Nina,

Thank you so much for clearing things up for me. Your explanations
are very helpful. I feel de Silva is really good for a basic grammar
foundation, but the book is a little weak when it comes to
explanations. There's little talk about word-order, preferred case
endings or subtle meanings of vocabulary words.

If it is not too much trouble, I could also use some help
distinguishing between the following words:

kukkura/sunakha/so.na - all mean dog. any differences?

suka/suva - any difference between the parrots?

suukara/varaaha - any difference between the pigs?

vaanara/makka.ta - any difference between the monkeys?

oruhati/otarati - de Silva says both mean "descend". There has to be
a difference.

bhuñjati/khaadati - both mean "to eat". I got the impression that
bhuñjati means having a meal, while khaadati refers to devouring (like
predator eating prey). is this close?

Thanks so much,
Thomas

--- In Pali@yahoogroups.com, nina van gorkom <vangorko@...> wrote:
>
> Dear Thomas (hjor 9),
> welcome here.
> I have a go at it, but those who are well read in the texts may
complement
> what I write. You remarks are interesting.

<snip>

> N: I associate mitta with mettaa, the person we have mettaa for.
> Sahaaya: I am inclined to use it for Dhamma sahaaya, friend in Dhamma.
> PED gives companion. I think, a friend who fares along with you, in
study,
> in practice.
> But let us see whether our Pali study sahaayas come up with more
> suggestions.
> Nina.
>