Adjective Agreement — बड़ा / बड़ी
Quick Answer: Variable adjectives (ending in -आ) change: -आ (masc. sing.), -ई (fem. sing./plural), -ए (masc. plural / oblique). Invariable adjectives (like सुंदर, लाल) don't change.
Adjectives change form to match the noun's gender and number
Category: Gender System
The Rule
Variable adjectives (ending in -आ) change: -आ (masc. sing.), -ई (fem. sing./plural), -ए (masc. plural / oblique). Invariable adjectives (like सुंदर, लाल) don't change.
Why This Matters
In English, 'big' stays 'big' regardless of the noun. In Hindi, बड़ा becomes बड़ी before feminine nouns and बड़े before masculine plurals or oblique case. English speakers constantly forget to change the adjective.
Examples
• a big house — "बड़ा घर" [घर (masc.) → बड़ा (masc. sing.)] • a big book — "बड़ी किताब" [किताब (fem.) → बड़ी (fem.)] • big houses (oblique) — "बड़े घरों में" [Oblique plural → बड़े + घरों] • a beautiful girl — "सुंदर लड़की" [सुंदर is invariable — doesn't change for gender]
Common Mistakes
❌ बड़ा किताब ✅ बड़ी किताब → किताब is feminine; variable adjective बड़ा must become बड़ी ❌ छोटी लड़का ✅ छोटा लड़का → लड़का is masculine; adjective must be छोटा (masc.), not छोटी (fem.)
Quick Tip
Only adjectives ending in -आ change form. Others (सुंदर, लाल, ख़ूबसूरत) stay the same regardless of gender.
Only adjectives ending in -आ change form. Others (सुंदर, लाल, ख़ूबसूरत) stay the same regardless of gender.
Examples
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: बड़ा किताब → Correct: बड़ी किताब. किताब is feminine; variable adjective बड़ा must become बड़ी
Incorrect: छोटी लड़का → Correct: छोटा लड़का. लड़का is masculine; adjective must be छोटा (masc.), not छोटी (fem.)
Quiz
'Good water' — which is correct? (पानी is masculine)