Compound Words
The gender usually comes from the last part of the compound, except where the compound is a plural pair like आईवडील.
How It Works
Most compounds are written as one word. Some pairs take a hyphen, as in चालता-बोलता. Their types are named in Sanskrit grammar, and a simple description of how the parts relate is enough for a learner.
| Kind | How the parts relate | Example |
|---|---|---|
| तत्पुरुष | the first word tells where, for what or of what | स्वयंपाकघर (room for cooking) |
| द्वंद्व | both words stand side by side: and | आईवडील (mother and father) |
| बहुव्रीही | the compound describes something that has the first part | चारचाकी (a vehicle with four wheels) |
| कर्मधारय | the first word describes the second | महामार्ग (great road, highway) |
| अव्ययीभाव | the compound works as an adverb | यथाशक्ती (according to one's ability) |
The gender of a compound usually follows its last part: स्वयंपाकघर is neuter because घर is neuter. आमचे स्वयंपाकघर लहान आहे.
A द्वंद्व compound for two or more people is plural: माझे आईवडील गावाकडे राहतात. It takes a plural verb even though each word alone is singular. A द्वंद्व compound for a group of things can stay singular: भाजीपाला ताजा आहे.
A dictionary lists each compound as one entry, and the meaning can differ from the sum of the parts, so look the word up when it surprises you.
Examples (5)
- आमचे स्वयंपाकघर लहान आहे, पण स्वच्छ आहे.
Our kitchen is small but clean.
स्वयंपाकघर is one compound word, and it is neuter.
- माझे आईवडील गावाकडे राहतात.
My parents live in the village.
आईवडील is a pair compound, and the verb is plural.
- रस्त्यावर एक चारचाकी उभी होती.
A four-wheeler was standing on the road.
चारचाकी names something that has four wheels.
- महामार्गावर वाहतूक सुरळीत सुरू आहे.
Traffic is moving smoothly on the highway.
महामार्ग joins महा (great) and मार्ग (road).
- प्रत्येकाने यथाशक्ती मदत करावी.
Everyone should help as far as possible.
यथाशक्ती is a compound that works as an adverb.
Common Mistakes
Writing a compound as two words.
आमचे स्वयंपाक घर लहान आहे.आमचे स्वयंपाकघर लहान आहे.स्वयंपाकघर is written as one word.
Using a masculine form with a neuter compound.
आमचा स्वयंपाकघर लहान आहे.आमचे स्वयंपाकघर लहान आहे.स्वयंपाकघर takes the gender of घर, which is neuter.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Compound words are made from the same parts as prefixes and suffixes, so word-building comes first.
Related Patterns
Practice Compound Words in Bubblegum
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