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Aspect & Compound Verbs

Light (vector) verbs

A 'vector' verb adds nuance (compound verbs)

Main verb + a light verb.

📊 Common light verbs
Light verb Adds Example
لینا lenā action for oneself / completion کھا لیا
دینا denā action for another دے دیا
جانا jānā completion / finality سو گیا (fell asleep)
ڈالنا ḍālnā forcefulness کر ڈالا
💬 Examples
کھا لیا
khā liyā
ate (up / completely)
📝 کھا + لینا (completion, for oneself)
دے دیا
de diyā
gave (away)
📝 دے + دینا (completion, for another)
لینا (for self) vs دینا (for another)

A subtle but common contrast.

💬 Examples
میں نے پڑھ لیا۔
main ne paṛh liyā.
I read it (finished, for myself).
📝 لینا = for oneself
اس نے بتا دیا۔
us ne batā diyā.
He told (it to someone).
📝 دینا = for another
جانا adds finality

'ended up / completely'.

💬 Examples
وہ سو گیا۔
wo so gayā.
He fell asleep.
📝 سو + گیا = fell asleep (finality)
پانی ختم ہو گیا۔
pānī khatm ho gayā.
The water ran out.
📝 ہو + گیا = completed change