مبادا
A Formal Warning About an Unwanted Outcome
Take care → lest this happen.
How It Works
The مبادا clause names an unwanted outcome. A preceding request or precaution is intended to stop that outcome from happening.
The clause commonly uses a subjunctive form, such as ہو, جائیں or پہنچے. The subject and person of that clause determine the ending.
مبادا already carries the warning or apprehension. A clause without نہ can express the feared event directly. If a negative also appears in a text, interpret the whole construction rather than deciding its meaning from the negative word alone. A common conversational alternative uses کہیں ... نہ.
Examples (4)
- آہستہ بولیے، مبادا بچے جاگ جائیں۔
Speak softly, lest the children wake up.
Waking up is the event the speaker wants to prevent.
- یہ بات احتیاط سے لکھیے، مبادا غلط فہمی پیدا ہو۔
Write this carefully, lest a misunderstanding arise.
The subjunctive ہو presents the unwanted possibility.
- دستاویز سنبھال کر رکھیے، مبادا گم ہو جائے۔
Keep the document safe, lest it get lost.
The precaution aims to prevent loss.
- پودے کو سایہ دیجیے، مبادا دھوپ سے نقصان پہنچے۔
Give the plant some shade, lest the sunlight damage it.
نقصان پہنچے is the feared outcome, not an asserted future event.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Understand apprehension about an unwanted possible event, including its polarity.
Related Patterns
Practice مبادا in Bubblegum
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