Past Simple (सामान्य भूतकाल)
Quick Answer: For transitive verbs in past tense, the subject takes ने and the verb agrees with the OBJECT, not the subject. Intransitive verbs agree with the subject normally.
Completed actions in the past — with the tricky ergative ने
Category: Verb Forms
The Rule
For transitive verbs in past tense, the subject takes ने and the verb agrees with the OBJECT, not the subject. Intransitive verbs agree with the subject normally.
Why This Matters
This is Hindi's most alien concept for English speakers: the ergative construction. In 'Ram ate bread' (राम ने रोटी खाई), the verb खाई agrees with रोटी (feminine) not राम (masculine). English has nothing like this.
Examples
• Ram ate bread. — "राम ने रोटी खाई।" [ने on subject (राम); खाई agrees with रोटी (fem.)] • Sita wrote a letter. — "सीता ने चिट्ठी लिखी।" [ने on subject (सीता); लिखी agrees with चिट्ठी (fem.)] • He came home. — "वह घर आया।" [No ने! आना is intransitive; आया agrees with वह (masc.)] • She went to school. — "वह स्कूल गई।" [No ने! जाना is intransitive; गई agrees with वह (fem.)]
Common Mistakes
❌ राम ने रोटी खाया ✅ राम ने रोटी खाई → With ने, verb agrees with OBJECT रोटी (feminine), so खाई not खाया ❌ वह ने घर आया ✅ वह घर आया → Intransitive verbs (आना, जाना) do NOT take ने on the subject
Quick Tip
Transitive past = Subject + ने + Object + Verb(agrees with object). Intransitive past = Subject + Verb(agrees with subject). No ने.
Transitive past = Subject + ने + Object + Verb(agrees with object). Intransitive past = Subject + Verb(agrees with subject). No ने.
Examples
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: राम ने रोटी खाया → Correct: राम ने रोटी खाई. With ने, verb agrees with OBJECT रोटी (feminine), so खाई not खाया
Incorrect: वह ने घर आया → Correct: वह घर आया. Intransitive verbs (आना, जाना) do NOT take ने on the subject
Quiz
'Sita drank water (पानी, masc.)' — which is correct?