Karak and Case Markers
Karak and Case Markers
Karak supplies two questions almost every year and it is the most rule-governed part of sentence study. The eight karak, their markers and the sense each carries can be learnt together, and once they are, these questions are answered without having to think them through.
The Eight Karak and Their Markers
| Karak | Marker | Sense |
|---|---|---|
| Karta | ने | the doer |
| Karm | को | the one affected |
| Karan | से, के द्वारा | the means |
| Sampradan | के लिए, को | the one for whom |
| Apadan | से (separation) | separation |
| Sambandh | का, के, की | relation |
| Adhikaran | में, पर | place or basis |
| Sambodhan | हे, अरे | calling out |
The greatest difficulty lies between karan and apadan, since both take से. The difference comes from the sense — if the idea is of a means, it is karan; if it is of separation, it is apadan.
✗ पेड़ से पत्ता गिरा shows karan karak | ✓ The sense here is separation, so it is apadan karak
Keep two examples side by side — in मैं कलम से लिखता हूँ the pen is the means, so it is karan; in पेड़ से पत्ता गिरा the leaf is separating from the tree, so it is apadan.
The Karm and Sampradan Tangle
Both of these can take को, and again the sense decides. If the action falls upon something, it is karm; if something is done for someone, it is sampradan.
- राम ने श्याम को मारा — the action falls on Shyam, so karm karak.
- राम ने श्याम को पुस्तक दी — the book is given for Shyam, so sampradan karak.
- गुरु को नमस्कार — offered in respect, so sampradan karak.
The Use of ने
The marker ने attaches to the doer only when the verb is transitive and in the past tense. राम ने पत्र लिखा is correct; राम ने हँसा is wrong, because हँसना is intransitive.
परीक्षा की विधि: कारक पहचानने के लिए क्रिया से प्रश्न पूछिए — किसने, किसको, किससे, किसके लिए, कहाँ। जो प्रश्न उत्तर दे दे, वही कारक है।
TRE pointer: The difference between karan and apadan is asked most often — a means gives karan, separation gives apadan. Karm and sampradan are separated the same way, by sense. Fix the rule for ने — transitive verb and past tense — because it returns in the error-correction questions as well.
60-Second Recap
- There are eight karak and each has its own marker.
- Karan and apadan both take से; the sense separates them.
- A means gives karan and separation gives apadan.
- Karm is where the action falls; sampradan is for whom it is done.
- Sambandh takes का, के, की and adhikaran takes में, पर.
- ने is used only with a transitive verb in the past tense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you separate karan from apadan?
Both take से, so the sense has to be read. If से points to a means or an instrument, it is karan, as in मैं कलम से लिखता हूँ. If it carries the idea of separating from something, it is apadan, as in पेड़ से पत्ता गिरा. The marker is identical; only the sense differs.
When is ने used?
When the verb is transitive and the sentence is in the past tense. राम ने पत्र लिखा is correct, because लिखना is transitive and the sentence is past. राम ने हँसा is wrong, because हँसना is intransitive and does not take ने at all.
What is the difference between karm and sampradan?
Both can take को. If the sentence names the one on whom the action falls, it is karm, as in राम ने श्याम को मारा. If something is done for someone, it is sampradan, as in राम ने श्याम को पुस्तक दी. Giving, offering and respecting all point to sampradan.
What is the simplest way to identify karak?
Put a question to the verb. किसने gives the doer, किसको the object, किससे either karan or apadan, किसके लिए the sampradan and कहाँ the adhikaran. Whichever word answers the question stands in that karak, and the marker then confirms it.