सरकारी in 30 Seconds
- Sarkaarii means 'governmental' or 'official'.
- It is an invariant adjective (doesn't change form).
- Used to distinguish public services from private ones.
- Highly common in daily Hindi conversation and news.
The word सरकारी (Sarkaarii) is one of the most foundational adjectives in the Hindi language, particularly within the context of Indian society. Derived from the Persian word 'Sarkar' (meaning government or authority), it literally translates to 'governmental' or 'official.' However, its usage extends far beyond a mere administrative label. In Hindi-speaking regions, anything labeled as sarkaarii carries a specific weight, denoting that the entity is owned, managed, or authorized by the state. Whether you are talking about a building, a job, a document, or even a specific type of school, this word acts as the primary descriptor for public sector involvement.
- The Concept of Authority
- When a Hindi speaker says something is सरकारी, they are invoking the power of the state. It distinguishes the public domain from the private (Niji). For example, a sarkaarii daftar is not just any office; it is a government office where official business, permits, and bureaucracy reside.
क्या आप सरकारी कर्मचारी हैं? (Are you a government employee?)
In daily conversation, you will hear this word most frequently when people discuss services. Because India has a vast network of state-run institutions, people constantly distinguish between sarkaarii hospitals, sarkaarii schools, and sarkaarii banks. To a learner, understanding this word is the key to navigating the social landscape of North India. It signifies a level of permanence and reliability, though sometimes it carries a secondary connotation of slow-moving bureaucracy or 'red tape.'
- Social Prestige
- In the Indian middle class, a sarkaarii naukri (government job) is often considered the 'gold standard' of employment due to job security and pensions. Thus, the word often appears in discussions about marriage, career goals, and social status.
यह सरकारी आदेश है। (This is a government order.)
Finally, the word is used in legal and formal contexts. Any document bearing the seal of the government is a sarkaarii dastaavez. If you are visiting India and need to visit a police station or a post office, you are entering a sarkaarii space. Recognizing this word on signs and forms will immediately tell you that you are dealing with the state apparatus. It is a word of high frequency, appearing in newspapers, news broadcasts, and street-side chatter daily.
Using सरकारी (Sarkaarii) in a sentence is relatively straightforward for English speakers because it functions almost exactly like the English adjective 'government' or 'governmental.' It usually precedes the noun it modifies. Because it is an invariant adjective ending in '-ii', you don't have to worry about changing it to 'sarkaare' or 'sarkaaria'—it stays exactly as it is regardless of the context.
- Basic Identification
- To identify something as public property, simply place सरकारी before the noun. Example: Sarkaarii bus (Government bus) or Sarkaarii school (Government school).
मैं सरकारी अस्पताल जा रहा हूँ। (I am going to the government hospital.)
When discussing professions, the word is indispensable. In India, being a 'government servant' is a common term, translated as sarkaarii naukar or more formally sarkaarii karmachaari. Note that while 'naukar' can mean servant, in the phrase sarkaarii naukar, it is a standard way to refer to civil servants or any government employee.
- Formal and Legal Usage
- In formal writing, सरकारी is used to denote official policy. Phrases like sarkaarii niti (government policy) or sarkaarii bhasha (official language) are common in textbooks and news reports.
हिंदी भारत की सरकारी भाषा है। (Hindi is the official/government language of India.)
You can also use it to describe actions taken by the state. For instance, sarkaarii sahaayata (government aid) or sarkaarii hastakshep (government intervention). In these cases, the word adds a layer of formality and indicates that the subject of the sentence is the state apparatus itself. It is a highly versatile word that moves seamlessly from the most casual conversation about a bus route to the highest levels of political debate.
If you spend a single day in a Hindi-speaking city like Delhi, Lucknow, or Jaipur, you will encounter the word सरकारी (Sarkaarii) dozens of times. It is omnipresent on signage. Look at the blue or red boards outside buildings; they almost always start with Bharat Sarkar (Government of India) or Raajya Sarkar (State Government), followed by the name of the sarkaarii department.
- Public Transportation
- At bus stands, people will often ask, "Is this a सरकारी bus?" to differentiate between the state-run transport corporation buses and private operators. State buses are often cheaper and follow fixed routes, making them a staple of public life.
क्या यहाँ कोई सरकारी बैंक है? (Is there a government bank here?)
