नासिका
nāsikā/nɑ́ː.si.kɑː/feminine
The English word 'nose' is translated into Sanskrit as नासिका (nāsikā). Wiktionary also lists नासा (nāsā) and नस् (nas).
Meaning: protuberance on the face (noun)
Ways to say it
| Sanskrit | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| नासिका | nāsikā | /nɑ́ː.si.kɑː/ (Vedic) /n̪ɑː.s̪i.kɑː/ (Classical Sanskrit) |
feminine |
| नासा | nāsā | /nɑ́ː.sɑː/ (Vedic) /n̪ɑː.s̪ɑː/ (Classical Sanskrit) |
|
| नस् | nas | /nɐ́s/ (Vedic) /n̪ɐs̪/ (Classical Sanskrit) |
feminine |
The terms refer to the protuberance on the face.
Which one should you use?
नासिका is a common noun for the nose, while नासा serves as a more poetic or literary variant.
How does it change in a sentence?
नासिका is a feminine noun used to denote the physical nose.
How do you pronounce it?
The three-syllable word nāsikā is pronounced /nɑ́ː.si.kɑː/.
Did you know?
- Ancient Sanskrit medical texts, such as the Ayurveda, describe specific treatments applied directly to the नासिका to treat the brain, as it was viewed as a direct portal to the head.
- The term नासा originated as a reinterpretation of the dual form of the word नस्, which was used to refer to a pair of nostrils.
- In ancient Indian texts, the नासा is often discussed as a primary gateway for prāna, the vital life-breath that sustains the body.
Examples in context
- तस्याः नासिका सुन्दरा अस्ति।tasyāḥ nāsikā sundarā asti.Her nose is beautiful.
- तस्य नासिका दीर्घा अस्ति।tasya nāsikā dīrghā asti.His nose is long.
Example conversation
Vivaan and Isha are talking about a cold.
- विवान Vivaanईशे, किं तव नासिका अवरुद्धा अस्ति?īśe, kiṃ tava nāsikā avaruddhā asti?Isha, is your nose blocked?
- ईशा Ishaआम् विवान, मम नासिका अवरुद्धा अस्ति।ām vivāna, mama nāsikā avaruddhā asti.Yes Vivaan, my nose is blocked.
- विवान Vivaanकिं त्वया औषधं गृहीतम्?kiṃ tvayā auṣadhaṃ gṛhītam?Did you take medicine?
- ईशा Ishaन, अहम् इदानीं ग्रहीष्यामि।na, aham idānīṃ grahīṣyāmi.No, I will take it now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nose” translations and entries नासिका, नासा, नस्, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries नस्, नासा, नासिका, CC BY-SA 4.0.
