Pronouns

Personal Pronouns


There are three types of personal pronouns – First Person, Second Person and Third Person.

First Person Pronouns, also known as Uttam Purush, are -
Mai (I)
Mai Ne (I)
Mera (My/Mine)
Hum (Us/We)
Humara (Ours)

“Hum” and “Humara” are sometimes used as “I” and “Mine”. It was common in the days of the royalty – a royal person always referred to himself/herself as “Hum”. It is still common in some areas nowadays, particularly in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. For example - “Hum nahi karange” (I won't do it/We won't do it)

Second Person Pronouns, also known as Madhyam Purush, are -
Tum (You)
Tu Ne (You)
Tumhara (Yours)
Tera (Yours)
Aap (You, formal, singular and plural)
Aap Ne (You, formal, singular and plural)

“Tum”, “Tu ne”, “Tumhara” and “Tera” are informal second person pronouns and may be used for friends, family, children and pets. “Aap” and “Aap ke” are formal second person pronouns and are used on formal occasions, to address strangers, seniors and authority figures. They are also quite often used between family members. This is mostly seen in Northern India, where parents may use “Aap” when addressing their children. For example - “Beta, aap khaoge?” (Son/daughter, will you eat?)

Third Person Pronouns, also known as Anya Purush, are -
Woh (He/She/They)
Uska/Uski (His/Her)

Demonstratie Pronouns


Demonstrative pronouns indicate a particular person or persons or a particular thing or things.
Yeh (This/He/She/It)
Woh (That/He/She/It)
Ye (These) Ve (Those)



Indefinite Pronouns:

Indefinite pronouns indicate general rather than particular people and things.
Koi (Someone)
Kuch (Something)
Kuch bhi (Anything)
Sab kuch (Everything)
Sab log (Everyone)



Relative Pronouns:

Relative pronouns give the relation between words, people and things.
Jo (Who)
Jiski (Whose)
Jaisa (Like)



Interrogative Pronouns:

Interrogative pronouns ask questions about people and things.
Kaun (Who)
Kya (What)
Kisko (Whom)