1000 Most Common Pali Words

A vocabulary guide derived from statistical analysis of the Pali Canon

This carefully curated vocabulary list represents over one thousand of the most frequently used words in Pali, the sacred language of Theravada Buddhism.

Our methodology involved statistical analysis of hundreds of passages from the suttas of the Pali Canon. Each word was meticulously converted to its dictionary form before frequency counting and sorting by decreasing occurrence.

1000+ Pali Words
100+ Sutta Passages
Statistical Analysis Method

Vocabulary Reference

Words arranged by frequency of occurrence in canonical texts

ca
and
dhamma
doctrine, teaching, law, phenomenon, quality
bhikkhu
monk, mendicant
kho
indeed, surely (emphasizing particle)
hoti
is, becomes, exists
na
not
pi
also, too, even
ta
that, it (neuter pronoun)
evaṃ
thus, so, in this way
eva
only, just, indeed
iti
thus, so (marks end of quote/thought)
or
āvuso
friend, brother (address between monks)
ahaṃ
I
satta
being, creature; seven
so
he, that (masculine pronoun)
taṃ
him, her, it, that (accusative pronoun)
ima
this (pronoun stem)
bhagavant
Blessed One, Lord (often vocative/nominative)
eka
one, single, alone
pana
but, however, again, further
ayaṃ
this (masculine/feminine pronoun)
idaṃ
this (neuter pronoun)
bhante
Venerable Sir (address to senior monk)
ya
who, which (relative pronoun stem)
eta
this, that (pronoun stem)
citta
mind, consciousness, thought
putta
son
yathā
as, like, according to
te
they, those; your (pronoun)
viharati
dwells, lives, stays
assa
would be; his, its
kāya
body
atha
then, now, and
ṭhāna
place, state, condition, reason, possibility
samaṇa
ascetic, recluse, monk
attha
meaning, purpose, goal, welfare; is (archaic)
yaṃ
whom, which, that (relative pronoun)
idha
here, in this world
manussa
human being, person
uppajjati
arises, is born
para
other, another, higher, beyond
añña
other, another
kiṃ
what? why?
loka
world, realm
katama
which? what?
samāna
equal, like, same; being (present participle)
hi
indeed, surely, for
deva
god, deity, celestial being
karoti
does, makes, performs
rūpa
form, matter, physical shape
purisa
man, person, male
tattha
there, in that place
sukha
happiness, pleasure, bliss
puna
again, further
Cunda
Cunda (name)
pañca
five
saṃvattati
leads to, conduces to, revolves
brāhmaṇa
brahmin
etaṃ
this, that (pronoun)
bhāveti
develops, cultivates, meditates on
avoca
he/she said
saññā
perception
atthi
is, there is, exists
paraṃ
beyond, after, further; the other shore
rājā
king
yena
by which, whereby
no
not; us, our
diṭṭhi
view, opinion, belief
vaṇṇa
colour, appearance; caste; praise
yadidaṃ
namely, that is to say
sammā
rightly, correctly, perfectly
bhavati
is, becomes, exists
uppanna
arisen, produced, born
labhati
gets, obtains, receives
paññā
wisdom, insight, understanding
acela
naked ascetic
kāma
sensual pleasure, desire
kusala
skillful, wholesome, good
gahapati
householder
vāseṭṭha
Vāseṭṭha (name)
nāma
name; by name; indeed
puggala
person, individual
gacchati
goes
akusala
unskillful, unwholesome, bad
vijjati
is found, exists
kamma
action, deed, karma
dukkha
suffering, pain, unsatisfactoriness
vassa
year; rain
vepulla
abundance, fullness, development
ekacca
some, certain
cha
six
tena
by that, therefore
tathā
thus, so, in that way
hetu
cause, reason, condition
vācā
speech, word
samanupassati
sees, observes, considers carefully
sabba
all, every, whole
cattāro
four (masculine)
