विद्यार्थी (vidyaarthii)

noun A formal, respectful word for 'student,' used for both genders; commonly paired with the more everyday छात्र (chhaatr).
Sense 1 : student, pupil
noun, masculine/feminine
Synonyms: छात्र (chhaatr), शिष्य (shishy, student of a guru/teacher, more traditional)
Frequency: high
Cultural Note: You will see विद्यार्थी (vidyaarthii) on school signboards, in notices, and in formal speeches -- it carries a certain dignity, evoking the old guru-shishya (guru-shishy) ideal of a student devoted to learning, whereas छात्र (chhaatr) is the more neutral everyday term used in schools and colleges alike.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners sometimes treat this as masculine-only, but it is used for female students too, often written as विद्यार्थिनी (vidyaarthinii) in more formal or written contexts -- in everyday speech विद्यार्थी (vidyaarthii) itself is commonly used for both. 2) This word leans slightly formal/academic; in casual conversation about school-going kids, लड़का (ladkaa)/लड़की (ladkii) or स्टूडेंट (stoodent) are often what people actually say.
Sample Sentences:
हर विद्यार्थी को समय का महत्व समझना चाहिए। Every student should understand the importance of time.
(har vidyaarthii ko samay kaa mahatv samajhnaa chaahie।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
विद्यार्थी परीक्षा की तैयारी कर रहे हैं। The students are preparing for the exam.
(vidyaarthii pariikshaa kii taiyaarii kar rahe hain।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Continuous -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
प्राचार्य ने सभी विद्यार्थियों को सभा में बुलाया। The principal called all the students to the assembly.
(praachaary ne sabhii vidyaarthiyon ko sabhaa men bulaayaa।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
एक सच्चे विद्यार्थी को गुरु का सम्मान करना चाहिए। A true student should respect his teacher.
(ek sachche vidyaarthii ko guru kaa sammaan karnaa chaahie।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
विद्यार्थियों, अपनी किताबें खोलो। Students, open your books.
(vidyaarthiyon, apnii kitaaben kholo।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Imperative -- Voice: Active
यदि वह मेहनती विद्यार्थी होता, तो आज सफल होता। If he had been a hardworking student, he would be successful today.
(yadi vah mehantii vidyaarthii hotaa, to aaj saphal hotaa।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Counterfactual -- Aspect: Habitual -- Voice: Active
इस विद्यालय में पाँच सौ विद्यार्थी पढ़ते हैं। Five hundred students study in this school.
(is vidyaalay men paanch sau vidyaarthii padhte hain।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
आदर्श विद्यार्थी वही है जो निरंतर ज्ञान की खोज में रहे। The ideal student is one who remains in constant pursuit of knowledge.
(aadarsh vidyaarthii vahii hai jo nirantar gyaan kii khoj men rahe।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
वृत्तिका पूरे कॉलेज में सबसे प्रतिभाशाली विद्यार्थी थी। Vritika was the most talented student in the whole college.
(vrittikaa poore kolej men sabse pratibhaashaalii vidyaarthii thii।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
आशा है कि यह विद्यार्थी अगले वर्ष स्वर्ण पदक जीतेगा। It is hoped that this student will win the gold medal next year.
(aashaa hai ki yah vidyaarthii agle varsh svarn padak jiitegaa।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Tense: Future -- Voice: Active
विद्यार्थी को अनुशासन में रखा जाता है ताकि उसका चरित्र निर्माण हो सके। The student is kept under discipline so that his character can be built.
(vidyaarthii ko anushaasan men rakhaa jaataa hai taaki uskaa charitr nirmaan ho sake।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Passive
Morphology
Noun
(sg.m/f.direct): विद्यार्थी (vidyaarthii)
(sg.m/f.oblique): विद्यार्थी (vidyaarthii)
(pl.m/f.direct): विद्यार्थियाँ (vidyaarthiyaan)
(pl.m/f.oblique): विद्यार्थियों (vidyaarthiyon)