-ना चाहिए
Saying What Someone Should Do
को + -ना verb + चाहिए gives advice: मुझे जल्दी सोना चाहिए (I should go to bed early).
How It Works
To give advice or say what is right, use this pattern: person with को + -ना verb + चाहिए.
| Hindi | Meaning |
|---|---|
| आपको आराम करना चाहिए। | You should rest. |
| मुझे जल्दी सोना चाहिए। | I should go to bed early. |
| बच्चों को सब्ज़ियाँ खानी चाहिए। | Children should eat vegetables. |
चाहिए does not change for a man or a woman, one person or many. Only the -ना verb may change: with a feminine object, careful Hindi uses -नी, as in सब्ज़ियाँ खानी चाहिए. In casual speech you will also hear खाना चाहिए. That agreement has its own entry.
For should not, put नहीं before the -ना verb: तुम्हें इतना टीवी नहीं देखना चाहिए (You shouldn't watch so much TV).
Do not confuse चाहिए with चाहना. मैं आराम करना चाहता हूँ means I want to rest. मुझे आराम करना चाहिए means I should rest.
For should have, add था: मुझे पहले बताना चाहिए था (I should have told you earlier). You will meet that later.
Examples (5)
- आपको थोड़ा आराम करना चाहिए।
You should rest a little.
The person who should act takes को: आपको.
- तुम्हें ज़्यादा पानी पीना चाहिए।
You should drink more water.
पीना stays in the -ना form before चाहिए.
- आपको यह दवा दिन में दो बार लेनी चाहिए।
You should take this medicine twice a day.
With feminine दवा, careful Hindi says लेनी.
- बच्चों को देर रात तक फ़ोन नहीं चलाना चाहिए।
Children shouldn't use their phones late at night.
नहीं before the verb gives should not.
- रीमा को डॉक्टर से मिलना चाहिए।
Reema should see a doctor.
रीमा takes को as the person who should act.
Common Mistakes
Making the person the subject, as with चाहना.
मैं आराम करना चाहिए।मुझे आराम करना चाहिए।With चाहिए, the person always takes को.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Should is the infinitive plus चाहिए, extending what learners know about needing things.
Related Patterns
- -ना हैPlans and Things You Must Do
मुझे जाना है says going is planned or required, without advice.
Level 2 - मुझे चिट्ठी लिखनी हैInfinitives That Agree with the Object
This entry explains why लेनी and खानी agree with the object.
Level 3 - चाहिए थाWhat Should Have Happened
Add था to say what should have happened.
Level 4 - -ना पड़नाHaving to Because of Circumstances
पड़ना says you have to because of circumstances.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice -ना चाहिए in Bubblegum
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