Learning a new language can be a fascinating journey, and Marathi, with its rich cultural heritage, is no exception. One of the common challenges faced by learners of Marathi is understanding the difference between demonstrative pronouns like “हे” (*he*) and “ती” (*ti*). Both of these words are used to point out objects or persons in Marathi, but they are used in different contexts and can change based on gender and number. This article will delve into the nuanced usage of these pronouns, providing clear explanations, definitions, and examples to help you master their use.

Understanding हे (he)

हे (*he*) is a demonstrative pronoun used to refer to objects or persons that are relatively close to the speaker. It is generally used for neuter gender and can be translated to “this” in English.

हे (*he*)
This is used to refer to something that is near the speaker and is of neuter gender.
हे पुस्तक माझे आहे.

In the example above, हे (*he*) is used to refer to a book that is near the speaker.

Examples of हे (he)

हे घर (*he ghar*)
This house. Used to refer to a house that is near the speaker.
हे घर खूप सुंदर आहे.

हे फूल (*he phool*)
This flower. Used to refer to a flower that is near the speaker.
हे फूल खूप सुगंधी आहे.

Understanding ती (ti)

ती (*ti*) is a demonstrative pronoun used to refer to objects or persons that are relatively far from the speaker. It is generally used for feminine gender and can be translated to “that” in English.

ती (*ti*)
That is used to refer to something that is far from the speaker and is of feminine gender.
ती मुलगी माझी मैत्रीण आहे.

In the example above, ती (*ti*) is used to refer to a girl who is far from the speaker.

Examples of ती (ti)

ती फुले (*ti phule*)
Those flowers. Used to refer to flowers that are far from the speaker.
ती फुले बागेत आहेत.

ती गाडी (*ti gaadi*)
That car. Used to refer to a car that is far from the speaker.
ती गाडी माझ्या वडिलांची आहे.

Gender and Number Agreement

Marathi is a gendered language, which means that nouns and pronouns must agree in gender and number. Here’s how हे (*he*) and ती (*ti*) change based on these factors.

For Neuter Gender

हे (*he*)
Used for singular neuter gender.
हे खोटे आहे.

ही (*hi*)
Used for plural neuter gender.
ही पुस्तके खूप चांगली आहेत.

For Feminine Gender

ती (*ti*)
Used for singular feminine gender.
ती मुलगी सुंदर आहे.

त्या (*tya*)
Used for plural feminine gender.
त्या मुली शाळेत आहेत.

Other Related Demonstratives

Apart from हे (*he*) and ती (*ti*), Marathi also uses other demonstrative pronouns to indicate objects or persons based on their proximity and gender.

For Masculine Gender

हा (*ha*)
This is used for singular masculine gender.
हा मुलगा माझा भाऊ आहे.

तो (*to*)
That is used for singular masculine gender.
तो माणूस माझ्या ओळखीचा आहे.

हे (*he*)
Used for plural masculine gender.
हे लोक माझ्या ऑफिसमध्ये काम करतात.

ते (*te*)
Used for plural masculine gender.
ते लोक खूप हुशार आहेत.

Special Cases

In some contexts, the proximity is not just physical but can also be conceptual or emotional. For example, when referring to a time period or an abstract concept.

हे (*he*) for abstract or time-related references:
हे दिवस खूप चांगले आहेत.

ती (*ti*) for abstract or time-related references:
ती वेळ खूप कठीण होती.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

One common mistake is using हे (*he*) and ती (*ti*) interchangeably without considering gender and number. This can lead to confusion and incorrect sentences.

Incorrect: हे मुलगी सुंदर आहे.
Correct: ती मुलगी सुंदर आहे.

Another mistake is not adjusting the verb to agree with the subject in gender and number.
Incorrect: हे मुलं खेळते आहेत.
Correct: ही मुलं खेळत आहेत.

Practice Exercises

To master the use of हे (*he*) and ती (*ti*), practice is essential. Here are a few exercises to help you get started.

1. Translate the following sentences into Marathi:
– This book is interesting.
– That girl is my friend.
– These flowers are beautiful.
– Those cars are expensive.

2. Identify the correct pronoun and verb agreement in the following sentences:
– ____ (this) मुलगा खेळतो आहे.
– ____ (that) महिला गाणं म्हणत आहे.
– ____ (these) पेन खूप महाग आहेत.
– ____ (those) माणसे खूप हुशार आहेत.

3. Create sentences using हे (*he*) and ती (*ti*) for the following nouns:
– घर (*ghar*) – house
– मुलगी (*mulgi*) – girl
– गाडी (*gaadi*) – car
– फुले (*phule*) – flowers

Conclusion

Understanding the use of हे (*he*) and ती (*ti*) is crucial for effective communication in Marathi. By paying attention to gender, number, and proximity, you can accurately convey your message. Practice regularly, and soon you’ll find yourself using these pronouns with ease and confidence. Happy learning!