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Plurality & Respect: The -न्ह (-nh) vs -हु (-hu) Rules

1. The -nh vs -hu Rules​

In classical Awadhi, just as in modern Hindi, there are specific grammatical tools used to make words plural or to show deep reverence and respect.

If you have been reading closely, you may have noticed two different suffixes that seem to do the exact same thing (making things plural): the -न्ह (-nh) suffix and the -हु / -अहु (-hu / -ahu) suffix.

2. Context of Usage​

So, if both of them signify plurality, how do we know which one to use? The golden rule lies in what type of word you are attaching them to.

Rule A: The -nh Suffix for Nouns & Pronouns​

The -न्ह (-nh) suffix is exclusively attached to People and Things (Characters, Nouns, and Pronouns).

When you want to say "to the gods" (plural), or "to them", or even refer to one single highly honored person (like Lord Rama or a Guru), you add this suffix directly to the noun or pronoun.

  • देव (Dev - God) -> देवन्ह (Devanh) = To the gods (Plural).
  • सो / तेहि (He / To him) -> तिन्ह (Tinh) = To them (Plural) OR To Him (Singular with supreme respect).

Rule B: The -hu Suffix for Verbs (Actions)​

The -हु (-hu) or -अहु (-ahu) suffix is exclusively attached to Actions (Verbs).

When a command, request, or instruction is given to multiple people (or respectfully to one person), you attach the -hu suffix to the root verb. (To see how this brilliantly replaces the modern Hindi "-o" command sound, read our deep-dive on Respectful Plural Commands).

  • सेव् (Sev - Serve) -> सेवहु (Sevahu) = You all serve.
  • सुन् (Sun - Listen) -> सुनहु (Sunahu) = You all listen.
  • जा (Ja - Go) -> जाहू (Jahu) = Go (Respectful/Plural).

The Golden Summary​

To never get confused between the two pluralizing sounds in the Ramcharitmanas, remember this simple formula:

  • -न्ह (-nh) pluralizes the CHARACTER (Noun/Pronoun).
  • -हु (-hu) pluralizes the ACTION (Verb).

3. Comparison with Hindi​

In standard Hindi, you also see this distinct division between noun pluralization and verb pluralization, though the linguistic sounds evolved differently:

  • For Nouns/Pronouns: Hindi typically uses -on (-ओं) (e.g., देवों / Dev-on) which parallels the Awadhi -nh (-न्ह) (e.g., देवन्ह / Deva-nh).
  • For Verbs: Hindi typically uses -o (-ओ) (e.g., सुनो / Sun-o) which parallels the Awadhi -hu (-हु) (e.g., सुनहु / Suna-hu).

4. Examples from the Manas​

Example for -nh (Noun/Pronoun):

  • "अतुलित बल प्रताप तिन्ह पाहीं"
    • Here, तिन्ह refers to "them" (the host of Devas who took monkey forms on Earth).

Example for -hu (Verb):

  • "धरनि महुँ हरि-पद सेवहु जाइ"
    • Here, Lord Brahma is instructing all the deities: "Having gone upon the earth, you all serve (सेवहु) the feet of Hari."