परसर्ग: को
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?
परसर्ग: को — Postposition ko
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).
Common Error Patterns
Using 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