This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

Home
Learn
Hindi
Vocabulary
दिवस

A2 noun #1,500 most common 7 min read

दिवस

divas Top 1,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips दिवस in 30 Seconds

Explanation दिवस in your Level:

At the A1 level, you primarily learn 'दिन' (Din) for 'day'. However, you might encounter 'दिवस' in very basic greetings like 'शुभ दिवस' (Good day). At this stage, you don't need to use it yourself, but you should recognize it as a synonym for 'day' when you see it on posters or in formal greetings. It's like learning 'Hello' vs 'Good Day'. You mostly use 'Hello', but you understand 'Good Day' when someone says it. Focus on recognizing the word in the context of 'Hindi Diwas' or 'Teacher's Day'.

At the A2 level, you start to distinguish between formal and informal Hindi. You should know that 'दिवस' is the formal term. You will see it in school contexts (Annual Day) and national contexts (Independence Day). You should be able to use it in a simple sentence like 'आज स्वतंत्रता दिवस है' (Today is Independence Day). You are beginning to understand that Hindi has different 'registers' and that 'दिवस' belongs to the higher, more respectful register used for celebrations and official business.

By B1, you should be comfortable using 'दिवस' in formal writing, such as a school essay or a basic formal email. You should understand compound terms like 'कार्य दिवस' (working day) and 'अवकाश दिवस' (holiday). You can explain the significance of certain 'दिवस' in Indian culture. You also start to notice 'दिवस' in news headlines and understand that it provides a more serious tone to the reporting. You can differentiate between 'दिन' (general time) and 'दिवस' (significant occasion).

At the B2 level, you use 'दिवस' to add variety and sophistication to your speech and writing. You understand its Sanskrit roots and how it fits into the 'Tatsam' vocabulary of Hindi. You can use it in more abstract ways, such as 'मेरे जीवन का सबसे महत्वपूर्ण दिवस' (The most important day of my life). You are also aware of its use in literature and can appreciate the rhythmic or tonal quality it adds to a poem or a formal speech. You no longer make the mistake of using it in overly casual settings.

At C1, 'दिवस' is a tool for precision. You use it to navigate complex bureaucratic, academic, and literary texts. You understand the nuances of phrases like 'दिवसावसान' (the end of the day/twilight) and can use 'दिवस' in philosophical discussions about time. You can switch between 'दिन', 'वार', and 'दिवस' effortlessly depending on your audience. You also understand the historical and cultural weight the word carries in the context of the 'Hindi movement' and national identity.

At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of the word's etymological journey from Sanskrit to Modern Standard Hindi. You can analyze its usage in classical poetry (Riti-kaal or Chhayavad) and understand how it contrasts with Persian-derived synonyms like 'रोज़' (Roz). You can use 'दिवस' in highly specialized contexts, such as legal documents or high-level diplomatic communication, where every word choice matters for tone and legal clarity. You are a master of the word's register.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

दिवस in 30 Seconds

Formal Hindi word for 'day'.
Used for holidays and official events.
Derived from Sanskrit root meaning 'to shine'.
Masculine noun, distinct from casual 'din'.

The Hindi word दिवस (Divas) is a masculine noun that translates primarily to 'day' in English. While the more common word for day in daily conversation is 'दिन' (Din), 'दिवस' carries a more formal, literary, and often ceremonial weight. It is derived directly from Sanskrit, rooted in the word 'div', which means 'to shine' or 'the sky'. When you use 'दिवस', you are often referring to a specific, significant day—such as a national holiday, a commemorative event, or a formal period of time in a poetic context.

Grammatical Category: Masculine Noun (पुल्लिंग)
Etymology: Sanskrit origin (दिवस्), related to the concept of light and the celestial sphere.

आज हिंदी दिवस है। (Today is Hindi Day.)

In the hierarchy of Hindi vocabulary, 'दिवस' sits at a higher register. If you are writing a formal letter, a poem, or an official announcement, 'दिवस' is the preferred choice. It evokes a sense of grandeur and importance. For example, 'स्वतंत्रता दिवस' (Independence Day) sounds much more official and respectful than saying 'स्वतंत्रता का दिन'. The word encapsulates the duration between sunrise and sunset, but more importantly, it marks the essence of that time as a distinct unit of celebration or observation.

गणतंत्र दिवस की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ। (Heartfelt wishes for Republic Day.)

