Modal verbs: infinitive + चाहना (want) / सकना (can)
Can express wants and abilities using चाहना and सकना with correct verb forms
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
मैं पानी पीना चाहता हूँ।
I want to drink water.
क्या तुम हिन्दी बोल सकते हो?
Can you speak Hindi?
वह तैरना चाहती है।
She wants to swim.
मैं नहीं जा सकता।
I cannot go.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
Hindi modals use infinitive + modal verb. The modal conjugates; the main verb stays as infinitive (oblique form).
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| V-ना चाहना | want to V | मैं जाना चाहता हूँ |
| V सकना | can V | मैं बोल सकता हूँ |
चाहना (want): infinitive stays full. चाहता/चाहती/चाहते agrees with subject gender.
सकना (can): uses verb stem (no -ना). सकता/सकती/सकते agrees with subject. Negative: मैं नहीं जा सकता — नहीं before the stem.
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises
Practice Exercisesमैं पानी पीना चाहता हूँ।
I want to drink water.
पीना (infinitive) + चाहता (want, M) + हूँ. Full infinitive with चाहना.
क्या तुम हिन्दी बोल सकते हो?
Can you speak Hindi?
Stem बोल (not बोलना!) + सकते (M.PL for तुम) + हो.
वह तैरना चाहती है।
She wants to swim.
Female subject: चाहती (F). तैरना = infinitive of 'to swim'.
मैं नहीं जा सकता।
I cannot go.
Negation: नहीं before stem जा. सकता agrees with subject (M).
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Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises