समस्या और सलाह
Chapter Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
- Explain a practical problem using expanded experiencer patterns with को, such as मुझे दर्द है and मुझे समस्या है.
- Ask for and give advice using चाहिए and बेहतर है कि....
- Use polite imperatives and softeners such as ज़रा, कृपया, and अगर हो सके तो to make requests sound respectful.
- Use negative advice and prohibitions with मत in controlled, polite contexts.
- Connect a problem to its cause and a solution to its result using क्योंकि and इसलिए.
- Interact in common service situations, such as a clinic, an office, a repair shop, or a housing or transportation problem.
- Read and write a short advice or problem-solving message.
Communication Scenario
Arjun wakes up with a bad headache and a leaking kitchen tap on the same morning. He has a class project due, so before he can focus on anything else, he needs to explain both problems clearly: to a pharmacist about his headache, and to the building caretaker about the tap. He also wants to ask his classmate Priya for advice about the project deadline, since he is not sure he can finish on time.
- Notice how Arjun uses मुझे patterns to describe how he feels physically, rather than saying "I have a headache" the way English does.
- Notice how the pharmacist and the caretaker give advice using चाहिए and softened requests, rather than blunt commands.
- Notice how Priya explains a reason with क्योंकि and a suggested action with इसलिए.
Where This Chapter Fits
Chapter 11 opens Unit III, समस्या, सेवा, और विचार. It builds on the perfective narration and ने control learners consolidated in Unit II and shifts the communicative focus toward practical problem-solving, service interactions, and advice.
Coming Into This Chapter
From Volume I and Unit II, learners already know basic मुझे patterns (मुझे भूख लगी है, मुझे पसंद है), चाहिए for need, polite question forms, and controlled perfective narration with ने.
New in This Chapter
Learners expand experiencer को patterns to cover physical states and problems, learn advice structures with चाहिए and बेहतर है कि..., practice polite imperatives and softeners, and connect cause and result with क्योंकि and इसलिए.
Looking Forward
Chapter 12, पढ़ाई, काम, और अनुमति, extends ability and permission with सकना and formal institutional requests, building directly on this chapter's advice and softener patterns.
Core Vocabulary
11.1 Problems and Symptoms
| Hindi | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| समस्या | problem | feminine noun |
| दर्द | pain | masculine noun; used with को |
| सिरदर्द | headache | masculine compound noun |
| बुखार | fever | masculine noun |
| खराब होना | to break, go bad | used for objects, appliances |
| टपकना | to leak, drip | used for taps, ceilings |
| नल | tap, faucet | masculine noun |
| देर होना | to be late | used with को |
| गड़बड़ी | trouble, malfunction | feminine noun; informal-neutral |
11.2 Advice and Suggestions
| Hindi | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| सलाह | advice | feminine noun |
| सलाह देना | to give advice | compound expression |
| बेहतर | better | comparative adjective |
| आराम करना | to rest | common health advice verb |
| दवा लेना | to take medicine | |
| ठीक होना | to get well, be fixed | used for health and repairs |
| जल्दी | quickly, soon | adverb |
11.3 Service Situations
| Hindi | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| डॉक्टर, दवाख़ाना / दवाखाना | doctor, pharmacy | nukta variant common in speech |
| मिस्त्री | repairman, technician | masculine noun |
| चौकीदार | caretaker, watchman | masculine noun |
| मकान मालिक | landlord | masculine compound noun |
| शिकायत | complaint | feminine noun; keep tone moderate |
| मरम्मत | repair | feminine noun |
11.4 Softeners and Polite Requests
| Hindi | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ज़रा | just, a little (softener) | formulaic softener |
| कृपया | please | formal softener |
| अगर हो सके तो | if it's possible | formulaic polite frame |
| प्लीज़ | please | English loan; informal, common in speech |
Receptive vocabulary: इमरजेंसी, क्लिनिक, प्लंबर, and other common clinic/office/repair terms may appear in listening or reading; they are recognition-only unless a learner already knows them from other contexts.
Pronunciation and Schwa Deletion
Requests softened with ज़रा or कृपया are usually spoken with a gentle, slightly rising and falling contour rather than a flat command tone. Practice saying ज़रा यह देख लीजिए so it sounds inviting rather than instructive.
Notice that सिरदर्द is read as approximately sir-dard, not si-ra-da-ra-da: the inherent vowel after र in the middle of the compound drops. Similarly, मरम्मत is read with the middle inherent vowel dropped, close to ma-rammat.
Compare the plain imperative आराम करो with the softened, respectful आराम कीजिए or थोड़ा आराम कर लीजिए. The respectful forms are typically spoken more slowly and evenly, without the clipped rhythm of a direct command.
Grammar and Sentence Patterns
11.5 Expanded experiencer patterns with को
You already know experiencer patterns such as मुझे भूख लगी है and मुझे पसंद है. This chapter extends the same को + experiencer structure to physical states, problems, and needs.
Form: [person] + को (often contracted as मुझे, उसे, हमें) + [noun] + है/हैं. The experiencer is grammatically the object, not the subject; the verb agrees with the noun describing the problem, not with the person.
Meaning and use: Hindi does not translate "I have a headache" literally with a possessive verb. The problem or sensation is expressed as something that exists to the experiencer. Do not force an English "have" pattern onto this structure.
11.6 Advice with चाहिए and बेहतर है कि...
Form: [experiencer] + को + [infinitive] + चाहिए for direct advice; बेहतर है कि + [subjunctive-like clause] for a softer, more indirect suggestion. At this stage, treat the clause after बेहतर है कि as a formulaic pattern rather than teaching the full subjunctive system.
Note: चाहिए does not change for person or number; only the infinitive verb may show gender agreement in some contexts (आपको जल्दी सोना चाहिए versus आपको दवा लेनी चाहिए, where the infinitive agrees with the following object).
11.7 Polite imperatives and softeners
Softeners do not change the grammar of the imperative; they surround it. ज़रा softens by minimizing the request; कृपया is a more formal, written-register softener; अगर हो सके तो frames the request as conditional on the listener's convenience.
11.8 Negative advice and prohibition with मत
मत is used specifically with imperative forms to give negative advice or a prohibition; it is not the general negator नहीं. Keep this contrast controlled: मत जाओ/जाइए ("don't go," an instruction) versus मैं नहीं जाता ("I don't go," a habitual statement).
11.9 Cause and result with क्योंकि and इसलिए
क्योंकि introduces the reason after the main clause; इसलिए introduces the result or response, usually at the start of a following sentence or clause. Both connectors were briefly recycled in Unit II reading but become fully productive here.
This chapter does not introduce the full Hindi subjunctive system, advanced medical terminology, legal complaint style, or formal indirect-request structures beyond the formulaic बेहतर है कि... and softener patterns above. Those extensions belong to later chapters and volumes.
Model Dialogue
Setting: Arjun visits a neighborhood pharmacy in the morning, then speaks to the building caretaker about a leaking tap.
Later that morning, at Arjun's building:
समझ के प्रश्न — Comprehension questions:
- अर्जुन को क्या समस्या है? (What problem does Arjun have?)
- फार्मासिस्ट क्या सलाह देता है? (What advice does the pharmacist give?)
- चौकीदार नल की समस्या कैसे हल करता है? (How does the caretaker resolve the tap problem?)
Listening Practice
Ask your instructor, a study partner, or a fluent Hindi speaker to read the passage below aloud twice. On the first listen, note the problem and the advice given. On the second listen, complete the table.
If no speaker is available, this is a Listening Script for Independent Use. Read the passage slowly at first, then at a natural pace. Any spoken model should be verified by a fluent Hindi speaker before being treated as a pronunciation standard.
सीमा की समस्या — Seema's Problem:
"मुझे दो दिन से पेट में दर्द है, इसलिए मैं आज क्लिनिक गई। डॉक्टर ने कहा कि मुझे बाहर का खाना नहीं खाना चाहिए, और मुझे ज़्यादा पानी पीना चाहिए। उन्होंने यह भी कहा, 'अभी तेल वाला खाना मत खाइए, और अगर दर्द बढ़े तो कल ज़रूर वापस आइए।' मैंने दवा ले ली, और अब मुझे थोड़ा बेहतर लग रहा है। शाम को मेरी सहेली ने फ़ोन किया, और मैंने उसे बताया कि आज मुझे आराम करना है, इसलिए मैं उससे कल मिलूँगी।"
सुनने का काम — Listening task:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| सीमा को क्या समस्या है? (What problem does Seema have?) | ______ |
| डॉक्टर ने उसे क्या सलाह दी? (What advice did the doctor give her?) | ______ |
| डॉक्टर ने उसे क्या न करने को कहा? (What did the doctor tell her not to do?) | ______ |
| सीमा ने अपनी सहेली से क्या कहा? (What did Seema tell her friend?) | ______ |
Reading Practice
Read the notice posted in Arjun's apartment building, then answer the questions.