Register: Formal / Literary / Official

Furthermore, 'दिवस' is frequently paired with other Sanskrit-derived adjectives to form compound words. For instance, 'वार्षिकोत्सव दिवस' (Annual Day) or 'शिक्षक दिवस' (Teacher's Day). Understanding this word is crucial for navigating official Indian government communications, news broadcasts, and classical literature. It provides a bridge between the colloquial 'Hindustani' and the more 'Sanskritized' formal Hindi used in academia and state functions.

Using दिवस correctly requires an understanding of context and register. Unlike 'दिन', which can be used in almost any sentence involving time (e.g., 'दो दिन बाद'), 'दिवस' is usually reserved for specific contexts. You wouldn't typically say 'मुझे दो दिवस चाहिए' (I need two days) in a casual shop; instead, you would use 'दिवस' when referring to the *nature* or *significance* of the day.

महिला दिवस पर विशेष कार्यक्रम आयोजित किए गए। (Special programs were organized on Women's Day.)

Usage Rule 1: Always use 'दिवस' for official holidays (e.g., Gandhi Jayanti is often referred to as a 'राष्ट्रीय दिवस').
Usage Rule 2: In poetry, 'दिवस' can replace 'दिन' to maintain a specific meter or to elevate the tone of the verse.

In formal writing, 'दिवस' is often used in the plural as 'दिवसों' when followed by a postposition. For example, 'पिछले कुछ दिवसों में' (In the last few days) sounds very scholarly. However, for everyday speech, stick to 'दिनों'. The choice of 'दिवस' signals to the listener that the topic is serious or celebratory. It is also common in bureaucratic language, such as 'कार्य दिवस' (working day), which you will see in office circulars and bank notices.

यह बैंक पांच कार्य दिवस तक बंद रहेगा। (This bank will remain closed for five working days.)

Another nuanced use is in the phrase 'दिवस-रात्रि' (day and night), which is a more formal version of 'दिन-रात'. This is often found in news reports discussing ongoing rescue operations or long-term projects. When learning 'दिवस', focus on its collocations—the words it usually hangs out with. If you learn it as part of 'स्वतंत्रता दिवस' or 'हिंदी दिवस', you'll naturally start to feel when it's appropriate to use it over the simpler 'दिन'.

You will encounter दिवस in several specific environments. The most common is the news. News anchors in India use a highly standardized form of Hindi (often called 'Shuddh Hindi') which favors Sanskrit-derived terms. On August 15th or January 26th, every television channel will be filled with the word 'दिवस'.

आज पूरा देश विजय दिवस मना रहा है। (Today the whole country is celebrating Victory Day.)

Context: Education: Schools frequently celebrate 'वार्षिक दिवस' (Annual Day) or 'खेल दिवस' (Sports Day).

In the workplace, particularly in government offices or large Indian corporations, you will see 'दिवस' in official calendars. 'अवकाश दिवस' (Holiday/Leave Day) is a common term on HR portals. If you are reading Hindi literature—novels by Premchand or poetry by Mahadevi Varma—'दिवस' is used to create atmosphere. It can represent the passing of time in a more philosophical way than the literal 'दिन'.

प्रेम के दिवस बहुत छोटे होते हैं। (The days of love are very short.)

Finally, public announcements at train stations or airports might use 'दिवस' in the context of 'परिचालन दिवस' (days of operation) for certain trains or flights. In essence, whenever the context shifts from the mundane 'what time is it?' to the structured 'on which day does this occur?', 'दिवस' becomes a strong candidate for use. It is a word that signals respect for the time being described.

The most frequent mistake learners make with दिवस is overusing it in casual conversation. If you say to a friend, 'मैं दो दिवस के लिए बाहर जा रहा हूँ' (I am going out for two days), it sounds incredibly stiff and unnatural, almost like you're reading from a 19th-century textbook. In daily life, always prefer 'दिन'.

गलत (Wrong): आज का दिवस कैसा था?
सही (Right): आज का दिन कैसा था? (How was your day?)

Mistake: Gender Confusion: Some learners confuse the gender because other words for time (like 'रात' - night) are feminine. 'दिवस' is strictly masculine.

Another mistake is failing to use the oblique form 'दिवसों' when necessary. If you are saying 'In those days' in a formal context, it should be 'उन दिवसों में', not 'उन दिवस में'. However, again, 'उन दिनों में' is much more common. Learners also sometimes confuse 'दिवस' with 'दिवा' (which also means day/light but is even more archaic and usually used as a prefix, like in 'दिवास्वप्न' - daydream).

