3.1.1 Continuous markers رہا، رہی، رہے

Role of رہا، رہی، رہے in Urdu Continuous Tenses

In this chapter we focus on the continuous markers رہا، رہی، رہے and how they work with different subjects, genders, and numbers. We will stay at the level of form and basic usage, without going deep into all tense combinations, which you will meet in the broader tense chapters.

1. What do رہا، رہی، رہے mean?

In Urdu, continuous or progressive actions use a special marker that comes from the verb رہنا "to stay". In modern Urdu, this element is usually not translated as "stay", but works as a continuous marker, similar to English "-ing" in "is doing", "was doing".

There are three main forms:

Simple structural pattern

The basic pattern for a continuous verb phrase is:

[main verb stem] + رہا / رہی / رہے + ہونا (to be, in the correct tense)

For example, in the present:

• وہ کام کر رہا ہے.
  "He is doing work / He is working."

We will look at person, gender, and number more closely below.

2. Agreement of رہا، رہی، رہے with the Subject

2.1 Masculine singular: رہا

Use رہا when the subject is masculine singular.

Typical subjects:

• وہ (he)
• یہ (this, masculine)
• علی, احمد, بلال, etc.

Examples in present continuous:

Last example introduces a small twist: بابا is singular, but we often address elders respectfully with ہیں instead of ہے. Notice that with this respectful subject, native speakers usually use رہے instead of رہا, because the verb agrees with the respectful form (similar to plural).

So we see both:

• بابا سو رہے ہیں. (common, respectful)
• بابا سو رہا ہے. (grammatically masculine singular, sounds less respectful)

At this level, focus on the simple rule:

• Masculine singular, not respectful plural-like usage → رہا + ہے / تھا etc.

2.2 Feminine singular: رہی

Use رہی when the subject is feminine singular.

Typical subjects:

• وہ (she)
• یہ (this, feminine)
• مریم, فاطمہ, عائشہ etc.

Examples:

Again, with respect, ہیں is used, but رہی stays feminine.

2.3 Plural or respectful: رہے

Use رہے when the subject is:

1. Plural (masculine or mixed group)
2. A singular person addressed respectfully with plural verb endings (آپ, elders, respected people)

Examples with plural subjects:

Examples with respectful singular subjects (notice آپ):

3. Position of رہا، رہی، رہے in the Verb Phrase

The continuous marker comes immediately after the main verb stem and before the correct form of ہونا (to be).

3.1 Basic word order in the verb phrase

• [Verb stem] + رہا / رہی / رہے + [form of ہونا]

Examples with the verb کرنا "to do":

Notice how رہا / رہی / رہے never move away from the main verb. They stay attached tightly to it.

3.2 Incorrect vs correct placement

Some typical mistakes:

4. Continuous markers with different pronouns

Now we combine subject pronouns with the appropriate form of رہا / رہی / رہے. Here we will use present continuous, because it keeps the structure simple. The logic is similar in other tenses.

4.1 First person: I and we

For میں (I) the gender of the speaker decides رہا / رہی.

For ہم (we) the verb is plural, so we use رہے ہیں for a mixed or masculine group. If the group is clearly all female, speakers may say رہی ہیں, but رہے ہیں is very common in mixed or unknown situations.

At this level, it is safe to prefer رہے ہیں with ہم, unless you clearly talk about an all-female group.

4.2 Second person: you (informal and polite)

With تم (informal singular or plural), gender matters. With آپ, we always use رہے ہیں (respectful).

4.3 Third person: he, she, they

For وہ (he/she/they) you need to check context for gender and number. If it is "they," you also need plural.

5. Continuous markers with different verbs

The continuous marker works in almost the same way with most action verbs. Here we will see a variety of common verbs plus رہا / رہی / رہے in context.

5.1 Common verbs in continuous use

Observe that the stem is simply the verb without the final نا. For present continuous, you generally do:

[infinitive without نا] + رہا / رہی / رہے + ہے / ہوں / ہیں / ہو

6. Short contextual mini-dialogues

Here are short dialogues that show رہا / رہی / رہے in natural sentences. Pay special attention to agreement and position.

