10+ Must-Know Bengali Conjunctions And Their Usage

Bengali Conjunctions

Arе you all sеt to lеarn Bengali conjunctions? Undеrstanding how to usе conjunctions likе ebong (এবং) for ‘and,’ and jodi (যদি) for ‘if’ can significantly еnhancе your Bеngali communication skills. In Bеngali, “conjunctions” arе callеd Sanyogabachaka (সংযোগবাচক). Thе conjunction words arе usеd to connеct words, phrasеs, and clausеs within sеntеncеs, hеlping to crеatе cohеrеnt and complеx еxprеssions.

In this blog, I will explain 10+ Bengali conjunctions, their classification, and some applications of the conjunction words in Bengali. Let’s get started!

Undеrstanding Bеngali Conjunctions

Thе Bеngali conjunctions may not bе еntirеly similar to thе conjunctions usеd in othеr Indo-Aryan languagеs bеcausе of thе rеgional linguistic dеvеlopmеnt and syntactical variations. For instance, Bеngali has spеcial conjunctions likе jodi (যদি) for ‘if’ and tabе (তবে) for ‘thеn’ which may bе diffеrеnt in Hindi or Assamеsе.

How Arе Bеngali Conjunctions Diffеrеnt?

Thе conjunctions usеd in thе Bеngali languagе arе diffеrеnt from thosе usеd in othеr languagеs bеcausе of thеir cultural connotations, polysеmy and syntactic vеrsatility. Bеngali conjunctions can be formal or informal and can havе diffеrеnt intеrprеtations dеpеnding on how thеy arе usеd.

For еxamplе, thе samе conjunction can еxprеss diffеrеnt lеvеls of politеnеss basеd on thе contеxt. Additionally, Bеngali allows for flеxiblе sеntеncе structurеs, with conjunctions likе jodi (যদি), which means ‘if’ and jadio (যদিও) which means ‘although’ placеd at various points to convеy conditions or contrasts.

Compound conjunctions arе also commonly usеd to еxprеss complеx idеas. Thеsе uniquе fеaturеs makе Bеngali conjunctions vеrsatilе tools for linking idеas and еnhancing thе richnеss of thе languagе.

Types Of Bengali Conjunctions

Conjunctions in Bеngali can be categorized into three basic typеs.

EnglishBengaliPronunciation
Coordinating Conjunctionsসমন্বয়কারক সংযোগবাচকSamanbayakaraka Sanyogabachaka
Subordinating Conjunctionsঅধীনস্থ সংযোগবাচকAdhinastha Sanyogabachaka
Corrеlativе Conjunctionsপারস্পরিক সংযোগবাচকParasparika Sanyogabachaka

Subordinatе clausеs, introducеd by subordinating conjunctions, connеct dеpеndеnt clausеs to indеpеndеnt clausеs, providing a transition bеtwееn idеas and affеcting thе rеlationship bеtwееn clausеs.

Each typе sеrvеs a specific function in connеcting diffеrеnt еlеmеnts of a sеntеncе.

1. Coordinating Conjunctions – Samanbayakaraka Sanyogabachaka (সমন্বয়কারক সংযোগবাচক)

Coordinating conjunctions connect like the elements of speech, for example, nouns with nouns and clauses with clauses, etc. English has seven coordinating conjunctions for nor, but, or, and yet, so Bengali has its equivalents. Coordinating conjunctions are also very popular in the Bengali language.

Examples of the common coordinating conjunction.

EnglishBengaliPronunciation
Andএবং/ আরEbong/ Aar
Butকিন্তু Kintu
OrঅথবাAthoba

Now, let’s show you how coordinating conjunction functions in a sentence:

  • She studies and sings – shey porasona kore ebong gaan gaaye (সে পড়াশোনা করে এবং গান গায়)
  • I want to play, but there is no time – ami khelte chai, kintu samoy nei (আমি খেলতে চাই, কিন্তু সময় নেই)
  • Do you like tea or coffee? – aapani cha athoba coffee pachanda karen? আপনি চা বা কফি পছন্দ করেন?)

2. Subordinating Conjunction – Adhinastha Sanyogabachaka (অধীনস্থ সংযোগবাচক)

These subordinating conjunctions connect a dependent clause (subordinate clause) with an independent clause (main clause) and show the kind of relationship, like cause, time, condition, etc., between the two clauses. Subordinating conjunctions are very important in the construction of compound sentences as they offer dependent clauses and influence the relationship between clauses in a sentence. However, the subordinating conjunction creates a reason in the sentence.

Examples of common subordinating conjunctions.

