हम
ham/ɦəm/
The Hindi word for "we" is हम (ham).
हम is a generic pronoun used to refer to the speaker and at least one other person, regardless of whether the person being addressed is included in that group.
Meaning: generic we (the speaker and at least one other person, regardless of whether it's the person being addressed) (pron)
Which one should you use?
While हम is the standard word for "we", in many parts of North India, it is also frequently used as a first-person singular pronoun to mean "I". In this context, using हम instead of the standard "I" (मैं) makes the speaker sound more polite or formal.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The informal phrase हम लोग is commonly used in North India.
How does it change in a sentence?
The pronoun हम requires verbs to be conjugated in the plural form.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as ham (/ɦəm/).
Did you know?
- The Persian-derived version of हम is related to the concept of being 'together' or 'joint'. This is why it is a cognate of the English word 'same'.
- Even when a person uses हम to mean 'I', they must still use plural verb forms. This creates a grammatical mismatch where a single person performs a plural action.
Examples in context
- हम बात करते रहे।We kept on talking.This example shows the use of हम to describe a continuous action.Tatoeba #8876399 by simranbansal, translation #8306932 by Ergulis
- हम यहाँ खाते हैं।We eat here.This example demonstrates how to use हम with a location and an action.Tatoeba #9013212 by simranbansal, translation #561094 by Pun_intended
- हम नदी के पार तेर पाए.We managed to swim across the river.This example uses हम to describe a completed action or achievement.Tatoeba #883264 by thevikas, translation #262877 by CK
- हम सब मिलकर एक बार फिर से यहां आयेंगे।We all will come here together once again.
- हम लोग आज एक मूवी देखने जा रहे हैं।We are going to watch a movie today.
- हमारे पास एक बहुत अच्छी टीम है।We have a very good team.
- ध्यान दें, हमें यहां चले जाना चाहिए।Pay attention, we should leave from here.
- 414 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Aditya and Neha are planning a weekend trip.
- आदित्य Adityaहम कल जाएँगे।hum kal jayenge.We will go tomorrow.
- नेहा Nehaक्या हम गाड़ी से जाएँ?kya hum gaadi se jayein?Should we go by car?
- आदित्य Adityaहाँ, हम गाड़ी से ही चलते हैं।haan, hum gaadi se hi chalte hain.Yes, let's go by car.
- नेहा Nehaठीक है, हम तैयार रहेंगे।theek hai, hum taiyaar rahenge.Okay, we will be ready.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “we” translations and entries हम, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries हम, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
