The Past Simple Tense, also known as the Simple Past Tense, is used to describe actions that happened and were completed in the past. It is an essential tense for storytelling, narration, and talking about past events in both Hindi and English. This guide provides clear explanations, Past Simple Tense examples in Hindi, sentence structures, usage tips, and frequently asked questions.
Understanding Past Simple Tense
What Is Past Simple Tense?
Past Simple Tense expresses actions that occurred at a specific time in the past and are now finished.
Structure in English:
Subject + past form of verb
Structure in Hindi:
Subject + ने + verb (past form) + या/ई/ए + था/थी/थे
Example:
He visited Delhi last year.
Translation: उसने पिछले साल दिल्ली का दौरा किया।
Sentence Structures for Past Simple Tense
Positive Sentences
English Structure:
Subject + past form of verb
Hindi Structure:
Subject + ने + verb + या/ई/ए + था/थी/थे
Examples:
- I watched a movie. / मैंने एक फ़िल्म देखी।
- She cooked dinner. / उसने खाना बनाया।
- They played cricket. / उन्होंने क्रिकेट खेला।
Negative Sentences
English Structure:
Subject + did not + base form of verb
Hindi Structure:
Subject + ने + verb + नहीं + किया/की/के
Examples:
- He did not go to school. / उसने स्कूल नहीं गया।
- We did not eat pizza. / हमने पिज़्ज़ा नहीं खाया।
- She did not dance. / उसने नाचा नहीं।
Interrogative Sentences
English Structure:
Did + subject + base form of verb?
Hindi Structure:
क्या + subject + ने + verb + किया/की/के?
Examples:
- Did you meet him? / क्या तुमने उससे मुलाकात की?
- Did she sing a song? / क्या उसने गाना गाया?
- Did they come yesterday? / क्या वे कल आए?
Examples of Past Simple Tense in Hindi and English
| Sentence Type | Example in Hindi | English Translation |
| Positive | उसने मुझे कॉल किया। | He called me. |
| Negative | मैंने नाश्ता नहीं किया। | I did not eat breakfast. |
| Interrogative | क्या तुम बाज़ार गए? | Did you go to the market? |
| Habitual (Past) | हम रोज़ पार्क जाते थे। | We used to go to the park daily. |
| Event | बारिश सुबह शुरू हुई। | The rain started in the morning. |
How to Use Past Simple Tense in Sentences
To Talk About Completed Actions
Use it for events that started and ended in the past.
Example:
वह दो साल पहले अमेरिका गया था।
(He went to America two years ago.)
To Describe a Sequence of Events
Tell stories or describe steps in the past.
Example:
मैं उठा, नहाया और स्कूल गया।
(I woke up, took a shower, and went to school.)
To Describe Past Habits
Talk about things you used to do in the past.
Example:
बचपन में मैं हर शाम क्रिकेट खेलता था।
(I used to play cricket every evening in childhood.)
Common Time Expressions for Past Simple Tense
- कल (yesterday)
- पिछले हफ्ते (last week)
- दो दिन पहले (two days ago)
- जब मैं छोटा था (when I was young)
- 2010 में (in 2010)
Practice: Try Creating Past Simple Sentences
Form your own Hindi-English sentences using these prompts:
- He / read / a book
- I / not / eat / lunch
- Did / she / attend / the meeting?
- We / play / in the rain
- They / arrive / yesterday
Sample Answers:
- उसने किताब पढ़ी।
- मैंने दोपहर का खाना नहीं खाया।
- क्या उसने बैठक में भाग लिया?
- हमने बारिश में खेला।
- वे कल पहुंचे।
Tips for Using Past Simple Tense
- Use the second form (past form) of the verb in English.
- In Hindi, apply past tense endings like -या, -ई, -ए based on subject gender and number.
- Use time markers like yesterday, last year, or two days ago for clarity.
- Practice storytelling or diary writing to strengthen usage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Past Simple Tense
What is the difference between Past Simple and Present Perfect?
Past Simple is used for completed actions at a specific past time.
Present Perfect is used for actions with present relevance.
Example:
- I saw the movie yesterday. (Past Simple)
- I have seen the movie. (Present Perfect)
How do you know if a verb is in the past tense?
Look for the second form (V2) of the verb in English.
Example: go → went, eat → ate
Can I use “did” with past tense verbs?
No. If you use “did,” the main verb stays in base form.
Wrong: He went to school.
Right: He did go to school.
Is “used to” part of Past Simple Tense?
Yes, it is used to talk about past habits.
Example: I used to play piano.
What are some regular and irregular past tense verbs?
Regular: work → worked, call → called
Irregular: go → went, see → saw, eat → ate
The Past Simple Tense allows you to describe experiences, events, and actions that are completed in the past. Whether you’re writing stories, sharing memories, or talking about history, mastering this tense is crucial. Use the provided Past Simple Tense examples in Hindi, structures, and tips to build fluency and confidence in everyday conversations.