Pronunciation guide: Devanagari, IAST and endings
Vowels
| अ | a | a in “about” |
| आ | ā | a in “father” (long) |
| इ | i | i in “sit” |
| ई | ī | ee in “see” (long) |
| उ | u | u in “put” |
| ऊ | ū | oo in “food” (long) |
| ऋ | ṛ | vowel r, like “ri” in “rich” (short) |
| ॠ | ṝ | the same, held longer |
| ऌ | ḷ | vowel l, like “le” in “table” |
| ए | e | ay in “day” (always long) |
| ऐ | ai | ai in “aisle” |
| ओ | o | o in “go” (always long) |
| औ | au | ow in “now” |
Vowel signs (mātrās) after a consonant: का kā · कि ki · की kī · कु ku · कू kū · कृ kṛ · के ke · कै kai · को ko · कौ kau. A consonant with no sign has a built-in short a (क = ka).
Consonants
Throat (velar)
| क | k | k in “skin” |
| ख | kh | k with a puff, “blockhead” |
| ग | g | g in “go” |
| घ | gh | gh in “doghouse” |
| ङ | ṅ | ng in “sing” |
Palate
| च | c | ch in “church” |
| छ | ch | ch with a puff, “staunch heart” |
| ज | j | j in “jam” |
| झ | jh | dgeh in “hedgehog” |
| ञ | ñ | ny in “canyon” |
Tongue curled back (retroflex)
| ट | ṭ | t with the tongue tip curled back |
| ठ | ṭh | the same with a puff |
| ड | ḍ | d, tongue curled back |
| ढ | ḍh | the same with a puff |
| ण | ṇ | n, tongue curled back |
Teeth (dental)
| त | t | t with the tongue on the teeth (French t) |
| थ | th | t with a puff, “at home” (never “thin”) |
| द | d | d on the teeth |
| ध | dh | dh in “adhere” |
| न | n | n in “nut” |
Lips
| प | p | p in “spin” |
| फ | ph | p with a puff, “uphill” (never “f”) |
| ब | b | b in “bat” |
| भ | bh | bh in “abhor” |
| म | m | m in “mat” |
Others
| य | y | y in “yes” |
| र | r | a light tapped r |
| ल | l | l in “love” |
| व | v | between v and w |
| श | ś | sh in “shine” |
| ष | ṣ | sh with the tongue curled back |
| स | s | s in “sun” |
| ह | h | h in “hand” |
An h after a consonant (kh, gh, th, dh, ph, bh…) means a puff of breath; it is never the English “th”, “ph” or “sh” sound.
Special signs
| कं | ṃ | anusvāra: a nasal hum, sounding like the nasal of the next consonant (saṃskṛta) |
| कः | ḥ | visarga: a soft breath echoing the vowel before it (devaḥ ≈ “deva-ha”) |
| क् | — | virāma: removes the built-in a (क ka → क् k) |
| कँ | m̐ | candrabindu: the vowel is said through the nose |
| कऽ | ’ | avagraha: an a dropped after e or o (so ’ham = so aham) |
What the marks in IAST mean
- Line on top (ā ī ū ṝ): a long vowel, held about twice as long.
- Dot under r, l (ṛ ṝ ḷ): r or l used as a vowel.
- Dot under t, d, n, s (ṭ ḍ ṇ ṣ): tongue tip curled back (retroflex).
- ṃ: anusvāra (nasal hum) · ḥ: visarga (echoing breath).
- ṅ: ng as in “sing” · ñ: ny as in “canyon” · ś: sh as in “shine”.
Long and short syllables, and stress
A syllable is heavy if its vowel is long (ā ī ū ṝ e ai o au), or it is followed by two consonants, or it ends in ṃ or ḥ; otherwise it is light. Usual modern stress (as in Latin): stress the second-last syllable if it is heavy (saṃ·skṛ·ta: skṛ is light, so the stress falls on the heavy saṃ; ma·hā·bhā·ra·ta; rā·mā·ya·ṇa); if not, go back to the third-last, then the fourth-last. Old Vedic pitch accents are not shown.
