Sanskrit Words in Formal Maithili

Level 5Sounds Like tatsama śabda

Sanskrit-derived words appear in formal writing and speeches.

How It Works

Maithili, like many languages of India, has two layers of vocabulary. Home talk uses everyday words. Formal writing, ceremonies and news often use words taken straight from Sanskrit, called tatsama words.

EverydayFormalMeaning
पानिजलwater
बरखवर्षyear
किताबपुस्तकbook
घरगृहhouse
  • The formal word fits a book, a news item or a ceremony.
  • The everyday word fits family talk and stories.
  • Some formal words, like विद्यालय, are used in both settings.

This is not a rule you must memorise. As you read more, you will see which layer an author uses. If a word looks long or Sanskrit-like, it is probably the formal one, and there is usually a shorter everyday word to learn next to it.

Examples (4)

  1. 600 वर्ष पहिने विद्यापति मिथिला मे भेलाह।

    Vidyapati lived in Mithila 600 years ago.

    वर्ष is the formal word for year.

  2. कलशक जल पवित्र मानल जाइत अछि।

    The water in the pot is thought to be holy.

    जल is the formal word for water.

  3. एहि पुस्तकक लेखक कवि छथि।

    The author of this book is a poet.

    पुस्तक is the formal word for book.

  4. विद्यालय मे नव वर्षक आरम्भ उत्सव सँ भेल।

    The new year began at the school with a celebration.

    विद्यालय, वर्ष and आरम्भ are formal words.

How It Connects

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Sanskrit Words in Formal MaithiliLevel 5

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Sanskrit words mark the formal end of the written language, so the written and spoken contrast comes first.

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Words in This Pattern

पानिबरखवर्षपुस्तकघर