पड़ना as a Helper Verb
Compound Verbs with पड़ना
पड़ना after a verb stem shows a sudden, often uncontrolled action, like bursting into tears or falling.
How It Works
On its own, पड़ना means to fall or lie. After another verb's stem, it shows something that happens suddenly and without much control: tears, laughter, a fall, a sudden start.
- रो पड़ना: to burst into tears
- हँस पड़ना: to burst out laughing
- गिर पड़ना: to fall down
- चल पड़ना, निकल पड़ना: to set off
- बोल पड़ना: to blurt out, speak up suddenly
The main verb stays a bare stem, and पड़ना agrees with the subject: बच्चे हँस पड़े, माँ रो पड़ीं. Since पड़ना takes no object, the doer never takes ने.
Watch the difference from the having-to pattern. वह रो पड़ी (stem रो) means she burst into tears. उसे रोना पड़ा (infinitive रोना, person with को) means she had to cry. The -ना and the को change the meaning completely.
उठना can also show a sudden reaction, but पड़ना is the usual choice with रोना and हँसना.
Examples (4)
- मज़ेदार बात सुनकर बच्चे हँस पड़े।
The children burst out laughing at the funny remark.
हँस is a stem; पड़े agrees with plural बच्चे.
- रीना सीढ़ियों पर फिसलकर गिर पड़ी।
Reena slipped on the stairs and fell.
पड़ी agrees with Reena; nobody made her fall.
- हम सुबह ही सफ़र पर निकल पड़े।
We set off on our trip first thing in the morning.
निकल पड़ना is a set pair meaning to set off.
- बुरी ख़बर सुनते ही माँ रो पड़ीं।
Mom burst into tears as soon as she heard the bad news.
Respect for माँ gives the plural form पड़ीं.
Common Mistakes
Using the having-to pattern for bursting into tears.
ख़बर सुनकर मुझे रोना पड़ा।ख़बर सुनकर मैं रो पड़ा।मुझे रोना पड़ा means I had to cry. For bursting into tears, use the stem रो with पड़ना and a plain subject.
How It Connects
Learn This First
पड़ना as a helper means sudden, which learners keep apart from having to.
Related Patterns
Words in This Pattern
Practice पड़ना as a Helper Verb in Bubblegum
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