Basic Adjective Agreement in Hindi

Overview

Basic Adjective Agreement (विशेषण) is an essential topic in Hindi grammar that you will encounter early in your studies. Adjectives ending in -ा agree with the noun in gender and number: -ा (m.sg), -े (m.pl), -ी (f.sg/pl). Invariable adjectives don't change.

Understanding basic adjective agreement is one of the first steps toward communicating effectively in Hindi. As a beginner concept, it provides the foundation for many other grammatical structures you will learn later.

This concept builds on your knowledge of Grammatical Gender. Once you are comfortable with basic adjective agreement, you will be well prepared to explore related topics such as Comparatives and Superlatives, Colors, वाला Construction.

How It Works

Key Rules

• Adjectives ending in -ा agree with the noun in gender and number: -ा (m.sg), -े (m.pl), -ी (f.sg/pl).
• Invariable adjectives don't change.

Forms and Patterns

Hindi	English/Explanation
अच्छा लड़का / अच्छे लड़के	good boy / good boys
अच्छी लड़की / अच्छी लड़कियाँ	good girl / good girls
सुंदर फूल (m/f)	beautiful flower (invariable adjective)

Examples in Context

Hindi	English	Note
अच्छा लड़का	good boy	Masculine singular -ा
अच्छे लड़के	good boys	Masculine plural -े
अच्छी लड़की	good girl	Feminine singular -ी
अच्छी लड़कियाँ	good girls	Feminine plural -ी (no change)
बड़ा घर	big house	Masculine singular -ा
बड़े घर (oblique)	of the big house	Masculine oblique -े
बड़ी मेज़	big table	Feminine -ी
सुंदर फूल	beautiful flower	Invariable adjective (no change)
लंबा रास्ता	long road	Masculine singular -ा
लंबी सड़क	long road (f.)	Feminine -ी

Common Mistakes

Not changing adjective for feminine

• Wrong: बड़ा लड़की instead of बड़ी लड़की
• Right: Change -ा to -ी for feminine nouns
• Why: This is a fundamental agreement rule

Changing invariable adjectives

• Wrong: सुंदरी लड़की instead of सुंदर लड़की
• Right: Adjectives not ending in -ा do not change
• Why: Only -ा ending adjectives show agreement

Forgetting oblique adjective change

• Wrong: बड़ा लड़के को instead of बड़े लड़के को
• Right: Masculine singular adjectives change to -े in oblique case
• Why: The oblique affects adjectives too, not just nouns

Practice Tips

1. Practice basic adjective agreement by writing simple sentences every day. Start with patterns you know well and gradually add new vocabulary.
2. Use flashcards to memorize key forms and patterns. Test yourself regularly, and review any items you find difficult.
3. Listen to simple Hindi dialogues or children's content and try to identify examples of basic adjective agreement in use.

Related Concepts

• Grammatical Gender -- prerequisite concept
• Comparatives and Superlatives -- builds on this concept
• Colors -- builds on this concept
• वाला Construction -- builds on this concept