GoSanskrit

Sanskrit Vocabulary Builder

Building Your Sanskrit Vocabulary

A systematic approach to learning Sanskrit vocabulary through thematic word lists, root analysis, and practical exercises.

Essential Word Categories

1. Greetings and Daily Expressions

  • नमस्ते (namaste) - Hello, greetings
  • स्वागतम् (svāgatam) - Welcome
  • धन्यवाद (dhanyavāda) - Thank you
  • क्षम्यताम् (kṣamyatām) - Please forgive me
  • शुभम् (śubham) - Good, auspicious

2. Family and Relationships

  • पिता (pitā) - Father
  • माता (mātā) - Mother
  • पुत्रः (putraḥ) - Son
  • पुत्री (putrī) - Daughter
  • भ्राता (bhrātā) - Brother
  • भगिनी (bhaginī) - Sister

3. Nature and Elements

  • सूर्यः (sūryaḥ) - Sun
  • चन्द्रः (candraḥ) - Moon
  • पृथ्वी (pṛthvī) - Earth
  • जलम् (jalam) - Water
  • अग्निः (agniḥ) - Fire
  • वायुः (vāyuḥ) - Wind

4. Philosophical Terms

  • आत्मन् (ātman) - Self, soul
  • ब्रह्मन् (brahman) - Absolute reality
  • मनस् (manas) - Mind
  • बुद्धि (buddhi) - Intellect
  • कर्म (karma) - Action, deed
  • धर्म (dharma) - Duty, law

Learning Strategies

1. Root Analysis

Understanding Sanskrit roots (धातु - dhātu) helps you learn multiple related words at once.

Example: गम् (gam) - to go

  • गच्छति (gacchati) - goes
  • गतः (gataḥ) - gone
  • गमनम् (gamanam) - going
  • गन्ता (gantā) - will go

2. Compound Words

Sanskrit compounds (समास - samāsa) combine multiple words into one.

  • राजपुत्रः (rājaputraḥ) - राज + पुत्र (king + son) = prince
  • महात्मा (mahātmā) - महा + आत्मन् (great + self) = great soul
  • स्वर्गलोकः (svargalokaḥ) - स्वर्ग + लोक (heaven + world) = heavenly world

3. Thematic Learning

Group related words together for easier memorization.

Body Parts

  • शिरः (śiraḥ) - head
  • नेत्रम् (netram) - eye
  • कर्णः (karṇaḥ) - ear
  • हस्तः (hastaḥ) - hand

Colors

  • श्वेतः (śvetaḥ) - white
  • कृष्णः (kṛṣṇaḥ) - black
  • रक्तः (raktaḥ) - red
  • पीतः (pītaḥ) - yellow

Practice Exercises

Word Association

Match the Sanskrit words with their meanings:

  1. सत्यम् (satyam) - a) water
  2. जलम् (jalam) - b) truth
  3. सुखम् (sukham) - c) happiness
  4. दुःखम् (duḥkham) - d) sorrow

Root Recognition

Identify the common root in these words:

  • पठति (paṭhati) - reads
  • पाठः (pāṭhaḥ) - lesson
  • पठनम् (paṭhanam) - reading
  • पाठकः (pāṭhakaḥ) - reader

Common root: पठ् (paṭh) - to read

Vocabulary Building Tips

  1. Learn in context - Study words in sentences
  2. Use flashcards - Create digital or physical cards
  3. Practice daily - Consistent review is key
  4. Group by themes - Learn related words together
  5. Understand roots - Know the basic verb roots
  6. Read regularly - Exposure to texts builds vocabulary

Recommended Resources

  • Sanskrit-English dictionaries - Monier-Williams, Apte
  • Root dictionaries - Learn verb roots systematically
  • Parallel texts - Read with translations
  • Vocabulary apps - Use digital tools for practice

Conclusion

Building Sanskrit vocabulary is a gradual process that requires patience and consistent practice. Focus on understanding word roots, learning in context, and regular review to build a strong foundation in Sanskrit.