लोकप्रिय (lokapriy)

adjective A single-sense adjective meaning 'popular' -- widely liked or well-known among people.
Sense 1 : popular, well-liked
adjective
Synonyms: प्रसिद्ध (prasiddh, famous rather than well-liked), मशहूर (mashahoor, famous rather than well-liked)
Frequency: high
Cultural Note: You will see लोकप्रिय (lokapriy) constantly in newspapers and on TV -- about politicians, actors, dishes, and TV serials -- it is the standard word for 'popular' in any formal-ish register, from a menu description to a news anchor's script. The word literally breaks down as लोक (lok, 'people/folk') plus प्रिय (priy, 'dear'), so it quite transparently means 'dear to the people' -- a nice etymological hook for learners who also know प्रिय (priy) as 'dear/beloved' from Hindi film songs.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners sometimes use लोकप्रिय (lokapriy) when they simply mean 'famous' -- but लोकप्रिय (lokapriy) specifically implies being liked/loved by people, not just widely known; a controversial celebrity can be मशहूर (mashahoor) without being लोकप्रिय (lokapriy). 2) It attaches naturally to होना (honaa) -- यह गाना बहुत लोकप्रिय है (yah gaanaa bahut lokapriy hai, 'this song is very popular') -- rather than to a verb of becoming, which learners sometimes reach for instinctively.
Sample Sentences:
यह गाना आजकल बहुत लोकप्रिय है। This song is very popular these days.
(yah gaanaa aajkal bahut lokapriy hai।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
वह अभिनेता अपने समय का सबसे लोकप्रिय कलाकार था। That actor was the most popular artist of his time.
(vah abhinetaa apne samay kaa sabse lokapriy kalaakaar thaa।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
यह नई योजना जल्द ही लोकप्रिय हो जाएगी। This new scheme will soon become popular.
(yah naii yojnaa jald hii lokapriy ho jaaegii।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Future -- Voice: Active
प्रधानमंत्री की यह नीति जनता में लोकप्रिय होती जा रही है। This policy of the prime minister is becoming popular among the public.
(pradhaanmantrii kii yah niiti jantaa men lokapriy hotii jaa rahii hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Continuous -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
अगर वह ईमानदारी से काम करता, तो वह भी लोकप्रिय नेता बनता। If he had worked honestly, he too would have become a popular leader.
(agar vah iimaandaarii se kaam kartaa, to vah bhii lokapriy netaa bantaa।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Counterfactual -- Aspect: Habitual -- Voice: Active
यह रेस्तरां अपने बटर चिकन के लिए बहुत लोकप्रिय है। This restaurant is very popular for its butter chicken.
(yah restraan apne batar chikan ke lie bahut lokapriy hai।)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
यह धारावाहिक हर उम्र के दर्शकों में समान रूप से लोकप्रिय रहा है। This serial has remained equally popular among viewers of every age.
(yah dhaaraavaahik har umr ke darshkon men samaan roop se lokapriy rahaa hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
काश मेरी किताब भी इतनी लोकप्रिय होती। If only my book were this popular too.
(kaash merii kitaab bhii itnii lokapriy hotii।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Aspect: Habitual -- Voice: Active
यह विचार सोशल मीडिया पर बहुत लोकप्रिय बनाया गया। This idea was made very popular on social media.
(yah vichaar soshal miidiyaa par bahut lokapriy banaayaa gayaa।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Passive
किसी उत्पाद को लोकप्रिय बनाने के लिए अच्छी मार्केटिंग ज़रूरी है। To make a product popular, good marketing is necessary.
(kisii utpaad ko lokapriy banaane ke lie achchhii maarketing zaroorii hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
उम्मीद है कि आपका यह प्रोजेक्ट भी बहुत लोकप्रिय हो। Hopefully, this project of yours will also become very popular.
(ummiid hai ki aapkaa yah projekt bhii bahut lokapriy ho।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Voice: Active
Morphology
Adjective (invariant)
invariant: लोकप्रिय (lokapriy)