ratana
jewel, gem, treasure
passati
sees, perceives, understands
samādhi
concentration, mental unification
samannāgata
endowed with, possessed of
nigrodha
banyan tree; Nigrodha (name)
sāvaka
disciple, hearer
āyasmant
venerable
upasaṅkamati
approaches, goes near
vadati
says, speaks, tells
anuppanna
not arisen, not yet produced
me
my, mine; to me, for me
paribbājaka
wandering ascetic
rasa
taste, flavour; essence
tvaṃ
you (singular)
dasa
ten
bhūta
being, creature; element; past, become
parihāyati
decreases, dwindles, falls away from
brahmacariya
the holy life, celibacy
cakkavatti
wheel-turning monarch, universal king
maraṇa
death
viriya
energy, effort, vigour
mayaṃ
we
ñāṇa
knowledge, wisdom, insight
disā
direction, quarter
āyuka
life-span
ahosi
he/she/it was
tapassī
ascetic
deseti
teaches, points out, explains
ariya
noble, excellent
api
also, too, even; perhaps
samaya
time, occasion; doctrine
paṭhama
first
bhāvita
developed, cultivated
jāti
birth, rebirth; sort, kind
aññatara
a certain, some one or other
jānāti
knows, understands
sace
if
seyyathā
just as, like as
iddhi
psychic power, magical power
Gotama
Gotama (family name of the Buddha)
tiṭṭhati
stands, stays, remains, exists
aṭṭha
eight
vuccati
is said, is called
cetas
mind, consciousness
dhātu
element, relic, property
yo
who, which (masculine relative pronoun)
hita
benefit, welfare, good; beneficial
bahu
many, much, abundant
pe
etcetera, and so forth (abbreviation)
sahassa
thousand
kathā
talk, speech, discourse, story
nava
nine; new
sa
he, that (masculine pronoun); with (prefix)
agāra
house, home
patta
attained, reached; bowl (alms bowl)
catu
four (stem form)
bheda
breaking, division, dissension
indriya
faculty, controlling principle
purima
former, previous, eastern
aneka
many, various, numerous
micchā
wrong, false
khattiya
warrior, noble (caste)
sīla
virtue, morality, precept, conduct
Bhaggava
Bhaggava (name/clan)
āyatana
sphere, sense base
bhāvanā
development, cultivation, meditation
anattha
harm, misfortune, disadvantage
addhāna
time, long period, path
bhava
becoming, existence, state of being
pāṭihāriya
miracle, marvel, wonder
mahā
great, large, big
dve
two
anuyoga
application, practice, devotion
sati
mindfulness, awareness, memory
upasampajja
having obtained higher ordination (gerund)
buddha
awakened, enlightened; the Buddha
carati
walks, wanders, behaves, practises
gata
gone, fared, reached
tayo
three (masculine)
lakkhaṇa
mark, sign, characteristic
sampanna
endowed with, accomplished, perfect
agga
highest, chief, foremost
āyu
life, life-span, vitality
bahujana
many people, the multitude
saññin
perceiving, conscious
aggañña
primeval, known from the beginning
bho
Sir, friend (vocative particle)
appahāya
without abandoning (gerund)
sacca
truth, reality
padhāna
effort, striving, exertion
dibba
divine, celestial
aṅga
limb, factor, part, quality
viññāṇa
consciousness, cognition
mahanta
great, large
Sunakkhatta
Sunakkhatta (name)
Tathāgata
Thus Gone One (Buddha)
mano
mind
sampajāna
clearly comprehending, aware
taṇhā
craving, thirst, desire
mahāpurisa
great man, great being
bhāgiya
connected with, conducive to
uttarimanussadhamma
superhuman state, extraordinary attainment
āha
he/she said
lābha
gain, acquisition, profit
rājan
king (stem form)
sadda
sound, noise, word
dutiya
second
abhiññā
higher knowledge, supernormal power
jhāna
meditative absorption
anvāya
following, according to, because of
etarahi
now, at present
