कच्छप
kacchapa/kɐt̪.t͡ɕʰɐ.pɐ/masculine
The English word tortoise is translated into Sanskrit as कच्छप (kacchapa). Wiktionary also lists कमठ (kamaṭha).
Meaning: land-dwelling reptile (noun)
Ways to say it
| Sanskrit | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| कच्छप | kacchapa | /kɐt̪.t͡ɕʰɐ.pɐ/ (Classical Sanskrit) | masculine |
| कमठ | kamaṭha | /kɐ.mɐ.ʈʰɐ/ (Classical Sanskrit) | masculine |
The term refers to a land-dwelling reptile, specifically a tortoise or turtle.
Which one should you use?
कच्छप is the standard, general term for a tortoise or turtle. In contrast, कमठ is a specific synonym that is often used in poetic or Vedic contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine noun कच्छप follows standard masculine declension. For example, the ablative form is कच्छपात्, which means 'from the tortoise'.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is kacchapa. It has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- In Hindu mythology, the god Vishnu takes the form of a giant tortoise called Kurma to support the weight of Mount Mandara during the churning of the ocean of milk.
- In the Bhagavad Gita, the tortoise कच्छप is used as a metaphor for the ideal yogi who can withdraw their senses from the world just as a tortoise pulls its limbs into its shell.
- The term कच्छप can be broken down into two parts: कच्छ (shore) and पा (to guard). This creates a descriptive image of a creature that 'guards the shore'.
Examples in context
- कच्छपः शनैः शनैः चलति।kacchapaḥ śanaiḥ śanaiḥ calati.The tortoise walks slowly.
- उद्याने एकः कच्छपः अस्ति।udyāne ekaḥ kacchapaḥ asti.There is a tortoise in the garden.
- कच्छपः जलं विना न जीवति।kacchapaḥ jalaṃ vinā na jīvati.The tortoise does not live without water.
Example conversation
Aditya and Isha are walking in a park.
- आदित्य Adityaपश्य, अधः एकः कच्छपः अस्ति!paśya, adhaḥ ekaḥ kacchapaḥ asti!Look, there is a tortoise below!
- ईशा Ishaअहं तं पश्यामि, सः सुन्दरः अस्ति।ahaṃ taṃ paśyāmi, saḥ sundaraḥ asti.I see it, it is beautiful.
- आदित्य Adityaकच्छपः किं करोति?kacchapaḥ kiṃ karoti?What is the tortoise doing?
- ईशा Ishaसः शनैः शनैः गच्छति।saḥ śanaiḥ śanaiḥ gacchati.It is going slowly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tortoise” translations and entries कच्छप, कमठ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries कच्छप, CC BY-SA 4.0.
