Chapter: [ Contents | 1. Alphabet | 2. Sandhi | 3. Assimilation | 4. Strengthening | 5. Declension | 6. Feminine | 7. Adjectives | 8. Numerals | 9. Pronouns | 10.1 Verbs | 10.2 Verbs | 10.3 Verbs | 11. Indeclinables | 12. Compounds | 13. Derivation | 14. Syntax | 15. Prosody ]
A Practical Grammar of the Paali Language
Chapter 12
COMPOUNDS
539. Declinable stems are frequently joined to one another to form compounds. In the older language, compounds are simple and rarely consist of more than 2 or 3 stems, but the later the language (i.e. in the commentaries and sub-commentaries) the more involved they become.
540. Compounds may also have an indeclinable as the first member; there are even a few compounds made up entirely of indeclinables.
Remarks. The Case Endings of the first member or members of a compound are generally dropped; only in a few instances are they preserved.
541. There are six kinds of Compound Words:
(i) | dvanda | Copulative or Aggregative Compounds |
(ii) | tappurisa | Dependent Determinate Compounds |
(iii) | kammadhaaraya | Descriptive Determinate Compounds |
(iv) | digu | Numeral Determinate Compounds |
(v) | abyayibhaava | Adverbial Compounds |
(vi) | bahubbihi | Relative Or Attributive Compounds |
Remarks. Native grammarians distribute the above into four classes by making. Nos. iii and iv subdivisions of No. ii, tappurisa; but this classification, through lack of sufficient distinctness, confuses the student unnecessarily. We shall therefore follow the above division (541).
Dvanda (Copulative or Aggregative Compounds)
542. The members of these compounds are co-ordinate syntactically, in their uncompounded state; each member would be connected with the other by means of the conjunction ca, and
543. Dvanda Compounds are of two kinds:
(i) The compound is a plural and takes the gender and declension of its last member.
(ii) The compound takes the form of a neuter singular and, whatever the number of its members, becomes a collective. This is the case generally with the names of: birds, parts of the
body, persons of different sexes, countries, trees herbs, the cardinal points, domestic animals, things that form an antithesis, etc.
Remarks. The following rules are given as to the order of the members of dvanda compounds:
(a) words in i and u are placed first;
(b) shorter words are placed before longer ones;
(c) ii and uu (long), are generally shortened in the middle of the compound;
(d) sometimes a feminine noun, in the middle of the compound, takes the masculine form (candimasuriyaa) sometimes, or remains unchanged (jaraa mara.na.m ).
Examples of (i) | ||
aggi ca dhuumo ca | aggidhuumaa | fire and smoke |
candimaa ca suriyo ca | candimasuriyaa | the sun and the moon |
devaa ca manussaa ca | devamanussaa | gods and men |
devaana~n ca manussaana~n ca | devamanussaana.m | of gods and men |
dhammo ca attho ca | dhammatthaa | the spirit and the word |
saariputte ca moggallaane ca | sariputtamoggallaane | in Sariputta and in Moggallana |
sama.naa ca braahma.naa ca | sama.nabraahmanaa | samanas and brahmins |
Examples of (ii) | ||
Note that the compounds which come under no.(ii) sometimes assume the form of the plural like those of no.(i). | ||
chavima.msalohita.m | chavi ca ma.msa~n ca lohita~n ca | the skin, flesh and blood |
hatthapaada.m or hatthapaadaa | hatthaa ca paadaa ca | the hands and feet |
hatthiassa.m | hatthino ca assaa ca | elephants and horses |
jaraamara.na.m | araa ca marana~n ca | old age and death |
kusalaakusala.m or kusalaakusalaa | kusala.m akusala~n ca | good and evil |
mukhanaasika.m | mukha~n ca naasikaa ca | the mouth and the nose |
vajjimalla.m or vajjimallaa | vajjii ca mallaa ca | the Vajjians and the Mallians |
544. The compounds which take the plural form are called: itaritara, because the members of the compound are considered separately; those that take the neuter singular form: samaahaara, because the several members are considered collectively, those that take either the plural or the neuter, are called: vikappasamaahaara.
Tappurisa (Dependent Determinate Compounds)
545. In these compounds the first member is a substantive in any case but the Nominative and the Vocative, qualifying, explaining or determining the last member.
Remarks.
(a) The Case-ending of the first member is elided.
(b) In a few cases, the Case-ending is not elided; these compounds are called: alutta tappurisa.
(c) The aa of such words as: raajaa, maataa, pitaa, bhaata, etc, is shortened in the first member.
(d) Generally, a tappurisa follows the gender of the last member.
