अध्यापक (adhyaapak)

noun A formal, single-sense word meaning 'teacher' (male or as a general/generic term), commonly used in schools and formal contexts alongside the everyday शिक्षक (shikshak).
Sense 1 : teacher (male, or generic/formal term for a teacher)
noun, masculine
Synonyms: शिक्षक (shikshak), मास्टर (maastar, colloquial), गुरु (guru, guru/mentor, broader sense)
Frequency: high
Cultural Note: This is the word you will see printed on a school's noticeboard or in a students' register -- अध्यापक (adhyaapak) has a formal, institutional flavor, while शिक्षक (shikshak) is the more neutral everyday choice and मास्टर जी (maastar jii) is the warm, respectful way children actually address their teacher in many north Indian schools.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners sometimes use अध्यापक (adhyaapak) in casual speech where शिक्षक (shikshak) or मास्टर साहब (maastar saahab) would sound more natural; अध्यापक (adhyaapak) leans slightly formal/written, common on school signboards and official documents. 2) The feminine counterpart is अध्यापिका (adhyaapikaa), not a form of अध्यापक (adhyaapak) itself -- learners sometimes wrongly assume it simply takes a feminine ending like an adjective.
Sample Sentences:
हमारे स्कूल में हिंदी के अध्यापक बहुत सख्त हैं। The Hindi teacher at our school is very strict.
(hamaare skool men hindii ke adhyaapak bahut sakht hain।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
नए अध्यापक कल विद्यालय में नियुक्त किए गए। The new teacher was appointed at the school yesterday.
(nae adhyaapak kal vidyaalay men niyukt kie gae।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Passive
अध्यापक कक्षा में छात्रों को गणित पढ़ा रहे थे। The teacher was teaching the students mathematics in the classroom.
(adhyaapak kakshaa men chhaatron ko ganit padhaa rahe the।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Continuous -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
कृपया अध्यापक महोदय को इस विषय की सूचना दें। Please inform the respected teacher about this matter.
(kripyaa adhyaapak mahoday ko is vishay kii soochnaa den।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Imperative -- Voice: Active
यदि वह अध्यापक होता, तो बच्चों के साथ इतना धैर्य नहीं रखता। If he were a teacher, he wouldn't have so much patience with children.
(yadi vah adhyaapak hotaa, to bachchon ke saath itnaa dhairy nahiin rakhtaa।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Counterfactual -- Aspect: Habitual -- Voice: Active
विद्यालय प्रशासन चाहता है कि हर अध्यापक समय पर कक्षा में पहुँचे। The school administration wants every teacher to reach the classroom on time.
(vidyaalay prashaasan chaahtaa hai ki har adhyaapak samay par kakshaa men pahunche।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
अगले सत्र से विद्यालय में दो नए अध्यापक होंगे। There will be two new teachers at the school from next session.
(agle satr se vidyaalay men do nae adhyaapak honge।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Future -- Voice: Active
रजिस्टर में हर अध्यापक का नाम और पद दर्ज होता है। Every teacher's name and post is recorded in the register.
(rajistar men har adhyaapak kaa naam aur pad darj hotaa hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Passive
अध्यापक ने छात्रों की कॉपियाँ जाँच लीं। The teacher checked the students' notebooks.
(adhyaapak ne chhaatron kii kopiyaan jaanch liin।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
इस विद्यालय के अध्यापकगण अत्यंत योग्य माने जाते हैं। The teachers of this school are considered extremely competent.
(is vidyaalay ke adhyaapakgan atyant yogy maane jaate hain।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Passive
काश मैं भी एक अध्यापक होता और बच्चों को पढ़ाता। I wish I were a teacher too and could teach children.
(kaash main bhii ek adhyaapak hotaa aur bachchon ko padhaataa।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Counterfactual -- Aspect: Habitual -- Voice: Active
Morphology
Noun
(sg.m.direct): अध्यापक (adhyaapak)
(sg.m.oblique): अध्यापक (adhyaapak)
(pl.m.direct): अध्यापक (adhyaapak)
(pl.m.oblique): अध्यापकों (adhyaapkon)