Hindi grammar · Beginner · Lesson 6
Hindi Postpositions: Mein, Par, Se and Ko
Place में, पर, से, and को after a Hindi noun phrase to express location, source, means, and a recipient.
Updated October 10, 2026 · Free lesson and exercises
Put the relation word after the noun
English uses prepositions before a noun, such as in the room. Hindi uses postpositions after the noun phrase: कमरे में. Common ones include में for in, पर for on or at, से for from/by/with in several contexts, and को for certain objects or recipients.
Choose by the intended relationship
में often places something within a space; पर can locate it on a surface or at a point. से has several meanings, so learn it in a phrase instead of assuming one English translation. को marks recipients and many specific or human direct objects, but does not mark every direct object.
Check the noun before the postposition
Postpositions require the oblique form of the preceding noun phrase. कमरा becomes कमरे before में, while घर stays घर in the singular. Pronouns can also change: यह becomes इस in इस कमरे में. Learn these forms with the location phrase.
Useful postposition phrases
| Marker | Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| में (mein) | कमरे में (kamre mein) | in the room |
| पर (par) | मेज़ पर (mez par) | on the table |
| से (se) | दिल्ली से (dilli se) | from Delhi |
| को (ko) | राम को (raam ko) | to Ram / Ram as a marked object |
| तक (tak) | शाम तक (shaam tak) | until evening |
The English gloss depends on the sentence. These postpositions are not interchangeable word-for-word with English prepositions.
See the pattern in a sentence
मैं कमरे में हूँ।main kamre mein hoon.
I am in the room.
कमरा changes to कमरे before में.
किताब मेज़ पर है।kitaab mez par hai.
The book is on the table.
पर follows the place noun.
राम को किताब दीजिए।raam ko kitaab deejiye.
Please give the book to Ram.
को marks the recipient Ram.
Common mistakes to notice
To fix: में कमरा
Use: कमरे में
Place में after the noun and use the oblique कमरे.
To fix: यह कमरे में
Use: इस कमरे में
The demonstrative यह becomes इस before the postposition.
Try it yourself
Say or write an answer before opening the explanation.
1. Say in the room.
Show answer and explanation
कमरे में।kamre mein.
कमरा takes the oblique singular form.
2. Say from Delhi.
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दिल्ली से।dilli se.
Place से after दिल्ली.
3. Say on the table.
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मेज़ पर।mez par.
पर follows the noun phrase.
Use it in a conversation
Describe where three objects are. Use mein once and par once, then say which city you are from with se.
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Questions about this pattern
Is mein always the same as English in?
It is a common equivalent, but languages choose location expressions differently. Learn familiar phrases such as कमरे में rather than relying on a universal translation.
Does ko follow every direct object?
No. को is common with recipients and specific or human direct objects. Many ordinary non-specific objects appear without it.
Why does kamra become kamre?
The postposition triggers the oblique case. Masculine -ा nouns commonly change to -े in the oblique singular.
Keep building your sentences
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.