(i) tappurisa with accusative case. (dutiya tappurisa) | ||
Examples | ||
ara~n~nagato | ara~n~na.m gato | gone to the forest |
atthakaamo | attha.m kaamo | wishing the welfare of |
kumbhakaaro | kumbha.m kaaro | a pot-maker, a potter |
pattagaaho | patta.m gaaho | receiving a bowl |
saccavaadi | sacca.m vaadi | speaking the truth |
sukhappatto | sukha.m patto | attained happiness |
(ii) tappurisa with instrumentive case.(tatiya tappurisa) | ||
Examples | ||
buddhabhaasito | buddhena bhaasito | spoken by the Buddha |
jaccandho | jaatiyaa andho | blind by (from) birth |
paadapo | paadena po | drinking with the foot (root), a tree |
sukaaha.ta.m | sukehi aaha.ta.m | brought by parrots |
urago | urena | go, going on the breast, a snake. |
vi~n~nugarahito | vi~n~nuuhi garahito | censured by the wise |
Remark. In these compounds, the last member designates the object destined for or attributed to that which is expressed by the first member. | ||
Examples | ||
buddhadeyya.m | buddhassa deyya.m | worthy to be offered to the Buddha |
kathinadussa.m | kathinassa dussa.m | cloth for the kathina robe |
(this is a robe sewn on a fixed day, each year as a meritorious act.) | ||
raajaaraha.m | ra~n~no araha.m | worthy of (lit., to) the king |
sa"nghabhatta.m | sa"nghassa bhatta.m | rice (prepared) for the clergy |
(b) Compounds formed by adding kaamo "desirous of" to an infinitive are considered to be tappurisas in the Dative relation. (niiruttadiipanii, saddaniiti). | ||
Examples | ||
gantukaamo | gantu.m kaamo | desirous to go |
kathetukaamo | kathetu.m kaamo | desirous to speak |
sotukaamo | sotu.m kaamo | desirous to hear |
(iv) tappurisa with ablative case.(pa~ncamii tappurisa) | ||
Remarks. These express: fear of, separation or going away from, freedom from, etc. | ||
Examples | ||
bandhanamokkho | bandhanasmaa mokkho | freedom from bonds or fetters |
corabhiito | coraa bhiito | afraid of the thief |
lokaggo | lokato aggo | greater than the world |
maatujo | maatito jo | born from a mother |
nagaraniggato | nagaramhaa niggato | gone out from town |
paapabhiiruko | paapato bhiiruko | fearing sin |
paapajigucchii | paapato jigucchii | loathing evil |
rukkhapatito | rukkhasmaa patito | fallen from the tree |
saasanacuto | saasanamhaa cuto | fallen away from religion |
(v) tappurisa with genitive case. (cha.t.tha tappurisa). | ||
Remarks. | ||
Examples | ||
bhikkhunisa"ngho | bhikkuniina.m sa"ngho | the assembly of the nuns (from bhikkunii) |
dha~n~naraasi | dha~n~naana.m raasi | a heap of grains |
naditiira.m | nadiyaa tira.m | the river-bank. (from nadii) |
naruttamo | naraana.m uttamo | the greatest of men |
raajaputto | ra~n~no putto | the king's son, a prince |
(vi) tappurisa with locative case. (sattaani tappurisa) | ||
Examples | ||
ara~n~navaaso | ara~n~ne vaaso | living in the forest |
daanajjhaasayo | daane ajjhaasayo | inclined to alms-giving |
dhammarato | dhamme rato | delighting in the Law |
pabbata.t.tho | pabbatasmi.m .tho | standing on a mountain |
thala.t.tho | thale .tho | standing on firm ground |
vanacaro | vane caaro | walking in the woods |
Anomalous tappurisa | ||
(a) Sometimes the first member of a tappurisa is placed last | ||
Examples | ||
raajaha.mso | ha.msaana.m raajaa | the swan-king, but also: ha.msaraajaa |
Alutta tappurisa | ||
(b) In these the Case-endings are not dropped: | ||
Examples | ||
antevaasiko | ante vaasiko | a pupil within, a resident pupil |
attanopada.m | attano pada.m | word for one's self, Reflective Voice |
kutojo | kuto jo | sprung whence? |
pabha"nkaro | pabha.m karo | making light, the sun. |
parassapada.m | parassa pada.m | word for another, Active Voice |
urasilomo | urasi (loc.) lomo | having hair on the breast, hairy-breasted |
vessantaro | vessa.m taro | crossing over to the merchants (a king's name) |
The student will remark that the case of the first member may be any case but the Nominative and Vocative. |
546. (iii) Kammadhaaraya. Descriptive Determinate Compounds
Remarks.
