सर्वथा (sarvthaa)
adverb
A formal adverb meaning 'entirely, completely' or 'absolutely (not)', used mainly in written and elevated spoken Hindi rather than casual chat.
Sense
1
:
entirely, completely, absolutely
adverb Most often used to intensify a negation (सर्वथा गलत (sarvthaa galat, 'completely wrong')) or to assert total agreement/rightness; sits before the adjective or verb it modifies.
Synonyms: पूर्णतः (poorntah, formal), पूरी तरह (poorii tarah), बिल्कुल (bilkul)
Frequency: literary
Cultural Note: This word belongs to the register of essays, editorials, and formal speeches -- you will hear a minister or a teacher say सर्वथा उचित (sarvthaa uchit, 'entirely appropriate') but rarely a friend say it over chai. Knowing it helps with reading newspapers and listening to formal Hindi more than with everyday bazaar conversation.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners often reach for बिल्कुल (bilkul) in casual speech and सर्वथा (sarvthaa) in writing/formal speech for the same meaning; using सर्वथा (sarvthaa) in a casual chat with friends can sound stiff or bookish. 2) It is an invariant adverb -- it never changes form regardless of what it modifies.
Sample Sentences:
उसका यह व्यवहार सर्वथा अनुचित है।
His behavior is entirely inappropriate.
(uskaa yah vyavahaar sarvthaa anuchit hai।)
मंत्री का यह निर्णय सर्वथा उचित था।
The minister's decision was entirely appropriate.
(mantrii kaa yah nirnay sarvthaa uchit thaa।)
यह तर्क सर्वथा निराधार सिद्ध होगा।
This argument will prove to be entirely baseless.
(yah tark sarvthaa niraadhaar siddh hogaa।)
यदि नियमों का पालन किया जाए तो दुर्घटनाएँ सर्वथा टाली जा सकती हैं।
If the rules were followed, accidents could be entirely avoided.
(yadi niymon kaa paalan kiyaa jaae to durghatnaaen sarvthaa taalii jaa saktii hain।)
यह समस्या सर्वथा समाप्त हो चुकी है।
This problem has been entirely eliminated.
(yah samasyaa sarvthaa samaapt ho chukii hai।)
संपादक ने लिखा कि यह नीति सर्वथा त्रुटिपूर्ण है।
The editor wrote that this policy is entirely flawed.
(sampaadak ne likhaa ki yah niiti sarvthaa trutipoorn hai।)
अगर वह सर्वथा निष्पक्ष होता, तो सभी उसका सम्मान करते।
If he were entirely impartial, everyone would respect him.
(agar vah sarvthaa nishpaksh hotaa, to sabhii uskaa sammaan karte।)
यह प्रस्ताव सर्वथा अस्वीकार्य समझा जाना चाहिए।
This proposal ought to be considered entirely unacceptable.
(yah prastaav sarvthaa asviikaary samjhaa jaanaa chaahie।)
कवि की यह उक्ति सर्वथा सत्य प्रतीत होती है।
This saying of the poet appears to be entirely true.
(kavi kii yah ukti sarvthaa saty pratiit hotii hai।)
समिति यह सुनिश्चित करे कि प्रक्रिया सर्वथा पारदर्शी रहे।
May the committee ensure that the process remains entirely transparent.
(samiti yah sunishchit kare ki prakriyaa sarvthaa paardarshii rahe।)