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The New Pali Course Part II

Ven. A. P. Buddhadatta

law-book = niitigantha (m).
novice (-monk) = saama.nera (m).
preceptor = upajjhaaya (m).
pondering = vitakkenta, jhaayanta (pr.p).
refuse = kacavara (m).
shares = bhaajeti (v).
to keep silence = tu.nhii bhavitu.m (inf).
vexed = ru.t.tha, appatiita (pp).
war = yuddha (n).
ware = bha.n.da (n).
weaver = tantavaaya (m).
weaves = vaayati, vinaati (v).

Verbal Prefixes

79. The prefixes or prepositions are called upasaggas in Pali. They
are sometimes prefixed to verbs and their derivatives.

Generally they modified the meaning of the root, or intensify it, and
sometimes alter it; in some cases they add nothing to the original
meaning of the root.

80. The prefixes are 20 in number, viz., aa, ati, adhi, anu, abhi,
apa, api, ava, u, upa, du, ni, nii, pa, paraa, pari, pati, vi, sa.m, su.

Examples

From the root kamU (to go) verb kamati (goes) is formed without adding
any prefix to it.

The following are formed with the prefixes:-

Prefix Root Verb Meaning
abhi + kamU = abhikkamati (goes ahead, proceeds)
pa.ti + kamU = pa.tikkamati (goes back, steps backwards, retreats)
apa + kamU = apakkamati (goes aside, deviates)
ati + kamU = atikkamati (goes beyond, surpasses)
aa + kamU = akkamati (treads upon)
pa + kamU = pakkamati (goes forth)
nii + kamU = nikkhamati (goes out)
upa + kamU = upakkamati (strives, plans)
sa.m + kamU = sa`nkamati (moves from one place to another)
paraa + kamU = parakkamati (strives, makes an effort)
anu + kamU = anukkamati (follows)
(noun from the same): anukkama (order)

The above examples show how these prefixes alter the meaning of a root.

81. It is difficult to define all the different meanings of each
prefix; therefore we give below a few words formed with each prefix
together with their meanings.

aa

1. aaka.d.dhati (v) drags near.
2. aasanna (adj) near.
3. aakirati (v) scatters over.
4. aapabbataa (aa + abl.) as far as the mountain.
5. aagacchati (v) comes.

ati

1. atikkamati (v) goes beyond, leaves behind.
2. atirocati (v) shines very much.
3. ativu.t.thi (f) excess of rain.
4. atichatta (n) special umbrella.
5. atibhaariya (adj) very serious.

adhi

1. adhipati (m) lord, superior.
2. adhigacchati (v) attains, obtains.
3. adhi.t.thaana (ger) determination.
4. adhivasati (v) lives in.

anu

1. anugacchati (v) follows.
2. anughara.m (adv) in order of the houses, i.e. from house to house.
3. anuvassa.m (adv) year by year, annually.
4. anuvitakketi (v) ponders over.
5. anukkama (m) order.

abhi

1. abhimukha (adj) facing, opposite.
2. abhiruupa (adj) handsome, very beautiful.
3. abhidhamma (m) special doctrine.
4. abhivaadeti (v) salutes, bows down.
5. abhirati (f) delight, satisfaction.

apa

1. apagacchati (v) moves away.
2. aparaadha (m) crime.
3. apaciti (f) reverence.
4. apacinaati (v) makes less, diminishes.
5. apakaara (m) injury, mischief.

api

Words formed with this prefix are very rare. This is often seen with
a, and as a separate particle.

1. apadhaana/pidhaana (n) lid.
2. api.landha (adj) adorned.
3. apilaapeti (v) talks idly, boasts.

(to be continued...)