गधा
gadha
The Sanskrit word गधा (gadha) means a donkey, which is a domesticated hoofed mammal used as a beast of burden.
How do you pronounce it?
gadha
Did you know?
- While gadha refers to the donkey, it is phonetically very similar to gadā, which means a heavy mace or club used by deities like Hanuman.
- In many Indo-Aryan languages derived from Sanskrit, the word for 'donkey' is used as a common insult to call someone 'stupid' or 'foolish'.
- While gadha is the standard term for the animal, classical Sanskrit poets often chose more elevated synonyms to avoid the blunt or lowly connotation of the word in formal verse.
Examples in context
- गधा भारं वहति।gadha bhāraṃ vahati.The donkey carries a load.
- क्षेत्रे एकः गधा अस्ति।kṣetre ekaḥ gadhaḥ asti.There is a donkey in the field.
Example conversation
Kavya and Aditya are walking through a village.
- काव्या Kavyaआदित्य, तत्र पश्यतु।āditya, tatra paśyatu.Aditya, look over there.
- आदित्य Adityaकिम् अस्ति तत्र?kim asti tatra?What is there?
- काव्या Kavyaएकः गधा अस्ति।ekaḥ gadhā asti.There is a donkey.
- आदित्य Adityaअम, सा गधा अति मन्दं चलति।am, sā gadhā ati mandaṃ calati.Yes, that donkey is walking very slowly.
