करना
karnā/kəɾ.nɑː/
The Hindi word for 'do' is करना (karnā).
करना is used to express performing tasks or actions. As an infinitive, it is often used after auxiliary verbs like chāhatā (want) to express intention.
Meaning: perform tasks (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
In the present tense, the verb changes based on the subject: use करता है for a masculine singular subject and करती है for a feminine singular subject. For masculine plural subjects, or to show respect to a single person, use करते हैं. The past participle is किया, which is used to form past tenses and compound verbs.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /kəɾ.nɑː/ (karnā).
Did you know?
- The Hindi verb करना is a distant relative of the English word 'create'. Both trace back to the Proto-Indo-European root *kʷer- meaning 'to make' or 'to form'.
- Hindi has a second level of causation called the double causative, करवाना. This indicates that you are arranging for a third party to get the task done.
- While English uses 'do' as a dummy auxiliary for questions like 'Do you know?', Hindi does not. In Hindi, करना is only used when an actual action is being performed.
Examples in context
- इसको ऐसे करना खतरनाक होगा।It'll be dangerous to do it that way.This sentence shows how to use करना when describing a dangerous way to do something.Tatoeba #11370667 by Sorcien, translation #9418604 by CK
- टॉम वह अकेले करना चाहता है।Tom wants to do that alone.This sentence demonstrates using करना after an auxiliary verb to express wanting to do something.Tatoeba #8938139 by simranbansal, translation #8897616 by CK
- मुझे वास्तव में ऐसा करना है।I actually have to do that.This sentence illustrates the use of करना to express necessity.Tatoeba #8879562 by simranbansal, translation #8878907 by CK
- 44 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Amit and Priya are discussing household chores.
- प्रिया Priyaअमित, क्या आपने अपना काम करना शुरू किया?Amit, kya aapne apna kaam karna shuru kiya?Amit, did you start doing your work?
- अमित Amitनहीं, मैं यह बाद में करना चाहता हूँ।Nahi, main yeh baad mein karna chahta hoon.No, I want to do this later.
- प्रिया Priyaअभी करना बेहतर होगा।Abhi karna behtar hoga.It would be better to do it now.
- अमित Amitठीक है, मैं अभी करता हूँ।Thik hai, main abhi karta hoon.Okay, I will do it now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry करना, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries करना, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
