Parts of Speech (Sangya, Sarvanaam, Visheshan, Kriya etc.)
Overview
Parts of Speech form the grammatical backbone of any language. For JTET Language I, understanding how words function in sentences is essential—both for answering grammar-based MCQs and for teaching young learners.
Mastery of parts of speech enables teachers to explain sentence construction clearly to primary students. The exam tests your ability to identify word categories, understand their functions, and apply this knowledge to correct or analyse sentences. For Hindi, focus on the eight traditional categories (Sangya, Sarvanaam, Visheshan, Kriya, Kriya-Visheshan, Sambandhbodhak, Samuchchaybodhak, Vismayaadibodhak). For English, the standard eight parts apply: Noun, Pronoun, Adjective, Verb, Adverb, Preposition, Conjunction, Interjection.
Key Concepts
- Sangya (Noun): Words that name persons, places, things, or ideas. Five types in Hindi—Vyakti-vachak (proper), Jaati-vachak (common), Bhav-vachak (abstract), Samuh-vachak (collective), Dravya-vachak (material).
- Sarvanaam (Pronoun): Words used in place of nouns to avoid repetition. Six types—Purush-vachak (personal), Nishchay-vachak (demonstrative), Anishchay-vachak (indefinite), Prashn-vachak (interrogative), Sambandh-vachak (relative), Nij-vachak (reflexive).
- Visheshan (Adjective): Words that describe or modify nouns. Four types—Gun-vachak (quality), Sankhya-vachak (numeral), Parimaan-vachak (quantity), Sarvanamik/Sarvanaamic (pronominal).
- Kriya (Verb): Words that express action or state of being. Classified by structure (Sakarmak—transitive, Akarmak—intransitive) and by form (Samanya, Sanyukt, Prarena-arthak etc.).
- Kriya-Visheshan (Adverb): Words that modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Types include Kaal-vachak (time), Sthan-vachak (place), Pariman-vachak (degree), Riti-vachak (manner).
- Sambandhbodhak (Preposition): Words showing relationship between a noun/pronoun and other words. Examples: के ऊपर, के नीचे, की ओर।
- Samuchchaybodhak (Conjunction): Words that join words, phrases, or clauses. Two types—Samanadhikaran (coordinating: और, या, परन्तु) and Vyadhikaran (subordinating: क्योंकि, जब, यदि).
- Vismayaadibodhak (Interjection): Words expressing sudden emotion. Examples: अरे!, वाह!, हाय!, अफसोस!
Formulas / Key Facts
| Hindi Term | English Equivalent | Primary Function | Quick Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sangya | Noun | Names things | राम, पुस्तक, दया |
| Sarvanaam | Pronoun | Replaces noun | वह, यह, कौन |
| Visheshan | Adjective | Describes noun | सुन्दर, तीन, कुछ |
| Kriya | Verb | Shows action/state | खाता है, सोता है |
| Kriya-Visheshan | Adverb | Modifies verb | धीरे, यहाँ, अभी |
| Sambandhbodhak | Preposition | Shows relation | के बाद, के साथ |
| Samuchchaybodhak | Conjunction | Joins elements | और, लेकिन, कि |
| Vismayaadibodhak | Interjection | Expresses emotion | अरे!, शाबाश! |
Must-remember distinctions:
- Sakarmak Kriya needs an object (राम ने सेब खाया)
- Akarmak Kriya has no object (बच्चा सोता है)
- Bhav-vachak Sangya = abstract quality (सुन्दरता, ईमानदारी)
- Prashn-vachak Sarvanaam always forms questions (कौन, क्या, कहाँ)
Worked Examples
Example 1: Identify parts of speech in the sentence
वाक्य: "सुन्दर लड़की धीरे-धीरे गाना गाती है।"
| Word | Part of Speech | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| सुन्दर | Visheshan (Gun-vachak) | Describes the noun "लड़की" |
| लड़की | Sangya (Jaati-vachak) | Common noun for girl |
| धीरे-धीरे | Kriya-Visheshan (Riti-vachak) | Tells manner of action |
| गाना | Sangya | Object of the verb (what is sung) |
| गाती है | Kriya (Sakarmak) | Action with object |
Example 2: Fill in correct pronoun
Question: "राम और श्याम बाज़ार गए। _____ वहाँ फल खरीदे।" Answer: वे (Purush-vachak Sarvanaam, third person plural) Reasoning: The pronoun replaces "राम और श्याम" (two people), requiring plural third-person form.
Example 3: English identification
Sentence: "The clever fox quickly jumped over the lazy dog."
| Word | Part of Speech |
|---|---|
| The | Article (type of Adjective) |
| clever, lazy | Adjective |
| fox, dog | Noun (common) |
| quickly | Adverb (manner) |
| jumped | Verb (intransitive) |
| over | Preposition |
Common Mistakes
- Confusing Bhav-vachak Sangya with Visheshan → "सुन्दरता" is a noun (abstract quality), not an adjective. The adjective form is "सुन्दर." Remember: if it names the quality itself, it's Sangya; if it describes another noun, it's Visheshan.
- Misidentifying Kriya-Visheshan as Visheshan → "तेज़ दौड़ना" vs "तेज़ लड़का." When the word modifies a verb (दौड़ना), it's Kriya-Visheshan; when it modifies a noun (लड़का), it's Visheshan.
- Treating all joining words as Samuchchaybodhak → Words like "के बाद," "के साथ" show relationship (Sambandhbodhak), not joining. True conjunctions join equal or unequal clauses: "और," "क्योंकि."
- Forgetting Nij-vachak Sarvanaam → "आप" in "आप अपना काम करो" is reflexive (Nij-vachak), referring back to the subject—not merely the formal "you."
- Mixing Sakarmak and Akarmak Kriya → Ask "क्या/किसको?" after the verb. If there's an answer, it's Sakarmak. "वह पढ़ता है" → पढ़ता क्या? (किताब implied) = Sakarmak. "वह हँसता है" → हँसता क्या? No direct answer = Akarmak.
Quick Reference
- Eight parts in Hindi: Sangya, Sarvanaam, Visheshan, Kriya, Kriya-Visheshan, Sambandhbodhak, Samuchchaybodhak, Vismayaadibodhak.
- Sangya test: Can you put "एक" or "यह" before it? → Likely a noun.
- Visheshan always sits before or describes a Sangya.
- Kriya = action word; Kriya-Visheshan = how/when/where the action happens.
- Sambandhbodhak needs a noun after it; Samuchchaybodhak joins clauses.
- Vismayaadibodhak is followed by exclamation mark (!) and stands alone grammatically.