Honorifics System
Three-tier honorific system: तू < तुम < आप + जी suffix
Can choose the appropriate level of formality (तू/तुम/आप) and use जी to show respect
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
आप कहाँ से हैं?
Where are you from? (formal)
तुम कब आओगे?
When will you come? (informal)
नमस्ते जी, कैसे हैं आप?
Hello (respectful), how are you?
हे भगवान, तू मेरी रक्षा कर।
O God, protect me.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
सम्मान व्यवस्था — Honorifics
Hindi has a three-tier system of address — each level triggers different verb conjugations.
| Level | Pronoun | Use | Verb |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intimate | तू | very close friends, children, God, anger | तू जा |
| Familiar | तुम | friends, peers, younger people | तुम जाओ |
| Formal | आप | elders, strangers, respect | आप जाइए |
जी suffix: Added to names/titles for respect: रामजी, माताजी (mother), गुरुजी (teacher). Also standalone: जी हाँ (yes, sir/ma'am), जी नहीं (no, sir/ma'am).
Rule: When in doubt, use आप. Using तू with the wrong person is deeply offensive.
आप कहाँ से हैं?
Where are you from? (formal)
आप = formal 'you'. Always safe with strangers and elders.
तुम कब आओगे?
When will you come? (informal)
तुम = friendly informal. Used with peers you know well.
नमस्ते जी, कैसे हैं आप?
Hello (respectful), how are you?
जी adds respect to any greeting. नमस्ते जी is more formal than plain नमस्ते.
हे भगवान, तू मेरी रक्षा कर।
O God, protect me.
तू used for God — intimacy, not disrespect. Same as French tu/Czech ty for God.
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises