-ते ही
As Soon as Doing Something
-ते ही means as soon as: one thing happens and the next follows right away.
How It Works
-ते ही is the -ते form plus ही (just, exactly). Together they mean at the very moment of: पहुँचते ही, on arriving; सुनते ही, on hearing.
- वह बिस्तर पर लेटते ही सो गई. She fell asleep as soon as she lay down.
- दरवाज़ा खुलते ही कुत्ता बाहर भागा. The moment the door opened, the dog ran out.
The form is always -ते ही, whatever the gender, number or tense. The main verb at the end carries all of that. The main clause can be past, future or a request: स्टेशन पहुँचते ही फ़ोन करना (Call as soon as you reach the station).
If the first action has its own subject, put it just before the -ते ही form: बारिश रुकते ही हम निकल पड़े (As soon as the rain stopped, we set off).
The main clause often uses a compound verb such as सो गई or निकल पड़े, which suits a quick change. When the first part is a full clause with its own tense, use जैसे ही instead: जैसे ही बारिश रुकी, हम निकल पड़े.
Examples (5)
- घंटी बजते ही बच्चे बाहर भागे।
As soon as the bell rang, the children ran out.
The bell rings and the children run: two different subjects.
- रीना घर पहुँचते ही सो गई।
Reena fell asleep as soon as she got home.
Both actions belong to Reena.
- ख़बर सुनते ही मैंने उसे फ़ोन किया।
I called him as soon as I heard the news.
सुनते ही: at the moment of hearing.
- स्टेशन पहुँचते ही मुझे फ़ोन करना।
Call me as soon as you reach the station.
The main clause can be a request.
- उसे देखते ही मैं पहचान गया।
I recognized her the moment I saw her.
देखते ही: at first sight.
Common Mistakes
Making -ते ही agree with the subject.
वह घर पहुँचती ही सो गई।वह घर पहुँचते ही सो गई।-ते ही never changes for gender or number.
How It Connects
Learn This First
As soon as adds ही to the -ते form.
Related Patterns
- जैसे हीAs Soon as Something Happens
जैसे ही says the same with a full clause.
Level 4 - -ते हुएDoing Two Things at Once
-ते हुए means while, not as soon as.
Level 4 - -ने परOn Doing Something
-ने पर means on or when, without stressing speed.
Level 4 - जब ... तबWhen and Then
A जब clause gives the time more plainly.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice -ते ही in Bubblegum
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