ईश्वर (iishvar)

noun A formal, respectful word for God/the Supreme Being, used in religious, philosophical, and everyday devotional contexts; single core sense.
Sense 1 : God, the Supreme Being
noun, masculine
Synonyms: भगवान (bhagvaan), प्रभु (prabhu), परमेश्वर (parmeshvar, formal/literary), खुदा (khudaa, used mainly by Muslims/in Urdu-influenced speech), भगवान जी (bhagvaan jii, affectionate/colloquial)
Frequency: medium
Cultural Note: ईश्वर (iishvar) has a slightly more abstract, philosophical flavor than भगवान (bhagvaan) -- you will hear it more in a discussion about faith or ethics ('ईश्वर ने यह सृष्टि बनाई', iishvar ne yah srishti banaaii, 'God created this universe') than in a quick relieved exclamation, where भगवान (bhagvaan) or हे भगवान (he bhagvaan) is the natural choice. Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, and others all use ईश्वर (iishvar) comfortably, since it carries a more universal, less sect-specific tone than some devotional names.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners sometimes use ईश्वर (iishvar) and भगवान (bhagvaan) as if fully interchangeable in casual speech -- भगवान (bhagvaan) is far more common in everyday talk, while ईश्वर (iishvar) leans slightly more formal or philosophical, often heard in discourse about faith, morality, or the nature of the divine rather than in quick exclamations. 2) It is grammatically masculine and takes masculine agreement even when referring to a genderless, abstract divine concept -- this can feel odd to learners used to thinking of 'God' as needing no grammatical gender at all.
Sample Sentences:
ईश्वर ने यह सृष्टि बनाई। God created this universe.
(iishvar ne yah srishti banaaii।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
बहुत से दार्शनिक मानते हैं कि ईश्वर हर जगह मौजूद है। Many philosophers believe that God is present everywhere.
(bahut se daarshnik maante hain ki iishvar har jagah maujood hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
क्या ईश्वर का अस्तित्व है, यह सदियों से बहस का विषय रहा है। Whether God exists has been a subject of debate for centuries.
(kyaa iishvar kaa astitv hai, yah sadiyon se bahas kaa vishay rahaa hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
अगर ईश्वर होता, तो संसार में इतना अन्याय क्यों होता? If God existed, why would there be so much injustice in the world?
(agar iishvar hotaa, to sansaar men itnaa anyaay kyon hotaa?)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Counterfactual -- Aspect: Habitual -- Voice: Active
हर धर्म ईश्वर को अलग-अलग नामों से पुकारता है। Every religion calls God by different names.
(har dharm iishvar ko alag-alag naamon se pukaartaa hai।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
शायद ईश्वर हमारी परीक्षा ले रहा हो। Perhaps God is testing us.
(shaayad iishvar hamaarii pariikshaa le rahaa ho।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Aspect: Continuous -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
ईश्वर की इच्छा के बिना कुछ भी नहीं होता। Nothing happens without God's will.
(iishvar kii ichchhaa ke binaa kuchh bhii nahiin hotaa।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
यह माना जाता है कि ईश्वर हर प्राणी में विद्यमान है। It is believed that God exists within every living being.
(yah maanaa jaataa hai ki iishvar har praanii men vidymaan hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Passive
ईश्वर को खोजने के लिए बाहर मत देखो, अपने भीतर देखो। Do not look outside to find God, look within yourself.
(iishvar ko khojne ke lie baahar mat dekho, apne bhiitar dekho।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Imperative -- Voice: Active
नैतिकता की बुनियाद ईश्वर के भय पर रखी गई थी। The foundation of morality was laid on the fear of God.
(naitiktaa kii buniyaad iishvar ke bhay par rakhii gaii thii।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Passive
Morphology
Noun
(sg.m.direct): ईश्वर (iishvar)
(sg.m.oblique): ईश्वर (iishvar)
(pl.m.direct): ईश्वर (iishvar)
(pl.m.oblique): ईश्वरों (iishvron)