तब (tab)
adverb/conjunction
A basic time adverb meaning 'then/at that time', usually paired with जब (jab, 'when') in correlative constructions; it also has a discourse use meaning 'in that case, so'.
Sense
1
:
at that time, then
adverb Forms a correlative pair with जब (jab, 'when'): जब...तब... (jab...tab..., 'when... then...') is the standard frame, parallel to English 'when... then...' but far more obligatory in Hindi.
Synonyms: उस समय (us samay, 'at that time', two-word phrase), उस वक़्त (us vaqt, 'at that time', two-word phrase)
Frequency: high
Cultural Note: Think of जब...तब... (jab...tab..., 'when... then...') as a matched set, like 'if...then...' in English -- native speakers reach for both halves together almost reflexively. तब (tab) pairs naturally with इससे पहले (isse pahle) or उसके बाद (uske baad) type time markers in longer narratives too.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners often drop जब (jab) and use तब (tab) alone where English would just say 'then', but in Hindi तब (tab) usually wants its jab-clause partner nearby for the sentence to sound complete. 2) Confusing तब (tab) (time: 'then/at that time') with तो (to) (logical: 'so/in that case') -- they overlap in translation but not in flavor.
Sample Sentences:
जब मैं छोटा था, तब हम दिल्ली में रहते थे।
When I was little, we used to live in Delhi.
(jab main chhotaa thaa, tab ham dillii men rahte the।)
जब वह स्टेशन पहुँचा, तब तक गाड़ी जा चुकी थी।
By the time he reached the station, the train had already left.
(jab vah steshan pahunchaa, tab tak gaadii jaa chukii thii।)
तब हमारे पास मोबाइल फोन नहीं होते थे।
Back then, we didn't have mobile phones.
(tab hamaare paas mobaail phon nahiin hote the।)
जब बारिश रुकेगी, तब हम बाहर जाएँगे।
When the rain stops, then we'll go outside.
(jab baarish rukegii, tab ham baahar jaaenge।)
अगर तुम मुझे तब बताते, तो मैं समय पर आ जाता।
If you had told me then, I would have come on time.
(agar tum mujhe tab bataate, to main samay par aa jaataa।)
इससे पहले वह कभी विदेश नहीं गया था, तब पहली बार उसने हवाई जहाज़ देखा।
Before that he had never gone abroad; then, for the first time, he saw an airplane.
(isse pahle vah kabhii videsh nahiin gayaa thaa, tab pahlii baar usne havaaii jahaaz dekhaa।)
पहले खाना बनाओ, तब खाओ।
First cook the food, then eat.
(pahle khaanaa banaao, tab khaao।)
उसके बाद कंपनी बंद हो गई, तब बहुत लोग बेरोज़गार हो गए।
After that the company shut down, and then many people became unemployed.
(uske baad kampnii band ho gaii, tab bahut log berozgaar ho gae।)
जब सारे मेहमान आ जाएँ, तब खाना परोसा जाए।
Once all the guests have arrived, then let the food be served.
(jab saare mehmaan aa jaaen, tab khaanaa parosaa jaae।)
जब सूरज डूबता है, तब आसमान का रंग बदल जाता है।
When the sun sets, then the color of the sky changes.
(jab sooraj doobtaa hai, tab aasmaan kaa rang badal jaataa hai।)
मैं तब सो रहा था जब फ़ोन की घंटी बजी।
I was sleeping then when the phone rang.
(main tab so rahaa thaa jab fon kii ghantii bajii।)
Sense
2
:
then, in that case (logical consequence)
conjunction Used at the head of a clause to mark a consequence or conclusion drawn from what was just said, close to फिर (phir) in this use.
Synonyms: तो (to, 'so, then'), फिर (phir, 'then, in that case')
Frequency: medium
Cultural Note: You will hear this in everyday problem-solving talk -- someone lays out a situation, and the reply starts with तब (tab) or फिर (phir) to mean 'well then...', much like an English speaker pausing before drawing a conclusion.
Sample Sentences:
अगर बारिश हो रही है, तब तो हम बाहर नहीं जा सकते।
If it's raining, then we can't go outside.
(agar baarish ho rahii hai, tab to ham baahar nahiin jaa sakte।)
उसने काम पूरा नहीं किया, तब मुझे गुस्सा आया।
He didn't finish the work -- so I got angry.
(usne kaam pooraa nahiin kiyaa, tab mujhe gussaa aayaa।)
अच्छा, तुम्हें पैसे नहीं मिले? तब तो मुश्किल हो जाएगी।
Oh, you didn't get the money? Then it's going to be difficult.
(achchhaa, tumhen paise nahiin mile? tab to mushkil ho jaaegii।)
यदि तुम मेहनत करते, तब तुम्हें यह नौकरी मिल जाती।
If you had worked hard, you would have gotten this job.
(yadi tum mehnat karte, tab tumhen yah naukrii mil jaatii।)
पहले पूरी बात सुन लो, तब कोई फैसला करना।
First listen to the whole matter, then make a decision.
(pahle poorii baat sun lo, tab koii phaislaa karnaa।)
यह प्रस्ताव स्वीकार किया जाए, तब ही परियोजना आगे बढ़ेगी।
Only if this proposal is accepted will the project move forward.
(yah prastaav sviikaar kiyaa jaae, tab hii pariyojnaa aage badhegii।)
अगर वह माफी माँग ले, तब हम इस मुद्दे को भूल सकते हैं।
If he apologizes, then we can forget this matter.
(agar vah maaphii maang le, tab ham is mudde ko bhool sakte hain।)
श्रीमान, यदि आप शर्तों से सहमत हैं, तब हम अनुबंध पर हस्ताक्षर कर सकते हैं।
Sir, if you agree to the terms, then we can sign the contract.
(shriimaan, yadi aap sharton se sahmat hain, tab ham anubandh par hastaakshar kar sakte hain।)
अच्छा, तुम्हारे पास गाड़ी नहीं है? तब तो ऑटो से जाना पड़ेगा।
Oh, you don't have a car? Well then, we'll have to go by auto.
(achchhaa, tumhaare paas gaadii nahiin hai? tab to oto se jaanaa padegaa।)
जब सत्य और असत्य का यह द्वंद्व चलता रहा, तब मनुष्य ने धर्म की शरण ली।
When this conflict between truth and falsehood continued, then man took refuge in dharma.
(jab saty aur asaty kaa yah dvandv chaltaa rahaa, tab manushy ne dharm kii sharan lii।)