Dialogue 1: At home

A: تم کیا کر رہے ہو؟
What are you doing?

B (male): میں ہوم ورک کر رہا ہوں۔
I am doing homework.

B (female): میں ہوم ورک کر رہی ہوں۔
I am doing homework.

Dialogue 2: On the phone

A: آپ کہاں جا رہے ہیں؟
Where are you going?

B (male): میں دفتر جا رہا ہوں۔
I am going to the office.

B (female): میں بازار جا رہی ہوں۔
I am going to the market.

Dialogue 3: At school

Teacher: بچے، کیا لکھ رہے ہیں؟
Children, what are you writing?

Students: ہم جملے لکھ رہے ہیں۔
We are writing sentences.

Dialogue 4: Describing others

A: وہ کیا کھا رہا ہے؟
What is he eating?

B: وہ سیب کھا رہا ہے۔
He is eating an apple.

A: اور وہ کیا کھا رہی ہے؟
And what is she eating?

B: وہ کیک کھا رہی ہے۔
She is eating cake.

7. Practice patterns

Use these patterns to build many sentences. Replace words to practice gender and number agreement.

7.1 Pattern: "X is VERB-ing"

Structure:

[Subject] + [object] + [stem + رہا / رہی / رہے] + [form of ہونا]

Some templates:

1. میں [object] [stem + رہا / رہی] ہوں۔
• میں کتاب پڑھ رہا ہوں۔ (male)
  "I am reading a book."
• میں کتاب پڑھ رہی ہوں۔ (female)
2. وہ [object] [stem + رہا / رہی] ہے۔
• وہ پانی پی رہا ہے۔
  "He is drinking water."
• وہ پانی پی رہی ہے۔
  "She is drinking water."
3. ہم [object] [stem + رہے] ہیں۔
• ہم اردو سیکھ رہے ہیں۔
  "We are learning Urdu."
4. آپ [object] [stem + رہے] ہیں؟
• آپ کیا لکھ رہے ہیں؟
  "What are you writing?"

7.2 Short transformation exercise (conceptual)

Take the basic sentence:
وہ کام کر رہا ہے۔
"He is doing work."

Transform it by changing subject and adjusting رہا / رہی / رہے:

Focus on how only the continuous marker and "to be" change with the subject.

8. Contrast: simple vs continuous meaning

The continuous marker adds a sense of ongoing action. Compare:

We do not explain full tense systems here, but you can see that رہا / رہی / رہے is central to continuous or progressive aspect, not to general habits.

9. Typical learner mistakes with رہا، رہی، رہے

Here are some common problems and how to avoid them.

9.1 Using the wrong gender form

Incorrect:

• وہ لڑکی کھیل رہا ہے۔

Correct:

• وہ لڑکی کھیل رہی ہے۔

Because لڑکی is feminine, we use رہی.

Incorrect:

• علی سو رہی ہے۔

Correct:

• علی سو رہا ہے۔

Because علی is masculine, we use رہا.

9.2 Forgetting the form of ہونا

Incorrect:

• میں اردو سیکھ رہا۔

Correct:

• میں اردو سیکھ رہا ہوں۔

You must always include the correct form of ہونا at the end.

9.3 Wrong word order

Incorrect:

• میں ہوں اردو سیکھ رہا۔

Correct:

• میں اردو سیکھ رہا ہوں۔

Remember the pattern: stem + رہا / رہی / رہے + ہوں / ہو / ہے / ہیں.

10. Summary of core patterns

To summarize, here is a compact table of present continuous for one common verb کرنا "to do", showing only how رہا / رہی / رہے behaves with subjects.

If you remember these patterns, you can easily change the main verb and keep using رہا / رہی / رہے correctly.

Vocabulary from this Chapter

Below is a list of useful words and phrases that appeared in this chapter.

Use these words to build many continuous sentences using رہا، رہی، رہے and pay attention to agreement with the subject every time.