Common endings (inflections)
Nouns: deva (masculine, “god”)
| devaḥ | the god (subject) | devāḥ | the gods |
| devam | the god (object) | devān | the gods (object) |
| devena | by / with the god | devaiḥ | by the gods |
| devāya | to / for the god | devebhyaḥ | to / for the gods |
| devāt | from the god | devebhyaḥ | from the gods |
| devasya | of the god | devānām | of the gods |
| deve | in / on the god | deveṣu | in the gods |
| he deva | O god! | he devāḥ | O gods! |
Verbs: bhū “to be, become”, present tense
| bhavati | he / she / it is | bhavanti | they are |
| bhavasi | you are (one person) | bhavatha | you are (several) |
| bhavāmi | I am | bhavāmaḥ | we are |
Dictionary headwords are stems (deva, bhū); in texts the words carry these endings, and sounds join across word boundaries (sandhi).
Sanskrit Dictionary
Dictionary scope: अ a, आ ā, ब b, भ bh, इ i, ई ī, उ u, ऊ ū, ऋ ṛ, ॠ ṝ, ऌ ḷ, ए e, ऐ ai, ओ o, औ au, क k, ख kh, ग g, घ gh, ङ ṅ, च c, छ ch, ज j, झ jh, ञ ñ, ट ṭ, ठ ṭh, ड ḍ, ढ ḍh, ण ṇ, त t, थ th, द d, ध dh, न n, प p, फ ph, म m, य y, र r, ल l, व v, श ś, ष ṣ, स s and ह h · 114,538 entries
Every headword in Monier Williams’ Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1872), in Sanskrit alphabetical order. Jump by letter above, use the page tabs, or keep scrolling — more words load as you go.
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55,387 headwords · page 92 of 554
- आराधनीय ā-rādhanīyaor ā-rādhitavya, as, ā, am, to be worshipped or adored, to be conciliated or propitiated.
- आराधयितृ ā-rādhayitṛendeavouring to conciliate or propitiate.
- आराधयिष्णु ā-rādhayiṣṇupropitiatory; = the preceding.
- आराधित ā-rādhitaaccomplished, effected; propitiated, pleased; worshipped, honoured, reverenced.
- आराध्य ā-rādhyato be made favourable, to be worshipped.
- आराध्यमान ā-rādhyamānabeing in course of fulfilment, being accomplished; being worshipped, receiving worship.
- आरिराधयिषु ā-rirādhayiṣuendeavouring to gain one's favour, desirous of worshipping.
- आरालिक ārālikaa cook,
- आरावली ārāvalīSee under 2. ār.
- आरिच् ā-ric-riṇakti, -riṅkte, -rektum, to empty.
- आरेक ā-rekaemptying, doubt.
- आरेचित ā-recitaemptied, contracted, mixed.
- आरित्रिक āritrikaadj. fr. aritra. Pāṇini IV. 2, 116.
- आरिन्दम ārindamapatronymic of the prince Sana-śruta.
- आरी ā-rī-rīyate, -retum, to trickle or flow upon, to flow over, water.
- आरु1 ā-ru-rauti or -ravīti, -ravitum, to shout, to cry out; to praise.
- आरव ā-ravacry, crying, howling, crash, sound; name of a people.
- आराव ā-rāvacry, crying; humming (of bees etc.); sound.
- आराविन् ā-rāvinepithet of Jayasena.
- आरु2 ārua hog; a crab; the tree Lagerstrœmia Regina; (us), f. a pitcher.
- आरुक ārukaa medicinal plant of cooling properties growing on the Himālaya mountains.
- आरुच् ā-ruc-rocayati, -yitum, to regard as pleasant, to choose.
- आरोक ā-rokashining through; small points of light between the threads of a web.
- आरोचन ā-rocanashining.
- आरुज् ā-rujbreaking.
- आरुज ā-rujabreaking, destroying; (as), m., name of a Rakṣas attendant on Rāvaṇa.