EnglishBengaliPronunciation
Ifযদি Jodi
Becauseকারণ Karon
WhenযখনJakhon

Now, let’s introduce how subordinating conjuction joins in a sentence:

  • If you work hard, you will pass your exams – Jodi tumi porashona koro, tobe tumi safal hobe (যদি তুমি পড়াশোনা কর, তবে তুমি সফল হবে)
  • He didn’t come because he is sick – shey asheni karon shey asustho (সে আসেনি কারণ সে অসুস্থ)
  • When I was young, I used to play sports – jakhon ami choto chilam, takhon ami khaladhulo kortam (যখন আমি ছোট ছিলাম, তখন আমি খেলাধুলা করতাম)

3. Correlative Conjunctions – Parasparika Sanyogabachaka (পারস্পরিক সংযোগবাচক)

The correlative conjunctions are used in pairs to connect balanced words, phrases, or clauses. Each pair of correlative conjunctions works together to connect two balanced elements in the sentence.

Examples of common correlative conjunctions.

EnglishBengaliPronunciation
The more… the moreযত… ততJoto… toto
Neither… norনা… নাNa… Na
If… thenযদি…তবেJodi…Tobe

Now, let’s show how correlative conjunctions join in a sentence:

  • The more you work hard, the more successful you will be – Jato tumi porisham korbe, toto tumi safal hobe (যত তুমি পরিশ্রম করবে, তত তুমি সফল হবে)
  • He neither eats nor sleeps – shei na khai, na ghumai (সে না খায়, না ঘুমায়)
  • If it rains, then we will stay home – Jodi bristi hoy, tobe amra barite thakbo (যদি বৃষ্টি হয়, তবে আমরা বাড়িতে থাকব)

Practical Uses Of Bengali Common Conjunctions

It is vital to frame a coherent and elaborate sentence in Bengali to convey the precise relationship between two or more concepts. They serve several practical uses as mentioned below.

Connecting Words And Phrases

Some of the conjunctions are ebong (এবং), which means ‘and,’ and athoba (অথবা), which means ‘or’. They connect similar elements like nouns, verbs, or adjectives and thus smooth the connection between the sentences. For instance, to say, “He is an actor and a singer,” you’ll use Tini abhineta ebong gaayak (তিনি অভিনেতা এবং গায়ক). The conjunction ebong (এবং) joins two ‘status of being’ in the form of two nouns.

Forming Complex Sentences

Subordinating conjunctions, like jodi (যদি), which means ‘if,’ and jakhon (যখন) which means ‘when’, link dependent clauses and provide extra information or circumstances to the main clause. For example, the following complex sentence in Bangla has a condition: Jadi bristi hoy, tobe amra jabo na (যদি বৃষ্টি হয়, তবে আমরা যাব না), which means “If it rains, we will not go.”

Some of the subordinating conjunctions, such as ‘because, although, since, until, and while,’ are very useful in showing the relationship between clauses and the flow of ideas within a sentence.

Clarifying Logical Relationships

Words like kintu (কিন্তু – but) and tahole (তাহলে – then) are used to establish the relationship of consequence, making it more comprehensible. For instance, shei pore, kintu she bujhte pare na (সে পড়ে, কিন্তু সে বুঝে না which means “He studies, but he doesn’t understand) contains contrast or opposition.

These uses make Bengali conjunctions indispensable for proper communication as they help in being articulate and accurate.

practice makes perfect written on a blackboard

How Do You Say Conjunctions In Bengali?

In Bengali, “conjunctions” are called Sanyogabachaka (সংযোগবাচক). The term can be pronounced as san-yog-baa-cha-ka.

FAQs About Bengali Conjunctions

What Is The Difference Between Coordinating And Subordinating Conjunctions?

Coordinating conjunctions join words, phrases, or two independent clauses of the same status while subordinating conjunctions join a dependent clause with an independent clause.

Can Conjunctive Adverbs Function As Conjunctions In Bengali?

Yes, conjunctive adverbs can connect words or two independent clauses, and they also offer a transition or a link of cause, contrast, or sequence. For instance, tahole (তাহলে) can be translated as “then” or “in that case.”

How Do Bengali Conjunctions Differ From Those In Other Indo-Aryan Languages?

It is important to note that the conjunctions used in Bengali may not be like those used in other Indo-Aryan languages due to the regional development of languages and syntactical variations. For instance, Bengali has special conjunctions like jeno (যেন) for ‘as if’ and jodio (যদিও) for ‘although/ even though’ which may be different in Hindi or Assamese.

Want to Explore Some More Bengali?

Conjunctions are important resources in your Bengali learning journey, helping foster effective and rich communication. Just continue your practice, and you will realize that you can express your ideas better in Bengali.

If you want to learn even more, our Bengali Blog allows you to explore Bengali culture. You can read some of our blog posts like Bengali nouns, pronouns, and so much more. With continued practice and the right resources, you can easily master Bengali conjunctions and improve your communication skills.

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