Week 27: Infinitives: To Go, To Do, To Know
This week is designed as a 60-minute self-study lesson. Read aloud first, then translate.
Aim of the Week
Recognise Infinitives as a compact way Sanskrit expresses sequence, completed action, purpose, and obligation.
Core Pattern
Compact verb forms often replace full clauses. Expand them in English when needed.
Translation Practice
- रामः गन्तुम् इच्छति।
rāmaḥ gantum icchati. - विद्यार्थी ज्ञातुं इच्छति।
vidyārthī jñātuṃ icchati. - सः कर्तुं शक्नोति।
saḥ kartuṃ śaknoti. - अर्जुनः द्रष्टुं इच्छति।
arjunaḥ draṣṭuṃ icchati.
Answer key
- Rāma wishes to go.
- The student wishes to know.
- He is able to do.
- Arjuna wishes to see.
Recitation Guidance
Read compact forms like कृत्वा, गन्तुम्, and कर्तव्यम् as single units.
Vocabulary
| Devanāgarī | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| गन्तुम् | gantum | to go |
| कर्तुम् | kartum | to do |
| ज्ञातुम् | jñātum | to know |
| द्रष्टुम् | draṣṭum | to see |
| इच्छति | icchati | wishes |
Self-Check
- Can you expand the compact form into a full English clause?
- Can you identify what action happened first?