मुझे लगता है
The English phrase 'i think' is translated into Hindi as मुझे लगता है.
मुझे लगता है is used to express an impression, a feeling or an opinion based on intuition.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, मुझे लगता है translates to 'to me it feels' or 'it feels to me'.
Which one should you use?
The phrase मुझे लगता है is used for expressing an impression, feeling or an opinion based on intuition, whereas मैं सोचता हूँ would imply the active mental process of thinking or pondering.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb लगता है remains in the masculine singular form regardless of whether the speaker is male or female, because the subject is the impersonal 'it' (the feeling) rather than the person. When followed by a full clause, the conjunction कि (ki) is used, similar to the English 'that'.
Did you know?
- The shift from 'dwell' to 'be' seen in the word है mirrors a similar evolution in English. The Proto-Germanic root for 'to be' also comes from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to stay, live or dwell'.
- Because मुझे लगता है is an impersonal construction, a speaker can sound more polite or less assertive by using it instead of मैं सोचता हूँ, as it removes the 'I' as the active driver of the thought.
- In colloquial speech, the है at the end of मुझे लगता है is sometimes dropped entirely in fast conversation, leaving only मुझे लगता, while still retaining the full meaning.
Examples in context
- मुझे लगता है कि हमने उसे खो दिया।I think we lost her.Tatoeba #9013220 by simranbansal, translation #3912694 by CH
- मुझे लगता है तुम बहुत बढ़िया करोगे।I think you're going to do great.Tatoeba #9840969 by anushka, translation #2458574 by CK
- मुझे लगता है कि मैरी के बस के बाहर है।I think it'll be too much for Mary to handle.Tatoeba #8864240 by aboi, translation #7371408 by Eccles17
- 34 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Amit and Pooja are discussing the weather before going out.
- अमित Amitबाहर बहुत ठंड है।Baahar bahut thand hai.It is very cold outside.
- पूजा Poojaमुझे लगता है कि बारिश होगी।Mujhe lagta hai ki baarish hogi.I think it will rain.
- अमित Amitक्या तुम्हारे पास छाता है?Kya tumhare paas chhata hai?Do you have an umbrella?
- पूजा Poojaहाँ, मेरे पास है।Haan, mere paas hai.Yes, I have one.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries है, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
