If you learn it well, language becomes a medium of definite and concise expression. Active voice and passive voice in Hindi assist you to know who performs something and who has it performed. Both are helpful to construct sentences naturally and automatically. Hindi, like English, allows you to control emphasis in a sentence from doer to receiver without meaning alteration.
For instance, you would say, Ram ne khana khaya. (Ram ate food.)
When you translate it into a passive voice, it becomes Khana Ram ke dwara khaya gaya. (The food was eaten by Ram.)
What Is Active Voice
The doer of the work is the subject of the action in an active voice. The doer of the work begins the sentence. The meaning is plain and easy.
Examples:
• Ram ne khana khaya. (Ram ate food.)
• Sita didn’t wash clothes. (Sita ne kapde nahi dhoye.)
• The child didn’t read the book. (Bachche ne kitaab nahi padhi.)
Structure of Active Voice
| Element | Hindi Example | English Example |
| Subject | Ram | Ram |
| Verb | khaya | eat |
| Object | khana | food |
The verb will match the subject in number and gender. Active voice is easy and natural. It comes into use most often in everyday life.
What Is Passive Voice
In passive voice, the doer is of lesser significance, not the action. The recipient of the action is placed first. The doer can be included using “ke dwara.” But it is omitted if he/she is irrelevant or unnamed.
Examples:
• Khana Ram ke dwara khaya gaya. (The food was eaten by Ram.)
• Kapde Sita ke dwara dhoye gaye. (The clothes were washed by Sita.)
• Kitaab bachche ke dwara padhi gayi. (The book was read by the child.)
Passive Voice Structure
| Element | Hindi Example | English Example |
| Object | khana | food |
| Doer (optional) | Ram ke dwara | by Ram |
| Helping Verb | gaya/gayi/gaye | was/were |
| Main Verb | khaya | eaten |
The passive voice is more interested in the activity or result and not in the doer.
Rules to Convert Active to Passive
If you have to convert a sentence from active to passive, you have to take easy steps.
- Identify the subject, verb, and object.
- Transfer the object to the starting.
- Add the correct form of “jana” (gaya, gayi, gaye).
- Change the verb to past participle form.
- Add “ke dwara” before the doer if you want to add it.
- Change gender and number in the new subject.
Example:
Active: Ram has drunk paani.
Passive: Paani has been drunk by Ram.
Another Example:
Active: Sita had washed kapde.
Passive: Kapde had been washed by Sita.
Tense-wise Change from Active to Passive
| Tense | Active Example | Passive Example |
| Present Indefinite | Ram khana khata hai | Khana Ram ke dwara khaya jata hai |
| Past Indefinite | Sita ne kapde dhoye | Kapde Sita ke dwara dhoye gaye |
| Future Indefinite | Ram khana khayega | Khana Ram ke dwara khaya jayega |
| Present Continuous | Main gaana gaa raha hoon | Gaana mere dwara gaya ja raha hai |
| Past Continuous | Ve film dekh rahe the | Film unke dwara dekhi ja rahi thi |
| Present Perfect | Usne kaam kiya hai | Kaam uske dwara kiya gaya hai |
| Past Perfect | Unhone ghar bana liya tha | Ghar unke dwara banaya gaya tha |
| Future Perfect | Main kaam kar chuk hunga | Kaam mere dwara kiya ja chuka hoga |
Examples of Active and Passive Sentences
| Sentence Type | Active | Passive |
| Simple | Main likh raha hoon | Patra mere dwara likha ja raha hai |
| Action | Ve khana bana rahi hai | Khana uske dwara banaya ja raha hai |
| Completed | Tumne sabak yaad kiyaa | Sabak tumhare dwara yaad kiya gaya |
| Future | Main kal patra likhunga | Patra mere dwara likha jayega |
| Plural | Unhone kapde sukhaye | Kapde unke dwara sukhaye gaye |
Common Indicators of Passive Voice in Hindi
| Indicator | Function | Example |
| ke dwara | indicates the doer | Khana Ram ke dwara khaya gaya |
| gaya, gayi, gaye | indicates passive | Patra likha gaya |
| Verb form | indicates completed action | Piya gaya |
| Object first | emphasizes receiver | Ghar banaya gaya |
Why Use Passive Voice
• To draw attention away from the doer to the action.
• To make a statement formal and polite.
