राजदूत (raajdoot)

noun A compound noun meaning 'ambassador' -- built from राज (raaj, 'king/state') plus दूत (doot, 'messenger'), literally 'the state's messenger.' It has one straightforward meaning.
Sense 1 : ambassador
noun, masculine
Synonyms: एम्बेसडर (embesdar, colloquial, used for the person or the car brand)
Frequency: medium
Cultural Note: You will see this word on the nameplates and gates of foreign embassies in Delhi's diplomatic enclave, Chanakyapuri -- it is the formal, official-government register word, so it shows up constantly in news broadcasts (जैसे भारत के राजदूत (jaise bhaarat ke raajdoot, for example India's ambassador)) even though it rarely comes up in casual chai-time conversation.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners sometimes use राजदूत (raajdoot) loosely for any diplomat or embassy staffer; in careful usage it specifically means the top-ranking ambassador, while other embassy staff have their own titles (जैसे राजदूत (jaise raajdoot, for example ambassador) versus सचिव (sachiv, secretary)).
Sample Sentences:
भारत के राजदूत ने राष्ट्रपति से मुलाकात की। India's ambassador met with the president.
(bhaarat ke raajdoot ne raashtrapti se mulaakaat kii।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
नए राजदूत कल दिल्ली पहुँचेंगे। The new ambassador will arrive in Delhi tomorrow.
(nae raajdoot kal dillii pahunchenge।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Future -- Voice: Active
राजदूत हर साल राष्ट्रीय दिवस पर एक स्वागत समारोह आयोजित करते हैं। The ambassador organizes a reception every year on National Day.
(raajdoot har saal raashtriiy divas par ek svaagat samaaroh aayojit karte hain।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
अमेरिकी राजदूत विदेश मंत्री से बात कर रहे हैं। The American ambassador is talking with the foreign minister.
(amerikii raajdoot videsh mantrii se baat kar rahe hain।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Continuous -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
राजदूत को हवाई अड्डे पर विशेष सुरक्षा दी गई। Special security was given to the ambassador at the airport.
(raajdoot ko havaaii adde par vishesh surakshaa dii gaii।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Passive
काश सरकार जल्दी नए राजदूत की नियुक्ति करती। If only the government would appoint a new ambassador soon.
(kaash sarkaar jaldii nae raajdoot kii niyukti kartii।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Counterfactual -- Aspect: Habitual -- Voice: Active
महामहिम, कृपया राजदूत के भाषण पर ध्यान दें। Your Excellency, please pay attention to the ambassador's speech.
(mahaamahim, kripyaa raajdoot ke bhaashan par dhyaan den।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Imperative -- Voice: Active
यह जरूरी है कि राजदूत दोनों देशों के संबंधों पर चर्चा करें। It is necessary that the ambassador discuss relations between the two countries.
(yah jaroorii hai ki raajdoot donon deshon ke sambandhon par charchaa karen।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Voice: Active
जापान के राजदूत ने भारत में शिक्षा के क्षेत्र में सहयोग की घोषणा की। Japan's ambassador announced cooperation in the field of education in India.
(jaapaan ke raajdoot ne bhaarat men shikshaa ke kshetr men sahyog kii ghoshnaa kii।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
चाणक्यपुरी में हर दूतावास के बाहर राजदूत का नाम पट्टिका पर लिखा होता है। Outside every embassy in Chanakyapuri, the ambassador's name is written on a nameplate.
(chaanakypurii men har dootaavaas ke baahar raajdoot kaa naam pattikaa par likhaa hotaa hai।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Passive
Morphology
Noun
(sg.m.direct): राजदूत (raajdoot)
(sg.m.oblique): राजदूत (raajdoot)
(pl.m.direct): राजदूत (raajdoot)
(pl.m.oblique): राजदूतों (raajdooton)