(a) In kammadhaaraya compounds, the adjective: mahanta assumes the form: mahaa, and, if the consonant which follows is reduplicated, the form: maha.
(b) The word: santa, good, being, takes the form; sa (Sansk. sat).
(c) The word: puma, a male, rejects its final a.
(d) When the two members of a kammadhaaraya are feminine, the first one assumes the form of the masculine.
(e) The Prefix na, not, is replaced by a before a consonant and by an before a vowel.
(f) Prefix ku, meaning bad, little, may become ka before a consonant, and kad before a vowel.
(g) In their uncompounded state, the two members of a kammadhaaraya are in the same case.
(i) The kammadharaya compound (which is also called: missakatappurisa) is divided into nine classes:
(1) visesanapubbapada kammadharaya, in which the determining or qualifying word is placed first. | ||
Examples | ||
aparapuriso | aparo puriso | the other man |
ka.nhasappo | ka.nho sappo | a black snake |
mahaanadii | mahantii nadii | a large river |
mahaapuriso | mahanto puriso | a great man |
mahabbhaya.m | mahanta.m bhaya.m | great fear |
niiluppala.m | niila.m uppala.m | a blue lotus |
(2) visesanaparapada, or visesanuttarapada-kammadhaaraya; in this, the second member determines the first. | ||
buddhaghosaacariyo | buddhaghoso aacariyo | the teacher Buddhaghosa |
narase.t.tho | naro se.t.tho | the oldest man |
purisuttamo | puriso uttamo | the greatest man |
saariputtathero | saariputto thero | the Elder Saariputta |
(3) visesanobhayapada-kammadhaaraya, the two members of which are determinate | ||
Remarks. A word, as for instance, so, he, is generally understood between the two members of these compounds. | ||
Examples | ||
andhabadhiro | andho (ca so) badhiro | (he is) blind (and) deaf |
kataakata.m | kata.m(ca ta.m)akata.m | (what is) done (and) not done |
kha~njakhujjo | kha~njo (ca so) khujjo | (he is) lame (and) hump-backed |
siitu.nha.m | siita.m (ta~n ca) u.nha.m | cold and heat |
(4)sambhaavanaapubbapada-kammadhaaraya; | ||
in which the first member indicates the origin of the second term, or the relation in which the second term stands to the first. In these compounds such words as: iti namely, thus called; eva.m thus, called; sa"nkhaato, called, named; hutvaa, being are generally understood, in order to bring out the full meaning of the compound. | ||
Examples | ||
aniccasa~n~naa | anicca iti sa~n~naa | the idea, namely, Impermanence |
attadi.t.thi | attaa iti di.t.thi | the (false) doctrine of Self |
dhammabuddhi | dhammo iti buddhi | knowledge (arising from) the Law |
hetupaccayo | hetu (hutvaa) paccayo | the term (middle term) being, or considered as, the cause, the term which is the cause or condition. |
hinasamato | hino hutvaa samato | equal in being low, unworthy |
(5) upamaa- or upamaanuttarapada-kammadhaaraya | ||
in these compounds, analogy is expressed between the two terms. The word: viya, like, is understood between the two members. | ||
Examples | ||
buddhaadicco | aadicco viya buddho | the sun-like-Buddha |
buddhanaago | Buddha-elephant | |
munipu"ngavo | sage-bull | |
munisiiho | siiho viya muni | lion-like-sage, lion-sage |
saddhammara.msi | ra.msi viya saddhammo | Light-like-Good Law, the Light of the Good Law |
Remarks. The words: aadicca, sun, siiha, lion; pu"ngava, usabha, bull; naga, elephant, are frequently used as in the above examples, to denote: superiority, greatness excellence, eminence, so that buddhaadicco may be translated: the eminent Buddha; munisiiho, the great sage; munipu"ngavo, the eminent sage, etc. |
(6) avadhaaranapubbapada-kammadhaaraya | ||
in which the first member specifies a general term. Native grammarians, in resolving these compounds, insert the word eva, just, even (but which in these examples cannot be translated into English), between the two terms of the compounds. In English, these compounds must be translated as if they were in the Genitive relation. | ||
Examples | ||
avijjaamalaa | avijjaa eva mala.m | the stain of ignorance |
