تاکہ

Introducing a Purpose Clause

Level 3

Put the goal after تاکہ.

How It Works

In میں نے چراغ جلایا تاکہ مریم پڑھ سکے, the lamp was lit for Maryam to be able to read. The first clause reports an action; the second states its purpose.

The two actions may have different participants. Choose the purpose clause’s verb from its own subject, as in بچے دیکھ سکیں.

A negative purpose uses نہ: تاکہ پانی اندر نہ آئے. This explains prevention as a goal rather than reporting that the unwanted event actually happened.

Examples (4)

  1. میں نے چراغ جلایا تاکہ مریم پڑھ سکے۔

    I lit the lamp so that Maryam could read.

    The purpose clause names a different participant.

  2. ہم نے پردہ ہٹایا تاکہ بچے دیکھ سکیں۔

    We moved the curtain so that the children could see.

    بچے selects plural سکیں.

  3. میں جلدی نکلوں گا تاکہ وقت پر پہنچوں۔

    I will leave early so that I arrive on time.

    Both actions belong to the masculine speaker; پہنچوں itself has no gender ending.

  4. کھڑکی بند کر دیجیے تاکہ پانی اندر نہ آئے۔

    Please close the window so that water does not come in.

    The purpose is to prevent the water’s entry.

How It Connects

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

تاکہLevel 3Introducing a Purpose Clause

Learn This First

Use the subjunctive for the intended outcome. Recognize the subordinate clause boundary.