Ways to say it
| Sanskrit | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| प्रसन्न | prasanna | /pɾɐ.sɐn.nɐ/ (Vedic) /pɾɐ.s̪ɐn̪.n̪ɐ/ (Classical Sanskrit) |
| सुखिन् | sukhin | /su.kʰin/ (Vedic) /s̪u.kʰin̪/ (Classical Sanskrit) |
Both प्रसन्न and सुखिन् are used to describe being contented or joyous.
What does it mean word for word?
The word प्रसन्न is formed from the prefix pra-, meaning forward, intensive or very and the root sad, meaning to sit or settle. Literally, it suggests a state that has settled forward into clarity or brightness.
Which one should you use?
सुखिन् (sukhin) often implies a state of being blessed with happiness or possessing well-being. In contrast, प्रसन्न often describes a state of being bright, clear or cheerful in temperament.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form प्रसन्न must take gender-specific endings when used in a sentence. For a happy man, use the masculine singular form प्रसन्नः (prasannaḥ). For a happy woman, use the feminine singular form प्रसन्ना (prasannā). To describe a happy object or concept, use the neuter singular form प्रसन्नम् (prasannam).
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is prasanna. The IPA is /pɾɐ.sɐn.nɐ/. It has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- The word प्रसन्न (prasanna) is used to describe a 'clear' sky or 'pure' water. In Sanskrit, the same word for 'happy' is used for a physical object that is transparent and free of impurities.
- The word प्रसाद (prasada), which shares the same root as प्रसन्न (prasanna), refers to a food offering made to a deity that is then returned to the devotee as 'grace'. This links the feeling of happiness directly to a sacred exchange.
- In Sanskrit, the concept of सुख (sukha) is the direct opposite of दुःख (duḥkha), which means 'pain' or 'suffering'. These two words form a fundamental binary in Indian philosophy to describe the entire range of human experience.
Examples in context
- बालः प्रसन्नः अस्ति।bālaḥ prasannaḥ asti.The boy is happy.
- तव मनः प्रसन्नं भवतु।tava manaḥ prasannaṃ bhavatu.May your mind be joyous.
Example conversation
Aryan and Ananya meet after a long time.
- आर्यन Aryanत्वं कथं अस्ति, अनन्या?tvaṃ kathaṃ asti, ananyā?How are you, Ananya?
- अनन्या Ananyaअहं अतीव प्रसन्नः अस्मि, आर्यन!ahaṃ atīva prasannaḥ asmi, āryana!I am very happy, Aryan!
- आर्यन Aryanकिं कारणम्?kiṃ kāraṇam?What is the reason?
- अनन्या Ananyaमम परीक्षा समाप्ता।mama parīkṣā samāptā.My exam is finished.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “happy” translations and entries प्रसन्न, सुखिन्, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
