परशु
paraśu/pɐ.ɾɐ.ɕú/masculine
The English word "axe" is परशु (paraśu) in Sanskrit. Wiktionary also lists कुठार (kuṭhāra).
Meaning: tool (noun)
Ways to say it
| Sanskrit | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| परशु | paraśu | /pɐ.ɾɐ.ɕú/ (Vedic) /pɐ.ɾɐ.ɕu/ (Classical Sanskrit) |
masculine |
| कुठार | kuṭhāra | /ku.ʈʰɑː.ɾɐ/ (Vedic) /ku.ʈʰɑː.ɾɐ/ (Classical Sanskrit) |
masculine |
Both forms of the word refer to an axe, but they are used in different contexts. Both words mean axe. परशु is the classic weapon axe of epic and ritual texts, while कुठार is the everyday axe for cutting wood.
Which one should you use?
In contrast, कुठार is more commonly used to refer to a practical tool used for woodcutting or manual labor.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of paraśu is /pɐ.ɾɐ.ɕú/. It has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- In Hindu iconography, the परशु is the primary weapon of Parashurama, whose name literally means 'Rama with the axe'.
- Linguists suggest परशु may be a very ancient borrowing from the Akkadian word pilaqqu, meaning 'wooden handle'.
Examples in context
- सः परशुं धारयति।saḥ paraśuṃ dhārayati.He holds an axe.
- मम परशुः कुत्र अस्ति?mama paraśuḥ kutra asti?Where is my axe?
- वृक्षं कर्तुं परशुः आवश्यकः।vṛkṣaṃ kartuṃ paraśuḥ āvaśyakaḥ.An axe is necessary to cut the tree.
Example conversation
Aditya and Kavya are in a garden looking for a tool.
- आदित्य Adityaकाव्ये, परशुः कुत्र अस्ति?Kāvye, paraśuḥ kutra asti?Kavya, where is the axe?
- काव्या Kavyaपरशुः तत्र अस्ति, आदित्य।paraśuḥ tatra asti, Āditya.The axe is there, Aditya.
- आदित्य Adityaकिं परशुः नवीनः अस्ति?kiṃ paraśuḥ navīnaḥ asti?Is the axe new?
- काव्या Kavyaआम्, परशुः अतीव नवीनः अस्ति।ām, paraśuḥ atīva navīnaḥ asti.Yes, the axe is very new.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “axe” translations and entries परशु, कुठार, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries कुठार, परशु, CC BY-SA 4.0.
