Hindi grammar · Next step · Lesson 7
Hindi Oblique Case: Kamra Becomes Kamre Mein
Learn the Hindi noun forms used before postpositions, including oblique singulars, plurals, and pronouns.
Updated October 10, 2026 · Free lesson and exercises
Identify a following postposition
The oblique is the form a Hindi noun phrase takes before a postposition. It is not a tense and it does not mean the noun is plural. Start by checking whether a marker such as में, पर, से, or को follows the phrase.
Change only the nouns that require a visible change
Many masculine -ा nouns change to -े in the oblique singular: कमरा → कमरे में. Masculine nouns like घर and feminine nouns like किताब normally stay unchanged in the oblique singular. Masculine -ा exceptions such as पिता also need to be learned separately.
Use a different plural before a postposition
Common oblique plurals end in -ों or -ियों: कमरे → कमरों में; किताबें → किताबों में; लड़कियाँ → लड़कियों से. Pronouns also have oblique forms: यह → इस and वह → उस. A changing adjective follows the case of the noun phrase.
Direct and oblique comparison
| Noun | Direct plural | Oblique singular | Oblique plural |
|---|---|---|---|
| कमरा (kamra) | कमरे (kamre) | कमरे में (kamre mein) | कमरों में (kamron mein) |
| घर (ghar) | घर (ghar) | घर में (ghar mein) | घरों में (gharon mein) |
| किताब (kitaab) | किताबें (kitaabein) | किताब में (kitaab mein) | किताबों में (kitaabon mein) |
| लड़की (ladki) | लड़कियाँ (ladkiyaan) | लड़की से (ladki se) | लड़कियों से (ladkiyon se) |
The -ों endings are nasalized. This table gives common patterns, not a rule for every noun ending.
See the pattern in a sentence
मैं कमरे में हूँ।main kamre mein hoon.
I am in the room.
कमरे is singular oblique here, not necessarily plural.
इन कमरों में मेज़ें हैं।in kamron mein mezein hain.
There are tables in these rooms.
इन and कमरों are oblique plural before में.
उस लड़की से बात कीजिए।us ladki se baat keejiye.
Please speak with that girl.
वह becomes उस; लड़की stays unchanged in the singular.
Common mistakes to notice
To fix: कमरा में
Use: कमरे में
Use the oblique singular of a regular masculine -ा noun.
To fix: लड़कियाँ से
Use: लड़कियों से
Use the oblique plural before से.
Try it yourself
Say or write an answer before opening the explanation.
1. Change कमरा to in the room.
Show answer and explanation
कमरे में।kamre mein.
-ा changes to -े before में.
2. Say in the books.
Show answer and explanation
किताबों में।kitaabon mein.
The feminine noun uses its oblique plural.
3. Change वह लड़की to with that girl.
Show answer and explanation
उस लड़की से।us ladki se.
वह becomes उस, while singular लड़की stays the same.
Use it in a conversation
Point to one room and several rooms. Say in this room and in these rooms, then describe what is inside.
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Practice Hindi out loudFAQ
Questions about this pattern
Does kamre always mean rooms?
No. कमरे can be a direct plural or an oblique singular. कमरे में can mean in the room; कमरों में means in the rooms.
Do feminine singular nouns change before a postposition?
Usually the noun stays unchanged in the common patterns here: किताब में, लड़की से. Other parts of the phrase may still change.
What happens to yah before a postposition?
यह becomes इस in a singular oblique phrase, such as इस कमरे में, is kamre mein, in this room.
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Words to practice with
References and corrections
Original explanations and practice examples for beginners. References help check the grammar; this page covers the patterns shown rather than every exception.