क्षण (kshan)

noun A literary/formal word for a brief moment of time, used mainly in written and elevated speech; the everyday equivalent is पल (pal).
Sense 1 : an instant, a very brief moment of time
noun, masculine
Synonyms: पल (pal), लम्हा (lamhaa), निमिष (nimish, literary, rare)
Frequency: low
Cultural Note: You will meet क्षण (kshan) in news broadcasts, formal speeches, devotional texts, and literature -- it carries a certain gravity, like saying 'moment' in a solemn English speech rather than 'sec' in casual talk. Compare it with पल (pal), which is the word you would actually reach for at the chai stall or with friends.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners often reach for क्षण (kshan) in casual speech where a native speaker would simply say पल (pal) or एक सेकंड (ek sekand) -- क्षण (kshan) sounds bookish or formal in everyday conversation. 2) The common phrase इस क्षण (is kshan, 'at this moment') is often used in narration or speeches, not casual chat.
Sample Sentences:
यह क्षण बहुत महत्वपूर्ण है। This moment is very important.
(yah kshan bahut mahatvpoorn hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
वह क्षण मुझे आज भी याद है। I still remember that moment even today.
(vah kshan mujhe aaj bhii yaad hai।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
एक क्षण के लिए सब कुछ शांत हो गया। For a moment, everything became quiet.
(ek kshan ke lie sab kuchh shaant ho gayaa।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
देश के लिए यह गर्व का क्षण है। This is a moment of pride for the nation.
(desh ke lie yah garv kaa kshan hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
यदि वह क्षण फिर आ जाए तो मैं अलग निर्णय लूँगा। If that moment were to come again, I would make a different decision.
(yadi vah kshan phir aa jaae to main alag nirnay loongaa।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Voice: Active
काश वह क्षण कभी न आया होता। I wish that moment had never come.
(kaash vah kshan kabhii n aayaa hotaa।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Counterfactual -- Aspect: Perfective -- Voice: Active
प्रधानमंत्री ने कहा कि यह इतिहास का निर्णायक क्षण है। The Prime Minister said that this is a decisive moment in history.
(pradhaanmantrii ne kahaa ki yah itihaas kaa nirnaayak kshan hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
हर क्षण को जी भर कर जीना चाहिए। One should live every moment to the fullest.
(har kshan ko jii bhar kar jiinaa chaahie।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
उस क्षण समय जैसे थम गया था। In that moment, time seemed to have stopped.
(us kshan samay jaise tham gayaa thaa।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
Morphology
Noun
(sg.m.direct): क्षण (kshan)
(sg.m.oblique): क्षण (kshan)
(pl.m.direct): क्षण (kshan)
(pl.m.oblique): क्षणों (kshanon)