Verbs That Notice the Listener
Some verb endings notice the listener, not only the doer.
How It Works
Maithili verbs can show respect for the subject. In careful speech, they can also show respect for the person you are speaking to. The verb then carries a small extra ending.
| Plain-listener form | With listener respect | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| छथि | छथिन | is (Father, to a respected listener) |
- बाबूजी घर पर छथि? is correct and polite.
- अहाँक बाबूजी घर पर छथिन? adds respect for the listener, because the listener's father is being discussed.
- The same idea appears with other verbs, but the rules are subtle.
You will hear these forms in polite talk. You can understand them without using them. If you say the ordinary forms (छथि, गेलाह), you are still correct and polite. Treat this as something to recognise, not something to practise.
Examples (4)
- अहाँक बाबूजी घर पर छथिन?
Is your father at home?
छथिन adds respect for the listener, whose father is being asked about.
- अहाँक माय कतय छथिन?
Where is your mother?
छथिन shows the speaker respects both the mother and the person asked.
- अहाँक दादी कोना छथिन?
How is your grandmother?
छथिन fits a polite question about an elder.
- अहाँक काका घर पर छथिन की?
Is your uncle at home?
की at the end makes a yes-no question, and छथिन keeps the respect.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Forms like छथिन use the -थिन ending learned in कहलथिन.
Related Patterns
- Verb Endings Show Respect and Person
The basic idea of respect in the verb.
Foundations - छी / छथि / अछिBeing in the Present
The ordinary forms of "to be".
Level 1 - हुनका ... छनिSaying a Respected Person Has Something
A pattern where the ending shows respect for the owner.
Level 4 - कहलकनिA Plain Speaker and a Respected Listener
A past form that shows respect for the listener.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice Verbs That Notice the Listener in Bubblegum
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