-ना है

Plans and Things You Must Do

Level 2Sounds Like nā hai

मुझे जाना है means going is on my list, as a plan or a duty. मुझे जाना था means I was supposed to go.

How It Works

Pattern: person with को + -ना verb + है. It says an action is waiting to be done: a plan, a task or a duty.

HindiMeaning
मुझे कल दिल्ली जाना है।I have to go to Delhi tomorrow.
हमें खाना बनाना है।We have to cook.
आपको कहाँ जाना है?Where do you need to go?
मुझे कल जाना था।I was supposed to go yesterday.

है stays है for every person: a man and a woman both say मुझे जाना है. With a feminine object, careful Hindi changes -ना to -नी: रीमा को चिट्ठी लिखनी है. That agreement has its own entry.

It can also show a strong wish, as when a tired child says मुझे घर जाना है! (I want to go home!).

Compare three close patterns: मुझे जाना है (going is my plan or task), मुझे जाना चाहिए (I should go), मुझे जाना पड़ेगा (I'll have to go; I have no choice).

Do not confuse this with के पास, which is about owning things: मेरे पास किताब है (I have a book).

Examples (5)

  1. मुझे कल दिल्ली जाना है।

    I have to go to Delhi tomorrow.

    The trip is planned or required; context decides which.

  2. रीमा को यह चिट्ठी लिखनी है।

    Reema has to write this letter.

    With feminine चिट्ठी, careful Hindi says लिखनी.

  3. क्या आपको आज दफ़्तर जाना है?

    Do you have to go to the office today?

    क्या turns the pattern into a yes or no question.

  4. आपको कहाँ जाना है?

    Where do you need to go?

    Rickshaw and taxi drivers ask this all the time.

  5. मुझे कल घर पर रहना था।

    I was supposed to stay home yesterday.

    था puts the plan or duty in the past.

Common Mistakes

  • Making the person the subject.

    मैं कल जाना है।
    मुझे कल जाना है।

    The person takes को in this pattern: मुझे.

How It Connects

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

-ना हैLevel 2Plans and Things You Must Do

Learn This First

Plans and duties join a को pronoun, an infinitive and है.

Words in This Pattern

-नाहोनाको-ना