दफ़्तर (daftar)

noun A single-sense everyday noun meaning 'office' -- the workplace building or room, not the abstract job or position.
Sense 1 : office (workplace)
noun, masculine
Synonyms: ऑफ़िस (ofis, everyday, from English), कार्यालय (kaaryaalay, formal)
Frequency: high
Cultural Note: दफ़्तर (daftar) is a Persian-origin word that has been part of everyday Hindi for centuries, so it feels completely native -- you will hear it constantly in phrases like दफ़्तर जाना है (daftar jaanaa hai, 'have to go to the office') as people talk about their daily commute. In casual Delhi speech, ऑफ़िस (ofis) and दफ़्तर (daftar) are used almost interchangeably, with दफ़्तर (daftar) having a slightly warmer, more rooted-in-Hindi feel.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners sometimes reach for कार्यालय (kaaryaalay) in casual speech where a Delhi speaker would simply say दफ़्तर (daftar) or ऑफ़िस (ofis) -- कार्यालय (kaaryaalay) sounds bureaucratic/written, like something on a signboard rather than in conversation. 2) दफ़्तर (daftar) means the physical workplace, not the job itself -- for 'I have work' you say काम है (kaam hai), not दफ़्तर है (daftar hai).
Sample Sentences:
मुझे सुबह जल्दी दफ़्तर जाना है। I have to go to the office early in the morning.
(mujhe subah jaldii daftar jaanaa hai।)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
वह रोज़ बस से दफ़्तर जाता है। He goes to the office by bus every day.
(vah roz bas se daftar jaataa hai।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
कल मैं दफ़्तर नहीं गया था, तबीयत ठीक नहीं थी। I didn't go to the office yesterday, I wasn't feeling well.
(kal main daftar nahiin gayaa thaa, tabiiyat thiik nahiin thii।)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
वह अभी दफ़्तर में बैठी है। She is sitting in the office right now.
(vah abhii daftar men baithii hai।)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
अगर बारिश नहीं होती तो मैं आज दफ़्तर पैदल जाता। If it weren't raining, I would walk to the office today.
(agar baarish nahiin hotii to main aaj daftar paidal jaataa।)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Counterfactual -- Aspect: Habitual -- Voice: Active
कृपया दफ़्तर का पता मुझे भेज दीजिए। Please send me the office's address.
(kripyaa daftar kaa pataa mujhe bhej diijie।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Imperative -- Voice: Active
नया दफ़्तर अगले महीने खोला जाएगा। The new office will be opened next month.
(nayaa daftar agle mahiine kholaa jaaegaa।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Future -- Voice: Passive
हो सकता है वह आज दफ़्तर न आए। It's possible he won't come to the office today.
(ho saktaa hai vah aaj daftar n aae।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Voice: Active
मैं चाहता हूँ कि तुम समय पर दफ़्तर पहुँचो। I want you to reach the office on time.
(main chaahtaa hoon ki tum samay par daftar pahuncho।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Voice: Active
पिछले हफ़्ते से दफ़्तर की मरम्मत हो रही है। The office has been under repair since last week.
(pichhle hafte se daftar kii marammat ho rahii hai।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Continuous -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Passive
सर, आज दफ़्तर में एक ज़रूरी मीटिंग है। Sir, there's an important meeting in the office today.
(sar, aaj daftar men ek zaroorii miiting hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
Morphology
Noun
(sg.m.direct): दफ़्तर (daftar)
(sg.m.oblique): दफ़्तर (daftar)
(pl.m.direct): दफ़्तर (daftar)
(pl.m.oblique): दफ़्तरों (daftron)