Understanding the word “है” is essential when diving into the core of the Hindi language, especially for linguists, translators, language learners, and those seeking fluency in this rich and expressive language. In this article, we provide a comprehensive explanation of the term “है”, its meaning, grammatical usage, synonyms, and its critical role in sentence structure. This guide is designed to be your definitive resource for understanding the functional and contextual importance of “है” in Hindi.

Definition of “है” in Hindi Grammar

The word “है” is a form of the verb “to be” in Hindi. It is used in the present tense and third person singular context. In English, it corresponds to “is”. However, it also plays a broader role in asserting existence, identity, or states of being in Hindi sentences.

Key Characteristics:

• Part of Speech: Verb (Auxiliary)
• Tense: Present
• Person: Third-person singular (used with he/she/it/this/that)
• Gender and Number Neutral: Applicable to both masculine and feminine, singular subjects

Grammatical Role of “है”

The word “है” functions as a copula — a linking verb that connects the subject with a subject complement. It does not convey action directly but serves to describe a state, condition, or identity. Here are some of the grammatical uses:

1. As a Copula

Example: वह डॉक्टर है।
(He is a doctor.)

In this sentence, “है” connects “वह” (he) to “डॉक्टर” (doctor), linking the subject to its profession or identity.

2. Expressing State or Condition

Example: मौसम अच्छा है।
(The weather is good.)

“है” describes the current state of the subject “मौसम” (weather).

3. Indicating Possession

Though Hindi generally uses constructions like “के पास” to show possession, “है” works in combination with them.

Example: मेरे पास किताब है।
(I have a book.)

“है” validates the existence of the object “किताब” (book) with the possessor.

Synonyms and Related Terms of “है”

Although “है” has no exact synonyms in Hindi because it is an auxiliary verb, there are related forms and variations used based on tense, number, and person:

1. हूँ – First person singular

मैं छात्र हूँ। (I am a student.)

2. हो – Second person

तुम अच्छे हो। (You are good.)

3. हैं – Plural or respectful singular

वे डॉक्टर हैं। (They are doctors.)
आप कैसे हैं? (How are you?)

4. था / थी / थे – Past tense forms

वह घर पर था। (He was at home.)
वह घर पर थी। (She was at home.)
वे घर पर थे। (They were at home.)

Contextual Meaning of “है” in Sentences

In Hindi, context often determines how “है” functions, and its tone or nuance may change based on how and where it is used.

1. Declarative Sentences

यह मेरी किताब है। (This is my book.)

2. Interrogative Sentences

क्या यह तुम्हारी गाड़ी है? (Is this your car?)

3. Exclamatory Sentences

क्या सुंदर दृश्य है! (What a beautiful sight it is!)

Difference Between “है” and “हैं”

This distinction is vital for grammatical accuracy:

• है: Used with singular nouns or pronouns (he, she, it, this, that)
• हैं: Used with plural nouns or the respectful form of ‘you’ (they, these, those, you-respectful)

राम अच्छा लड़का है। (Ram is a good boy.)
राम और श्याम अच्छे लड़के हैं। (Ram and Shyam are good boys.)

Cultural and Linguistic Importance of “है”

The utility of “है” goes beyond grammar — it reflects Hindustani sentence structure, cultural communication norms, and linguistic evolution. It is often the first word introduced in beginner Hindi lessons, showcasing its foundational role in Hindi grammar.

Moreover, “है” is frequently used in poetry, film dialogues, folk music, and classical literature, making it culturally significant.

Common Phrases and Idiomatic Expressions with “है”

Here are several commonly used Hindi phrases that include “है”:

• यह क्या है? – What is this?
• कहाँ है? – Where is it/he/she?
• कैसा है? – How is it/he?
• तैयार है – Is ready
• समस्या है – There is a problem

These illustrate the flexibility and ubiquity of “है” in daily conversation.

How to Learn and Master “है”

To achieve fluency, it’s essential to:

• Practice sentence construction using “है”
• Understand subject-verb agreement in Hindi
• Listen to native speakers in dialogues or media
• Read children’s stories or Hindi textbooks that repeat basic sentence patterns
• Use language apps focused on verb conjugation

Meaning of “है” in Multiple Languages

The Hindi word “है” is an auxiliary verb, equivalent to the English verb “is”, and is used in the present tense to indicate a state of being, identity, or existence. Below is the translation and explanation of “है” in various global languages to help understand its contextual meaning more deeply.

1. English (UK and US)

Translation: is
Usage: Used with third-person singular subjects to denote existence or state.

Example: He is a teacher.

2. Arabic (العربية)

Translation: (يكون) — Not always used explicitly in present tense.
Explanation: Arabic often omits the verb “to be” in the present tense, but the implied meaning is similar to “is.”

Example: هو معلم. (He is a teacher.) — “is” is implied, not written.

3. Urdu (اردو)

Translation: ہے
Explanation: This is the same word as “है”, since Urdu and Hindi share grammar roots.

Example: وہ استاد ہے۔ (He is a teacher.)

4. German (Deutsch)

Translation: ist
Usage: Used with third-person singular subjects (er/sie/es)

Example: Er ist ein Lehrer. (He is a teacher.)

5. French (Français)

Translation: est
Usage: Present tense of the verb “être” (to be)

Example: Il est professeur. (He is a teacher.)

6. Spanish (Español)

Translation: es
Usage: Present tense, third-person singular of “ser”

Example: Él es un maestro. (He is a teacher.)

7. Italian (Italiano)

Translation: è
Usage: Present tense of “essere”

Example: Lui è un insegnante. (He is a teacher.)

8. Chinese (Simplified – 中文)

Translation: 是 (shì)
Usage: Verb used to indicate identification

Example: 他是老师。 (He is a teacher.)

9. Japanese (日本語)

Translation: です (desu)
Usage: Polite ending that functions like “is” in formal speech

Example: 彼は先生です。 (He is a teacher.)

10. Russian (Русский)

Translation: (есть) – Often omitted in the present tense.
Usage: In everyday Russian, the verb “to be” is usually implied, not spoken.

Example: Он учитель. (He is a teacher.) — No need to write “есть”.

11. Portuguese (Português)

Translation: é
Usage: Present tense of the verb “ser”

Example: Ele é um professor. (He is a teacher.)

12. Turkish (Türkçe)

Translation: -dır / -dir / -tir (suffix) or “bir” structure
Usage: Often implied or indicated through suffixes

Example: O bir öğretmendir. (He is a teacher.)

13. Korean (한국어)

Translation: 입니다 (imnida) – Formal
Usage: Formal version of “is”

Example: 그는 선생님입니다. (He is a teacher.)

Conclusion

The Hindi word “है” has equivalents in almost every major language, though the way it’s expressed varies across linguistic systems. Some languages like Arabic and Russian omit the verb “to be” in present tense, while others, such as English, German, and French, explicitly include it as a crucial part of sentence construction. Learning these equivalents enriches cross-lingual understanding and aids in accurate translation and interpretation.