विकल्प (vikalp)

noun A common formal-to-neutral noun meaning 'option, alternative, choice' -- the thing you pick from, distinct from निर्णय (nirnay, 'decision', the act of picking).
Sense 1 : option, alternative
noun, masculine
Synonyms: चुनाव (chunaav), विकल्प (vikalp)
Frequency: high
Cultural Note: You will see विकल्प (vikalp) everywhere in formal or written contexts -- exam papers ('choose one of the following options'), government forms, app menus -- it has that slightly official, printed-word feel rather than the flavor of casual chat. In everyday spoken complaint, though, लोगों के पास कोई विकल्प नहीं है (logon ke paas koii vikalp nahiin hai, 'people have no choice') is a very common way to express resignation, using the दे पास (ke paas) possession frame rather than a verb of choosing.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners often reach for चुनाव (chunaav) for 'option' when talking about a menu of choices (forms, exam questions, settings) -- विकल्प (vikalp) is the more natural word there, while चुनाव (chunaav) leans toward 'selection' or 'election' as an act. 2) With कोई विकल्प नहीं (koii vikalp nahiin, 'no option/choice'), the negation goes on कोई (koii), not on विकल्प (vikalp) itself -- learners sometimes try to negate the noun directly.
Sample Sentences:
इस सवाल के चार विकल्प दिए गए हैं। Four options are given for this question.
(is savaal ke chaar vikalp die gae hain।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Passive
मेरे पास इस्तीफा देने के अलावा कोई विकल्प नहीं था। I had no option other than to resign.
(mere paas istiiphaa dene ke alaavaa koii vikalp nahiin thaa।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
लोगों के पास अब कोई विकल्प नहीं है। People have no choice left now.
(logon ke paas ab koii vikalp nahiin hai।)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
कृपया नीचे दिए गए विकल्पों में से एक चुनें। Please choose one from the options given below.
(kripyaa niiche die gae vikalpon men se ek chunen।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Imperative -- Voice: Passive
अगर यह विकल्प काम न करे, तो हम कोई और रास्ता खोजेंगे। If this option doesn't work, we will find some other way.
(agar yah vikalp kaam n kare, to ham koii aur raastaa khojenge।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Tense: Future -- Voice: Active
काश हमारे पास कोई और विकल्प होता। I wish we had had some other option.
(kaash hamaare paas koii aur vikalp hotaa।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Counterfactual -- Aspect: Habitual -- Voice: Active
सरकार ने नागरिकों को ऑनलाइन भुगतान का विकल्प दिया है। The government has given citizens the option of online payment.
(sarkaar ne naagrikon ko onlaain bhugtaan kaa vikalp diyaa hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
ऐप में भाषा बदलने का विकल्प सेटिंग्स में मिलेगा। You'll find the option to change the language in the settings, in the app.
(aip men bhaashaa badalne kaa vikalp setings men milegaa।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Future -- Voice: Active
हर बार जब बजट कम होता है, कंपनी सस्ते विकल्प चुनती है। Every time the budget is low, the company chooses cheaper options.
(har baar jab bajat kam hotaa hai, kampnii saste vikalp chuntii hai।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
यह विकल्प इतना अच्छा है कि इसे नज़रअंदाज़ नहीं किया जा सकता। This option is so good that it cannot be ignored.
(yah vikalp itnaa achchhaa hai ki ise nazraandaaz nahiin kiyaa jaa saktaa।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Passive
परीक्षा में हमेशा 'कोई विकल्प नहीं' वाला सवाल सबसे मुश्किल लगता है। In exams, the question with 'no option' always seems the hardest.
(pariikshaa men hameshaa 'koii vikalp nahiin' vaalaa savaal sabse mushkil lagtaa hai।)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
Morphology
Noun
(sg.m.direct): विकल्प (vikalp)
(sg.m.oblique): विकल्प (vikalp)
(pl.m.direct): विकल्प (vikalp)
(pl.m.oblique): विकल्पों (vikalpon)