स्वर्गवास (svargvaas)
noun
A respectful, euphemistic noun for someone's death, literally 'dwelling in heaven' -- used to soften the word मृत्यु (mrityu) out of respect, especially for elders or respected people.
Sense
1
:
death (euphemistic, respectful)
noun, masculine Almost always used with होना (honaa) -- स्वर्गवास हो गया (svargvaas ho gayaa, 'he/she passed away') -- rather than with a transitive verb.
Synonyms: देहांत (dehaant), निधन (nidhan), मृत्यु (mrityu, plain/clinical), मौत (maut, plain, less respectful)
Frequency: medium
Cultural Note: This word reflects the Hindu cosmological idea of स्वर्ग (svarg, heaven) as a destination the soul travels to, so saying someone has gone there is a gentle, almost celebratory way to speak of death, especially at a ripe old age. You'll often hear it in obituaries, formal announcements, or condolence conversations: दादा जी का स्वर्गवास हो गया (daadaa jii kaa svargvaas ho gayaa, 'Grandfather passed away') -- it carries warmth and respect rather than clinical bluntness.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners sometimes use this word casually or for animals/strangers -- it is reserved for people, usually elders, respected figures, or when speaking with special reverence. 2) Do not pair it with मरना (marnaa) in the same breath; स्वर्गवास (svargvaas) is itself the polite substitute for मरना (marnaa), so using both together sounds redundant or odd.
Sample Sentences:
दादा जी का स्वर्गवास हो गया।
Grandfather passed away.
(daadaa jii kaa svargvaas ho gayaa।)
पिछले साल उनके पिता का स्वर्गवास हो गया था।
Last year, his father passed away.
(pichhle saal unke pitaa kaa svargvaas ho gayaa thaa।)
यह सुनकर बहुत दुख हुआ कि आपकी माता जी का स्वर्गवास हो गया है।
It was very saddening to hear that your mother has passed away.
(yah sunkar bahut dukh huaa ki aapkii maataa jii kaa svargvaas ho gayaa hai।)
खेद के साथ सूचित किया जाता है कि श्री रामलाल जी का स्वर्गवास हो गया है।
It is informed with regret that Shri Ramlal ji has passed away.
(khed ke saath soochit kiyaa jaataa hai ki shrii raamlaal jii kaa svargvaas ho gayaa hai।)
अगर उनका स्वर्गवास न होता, तो वे आज इस समारोह में ज़रूर होते।
If he had not passed away, he would certainly have been at this event today.
(agar unkaa svargvaas n hotaa, to ve aaj is samaaroh men zaroor hote।)
काश उनका स्वर्गवास इतनी जल्दी न होता।
I wish he had not passed away so soon.
(kaash unkaa svargvaas itnii jaldii n hotaa।)
बुज़ुर्गों का स्वर्गवास होने पर पूरा परिवार शोक में डूब जाता है।
When elders pass away, the whole family sinks into mourning.
(buzurgon kaa svargvaas hone par pooraa parivaar shok men doob jaataa hai।)
क्या आपको पता है कि उनके गुरु जी का स्वर्गवास कब हुआ था?
Do you know when his guru passed away?
(kyaa aapko pataa hai ki unke guru jii kaa svargvaas kab huaa thaa?)
पूज्य स्वामी जी का स्वर्गवास होते ही आश्रम में शोक की लहर दौड़ गई।
As soon as the revered Swami ji passed away, a wave of grief swept through the ashram.
(poojy svaamii jii kaa svargvaas hote hii aashram men shok kii lahar daud gaii।)
उनके स्वर्गवास की खबर सुनकर सब स्तब्ध रह गए।
Hearing the news of his passing away, everyone was left stunned.
(unke svargvaas kii khabar sunkar sab stabdh rah gae।)
Morphology
Noun
(sg.m.direct):
स्वर्गवास
(svargvaas)
(sg.m.oblique):
स्वर्गवास
(svargvaas)
(pl.m.direct):
स्वर्गवास
(svargvaas)
(pl.m.oblique):
स्वर्गवासों
(svargvaason)