पवित्र (pavitr)

adjective A single core sense: 'pure/sacred' -- used for holy places, rivers, texts, and relationships, as well as for moral/physical purity. One straightforward adjective entry.
Sense 1 : pure, sacred, holy
adjective
Synonyms: शुद्ध (shuddh, pure/clean, broader everyday use), पावन (paavan, literary)
Frequency: high
Cultural Note: This word shows up constantly around religious life in North India -- the Ganga is almost always called पवित्र नदी (pavitr nadii, 'sacred river'), and you will hear पवित्र रिश्ता (pavitr rishtaa, 'sacred relationship') used for bonds like marriage or the guru-student tie. It carries real emotional weight, so Hindi speakers reserve it for things they genuinely consider hallowed, not for everyday cleanliness.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners sometimes reach for शुद्ध (shuddh) when they mean पवित्र (pavitr) -- शुद्ध (shuddh) is about cleanliness/purity in a practical sense (शुद्ध पानी (shuddh paanii, 'pure/clean water')), while पवित्र (pavitr) carries a sense of sanctity or moral/spiritual purity, as in पवित्र नदी (pavitr nadii, 'sacred river'). 2) पवित्र (pavitr) is not used casually for 'clean' in the physical sense -- calling a washed plate पवित्र (pavitr) would sound odd; it belongs to the register of temples, rivers, relationships, and intentions.
Sample Sentences:
गंगा को भारत में सबसे पवित्र नदी माना जाता है। The Ganga is considered the most sacred river in India.
(gangaa ko bhaarat men sabse pavitr nadii maanaa jaataa hai।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Passive
शादी एक पवित्र रिश्ता है, इसे निभाना आसान नहीं। Marriage is a sacred bond, and honoring it isn't easy.
(shaadii ek pavitr rishtaa hai, ise nibhaanaa aasaan nahiin।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
गुरु और शिष्य का रिश्ता बहुत पवित्र होता है। The bond between guru and disciple is very sacred.
(guru aur shishy kaa rishtaa bahut pavitr hotaa hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
इस मंदिर की मिट्टी को पवित्र समझा जाता था। The soil of this temple used to be considered sacred.
(is mandir kii mittii ko pavitr samjhaa jaataa thaa।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Passive
क्या आपको यह जगह पवित्र लगती है? Does this place feel sacred to you?
(kyaa aapko yah jagah pavitr lagtii hai?)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
इस पवित्र स्थान पर जूते पहनकर मत जाओ। Don't go into this sacred place wearing shoes.
(is pavitr sthaan par joote pahankar mat jaao।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Imperative -- Voice: Active
अगर यह जगह इतनी पवित्र नहीं होती, तो यहाँ इतने लोग न आते। If this place weren't so sacred, so many people wouldn't come here.
(agar yah jagah itnii pavitr nahiin hotii, to yahaan itne log n aate।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Counterfactual -- Aspect: Habitual -- Voice: Active
पुजारी ने कहा कि यह जल बहुत पवित्र है, इसे बर्बाद मत करो। The priest said this water is very sacred, don't waste it.
(pujaarii ne kahaa ki yah jal bahut pavitr hai, ise barbaad mat karo।)
Register: Devotional -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
हे प्रभु, इस पवित्र भूमि पर हमें अपना आशीर्वाद दो। O Lord, give us your blessing upon this sacred land.
(he prabhu, is pavitr bhoomi par hamen apnaa aashiirvaad do।)
Register: Devotional -- Mood: Imperative -- Voice: Active
मुझे उम्मीद है कि यह पवित्र स्थल हमेशा ऐसा ही बना रहे। I hope this sacred site remains just like this forever.
(mujhe ummiid hai ki yah pavitr sthal hameshaa aisaa hii banaa rahe।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Voice: Active
उन दिनों गाँव का हर कुआँ पवित्र माना जाता था। In those days, every well in the village used to be considered sacred.
(un dinon gaanv kaa har kuaan pavitr maanaa jaataa thaa।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Passive
Morphology
Adjective (invariant)
invariant: पवित्र (pavitr)