मूर्ख
mūrkha/muːɾ.kʰɐ́/masculine
In Sanskrit, 'idiot' is translated as मूर्ख (mūrkha). If unsure, use मूर्ख. Wiktionary also lists निर्बुद्धि (nirbuddhi) and जल (jala).
Meaning: person of low general intelligence (noun)
Ways to say it
| Sanskrit | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| मूर्ख | mūrkha | /muːɾ.kʰɐ́/ (Vedic) /muːɾ.kʰɐ/ (Classical Sanskrit) |
masculine |
| निर्बुद्धि | nirbuddhi | /niɾ.búd.dʱi/ (Vedic) /n̪iɾ.bud̪.d̪ʱi/ (Classical Sanskrit) |
masculine |
| जल | jala | /d͡ʑɐ.lɐ́/ (Vedic) /d͡ʑɐ.l̪ɐ/ (Classical Sanskrit) |
masculine |
These terms refer to a person of low general intelligence.
What does it mean word for word?
The word निर्बुद्धि is composed of the prefix nir- (without) and buddhi (intellect/intelligence), meaning 'one without intellect'.
Which one should you use?
While निर्बुद्धि emphasizes a lack of innate intellect, मूर्ख is a more general term for a fool or someone acting foolishly.
How do you pronounce it?
/muːɾ.kʰɐ́/
Did you know?
- The word बुद्धि in निर्बुद्धि comes from the same root as the name 'Buddha', 'the awakened one'.
- The word मूर्ख is likely derived from a root meaning 'to congeal', suggesting a fool is someone whose mind has effectively hardened or frozen.
- In Sanskrit, buddhi does not just mean 'intelligence' but refers to the faculty of discernment and the ability to wake up to the truth.
Examples in context
- सः मूर्खः अस्ति।saḥ mūrkhaḥ asti.He is an idiot.
- त्वं मूर्खः असि।tvaṃ mūrkhaḥ asi.You are an idiot.
Example conversation
Mira and Vivan are discussing a silly mistake.
- मीरा Miraविवान, त्वं किम् अकरोः?vivāna, tvaṃ kim akaroḥ?Vivan, what did you do?
- विवान Vivaanअहं त्रुटिम् अकरवम्।ahaṃ truṭim akaravam.I made a mistake.
- मीरा Miraत्वं मूर्खः असि किम्?tvaṃ mūrkhaḥ asi kim?Are you an idiot?
- विवान Vivaanन, अहं केवलं विस्मृतवान्।na, ahaṃ kevalaṃ vismṛtavān.No, I just forgot.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “idiot” translations and entries मूर्ख, निर्बुद्धि, जल, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
