-ते-ते
While Continuing an Action
-ते-ते means while doing something for a long time, until a result comes.
How It Works
Repeating the -ते form shows an action that keeps going until something happens: चलते-चलते हम थक गए। (We walked and walked until we got tired.)
The first part sets the background; the main clause says what happened in the end. English often needs extra words for this: after a while, kept on, until.
The form usually stays -ते-ते, even for a feminine or plural subject: रीना पढ़ते-पढ़ते सो गई.
The person doing the -ते-ते action is usually the subject of the main clause, but not always. In लिखते-लिखते मेरा हाथ दुखने लगा, I am writing, but it is my hand that starts to hurt.
Two fixed uses are worth knowing:
- With बचना it means nearly happened: वह गिरते-गिरते बची (She nearly fell).
- बातें करते-करते means while chatting, often with time slipping by unnoticed.
Compare the related forms. -ते हुए describes two things at the same time: वह गाते हुए काम करती है. -ते ही means as soon as: घर पहुँचते ही. -ते-ते adds the sense of a long stretch of time.
Examples (5)
- चलते-चलते हम थक गए।
We walked so long that we got tired.
The walking went on until tiredness set in.
- किताब पढ़ते-पढ़ते रीना सो गई।
Reena fell asleep while reading her book.
-ते-ते stays the same for Reena.
- लिखते-लिखते मेरा हाथ दुखने लगा।
After writing for a long time, my hand started to hurt.
I do the writing, but हाथ is the subject of the main clause.
- बातें करते-करते हमें पता ही नहीं चला कि रात हो गई।
We were so busy talking that we didn't notice night had fallen.
The long chat is the background to the main clause.
- सीढ़ियों पर वह गिरते-गिरते बची।
She nearly fell on the stairs.
-ते-ते with बचना means nearly happened.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Repeating -ते stretches an ongoing action until something happens.
Related Patterns
- -ते हीAs Soon as Doing Something
-ते ही means as soon as, with no long stretch.
Level 4 - -ने लगनाStarting to Do Something
The main clause often describes a start with लगना.
Level 3 - -ते रहनाContinuing an Action
-ते रहना also shows an action that keeps going.
Level 3 - -ते समयWhile Doing Something
-ते समय simply means while.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice -ते-ते in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Hindi lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
