लेना as a Helper Verb

Compound Verbs with लेना

Level 3Sounds Like lēnā sahāyaka kriyā kē rūpa mēṁ

Stem plus लेना adds a sense of finishing or doing something for yourself: खा लो, मैंने देख लिया.

How It Works

Hindi often adds a second verb to a stem to color the meaning. This is called a compound verb. With लेना, the action is usually done for the doer's own benefit, or it is done completely.

  • Getting it done: मैंने चिट्ठी लिख ली (I've written the letter), मैंने सब समझ लिया (I've understood everything).
  • For yourself: तुम पहले खाना खा लो (Have your food first), थोड़ा आराम कर लीजिए (Rest a little).

The main verb stays a bare stem: लिख, खा, समझ. लेना takes the endings. In the past it follows the ने rules: मैंने चिट्ठी लिख ली, because ली agrees with feminine चिट्ठी.

Compare लेना with देना. लिख लो means write it down for yourself; लिख दो means write it for someone else.

Compound verbs are mostly used in positive sentences. In a plain negative statement, use the plain verb: मैंने अभी तक खाना नहीं खाया.

Not every verb pairs naturally with लेना, so learn the common ones as you meet them.

Examples (5)

  1. मैंने चिट्ठी लिख ली।

    I've written the letter.

    ली agrees with feminine चिट्ठी, and लेना shows the job is done.

  2. तुम पहले खाना खा लो।

    Have something to eat first.

    लो adds a friendly sense of doing it for yourself.

  3. रीमा ने टिकट ख़रीद लिया।

    Reema has bought the ticket.

    लिया agrees with masculine टिकट.

  4. मैंने सब समझ लिया।

    I've understood everything.

    लिया shows the understanding is complete.

  5. आप थोड़ा आराम कर लीजिए।

    Please rest a little.

    The polite command लीजिए invites someone to do something for themselves.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the past form instead of the stem.

    मैंने खाना खाया लिया।
    मैंने खाना खा लिया।

    Only लेना changes. The main verb stays a bare stem: खा.

How It Connects

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लेना as a Helper VerbLevel 3Compound Verbs with लेना

Learn This First

Compounds with लेना are the first helper verbs; they use its irregular past and the ने rules.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

लेना