Describe a routine and distinguish an action now

Habitual actions use a verb stem plus -ता/-ती/-ते and a form of be: मैं नीचे रहता हूँ / रहती हूँ. The ending agrees with the subject. अर्जुन बजाता है means Arjun plays, as a routine.

The progressive describes an action happening now. Listen for रहा/रही/रहे plus a form of be: बज रही है means is playing. For now recognise this whole phrase; the pattern receives focused practice later. An infinitive names an action and normally ends in -ना: सोना, बजाना.

Learn मुझे सोना है (I want/need to sleep) and polite कल बजाइए (play tomorrow) as useful requests. कल can mean tomorrow or yesterday: future/past context tells you which.

• मैं नीचे रहता हूँ।I live downstairs. (male)

• मैं नीचे रहती हूँ।I live downstairs. (female)

• अर्जुन रात को बजाता है।Arjun plays at night.