Difference between revisions of "Language/Hindi/Grammar/Imperative-Mood"

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# '''Suno''' is slightly more polite and can be used among acquaintances or in casual everyday speech; but don’t use it in front of persons of authority or high standing.  
# '''Suno''' is slightly more polite and can be used among acquaintances or in casual everyday speech; but don’t use it in front of persons of authority or high standing.  
# '''Suni(y)e''' is the polite word of choice; one could translate it as “please listen”.  
# '''Suni(y)e''' is the polite word of choice; one could translate it as “please listen”.  
# Suni(y)egā is extra-polite (“Would you kindly listen?”) and rarely heard in everyday encounters.
# '''Suni(y)egā''' is extra-polite (“Would you kindly listen?”) and rarely heard in everyday encounters.

Revision as of 10:17, 9 October 2021

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Imperative Mood in Hindi

Whereas there is only one imperative in English, there are 5 different imperatives in Hindi.

Each form convey different levels of politeness:

  1. Sunnā is simply the infinitive of the verb “to listen” and it can also be used as a somewhat crude imperative.
  2. Similarly, sun —the root of the infinitive—carries a rough undertone. Both can be used among good friends or close relatives.
  3. Suno is slightly more polite and can be used among acquaintances or in casual everyday speech; but don’t use it in front of persons of authority or high standing.
  4. Suni(y)e is the polite word of choice; one could translate it as “please listen”.
  5. Suni(y)egā is extra-polite (“Would you kindly listen?”) and rarely heard in everyday encounters.