-पूर्वी / -नी
Ago and Later
Both go after a length of time, such as minutes, days or years.
How It Works
The two endings face opposite ways.
| Ending | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| -पूर्वी | दोन वर्षांपूर्वी | two years ago |
| -पूर्वी | तीन दिवसांपूर्वी | three days ago |
| -नी | पाच मिनिटांनी | in five minutes |
| -नी | सात दिवसांनी | in seven days |
| -ने | एका तासाने | in one hour |
The same -नी works for the past and the future. The verb tells which one: दहा मिनिटांनी आली (she arrived ten minutes later), but पाच मिनिटांनी येते (it comes in five minutes).
After a length of time, -पूर्वी means ago. After an event, it means before: जेवणापूर्वी (before the meal). To say in five minutes, use -नी.
Write the whole thing joined: वर्षांपूर्वी is one word.
With one unit, the unit takes its singular shape: एका वर्षापूर्वी (a year ago), एका आठवड्याने (in a week).
Questions use कधी: तू कधी आलास? gets the answer तीन दिवसांपूर्वी. The answer names how long ago the arrival was.
Examples (5)
- मी दोन वर्षांपूर्वी पुण्यात आलो.
I came to Pune two years ago. A man is speaking.
दोन वर्षांपूर्वी counts back from now.
- ती दहा मिनिटांनी आली.
She arrived ten minutes later.
दहा मिनिटांनी counts forward from a point in the past.
- आजोबा तीन दिवसांपूर्वी गावाला गेले.
Grandpa went to the village three days ago.
तीन दिवसांपूर्वी says how long ago.
- सात दिवसांनी दिवाळी आहे.
Diwali is in seven days.
सात दिवसांनी counts forward from today.
- काही दिवसांनी मी परत आले.
A few days later I came back. A woman is speaking.
काही दिवसांनी says how much later.
Common Mistakes
Writing the time word apart and in the singular.
मी दोन वर्ष पूर्वी आलो.मी दोन वर्षांपूर्वी आलो.The time word takes the plural joining shape and the ending joins it.
Using -पूर्वी for the future.
बस पाच मिनिटांपूर्वी येईल.बस पाच मिनिटांनी येईल.-पूर्वी means ago. In five minutes takes -नी.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Ago and -नी are another way to say before and after.
Related Patterns
- सकाळी / रविवारीDays and Parts of the Day
These words say when something happens.
Level 2 - -ण्यापूर्वी / -ल्यानंतरBefore and After Doing Something
These endings say before or after doing something.
Level 4 - … वाजता / वाजलेClock Times
वाजता gives a clock time; -पूर्वी gives how long ago.
Level 2 - -ने / -नी / -ांनीBy Someone or with Something
-नी here is the same ending that also means by or with.
Level 2
Practice -पूर्वी / -नी in Bubblegum
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