पृच्छति
pṛccháti/pr̩t.t͡ɕʰɐ́.ti/
The English phrase 'asking' can be expressed in Sanskrit using the verb पृच्छति (pṛccháti).
This term refers to the act of requesting information from someone by posing a question.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form पृच्छति is a third-person singular verb in the present tense, which means 'he/she/it asks'. If you are referring to a group of people, use the plural form पृच्छन्ति, meaning 'they ask'.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables and is pronounced /pr̩t.tɕʰɐ́.ti/. The romanization is pṛccháti.
Did you know?
- The word पृच्छति shares its ancient DNA with the Latin verb 'poscō', which is the root of the English word 'postulate'.
- In ancient Indian philosophical texts, the act of पृच्छति is often framed as a dialogue between a seeker and a guru to unveil hidden truths.
- The pronunciation of पृच्छति involves a retroflex sound that requires the tongue to curl back, a feature common in Sanskrit but rare in English.
Examples in context
- Kiṃ prucchasi?What are you asking?
- सः मार्गं पृच्छति।saḥ mārgaṃ prucchati.He is asking the way.
- बालकः प्रश्नं पृच्छति।bālakaḥ praśnaṃ prucchati.The boy is asking a question.
- सा गुरुं पृच्छति।sā guruṃ prucchati.She is asking the teacher.
Example conversation
Mira and Vivan are in a classroom.
- मीरा Miraविवान, त्वं किं पृच्छति?vivāna, tvaṃ kiṃ pṛcchati?Vivan, what are you asking?
- विवान Vivaanअहं पाठं पृच्छति।ahaṃ pāṭhaṃ pṛcchati.I am asking about the lesson.
- मीरा Miraकिं तस्मिन् कठिनम् अस्ति?kiṃ tasmin kaṭhinam asti?Is there something difficult in it?
- विवान Vivaanआम्, अतः अहं पृच्छति।ām, ataḥ ahaṃ pṛcchati.Yes, that is why I am asking.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry पृच्छति, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries पृच्छति, CC BY-SA 4.0.