सावधान (Caution): Do not use दिवस for 'date'. For 'date', use 'तारीख' or 'दिनांक'.

Lastly, ensure you don't mix registers within a single sentence. If you start a sentence with a very informal 'यार' (friend/dude), don't end it with 'दिवस'. Keep the tone consistent. 'दिवस' belongs in the company of other 'Tatsam' (Sanskrit-derived) words. Using it correctly shows a high level of linguistic awareness and respect for the nuances of Hindi registers.

While दिवस means day, several other words share this space, each with its own flavor. Understanding the differences is key to sounding like a native speaker.

दिन (Din): The most common, neutral word for 'day'. Used in 95% of daily conversations.
वार (Vaar): Used specifically for days of the week (e.g., 'सोमवार' - Monday). It implies a recurring cycle.
दिनांक (Dinaank): Literally 'day-mark', this means 'date' (e.g., 15th August). It is the formal version of 'तारीख'.

Comparison:
- 'आज का दिन अच्छा है' (Casual)
- 'आज का दिवस मंगलमय हो' (Formal blessing)

When comparing 'दिवस' to 'दिन', think of it like 'Residence' vs 'Home'. You live in a home, but your official documents might list your residence. Similarly, you live through 'दिन', but you celebrate 'दिवस'. 'वार' is even more specific, used almost exclusively for the calendar week. If you are a beginner, stick to 'दिन', but as you move to A2 and B1 levels, start incorporating 'दिवस' for formal greetings and 'दिनांक' for dates.

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Masculine noun endings

Oblique case for plural nouns

Adjective-Noun agreement

Compound word formation (Samas)

Postposition usage with time

Examples by Level

शुभ दिवस!

Good day!

'शुभ' is an adjective meaning 'auspicious' or 'good'.

आज हिंदी दिवस है।

Today is Hindi Day.

'आज' means 'today'.

यह एक विशेष दिवस है।

This is a special day.

'विशेष' means 'special'.

दिवस और रात।

Day and night.

'और' means 'and'.

आपका दिवस कैसा है?

How is your day? (Formal)

Formal usage of 'your'.

शिक्षक दिवस कब है?

When is Teacher's Day?

'कब' means 'when'.

बाल दिवस मुबारक!

Happy Children's Day!

'मुबारक' is a greeting for 'congratulations/happy'.

यह दिवस अच्छा है।

This day is good.

Simple subject-verb-adjective structure.

15 अगस्त भारत का स्वतंत्रता दिवस है।

15th August is India's Independence Day.

Possessive 'का' agrees with masculine 'दिवस'.

कल स्कूल का वार्षिक दिवस है।

Tomorrow is the school's annual day.

'कल' can mean 'yesterday' or 'tomorrow'; here it's 'tomorrow'.

हम गणतंत्र दिवस मनाते हैं।

We celebrate Republic Day.

'मनाते हैं' is present habitual tense for 'we'.

क्या आज कोई विशेष दिवस है?

Is today any special day?

'कोई' means 'any/some'.

पर्यावरण दिवस पर पेड़ लगाओ।

Plant trees on Environment Day.

'पर' is the postposition for 'on'.

यह दिवस बहुत महत्वपूर्ण है।

This day is very important.

'महत्वपूर्ण' means 'important'.

गांधी जयंती एक राष्ट्रीय दिवस है।

Gandhi Jayanti is a national day.

'राष्ट्रीय' means 'national'.

मजदूर दिवस मई में आता है।

Labor Day comes in May.

'आता है' means 'comes'.

बैंक तीन कार्य दिवसों के लिए बंद रहेगा।

The bank will remain closed for three working days.

Oblique plural 'दिवसों' used after 'के लिए'.

इस दिवस का इतिहास बहुत पुराना है।

The history of this day is very old.

'इतिहास' means 'history'.

हमें इस दिवस की गरिमा बनाए रखनी चाहिए।

We should maintain the dignity of this day.

'गरिमा' means 'dignity'.

योग दिवस अब दुनिया भर में मनाया जाता है।

Yoga Day is now celebrated across the world.

Passive voice: 'मनाया जाता है'.

वह पिछले कई दिवसों से बीमार है।

He has been ill for the past several days.

'से' indicates 'since/for' in time contexts.

विजय दिवस सेना के शौर्य का प्रतीक है।

Victory Day is a symbol of the army's bravery.

'प्रतीक' means 'symbol'.

इस पावन दिवस पर आप सबको बधाई।

Congratulations to all of you on this holy day.