āhāra
food, nutriment
atta
self, soul; oneself
dhana
wealth, riches
yakkha
yakkha (non-human being)
ce
if (enclitic particle)
tassa
his, its; to him, for him
tapas
austerity, ascetic practice
vyāpāda
ill will, malevolence
tatiya
third
cakka
wheel
bala
strength, power, force
mitta
friend
kata
done, made, performed
vedanā
feeling, sensation
mogha
empty, vain, foolish
ka
who? which? what? (pronoun stem)
vinaya
discipline, code of conduct
pubbe
formerly, previously, in the past
vo
your, yours; to you, for you (plural)
mūla
root, origin, cause, base
kula
family, clan, lineage
sahagata
accompanied by, connected with
bhiyyo
more, further, again, exceedingly
āpatti
offence (monastic rule)
veditabba
should be known, to be understood
pāpaka
evil, bad, sinful; evildoer
pajahati
gives up, abandons, renounces
vyākaroti
explains, declares, answers
vāda
doctrine, view, theory, dispute
tad
that (neuter pronoun stem)
phala
fruit, result, consequence
paribhuñjati
eats, enjoys, uses
paññāyati
is known, appears, seems
apara
other, another; western; later
maññati
thinks, imagines, considers
bhāsita
spoken, said; speech, saying
vata
indeed, surely, alas (particle)
dīgha
long
santi
they are; peace
ye
who, which (plural relative pronoun)
attan
self, oneself (variant of atta)
khandha
aggregate, group (esp. five aggregates)
paccaya
condition, cause, requisite
vatthu
thing, object, substance, story, basis
nisīdati
sits down
āsana
seat
arahaṃ
worthy one, perfected one, arahant
sata
hundred; mindful
itthatta
this state, this world, existence here
āsava
influx, taint, corruption, canker
kāyagatāsati
mindfulness directed to the body
tatra
there, in that place
do not (prohibitive particle)
abhabba
unable, incapable
niraya
hell, purgatory
adinna
not given, stolen
catuttha
fourth
vimutti
release, liberation, deliverance
satthar
teacher (stem form)
Pāṭika
Pāṭika (name)
tato
thence, from that, thereupon, then
nānatta
diversity, variety, difference
paṭisaṃvedī
experiencing, feeling
cakkhu
eye; vision, insight
sagga
heaven, blissful state
vaḍḍhati
grows, increases, prospers
sādhu
good, well done; yes, alright
saṅgha
community, assembly (monastic)
cavati
falls away, passes away, dies
gandha
smell, odour
parisuddha
pure, purified, clean
diṭṭha
seen, perceived; view
saṅkhāta
reckoned, called, named
paṭhavī
earth, ground (element)
saṅkhāra
formation, volitional formation, conditioned thing
khīṇāsava
one whose taints are destroyed, arahant
ānuttariya
excellence, superiority, the unexcelled
satthā
teacher (often the Buddha)
dassana
seeing, sight, vision, insight
ajjhatta
internal, personal, concerning oneself
sucarita
good conduct, right action
ārāma
park, monastery grounds
esa
this, that (masculine pronoun)
ceto
mind, consciousness
parisā
assembly, company, council
āgacchati
comes, arrives
pīti
joy, rapture, delight
ādiyati
takes up, accepts, grasps
pahāna
abandoning, removal, giving up
ajjhāvasati
inhabits, dwells in
bhikkhunī
nun, female mendicant
pavedita
made known, declared, explained
ārabhati
begins, starts; exerts oneself
pariyādāya
having mastered, encompassing (gerund)
dīpeti
illuminates, explains, makes clear
kira
reportedly, truly, indeed (particle)
khaya
destruction, decay, cessation
paṭipanna
entered upon (the path), practising
vipāka
result, consequence, fruition (of kamma)
samādāna
undertaking, observance
cattāri
four (neuter)
āpajjati
enters into, falls into, commits
kathaṃ
how? in what way?