In the news, sarkaarii is the lead word for almost every headline involving policy changes, elections, or public welfare schemes. News anchors will talk about sarkaarii aankde (government figures/data) or sarkaarii raahat (government relief) during times of crisis. It is the language of the 'evening news' and the 'morning newspaper.'
- The Job Market
- Listen to any conversation between parents of young adults. The phrase सरकारी नौकरी (government job) is mentioned as the ultimate goal. You'll hear it in tea stalls, on trains, and in family gatherings as people discuss exam results and career stability.
उसे सरकारी आवास मिला है। (He has been allotted government housing.)
Lastly, in the legal world, you'll hear about the Sarkaarii Vakeel (Government Lawyer/Public Prosecutor). If you are watching a Bollywood courtroom drama, this term will appear frequently as the prosecutor presents their case. From the mundane act of buying a stamp at a post office to the high-stakes environment of a courtroom, sarkaarii is the word that defines the boundary of the state's reach.
While सरकारी (Sarkaarii) is a simple adjective, learners often make a few distinct errors in its application and pronunciation. The most common mistake is attempting to pluralize or gender-bend the word. Because many Hindi adjectives ending in '-aa' (like achhaa) change to '-ee' for feminine or '-e' for plural, learners mistakenly think sarkaarii might change too. It does not.
- Mistake 1: Over-inflection
- Do not say 'sarkaarie' for plural nouns. It is always सरकारी. Whether it's one office or ten, the adjective remains the same.
Incorrect: सरकारे स्कूल (Sarkaare school)
Correct: सरकारी स्कूल (Sarkaarii school)
Another common error is confusing Sarkaar (the noun 'government') with Sarkaarii (the adjective 'governmental'). If you want to say "The government is good," you use Sarkaar achhi hai. If you want to say "The government school is good," you use Sarkaarii school achhaa hai. Beginners often swap these, saying things like "Sarkaarii is good," which is incomplete.
- Mistake 2: Contextual Misuse
- Learners sometimes use सरकारी to mean 'political.' While they are related, 'political' is Raajneetik. Use sarkaarii for administrative/state things, and raajneetik for things related to parties and elections.
Don't say: यह सरकारी पार्टी है (This is a government party) when you mean 'political party.' Say: यह राजनीतिक दल है।
Finally, remember that sarkaarii is generally neutral or formal. In some slang contexts, it can be used pejoratively to imply something is of low quality (like 'basic' or 'standard issue'), but as a learner, you should stick to its literal meaning until you are very comfortable with Indian social nuances.
While सरकारी (Sarkaarii) is the most common word for 'governmental,' Hindi offers several synonyms and related terms depending on the level of formality and the specific context. Understanding these will help you sound more like a native speaker and better understand formal documents.
- सार्वजनिक (Saarvajanik) - Public
- While sarkaarii focuses on ownership by the government, saarvajanik focuses on access by the public. A park is saarvajanik (public) even if it is sarkaarii (government-owned).
- शासकीय (Shaaskiya) - Administrative/Official
- This is a highly formal, Sanskritized version of sarkaarii. You will see shaaskiya in legal documents, high-level government gazettes, and formal invitations from the state. In daily speech, it sounds overly stiff.
सरकारी vs निजी (Niji): सरकारी means public/gov, while निजी means private. This is the most important contrast to remember.
Then there are words like Rashtriya (National) and Kendriya (Central). A sarkaarii bank might specifically be a Kendriya (Central) bank. If you are referring to something belonging to the whole nation, Rashtriya is the better choice (e.g., Rashtriya Dhvaj - National Flag).
- आधिकारिक (Aadhikaarik) - Official
- If you want to say an 'official statement' or 'official website,' aadhikaarik is often used. While sarkaarii implies the government made it, aadhikaarik implies it is the authorized version of something.
In summary, सरकारी is your 'workhorse' word. It is the most versatile and widely understood term for anything related to the state. While other words offer more precision in formal or specific contexts, you can almost never go wrong with sarkaarii when describing something as governmental.
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
In the Mughal era, a 'Sarkar' was actually a territorial division, similar to a district. Today, it refers to the entire national or state government.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing it as 'sarkari' with a short 'i' at the end.
- Adding a vowel sound between 's' and 'r' (e.g., 'sarakari').
- Confusing the 'r' sound with a retroflex 'D' sound.
