करथु

Respectful Wishes with -थु

Level 5Sounds Like karathu

-थु on a verb makes a wish or a polite request about a third person.

How It Works

The ending -थु turns a verb into a wish or a request. It is used for the third person, someone other than "you" and "I". It sounds respectful and a little formal, so it is common in blessings, letters and speeches.

VerbWish formMeaning
करबकरथुmay he or she do
जाएबजाथुlet him or her go
आएबआबथुlet him or her come
होएबहोथुmay he or she be
  • Blessing: भगवान अहाँक रक्षा करथु।
  • Wish: बाबूजी स्वस्थ रहथु।
  • Request: ओ आबथु, तखन बात होएत।

-थु is not for the person you are speaking to. To them, use a command such as बैसू or आउ. A different wish form, ending in -थि (करथि, जाथि), is also used for respected persons; -थु is the common choice in blessings.

Examples (5)

  1. भगवान अहाँक रक्षा करथु।

    May God protect you.

    करथु is a wish about God.

  2. बाबूजी स्वस्थ रहथु।

    May Father stay well.

    रहथु makes a wish for a respected person.

  3. ओ जल्दी ठीक होथु।

    May she get well soon.

    होथु is the wish form of होएब.

  4. ओ आबथु, तखन बात होएत।

    Let him come; then we will talk.

    आबथु is a polite "let him" request.

  5. अहाँक माय सुखी रहथु।

    May your mother stay happy.

    रहथु makes a wish about your mother.

Common Mistakes

  • Using -थु to the listener.

    अहाँ बैसथु।
    अहाँ बैसू।

    -थु is for third persons; to अहाँ, use the command form.

How It Connects

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

करथुLevel 5Respectful Wishes with -थु

Learn This First

करथु is a respectful third-person wish, so the wish form comes first.