Verb होना honā (to be)

The simple present tense conjugation of the verb होना honā is not gendered. However, in the simple past tense the verb होना honā is conjugated along gender lines.

While the masculine plural form is often used across genders in some parts of India and hence could conceivably be used as a “gender neutral" expression, it is still problematic for many as technically it is the male voice and it could be perceived as such.

The proposed non-binary simple past tense conjugation of the verb होना honā found in the files below is an attempt to address the limitations posed by the gendered nature of verb conjugations in Hindi. It is not (yet :-)) part of the Hindi language, but the hope is that at the very least, such an attempt will hopefully start the much needed conversation about the gendered nature of Hindi and realities of identity.

Feel free to download and use any of the following files with or without transliterations in both, pdf and pages format:

Simple present & past tense conjugation of the verb होना (honā) with some transliterations - in pdf format

Simple present & past tense conjugation of the verb होना (honā) with some transliteration in pages format

Simple present & past tense conjugation of the verb होना (honā) - Devanagari only, in pdf format

Simple present & past tense conjugation of the verb होना (honā) - Devanagari only, in pages format