English · Everyday verbs
Hona in English: To be (होना)
to be
Hindi (Devanagari)
होना
Hindi (English letters)
hona
होना (hona) can be expressed as “to be” in English. For example: “I don't need to be home right now; I'm out.”
“hona” kehna ho, to English mein “to be” use karein. Neeche poore sentences aur Hindi meanings saath diye hain. Context dekhkar apna sentence chunein.
Introducing yourself
I don't need to be home right now; I'm out.
मुझे अभी घर होना ज़रूरी नहीं, मैं बाहर हूँ।
mujhe abhi ghar hona zarooni nahi, main baahar hoon.
How to pronounce “to be”
Say it in English
too bee
This is a sound guide for English, using a common American pronunciation. CAPITAL letters mark the stronger syllable in a longer word. Say the example sentence at a comfortable pace; Hindi spelling does not map sound for sound to English.
to be: Hindi meaning and useful expressions
| English | Hindi meaning | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| to be | होना hona The basic verb form; compare the complete expressions below. | The basic verb form; compare the complete expressions below. |
| I don't need to be home right now; I'm out. | मुझे अभी घर होना ज़रूरी नहीं, मैं बाहर हूँ। mujhe abhi ghar hona zarooni nahi, main baahar hoon. Introducing yourself | Introducing yourself |
| Do you know when the exam is? | परीक्षा कब होनी है, पता है क्या? pariksha kab honi hai, pata hai kya? Describing a place | Describing a place |
The dictionary expression is “to be”. In a sentence, choose the verb form for the subject and time; the examples show three complete patterns.
To is part of an infinitive such as to go, but it does not appear before every English verb. After can, could, will or should, use the base form directly.
How to use “to be” in English sentences
1. Introducing yourself
I don't need to be home right now; I'm out.
मुझे अभी घर होना ज़रूरी नहीं, मैं बाहर हूँ।
mujhe abhi ghar hona zarooni nahi, main baahar hoon.
2. Describing a place
Do you know when the exam is?
परीक्षा कब होनी है, पता है क्या?
pariksha kab honi hai, pata hai kya?
3. Talking about plans
When is the party supposed to be?
पार्टी कब होनी है?
party kab honi hai?
Common mistakes with “to be”
Instead of
I don't need to be home right now; I is out.
Say this
I don't need to be home right now; I'm out.
I'm is the short form of I am. I takes am, including when you describe a feeling or a situation.
Instead of
I don't to need to be home right now; I'm out.
Say this
I don't need to be home right now; I'm out.
Use the base verb after don't, doesn't or didn't. To does not belong between the helping verb and the main verb here.
Meeting a language partner for the first time
Read both roles. Say the English lines out loud before checking the Hindi meaning.
Partner
Are you a new student?
Show Hindi meaning
क्या आप नए छात्र हैं?
kya aap naye chhaatr hain?
You
Yes. I am new. Are you the teacher?
Show Hindi meaning
हाँ, मैं नया हूँ। आप शिक्षक हैं?
haan, main naya hoon. aap shikshak hain?
Partner
I am an assistant. Where is the class to be?
Show Hindi meaning
मैं सहाय्यक हूँ। कक्षा कहाँ होनी है?
main sahaayak hoon. kaksha kahaan honi hai?
You
I also don't know where the class is to be.
Show Hindi meaning
मुझे भी नहीं पता कक्षा कहाँ होनी है।
mujhe bhi nahi pata kaksha kahaan honi hai.
Your turn: use “to be”
Say this in English: परीक्षा कब होनी है, पता है क्या? (pariksha kab honi hai, pata hai kya?)
Reveal sample answer
Do you know when the exam is?
परीक्षा कब होनी है, पता है क्या?
pariksha kab honi hai, pata hai kya?
Compare your word order with “Do you know when the exam is?” Then use the same pattern to say something about your own day.
Questions about “to be” in English
Hona ko English mein kya kehte hain?
होना (hona) can be expressed as “to be” in English. For example: “I don't need to be home right now; I'm out.”
What does “to be” mean in Hindi?
In the sense taught here, “to be” means होना (hona). The sentence “I don't need to be home right now; I'm out.” shows it in context.
How do I use “to be” in a sentence?
Do you know when the exam is? Hindi meaning: परीक्षा कब होनी है, पता है क्या? (pariksha kab honi hai, pata hai kya?). The dictionary expression is “to be”. In a sentence, choose the verb form for the subject and time; the examples show three complete patterns.
What should I watch for when using “to be”?
To is part of an infinitive such as to go, but it does not appear before every English verb. After can, could, will or should, use the base form directly.