gu.nadhana.m | guno eva dhana.m | wealth of virtues |
pa~n~naapajjoto | pa~n~naa eva pajjoto | the lamp of wisdom |
pa~n~naasattha.m | pa~n~na eva sattha.m | the sword of wisdom |
siiladhana.m | siila.m eva dhana.m | treasure of morality or of piety |
(7) kunipaatapubbapada kammadhaaraya, the first member of which is: ku, (see f) | ||
Examples | ||
kaapuriso | kaa + puriso | a bad man |
kadanna.m | kad + anna.m | bad food |
kadariyo | kad + ariyo | badly noble, not noble, ignoble, miserly, stingy |
kalava.na.m | ka + lava.na.m | a little salt |
kudaasaa | ku + daasaa | bad slaves |
kuputto | ku + putto | a bad son |
(8) nanipaatapubbapada-kammadhaaraya, (see e). | ||
Examples | ||
anariyo | na + ariyo | ignoble |
anatikkamma | na + atikkamma (gerd.) | not transgressing or trespassing |
anatthakaamo | na + atthakaamo | not wishing for the welfare of |
aniiti | na + iti | free from calamity, secure |
anuumi | na + uumi | not having waves, waveless |
(9) paadipubbapada-kammadhaaraya, in which the first member is paa, pa or any other prefix. | ||
Examples | ||
abhidhammo | abhi + dhammo | (Law, doctrine), transcending Doctrine |
atidevo | ati + devaa | Supreme deva or God. (note that devaa becomes: devo) |
dukkata.m | du + kata.m | a bad, sinful act |
paavacana.m | pa + vacana.m | the excellent word, Buddha's word |
(Native grammarians take paa to be the abbreviation of the word: paka.t.tho = excellent). | ||
pamukho | pa + mukho | (having the face towards), facing, in front of, chief |
sugandho | su + gandho | good smell, fragrance |
ubbinayo | ud + vinayo | (Discipline for the monks), wrong Discipline |
uddhammo | ud + dhammo | wrong or false doctrines |
vikappo | vi + kappo | (thought, inclination), option |
547. Nouns In Apposition
Nouns in Apposition are considered to be kammadhaaraya compounds: | ||
Examples | ||
a"ngajanapada.m | the Province of Bengal | |
cittogahapati | Citta, the householder | |
magadhara.t.tha.m | the Kingdom of Magadhaa | |
sakkodevaraajaa, | Sakka, the Lord of gods | |
vinayapi.taka.m | the Vinaya Basket(a part of the Buddhist Scriptures) | |
Remark. Sometimes the last member of a kammadhaaraya, being feminine, assumes the masculine form. | ||
Example | ||
diighaja"ngho | diigha + ja"nghaa | (feminine) long-legged. |
548. (iv) Digu (Numeral Compounds)
There are two kinds of digu:
(i) samaahaara digu, considered as collective takes the form of the neuter sing in.m.
(ii) asamaahaara digu when the digu does not express a whole, but the objects indicated by the last member are considered individually, the compound as a rule taking the form of the plural.
Remarks.
(a) Some words, when last member of a digu, change their final vowel to a, if it be other than a.
(b) The stems only of the numerals are used as first members.
(i) SAMAAHAARA-DlGU | ||
Examples | ||
catusacca.m | the four Truths (collectively) | |
catusahassa.m | four thousand | |
dviratta.m | dvi + ratti | two nights (remark a) |
navasata.m | nine hundred | |
pa~ncagava.m | pa~nca + gavo | (remark a) |
pa~ncasikkhaapada.m | the five Precepts (collectively) | |
sattaaha.m | satta + aha.m | (day), seven days, a week |
tiloka.m | the three worlds (collectively) | |
tiratana.m | the three Jewels (collectively) | |
tiva"ngula.m | ti + v(inserted, 28) a"nguli | three fingers |
(ii) ASAMAAHAARA-DIGU | ||
Examples | ||
catudisaa | the four quarters | |
catusataani | four hundreds | |
dvisatasahassaani | (dvi sata sahassaani) | two hundred thousand |
pa~ncindriyaani | pa~nca + indriyaani. | the five senses |
saka.tasataani | saka.ta + sataani | one hundred carts |
tibhavaa | the three states of existence |
549. (v) Abyayibhaava (Adverbial Compounds)
Remarks.
(a) These compounds have for first member an indeclinable (529).
(b) The abyayibhaava generally assumes the form of the accusative singular in.m , and is indeclinable.
(c) If the final vowel of the last member is aa long aa is replaced by a.m ; other long vowels (except aa), are shortened.
