को as dative/object marker + pronoun forms (मुझे/तुम्हें/उसे/हमें/इन्हें)
Can use को for indirect objects, experiencer constructions, and specific direct objects
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
मुझे भूख लगी है।
I am hungry. (lit: To me hunger has struck)
उसे हिन्दी आती है।
He/She knows Hindi. (lit: To him/her Hindi comes)
राम को बुलाओ।
Call Ram.
तुम्हें क्या चाहिए?
What do you need?
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
को is Hindi's most versatile postposition, marking dative (to/for) and specific direct objects.
| Pronoun | + को | Fused form |
|---|---|---|
| मैं | मुझको | मुझे |
| तू | तुझको | तुझे |
| तुम | तुमको | तुम्हें |
| यह/वह | इसको/उसको | इसे/उसे |
| हम | हमको | हमें |
| आप | आपको | — |
Dative: मुझे पानी दो (Give me water). Specific object: राम को बुलाओ (Call Ram — specific person). General/non-specific objects don't take को: पानी पियो (Drink water).
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises
Practice ExercisesUsing को with non-specific/general objects
Only specific/definite objects take को: राम को बुलाओ but पानी पियो (not पानी को)
Using full form instead of fused pronoun
Prefer fused forms: मुझे (not मुझको), तुम्हें (not तुमको), उसे (not उसको)
मुझे भूख लगी है।
I am hungry. (lit: To me hunger has struck)
मुझे (fused मुझ+को) — dative experiencer construction. The subject 'feels' hunger.
उसे हिन्दी आती है।
He/She knows Hindi. (lit: To him/her Hindi comes)
उसे (उस+को) — dative of experiencer for abilities.
राम को बुलाओ।
Call Ram.
को marks the specific object राम — you're calling a specific person.
तुम्हें क्या चाहिए?
What do you need?
तुम्हें (fused तुम+को) — dative: 'to you what is needed?'
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises