ध्यान
dhyāna/dʱjɑː.nɐ/
The Sanskrit word for attention is ध्यान (dhyāna).
While ध्यान can refer to general attention, it is most commonly used in a spiritual or meditative context to describe deep concentration or absorption.
Meaning: mental focus (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word ध्यान is derived from the verbal root dhī, which means to think or to meditate.
Which one should you use?
For a more secular sense of attention or reflection on a specific subject, you can use मनन (manana) instead of ध्यान.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is dhyāna. It has 2 syllables. The IPA is /dʱjɑː.nɐ/.
Did you know?
- The word ध्यान is the direct ancestor of the Japanese word zen, which comes via the Chinese translation chan.
- The word ध्यान can be understood as a 'vision' of the mind, much like its linguistic relatives in Avestan relate to the concept of 'vision'.
- In classical Indian philosophy, ध्यान is considered a tool to silence the 'vrittis', which are the constant fluctuations or ripples of the mind.
Examples in context
- तस्य ध्यानं अत्यन्तं महत्त्वपूर्णम् अस्ति।tasya dhyānaṃ atyantaṃ mahattvapūrṇam asti.His attention is very important.
- एतद् कार्यं पूर्णं कर्तुं ध्यानं आवश्यकम्।etad kāryaṃ pūrṇaṃ kartuṃ dhyānaṃ āvaśyakam.Attention is necessary to complete this work.
- मम ध्यानं अत्र अस्ति।mama dhyānaṃ atra asti.My attention is here.
Example conversation
Kavya and Vivan are studying together in a library.
- काव्या Kavyaविवान, कृपया अत्र ध्यानं ददातु।vivāna, kṛpayā atra dhyānaṃ dadātu.Vivan, please pay attention here.
- विवान Vivaanक्षम्यताम्, मम ध्यानं कुत्र अस्ति?kṣamyatām, mama dhyānaṃ kutra asti?Sorry, where is my focus?
- काव्या Kavyaअयं पाठः अतीव कठिनः अस्ति।ayaṃ pāṭhaḥ atīva kaṭhinaḥ asti.This lesson is very difficult.
- विवान Vivaanअहं इदानीं पूर्णं ध्यानं ददामि।ahaṃ idānīṃ pūrṇaṃ dhyānaṃ dadāmi.I am giving full attention now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ध्यान, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ध्यान, CC BY-SA 4.0.
