A gerund is a form of a verb that ends in -ing that is used as a noun. It looks like a verb, but it acts as a noun. For example, in the expression “Smoking is injurious to health”, smoking is a gerund. Infinitives (to + verb) also are expressed by gerunds.
In Hindi, a gerund is formed by adding ना naa to the root verb.
Example:
धूम्रपान कर – dhoomrpaan kar = Smoke – Root verb
Add naa ना to the root verb to covert it into a noun
धूम्रपान कर + ना = धूम्रपान करना = Smoking
Smoking is injurious to health – धूम्रपान करना स्वास्थ्य के लिए हानिकारक है – Dhoomrapaan karna svaasthy ke lie haanikaarak hai
तैर – tair = Swim – Root verb
Add naa ना to the root verb to covert it into a noun
तैर + ना = तैरना = Swimming
Swimming is a good exercise – तैरना एक अच्छा व्यायाम है – Tairana ek achchha vyaayaam hai
The ending of gerund will change from aa आ to e ए sound if it is followed by a kaarak sign
By sleeping – सोना से – सोने से – Sone se
For reading – पढ़ना के लिए – पढ़ने के लिए – Padne ke liye
On coming – आना पर – आने पर – Aane par
Gerunds are also used to denote order. They are milder in tone and sound like advice. This is used if the person addressed is elder than the speaker.
Complete your homework – अपना होमवर्क पूरा करना – Apna homavark poora karna
Read newspaper daily – रोज अखबार पढ़ना – Roj akhbaar padna
Don’t eat this fruit – इस फल को मत खाना – Is phal ko math khana
Come early – जल्दी आना – Jaldi aana
Do not fight with your brother – अपने भाई से मत लड़ना – Apne bhai se mat ladna
Case sign is generally dropped after a gerund if it is followed by one more verb.
I am going to visit my grandparents – मैं अपने दादा-दादी से मिलने (को) जा रहा हूँ – Main apane daada-daadee se milane (ko) ja raha hoon – Ko is generally dropped.
Ram comes daily to play – राम रोज खेलने (को) आता है – Raam roj khelane (ko) aata hai – Ko is generally dropped.