शीर्षक
shīrṣaka
The English phrase 'title' translates to Sanskrit as शीर्षक (shīrṣaka).
शीर्षक is used to refer to the name of a book or a similar heading.
Meaning: name of a book, etc (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the root śīrṣa meaning 'head' and the suffix -ka meaning 'pertaining to' or 'small', literally meaning 'that which is at the head'.
How do you pronounce it?
shīrṣaka
Did you know?
- The word शीर्षक shares a distant linguistic ancestor with the English medical term 'cephalic', as both originate from an ancient root referring to the 'head'.
- In traditional Sanskrit poetry, the शीर्षक was sometimes omitted entirely, as the first verse of the poem was expected to perform the function of the title.
- A person's social or honorary title is called an upādhi, which literally means an 'attachment' or 'addition' to their identity, unlike the 'head' metaphor used for books.
Example conversation
Aryan and Isha are in a library looking at a novel.
- आर्यन Aryanईशे, एतस्य पुस्तकस्य शीर्षकं पश्य।Īśe, etasya pustakasya śīrṣakaṃ paśya.Isha, look at the title of this book.
- ईशा Ishaशीर्षकं तु अतीव रोचकं दृश्यते।śīrṣakaṃ tu atīva rocakaṃ dṛśyate.The title seems very interesting.
- आर्यन Aryanकिं त्वं एतत् पुस्तकं पठिष्यसि?kiṃ tvaṃ etat pustakaṃ paṭhiṣyasi?Will you read this book?
- ईशा Ishaआम्, अहं अवश्यं पठिष्यामि।ām, ahaṃ avaśyaṃ paṭhiṣyāmi.Yes, I will definitely read it.
