वि
vi/ʋí/masculine
The English word bird is translated into Sanskrit as वि (vi) or पक्षिन्.
Meaning: animal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Sanskrit | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| वि | vi | /ʋí/ (Vedic) /ʋi/ (Classical Sanskrit) |
masculine |
| पक्षिन् | pakṣin | /pɐk.ʂín/ (Vedic) /pɐk.ʂin̪/ (Classical Sanskrit) |
masculine |
In Sanskrit, these terms refer to a bird as a type of animal.
How does it change in a sentence?
पक्षिन् is the stem of the word. In the nominative singular, the subject form, it becomes पक्षी (pakṣī).
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of vi is /ʋí/.
Did you know?
- In Sanskrit, the word पक्ष used to build पक्षिन् also refers to a 'fortnight' or one half of a lunar month. This relates to the 'wing' or side of a full moon cycle.
- Ancient Sanskrit texts often use specific bird names as metaphors for the soul's journey, where the 'bird' represents the individual self trapped in the body.
Examples in context
- पक्षिणः सागरं तरन्ति।The birds cross the ocean.
Example conversation
Kavya and Ishan are looking at a garden.
- काव्या Kavyaइशान, तत्र किम् अस्ति?Iśāna, tatra kim asti?Ishan, what is that over there?
- इशान Ishanतत्र एकः लघुः विः अस्ति।tatra ekaḥ laghuḥ viḥ asti.There is a small bird there.
- काव्या Kavyaकिं सः विः वदति?kiṃ saḥ viḥ vadati?Is that bird speaking?
- इशान Ishanन, सः केवलं कूजति।na, saḥ kevalaṃ kūjati.No, it is only chirping.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bird” translations and entries वि, पक्षिन्, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries पक्षिन्, वि, CC BY-SA 4.0.