Difficulty Rating
Very easy to recognize on signs and in text.
Requires correct spelling of the 'ii' vowel and 'r' placement.
Invariant form makes it very easy to use in speech.
Clearly pronounced in media and daily life.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Examples by Level
यह सरकारी स्कूल है।
This is a government school.
Sarkaarii modifies the masculine noun 'school'.
वह सरकारी अस्पताल कहाँ है?
Where is that government hospital?
Interrogative sentence using 'kahaan' (where).
यह सरकारी बस है।
This is a government bus.
Sarkaarii comes before the noun 'bus'.
क्या यह सरकारी दफ़्तर है?
Is this a government office?
Yes/No question starting with 'Kya'.
मेरे पिता सरकारी काम करते हैं।
My father does government work.
Sarkaarii kaam = government work.
यह सरकारी पैसा है।
This is government money.
Sarkaarii modifies 'paisa' (money).
सरकारी घर छोटा है।
The government house is small.
Adjective-Noun-Adjective structure.
वहाँ सरकारी बोर्ड है।
There is a government board/sign there.
Sarkaarii modifies 'board'.
मेरी बहन को सरकारी नौकरी मिल गई।
My sister got a government job.
Sarkaarii naukri is a very common phrase.
सरकारी बैंक शनिवार को बंद है।
The government bank is closed on Saturday.
Subject is 'Sarkaarii bank'.
हमें सरकारी अनुमति चाहिए।
We need government permission.
Anumati (permission) is feminine, but sarkaarii doesn't change.
सरकारी गाड़ियाँ सफ़ेद होती हैं।
Government cars are (usually) white.
Plural subject 'gaadiyaan'.
क्या आप सरकारी कर्मचारी हैं?
Are you a government employee?
Karmachaari means employee.
यह सरकारी ज़मीन है।
This is government land.
Zameen (land) is feminine.
सरकारी नल में पानी नहीं है।
There is no water in the government tap.
Nal means tap/pipe.
वह सरकारी स्कूल में पढ़ाता है।
He teaches in a government school.
Use of postposition 'mein' after the noun.
सरकारी नियमों का पालन करना ज़रूरी है।
It is necessary to follow government rules.
Oblique case: 'Sarkaarii niyam-on ka'.
सरकार ने नई सरकारी नीति घोषित की है।
The government has announced a new government policy.
Sarkaar (noun) vs Sarkaarii (adj).
सरकारी सहायता के लिए यहाँ आवेदन करें।
Apply here for government aid.
Sahaayata means aid/help.
यह एक सरकारी दस्तावेज़ है, इसे मत खोना।
This is a government document, don't lose it.
Dastaavez means document.
सरकारी अस्पतालों में इलाज सस्ता होता है।
Treatment in government hospitals is cheap.
Comparison of costs.
सरकारी आदेश के बिना हम कुछ नहीं कर सकते।
We cannot do anything without a government order.
Aadesh means order/command.
सरकारी आवास में रहना सुरक्षित है।
Living in government housing is safe.
Aavaas means housing/residence.
क्या आपके पास सरकारी पहचान पत्र है?
Do you have a government identity card?
Pehchaan patra = ID card.
सरकारी योजनाओं का लाभ गरीबों तक पहुँचना चाहिए।
The benefits of government schemes should reach the poor.
Yojana means scheme/plan.
सरकारी तंत्र में भ्रष्टाचार एक बड़ी समस्या है।
Corruption in the government machinery is a big problem.
Tantra means system/machinery.
सरकारी वकील ने अदालत में मज़बूत दलीलें दीं।
The government lawyer gave strong arguments in court.
Vakeel means lawyer.
सरकारी आंकड़ों के अनुसार गरीबी कम हो रही है।
According to government data, poverty is decreasing.
Aankde means data/figures.
सरकारी हस्तक्षेप के कारण बाज़ार में बदलाव आया।
Change came to the market due to government intervention.
Hastakshep means intervention.
सरकारी विज्ञापनों पर बहुत खर्च किया जाता है।
A lot is spent on government advertisements.
Vigyaapan means advertisement.
क्या यह सरकारी संपत्ति है या निजी?
Is this government property or private?
Sampatti means property.
सरकारी तंत्र को और अधिक पारदर्शी होना चाहिए।
The government machinery should be more transparent.
Paardarshi means transparent.
