हर्ष (harsh)

noun A literary/formal noun meaning 'joy' or 'delight' -- felt mostly in writing, speeches, and set phrases rather than everyday chat.
Sense 1 : joy, delight, gladness
noun, masculine
Synonyms: खुशी (khushii), आनंद (aanand), प्रसन्नता (prasanntaa, formal), उल्लास (ullaas, literary)
Frequency: low
Cultural Note: You will meet हर्ष (harsh) on wedding cards, in formal congratulatory speeches, or in phrases like हर्ष का विषय है (harsh kaa vishay hai, 'it is a matter of joy') -- it belongs to the register of ceremony and print, while खुशी (khushii) is what people actually say at the dinner table.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners often reach for this in casual speech where खुशी (khushii) is the natural choice; हर्ष (harsh) shows up mainly in formal writing, news reports, invitations, and speeches -- saying 'मुझे बहुत हर्ष हुआ' (mujhe bahut harsh huaa, 'I felt great joy') to a friend about something small would sound oddly stiff. 2) It pairs with होना (honaa) in a dative construction (मुझे हर्ष हुआ, mujhe harsh huaa, 'I felt joy'), not with a verb meaning 'to do' or 'to make'.
Sample Sentences:
यह हर्ष का विषय है कि आपकी बेटी का विवाह तय हो गया। It is a matter of joy that your daughter's marriage has been fixed.
(yah harsh kaa vishay hai ki aapkii betii kaa vivaah tay ho gayaa।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
समिति अत्यंत हर्ष के साथ इस वर्ष के पुरस्कार विजेताओं की घोषणा करती है। The committee announces this year's award winners with great joy.
(samiti atyant harsh ke saath is varsh ke puraskaar vijetaaon kii ghoshnaa kartii hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
उनके मुख पर हर्ष की एक रेखा झलक उठी। A trace of joy flickered across their face.
(unke mukh par harsh kii ek rekhaa jhalak uthii।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
यह निमंत्रण हर्ष और गर्व के साथ भेजा जाता है। This invitation is sent with joy and pride.
(yah nimantran harsh aur garv ke saath bhejaa jaataa hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Passive
काश वह दिन आता जब पूरे परिवार को यह हर्ष मिलता। If only that day had come when the whole family got this joy.
(kaash vah din aataa jab poore parivaar ko yah harsh miltaa।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Counterfactual -- Aspect: Habitual -- Voice: Active
प्रधानाचार्य ने अत्यंत हर्ष के साथ विद्यालय की सफलता की सूचना दी। The principal gave the news of the school's success with great joy.
(pradhaanaachaary ne atyant harsh ke saath vidyaalay kii saphaltaa kii soochnaa dii।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
हमें हर्ष है कि आपने इस अवसर पर हमारा साथ दिया। We are delighted that you supported us on this occasion.
(hamen harsh hai ki aapne is avsar par hamaaraa saath diyaa।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
हे प्रभु, इस पावन दिवस पर हर्ष और शांति सबके हृदय में बसे। O Lord, may joy and peace dwell in every heart on this holy day.
(he prabhu, is paavan divas par harsh aur shaanti sabke hriday men base।)
Register: Devotional -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Voice: Active
यह हर्ष का अवसर सदा स्मरणीय रहेगा। This occasion of joy will always remain memorable.
(yah harsh kaa avsar sadaa smarniiy rahegaa।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Future -- Voice: Active
Morphology
Noun
(sg.m.direct): हर्ष (harsh)
(sg.m.oblique): हर्ष (harsh)
(pl.m.direct): हर्ष (harsh)
(pl.m.oblique): हर्षों (harshon)