स्थायी (sthaayii)
adjective/noun
An adjective meaning 'permanent, lasting, stable'; it also functions as a noun for the recurring refrain/first line of a song, especially in classical or semi-classical music.
Sense
1
:
permanent, lasting
adjective
Synonyms: पक्का (pakkaa), टिकाऊ (tikaaoo, especially of things/materials), चिरस्थायी (chirasthaayii, literary)
Frequency: high
Cultural Note: You will meet this word constantly in job contexts -- नौकरी पक्की (naukrii pakkii) is the everyday version of 'permanent job,' but स्थायी नौकरी (sthaayii naukrii) is what appears on offer letters and in government notices, since it carries a more official, written register. It is also the opposite of अस्थायी (asthaayii, 'temporary'), a pairing worth learning together since both show up on forms, contracts, and news reports alike.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners often reach for पक्का (pakkaa) in casual speech where स्थायी (sthaayii) is the word actually used in formal or official contexts, like नौकरी स्थायी है (naukrii sthaayii hai, 'the job is permanent'). 2) Don't confuse with स्थिर (sthir), which means 'stable/still/unmoving' (like a stable price or a steady hand) rather than 'permanent in duration'.
Sample Sentences:
उसे इस साल स्थायी नौकरी मिल गई।
He got a permanent job this year.
(use is saal sthaayii naukrii mil gaii।)
यह समस्या स्थायी है, अस्थायी नहीं।
This problem is permanent, not temporary.
(yah samasyaa sthaayii hai, asthaayii nahiin।)
सरकार ने कर्मचारियों को स्थायी करने का आदेश जारी किया।
The government issued an order to make the employees permanent.
(sarkaar ne karmchaariyon ko sthaayii karne kaa aadesh jaarii kiyaa।)
क्या इस बीमारी का कोई स्थायी इलाज है?
Is there any permanent cure for this disease?
(kyaa is biimaarii kaa koii sthaayii ilaaj hai?)
काश उसे यहाँ स्थायी निवास मिल जाता।
If only he could get permanent residence here.
(kaash use yahaan sthaayii nivaas mil jaataa।)
इस पद को स्थायी बनाया जाएगा।
This post will be made permanent.
(is pad ko sthaayii banaayaa jaaegaa।)
स्थायी शांति के लिए दोनों देशों में बातचीत ज़रूरी है।
For lasting peace, talks between both countries are necessary.
(sthaayii shaanti ke lie donon deshon men baatchiit zaroorii hai।)
अगर वह ईमानदारी से काम करता तो उसे स्थायी पद मिल जाता।
If he had worked honestly, he would have gotten a permanent post.
(agar vah iimaandaarii se kaam kartaa to use sthaayii pad mil jaataa।)
कृपया अपना स्थायी पता फॉर्म में भरें।
Please fill in your permanent address on the form.
(kripyaa apnaa sthaayii pataa phorm men bharen।)
इस दुर्घटना ने उसके शरीर पर स्थायी निशान छोड़ दिए।
This accident left permanent marks on his body.
(is durghatnaa ne uske shariir par sthaayii nishaan chhod die।)
कोई भी चीज़ इस दुनिया में स्थायी नहीं रहती।
Nothing in this world remains permanent.
(koii bhii chiiz is duniyaa men sthaayii nahiin rahtii।)
Sense
2
:
refrain/recurring line of a song
noun, masculine Refers to the fixed opening line/theme of a khayal, bhajan, or film song that returns between verses (antara); a technical term from Hindustani classical and semi-classical music.
Frequency: low
Cultural Note: This sense comes straight from classical music theory: a bandish (composition) is built from a स्थायी (sthaayii) -- the anchoring opening phrase -- and an अंतरा (antraa), the contrasting verse that follows. If you've ever noticed a Hindi film song circle back to its opening line after each verse, that returning line is functioning exactly like a स्थायी (sthaayii). It's a word you'll mostly meet if you get into music, not everyday conversation.
Sample Sentences:
इस बंदिश का स्थायी बहुत मशहूर है।
The refrain of this composition is very famous.
(is bandish kaa sthaayii bahut mashahoor hai।)
गायक ने अंतरे के बाद फिर से स्थायी पर लौटकर गाया।
The singer returned to the refrain again after the antara.
(gaayak ne antre ke baad phir se sthaayii par lautkar gaayaa।)
उस्ताद जी हमेशा स्थायी को धीरे-धीरे, ठहराव के साथ गाते हैं।
The maestro always sings the refrain slowly, with deliberate pauses.
(ustaad jii hameshaa sthaayii ko dhiire-dhiire, thahraav ke saath gaate hain।)
पहले स्थायी सीखो, फिर अंतरे पर आना।
First learn the refrain, then move on to the antara.
(pahle sthaayii siikho, phir antre par aanaa।)
यह राग ऐसा बना है कि स्थायी सुनते ही पहचान में आ जाता है।
This raga is composed such that the refrain is recognizable the moment you hear it.
(yah raag aisaa banaa hai ki sthaayii sunte hii pahchaan men aa jaataa hai।)
अगर स्थायी की धुन कमज़ोर हो तो पूरी बंदिश असर नहीं छोड़ती।
If the refrain's tune is weak, the whole composition fails to leave an impression.
(agar sthaayii kii dhun kamzor ho to poorii bandish asar nahiin chhodtii।)
काश उस्ताद जी स्थायी की एक रिकॉर्डिंग छोड़ गए होते।
If only the maestro had left behind a recording of the refrain.
(kaash ustaad jii sthaayii kii ek rikording chhod gae hote।)
इस गीत में स्थायी हर अंतरे के बाद दोहराया जाता है।
In this song, the refrain is repeated after every verse.
(is giit men sthaayii har antre ke baad dohraayaa jaataa hai।)
संगीत की क्लास में गुरुजी ने कहा कि स्थायी ही बंदिश की नींव होती है।
In music class, the teacher said that the refrain is indeed the foundation of the composition.
(sangiit kii klaas men gurujii ne kahaa ki sthaayii hii bandish kii niinv hotii hai।)
Morphology
Adjective (invariant)
invariant:
स्थायी
(sthaayii)
Noun
(sg.m.direct):
स्थायी
(sthaayii)
(sg.m.oblique):
स्थायी
(sthaayii)
(pl.m.direct):
स्थायी
(sthaayii)
(pl.m.oblique):
स्थायीयों
(sthaayiiyon)