Understanding the past tense of verbs is a crucial part of mastering any language, and Hindi is no exception. One of the most commonly used verbs in Hindi is “करना” (karna), which means “to do” or “to make.” This verb is extremely versatile and can be used in a variety of contexts. Learning how to conjugate “करना” (karna) in the past tense will significantly expand your ability to express yourself in Hindi.
Basic Conjugation of “करना” (karna) in the Past Tense
In Hindi, the past tense is generally formed by changing the verb’s root and adding specific suffixes. For the verb “करना” (karna), the root is “कर” (kar). The suffixes you add will depend on the gender and number of the subject performing the action.
Masculine Singular
For a singular masculine subject, the suffix “ा” (a) is added to the root “कर” (kar). Therefore, “I did” would be “मैंने किया” (maine kiya).
Examples:
– “मैंने अपना काम किया।” (Maine apna kaam kiya.) – I did my work.
– “उसने यह काम किया।” (Usne yeh kaam kiya.) – He did this work.
Masculine Plural
For a plural masculine subject, the suffix “े” (e) is used. Therefore, “We did” would be “हमने किया” (hamne kiya).
Examples:
– “हमने बहुत काम किए।” (Hamne bahut kaam kiye.) – We did a lot of work.
– “उन्होंने खेल खेले।” (Unhone khel khele.) – They played games.
Feminine Singular
For a singular feminine subject, the suffix “ी” (i) is added to the root “कर” (kar). Therefore, “She did” would be “उसने किया” (usne kiya).
Examples:
– “उसने खाना बनाया।” (Usne khana banaya.) – She made food.
– “मैंने साड़ी पहनी।” (Maine saari pahni.) – I wore a saree.
Feminine Plural
For a plural feminine subject, the suffix “ीं” (in) is added. Therefore, “They did” would be “उन्होंने किया” (unhone kiya).
Examples:
– “उन्होंने कविताएं लिखीं।” (Unhone kavitayein likhin.) – They wrote poems.
– “हमने मिठाइयाँ बनाईं।” (Hamne mithaiyan banain.) – We made sweets.
Using “करना” (karna) in Different Contexts
The verb “करना” (karna) is extremely versatile and can be combined with a variety of other words to form compound verbs. Understanding how to use “करना” (karna) in different contexts will give you a deeper insight into its application.
Expressing Completed Actions
One of the most common uses of “करना” (karna) in the past tense is to express completed actions. For example:
– “मैंने अपना होमवर्क किया।” (Maine apna homework kiya.) – I did my homework.
– “उसने अपनी किताब पढ़ी।” (Usne apni kitaab padhi.) – He/she read his/her book.
Expressing Experiences
Another common use is to talk about experiences:
– “मैंने कई देशों का दौरा किया।” (Maine kai deshon ka daura kiya.) – I toured many countries.
– “हमने कई फिल्मों को देखा।” (Hamne kai filmon ko dekha.) – We watched many movies.
Expressing Obligations
“करना” (karna) can also be used to express obligations that were fulfilled:
– “मैंने अपना वादा निभाया।” (Maine apna wada nibhaaya.) – I kept my promise.
– “उसने अपना कर्तव्य पूरा किया।” (Usne apna kartavya poora kiya.) – He/she fulfilled his/her duty.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Learning a new language can be challenging, and it’s easy to make mistakes. Here are some common pitfalls to watch out for when using “करना” (karna) in the past tense.
Incorrect Gender Agreement
One common mistake is not matching the verb’s suffix with the subject’s gender. For example, saying “उसने किया” (usne kiya) when referring to a feminine subject is incorrect; it should be “उसने की” (usne ki).
Incorrect: “उसने काम किया।” (Usne kaam kiya.) – She did the work.
Correct: “उसने काम की।” (Usne kaam ki.) – She did the work.
Incorrect Number Agreement
Another common mistake is failing to match the verb’s suffix with the number of subjects. For example, saying “उन्होंने किया” (unhone kiya) when referring to multiple feminine subjects is incorrect; it should be “उन्होंने कीं” (unhone keen).
Incorrect: “उन्होंने काम किया।” (Unhone kaam kiya.) – They (feminine) did the work.
Correct: “उन्होंने काम कीं।” (Unhone kaam keen.) – They (feminine) did the work.
Using Present Tense Forms
Beginners often mistakenly use the present tense form of “करना” (karna) when they mean to use the past tense. For instance, saying “मैं करता हूँ” (main karta hoon) instead of “मैंने किया” (maine kiya).
