Week 21: What Sandhi Does

This week is designed as a 60-minute self-study lesson. Read aloud first, then translate.

Aim of the Week

Use What sandhi does as a practical reading tool. The goal is not to memorise every rule, but to split common joined forms.

Core Pattern

When a word looks unfamiliar, ask whether two words have been joined. Sandhi often hides word boundaries.

Split and Translate

  1. रामः अस्ति → रामोऽस्ति
    rāmaḥ asti → rāmo ’sti
  2. सः गच्छति → स गच्छति
    saḥ gacchati → sa gacchati
  3. तत् च → तच्च
    tat ca → tacca
  4. रामः इति → राम इति
    rāmaḥ iti → rāma iti
Answer key
  1. Rāma is.
  2. He goes.
  3. and that
  4. “Rāma,” thus

Recitation Guidance

When reciting sandhi forms, pronounce the joined form smoothly. When translating, mentally split the words first.

Vocabulary

DevanāgarīIASTMeaning
सन्धिःsandhiḥjoining
पूर्वम्pūrvambefore
परम्paramafter
विभजतिvibhajatiseparates
योजयतिyojayatijoins

Self-Check