दरख़ास्त (darkhaast)

noun A Persian-origin word meaning 'application' or 'petition' -- a formal written request, most often used for job applications, leave requests, or petitions to an authority.
Sense 1 : a formal written request or petition
noun, feminine
Synonyms: अर्ज़ी (arzii), प्रार्थना पत्र (praarthnaa patr, formal/written)
Frequency: medium
Cultural Note: This word carries a distinctly bureaucratic, old-school flavor -- think of a peon at a government office (daftar) telling you 'दरख़ास्त दे दो' (darkhaast de do, 'submit your application') before anything will move forward. It sits alongside अर्ज़ी (arzii) as near-synonyms, both from Persian/Urdu, and both still very much alive in everyday Hindi despite sounding formal.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners often reach for केवल एप्लीकेशन (epliikeshan) in speech since English 'application' is common in Indian offices, but दरख़ास्त (darkhaast) and अर्ज़ी (arzii) are the words you'll see on the actual paper or hear from an older clerk. 2) The verb usually paired with it is देना (denaa) or करना (karnaa) -- दरख़ास्त देना (darkhaast denaa, 'to submit an application') is the common collocation, not लिखना (likhnaa) alone, even though writing is part of the act.
Sample Sentences:
मुझे छुट्टी के लिए एक दरख़ास्त लिखनी है। I have to write an application for leave.
(mujhe chhuttii ke lie ek darkhaast likhnii hai।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
उसने बैंक में नया खाता खोलने के लिए दरख़ास्त दी थी। He had submitted an application to open a new account at the bank.
(usne baink men nayaa khaataa kholne ke lie darkhaast dii thii।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
पहले दरख़ास्त दे दो, फिर बात करेंगे। Submit your application first, then we'll talk.
(pahle darkhaast de do, phir baat karenge।)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Imperative -- Voice: Active
क्या तुमने अपनी छात्रवृत्ति की दरख़ास्त भेज दी? Did you send your scholarship application?
(kyaa tumne apnii chhaatrvritti kii darkhaast bhej dii?)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
दफ़्तर में बाबू ने कहा कि बिना दरख़ास्त के कोई काम नहीं होगा। The clerk at the office said no work would be done without an application.
(daftar men baaboo ne kahaa ki binaa darkhaast ke koii kaam nahiin hogaa।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Future -- Voice: Active
यह दरख़ास्त तहसीलदार साहब के दफ़्तर में जमा की जाती है। This application is submitted at the tehsildar's office.
(yah darkhaast tahsiildaar saahab ke daftar men jamaa kii jaatii hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Passive
अगर मुझे नौकरी चाहिए होती, तो मैं भी दरख़ास्त डाल देता। If I had needed a job, I would have submitted an application too.
(agar mujhe naukrii chaahie hotii, to main bhii darkhaast daal detaa।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Counterfactual -- Aspect: Habitual -- Voice: Active
श्रीमान जी, सविनय निवेदन है कि मेरी दरख़ास्त पर शीघ्र विचार किया जाए। Respected sir, I humbly request that my application be considered promptly.
(shriimaan jii, savinay nivedan hai ki merii darkhaast par shiighr vichaar kiyaa jaae।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Voice: Passive
शायद उसकी दरख़ास्त मंज़ूर हो जाए। Perhaps his application will get approved.
(shaayad uskii darkhaast manzoor ho jaae।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Voice: Active
इतनी दरख़ास्तें पड़ी हैं कि क्लर्क को साँस लेने की फ़ुर्सत नहीं है। So many applications have piled up that the clerk doesn't have time to breathe.
(itnii darkhaasten padii hain ki klark ko saans lene kii fursat nahiin hai।)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
Morphology
Noun
(sg.f.direct): दरख़ास्त (darkhaast)
(sg.f.oblique): दरख़ास्त (darkhaast)
(pl.f.direct): दरख़ास्तें (darkhaasten)
(pl.f.oblique): दरख़ास्तों (darkhaaston)