दरख़्वास्त (darakhvaast)
noun
A formal word meaning 'application' or 'petition/request' -- one written document you submit to an office or authority, and the act of formally requesting something.
Sense
1
:
written application / petition
noun, feminine
Synonyms: आवेदन (aavedan), प्रार्थना पत्र (praarthnaa patr, written request/letter)
Frequency: medium
Cultural Note: This is a Persian-origin word (via Urdu) that shows up constantly in bureaucratic and school contexts -- students in North India grow up writing a दरख़्वास्त (darakhvaast) to the principal for leave, and office clerks still say ek darkhwaast de do (ek darakhvaast de do, 'submit an application') rather than reaching for the more Sanskritic आवेदन (aavedan). It carries a slightly old-fashioned, genteel flavor -- the kind of word your grandfather's generation used routinely.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners often reach for आवेदन (aavedan) in writing and दरख़्वास्त (darakhvaast) never comes to mind, but in spoken Hindi, especially among older speakers and in Urdu-influenced registers, दरख़्वास्त (darakhvaast) is very natural for 'application' -- don't assume it's rare just because textbooks favor आवेदन (aavedan). 2) The verb that pairs with it is usually देना (denaa) or करना (karnaa) -- दरख़्वास्त देना (darakhvaast denaa, 'to submit an application') is the common collocation, not लिखना (likhnaa) alone.
Sample Sentences:
मुझे छुट्टी के लिए एक दरख़्वास्त लिखनी है।
I have to write an application for leave.
(mujhe chhuttii ke lie ek darakhvaast likhnii hai।)
उसने प्रिंसिपल साहब को दरख़्वास्त दी थी।
He had submitted an application to the principal.
(usne prinsipal saahab ko darakhvaast dii thii।)
एक दरख़्वास्त दे दो, काम हो जाएगा।
Just submit an application, the work will get done.
(ek darakhvaast de do, kaam ho jaaegaa।)
बच्चे स्कूल में अक्सर छुट्टी की दरख़्वास्त लिखते हैं।
Children often write leave applications at school.
(bachche skool men aksar chhuttii kii darakhvaast likhte hain।)
क्या आपकी दरख़्वास्त दफ़्तर में जमा हो गई है?
Has your application been submitted at the office?
(kyaa aapkii darakhvaast daftar men jamaa ho gaii hai?)
अगर आपकी तनख़्वाह रुकी है, तो एक दरख़्वास्त दे दीजिए।
If your salary has been held up, then please submit an application.
(agar aapkii tanakhvaah rukii hai, to ek darakhvaast de diijie।)
दादाजी हमेशा कहते थे कि हर बात की एक दरख़्वास्त लिखी जाती थी उनके ज़माने में।
Grandfather always used to say that in his time, an application used to be written for every little thing.
(daadaajii hameshaa kahte the ki har baat kii ek darakhvaast likhii jaatii thii unke zamaane men।)
काश मैंने वह दरख़्वास्त पहले ही जमा कर दी होती।
I wish I had submitted that application earlier.
(kaash mainne vah darakhvaast pahle hii jamaa kar dii hotii।)
क्लर्क ने कहा कि पहले दरख़्वास्त भरी जाए, फिर आगे की कार्रवाई होगी।
The clerk said that the application should be filled out first, then further action would happen.
(klark ne kahaa ki pahle darakhvaast bharii jaae, phir aage kii kaarrvaaii hogii।)
मैं कल तक अपनी दरख़्वास्त जमा कर दूँगा।
I will submit my application by tomorrow.
(main kal tak apnii darakhvaast jamaa kar doongaa।)
Sense
2
:
a request, plea
noun, feminine
Synonyms: गुज़ारिश (guzaarish), विनती (vintii, more humble/pleading)
Frequency: low
Cultural Note: Beyond the paperwork sense, दरख़्वास्त (darakhvaast) can mean a personal plea or entreaty, close to गुज़ारिश (guzaarish) -- someone might say meri darkhwaast hai ki... (merii darakhvaast hai ki..., 'my request is that...') in a slightly formal but heartfelt tone, as if asking a favor with some ceremony.
Sample Sentences:
मेरी दरख़्वास्त है कि आप एक बार मेरी बात सुन लें।
My request is that you hear me out just once.
(merii darakhvaast hai ki aap ek baar merii baat sun len।)
उसने बड़ी विनम्रता से अपनी दरख़्वास्त मेरे सामने रखी।
He placed his plea before me very humbly.
(usne badii vinamrtaa se apnii darakhvaast mere saamne rakhii।)
मेरी बस इतनी सी दरख़्वास्त है कि तुम उसे माफ़ कर दो।
My only plea is that you forgive him.
(merii bas itnii sii darakhvaast hai ki tum use maaf kar do।)
अगर मैं आपसे यह दरख़्वास्त करूँ, तो क्या आप मान लेंगे?
If I made this plea to you, would you accept it?
(agar main aapse yah darakhvaast karoon, to kyaa aap maan lenge?)
उसकी दरख़्वास्त सुनकर बुज़ुर्ग का दिल पिघल गया।
Hearing his plea, the old man's heart melted.
(uskii darakhvaast sunkar buzurg kaa dil pighal gayaa।)
काश मेरी दरख़्वास्त पर वह ध्यान देता।
If only he had paid attention to my plea.
(kaash merii darakhvaast par vah dhyaan detaa।)
यह मेरी आख़िरी दरख़्वास्त समझिए और इसे नकारिएगा मत।
Consider this my last plea, and please do not refuse it.
(yah merii aakhirii darakhvaast samjhie aur ise nakaariegaa mat।)
उसकी दरख़्वास्त में इतनी सच्चाई थी कि सब चुप हो गए।
There was such sincerity in his plea that everyone fell silent.
(uskii darakhvaast men itnii sachchaaii thii ki sab chup ho gae।)
Morphology
Noun
(sg.f.direct):
दरख़्वास्त
(darakhvaast)
(sg.f.oblique):
दरख़्वास्त
(darakhvaast)
(pl.f.direct):
दरख़्वास्तें
(darakhvaasten)
(pl.f.oblique):
दरख़्वास्तों
(darakhvaaston)