'पावन' is a formal word for 'pure/holy'.

आज का दिवस मेरे लिए यादगार रहेगा।

Today will remain memorable for me.

'यादगार' means 'memorable'.

साहित्यिक दिवस पर कवियों ने अपनी रचनाएँ सुनाईं।

On the literary day, poets recited their creations.

'रचनाएँ' means 'creations/compositions'.

दिवस की ढलती हुई रोशनी सुंदर लग रही थी।

The fading light of the day was looking beautiful.

'ढलती हुई' means 'fading/setting'.

उनका पूरा जीवन संघर्ष के दिवसों से भरा था।

His entire life was filled with days of struggle.

'संघर्ष' means 'struggle'.

यह दिवस हमें अपने कर्तव्यों की याद दिलाता है।

This day reminds us of our duties.

'कर्तव्यों' is the plural of 'duty'.

आधुनिक युग में हर दिवस एक नई चुनौती है।

In the modern era, every day is a new challenge.

'चुनौती' means 'challenge'.

इस ऐतिहासिक दिवस का साक्षी बनना गर्व की बात है।

It is a matter of pride to be a witness to this historical day.

'साक्षी' means 'witness'.

दिवस-रात्रि के परिश्रम के बाद सफलता मिली।

Success was achieved after day-and-night hard work.

Compound word 'दिवस-रात्रि'.

क्या आप इस दिवस के महत्व को समझते हैं?

Do you understand the importance of this day?

'महत्व' means 'importance'.

दिवसावसान के समय आकाश का रंग बदल गया।

At the time of the day's end, the color of the sky changed.

'दिवसावसान' is a formal compound for 'sunset/evening'.

लेखक ने अपने उपन्यास में उन कठिन दिवसों का चित्रण किया है।

The author has depicted those difficult days in his novel.

'चित्रण' means 'depiction/portrayal'.

यह दिवस हमारी सांस्कृतिक विरासत का अभिन्न अंग है।

This day is an integral part of our cultural heritage.

'अभिन्न अंग' means 'integral part'.

राजनीतिक गलियारों में इस दिवस की काफी चर्चा रही।

There was much discussion of this day in political circles.

'गलियारों' literally means 'corridors'.

दिवस की प्रथम किरण के साथ ही उत्सव शुरू हुआ।

The festival began with the very first ray of the day.

'प्रथम किरण' means 'first ray'.

उनका दर्शन जीवन के प्रत्येक दिवस को उत्सव मानता है।

His philosophy considers every day of life a celebration.

'दर्शन' here means 'philosophy'.

इस दिवस की प्रासंगिकता आज भी उतनी ही है।

The relevance of this day is just as much today.

'प्रासंगिकता' means 'relevance'.

प्रशासन ने इस दिवस को शांतिपूर्ण ढंग से संपन्न कराया।

The administration concluded this day in a peaceful manner.

'संपन्न कराया' means 'got completed/concluded'.

वैदिक साहित्य में 'दिवस' को प्रकाश का पर्याय माना गया है।

In Vedic literature, 'Divas' is considered a synonym for light.

'पर्याय' means 'synonym'.

समय के अनंत प्रवाह में एक दिवस की क्या बिसात?

In the infinite flow of time, what is the value of a single day?

'बिसात' means 'worth/status' (idiomatic).

कवि ने दिवस को एक नर्तक की भांति चित्रित किया है।

The poet has portrayed the day like a dancer.

'भांति' means 'like/similar to'.

इस दिवस की स्मृतियाँ कालजयी हैं।

The memories of this day are timeless.

'कालजयी' means 'victory over time/timeless'.

दिवस का अवसान प्रकृति की अपरिवर्तनीय नियति है।

The end of the day is the unchangeable destiny of nature.

'नियति' means 'destiny/fate'.

उन्होंने अपने भाषण में 'दिवस' के दार्शनिक पक्ष पर बल दिया।

In his speech, he emphasized the philosophical aspect of 'day'.

'दार्शनिक पक्ष' means 'philosophical aspect'.

क्या यह दिवस मात्र एक तिथि है या कोई जीवंत अनुभव?

Is this day merely a date or a living experience?

'मात्र' means 'merely/only'.

दिवस की प्रखरता मानवीय ऊर्जा का प्रतिबिंब है।

The intensity of the day is a reflection of human energy.

'प्रखरता' means 'sharpness/intensity'.

