सफ़र (safar)

noun A single-sense noun meaning 'journey' or 'travel' -- one of the most common everyday words for talking about trips of any length.
Sense 1 : journey, trip, travel
noun, masculine
Synonyms: यात्रा (yaatraa), सैर (sair, more like an outing/stroll)
Frequency: high
Cultural Note: You'll hear this word constantly around Indian Railways -- announcements, ticket counters, and the common wish सफ़र मंगलमय हो (safar mangalmay ho, 'may your journey be auspicious/pleasant')) that plays on platforms. It carries a slightly more personal, reflective feel than यात्रा (yaatraa), which leans a bit more formal or ceremonial (like a pilgrimage or official tour).
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners often reach for यात्रा (yaatraa) by default, but सफ़र (safar) is the word you'll actually hear in casual conversation -- at the train station, in a taxi, or when someone asks about your trip. 2) The phrase सफ़र करना (safar karnaa, 'to travel/make a journey') is the standard verb pairing; learners sometimes try सफ़र लेना (safar lenaa) by analogy with English 'take a trip,' which sounds off.
Sample Sentences:
यह सफ़र बहुत लंबा है। This journey is very long.
(yah safar bahut lambaa hai।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
हमने पूरा सफ़र ट्रेन में बातें करते हुए बिताया। We spent the whole journey chatting on the train.
(hamne pooraa safar tren men baaten karte hue bitaayaa।)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
आपका सफ़र मंगलमय हो। May your journey be pleasant.
(aapkaa safar mangalmay ho।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Voice: Active
सफ़र के दौरान मुझे नींद ही नहीं आती। I just can't fall asleep during a journey.
(safar ke dauraan mujhe niind hii nahiin aatii।)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
अगर पैसे होते तो मैं यह सफ़र हवाई जहाज़ से करता। If I had the money, I would have done this journey by plane.
(agar paise hote to main yah safar havaaii jahaaz se kartaa।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Counterfactual -- Aspect: Habitual -- Voice: Active
सफ़र शुरू करने से पहले टिकट ज़रूर चेक कर लो। Before starting the journey, definitely check your ticket.
(safar shuroo karne se pahle tikat zaroor chek kar lo।)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Imperative -- Voice: Active
कल का सफ़र वाकई थकाने वाला था। Yesterday's journey was really exhausting.
(kal kaa safar vaakaii thakaane vaalaa thaa।)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
इस सफ़र में उसने अपने बारे में बहुत कुछ सीखा। On this journey, he learned a lot about himself.
(is safar men usne apne baare men bahut kuchh siikhaa।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
सफ़र के बीच में ट्रेन अचानक रोक दी गई। The train was suddenly stopped in the middle of the journey.
(safar ke biich men tren achaanak rok dii gaii।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Passive
अगले महीने हम एक लंबे सफ़र पर निकलेंगे। Next month we will set out on a long journey.
(agle mahiine ham ek lambe safar par niklenge।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Future -- Voice: Active
शायद यह सफ़र मेरी ज़िंदगी बदल दे। Maybe this journey will change my life.
(shaayad yah safar merii zindgii badal de।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Voice: Active
Morphology
Noun
(sg.m.direct): सफ़र (safar)
(sg.m.oblique): सफ़र (safar)
(pl.m.direct): सफ़र (safar)
(pl.m.oblique): सफ़रों (safron)