Causative Verbs (प्रेरणार्थक क्रिया)
Quick Answer: Hindi has two levels of causative: first causative (direct: make someone do) and second causative (indirect: have someone make someone do). Formed by modifying the verb stem.
Making someone do something — Hindi's double and triple causatives
Category: Verb Forms
The Rule
Hindi has two levels of causative: first causative (direct: make someone do) and second causative (indirect: have someone make someone do). Formed by modifying the verb stem.
Why This Matters
English needs helper constructions ('make someone do', 'have something done'). Hindi builds causation directly into the verb: खाना (eat) → खिलाना (feed/make eat) → खिलवाना (have someone feed). This economy of expression has no English parallel.
Examples
• Mother feeds the child. — "माँ बच्चे को खिलाती है।" [खाना (eat) → खिलाना (feed) — 1st causative] • She had the letter written. — "उसने चिट्ठी लिखवाई।" [लिखना (write) → लिखवाना (have written) — 2nd causative] • The teacher makes students read. — "अध्यापक छात्रों को पढ़ाता है।" [पढ़ना (read/study) → पढ़ाना (teach/make read) — 1st causative]
Common Mistakes
❌ माँ बच्चे को खाती है (meaning 'Mother feeds the child') ✅ माँ बच्चे को खिलाती है → खाना = to eat (oneself); खिलाना = to feed (make someone eat). Use the causative form. ❌ उसने चिट्ठी लिखाई (for 'had it written by someone') ✅ उसने चिट्ठी लिखवाई → लिखाना = direct causative (made someone write); लिखवाना = indirect causative (had someone arrange for writing)
Quick Tip
Common pattern: base verb → -आना (1st causative) → -वाना (2nd causative). But many are irregular (सोना→सुलाना), so learn the common ones by heart.
Common pattern: base verb → -आना (1st causative) → -वाना (2nd causative). But many are irregular (सोना→सुलाना), so learn the common ones by heart.
Examples
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: माँ बच्चे को खाती है (meaning 'Mother feeds the child') → Correct: माँ बच्चे को खिलाती है. खाना = to eat (oneself); खिलाना = to feed (make someone eat). Use the causative form.
Incorrect: उसने चिट्ठी लिखाई (for 'had it written by someone') → Correct: उसने चिट्ठी लिखवाई. लिखाना = direct causative (made someone write); लिखवाना = indirect causative (had someone arrange for writing)
Quiz
What is the 1st causative of सोना (to sleep)?