लालसा (laalsaa)

noun A literary/formal noun meaning an intense craving or yearning -- stronger and more poetic than everyday words like चाह (chaah).
Sense 1 : intense longing, craving, yearning
noun, feminine Takes की (kii) to mark the object of longing, e.g. धन की लालसा (dhan kii laalsaa, 'longing for wealth').
Synonyms: चाह (chaah), इच्छा (ichchhaa), लालच (laalach, focused more on greed for gain), आकांक्षा (aakaankshaa, formal, aspiration-flavored), उत्कंठा (utkanthaa, literary)
Frequency: medium
Cultural Note: This word shows up a lot in moral or spiritual commentary -- sermons, essays, and self-help talk about धन की लालसा (dhan kii laalsaa, 'craving for wealth') or सत्ता की लालसा (sattaa kii laalsaa, 'lust for power') as something to be wary of, echoing a broader Hindu/Buddhist-influenced cultural suspicion of unchecked desire. It pairs conceptually with चाह (chaah) and तृष्णा (trishnaa, a more philosophical/literary term for craving) -- लालसा sits between the two in register.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners often reach for this word in casual speech where चाहत (chaahat) or इच्छा (ichchhaa) would sound more natural -- लालसा (laalsaa) has a bookish, slightly heavy register, more at home in writing, speeches, or serious conversation than in small talk. 2) Because of its intensity, it often carries a faint negative or excessive shade (an unchecked craving) rather than a simple wish -- do not use it for mundane preferences like wanting tea.
Sample Sentences:
उसके मन में सत्ता की लालसा बहुत गहरी है। The craving for power runs very deep in his mind.
(uske man men sattaa kii laalsaa bahut gahrii hai।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
धन की लालसा में उसने अपने सारे रिश्ते तोड़ दिए। In his craving for wealth, he broke off all his relationships.
(dhan kii laalsaa men usne apne saare rishte tod die।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
गुरुजी कहते हैं कि लालसा ही सारे दुखों की जड़ है। The guru says that craving itself is the root of all sorrows.
(gurujii kahte hain ki laalsaa hii saare dukhon kii jad hai।)
Register: Devotional -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
अगर उसमें इतनी लालसा न होती तो वह इतना बेचैन न रहता। If he did not have so much craving, he would not have been so restless.
(agar usmen itnii laalsaa n hotii to vah itnaa bechain n rahtaa।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Counterfactual -- Aspect: Habitual -- Voice: Active
मान्यता पाने की लालसा हर कलाकार में कहीं न कहीं होती है। The longing for recognition exists somewhere in every artist.
(maanytaa paane kii laalsaa har kalaakaar men kahiin n kahiin hotii hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
अपनी लालसाओं पर काबू रखो, वरना ये तुम्हें बर्बाद कर देंगी। Keep control over your cravings, otherwise they will ruin you.
(apnii laalsaaon par kaaboo rakho, varnaa ye tumhen barbaad kar dengii।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Imperative -- Voice: Active
क्या उसकी लालसा कभी शांत भी होगी? Will his craving ever even be satisfied?
(kyaa uskii laalsaa kabhii shaant bhii hogii?)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Future -- Voice: Active
प्रवचन में स्वामी जी ने समझाया कि लालसा को त्यागे बिना शांति नहीं मिलती। In the sermon, Swami ji explained that without renouncing craving, one does not find peace.
(pravchan men svaamii jii ne samjhaayaa ki laalsaa ko tyaage binaa shaanti nahiin miltii।)
Register: Devotional -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
यह ज़रूरी नहीं कि हर महत्वाकांक्षा के पीछे लालसा ही छिपी हो। It is not necessary that craving alone is hidden behind every ambition.
(yah zaroorii nahiin ki har mahatvaakaankshaa ke piichhe laalsaa hii chhipii ho।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Aspect: Perfective -- Voice: Active
जब से उसे तरक्की मिली है, उसकी लालसा और बढ़ती जा रही है। Ever since he got a promotion, his craving has been growing even more.
(jab se use tarakkii milii hai, uskii laalsaa aur badhtii jaa rahii hai।)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Continuous -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
Morphology
Noun
(sg.f.direct): लालसा (laalsaa)
(sg.f.oblique): लालसा (laalsaa)
(pl.f.direct): लालसाएँ (laalsaaen)
(pl.f.oblique): लालसाओं (laalsaaon)