दुग्ध
dugdha/duɡ.dʱɐ́/neuter
The English word 'milk' is translated into Sanskrit using the default form दुग्ध (dugdha). Wiktionary also lists क्षीर (kṣīra) and पायस (pāyasa).
Meaning: liquid (noun)
Ways to say it
| Sanskrit | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| दुग्ध | dugdha | /duɡ.dʱɐ́/ (Vedic) /d̪uɡ.d̪ʱɐ/ (Classical Sanskrit) |
neuter |
| क्षीर | kṣīra | /kʂiː.ɾɐ́/ (Vedic) /kʂiː.ɾɐ/ (Classical Sanskrit) |
neuter |
| पायस | pāyasa | /pɑː.jɐ.sɐ/ (Vedic) /pɑː.jɐ.s̪ɐ/ (Classical Sanskrit) |
neuter |
All three Sanskrit terms for milk are neuter nouns used to describe the liquid.
Which one should you use?
दुग्ध is the standard and most common term for milk used in general contexts. क्षीर is a more poetic or literary term for milk, often used in hymns and classical literature. पायस refers specifically to milk used in a cooked form, such as rice pudding or a milk-based gruel.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun changes its form depending on its role in a sentence. The accusative form दुग्धम् is used when milk is the direct object of a verb, meaning 'milk' (as in 'I drink milk'). The ablative form दुग्धात् means 'from milk'.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of dugdha is /duɡ.dʱɐ́/.
Did you know?
- Ancient Indian cosmology describes a mythical 'Ocean of Milk' known as क्षीर सागर, where the god Vishnu rests on a giant serpent.
- The Sanskrit word क्षीर shares a common ancestor with the Persian word شیر (šir), which can mean both 'milk' and 'lion'.
- The word दुग्ध is actually a past participle that describes a state of being, meaning 'that which has been milked'.
Examples in context
- दुग्धं शीतलं अस्ति।dugdhaṃ śītalaṃ asti.The milk is cold.
- बालकः दुग्धं पिबति।bālakaḥ dugdhaṃ pibati.The boy drinks milk.
- माता दुग्धं आनयति।mātā dugdhaṃ ānayati.Mother brings milk.
Example conversation
In a kitchen during breakfast.
- मीरा Miraकिं विवान दुग्धं इच्छति?kiṃ vivāna dugdhaṃ icchati?Does Vivan want milk?
- विवान Vivaanआम्, अहं दुग्धं इच्छामि।ām, ahaṃ dugdhaṃ icchāmi.Yes, I want milk.
- मीरा Miraएतद् दुग्धं मधुरं अस्ति।etad dugdhaṃ madhuraṃ asti.This milk is sweet.
- विवान Vivaanधन्यवादः, मीरा।dhanyavādaḥ, mīrā.Thank you, Mira.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “milk” translations and entries दुग्ध, क्षीर, पायस, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries क्षीर, दुग्ध, पायस, CC BY-SA 4.0.
