तैलपायिन्
tailapāyin
The Sanskrit word for cockroach is तैलपायिन् (tailapāyin).
तैलपायिन् is used to refer to this specific type of insect.
Meaning: type of insect (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound formed from taila, meaning oil and pāyin, meaning one who drinks or consumes. Literally, it translates to 'oil-eater'.
How do you pronounce it?
tailapāyin
Did you know?
- The suffix pāyin used in तैलपायिन् is the same root used to describe those who drink sacred substances in Vedic rituals.
- The root pā used in तैलपायिन् is shared with the word for 'protector' or 'guardian' in certain contexts, though here it refers to drinking.
- An English speaker might find it odd that the Sanskrit name focuses on what the insect 'drinks' rather than its ability to 'crawl' or 'fly'.
Examples in context
- तैलपायी अत्र अस्ति।tailapāyī atra asti.A cockroach is here.
Example conversation
Aditya and Kavya are in the kitchen.
- आदित्य Adityaकाव्या, पश्य! तैलपायी अस्ति।kāvyā, paśya! tailapāyī asti.Kavya, look! There is a cockroach.
- काव्या Kavyaकिम्? तैलपायी कुत्र अस्ति?kim? tailapāyī kutra asti?What? Where is the cockroach?
- आदित्य Adityaसः उत्पीठिकायाः अधः अस्ति।saḥ utpīṭhikāyāḥ adhaḥ asti.It is under the table.
- काव्या Kavyaअहं तं दूरीकरोमि।ahaṃ taṃ dūrīkaromi.I will drive it away.
