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Awadhi Grammar Rule: The -हि (-hi) Object Marker

1. The -hi (-हि) Suffix Rule​

In Awadhi grammar, when the suffix -हि (-hi) is attached to a noun or a pronoun, it acts as an object marker or dative marker. It indicates the receiver of an action or the object to which an action is directed.

This is fundamentally different from the present tense verbal suffix -hin (-हिं), which has a nasal dot, attaches to verbs, and denotes plurality. The suffix -hi (-हि) directly alters a noun's grammatical state (its case).

2. Accusative and Dative Case Logic​

In linguistic terms, this suffix marks either the Accusative Case (the direct object of a verb) or the Dative Case (the indirect object of a verb; "to" or "for" someone).

In classical Awadhi syntax, this single suffix elegantly takes the place of postpositions, allowing an action's target to be bundled directly with the noun.

3. Comparison with Hindi​

In Hindi, the equivalent of the Awadhi -hi (-हि) suffix is the postposition को (ko). While Hindi uses "ko" as a separate word, Awadhi fuses the concept into the word itself.

  • राम को (Ram ko) in Hindi becomes रामुहि (Ramuhi) in Awadhi.
  • प्रभु को (Prabhu ko) in Hindi becomes प्रभुहि (Prabhuhi) in Awadhi.
  • मुझ को / मुझे (Mujh ko / Mujhe) in Hindi becomes मोहि (Mohi) in Awadhi.

4. Examples from the Manas​

You will see this suffix attached to nouns and pronouns constantly in the Ramcharitmanas:

  • प्रभुहि (Prabhuhi) = प्रभु (The Lord) + हि -> To the Lord. (e.g., "प्रभुहि चितइ पुनि चितव महि" meaning "Having looked at the Lord...")
  • मोहि (Mohi) = मुझ (Me) + हि -> To me / For me.
  • तेहि (Tehi) = उस (Him/Her/That/It) + हि -> To him / To it.
  • मुनिहि (Munihi) = मुनि (Sage) + हि -> To the sage.