(i) Examples | ||
adhikumaari | adhi + kumaari | the young girl |
adhoga"nga.m | ga"ngaaya + adho | below the Ganges |
antopaasaada.m | anto + paasaadassa | within the palace |
anughara.m | house after house, in every house | |
anuratha.m | anu + rathe | behind the chariot |
anuvassa.m | anu + vassa.m | year after year, every year |
pa.tisota.m | sotassa + pa.tiloma.m | against the stream |
pativaata.m | pati + vaata.m (acc.) | against the wind |
tiropabbata.m | pabbatassa tiro | across the mountain |
upaga"nga.m | upa + ga"ngaaya.m (loc.) | near the Ganges |
upagu | upa + gunna.m (plural,) | close to the cows |
upanagara.m | upa + nagara.m , (loc.) | near the town |
uparipabbata.m | pabbatassa + upari | upon the mountain |
upavadhu | upa + vadhuu | near (his) wife |
yaavajiiva.m | yaava + jiivaa (abl.) | as long as life lasts |
yathaabala.m | yathaa + balena | according to (one's) power |
(ii) Sometimes, however, the case-ending is retained; the cases thus retained being mostly the Ablative and the Locative. But in most cases, the Neuter form is also met with for the same compound. The Ablative termination may be retained when the indeclinable is: pari, apa, aa, bahi, yaava etc.
Examples | |
aabhavaggaa or aabhavagga.m | to the highest state of existence |
antaravithiya.m (loc.) | in the street |
anto aviicimhi (loc.) | in hell |
anutiire | along the bank |
apapabbataa or apapabbata.m | away from the mountain |
bahigaamaa or bahigaama.m | |
bahisaa.niya.m (loc.) | outside the curtain |
pacchaabhattaa, or pacchaabhatta.m | after meal |
puraaru.naa or puraaru.na.m ( = aru.namhaa pure) | before daylight |
tiropabbataa or tiropabbate (loc.) or tiropabbata.m | beyond, on the other side of, the mountain |
yaavajivaa or yaavajiva.m | as long as life lasts |
550. (vi) Bahubbiihi (Relative or Attributive Compounds)
Remarks.
(a) A bahubbihi compound, when resolved into its component parts, requires the addition of such relative pronouns as: "he, who, that, which," etc., to express its full meaning; a bahubbihi is
therefore used relatively, that is, as an adjective, and consequently, the final member assumes the forms of the three genders, according to the gender of the noun which it qualifies. A bahubbihi is
equal to a relative clause.
(b) All the Compounds explained above (dvanda, tappurisa, kammadhaaraya, diigu, abyayibhaava), become, if used as adjectives, bahubbihi Compounds.
(c) babubbihi being used as adjectives qualifying nouns, must agree in gender, number and case with the nouns which they qualify.
(d) It follows from (c) that a bahubbihi may be in any case relation but the Vocative.
The following are the different kinds of bahubbihi.
(1) pathamaa-bahubbihi | Relative in the Nominative Case | |
Examples | ||
chinnahattho puriso | hand-cut man, a man whose hands have been cut off | |
Here, chinnahattho is the bahubbihi qualifying the noun puriso. | ||
lohitamakkhita.m mukha.m | lohitena makkhita.m mukha.m | the mouth besmeared with blood |
lohita makkhita.m is the bahubbihi | ||
susajjita.m pura.m | a well-decorated city | |
susajjita.m is the bahubbihi | ||
(2) dutiyaa-bahubbihi | Relative in the Accusative Case | |
that is, the bahubbihi gives to the word which it determines or qualifies the sense of the Accusative relation | ||
Examples | ||
aagatasama.no sa"nghaaraamo | ima.m sa"nghaaraama.m sama.no aagato | this monastery the priest came to, the monastery into which the priest came |
aagatasama.no is the bahubbihi | ||
aaruu.lhanaro rukkho | so naro ima.m rukkha.m aaruu.lho | the tree into which the man climbed |
aaruu.lhanaro is the bahubbihi | ||
(3) tatiya-bahubbiihi | Relative in the Instrumentive Case | |
in which the bahubbihi gives to the word it determines the sense of the Instrumentive relation | ||
Examples | ||
jitindriyo samano | yena jitaani indriyaani so sama.no | the samana by whom the senses have been conquered |
jitindriyo is the bahubbihi | ||
vijitamaaro bhagavaa | so bhagavaa yena maaro vijito | the Blessed One by whom Mara was vanquished, the Blessed One who vanquished Mara. |
