वाराणसी (vaaraansii)

noun The formal/classical name of the holy city on the Ganges, also known as बनारस (banaaras) or काशी (kaashii); one proper-noun sense only.
Sense 1 : Varanasi (city name)
noun, feminine
Synonyms: बनारस (banaaras, everyday name), काशी (kaashii, spiritual/traditional name)
Frequency: medium
Cultural Note: This city on the Ganges has three names that Delhi-NCR speakers layer by context: वाराणसी (vaaraansii) for the official/administrative register, बनारस (banaaras) for ordinary conversation ('मैं बनारस जा रहा हूँ' (main banaaras jaa rahaa hoon, 'I am going to Banaras')), and काशी (kaashii) when the city's sacred, ancient identity as a pilgrimage and cremation site is being invoked.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners often assume वाराणसी (vaaraansii) is the everyday spoken name, but most people on the street, in trains, and in casual conversation say बनारस (banaaras) instead; वाराणसी (vaaraansii) shows up more on official signage, train tickets, and news reports. 2) काशी (kaashii) is not a separate place; it is the same city viewed through its religious identity, often used in temple contexts or devotional speech.
Sample Sentences:
वाराणसी उत्तर प्रदेश के प्रमुख शहरों में से एक है। Varanasi is one of the major cities of Uttar Pradesh.
(vaaraansii uttar pradesh ke pramukh shahron men se ek hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
वाराणसी रेलवे स्टेशन का पुनर्निर्माण किया गया है। The Varanasi railway station has been reconstructed.
(vaaraansii relve steshan kaa punarnirmaan kiyaa gayaa hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Passive
वाराणसी जिला प्रशासन ने नई गाइडलाइंस जारी की हैं। The Varanasi district administration has issued new guidelines.
(vaaraansii jilaa prashaasan ne naii gaaidlaains jaarii kii hain।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
वाराणसी हवाई अड्डे से कई शहरों के लिए सीधी उड़ानें उपलब्ध हैं। Direct flights to many cities are available from Varanasi airport.
(vaaraansii havaaii adde se kaii shahron ke lie siidhii udaanen uplabdh hain।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
अगली जनगणना में वाराणसी की जनसंख्या का नया आँकड़ा सामने आएगा। In the next census, a new population figure for Varanasi will come to light.
(aglii jangannaa men vaaraansii kii jansankhyaa kaa nayaa aankdaa saamne aaegaa।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Future -- Voice: Active
यदि वाराणसी में यह विश्वविद्यालय स्थापित होता, तो क्षेत्र की शिक्षा व्यवस्था बदल जाती। If this university had been established in Varanasi, the region's education system would have changed.
(yadi vaaraansii men yah vishvvidyaalay sthaapit hotaa, to kshetr kii shikshaa vyavasthaa badal jaatii।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Counterfactual -- Aspect: Habitual -- Voice: Passive
सरकार चाहती है कि वाराणसी का विकास तेज़ी से हो। The government wants Varanasi's development to happen quickly.
(sarkaar chaahtii hai ki vaaraansii kaa vikaas tezii se ho।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
वाराणसी लोकसभा क्षेत्र से चुनाव परिणाम घोषित कर दिए गए हैं। The election results from the Varanasi parliamentary constituency have been declared.
(vaaraansii lokasbhaa kshetr se chunaav parinaam ghoshit kar die gae hain।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Passive
वाराणसी नगर निगम की सीमा में कई नए वार्ड जोड़े गए थे। Several new wards had been added within the boundary of the Varanasi Municipal Corporation.
(vaaraansii nagar nigam kii siimaa men kaii nae vaard jode gae the।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Passive
Morphology
Noun
(sg.f.direct): वाराणसी (vaaraansii)
(sg.f.oblique): वाराणसी (vaaraansii)
(pl.f.direct): वाराणसियाँ (vaaraansiyaan)
(pl.f.oblique): वाराणसियों (vaaraansiyon)