जौ ... तौ
If ... Then
जौ starts the condition and तौ starts the result.
How It Works
The pair जौ ... तौ means "if ... then". जौ opens the condition, and तौ opens the result.
| If | Then |
|---|---|
| जौ पानी बरसी, | तौ हम घरे रहब। |
| जौ तुम आव, | तौ हम चाय बनाउब। |
| जौ ऊ न आई, | तौ हम चलि जाब। |
The if clause uses the short subjunctive (हम करी, तुम करौ, ऊ करै or the ऊ future in -ई). The result uses a future or a command.
A negative condition puts न before the verb: जौ ऊ न आई. Usually use नाहीं for plain statements and न for conditions, commands and wishes.
अगर (a Hindi word many speakers also use) can replace जौ: अगर पानी बरसी, तौ हम घरे रहब. For something that did not happen, use the -त and -इत pattern.
Examples (4)
- जौ पानी बरसी, तौ हम घरे रहब।
If it rains, I will stay home.
जौ opens the condition, तौ the result.
- जौ तुम आव, तौ हम चाय बनाउब।
If you come, I will make tea.
आव is the तुम subjunctive.
- जौ ऊ न आई, तौ हम चलि जाब।
If he doesn't come, I will leave.
न is used inside a condition.
- जौ मौसम नीक रही, तौ हम सब मेला जाब।
If the weather is good, we will all go to the fair.
रही is the ऊ future of रहब.
How It Connects
Learn This First
If-clauses copy the two-part frame of जब ... तब and use the future.
Related Patterns
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice जौ ... तौ in Bubblegum
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