vijitamaaro is the bahubibhi | ||
(4) catutthii bahubbihi | Relative in the Dative Case | |
in which the bahubbihi gives to the word it determines the sense of the Dative relation | ||
Examples | ||
dinnasu"nko puriso | yassa su"nko dinno so | he to whom tax is given |
dinnasu"nko is the bahubbihi | ||
upaniitabhojano sama.no | so sama.no yassa bhojana.m upaniita.m | the priest to whom food is given |
upaniitabhojano is the bahubbihi | ||
(5) pa~ncamii-bahubbihi | Relative in the Ablative case | |
in which the compound gives to the word determined the sense of the Ablative relation | ||
Examples | ||
niggatajano gaamo | asmaa gaamasmaa janaa niggataa | that village from which the people have departed, an abandoned village |
niggatajano is the bahubbihi | ||
apagatakaa.laka.m vattha.m | ida.m vattha.m yasmaa kaa.lakaa apagataa | the cloth from which (the) black spots have departed = a cloth free from black spots |
apagatakaa.laka.m is the bahubbihi | ||
(6) cha.t.thii-bahubbiihi | , Relative in the Genitive Case | |
in which the compound gives to the word it determines the sense of the Genitive relation | ||
Examples | ||
chinnahattho puriso | so puriso yassa hattho chinno | the man whose hands are cut off |
chinnahattho is the babhubbihi | ||
visuddhasiilo jano | so jano yassa siila.m visuddha.m | that person whose conduct is pure, a moral person |
visuddhasiilo is the bahubbihi | ||
(7) sattama-bahubbiihi | Relative in the Locative Case | |
that is, in which the bahubbihi gives to the determined word the sense of the Locative case | ||
Examples | ||
bahujano gaamo | yasmi.m gaame babuu janaa honti, | a village in which are many persons, a populous village |
bahujano is the bahubbihi | ||
sampannasasso janapado | yasmi.m janapade sassaani sampannaani | a district in which the crops are abundant, a fertile district |
sampannasasso is the bahubbibi | ||
(e) The word determined by the bahubbihi Compound is often understood or implied and not expressed.
Examples | |
chinnahattho (6) | he whose hands have been cut off |
dinnasu"nko (4) | he who receives taxes, a tax collector |
jitindriyo (3) | he who has subdued his senses |
lohitamakkhito (1) | besmeared with blood |
maasajato | a month old (lit., he who is born since one month) |
sattahaparinibbuto | dead since a week |
somanasso | joyful (lit., he to whom joy has arisen) |
vijitamaaro (3) | he who has conquered Mara, the Buddha |
(f) In some bahubbihi, the determining word may be placed either first or last without changing the meaning:
Examples | |
hatthachinno or | chinnahattho |
jaatamaaso or | maasajaato |
(g) Feminine nouns ending in ii, uu as well as stems ending in tu ( = taa, see, 163, words declined like satthaa,) generally take the suffix ka, when they are the last member of a bahubbihi; possession is then implied:
Examples | |
bahukattuko deso | a place in which there are many artisans |
bahukumaarika.m kula.m | a family in which there are many girls |
bahunadiko janapado | a district with many rivers |
Note that long ii is shortened before ka; the same remark applies to long uu. |
(h) When a feminine noun is the last member of a babubbihi, it takes the masculine form if determining a masculine noun, and the first member, if also feminine, drops the sign of the feminine:
Examples | |
diighaa ja"nghaa | a long leg |
diighaja"nghaa itthii | a long-legged woman |
diighaja"ngho puriso | but: a long-legged man |
(i) The adjective mahaa, may be used as the first member of a bahubbihi:
Examples | |
mahaapa~n~no | of great wisdom, very wise |
(j) Sometimes aa is added,to the words: dhanu, a bow, dhamma, the Law, and a few others, when last members of a bahubbihi:
Examples | |
gandhivadhanu | gandhivadhanvaa (27, ii), Arjuna, he who has a strong bow |
paccakkhadhammaa | but also paccakkhadhammo, to whom the Doctrine is apparent |
551. The student will have remarked that all the examples given above of bahubbihi, are digu, tappurisa, kammadhaaraya, dvanda and abyayibhaava, used relatively. To make the matter clearer, however a few examples are here given.
