کو + Language / Skill آنا
Knowing How or Knowing a Language
Identify the learner, then the language or skill available to them.
How It Works
The construction can state a skill rather than physical arrival. Context distinguishes knowing Urdu from someone or something literally coming.
An infinitive can name the skill: حساب کرنا is doing arithmetic. This phrase uses آتا. With an unmarked feminine object, both verbs can change: گاڑی چلانی آتی ہے expresses knowing how to drive a car.
Keep this distinct from سکنا. Knowing how to perform a task is not the same as having permission or being able to do it in the current circumstances.
Examples (4)
- بلال کو اردو آتی ہے۔
Bilal knows Urdu.
The language takes feminine آتی.
- مریم کو حساب کرنا آتا ہے۔
Maryam knows how to do arithmetic.
The activity phrase takes آتا.
- کیا آپ کو تیرنا آتا ہے؟
Do you know how to swim?
The question asks about a learned skill.
- مجھے یہ کام نہیں آتا۔
I do not know how to do this task.
Masculine کام selects آتا despite the marked person.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Recognize the کو-marked person who has the skill. Conjugate آنا in the ability construction.