जब भी (jab bhii)
conjunction
A correlative conjunction meaning 'whenever' -- it sets up a time clause that pairs with तब (tab, 'then') or is left implied. One core sense; the grammar is the point of this word.
Sense
1
:
whenever
conjunction Works as the जब-half of a जब भी...तब correlative pair; तब (tab) is often dropped in casual speech when the main clause follows naturally, e.g. जब भी वह आता है, खाना बना होता है (jab bhii vah aataa hai, khaanaa banaa hotaa hai, 'whenever he comes, the food is ready').
Synonyms: जिस समय (jis samay, less common), जब कभी (jab kabhii, variant form)
Frequency: high
Cultural Note: This is the Hindi equivalent of English 'whenever' and behaves exactly like other जो...वह (jo...vah) style correlatives you have likely met -- the जब भी (jab bhii) clause almost always comes first, with the result clause following, mirroring the natural order of 'whenever X, Y' in English.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners often forget that the तब (tab) clause can be silently dropped, and try to force it into every sentence -- native speakers frequently just let the जब भी (jab bhii) clause stand alone with the main clause following. 2) Confusing जब भी (jab bhii, 'whenever') with कभी भी (kabhii bhii, 'anytime, at all'); the former always introduces a clause with a verb, the latter is a standalone adverb of time.
Sample Sentences:
जब भी मैं दिल्ली आता हूँ, मैं उससे मिलता हूँ।
Whenever I come to Delhi, I meet her.
(jab bhii main dillii aataa hoon, main usse miltaa hoon।)
जब भी बारिश होती है, सड़कों पर पानी भर जाता है।
Whenever it rains, the roads get flooded with water.
(jab bhii baarish hotii hai, sadkon par paanii bhar jaataa hai।)
जब भी उसने फोन किया, मैं व्यस्त था।
Whenever he called, I was busy.
(jab bhii usne phon kiyaa, main vyast thaa।)
जब भी तुम्हें मदद चाहिए हो, मुझे बता देना।
Whenever you need help, just let me know.
(jab bhii tumhen madad chaahie ho, mujhe bataa denaa।)
जब भी वह गुस्से में होता, चिल्लाने लगता।
Whenever he would get angry, he would start shouting.
(jab bhii vah gusse men hotaa, chillaane lagtaa।)
जब भी आप यहाँ से गुज़रें, हमारे घर आ जाइए।
Whenever you happen to pass by here, do drop in at our place.
(jab bhii aap yahaan se guzren, hamaare ghar aa jaaie।)
जब भी यह गीत बजाया जाता है, सब नाचने लगते हैं।
Whenever this song is played, everyone starts dancing.
(jab bhii yah giit bajaayaa jaataa hai, sab naachne lagte hain।)
जब भी मैं वह किताब पढ़ रहा होता हूँ, फोन बज उठता है।
Whenever I am reading that book, the phone rings.
(jab bhii main vah kitaab padh rahaa hotaa hoon, phon baj uthtaa hai।)
जब भी मौका मिलेगा, मैं तुम्हें ज़रूर बताऊँगा।
Whenever I get the chance, I will definitely tell you.
(jab bhii maukaa milegaa, main tumhen zaroor bataaoongaa।)
जब भी माँ की याद आती है, आँखें भर आती हैं।
Whenever I remember my mother, my eyes well up.
(jab bhii maan kii yaad aatii hai, aankhen bhar aatii hain।)