नापित
nāpita/nɑː.pi.tɐ́/masculine
The Sanskrit word for "barber" is नापित (nāpita).
The term refers to a person whose profession is cutting the hair and beards of customers, typically a male.
Meaning: person whose profession is cutting (usually male) customers' hair and beards (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /nɑː.pi.tɐ́/. It has three syllables.
Did you know?
- Ancient medical texts such as the Sushruta Samhita discuss the use of shaving tools, blurring the line between the skills of a नापित and those of a surgeon.
- In classical Sanskrit drama, the barber नापित often appears as a character who provides much-needed comic relief or serves as a messenger for news and gossip.
- The professional identity of a नापित was deeply tied to social hierarchy. Their role was not merely a job choice but was often a fixed hereditary position within a specific caste system in ancient India.
Examples in context
- नापितः केशं कर्तयति।nāpitaḥ keśaṃ kartayati.The barber cuts the hair.
- नापितः ग्रामे वसति।nāpitaḥ grāme vasati.The barber lives in the village.
- नापितः शीघ्रं आगच्छति।nāpitaḥ śīghraṃ āgacchati.The barber is coming quickly.
Example conversation
Aditya is talking to Kavya about his haircut.
- आदित्य Adityaकाव्या, मम नापितः अद्य आगच्छति।Kāvyā, mama nāpitaḥ adya āgacchati.Kavya, my barber is coming today.
- काव्या Kavyaकिं सः उत्तमः नापितः अस्ति?kiṃ saḥ uttamaḥ nāpitaḥ asti?Is he a good barber?
- आदित्य Adityaआम्, सः अति कुशलः अस्ति।ām, saḥ ati kuśalaḥ asti.Yes, he is very skilled.
- काव्या Kavyaतर्हि मम अपि परिचयः कुरु।tarhi mama api paricayaḥ kuru.Then introduce him to me as well.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “barber” translations and entries नापित, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
