को (ko) — To, Object Marker
Quick Answer: को (ko) marks the indirect object ('to someone') and specific direct objects. It serves as both dative and accusative marker.
Dative and accusative postposition
Category: Postpositions
The Rule
को (ko) marks the indirect object ('to someone') and specific direct objects. It serves as both dative and accusative marker.
Why This Matters
In English, 'to' is a preposition and direct objects need no marker. Hindi को does double duty: 'Give TO him' (दative) and 'I saw HIM' (accusative for specific/definite objects). English speakers often omit को where it's needed or add it where it's not.
Examples
• Give this to Ram. — "यह राम को दो।" [राम + को = to Ram (dative)] • I saw the boy. — "मैंने लड़के को देखा।" [लड़के + को = the boy (specific direct object)] • I have to go. — "मुझे जाना है।" [मुझे = मुझ + को (contracted form) — obligation structure] • Call him. — "उसको बुलाओ।" [उसको = उस + को — pronoun + postposition merged]
Common Mistakes
❌ मैंने देखा लड़का ✅ मैंने लड़के को देखा → Specific/definite direct objects require को; without it the sentence sounds incomplete ❌ को राम दो यह ✅ यह राम को दो → को follows the noun, and Hindi word order is SOV (Subject-Object-Verb)
Quick Tip
When in doubt about को with direct objects: if you can point at a SPECIFIC person/thing, use को. Generic objects ('I eat bread' = मैं रोटी खाता हूँ) don't need it.
When in doubt about को with direct objects: if you can point at a SPECIFIC person/thing, use को. Generic objects ('I eat bread' = मैं रोटी खाता हूँ) don't need it.
Examples
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: मैंने देखा लड़का → Correct: मैंने लड़के को देखा. Specific/definite direct objects require को; without it the sentence sounds incomplete
Incorrect: को राम दो यह → Correct: यह राम को दो. को follows the noun, and Hindi word order is SOV (Subject-Object-Verb)
Quiz
How do you say 'Tell this to Sita'?