- आरुजत्नु ā-rujatnubreaking.
- आरोग ā-roganame of a sun.
- आरुणपराजिन् āruṇaparājinname of an ancient Kalpa work on the ritual of the Brāhmaṇas.
- आरुणि āruṇiname of Uddālaka, a renowned Brāhmaṇa teacher, son of Aruṇa Aupaveśi and father of…
- आरुणेय āruṇeyaepithet of Śvetaketu.
- आरुणिन् āruṇinname of a school derived from Vaiśāmpāyana Āruṇi.
- आरुणी āruṇī‘the red one,’ a N. given to the horses of the Maruts, which are females. See aruṇa.
- आरुध् ā-rudh-ruṇaddhi, -roddhum, to keep off: Caus. -rodhayati, -yitum, to obstruct, impede.
- आरोधन ā-rodhanasecret place, innermost part.
- आरुषी āruṣīname of a daughter of Manu and mother of Aurva.
- आरुष्कर āruṣ-karathe fruit of the Semecarpus Anacardium.
- आरुह्1 ā-ruh-rohati, -roḍhum, to ascend, mount, bestride; to venture upon, undertake; to attain…
- आरुरुक्षमाण ā-rurukṣamāṇa(Desid.), wishing to ascend.
- आरुरुक्षु ā-rurukṣudesirous to rise or ascend or advance, etc.
- आरुह्2 ā-ruhascending; (k), f. excrescence, shoot (of a plant).
- आरुह ā-ruhaleaping up, mounting, ascending; (as), m. ascent.
- आरुह्य ā-ruhyahaving mounted, having ascended.
- आरूढ ā-rūḍhamounted, ascended, risen; raised up, elevated on high; often used in compounds, e.g…
- आरूढि ā-rūḍhiascent, mounting, ascending.
- आरोढव्य ā-roḍhavyato be ascended or mounted.
- आरोढृ ā-roḍhṛwho or what mounts or rides, etc.
- आरोप ā-ropaimposing (as a burden), burdening with, charging with; placing in or on; assigning or…
- आरोपक ā-ropakaplanting, fixing, causing to ascend.
- आरोपण ā-ropaṇathe act of placing or fixing in or on; causing to mount or ascend, raising to heaven…
- आरोपणीय ā-ropaṇīyato be made to ascend; to be raised, placed, etc.
- आरोपित ā-ropitaraised, elevated; fixed, placed, made; strung (as a bow); deposited, intrusted…
- आरोप्य1 ā-ropyato be placed or fixed on or in.
- आरोप्य2 ā-ropyahaving made to ascend, having caused to mount, having placed upon.
- आरोप्यमाण ā-ropyamāṇabeing strung, being tried to be strung.
- आरोह ā-rohaone who mounts or ascends, a rider (on a horse etc.), one who is seated in a carriage…
- आरोहक ā-rohakaascending; rising; raising up; (as), m. a rider; a tree.
- आरोहण ā-rohaṇathe act of rising, ascending; the rising or growing of new shoots, growing (of plants)…
- आरोहणिक ārohaṇikarelating to ascent or mounting.
- आरोहिन् ā-rohinascending, mounting; one who mounts or rides.
- आरू ārūof a tawny colour; (ūs), m. tawny (the colour).
- आरे āre(see 2. āra), Vedic far, far from (with abl.); near.
- आरेवत ārevataa tree, = āragbadha, q.v.; (am), n. the fruit of this tree.
- आरेहण ā-rehaṇalicking, kissing.
- आरोग्य ārogyafreedom from disease, health.
- आर्कि ārkia son of Arka or the sun; epithet of the planet Saturn.
- आर्क्ष ārkṣastellar, regulated by the stars or constellations; (as), m. a son or descendant of Ṛkṣa…
- आर्क्ष्य ārkṣyapatronymic of ṛkṣa Pāṇini IV. 1, 105.
- आर्क्षोद ārkṣodainhabiting the mountain Ṛkṣoda.
- आर्गल ārgalaa bolt or bar. See argala.