dvanda used relatively | |
Examples | |
kusalaakusalaani kammaani | good and bad actions |
nahaataanulitto | bathed and anointed |
tappurisa used relatively | |
Examples | |
buddhabhaasito dhammo | the Doctrine spoken by the Buddha= Buddhena bhaasito dhammo |
nagaraniggato | one or he who has gone out of town |
sotukaamo jano | a person desirous to hear, one desirous to hear |
kammadhaaraya used relatively | |
Examples | |
gu.nadhano | rich in virtues |
kha~njakhujjo puriso | a lame and hump backed man |
sugandho | fragrant |
digu used relatively | |
Examples | |
dvimuulo rukkho | a two rooted tree |
pa~ncasataani saka.taani | five hundred carts |
sahassara.msi | the thousand rayed = the sun. |
abyayibhaava used relatively | |
Examples | |
niraparaadho bodhisatto | the faultless Bodhisatta |
saphala | saha phala, fruitful (lit., having fruits) |
savaahano maaro | Maara with his monture* (HL: French for horse) |
Upapada Compounds
552. When the second member of a dutiyaa tappurisa Compound is akita noun or Primary derivative, (see Chapter XIII, Primary and Secondary Derivation), and the first member a noun in the Accusative relation, the compound is called upapada. Such a compound may therefore be called indifferently: upapada or upapadatappurisa. or simply: tappurisa. (niruttidiipanii)
Examples | ||
atthakaamo | attha.m kaamo | wishing for the welfare of (kaamo is a kita derivative) |
brahmacaarii | brahma.m caarii | one who leads the higher life |
dhamma~n~nuu | dhamma.m ~nuu | he who knows the Law |
kumbhakaaro | kumbha.m + kaaro | a pot-maker, a potter (kaaro is a kita derivative) |
pattagaaho | patta.m gaaho | receiver of the bowl |
rathakaaro | ratha.m kaaro | carriage maker, cartwright |
Anomalous Compounds
553. A few compounds are found which are quite anomalous in their formation, that is, they are made up of words not usually compounded together. These compounds must probably be considered as of very early formation, and be reckoned amongst the oldest in the language. We give a few examples:
Examples | ||
a~n~nama~n~na.m | ( = a~n~na.m + a~n~na.m) | one another |
ahamahamikaa | ( = aha.m , I + aha.m + ika suffix) | egoism, arrogance, the conceit of superiority lit., connected with I |
itihaa | ( = iti, thus + ha, lengthened to aa) | thus indeed, introduction, legend |
itihaasa | ( = iti, thus + ha, indeed + aasa, was) | thus indeed it was = itihaa |
itihiitihaa | ( = itiha + itihaa ) = | itihaa, itihaasa |
itivutta.m | ( = iti, thus + vutta.m P P.P. of vatti, to say) | thus it was said; the name of a book of the Buddhist Scriptures |
itivuttaka | ( = iti + vutta.m + kasuffix) = | itivutta |
paramparo | ( = para.m + para) | successive |
vitatho | vi + tathaa | false, unreal |
yathaatatho | yathaa + tathaa | real, true, as it really is |
Complex Compounds
554. Compounds, as above explained, may themselves become either the first or the last member of another compound, or two compounds may be brought together to form a new one, and this new one again may become a member of another compound, and so on to almost any length, thus forming compounds within compounds. These compounds are mostly used relatively that is, they are bahubbihi. The student ought to bear in mind that, the older the language is, the fewer are these complex compounds, and the later the language, the more numerous do they become; it therefore follows that long compounds are a sign of decay and, to a certain extent, a test as to the relative age of a text.
Examples
vara.narukkhamuule,
at the foot of the vara.na tree,
is a tappurisa compound in the genitive relation,
and is resolved as follows: vara.narukkhassa muule;
vara.narukkhassa is itself a kammadharaya compound = vara.na eva rukkha.
It is therefore a tappurisa compound, the first member of which is a kammadharaya compound.
mara.nabhayatajjito,
terrified by the fear of death,
a bahubbihi qualifying a noun understood,
and is a tappurisa in the instrumentive relation:
mara.nabhayena tajjito;
mara.nabhaya is itself a tappurisa in the ablative: maranaa bhaya.
siihala.t.thakathaaparivattana.m,
the translation of the Singhalese Commentaries,
is first: a tappurisa compound = sihala.t.thakathaaya parivattana.m,
second, another tappurisa: sihalaaya a.t.thakathaa = the Commentaries of Ceylon, the Singhalese Commentaries.
aparimitakaalasa~ncitapu~n~nabalanibbattaaya,
produced by the power accumulated during an immense period of time,
the whole is a bahubbihi feminine in the Instrumentive.
We resolve it as: aparimitakaalasa~ncitapu~n~nabala,
a tappurisa determining nibbattaaya;
aparimitakaalasa~ncitapu~n~na,
a kammadharaya determining bala;
aparimitakaalasa~ncita,
a kammadharaya determining pu~n~na;
aparimitakaala,
a kammadharaya determining sa~ncita;
lastly aparimita is a kammadharaya = a + parimita.
In its uncompounded state, it would run as follows:
aparimite kaale sa~ncitassa pu~n~nassa balena nibbattaaya.
