Hindi grammar · Next step · Lesson 10
Hindi Present Progressive: Raha, Rahi and Rahe
Describe what is happening now in Hindi with a verb stem, रहा / रही / रहे, and a present form of होना.
Updated October 10, 2026 · Free lesson and exercises
Build an action in progress
To describe an action happening now, use the verb stem followed by रहा, रही, or रहे and a present copula. पढ़ना gives पढ़ रहा हूँ for a male speaker saying I am reading. The habitual ending -ता is not used in this construction.
Match raha to the subject
रहा is masculine singular, रही is feminine, and रहे is masculine plural or respectful masculine reference in the common present pattern. The auxiliary separately marks person, number, and respect: मैं पढ़ रही हूँ; सीता पढ़ रही है; आप पढ़ रहे हैं.
Use context to choose progressive or habitual
अभी often supports a progressive meaning: मैं अभी काम कर रहा हूँ. रोज़ supports a routine: मैं रोज़ काम करता हूँ. Do not translate every English -ing expression automatically as रहा; some expressions have their own structures.
Progressive reading patterns
| Subject context | Phrase | English |
|---|---|---|
| I, male | मैं पढ़ रहा हूँ (main padh raha hoon) | I am reading |
| I, female | मैं पढ़ रही हूँ (main padh rahi hoon) | I am reading |
| He | वह पढ़ रहा है (vah padh raha hai) | He is reading |
| She | वह पढ़ रही है (vah padh rahi hai) | She is reading |
| We, male or mixed | हम पढ़ रहे हैं (ham padh rahe hain) | We are reading |
| You, respectful female | आप पढ़ रही हैं (aap padh rahi hain) | You are reading |
For an all-female we, हम पढ़ रही हैं (ham padh rahi hain) is the corresponding feminine pattern.
See the pattern in a sentence
मैं अभी चाय पी रहा हूँ।main abhi chaay pee raha hoon.
I am drinking tea now.
The male speaker uses पी रहा हूँ.
सीता किताब पढ़ रही है।seeta kitaab padh rahi hai.
Sita is reading a book.
रही agrees with Sita.
हम हिंदी सीख रहे हैं।ham hindi seekh rahe hain.
We are learning Hindi.
रहे हैं is the male or mixed plural pattern.
Common mistakes to notice
To fix: मैं पढ़ता रहा हूँ।
Use: मैं पढ़ रहा हूँ।
For the simple action-in-progress meaning here, use the stem पढ़ directly before रहा. Other combinations can express different meanings.
To fix: सीता पढ़ रहा है।
Use: सीता पढ़ रही है।
Use feminine रही with Sita.
Try it yourself
Say or write an answer before opening the explanation.
1. Say I am reading as a female speaker.
Show answer and explanation
मैं पढ़ रही हूँ।main padh rahi hoon.
Use the stem, रही, and हूँ.
2. Say Ram is drinking tea now.
Show answer and explanation
राम अभी चाय पी रहा है।raam abhi chaay pee raha hai.
The masculine singular progressive uses रहा है.
3. Say we are learning Hindi for a mixed group.
Show answer and explanation
हम हिंदी सीख रहे हैं।ham hindi seekh rahe hain.
The progressive follows सीख with रहे हैं.
Use it in a conversation
Describe what you and a friend are doing now. Contrast one sentence with your usual daily habit.
Read the examples aloud, then try your own sentences. In ChatPal, practice a real scenario and get personalized feedback on what you say.
Practice Hindi out loudFAQ
Questions about this pattern
What is the difference between peeta hoon and pee raha hoon?
पीता हूँ usually describes a habit or general activity; पी रहा हूँ describes drinking in progress. These examples use a male speaker.
Does raha change for feminine subjects?
Yes. Use रही with feminine subjects and keep the auxiliary appropriate to the subject: मैं पढ़ रही हूँ or वह पढ़ रही है.
Do I include ta before raha?
Not in the basic present progressive taught here. Use the bare stem: पढ़ रहा हूँ. More complex combinations express other meanings.
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.