी afternoon-in (du-paa-ree) बारा twelve (baa-raa) ते from (te) एक one (ek) पर्यंत until (par-yan-ta) जेवणाची lunch-of (je-va-naa-chee) वेळ time (vel) आहे is (aa-he)
6.19 माझी my (maa-zhee) बहीण sister (ba-heen) दररोज daily (dar-roj) योगासाठी yoga-for (yo-gaa-saa-thee) पार्कमध्ये park-in (park-madh-ye) जाते goes (jaa-te)
6.20 बाजारातून market-from (baa-jaa-raa-toon) भाज्या vegetables (bhaa-jyaa) घेऊन taking (ghe-oon) मावशीकडे aunt-towards (maav-shee-ka-de) जायचे to-go (jaa-ya-che) आहे is (aa-he)
6.21 छोट्या small (chho-tyaa) मुलाने boy-by (mu-laa-ne) आजीला grandmother-to (aa-jee-laa) फोन phone (phone) केला did (ke-laa) आणि and (aa-ni) विचारले asked (vi-chaar-le) "कधी when (ka-dhee) येणार?" will-come (ye-naar)
6.22 संध्याकाळी evening-in (san-dhyaa-kaa-lee) सहा six (sa-haa) पर्यंत until (par-yan-ta) ऑफिसमध्ये office-in (office-madh-ye) काम work (kaam) करावे should-do (ka-raa-ve) लागते have-to (laag-te)
6.23 आमच्या our (aam-chyaa) शेजाऱ्याने neighbor-by (she-jaa-ryaa-ne) घरी home-at (gha-ree) यायला to-come (yaa-ya-laa) निमंत्रण invitation (ni-man-tran) दिले gave (di-le)
6.24 पावसामुळे rain-because (paav-saa-mu-le) आम्ही we (aam-hee) दुकानापर्यंत shop-until (du-kaa-naa-par-yan-ta) पोहोचू reach (po-ho-choo) शकलो could (sha-ka-lo) नाही not (naa-hee)
6.25 तिने she-by (ti-ne) मैत्रिणीला friend-to (mai-tri-nee-laa) वाढदिवसाच्या birthday-of (vaadh-di-va-saa-chyaa) शुभेच्छा wishes (shu-bhech-chhaa) पाठवल्या sent (paa-tha-va-lyaa)
6.26 लहान small (la-haan) मुलांना children-to (mu-laan-naa) अभ्यासाकडे studies-towards (ab-hyaa-saa-ka-de) लक्ष attention (laksh) द्यायला to-give (dyaa-ya-laa) सांगितले told (saan-gi-ta-le)
6.27 खरेदीसाठी shopping-for (kha-re-dee-saa-thee) मॉलमध्ये mall-in (mall-madh-ye) जाताना going-while (jaa-taa-naa) मित्राला friend-to (mi-traa-laa) भेटलो met (bhet-lo)
6.28 आजोबा grandfather (aa-jo-baa) नातवाला grandson-to (naat-vaa-laa) गोष्टी stories (gosh-tee) सांगण्यात telling-in (saan-ga-nyaat) गुंतले engaged (gun-ta-le) होते were (ho-te)
6.29 रविवारी Sunday-on (ra-vi-vaa-ree) सगळे all (sa-ga-le) जण people (jan) फिरायला outing-for (phi-raa-ya-laa) समुद्रकिनाऱ्याकडे beach-towards (sa-mu-dra-ki-naa-ryaa-ka-de) गेले went (ge-le)
6.30 रात्री night-at (raa-tree) झोपण्यापूर्वी sleeping-before (zhop-nyaa-poor-vee) सर्वांना everyone-to (sar-vaan-naa) शुभरात्री good-night (shu-bha-raa-tree) म्हणणे saying (mha-na-ne) आवडते like (aav-da-te)
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6.16 सकाळी मी कॉफी घेण्यासाठी कॅफेला गेलो होतो. In the morning I had gone to the cafe for coffee.
6.17 काका म्हणाले "आता घराकडे निघूया". Uncle said "Let's leave for home now".
6.18 दुपारी बारा ते एक पर्यंत जेवणाची वेळ आहे. Lunch time is from twelve to one in the afternoon.
6.19 माझी बहीण दररोज योगासाठी पार्कमध्ये जाते. My sister goes to the park daily for yoga.
6.20 बाजारातून भाज्या घेऊन मावशीकडे जायचे आहे. Need to go to aunt's place after buying vegetables from the market.
6.21 छोट्या मुलाने आजीला फोन केला आणि विचारले "कधी येणार?" The small boy called grandmother and asked "When will you come?"
6.22 संध्याकाळी सहा पर्यंत ऑफिसमध्ये काम करावे लागते. Have to work in the office until six in the evening.
6.23 आमच्या शेजाऱ्याने घरी यायला निमंत्रण दिले. Our neighbor gave an invitation to come home.