suta
heard; learning, tradition
odāta
white, clean, pure
anuyutta
engaged in, devoted to, practising
muddhāvasitta
anointed head (khattiya king)
jana
person, people, folk
paṭipadā
path, way, practice, method
vacanīya
to be spoken to, admonishable; speech
vutta
said, spoken; sown
gāma
village
cira
long (time)
yeva
just, only, indeed (emphatic particle)
anagāriya
homelessness (state of monk/nun)
suṇāti
hears, listens
sugati
happy destiny, good rebirth, heaven
dvi
two (stem form)
rāga
lust, passion, greed, attachment
upāsikā
female lay disciple
nirodha
cessation, stopping, extinction (of suffering)
manasikaroti
pays attention, bears in mind, reflects
paccājāyanti
they are reborn
yāva
as far as, up to, until
svākkhāta
well-proclaimed, well-expounded
hīna
low, inferior, base
arahant
worthy one, perfected one
jāta
born, arisen, produced
āyāmi
I come
tumha
your (plural stem)
bhakkha
food; to be eaten
āgata
come, arrived
va
like, as; or; indeed
upakkilesa
defilement, impurity, stain
bahulīkata
much practiced, developed
upāsaka
male lay disciple
arūpa
formless, immaterial
sabbaso
altogether, completely, in every way
bahukāra
very helpful, doing much
bhāvetabba
should be developed/cultivated
bahutara
more numerous, more abundant
pajānāti
knows clearly, understands, discerns
bhuñjati
eats, enjoys, experiences
kāla
time, season; death
ārabbha
concerning; having begun (gerund)
abhiññāta
known by experience, recognized
saṅkappa
thought, intention, purpose
tisso
three (feminine)
duccarita
misconduct, wrong action
saraṇa
refuge, protection
paṭilabhati
obtains, gets, receives
aṭṭhāna
impossible, groundless
bahiddhā
external, outside
sacchikātabba
to be realized for oneself
nikkhamati
goes out, departs, leaves (home life)
saṃvara
restraint, control
antaradhāyati
disappears, vanishes
saṃvattanika
conducive to, leading to
sāli
rice (fine quality)
vitakka
thought, reflection, reasoning
mātu
mother (genitive/dative)
abhiññeyya
to be known directly/fully understood
anavakāsa
impossible, no opportunity
visesa
distinction, excellence, special quality
amata
deathless, nectar; Nibbāna
appaka
few, little, insignificant
santa
peaceful, calmed; existing; good person
sugata
Well-Gone One (Buddha); well-fared
pucchati
asks, questions
dubbaṇṇa
ugly, ill-favoured
anussarati
recollects, remembers
ādīnava
danger, disadvantage, evil consequence
saṃvuta
restrained, controlled, guarded
abhijjhā
covetousness, greed
atīta
past, gone by
dāna
giving, generosity, charity, gift
saṃhita
connected with; collected; beneficial
kucchi
belly, womb
pāda
foot, leg; quarter (of verse)
saṅgāyitabba
to be chanted together/rehearsed
naṃ
him, her, it, that (enclitic pronoun)
vana
forest, wood; desire
musā
lie, falsehood
vihita
arranged, prepared; ordained
pabbajati
goes forth, becomes ordained
samādiyati
undertakes, takes upon oneself
paṭipajjati
enters upon (the path), practises
pāripūri
fulfillment, completion
paripūra
full, complete, fulfilled
tibba
sharp, intense, strong
sāriputta
Sāriputta (name)
saddhamma
true doctrine, good law
vyañjana
consonant, letter; sign; curry
mama
my, mine
vijjā
knowledge, true knowledge, science
Licchavi
Licchavi (clan name)
mukha
mouth, face; entrance; chief
imaṃ
this (accusative pronoun)
matta
measure, quantity; only; intoxicated
yadi
if
bhāsati
speaks, says, shines
cutā
fallen, passed away (feminine plural)
paripuṇṇa
full, complete, perfect
pamāda
negligence, heedlessness
vicikicchā
