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Intermediate

Object Marking with کو

Definite objects and recipients

کو marks a definite / specific direct object

'the X'.

📊 Uses of کو
Use Example Meaning
indirect object اس کو دو give to him
definite object لڑکے کو دیکھا saw the boy
experiencer مجھے بھوک ہے I'm hungry (to me)
time سوموار کو on Monday
💬 Examples
میں نے لڑکے کو دیکھا۔
main ne laṛke ko dekhā.
I saw the boy.
📝 کو = definite object
اس نے کتاب کو پڑھا۔
us ne kitāb ko paṛhā.
He read the (specific) book.
📝 کو for a specific object
کو also marks the indirect object ('to')

Recipient.

💬 Examples
میں نے اس کو کتاب دی۔
main ne us ko kitāb dī.
I gave the book to him/her.
📝 کو = to (recipient)
استاد کو بتاؤ۔
ustād ko batāo.
Tell the teacher.
📝 کو = to (the teacher)
کو in experiencer sentences ('to me ...')

For feelings and needs.

💬 Examples
مجھے بھوک ہے۔
mujhe bhūk hai.
I am hungry. (lit. to me is hunger)
📝 مجھے = مجھ کو (experiencer)
اسے بخار ہے۔
use bukhār hai.
He/She has a fever.
📝 اسے = اس کو