6.24 पावसामुळे आम्ही दुकानापर्यंत पोहोचू शकलो नाही. Because of rain we could not reach up to the shop.
6.25 तिने मैत्रिणीला वाढदिवसाच्या शुभेच्छा पाठवल्या. She sent birthday wishes to her friend.
6.26 लहान मुलांना अभ्यासाकडे लक्ष द्यायला सांगितले. Told the small children to pay attention to studies.
6.27 खरेदीसाठी मॉलमध्ये जाताना मित्राला भेटलो. Met a friend while going to the mall for shopping.
6.28 आजोबा नातवाला गोष्टी सांगण्यात गुंतले होते. Grandfather was engaged in telling stories to his grandson.
6.29 रविवारी सगळे जण फिरायला समुद्रकिनाऱ्याकडे गेले. On Sunday everyone went towards the beach for an outing.
6.30 रात्री झोपण्यापूर्वी सर्वांना शुभरात्री म्हणणे आवडते. Like to say good night to everyone before sleeping at night.
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6.16 सकाळी मी कॉफी घेण्यासाठी कॅफेला गेलो होतो.
6.17 काका म्हणाले "आता घराकडे निघूया".
6.18 दुपारी बारा ते एक पर्यंत जेवणाची वेळ आहे.
6.19 माझी बहीण दररोज योगासाठी पार्कमध्ये जाते.
6.20 बाजारातून भाज्या घेऊन मावशीकडे जायचे आहे.
6.21 छोट्या मुलाने आजीला फोन केला आणि विचारले "कधी येणार?"
6.22 संध्याकाळी सहा पर्यंत ऑफिसमध्ये काम करावे लागते.
6.23 आमच्या शेजाऱ्याने घरी यायला निमंत्रण दिले.
6.24 पावसामुळे आम्ही दुकानापर्यंत पोहोचू शकलो नाही.
6.25 तिने मैत्रिणीला वाढदिवसाच्या शुभेच्छा पाठवल्या.
6.26 लहान मुलांना अभ्यासाकडे लक्ष द्यायला सांगितले.
6.27 खरेदीसाठी मॉलमध्ये जाताना मित्राला भेटलो.
6.28 आजोबा नातवाला गोष्टी सांगण्यात गुंतले होते.
6.29 रविवारी सगळे जण फिरायला समुद्रकिनाऱ्याकडे गेले.
6.30 रात्री झोपण्यापूर्वी सर्वांना शुभरात्री म्हणणे आवडते.
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In daily conversation, Marathi speakers use various forms of "to" with specific patterns and preferences that differ from formal written language.
Common Conversational Patterns -
Purpose expressions with -साठी -
कॉफी घेण्यासाठी (for having coffee) -
योगासाठी (for yoga) -
खरेदीसाठी (for shopping) In conversation, -साठी is frequently used to express purpose or intention. -
Movement and Direction -
घराकडे (towards home) - informal, suggesting general direction -
कॅफेला (to the cafe) - specific destination -
मावशीकडे (to aunt's place) - कडे often used with people in informal contexts -
Time Expressions -
बारा ते एक पर्यंत (from twelve to one) -
सहा पर्यंत (until six) Note: ते...पर्यंत construction for time ranges is very common in daily speech -
Infinitive + ला constructions -
यायला (to come) - infinitive form -
जायला (to go) -
द्यायला (to give) These are characteristic of spoken Marathi
Colloquial Shortcuts
In casual conversation, speakers often: -
Drop case endings in rapid speech -
Use कडे more frequently than in formal writing -
Combine postpositions: घेण्यासाठी becomes घ्यायला in very casual speech
Regional Variations
Mumbai Marathi tends to: -
Use more Hindi loanwords -
Simplify case endings -
Use -ला more universally
Rural Maharashtra may: -
Preserve more traditional case distinctions -
Use full forms rather than contractions
Common Mistakes by English Speakers -
Overusing -ला where कडे is more natural in conversation -
Being too formal with time expressions -
Not recognizing when to drop "to" entirely in Marathi idioms
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These lessons employ the "construed text" method, drawing from the Institute's successful approach detailed at latinum.substack.com/method and latinum.org.uk. This pedagogical approach breaks down target language texts into their smallest meaningful components, providing word-by-word glossing that helps learners build understanding systematically.
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Granular Interlinear Texts: Each word is independently glossed with pronunciation guides -
Progressive Structure: Moving from heavily supported text to independent reading -
Cultural Integration: Language learning embedded within cultural context -
Literary Exposure: Authentic texts from classical and modern sources -
Multiple Learning Modes: Visual, auditory (through pronunciation guides), and kinesthetic elements
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Each lesson in this series is carefully crafted to: -
Build vocabulary systematically -
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For additional resources and course materials, visit the Latinum Institute's websites where you'll find complementary audio resources, additional exercises, and community support for your language learning journey.
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