Common Collocations

स्वतंत्रता दिवस

गणतंत्र दिवस

हिंदी दिवस

शिक्षक दिवस

कार्य दिवस

अवकाश दिवस

वार्षिक दिवस

शुभ दिवस

विजय दिवस

राष्ट्रीय दिवस

Common Phrases

दिवस-रात्रि

दिवस का अंत

विशेष दिवस

ऐतिहासिक दिवस

मंगलमय दिवस

पावन दिवस

स्मरणीय दिवस

अंतिम दिवस

प्रथम दिवस

पूरा दिवस

Often Confused With

दिवस vs दिन (Casual)

दिवस vs दिनांक (Date)

दिवस vs दीवार (Wall - sounds similar)

Idioms & Expressions

"दिवस फिरना (Days changing/luck improving)"

"दिवस काटना (To pass days with difficulty)"

"दिवस देखना (To see better days)"

"दिवस गिनना (To count days/wait eagerly)"

"दिवस ढलना (The day/life coming to an end)"

"दिवस की तरह चमकना (To shine like the day)"

"दिवस-स्वप्न (Daydreaming)"

"चार दिवस की चाँदनी (Short-lived happiness)"

"दिवस को रात कहना (To lie blatantly)"

"दिवस गँवाना (To waste days)"

Easily Confused

दिवस vs दिनांक

Means 'date' (e.g., 12th), whereas 'दिवas' is the 'day' itself.

दिवस vs दीपक

Means 'lamp', often confused by beginners due to the 'Di' sound.

दिवस vs देश

Means 'country', sometimes mixed up in 'National Day' contexts.

Sentence Patterns

How to Use It

plural form

Use 'दिवसों' before 'में', 'को', 'से'.

formal vs informal

Divas = Formal, Din = Informal.

Common Mistakes

Using 'दिवस' for a casual 'How was your day?'.
Treating 'दिवस' as a feminine noun.
Confusing 'दिवस' with 'दिनांक' (date).
Using 'दिवस' in very informal slang.
Forgetting the oblique plural 'दिवसों' after postpositions.

Tips

Learn in Pairs

Always learn 'दिवस' with a holiday name like 'Teacher's Day' (शिक्षक दिवस).

National Pride

Using 'दिवस' correctly shows respect for Indian national traditions.

Gender Check

Remember: 'Mera Divas' (My day), not 'Meri Divas'.

Formal Greeting

Try saying 'शुभ दिवस' to your Hindi teacher instead of 'Namaste'.

Essay Writing

Use 'दिवस' in the title of your essays about holidays.

News Watch

Watch DD News; they use 'दिवस' very frequently.

Sanskrit Root

Knowing it comes from 'Div' (light) helps you remember it means 'day'.

Office Talk

Use 'कार्य दिवस' when discussing deadlines in a professional setting.

Poetry

If you see 'दिवस' in a poem, think of it as 'light' or 'hope'.

Politeness

Using formal words like 'दिवस' makes you sound more educated in Hindi.

Memorize It

Word Origin

Sanskrit

Cultural Context

Used in 'Chhayavad' poetry to represent light and hope.

Almost all official Indian 'Days' use 'Divas'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"आज कौन सा दिवस है?"

"क्या आपको पता है कि कल हिंदी दिवस है?"

"आपका पसंदीदा राष्ट्रीय दिवस कौन सा है?"

"शिक्षक दिवस पर आपके स्कूल में क्या होता है?"

"क्या आज बैंक का कार्य दिवस है?"

Journal Prompts

मेरे जीवन का सबसे यादगार दिवस...

स्वतंत्रता दिवस का मेरे लिए क्या महत्व है?

एक आदर्श दिवस कैसा होना चाहिए?

आज के दिवस की तीन अच्छी बातें लिखें।

भविष्य के एक विशेष दिवस की कल्पना करें।

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It's better to use 'जन्मदिन'. 'जन्म दिवस' is possible but very formal.

Yes, but mostly in patriotic or highly poetic songs.

In Hindi, it's दिवस. In English transliteration, both are used, but 'Diwas' is more common.

It is celebrated on Sept 14 to honor the Hindi language.

Yes, 'शुभ दिवस' is a very polite and formal way to say 'Good Day'.

It is always masculine.

It is called 'कार्य दिवस' (Kaarya Divas).

No, use 'दिनांक' or 'तारीख' for the specific date.

Swatantrata Divas (स्वतंत्रता दिवस).

No, rural speakers almost exclusively use 'दिन' or 'वार'.