पेशा (peshaa)

noun A single-sense noun meaning 'profession' or 'occupation' -- the line of work someone does, often used in official or semi-formal contexts like forms and introductions.
Sense 1 : profession, occupation, line of work
noun, masculine
Synonyms: व्यवसाय (vyavsaay, formal), काम (kaam, everyday, broader meaning of 'work'), धंधा (dhandhaa, colloquial, can imply trade/business)
Frequency: medium
Cultural Note: पेशा (peshaa) comes from Persian and carries a slightly formal, almost official flavor -- you will see it on government forms next to 'occupation' or hear it in interviews and introductions, similar to how an English speaker might say 'profession' rather than casually saying 'job.' It pairs naturally with words like पेशेवर (peshevar, 'professional'), which a learner will likely meet soon after this word.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners sometimes use काम (kaam) when पेशा (peshaa) is meant, but पेशा (peshaa) specifically points to one's formal occupation or career, not just any task at hand -- 'मेरा पेशा डॉक्टरी है' (meraa peshaa doktrii hai, 'my profession is medicine') sounds natural, while substituting काम (kaam) there feels vague. 2) पेशा (peshaa) is masculine, so possessive and adjective agreement should follow accordingly -- learners sometimes mismatch it with feminine agreement by confusing it with व्यवसाय (vyavsaay) forms in other contexts.
Sample Sentences:
आपका पेशा क्या है? What is your profession?
(aapkaa peshaa kyaa hai?)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
इस फॉर्म में अपना नाम, उम्र और पेशा लिखिए। Write your name, age, and profession on this form.
(is phorm men apnaa naam, umr aur peshaa likhie।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Imperative -- Voice: Active
मेरे पिताजी का पेशा वकालत है। My father's profession is law.
(mere pitaajii kaa peshaa vakaalat hai।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
उसने डॉक्टरी को अपना पेशा बनाया। He made medicine his profession.
(usne doktrii ko apnaa peshaa banaayaa।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
इंटरव्यू में उम्मीदवार से उसके पेशे के बारे में पूछा जाता है। In an interview, the candidate is asked about their profession.
(intravyoo men ummiidvaar se uske peshe ke baare men poochhaa jaataa hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Passive
वह अपने पेशे को लेकर बहुत गंभीर है। He is very serious about his profession.
(vah apne peshe ko lekar bahut gambhiir hai।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
काश मैंने पत्रकारिता को अपना पेशा बनाया होता। I wish I had made journalism my profession.
(kaash mainne patrkaaritaa ko apnaa peshaa banaayaa hotaa।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Counterfactual -- Aspect: Perfective -- Voice: Active
सरकारी नौकरी में आवेदन करते समय पेशा स्पष्ट रूप से बताना ज़रूरी है। When applying for a government job, it is necessary to clearly state your profession.
(sarkaarii naukrii men aavedan karte samay peshaa spasht roop se bataanaa zaroorii hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
अगर वह अपना पेशा बदले, तो शायद ज़्यादा खुश रहे। If he were to change his profession, he might be happier.
(agar vah apnaa peshaa badle, to shaayad zyaadaa khush rahe।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Voice: Active
शिक्षण एक ऐसा पेशा है जिसमें धैर्य की बहुत ज़रूरत होती है। Teaching is a profession that requires a great deal of patience.
(shikshan ek aisaa peshaa hai jismen dhairy kii bahut zaroorat hotii hai।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
Morphology
Noun
(sg.m.direct): पेशा (peshaa)
(sg.m.oblique): पेशे (peshe)
(pl.m.direct): पेशे (peshe)
(pl.m.oblique): पेशों (peshon)