• When the doer is unknown or unimportant.
Example:
Active: Kisi ne mera mobile chura liya.
Passive: Mera mobile chura liya gaya.
This form is followed in formal writing and in news broadcasting.
Common Mistakes to Be Avoided
| Error Type | Incorrect Example | Correct Example |
| Verb gender error | Khana khayi gaya | Khana khaya gaya |
| Omission of auxiliary verb | Kaam kiya | Kaam kiya gaya |
| Incorrect placement of ke dwara | Ke dwara Ram khana khaya gaya | Khana Ram ke dwara khaya gaya |
Practice Exercises
Convert the following active voice sentences into passive voice:
- Ve darwaza khol rahe hain.
- Usne paani piya.
- Tum kal safai karoge.
- Main patr likhta hoon.
- Rani ne geet gaya.
Answers
| No. | Active | Passive |
| 1 | Ve darwaza khol rahe hain | Darwaza unke dwara khola ja raha hai |
| 2 | Usne paani piya | Paani uske dwara piya gaya |
| 3 | Tum kal safai karoge | Safai tumhare dwara ki jayegi |
| 4 | Main patr likhta hoon | Patra mere dwara likha jata hai |
| 5 | Rani ne geet gaya | Geet Rani ke dwara gaya gaya |
Tips to Remember
• Always begin passive sentences with the receiver of action.
• Apply “ke dwara” only when absolutely necessary.
• “Gaya, gayi, gaye” form depends on number and gender.
• Helping verbs should agree with tense.
• Practice daily all tenses to attain command of them.
Examples for More Practice
| Active Sentence | Passive Sentence |
| Mohan wrote a letter | Chithi Mohan ke dwara likhi gayi |
| I am cleaning the house | Ghar mere dwara saaf kiya ja raha hai |
| He closed the door | Darwaza uske dwara band kiya gaya |
| You prepared tea | Chai tumhare dwara banayi gayi |
| Bachchon ne ped lagaye | Ped bachchon ke dwara lagaye gaye |
Usage of Active and Passive Voice in Daily Life
Both the voices are utilized in Hindi depending on what you want to emphasize. Active voice is utilized in conversational use since it is easy and straightforward. Passive voice is utilized in writing, in reports, and in formal announcements so that sentences are not biased and official.
Examples in day-to-day conversation:
• Main khana bana raha hoon. (I am cooking food.)
• Khana mere dwara banaya ja raha hai. (The food is being cooked by me.)
Both express the same action with a shift in emphasis and tone.
| Sentence Type | Active Example | Passive Example |
| Affirmative | Ram ne khana khaya | Khana Ram ke dwara khaya gaya |
| Negative | Ram ne khana nahi khaya | Khana Ram ke dwara nahi khaya gaya |
| Question | Kya Ram ne khana khaya | Kya khana Ram ke dwara khaya gaya |
| Imperative | Patra likho | Patra likha jaye |
| Unknown Doer | Kisi ne kaam kiya | Kaam kiya gaya |
Daily Use Examples
• Ghar saaf kiya gaya. (The house was cleaned.)
• Kaam pura kar diya gaya. (The work was completed.)
• Patra likha gaya. (The letter was written.)
• Paise jama karaye gaye. (The money was deposited.)
• Samasya hal kar di gayi. (The problem was solved.)
FAQs
What is an active voice in Hindi?
It tells us who is doing the work. Example: Ram ne khana khaya.
What is passive voice in Hindi?
It explains what is happening. For example: Khaya gaya khana Ram ne.
When do we employ the passive voice?
When you want to stress the effect or if the doer is unknown.
What makes a passive voice?
Employing “ke dwara” and auxiliary verbs such as “gaya, gayi, gaye.”
Can all the tenses be transformed into passive voice?
Ninety percent all except a few continuous tenses which are unnatural.
Why do we employ passive voice?
It formalizes, politeness, and makes language impersonal where required.
Active and passive voice in Hindi allow you to make choices as to how to verbalize ideas. Active voice ensures that you stay concerned with the doer. Passive voice ensures that you stay concerned with what is done. You can switch between them very easily once you have mastered changing verbs, helping verbs, and word order.
Practice short sentences every day. Change simple present and past sentences to passive voice. In three days, you will be able to identify both voices with ease. Active and passive voice command will make your Hindi writing and speaking strong, clear, and grammatically correct.