doubt, uncertainty
pariyanta
end, limit, boundary
paṇīta
excellent, sublime, exquisite
sacchikaroti
realizes for oneself, experiences directly
chanda
will, intention, desire
saṅyojana
fetter, bond (to saṃsāra)
anāgata
future, not yet come
magga
path, way (esp. Noble Eightfold Path)
upasama
calm, peace, cessation
araha
worthy, deserving; arahant
sacchikiriyā
realization, experiencing
kasiṇa
meditation device
pariññeyya
to be fully understood/comprehended
duppaṭivijjha
difficult to penetrate/understand
nu
indeed? surely? isn't it? (particle)
tu
but, however, indeed (enclitic particle)
upapanna
reborn, arisen in; possessed of
upapajjati
is reborn, arises
vihāra
dwelling, monastery; state
seṭṭha
best, excellent, highest
attā
self, soul; oneself (nominative)
disvā
having seen (gerund)
sakkāra
honour, reverence, gifts
cuta
fallen, passed away (masculine/neuter)
phoṭṭhabba
tangible object, contact (touch sense)
sāvikā
female disciple
veramaṇī
abstinence, refraining from
sampadā
attainment, success, accomplishment
akkhāta
declared, proclaimed, told
avigata
not departed, present
kusalā
skillful, wholesome (feminine/plural)
gotta
clan, lineage, family name
nisinna
seated, sitting
vattha
cloth, garment; ground, field
dosa
hatred, anger, ill will; fault
vidita
known, understood
vādī
one who speaks/expounds, proponent
handa
come now! well then! look here!
titthiya
sectarian, adherent of another school
accaya
fault, transgression; passing away
asmi
I am
seyyathīdaṃ
namely, that is to say
jigucchā
disgust, loathing, revulsion
siloka
verse, stanza; fame
bīja
seed, germ
vacī
speech (stem form)
mahārāja
great king
pāṇātipāta
killing living beings, taking life
kalyāṇa
beautiful, good, virtuous; welfare
vimutta
liberated, released
yoga
bond, yoke; application, effort, practice
sukhallikānuyoga
indulgence in sensual pleasures
virāga
dispassion, detachment, fading away
samatikkama
overcoming, transcending, transgression
pahātabba
should be abandoned/given up
uppādetabba
should be produced/arisen
nigama
market town
sikkhā
training, discipline
asura
Asura (demigod/titan)
anta
end, limit, border; goal; side
āsaya
inclination, disposition; abode
aññamañña
mutual, one another
janapada
country, province, district
vasana
living, dwelling; cloth
vipula
extensive, abundant, large
apāya
state of loss/suffering, woeful state
sota
ear; stream; hearing
vuddhi
growth, increase, prosperity
domanassa
grief, displeasure, mental pain
āghāta
anger, hatred, malice
sīlavant
virtuous, observing precepts
tasmā
therefore, thence, for that reason
mārisa
sir, friend (polite address)
vivāda
dispute, quarrel, contention
anuttariya
excellence, the unexcelled
paṭilābha
acquisition, obtaining, attainment
upādāna
clinging, grasping, attachment; fuel
āyati
the future; future consequence
agārava
disrespectful, irreverent
hāna
decrease, loss, falling away
paññatta
declared, laid down, prescribed
abhivādeti
bows down to, salutes respectfully
anuttara
unsurpassed, supreme, highest
korakkhattiya
Korakkhattiya (name)
sattama
seventh
Vesālī
Vesālī (city name)
sammukhībhāva
presence, being face to face
sakkoti
is able, can
su
well, good (prefix); emphasis particle
ācariyaka
teacher's fee; pertaining to teacher
sayaṃ
oneself, by oneself
saka
one's own
bhojana
food, meal
dhāreti
holds, bears, remembers, possesses
tapa
austerity, ascetic practice
nissaraṇa
escape, departure, release
nīvaraṇa
hindrance (mental obstacle)
vivaṭṭa