सरकारी राजकोषीय घाटा इस वर्ष बढ़ गया है।
The government fiscal deficit has increased this year.
Rajkoshiya ghata = fiscal deficit.
सरकारी गजट में इस नए कानून का विवरण है।
The details of this new law are in the government gazette.
Gajat = Gazette.
सरकारी लोकपाल की नियुक्ति पर बहस चल रही है।
A debate is ongoing regarding the appointment of a government ombudsman.
Lokpal = Ombudsman.
सरकारी संस्थानों की स्वायत्तता बरकरार रहनी चाहिए।
The autonomy of government institutions should be maintained.
Svaayattata = autonomy.
सरकारी नीतियों का विश्लेषण करना विशेषज्ञों का काम है।
Analyzing government policies is the job of experts.
Vishleshan = analysis.
सरकारी खजाने पर बढ़ता बोझ चिंता का विषय है।
The increasing burden on the government treasury is a matter of concern.
Khazaana = treasury.
सरकारी तंत्र की कार्यकुशलता में सुधार की आवश्यकता है।
There is a need for improvement in the efficiency of government machinery.
Kaaryakushalata = efficiency.
सरकारी अधिसूचना के अनुसार कल छुट्टी है।
According to the government notification, tomorrow is a holiday.
Adhisuchna = notification.
सरकारी अधिराज्य की अवधारणा समय के साथ बदली है।
The concept of government suzerainty has changed over time.
Adhiraajya = suzerainty/dominion.
सरकारी तंत्र की जड़ें औपनिवेशिक काल तक जाती हैं।
The roots of the government machinery go back to the colonial period.
Aupniveshik = colonial.
सरकारी जवाबदेही लोकतंत्र का एक अनिवार्य स्तंभ है।
Government accountability is an essential pillar of democracy.
Javaabdehi = accountability.
सरकारी हस्तक्षेप और व्यक्तिगत स्वतंत्रता के बीच संतुलन आवश्यक है।
A balance between government intervention and individual liberty is necessary.
Vyaktigat svatantrata = individual liberty.
सरकारी अमले की सक्रियता से ही योजनाएं सफल होती हैं।
Schemes succeed only through the activeness of the government staff.
Amlaa = staff/personnel (formal/Urdu root).
सरकारी तंत्र की पेचीदगियों को समझना हर किसी के बस की बात नहीं।
Understanding the intricacies of the government machinery is not everyone's cup of tea.
Pechidgiyaan = intricacies.
सरकारी संप्रभुता का सिद्धांत अंतरराष्ट्रीय संबंधों में महत्वपूर्ण है।
The principle of government sovereignty is important in international relations.
Samprabhuta = sovereignty.
सरकारी वित्त व्यवस्था का सूक्ष्म अध्ययन अनिवार्य है।
A microscopic study of the government financial system is mandatory.
Sukshma adhyayan = microscopic study.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— A teacher in a government school (often used as a specific social archetype).
मेरे चाचा सरकारी स्कूल के मास्टर हैं।
Idioms & Expressions
— Literally 'Government's son-in-law'. Refers to someone (usually a prisoner or a pampered official) who is being fed and looked after by the state without doing much.
जेल में वह सरकारी दामाद की तरह रह रहा है।
Informal/Sarcastic— Literally 'Government bull'. Used for someone who roams freely without responsibility, often applied to lazy government employees.
वह काम नहीं करता, बस सरकारी सांड बना फिरता है।
Slang/Pejorative— Used metaphorically to describe something that takes forever to finish due to bureaucracy.
तुम्हारा काम तो सरकारी फाइल बन गया है।
Informal— To live off the government's money without working.
रिटायरमेंट के बाद वह बस सरकारी रोटियाँ तोड़ रहा है।
Informal— Red tapism (related to sarkaarii bureaucracy).
सरकारी दफ्तरों में लाल फीताशाही बहुत है।
Formal— To get official approval/finality.
अब इस योजना पर सरकारी मुहर लग गई है।
Neutral— The use of state force or strict authority.
जब सरकारी डंडा चलेगा, तब सब ठीक हो जाएगा।
Informal— Government service (slightly old-fashioned).
वह सालों से सरकारी चाकरी कर रहा है।
Neutral— Government charity (often used by critics of subsidies).
