पर्वत
parvata/pɐ́ɾ.ʋɐ.tɐ/masculine
In Sanskrit, the word for mountain is पर्वत (parvata). Wiktionary also lists गिरि (giri).
Meaning: large mass of earth and rock (noun)
Ways to say it
| Sanskrit | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| पर्वत | parvata | /pɐ́ɾ.ʋɐ.tɐ/ (Vedic) /pɐɾ.ʋɐ.t̪ɐ/ (Classical Sanskrit) |
masculine |
| गिरि | giri | /ɡi.ɾí/ (Vedic) /ɡi.ɾi/ (Classical Sanskrit) |
masculine |
The term refers to a large mass of earth and rock.
Which one should you use?
While पर्वत is the standard term for a mountain, गिरि is often used in poetic or compound contexts to denote a mountain or a peak. Additionally, the literary term अचल is a common synonym, which literally means 'immovable'.
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to exactly two mountains, use the dual form पर्वतौ. To refer to multiple mountains, use the plural form पर्वताः.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /pɐ́ɾ.ʋɐ.tɐ/. It has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- In some linguistic theories, the word गिरि has a disputed connection to a term meaning 'husband's sister'.
- In ancient Sanskrit literature, mountains are often personified using terms that imply they are living, breathing entities rather than just piles of stone.
Examples in context
- गिरिःMountain
- पर्वतः विशालः अस्ति।parvataḥ viśālaḥ asti.The mountain is huge.
- पर्वतस्य शिखरं रक्तवर्णम् अस्ति।parvatasya śikharaṃ raktavarṇam asti.The peak of the mountain is red.
Example conversation
Aryan and Mira are looking at a landscape painting.
- आर्यन Aryanमीरा, पश्य, एषः पर्वतः किम्?Mīrā, paśya, eṣaḥ parvataḥ kim?Mira, look, what is this mountain?
- मीरा Miraआर्यन, एषः हिमालयः पर्वतः अस्ति।Āryana, eṣaḥ himālayaḥ parvataḥ asti.Aryan, this is the Himalaya mountain.
- आर्यन Aryanपर्वतः अति सुन्दरः दृश्यते।parvataḥ ati sundaraḥ dṛśyate.The mountain looks very beautiful.
- मीरा Miraआम्, पर्वतः अतीव मनोहरः अस्ति।ām, parvataḥ atīva manoharaḥ asti.Yes, the mountain is very charming.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mountain” translations and entries पर्वत, गिरि, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries गिरि, पर्वत, CC BY-SA 4.0.
