Compound Words
A compound joins two words so that they act as one word.
How It Works
A compound is two or more words joined into one. Maithili, like Sanskrit, has many of them, especially in formal writing.
| Compound | Parts | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| मिथिलावासी | मिथिला + वासी | a person of Mithila |
| भाषा-साहित्य | भाषा + साहित्य | language and literature |
| माता-पिता | माता + पिता | mother and father |
- A hyphen often joins two words that both count: भाषा-साहित्य.
- A compound is written as one word when the first part describes the second: मिथिलावासी.
- The compound takes the plural सभ and the postpositions at the end.
You do not need to make up compounds. When you read one, split it into parts you know. Everyday Maithili uses phrases instead: मिथिलाक लोक. Formal writing prefers the compound.
Examples (4)
- मिथिलावासी अपन भाषा सँ प्रेम करैत छथि।
The people of Mithila love their language.
मिथिलावासी is one word for "person of Mithila".
- भाषा-साहित्य पढ़ब हमरा नीक लगैत अछि।
I like studying language and literature.
भाषा-साहित्य joins two words with a hyphen.
- ग्रामवासी सभ मेला मे गेलाह।
The villagers all went to the fair.
ग्रामवासी is a compound with सभ after it.
- माता-पिता सँ आशीर्वाद लिअ।
Take your parents' blessing.
माता-पिता is a pair that names both parents.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Compounds are common in Sanskrit-heavy writing, and they build longer words the way prefixes do.
Related Patterns
Practice Compound Words in Bubblegum
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