विश्वविद्यालयः
viśvavidyālayaḥ
The English word "university" is translated into Sanskrit as विश्वविद्यालयः (viśvavidyālayaḥ).
The term is used to describe an institution of higher education.
Meaning: institution of higher education (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of viśva, meaning "world" or "universal" and vidyālaya, meaning "abode of knowledge" or "school".
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate movement away from the university or its origin, the ablative form viśvavidyālayāt is used.
How do you pronounce it?
viśvavidyālayaḥ
Did you know?
- While viśvavidyālaya is used today, ancient centers of learning like Nalanda were often called mahavihāra meaning 'great monastery'.
- In traditional Sanskrit education, the 'university' experience was not about degrees but about 'śravana' or the act of listening to a master.
Examples in context
- एषः विशालः विश्वविद्यालयः अस्ति।eṣaḥ viśālaḥ viśvavidyālayaḥ asti.This is a large university.
- तस्य विश्वविद्यालयः प्रसिद्धः अस्ति।tasya viśvavidyālayaḥ prasiddhaḥ asti.His university is famous.
Example conversation
Two students are discussing their future education plans.
- काव्या Kavyaआदित्य, त्वं कुत्र पठिष्यसि?āditya, tvaṃ kutra paṭhiṣyasi?Aditya, where will you study?
- आदित्य Adityaअहं विश्वविद्यालयं गमिष्यामि।ahaṃ viśvavidyālayaṃ gamiṣyāmi.I will go to a university.
- काव्या Kavyaकिं तत्र विज्ञानं पठिष्यसि?kiṃ tatra vijñānaṃ paṭhiṣyasi?Will you study science there?
- आदित्य Adityaआम्, तत्र विज्ञानविषयः उत्तमः अस्ति।ām, tatra vijñānaviṣayaḥ uttamaḥ asti.Yes, the science subject is excellent there.
