Hindi grammar · Beginner · Lesson 1
Hindi Word Order: Build a Subject–Object–Verb Sentence
Put the verb at the end of a basic Hindi sentence, and place describing words and postpositions where they belong.
Updated October 10, 2026 · Free lesson and exercises
Put the main action at the end
A neutral Hindi sentence commonly follows subject–object–verb order. In मैं चाय पीता हूँ, the order is I, tea, drink. English puts the verb before the object, so moving the action to the end is an important early habit.
Keep noun phrases together
An adjective commonly comes before the noun it describes, as in अच्छी किताब, a good book. A postposition follows the noun phrase: घर में means in the house. Place a time phrase such as आज or रोज़ where the context makes it clear; the verb group still normally finishes the statement.
Treat this as a starting pattern
Hindi can move words to emphasize or contrast them. The neutral pattern is a useful beginning, not a claim that every sentence has one fixed order. Questions often keep the same verb-final backbone, with a question word in the relevant position.
Read the sentence in parts
| Subject / setting | Object / description | Verb group |
|---|---|---|
| मैं | चाय | पीता हूँ / पीती हूँ |
| वह | हिंदी | बोलता है / बोलती है |
| हम | किताब | पढ़ते हैं |
| यह | अच्छी किताब | है |
Reading aids: main chaay peeta hoon / peeti hoon; vah hindi bolta hai / bolti hai; ham kitaab padhte hain; yah achhi kitaab hai. Gender choices belong to the speaker or subject.
See the pattern in a sentence
मैं चाय पीता हूँ।main chaay peeta hoon.
I drink tea.
The object चाय comes before the verb group; the speaker is male here.
सीता हिंदी बोलती है।seeta hindi bolti hai.
Sita speaks Hindi.
बोलती agrees with the feminine subject Sita.
किताब मेज़ पर है।kitaab mez par hai.
The book is on the table.
पर follows मेज़ and है finishes the sentence.
Common mistakes to notice
To fix: मैं पीता हूँ चाय।
Use: मैं चाय पीता हूँ।
The first order can carry marked emphasis; the corrected version is the neutral beginner pattern.
To fix: में घर
Use: घर में
The location marker में follows घर rather than preceding it.
Try it yourself
Say or write an answer before opening the explanation.
1. Arrange a neutral sentence: हूँ / मैं / चाय / पीती.
Show answer and explanation
मैं चाय पीती हूँ।main chaay peeti hoon.
Put the object before the verb group; this speaker is female.
2. Say the book is on the table.
Show answer and explanation
किताब मेज़ पर है।kitaab mez par hai.
Keep the noun and postposition together.
3. Say Sita speaks Hindi.
Show answer and explanation
सीता हिंदी बोलती है।seeta hindi bolti hai.
The feminine participle precedes है.
Use it in a conversation
Say what you drink and what language you speak. Keep the object before the verb group, and choose forms appropriate to your gender.
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
Is Hindi always subject–object–verb?
That is the common neutral pattern, but word order can shift for emphasis or context. Use verb-final statements as your first reliable pattern.
Where do Hindi adjectives go?
They commonly come before the noun: अच्छी किताब, achhi kitaab, a good book. Agreement depends on the adjective and noun.
Does Hindi put in before a place?
No. में (mein) follows its noun phrase: घर में, ghar mein, in the house.
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.