To express that something was happening in the past, the word rihā (-ing) and sī (was) is added to a verb. rihā is like adding “-ing” to the end of a word in English, but is written as a separate word. The ending of the word rihā must also match the gender and number of the subject
This table outlines ways of expressing the phrase “was happening” using the past tense of hoṇā (to be) depending on the gender and number of what was happening.
Singular | Plural | |
Masculine | ho rihā sī | ho rahē san |
Feminine | ho rahī sī | ho rahīā(n) san |
uh gussā ho rihā sī
He was getting angry
asī(n) tiār ho rahē san
They were getting ready
This table outlines ways of expressing the phrase “was doing” using the past tense of karanā (to do) depending on the gender and number of the subject
Singular | Plural | |
Masculine | kar rihā sī | kar rahē san |
Feminine | kar rahī sī | kar rahīā(n) san |
uh sabajīā(n) khā rihā sī
He was eating vegetables
uh chittarakārī kar rahīā(n) sī
They (plural feminine) were painting (art)