rolling back, evolution; opening up
māsa
month; bean
vattati
proceeds, goes on, exists; turns
adinnādāna
taking what is not given, stealing
bhoga
wealth, possession, enjoyment
bhāva
state, nature, condition, existence
kaṇha
black, dark; evil; Kaṇha (name)
yonisomanasikāra
wise attention, proper consideration
durakkhāta
badly proclaimed, poorly expounded
jānanta
knowing (present participle)
passanta
seeing (present participle)
malla
Malla (clan/people name)
pariyāya
discourse, exposition, method, way
kālakata
deceased, dead
aññathā
otherwise, differently
vatta
duty, observance; round (of existence)
pañha
question
brahmā
Brahmā (deity); divine, sublime
ātappa
ardour, exertion, austerity
appamāda
heedfulness, diligence, vigilance
anicca
impermanent, transient
vimokkha
liberation, deliverance, release
senāsana
lodging, dwelling place (for monks)
hattha
hand
pañcama
fifth
rakkhā
protection, guard, watch
saddhā
faith, confidence, conviction
sambodhi
supreme enlightenment, awakening
paccuppanna
present, existing now
jivhā
tongue
vidhā
way, manner, kind, sort
sabrahmacārī
fellow monk/practitioner
anusaya
underlying tendency, latent disposition
nipajjati
lies down
paṭicca
because of, depending on (gerund)
cīvara
robe (monastic)
nūna
surely, certainly, indeed (particle)
ehi
come! (imperative singular)
maṃ
me (accusative pronoun)
puñña
merit, meritorious action, virtue
ahita
harm, disadvantage; harmful
who, which (feminine relative pronoun)
pacchā
afterwards, later, behind; west
mahāmatta
high official, minister
sīha
lion; hero
brahma
divine, holy, sublime; Brahmā
saddhiṃ
with, together with
vineti
leads, trains, disciplines, removes
karaṇa
doing, making; reason; instrument
alaṃ
enough! sufficient; stop!
kumāra
boy, prince, youth
sattha
knife; caravan; science; seen
paccupaṭṭhita
present, established, ready
sukka
white, bright, pure; good; semen
bhāga
part, share, portion
bojjhaṅga
factor of enlightenment
amanussa
non-human being
nigaṇṭha
Nigaṇṭha (Jain ascetic)
thera
elder (senior monk)
majjhima
middle, central
ṭhiti
stability, duration, continuance
taccha
true, real, actual
avijjā
ignorance, nescience
asekha
one beyond training, an arahant
vāditā
music, playing instruments
kusīta
lazy, indolent
deti
gives
abhibhavati
overcomes, surpasses, masters
akusalā
unskillful, unwholesome (feminine/plural)
paccājāyati
is reborn
gaṇhāti
takes, grasps, accepts, understands
dāni
now
uddissa
concerning, referring to; having aimed at
desita
taught, pointed out, explained
ratti
night
addhā
certainly, surely; time, period
dakkhiṇa
southern; right (side); offering
Pāṭikaputta
Son of Pāṭika
muddhā
head, top, summit
abhikkanta
excellent, splendid; past
āmanteti
addresses, calls, invites
saṃsappati
creeps, crawls, moves slowly
pabbajita
one who has gone forth, ordained person
tathārūpa
of such a form, such like
sassata
eternal, everlasting
ativela
excessive, too long
samāpanna
attained to, entered upon (a state)
nibbāna
Nibbāna/Nirvana, extinction, liberation
tapo
austerity, religious fervor
evarūpa
of such a form, such like, this kind
kesa
hair (of the head)
tapassin
ascetic
mettā
loving-kindness, friendliness
upekkhā
equanimity, neutrality
saṃvaṭṭa
rolling up, dissolution; conducive to
samādāya
having undertaken/accepted (gerund)
musāvāda
lying, false speech
akkhara
letter, syllable; imperishable
ṭhita
stood, standing, remaining
kārī
doing, making (agent noun)
ghāna
nose; smell (faculty)
nimitta
