बशर्ते

Provided That

Level 6Sounds Like baśartē

X, बशर्ते Y means X, provided that Y, or X, as long as Y.

How It Works

बशर्ते adds a condition to something you have just said, offered or promised. It is like English provided that or as long as.

Compare it with अगर ... तो, where the condition usually comes first:

  • अगर समय मिला, तो मैं आऊँगा। (If I get time, I'll come.)
  • मैं आऊँगा, बशर्ते समय मिले। (I'll come, provided I get time.)

The बशर्ते version puts the promise first and makes the condition sound like a requirement that must be met.

How to build it:

  • the main statement first, then a comma
  • बशर्ते or बशर्ते कि
  • the condition, usually with a subjunctive verb: मिले, हो, लौटा दें, न बताएँ

The subject of the condition is often left out when it is clear: आप किताब ले जा सकते हैं, बशर्ते कल तक लौटा दें।

बशर्ते came into Hindi from Persian. It sounds careful rather than casual and is common in rules, agreements, news and polite offers. In relaxed speech, people more often use अगर ... तो.

Examples (4)

  1. आप यह किताब ले जा सकते हैं, बशर्ते कल तक लौटा दें।

    You can take this book, as long as you return it by tomorrow.

    The permission comes first, and the condition follows with the subjunctive लौटा दें.

  2. हम पिकनिक पर जाएँगे, बशर्ते बारिश न हो।

    We'll go on a picnic, provided it doesn't rain.

    A negative condition uses न with the subjunctive.

  3. कंपनी आपको घर से काम करने देगी, बशर्ते कि काम समय पर पूरा हो।

    The company will let you work from home, provided the work is done on time.

    कि can follow बशर्ते.

  4. मैं आपकी मदद करूँगा, बशर्ते आप किसी को न बताएँ।

    I'll help you, on condition that you don't tell anyone.

    The condition is a firm requirement for the promise.

How It Connects

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

बशर्तेLevel 6Provided That

Learn This First

Provided that is a condition with the subjunctive.