A Door Into Hindi: Lesson 10

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10.4	Animate Direct Objects

If a direct object is animate, it must be in the dative construction:

मैं स्टेशन से अपने भाई को ला रहा हूँ ।

I am bringing (picking up) my brother from the station.

Note: You cannot say : मैं स्टेशन से अपने भाई ला रहा हूँ ।

If an object is inanimate though, you have a choice:

मैं बाज़ार से संतरा ख़रीदूँगा।	I will buy an orange from the bazaar.
मैं बाज़ार से संतरे को ख़रीदूँगा।	I will buy an orange from the bazaar.

Most native speakers put को after all pronoun direct objects even if they are inanimate.

वह अपनी कार लाएगी ।	She will bring her car.
वह अपनी बहिन को लाएगी ।	She will bring her sister.

See Snell's Teach Yourself Hindi (2000)
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