जँ ... तँ

If ... Then

Level 3Sounds Like jam̐ ... tam̐

जँ means "if" and तँ starts the result.

How It Works

For a real possibility, the usual choice is the future in both clauses.

The future form follows the subject: होएत for a thing, उठब for अहाँ, करताह for a respected person.

For a condition that is true now, use the present: जँ अहाँ थाकल छी, तँ आराम करू (If you are tired, rest).

For something that did not happen, Maithili uses a different pattern with -ितहुँ, taught separately.

जँ is the spelling in books and schools. It is written with a chandrabindu. Do not write Hindi अगर here.

जँ बरखा होएत, तँ हम नहि आएब।
If it rains, I won't come.
जँ and तँ with future verbs.
जँ पाइ रहत, तँ हम साइकिल कीनब।
If I have money, I will buy a bicycle.
The condition is in the future.
जँ अहाँ भोरे उठब, तँ गाड़ी भेटत।
If you get up early, you will catch the train.
The result follows from the condition.
जँ काका फोन करताह, तँ हम कहि देबनि।
If Uncle calls, I will tell him.
करताह for a respected man.
जँ अहाँ थाकल छी, तँ आराम करू।
If you are tired, rest.
A present condition with a command.

Using the Hindi तो for the result.
जँ बरखा होएत, तो हम नहि आएब।
जँ बरखा होएत, तँ हम नहि आएब।
तो is Hindi. Maithili uses तँ.

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

जँ ... तँLevel 3If ... Then

An if sentence links two clauses, and it often talks about the future.

जँतँ

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