Week 29: What Compounds Are
This week is designed as a 60-minute self-study lesson. Read aloud first, then translate.
Aim of the Week
Break and translate What compounds are using a practical method: divide, identify relation, translate literally, then smooth.
Core Pattern
A compound compresses two or more ideas into one word. Do not guess from the whole word too quickly; split it.
Translation Practice
- धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे।
dharmakṣetre kurukṣetre. - राजपुत्रः आगच्छति।
rājaputraḥ āgacchati. - महात्मा गच्छति।
mahātmā gacchati. - वनवासः दुःखम् अस्ति।
vanavāsaḥ duḥkham asti.
Answer key
- In the field of dharma, in the field of the Kurus.
- The king’s son comes.
- The great-souled one goes.
- Forest-dwelling/exile is suffering.
Recitation Guidance
Recite compounds as one word, but translate them as a relationship between words.
Vocabulary
| Devanāgarī | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| समासः | samāsaḥ | compound |
| धर्मक्षेत्रम् | dharmakṣetram | field of dharma |
| राजपुत्रः | rājaputraḥ | king’s son |
| महात्मा | mahātmā | great-souled one |
| वनवासः | vanavāsaḥ | forest-dwelling, exile |
Self-Check
- Can you split the compound?
- Can you say whether it means “of,” “descriptive,” “and,” or “one who has”?