हमें सरकारी खैरात नहीं, रोज़गार चाहिए।
Political/InformalWord Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'SAR' (Sir) who is in 'KAR' (Charge). A 'Sarkaar' is the boss, and anything 'Sarkaarii' is his official business.
Visual Association
Imagine a white car with a blue flashing light and a 'Government of India' sticker. That is a 'Sarkaarii' vehicle.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to spot 5 things today that are 'Sarkaarii' in your city (e.g., a post office, a police car, a public park).
Word Origin
Derived from the Persian word 'Sarkar'. 'Sar' means head/top and 'kar' means work/authority.
Original meaning: Originally referred to a landlord, a chief, or the head of a district in the Mughal administrative system.
Indo-Aryan (via Persian/Iranian influence).Cultural Context
Be aware that while 'Sarkaarii' is official, in some contexts, it can imply a lack of quality or slow service due to bureaucratic stereotypes.
English speakers might use 'public' or 'state-run' where Hindi speakers almost exclusively use 'Sarkaarii'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At a Hospital
- क्या यह सरकारी अस्पताल है?
- सरकारी पर्ची कहाँ बनती है?
- यहाँ सरकारी डॉक्टर कब आते हैं?
- सरकारी दवाइयाँ कहाँ मिलेंगी?
Job Hunting
- मुझे सरकारी नौकरी चाहिए।
- सरकारी विज्ञापन कब आएगा?
- वह सरकारी परीक्षा की तैयारी कर रहा है।
- सरकारी नौकरी में बहुत फायदे हैं।
Transportation
- सरकारी बस का स्टैंड कहाँ है?
- क्या यह सरकारी टैक्सी है?
- सरकारी टिकट सस्ता होता है।
- सरकारी बस समय पर आती है।
Legal Matters
- सरकारी वकील से बात करो।
- यह सरकारी दस्तावेज़ है।
- सरकारी मुहर ज़रूरी है।
- सरकारी आदेश आ गया है।
Education
- वह सरकारी स्कूल में पढ़ता है।
- सरकारी कॉलेज की फीस कम है।
- सरकारी छात्रवृत्ति (scholarship) मिली।
- सरकारी मास्टर अच्छे होते हैं।
Conversation Starters
"क्या आप सरकारी नौकरी पसंद करते हैं या प्राइवेट?"
"आपके शहर में सरकारी अस्पताल कैसा है?"
"क्या भारत में सरकारी बसें सुरक्षित हैं?"
"सरकारी स्कूलों में सुधार के लिए क्या करना चाहिए?"
"क्या आपको कभी किसी सरकारी दफ़्तर जाना पड़ा है?"
Journal Prompts
सरकारी और निजी स्कूलों के बीच क्या अंतर है? अपने विचार लिखें।
अगर आप एक सरकारी अधिकारी होते, तो आप अपने शहर में क्या बदलते?
सरकारी नौकरी के प्रति लोगों के आकर्षण के क्या कारण हैं?
अपने देश के सरकारी तंत्र के बारे में एक छोटा लेख लिखें।
क्या सरकारी सेवाओं को पूरी तरह से मुफ्त होना चाहिए?
Summary
The word सरकारी (Sarkaarii) is the essential adjective for anything state-related. Use it to describe schools, hospitals, jobs, and documents to indicate they are part of the public sector. Example: 'Sarkaarii naukri' (government job) is a key cultural concept in India.
- Sarkaarii means 'governmental' or 'official'.
- It is an invariant adjective (doesn't change form).
- Used to distinguish public services from private ones.
- Highly common in daily Hindi conversation and news.
Example
उसने सरकारी नौकरी के लिए आवेदन किया है।
Related Content
Related Phrases
More work words
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B1A set of rules outlining the responsibilities of, or proper practices for, an individual or organization.
आगे बढ़ाना
A2To make progress; to promote or advance something.
आहरित करना
B1To withdraw money; to take money out of an account.
आहिस्ता-आहिस्ता
B1Slowly, gradually; at a slow pace; in a gentle or unhurried manner.
आजीविका
B1Livelihood; a means of securing the necessities of life.
आंकड़े इकट्ठा करना
B1To gather facts and statistics for analysis.
आलेख तैयार करना
B1To draft a document; to prepare a written piece.
आलस्य से
B1Lazily; in a way that shows a lack of effort or enthusiasm.
आमदनी
A2Income, earnings
आने वाला कल
B1On the day after today.
