लज्जा (lajjaa)

noun A formal, literary word for shame/modesty/shyness -- the everyday equivalent a learner will hear far more often is शर्म (sharm).
Sense 1 : shame, shyness, modesty
noun, feminine
Synonyms: शर्म (sharm, everyday word), हया (hayaa, formal/literary), शर्मिंदगी (sharmindgii, leans toward 'embarrassment')
Frequency: literary
Cultural Note: This word shows up constantly in devotional and classical contexts -- think of the phrase द्रौपदी की लज्जा (draupdii kii lajjaa, 'Draupadi's modesty/honor') from the Mahabharata, where लज्जा (lajjaa) carries the weight of a woman's honor being protected. In daily Delhi conversation, though, people almost always say शर्म (sharm) instead; लज्जा (lajjaa) is reserved for formal writing, poetry, or a slightly theatrical register.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners often reach for लज्जा (lajjaa) in ordinary conversation where a native speaker would simply say शर्म (sharm) -- लज्जा (lajjaa) sounds bookish or old-fashioned in casual speech. 2) Like शर्म (sharm), it pairs with आना (aanaa) -- लज्जा आना (lajjaa aanaa, 'to feel shame') -- and takes a को-marked experiencer, not an ने-marked subject, since the emotion is framed as something that comes over a person.
Sample Sentences:
द्रौपदी की लज्जा की रक्षा स्वयं श्रीकृष्ण ने की। Krishna himself protected Draupadi's honor.
(draupdii kii lajjaa kii rakshaa svayan shriikrishn ne kii।)
Register: Devotional -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
नारी की लज्जा उसका सबसे बड़ा आभूषण मानी जाती है। A woman's modesty is considered her greatest ornament.
(naarii kii lajjaa uskaa sabse badaa aabhooshan maanii jaatii hai।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Passive
उसकी आँखों में लज्जा झलक रही थी। Modesty was shining in her eyes.
(uskii aankhon men lajjaa jhalak rahii thii।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Continuous -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
हे प्रभु, मेरी लज्जा की रक्षा करो। O Lord, protect my honor.
(he prabhu, merii lajjaa kii rakshaa karo।)
Register: Devotional -- Mood: Imperative -- Voice: Active
यदि उसमें थोड़ी भी लज्जा होती, तो वह ऐसा वचन कभी न देता। If he had had even a little modesty, he would never have made such a promise.
(yadi usmen thodii bhii lajjaa hotii, to vah aisaa vachan kabhii n detaa।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Counterfactual -- Aspect: Habitual -- Voice: Active
कवि ने लज्जा को नारी के सौंदर्य का प्रतीक बताया है। The poet has described modesty as a symbol of feminine beauty.
(kavi ne lajjaa ko naarii ke saundary kaa pratiik bataayaa hai।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
सभा में उसकी लज्जा भंग हुई, यह देखकर सभी स्तब्ध रह गए। Her honor was violated in the assembly, and seeing this everyone was stunned.
(sabhaa men uskii lajjaa bhang huii, yah dekhkar sabhii stabdh rah gae।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Passive
क्या ऐसी लज्जाहीन बात करते हुए तुम्हें कभी लज्जा नहीं आएगी? Will you never feel shame while saying such shameless things?
(kyaa aisii lajjaahiin baat karte hue tumhen kabhii lajjaa nahiin aaegii?)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Future -- Voice: Active
लज्जा से उसका मुख नीचे झुक गया। Her face bowed down in modesty.
(lajjaa se uskaa mukh niiche jhuk gayaa।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
Morphology
Noun
(sg.f.direct): लज्जा (lajjaa)
(sg.f.oblique): लज्जा (lajjaa)
(pl.f.direct): लज्जाएँ (lajjaaen)
(pl.f.oblique): लज्जाओं (lajjaaon)