Compounds (*samāsa)*
Compounds (samāsa)¶
saṃ + √ās + a
When two or more words are combined to form a single unit, the result is called a samāsa, or compound. e.g. devamanussā.
Grammatically, it is functioning as one unit. Normally only the last word in the compound is declined, the others remain in their vocative / dictionary / stem form / lemma. e.g. devamanussānaṃ
Traditional Pāli grammar books have an extremely detailed analysis and understanding of compounds.
Seven Types of Compounds¶
There are seven kinds of compounds, which we will explore in more detail during the next two classes
- kammadhāraya or adjectival (adjective + noun)
e.g. brahmacariya (holy life)
- digu or numerical (number + noun)
e.g. catuddisā (four directions)
- tappurisa or case compound (substantive + substantive)
e.g. sāriputta (lit. son of Sāri)
- dvanda or copulative (noun + noun)
e.g. atītānāgatapaccuppanno (the past and the future and the present)
- abyayībhāva or adverbial (indeclinable + substantive)
e.g. yathābalaṃ (according to one’s strength)
- bahubbīhi or attributive (meaning is different from the component words)
e.g. rukkhamūlika (one who (lives at) the foot of a tree)
- missaka or complex (combination of one or more of the above)
e.g. pātimokkhasaṃvarasaṃvuta
(restrained and controlled by the precepts)