समझ के प्रश्न — Comprehension questions:
- Why is there a problem with the water supply this week?
- What does the notice ask residents to do if something goes wrong in their home?
- What restriction does the notice place on calling the caretaker at night?
Writing Workshop
Write a short advice or problem-solving message titled एक समस्या और उसका हल, describing a real or realistic practical problem and the advice you received or gave.
लेखन कार्य — Writing task: Write a connected message of 120-180 words in Devanagari. Your message must include: (1) a clear statement of the problem using an experiencer pattern with को, (2) a reason for the problem using क्योंकि, (3) at least two pieces of advice using चाहिए or बेहतर है कि..., (4) one polite request with a softener (ज़रा, कृपया, or अगर हो सके तो), (5) one negative instruction with मत, and (6) a closing result using इसलिए.
- Choose your problem. Pick a health issue, a household malfunction, or a service problem.
- State the problem. Use a को experiencer pattern to describe it.
- Give the reason. Use क्योंकि to explain the cause.
- Offer advice. Use चाहिए and बेहतर है कि... for at least two suggestions.
- Close politely. Add a softened request, one मत instruction, and a result with इसलिए.
संपादन सूची — Editing checklist:
- The experiencer pattern with को is used correctly, not translated word-for-word from English "have."
- चाहिए and बेहतर है कि... are used naturally to give advice.
- At least one softener appears with a polite imperative.
- मत is used only with an imperative, not as a general negator.
- क्योंकि and इसलिए connect cause, problem, and result clearly.
- Spelling, matras, word spacing, and dandas are correct throughout.
Speaking Practice
नियंत्रित अभ्यास — Controlled practice: experiencer patterns
With a partner, take turns stating a problem using a को experiencer pattern (for example, मुझे सिरदर्द है) and responding with one piece of advice using चाहिए.
संचार कार्य — Communicative task: सेवा में समस्या
Role-play a service situation (clinic, repair shop, or building office) with a partner. One person explains a problem with a reason (क्योंकि); the other gives at least two pieces of advice, one polite softened request, and one मत instruction.
अकेले अभ्यास — Solo alternative
Record yourself explaining a problem and giving yourself advice, as if you were both the patient/customer and the advice-giver. Include a reason, two pieces of advice, and a closing result with इसलिए.
Culture and Communication
Advice in Hindi-speaking contexts is often shaped by age, role, and relationship. A pharmacist, doctor, elder, or landlord may give direct advice with चाहिए, while a peer might soften advice further with शायद or a question. Learners should default to the softened forms taught in this chapter when addressing someone in a position of authority or an unfamiliar service provider.
In many apartment and shared-housing contexts across Hindi-speaking regions, residents report maintenance problems to a caretaker or building office rather than directly to a repair company. The tone is typically polite and cooperative rather than confrontational, even when residents feel inconvenienced, as reflected in the notice above.
Common Mistakes
Error: Writing मैं सिरदर्द रखता हूँ.
Correction: मुझे सिरदर्द है। Hindi expresses this physical state with the experiencer pattern को + noun + है, not with a verb meaning "to have" or "to hold."
Error: Writing बाहर नहीं जाइए to mean "please don't go outside."
Correction: बाहर मत जाइए। मत is the natural negator for imperatives giving advice or prohibition, while नहीं normally negates statements and questions.
Error: Saying नल ठीक करो to the caretaker.
Correction: ज़रा नल ठीक कर दीजिए। A plain, unsoftened imperative can sound abrupt with someone providing a service; a softener plus the respectful imperative form is more appropriate.
Error: Writing इसलिए मुझे बुखार है, क्योंकि मुझे आराम करना चाहिए.
Correction: मुझे बुखार है, इसलिए मुझे आराम करना चाहिए। क्योंकि introduces the cause; इसलिए introduces the result. Keep the order consistent with the logic of cause and effect.
