दयालु (dayaalu)

adjective A single-sense adjective meaning 'kind, compassionate, merciful' -- describes a person's disposition toward others' suffering.
Sense 1 : kind, compassionate, merciful
adjective
Synonyms: कृपालु (kripaalu, literary), करुणामय (karunaamay, literary), दरियादिल (dariyaadil, generous-hearted), नरम दिल (naram dil, soft-hearted)
Frequency: medium
Cultural Note: दयालु (dayaalu) often shows up in religious and moral contexts -- gods and gurus are described as दयालु (dayaalu), and it's a word you'll hear in bhajans, sermons, and moral science lessons from school. It carries a slightly reverent, textbook-ish flavor compared to everyday words like अच्छा (achchhaa, 'nice/good'), so it fits describing a saintly grandmother or a compassionate deity better than a friend who shared their lunch.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners sometimes use दयालु (dayaalu) where दयावान (dayaavaan) or the more casual अच्छे दिल का (achchhe dil kaa, 'good-hearted') would sound more natural in casual speech -- दयालु (dayaalu) leans slightly formal/written and is common in describing God, teachers, or generally virtuous people rather than in offhand chit-chat. 2) It describes an ongoing quality of character, not a one-time kind act -- for a specific kind gesture, learners should reach for something like मेहरबानी (meharbaanii, 'a kindness/favor') instead.
Sample Sentences:
भगवान बहुत दयालु है। God is very kind.
(bhagvaan bahut dayaalu hai।)
Register: Devotional -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
मेरी दादी बहुत दयालु महिला थीं। My grandmother was a very kind woman.
(merii daadii bahut dayaalu mahilaa thiin।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
गुरुजी अपने शिष्यों के प्रति सदा दयालु रहते हैं। The guru always remains kind toward his disciples.
(gurujii apne shishyon ke prati sadaa dayaalu rahte hain।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
हे दयालु प्रभु, हम पर कृपा करो। O merciful Lord, have mercy on us.
(he dayaalu prabhu, ham par kripaa karo।)
Register: Devotional -- Mood: Imperative -- Voice: Active
काश मेरे बॉस भी इतने दयालु होते। I wish my boss were also this kind.
(kaash mere bos bhii itne dayaalu hote।)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Counterfactual -- Aspect: Habitual -- Voice: Active
एक दयालु राजा की कहानी सुनाओ। Tell me the story of a kind king.
(ek dayaalu raajaa kii kahaanii sunaao।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Imperative -- Voice: Active
यह सुनिश्चित करने के लिए कि बच्चे बड़े होकर दयालु बनें, स्कूल में नैतिक शिक्षा पढ़ाई जाती है। To ensure that children grow up to be kind, moral science is taught in school.
(yah sunishchit karne ke lie ki bachche bade hokar dayaalu banen, skool men naitik shikshaa padhaaii jaatii hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Passive
संत सदा दयालु और क्षमाशील होते हैं। Saints are always kind and forgiving.
(sant sadaa dayaalu aur kshamaashiil hote hain।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
अगर तुम सचमुच दयालु होते, तो उस भिखारी की मदद करते। If you were truly kind, you would have helped that beggar.
(agar tum sachmuch dayaalu hote, to us bhikhaarii kii madad karte।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Counterfactual -- Aspect: Habitual -- Voice: Active
दयालु हृदय वाले व्यक्ति की सब प्रशंसा करते हैं। Everyone praises a person with a compassionate heart.
(dayaalu hriday vaale vyakti kii sab prashansaa karte hain।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
Morphology
Adjective (invariant)
invariant: दयालु (dayaalu)