sign, mark, image, cause; mental image
āraddha
begun; energetic, striving
niketa
abode, dwelling, home
sukhumā
subtle, fine, delicate
sambojjhaṅga
factor of enlightenment
dussīla
immoral, of bad character
piṇḍāya
for alms
pavisati
enters
yasa
fame, glory, repute
puratthima
eastern, former
puṭṭha
asked, questioned; nourished
paṭijānāti
acknowledges, promises, admits
patha
path, way, road
appaṭinissajjitvā
without having relinquished (gerund)
vipatati
fails, goes wrong, perishes
piṇḍapāta
alms food
nissaya
support, dependence, resource
samāhita
concentrated, composed
sañjānāti
perceives, recognizes, is aware of
anuppatta
attained, reached, arrived at
khamati
is patient, endures; is fit, seems good
saññī
perceiving, conscious
vīsati
twenty
cattārīsa
forty
suvaṇṇa
gold; beautiful colour
duggati
bad destiny, woeful state
vinipāta
downfall, ruin, state of perdition
ettha
here, in this place/case
tīṇi
three (neuter)
pātur
manifest, visible
vāsa
living, dwelling; perfume
jīvita
life, lifetime, livelihood
mātā
mother
upakkamati
strives, exerts oneself, attacks
iddhipāda
basis of psychic power
paṭivirata
abstaining from, refraining from
sama
calm, tranquility; equal, like
moha
delusion, ignorance, confusion
asammāsambuddha
not perfectly enlightened one
niyyānika
leading out (to salvation), liberating
suppakāsita
well proclaimed, well explained
upacita
accumulated, gathered
vyasana
misfortune, disaster, ruin
visuddhi
purity, purification
ākāsānañcāyatana
sphere of infinite space
viññāṇañcāyatana
sphere of infinite consciousness
abhāvita
undeveloped, uncultivated
pahīna
abandoned, given up, eliminated
vadāmi
I say, I speak
paccattaṃ
personally, individually, for oneself
āroceti
tells, informs, announces
gati
going, destiny, rebirth destination
pada
foot, step; word; state, path, place
rakkhati
protects, guards, observes
antevāsī
pupil, resident student
kappeti
arranges, prepares; thinks; trims
subha
beautiful, auspicious; purity (meditation)
bhavant
sir, venerable sir (polite pronoun)
phusati
touches, reaches, attains
khiḍḍā
play, sport, amusement
pasanna
pleased, clear; devoted, having faith
uppādeti
produces, causes to arise
ananta
endless, infinite, boundless
pharati
pervades, suffuses, fills
appamāṇa
immeasurable, boundless, unlimited
tāta
father; dear one (affectionate term)
sīsa
head
pātu
manifest, visible
adhamma
unrighteousness, wrong doctrine
kevala
sole, alone, entire; only (adv.)
pasavati
brings forth, produces, begets
sudda
Sudra (caste); pure
bhūmi
ground, earth, plane, stage, level
asampajāna
not clearly comprehending, unaware
ādisati
points out, tells, advises
suppavedita
well declared, well explained
vivaditabba
should be disputed/quarreled about
ānisaṃsa
benefit, advantage, reward
manāpa
pleasing, agreeable, charming
paṭirūpaka
resembling, counterfeit; suitable
suhada
friend, good-hearted person
anukampati
feels compassion for
paccupaṭṭhahati
is present, attends, serves
nātha
protector, refuge, lord
ākiñcaññāyatana
sphere of nothingness
tiracchānayoni
animal realm/birth
ceto-vimutti
liberation of mind
appamattaka
small amount, trifle; heedful
ekamantaṃ
to one side (adverb variant)
divā
by day, daytime
nānā
various, diverse, different
bhaya
fear, danger
miga
deer, wild animal
mudu
soft, gentle, tender
pāṇa
life, living being; breath
ciraṃ
for a long time (adverb)
aho
oh! alas! indeed! (exclamation)
evaṃvādī
holding such a view, speaking thus
ācariya
teacher
appasadda
quiet, making little noise
