प्रत्यय
pratyaya/pɾɐt.jɐ.jɐ/masculine
The Sanskrit word for suffix is प्रत्यय (pratyaya).
A suffix is a morpheme added at the end of a word to modify the word's meaning (noun).
Meaning: morpheme added at the end of a word to modify the word's meaning (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word pratyaya is formed from prati (toward, back) and the root i (to go), so it literally means something that goes toward or attaches to another word.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine noun pratyaya has several forms. The nominative singular form is pratyayaḥ and the plural form is pratyayāḥ.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /pɾɐt.jɐ.jɐ/. It has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- In Sanskrit, some suffixes can actually change the vowels of the root word they are attached to. This means a suffix does not just add a sound to the end but can 'reach back' to alter the beginning of the word.
- While we think of 'suffix' as a purely linguistic tool, in Sanskrit logic, a pratyaya can refer to the 'efficient cause' that brings something into existence.
- In Sanskrit, the word pratyaya does not only refer to a grammatical suffix, but is also the standard term used for 'trust', 'faith', or 'conviction'.
Examples in context
- अयं शब्दस्य प्रत्ययः अस्ति।ayaṃ śabdasya pratyayaḥ asti.This is a suffix of the word.
Example conversation
Mira and Aditya are studying Sanskrit grammar together.
- मीरा Miraआदित्य, अस्मिन् शब्दे कः प्रत्ययः अस्ति?āditya, asmin śabde kaḥ pratyayaḥ asti?Aditya, which suffix is in this word?
- आदित्य Adityaमीरा, अत्र 'त्व' प्रत्ययः अस्ति।mīrā, atra 'tva' pratyayaḥ asti.Mira, there is the 'tva' suffix here.
- मीरा Miraकिं एषः प्रत्ययः महत्त्वपूर्णः अस्ति?kiṃ eṣaḥ pratyayaḥ mahattvapūrṇaḥ asti?Is this suffix important?
- आदित्य Adityaआम्, एषः अतीव आवश्यकः अस्ति।ām, eṣaḥ atīva āvaśyakaḥ asti.Yes, it is very necessary.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “suffix” translations and entries प्रत्यय, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