Remark. The student should follow the above method in resolving compounds.
Changes of certain words in compounds.
555. Some words, when compounded, change their final vowel; when last members of a bahubbihi, they, of course, assume the ending of the three genders, according to the gender of the noun they determine. The most common are here given:
go, a cow, bullock, becomes gu, gavo or gava.m :
pa~ncagu, bartered with five cows (pa~ncahi gohi kito);
raajagavo, the king's bullock (ra~n~no go);
daaragava.m , wife and cow (daaro ca go);
dasagava.m, ten cows.
bhuumi, place, state, stage, degree, storey becomes bhuuma:
jaatibhuuma.m , birth place (jaatiyaa bhuumi);
dvibhuuma.m , two stages (dvi bhuumiyo);
dvibhuumo, two storeyed. Ka, is sometimes superadded, as: dvibhuumako = dvibhuumo.
nadii, a river, is changed to nada:
pa~ncanada.m , five rivers;
pa~ncanado, having five rivers.
a"nguli, finger, becomes a"ngula (see, 548, a).
ratti, night, is changed to ratta (see, 548, a);
here are a few more examples:
diigharatta.m for a long time (lit. long nights = diighaa rattiyo; ahoratta.m ,
Oh! the night! (aho ratti);
a.d.dharatto, midnight (rattiyaa a.d.dha.m = the middle of the night).
akkhi, the eye, changes to akkha:
visaalakkho, large eyed (visaalaani akkhiini yassa honti);
viruupakkho, having horrible eyes, name of the Chief of the Nagas (viruupaani akkhiini yassa, to whom (are) horrible eyes);
sahassakkho, the thousand-eyed, a name of Sakka (akkhiini sahassaani yassa);
parokkha.m, invisible, lit., "beyond the eye" (akkhina.m tirobhaago).
sakhaa, (masc.) friend, companion, becomes sakho:
vaayusakho, the breeze's friend, fire (vayuno sakhaa so);
sabbasakho, the friend of all (sabbesa.m sakhaa).
attaa, self, one's self becomes atta:
pahitatto, resolute, whose mind is bent upon, lit, directed towards (pahito pesito attaa yena, by whom the mind is directed upon);
.thitatto, of firm mind (.thito attaa assa, whose mind is firm).
pumaa = male, a man, becomes pu.m, and final.m is assimilated to the following consonant according to the usual rules:
pulli"nga.m , the male sex: manhood, the masculine gender (pu.m + linga.m, characteristic, sign);
pu"nkokilo, a male cuckoo (pu.m + kokilo).
saha, with, is abbreviated to sa, which is placed at the beginning of compounds ka is sometimes superadded:
sapicuka, of cotton, with cotton,
as -sapicuka.m ma.n.dalika.m, a ball of cotton, cotton ball;
sadevako, with the deva worlds;
saha is used in the same sense:
sahodaka, with water, containing water (saha udaka).
santa, good, being, is also abbreviated to sa (see, 546, b):
sappurisa, a good man;
sajjano, well-born, virtuous (sa + jana, a person).
samaana, same, similar, equal; is likewise shortened to sa:
sajaati or sajaatika, of the same species, of the same class (samaanajaati);
sajanapado; of, or belonging to, the same district (samaanajanapado);
sanaamo, of the same name (samaano naamo);
saanaabhi, of the same navel, uterine.
mahanta, becomes mahaa (see 546, a).
jaayaa, wife, takes the forms jaani, ja.m , tuda.m *, jaya.m , before the word pati, lord, husband:
jayaapati, jayampati, jaanipati, jampati, tudampati, husband and wife.
* The niruttidiipanii has the following interesting note on the word tuda.m :
"yathaa ca sakka.taganthesu 'daaro ca pati ca dampatii' ti"
And lower down: "tattha 'tu' saddo padapuura.namatte yujjati".
Verbal Compounds
556. Many nouns and adjectives are compounded with /kar, to do and /bhuu, to be, or with their derivatives very much in the manner of Verbal Prefixes.
557. The noun or adjective stems thus used change final a or final i to ii.
Examples | |
bahula | abundant |
bahuliikaroti | to increase, to enlarge |
bahuliikara.na.m | increasing |
bahuliikato | increased |
bhasma | ashes |
bhasmibhavati | to be reduced to ashes |
bhasmibhuuto | reduced to ashes |
da.lha | hard, firm |
da.lhikaroti | to make firm |
da.lhikara.na.m | making firm, strengthening |
(Original file downloaded from
www.tipitaka.net/pali/grammar/. Tabulation follows the pdf file located at www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/paligram.pdf .)