निकलत-निकलत

While Doing: -त-त

Level 3Sounds Like nikalata-nikalata

Say a -त form twice to mean while doing it.

How It Works

The -त form (करत, जात, लौटत) is the same form used for the present. If you say it twice, it means "while doing it" or "just as one was doing it".

VerbDoubled
निकलबनिकलत-निकलत
लौटबलौटत-लौटत
खाबखात-खात
बतियाबबतियात-बतियात

The doubled form sets the time for another event: घर लौटत-लौटत अँधेरा होइ गवा (it got dark while we were coming home). The second clause carries the tense.

The doubled form has the same shape for everyone, so there is no helper and no ending to change. The person is shown by the main verb or by the context.

It sounds like a slow, drawn-out action. For a quick "as soon as", use -तै instead (होतै, as soon as it happens).

Examples (4)

  1. घर लौटत-लौटत अँधेरा होइ गवा।

    It got dark while we were coming home.

    लौटत-लौटत sets the time.

  2. चलत-चलत ऊ गिरि परा।

    He fell down while walking.

    चलत-चलत marks the moment.

  3. खात-खात ऊ फोन देखत रहा।

    He kept looking at his phone as he ate.

    खात-खात goes on beside the main action.

  4. बतियात-बतियात हम बजार पहुँचि गएन।

    We reached the market while chatting.

    बतियात-बतियात shows the talking filled the walk.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

निकलत-निकलतLevel 3While Doing: -त-त

Learn This First

This pattern says a -त form twice.