Incorrect: “मैं करता हूँ।” (Main karta hoon.) – I do.
Correct: “मैंने किया।” (Maine kiya.) – I did.
Practice Exercises
To solidify your understanding of how to use “करना” (karna) in the past tense, here are some practice exercises. Try to translate the following sentences into Hindi.
Exercise 1: Simple Sentences
1. I did my homework.
2. She made dinner.
3. We played a game.
4. They (masculine) watched a movie.
5. They (feminine) wrote a letter.
Exercise 2: Compound Sentences
1. After I did my homework, I watched TV.
2. She cooked dinner and then cleaned the kitchen.
3. We played a game and then went for a walk.
4. They (masculine) watched a movie and then discussed it.
5. They (feminine) wrote a letter and sent it.
Exercise 3: Complex Sentences
1. Even though I did my homework, I forgot to submit it.
2. She made dinner while listening to music.
3. We played a game although it was raining.
4. They (masculine) watched a movie because they had nothing else to do.
5. They (feminine) wrote a letter to their grandmother, who lives in another city.
Answers to Exercises
Exercise 1: Simple Sentences
1. मैंने अपना होमवर्क किया। (Maine apna homework kiya.)
2. उसने रात का खाना बनाया। (Usne raat ka khana banaya.)
3. हमने एक खेल खेला। (Hamne ek khel khela.)
4. उन्होंने एक फिल्म देखी। (Unhone ek film dekhi.)
5. उन्होंने एक पत्र लिखा। (Unhone ek patra likha.)
Exercise 2: Compound Sentences
1. मैंने अपना होमवर्क किया और फिर टीवी देखा। (Maine apna homework kiya aur phir TV dekha.)
2. उसने रात का खाना बनाया और फिर रसोई साफ की। (Usne raat ka khana banaya aur phir rasoi saaf ki.)
3. हमने एक खेल खेला और फिर टहलने गए। (Hamne ek khel khela aur phir tahalne gaye.)
4. उन्होंने एक फिल्म देखी और फिर उसके बारे में चर्चा की। (Unhone ek film dekhi aur phir uske baare mein charcha ki.)
5. उन्होंने एक पत्र लिखा और उसे भेजा। (Unhone ek patra likha aur use bheja.)
Exercise 3: Complex Sentences
1. हालांकि मैंने अपना होमवर्क किया, मैं उसे जमा करना भूल गया। (Halaanki maine apna homework kiya, main use jama karna bhool gaya.)
2. उसने रात का खाना बनाया जबकि संगीत सुन रही थी। (Usne raat ka khana banaya jabki sangeet sun rahi thi.)
3. हमने एक खेल खेला हालांकि बारिश हो रही थी। (Hamne ek khel khela halaanki barish ho rahi thi.)
4. उन्होंने एक फिल्म देखी क्योंकि उनके पास और कुछ करने को नहीं था। (Unhone ek film dekhi kyonki unke paas aur kuch karne ko nahi tha.)
5. उन्होंने अपनी दादी को पत्र लिखा, जो एक और शहर में रहती हैं। (Unhone apni dadi ko patra likha, jo ek aur shahar mein rahti hain.)
Additional Tips for Mastering the Past Tense of “करना” (karna)
Immerse Yourself in Hindi
One of the best ways to get comfortable with the past tense of “करना” (karna) is to immerse yourself in the language. Watch Hindi movies, listen to Hindi songs, and try to read Hindi books or articles. Pay attention to how native speakers use the past tense in different contexts.
Practice with Native Speakers
If possible, practice speaking with native Hindi speakers. This will not only help you get used to the correct pronunciation but also give you a better understanding of how to use “करना” (karna) naturally in conversation.
Use Language Learning Apps
There are several language learning apps available that offer exercises specifically designed to improve your understanding of Hindi verbs and their conjugations. These can be a great supplement to your learning process.
Keep a Journal
Consider keeping a journal in Hindi. Write about your day, focusing on the activities you completed. This will give you regular practice in using the past tense of “करना” (karna) and help reinforce your learning.
Take a Class
If you’re serious about mastering Hindi, consider enrolling in a language class. A structured learning environment can provide you with the guidance and resources you need to succeed.
Understanding and mastering the past tense of “करना” (karna) is an important step in your Hindi language learning journey. With practice and dedication, you’ll find yourself becoming more confident and proficient in using this versatile verb. Happy learning!