- आर्ग्बध ārgbadha= ārag-badha, q.v.
- आर्घा ārghāa sort of yellow bee.
- आर्घ्य ārghyarelating to this bee; (am), n. its honey.
- आर्च ārcadevout, worshipping; relating to the Ṛc or Ṛg-veda.
- आर्चिक ārcikarelating to the Ṛg-veda; (am), n. an epithet of the Sāma-veda.
- आर्चत्क ārcatkaa patronymic of Śara.
- आर्चाभिन् ārcābhinname of a school, founded by a pupil of Vaiśampāyana.
- आर्छ् ārchārcchati, -chitum, to fall into (mischief); to obtain; to partake of.
- आर्जव ārjavastraightness, straight direction; rectitude, propriety of act or observance; honesty…
- आर्जीक ārjīkaoriginally perhaps a milk-vessel. This word probably denotes a celestial vessel, in which…
- आर्जीकीय ārjīkīya= the preceding; (ā), f. a terrestrial river; name of the river Vipāśā.
- आर्जुनायन ārjunāyananame of a people.
- आर्जुनायनक ārjunāyanakainhabited by the Ārjunāyanas.
- आर्जुनि ārjunia patronymic from Arjuna.
- आर्जुनेय ārjuneyaa patronymic of Kutsa.
- आर्ञ्ज् ārñjārñjate, -jitum, to strive after, to endeavour to obtain, to wish to possess.
- आर्त ārtastruck by calamity, afflicted, pained, disturbed; injured; oppressed, suffering, sick…
- आर्ति ārtipainful occurrence, pain, injury, mischief, evil; sickness; the end of a bow.
- आर्तना ārtanāa destructive combat; (as an adj. ?) uncultivated, wild ground.
- आर्तपर्णि ārtaparṇithe son of Ṛtaparṇa, a patronymic of Sudāsa.
- आर्तभाग ārtabhāgason of Ṛtabhāga, a patronymic of Jarat-kārava.
- आर्तव ārtavaor ī, am, belonging or conforming to the seasons or periods of time, seasonable…
- आर्त्वेयी ārtveyīa woman during her courses.
- आर्त्नी ārtnīthe end of a bow, the place where the string or sinew is fastened; (κορώνη)
- आर्त्विजीन ārtvijīnafit for the office of a priest.
- आर्त्विज्य ārtvijyathe office or business of a sacrificing priest, his rank or order.
- आर्त्व्य ārtvyaa patronymic of Dvi-mūrdhan, a kind of Asura.
- आर्थ ārtharelating to a thing or object; material, significant (opposed to śābda, q.v.).
- आर्थपत्य ārthapatyapower over or possession of a thing.
- आर्थिक ārthikasignificant, wise, rich; substantial, real, pertaining to the true substance of a thing.
Source and licence. Monier Williams, A Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Etymologically and Philologically Arranged (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1872; first edition). Digital text: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries (MW72, csl-orig/v02/mw72), © Cologne Digital Sanskrit Lexicon project contributors, Cologne University, accessed 7 October 2026, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0, provided without warranty.
Changes made here: entries for अ a, आ ā, ब b, भ bh, इ i, ई ī, उ u, ऊ ū, ऋ ṛ, ॠ ṝ, ऌ ḷ, ए e, ऐ ai, ओ o, औ au, क k, ख kh, ग g, घ gh, ङ ṅ, च c, छ ch, ज j, झ jh, ञ ñ, ट ṭ, ठ ṭh, ड ḍ, ढ ḍh, ण ṇ, त t, थ th, द d, ध dh, न n, प p, फ ph, म m, य y, र r, ल l, व v, श ś, ष ṣ, स s and ह h only; meanings trimmed for length and MW abbreviations expanded; Devanagari generated from the SLP1 keys with indic_transliteration; spelling notes, IPA pronunciations and labelled (“inferred”/“not given”) etymologies added. This adapted dictionary text is shared under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence. Fonts: Noto Serif and Noto Serif Devanagari (SIL Open Font License).