वृक
vṛka/ʋŕ̩.kɐ/masculine
The Sanskrit word for wolf is वृक (vṛka). Wiktionary also lists श्वक (śvaka).
Meaning: animal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Sanskrit | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| वृक | vṛka | /ʋŕ̩.kɐ/ (Vedic) /ʋr̩.kɐ/ (Classical Sanskrit) |
masculine |
| श्वक | śvaka | masculine |
The term refers to the animal (noun) known as a wolf.
How does it change in a sentence?
वृक is a masculine noun. Its plural is वृकाः (vṛkāḥ).
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is vṛka. It has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- Ancient Sanskrit grammarians suggested that वृक comes from a root meaning 'to tear'. In this view the wolf is defined not as a species but by its action as 'the tearer'.
- In Sanskrit tradition, the word वृक can be used in metaphors for greed or predatory behavior. The wolf represents a force that consumes or destroys without mercy.
Examples in context
- तत्र एकः वृकः अस्ति।tatra ekaḥ vṛkaḥ asti.There is a wolf there.
Example conversation
Kavya and Aditya are looking at a picture book about animals.
- काव्या Kavyaआदित्य, इदं किम् अस्ति?āditya, idaṃ kim asti?Aditya, what is this?
- आदित्य Adityaइदम् एकः वृकः अस्ति।idam ekaḥ vṛkaḥ asti.This is a wolf.
- काव्या Kavyaवृकः किम् खादति?vṛkaḥ kim khādati?What does the wolf eat?
- आदित्य Adityaसः मांसं खादति।saḥ māṃsaṃ khādati.It eats meat.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wolf” translations and entries वृक, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries वृक, CC BY-SA 4.0.
