Compound is a linguistic term that joins two or more words to form a new word. This is also known as “conjunction” in grammar. Here we will provide detailed information about the definition, types, and examples of compound.
definition of compound
'Sansanam' iti samas. Thus the word compound means condensation. When two or more words are combined without their suffixes or inflections, then it is called compound. In simple words, when several words come together to form a phrase and when a new word is formed by the combination of two or more words and its new meaning emerges, then it is called compound. An attempt is made to express more meaning in fewer words through compound words. By separating the compound a new meaning emerges.
In compound composition two words are joined. The first term is called Purva Padma and the second term is called Uttar Padma. The new term that is formed by combining these terms is called compound term.
examples of compound |
Previous term + Answer term = Total term (Samaas) |
Shiva + Bhakta = Shiva devotee |
pocket + expenses = pocket money |
Chatuh + Bhuj = Chaturbhuj (Vishnu) |
types of compound
There are many types of compound words which play an important role in grammar. Based on the priority of the posts, the compound has been divided into six parts.
अव्ययीभाव समास
The compound in which the antecedent is avyaya is called avyayibhava compound. It works as an adverb in the sentence.
Example
- lifetime = lifetime
- daily = every day
tatpurusha compound
The compound in which the antecedent is secondary and the latter is dominant is called Tatpurush compound. There is omission of preposition between both the posts.
Example
- Akashpatit = fallen from the sky
- Rajputra = son of the king
There are 6 types of Tatpurush Samas, which are as follows
Types of Tatpurush Samas | ||
Type | Definition | Example |
karma tatpurusha compound | Karma Tatpurush Samas is formed by omitting the sign 'ko'. |
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Karan Tatpurush Samas | Karan Tatpurush compound is formed by omission of 'from' and 'by'. |
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Sampradan Tatpurush Samas | Sampradan is formed by omission of Tatpurush compound 'for'. |
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Apadana Tatpurush Samas | Apadana Tatpurush compound is formed by omission of 'se'. |
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Relationship Tatpurusha Samas | The relation Tatpurush compound is formed by the omission of 'ka', 'ke' and 'ki'. |
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Adhikaran Tatpurusha Samas | Adhikarana Tatpurush compound is formed by omission of 'in' and 'par'. |
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conflict compound
The compound in which both the antecedent and the antecedent are prominent, that is, both have independent existence from the point of view of meaning and the connecting word is missing between them, then it is called Dwandva Samas.
Example
- Ram-Krishna = Ram and Krishna
- brother-sister = brother and sister
Karmadharaya Samas
In this compound both the terms are prominent. There is a feeling of expert-adjective, simile-analogy among its posts. In this, the characteristics of any one term are described or compared.
Example
- Pitambar = Amber (clothes) which is yellow
- Shashimukh = face like Shashi
Dvigu Samas
In Dvigu Samas, the first pada gives the sense of number and the second pada is dominant. A numerical word gives the idea of a group or a collection. The second term of this compound is given importance.
Example
- Saptadeep = group of seven lamps
- Tribhuvan = group of three Bhuvans
Bahuvrihi Samas
In Bahuvrihi compound no position is dominant. In this, both the words together form a new word, which gives a new meaning. Which defines this term.
Example
- Mahatma = great soul which means one with high soul
- Neelkanth = blue throat which means Lord Shiva
difference between different compounds
Different types of compound differ in their usage, structure, and meaning. Here's a general explanation of the differences between these various compound words:
- Tatpurush Samas and Dvigu Samas: In Tatpurush Samas, the first word is a quality or adjective of the second word, whereas in Dvigu Samas, the relationship between both the words is synonymous. For example, in “Ramakrishna” (Tatpurush Samas) “Ram” is the multiple of “Krishna”, while “Shri Krishna” (Dvigu Samas) consists of both “Shri” and “Krishna”.
- Karmadharaya Samas and Bahuvrihi Samas: In Karmdharay Samas, the first word indicates the work, whereas in Bahuvrihi Samas, the meaning of the compound is derived from the word Samashti. For example, “Dhanurdhari” (Karmadharay Samas) has the person holding “Dhanu”, while “Saptdweep” (Bahuvrihi Samas) has both “Sapta” and “Dweep” being the bearers.
Some examples of compound
antecedent | Uttarpada | Samastapada |
Country | Devotee | Patriot |
Blue | sky | blue sky |
Nation | hero | national hero |
Male | Woman | male and female |
Per | Axis | direct |
Punch | Anan | Panchanan |
Black | chili | black pepper |
Curd | Big | Dahiwada |
eight | Chapter | octagonal |
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