Imperative (आज्ञार्थ)
Quick Answer: Hindi has three imperative levels: तू form (intimate/rude), तुम form (casual), आप form (polite). Each has different verb endings.
Commands and requests in Hindi — three politeness levels
Category: Verb Forms
The Rule
Hindi has three imperative levels: तू form (intimate/rude), तुम form (casual), आप form (polite). Each has different verb endings.
Why This Matters
English has one imperative ('Sit!'). Hindi has three: बैठ (intimate तू), बैठो (casual तुम), बैठिए (polite आप). Using the wrong level is a serious social gaffe — the तू form to an elder is rude, the आप form to a close friend is oddly distant.
Examples
• Sit! (to a close friend/child) — "बैठो।" [तुम form: stem + ओ] • Please sit. (to an elder/stranger) — "बैठिए।" [आप form: stem + इए (polite)] • Eat! (intimate/child) — "खा।" [तू form: bare stem (most direct)] • Please come. — "आइए।" [आप form of आना — irregular]
Common Mistakes
❌ खा। (to your boss) ✅ खाइए। → Bare stem (तू form) is rude to superiors; use इए ending for आप politeness level ❌ बैठिए। (to your small child) ✅ बैठो। or बैठ। → Overly formal with a child sounds unnatural; use तुम (ओ) or तू (bare stem)
Quick Tip
Politeness ladder: बोल (तू, intimate) < बोलो (तुम, casual) < बोलिए (आप, formal). When in doubt, use आप form.
Politeness ladder: बोल (तू, intimate) < बोलो (तुम, casual) < बोलिए (आप, formal). When in doubt, use आप form.
Examples
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: खा। (to your boss) → Correct: खाइए।. Bare stem (तू form) is rude to superiors; use इए ending for आप politeness level
Incorrect: बैठिए। (to your small child) → Correct: बैठो। or बैठ।. Overly formal with a child sounds unnatural; use तुम (ओ) or तू (bare stem)
Quiz
You politely ask a stranger to speak. Which is correct?