Chapter 3: "Learning Simple Marathi Language Grammar" : How it Boosts Your Language Proficiency?


Abstract:

Learning the basics of Marathi grammar is a great way to start your journey with the language. Here's a look at some key aspects:
1. Sentence structure
  • Marathi primarily follows an SOV (Subject-Object-Verb) word order, unlike English (SVO).
  • Simple sentences include a subject, object, and verb. 
2. Genders
  • Marathi has three genders: masculine, feminine, and neuter.
  • Verbs and adjectives must agree with the noun's gender and number. 
3. Verbs and tenses
  • Marathi verbs change based on the subject's gender and number.
  • Verbs in the dictionary form end in "-णे [-ṇe]".
  • Marathi uses simple past, present, and future tenses. The simple present is formed by adding '-तो' (to) for masculine and '-ते' (te) for feminine to the verb root. The simple past generally adds 'लं' or 'ले' (laņ or le), and the simple future adds 'ईन' or 'तील' (īn or tīl) to the verb root. 
4. Pronouns
  • Marathi pronouns vary based on formality, with "Tu (तू)" being informal and "Tumhi (तुम्ही)" being formal.
  • Pronouns must agree with the nouns they replace in gender and number.
  • Pronoun endings can change based on their function in a sentence, as seen in the dative case with "Tula (तुला)" meaning 'to you' or 'for you'. 
5. Postpositions
  • Marathi uses postpositions (after nouns) instead of prepositions (before nouns). For example, "on the table" is "Tebalvar (टेबलवर)", where "var" comes after "Tebal". 
6. Question formation
  • Questions can be formed by adding "ka (का)" at the end of a sentence or by changing intonation. 
7. Negation
  • Negative sentences use "naahi (नाही)" or "nako (नको)". 
For further learning, utilize online resources, books, and practice speaking with native speakers. 

Introduction

Learning a language is not just about memorizing words but understanding how they are used to form meaningful expressions. Grammar serves as the skeleton of a language, providing structure and clarity. Marathi grammar, though influenced by Sanskrit, has its unique features and simplicity. This chapter will guide you through the fundamental aspects of Marathi grammar, making it easier for learners to speak, read, and write confidently.


3.1 Marathi Sentence Structure

Marathi generally follows the Subject + Object + Verb (SOV) sentence structure.

Example:

  • English: I eat an apple.

  • Marathi: मी सफरचंद खातो. (Mī sapharcanda khāto.)

Note: The verb comes at the end in Marathi.


3.2 Nouns (संज्ञा - Sanjñā)

Nouns are names of persons, places, things, or ideas.

Gender in Marathi:

Marathi nouns are classified into three genders:

  • Masculine (पुल्लिंग - Pulliṅg): राम (Rām), मुलगा (Mulagā - boy)

  • Feminine (स्त्रीलिंग - Strīliṅg): रमा (Ramā), मुलगी (Mulagī - girl)

  • Neuter (नपुंसकलिंग - Napunsakaliṅg): फळ (Phaḷ - fruit), घर (Ghar - house)

Number (Singular/Plural):

  • Singular: पुस्तक (Pustak - book)

  • Plural: पुस्तके (Pustake - books)


3.3 Pronouns (सर्वनाम - Sarvanām)

Pronouns replace nouns.

Common Pronouns:

English Marathi Transliteration
I मी
You तू / तुम्ही Tū / Tumhī
He तो To
She ती
We आपण / आम्ही Āpaṇ / Āmhī
They ते Te

3.4 Verbs (क्रियापद - Kriyāpad)

Verbs express actions or states.

Tenses:

  • Present Tense: मी खातो (I eat)

  • Past Tense: मी खाल्ले (I ate)

  • Future Tense: मी खाईन (I will eat)

Marathi verbs conjugate based on gender and number.

Example for "To go" (जाणे - Jāṇe):

Person Masculine Feminine
I go मी जातो (Mī jāto) मी जाते (Mī jāte)
He/She goes तो जातो / ती जाते To jāto / Tī jāte
We go आपण जातो / जातो Āpaṇ jāto

3.5 Adjectives (विशेषण - Viśeṣaṇ)

Adjectives describe or modify nouns.

  • Example: सुंदर घर (Sundar ghar – Beautiful house)

In Marathi, adjectives agree with the gender and number of the noun.


3.6 Adverbs (क्रियाविशेषण - Kriyāviśeṣaṇ)

Adverbs modify verbs.

  • Example: तो वेगाने पळतो. (To vegāne paḷto. – He runs quickly.)


3.7 Prepositions (उपपदे - Upapade)

Prepositions in Marathi usually follow the noun, unlike English.

Examples:

  • On the table: टेबलावर (ṭebolāvar)

  • In the house: घरात (gharāt)

  • With him: त्याच्यासोबत (tyāchyāsobat)


3.8 Conjunctions (उभयान्वयी अव्यय - Ubhayānvayī avyaya)

Used to join two sentences or clauses.

Examples:

  • आणि (āṇi) – and

  • पण (paṇ) – but

  • किंवा (kiṁvā) – or

  • कारण (kāraṇ) – because


3.9 Interrogative Words (प्रश्नार्थक शब्द - Praśnārthak śabda)

English Marathi Usage Example
What काय (kāy) तू काय करतोस? (What are you doing?)
Where कुठे (kuṭhe) तू कुठे जात आहेस? (Where are you going?)
Why का () तू का रडतोस? (Why are you crying?)
When केव्हा (kevha) तो केव्हा आला? (When did he come?)

3.10 Negation in Marathi

Negation is usually done by adding "नाही" (nāhī).

Examples:

  • मी जात नाही. (Mī jāt nāhī. – I am not going.)

  • तो खाल्ला नाही. (To khāllā nāhī. – He did not eat.)


3.11 Postpositions (विभक्ती - Vibhakti)

Postpositions follow the noun/pronoun and show its relation to the verb.

English Marathi Vibhakti Example
To ला () मला (to me), त्याला (to him)
From पासून (pāsūn) गावापासून (from village)
With सोबत (sobat) मित्रासोबत (with a friend)

3.12 Common Sentence Examples

English Marathi
I am fine. मी ठीक आहे. (Mī ṭhīk āhe)
What is your name? तुझे नाव काय आहे?
This is a book. हे एक पुस्तक आहे.
He is going to school. तो शाळेत जात आहे.

Tips to Master Marathi Grammar

  1. Practice Daily: Regular speaking and writing improves fluency.

  2. Use Flashcards: For verbs, nouns, and their forms.

  3. Read Simple Marathi Stories: This helps in understanding sentence structure.

  4. Watch Marathi TV/YouTube: Listen to native usage and imitate.

  5. Practice with Native Speakers: Real-time conversation boosts grammar naturally.


Conclusion

Grammar is the foundation of learning any language. While Marathi grammar has its nuances, it's systematic and can be easily learned with practice. By focusing on sentence structure, verb conjugation, and common patterns, you’ll quickly gain confidence in expressing yourself in Marathi. In the next chapter, we will dive deeper into Daily Conversational Marathi, using the grammar you’ve just learned.


Exercises

A. Translate into Marathi:

  1. I am reading a book.

  2. She goes to the market.

  3. What is your name?

  4. We are not going today.

  5. He is a good boy.

B. Fill in the blanks:

  1. मी _____ खातो. (apple)

  2. तू कुठे _____ आहेस?

  3. तो _____ पळतो. (fast)

  4. तिचं नाव _____ आहे. (Radha)

  5. आम्ही शाळेत _____. (go)

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