एक + Noun

One and Counting

Level 1Sounds Like ēka aura saṅkhyā

Numbers come before the noun, the noun is plural after two or more, and एक can mean one or a.

How It Works

In Hindi the number comes before the noun, as in English. The number itself never changes. After दो and higher, the noun takes its plural form.

OneMore than one
एक लड़कादो लड़के
एक किताबतीन किताबें
एक लड़कीचार लड़कियाँ
एक घरपाँच घर

One to ten: एक, दो, तीन, चार, पाँच, छह, सात, आठ, नौ, दस.

Hindi has no word for the. A noun on its own can mean the one you both know about: चाबी कहाँ है? (Where's the key?). To bring in someone or something new, एक works like English a: बाहर एक आदमी है (There's a man outside). You do not need एक every time; मुझे पानी चाहिए simply means I need some water.

When the count matters, एक clearly means one: मेरे पास एक टिकट है, दो नहीं.

Examples (5)

  1. मेरे पास एक टिकट है, दो नहीं।

    I have one ticket, not two.

    Here एक clearly means one.

  2. एक लड़की दरवाज़े पर खड़ी है।

    A girl is standing at the door.

    एक brings in someone new, like English a.

  3. हमारे घर में तीन कमरे हैं।

    Our house has three rooms.

    After तीन, कमरा takes its plural form कमरे.

  4. मेरी दो बहनें हैं।

    I have two sisters.

    After दो, बहन takes its plural form बहनें.

  5. चाबी कहाँ है?

    Where's the key?

    There is no word for the; context shows which key.

Common Mistakes

  • Keeping the noun singular after a number.

    हमारे घर में तीन कमरा है।
    हमारे घर में तीन कमरे हैं।

    After दो and higher, use the plural noun and the plural verb.

How It Connects

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एक + NounLevel 1One and Counting

Learn This First

Numbers above one take plural nouns.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

एकएक