यश (yash)

noun A single-sense literary/formal noun meaning fame or glory, often heard in devotional and ceremonial contexts rather than casual chat.
Sense 1 : fame, glory, renown
noun, masculine
Synonyms: कीर्ति (kiirti, literary), प्रसिद्धि (prasiddhi), नाम (naam, everyday, 'name/reputation')
Frequency: literary
Cultural Note: You will meet यश (yash) most often in devotional or classical contexts -- praise-songs, epics, and formal speeches celebrating someone's good deeds or glory, such as भगवान का यश (bhagvaan kaa yash, 'the Lord's glory'). It is also a very common boys' given name in North India, which is itself a sign of how positively the word is regarded.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners often reach for नाम (naam) in casual speech about someone being well-known; यश (yash) sounds elevated and shows up more in praise, prayers, or formal writing than in daily conversation. 2) It is not used the way English uses 'fame' for celebrity culture (film stars, etc.) -- for that, प्रसिद्धि (prasiddhi) or मशहूर होना (mashahoor honaa) fits better; यश (yash) carries a tone of earned honor or glory, closer to 'glory' than 'fame.'
Sample Sentences:
भगवान का यश सारे संसार में फैला है। The Lord's glory has spread throughout the world.
(bhagvaan kaa yash saare sansaar men phailaa hai।)
Register: Devotional -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
कवि ने राजा के यश का बखान करते हुए कई दोहे रचे। While extolling the king's fame, the poet composed several couplets.
(kavi ne raajaa ke yash kaa bakhaan karte hue kaii dohe rache।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
उसका यश युगों-युगों तक याद रखा जाएगा। His fame will be remembered for ages upon ages.
(uskaa yash yugon-yugon tak yaad rakhaa jaaegaa।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Future -- Voice: Passive
काश उसका यश उसके जीवनकाल में ही सबको पता चल जाता। If only everyone had come to know of his fame within his own lifetime.
(kaash uskaa yash uske jiivankaal men hii sabko pataa chal jaataa।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Counterfactual -- Aspect: Perfective -- Voice: Active
हे प्रभु, आपका यश अनंत है। O Lord, your glory is infinite.
(he prabhu, aapkaa yash anant hai।)
Register: Devotional -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
भक्तगण मंदिर में भगवान का यशगान कर रहे थे। The devotees were singing praises of the Lord's glory in the temple.
(bhaktgan mandir men bhagvaan kaa yashgaan kar rahe the।)
Register: Devotional -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Continuous -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
यह मत सोचो कि सच्चा यश धन से मिलता है। Don't think that true fame comes from wealth.
(yah mat socho ki sachchaa yash dhan se miltaa hai।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Imperative -- Voice: Active
वीर पुरुषों का यश सदा अमर रहे, ऐसी हमारी कामना है। May the fame of brave men remain immortal forever -- such is our wish.
(viir purushon kaa yash sadaa amar rahe, aisii hamaarii kaamnaa hai।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Voice: Active
गुरु के उपदेशों से शिष्य को यश की नहीं, ज्ञान की खोज करनी चाहिए। From the guru's teachings, the disciple should seek not fame but knowledge.
(guru ke updeshon se shishy ko yash kii nahiin, gyaan kii khoj karnii chaahie।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
Morphology
Noun
(sg.m.direct): यश (yash)
(sg.m.oblique): यश (yash)
(pl.m.direct): यश (yash)
(pl.m.oblique): यशों (yashon)