Chapter Review
भाग A — समझ (Comprehension)
1. Return to the Model Dialogue and Reading passage and answer in English:
- What two problems does Arjun deal with in this chapter, and what advice does he receive for each?
- What does the building notice ask residents to avoid doing at night?
भाग B — व्याकरण (Grammar)
1. Complete each sentence with the correct experiencer or advice form:
- ______ (मुझे) बुखार है, इसलिए मुझे आराम करना ______ (चाहिए)।
- ______ (बेहतर) है कि आप डॉक्टर के पास जाएँ।
- अभी ठंडा पानी ______ (मत/नहीं) पीजिए।
2. Rewrite each pair of short sentences as one connected sentence using क्योंकि or इसलिए: (a) मुझे सिरदर्द है। मैं रात को देर तक जागा। (b) नल टपक रहा है। मैं चौकीदार को बता रहा हूँ।
भाग C — पठन (Reading)
1. Return to the building notice above and answer: What should a resident do if there is a malfunction at home?
भाग D — लेखन (Writing)
1. Write your 120-180 word message एक समस्या और उसका हल, following all six required elements from the Writing Workshop above.
भाग E — वाचन (Speaking)
1. Role-play a service situation with a partner (or record it), including a problem, a reason, two pieces of advice, and one softened request.
Cumulative Review
This chapter recycles Volume I मुझे patterns and Unit II perfective/ने control while introducing expanded experiencer patterns with को, advice with चाहिए and बेहतर है कि..., polite softeners, negative advice with मत, and cause/result with क्योंकि/इसलिए.
Practical Performance Task
समस्या से सलाह तक — Problem to Advice
Complete the following connected tasks in order.
- Listen to Seema's story above and complete the listening table.
- Speak a role-play with a partner (or record it) handling a practical problem scenario: explain the problem, ask for help, and understand the advice given.
- Read the building notice above and answer the comprehension questions.
- Write your own 120-180 word message titled एक समस्या और उसका हल, following the Writing Workshop checklist.
| Criterion | What is assessed |
|---|---|
| Experiencer patterns | Accurate use of को experiencer constructions for problems and physical states. |
| Advice structures | Correct use of चाहिए and बेहतर है कि... for advice. |
| Polite requests | Natural use of at least one softener with a polite imperative. |
| Negative advice | Correct use of मत with an imperative, distinguished from नहीं. |
| Cause and result | Clear connection of problem, cause, and solution using क्योंकि and इसलिए. |
| Devanagari and pronunciation | Correct spelling and punctuation; intelligible schwa deletion and polite intonation. |
This task integrates practical problem-solving through experiencer patterns, advice, polite softeners, negative instruction, and cause/result connectors. It does not require the full subjunctive system, advanced medical or legal vocabulary, or formal indirect-request structures, which begin in later chapters and volumes.
Answer Key
Model Dialogue — Comprehension
- Arjun has a headache and slight fever; the pharmacist advises medicine, rest, and drinking more water, and suggests staying home. He also has a leaking kitchen tap; the caretaker agrees to call a repairman the same day.
- The notice asks residents not to call the caretaker after 9 pm at night, and to contact early in the morning instead for urgent problems.
Listening
- Seema has had stomach pain for two days.
- The doctor advised her not to eat outside food and to drink more water.
- The doctor told her not to eat oily food.
- Seema told her friend that she needs to rest today, so she will meet her tomorrow.
Reading — Comprehension
- There is a problem with the water supply because repair work is going on in the main pipe.
- Residents should tell the caretaker if there is a malfunction at home.
- Residents should not call the caretaker after 9 pm at night; urgent problems should be reported early in the morning.
Chapter Review — भाग B
- (a) मुझे ... चाहिए (b) बेहतर (c) मत
- (a) मुझे सिरदर्द है क्योंकि मैं रात को देर तक जागा। (b) नल टपक रहा है, इसलिए मैं चौकीदार को बता रहा हूँ।
Looking Ahead
अब आप क्या कर सकते हैं — What you can do now
You can explain a practical problem using को experiencer patterns; ask for and give advice with चाहिए and बेहतर है कि...; make polite, softened requests; give negative advice with मत; and connect a problem to its cause and result with क्योंकि and इसलिए.