भूतपूर्व (bhootpoorv)
adjective
A formal adjective meaning 'former' or 'ex-', used before a title or role -- one sense only.
Sense
1
:
former, ex-
adjective Placed directly before the title or role it modifies, like English 'ex-' or 'former': भूतपूर्व प्रधानमंत्री (bhootpoorv pradhaanmantrii, 'former prime minister').
Synonyms: पूर्व (poorv, more common in this sense), सेवानिवृत्त (sevaanivritt, retired, narrower scope)
Frequency: medium
Cultural Note: This is a formal, almost official-sounding word -- you will meet it constantly in news headlines and government contexts (भूतपूर्व सैनिक, bhootpoorv sainik, 'ex-serviceman' is a very common compound), but in casual chat about, say, an ex-boyfriend, most Delhi speakers just say पुराना (puraanaa) or एक्स (eks, borrowed English 'ex').
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners often reach for पुराना (puraanaa, 'old') to mean 'former,' but पुराना (puraanaa) describes age or wear, not a past role -- भूतपूर्व (bhootpoorv) or पूर्व (poorv) is needed for 'ex-husband,' 'former minister,' etc. 2) It is invariant despite the आ (aa) ending -- it does not change for gender or number the way ordinary -आ adjectives do.
Sample Sentences:
भूतपूर्व प्रधानमंत्री ने आज एक बयान जारी किया।
The former prime minister issued a statement today.
(bhootpoorv pradhaanmantrii ne aaj ek bayaan jaarii kiyaa।)
यह योजना भूतपूर्व सैनिकों के लिए विशेष रूप से बनाई गई है।
This scheme has been made especially for ex-servicemen.
(yah yojnaa bhootpoorv sainikon ke lie vishesh roop se banaaii gaii hai।)
भूतपूर्व राष्ट्रपति हर साल इस समारोह में आते हैं।
The former president comes to this ceremony every year.
(bhootpoorv raashtrapti har saal is samaaroh men aate hain।)
अगर वह भूतपूर्व मुख्यमंत्री न होते, तो कोई उनकी बात न सुनता।
If he were not the former chief minister, no one would listen to him.
(agar vah bhootpoorv mukhymantrii n hote, to koii unkii baat n suntaa।)
कल की खबर में एक भूतपूर्व मंत्री का नाम सामने आया।
In yesterday's news, a former minister's name came up.
(kal kii khabar men ek bhootpoorv mantrii kaa naam saamne aayaa।)
भूतपूर्व सैनिकों को सरकार कुछ विशेष सुविधाएँ देगी।
The government will give some special facilities to ex-servicemen.
(bhootpoorv sainikon ko sarkaar kuchh vishesh suvidhaaen degii।)
भूतपूर्व न्यायाधीश की राय सुनी जानी चाहिए।
The former judge's opinion ought to be heard.
(bhootpoorv nyaayaadhiish kii raay sunii jaanii chaahie।)
क्या तुम भूतपूर्व अध्यक्ष का भाषण सुन रहे हो?
Are you listening to the former chairman's speech?
(kyaa tum bhootpoorv adhyaksh kaa bhaashan sun rahe ho?)
भूतपूर्व राजा का महल अब एक संग्रहालय बन गया है।
The former king's palace has now become a museum.
(bhootpoorv raajaa kaa mahal ab ek sangrahaalay ban gayaa hai।)
समिति के सामने अपना पक्ष रखो, भूतपूर्व सदस्य होने के नाते तुम्हें बुलाया गया है।
Present your side before the committee -- you have been called as a former member.
(samiti ke saamne apnaa paksh rakho, bhootpoorv sadasy hone ke naate tumhen bulaayaa gayaa hai।)
Morphology
Adjective (invariant)
invariant:
भूतपूर्व
(bhootpoorv)