aññatitthiya
belonging to another sect, sectarian
sāra
essence, core; strength; valuable
udaka
water
danta
tamed, controlled; tooth, tusk
middha
torpor, drowsiness, sloth
uddhacca
restlessness, agitation
amutra
in the next world, there, yonder
dīpa
island; lamp; support, refuge
anañña
no other, same, unique
pāsāda
palace, mansion
pārisajja
member of an assembly, courtier
dovārika
gatekeeper, porter
daliddiya
poverty, destitution
micchācāra
wrong conduct (esp. sexual)
porāṇa
ancient, old, former
manasa
mind (instrumental/ablative)
abhisambuddha
fully awakened, perfectly enlightened
gabbha
womb; embryo; inner chamber
avakkanti
descent, entry (into womb), conception
lohita
blood; red
pāpa
evil, sin, demerit; bad, wicked
pārisuddhi
purity (variant)
āvāsa
dwelling, abode, residence
jāyati
is born, arises, is produced
pariyatta
learned, mastered, sufficient
paricita
acquainted with, practised, accumulated
nidassana
example, illustration, evidence
nibhāsa
radiance, lustre; resembling
parihāni
falling away, decrease, loss
paññatā
state of being known, designation
paññāpeti
makes known, declares, prepares (seat)
Vajji
Vajji (confederacy name)
paṭisevati
uses, practises, indulges in
maṃsa
flesh, meat
samatikkamati
overcomes, transcends; transgresses
ida
this (neuter pronoun stem variant)
she, that (feminine pronoun)
paricca
having considered/understood; surrounding
uttari
further, beyond, higher; more
gocara
pasture, resort, sphere, sense object
samādapeti
instigates, incites, encourages
amha
our; we are
nivāsa
dwelling, abode; stopping place
padūsika
corrupting, defiling; malicious person
pabbata
mountain, rock
ñāti
relative, kinsman
gihī
householder, layman
arañña
forest, wilderness
sevati
serves, associates with, practises
ādi
beginning; starting with, etc.
ṭhapeti
places, sets, establishes; sets aside
antara
inside, between; interval; inner mind
ājīva
livelihood, way of life
cātu
four (related prefix/stem)
pahāya
having abandoned/given up (gerund)
thīna
sloth, torpor
kukkucca
worry, remorse, scruple
dhammika
righteous, according to Dhamma
chaṭṭha
sixth
amaccha
minister, courtier
gaṇaka
accountant; astrologer
anīkaṭṭha
battle array, army division
pisuṇa
slanderous (speech)
pharusa
harsh, rough (speech)
sikkhati
trains oneself, learns
vuṭṭhita
arisen from, emerged from
abbhācikkhati
accuses falsely, slanders
vessa
Vaisya (caste)
pariḷāha
fever, burning heat, distress
pasīdati
becomes clear/tranquil; gains faith
pubbenivāsa
previous lives/existences
ākāsa
space, sky, ether
bhinna
broken, split; different
ussanna
abundant, excessive
kilesa
defilement, impurity, passion
pāveyyaka
belonging to Pāvā
sakkāya
existing group/body (aggregates as 'self')
atthagama
setting, disappearance, cessation
kāmacchanda
sensual desire (hindrance)
padhāniya
connected with striving, energetic
pema
love, affection
vimuccati
is liberated, is released
suvimutta
well liberated, completely freed
vedeti
feels, experiences; knows
nāhaṃ
not I (na + ahaṃ)
puthujjana
ordinary person, worldling
samaṅgin
endowed with, possessing
pettivisaya
realm of the departed/petas
arahatta
state of an Arahant, final liberation
vyākata
explained, declared, predicted
pacchima
last, final; western
uttara
northern; higher; further; answer
upaḍḍha
half
taddiguṇa
twice that amount
Sugata
Well-Gone One (Buddha)
mahāsāla
wealthy (brahmin/householder)
seyya
better, excellent; bed
bandhati
binds, ties; composes
saṇḍa
grove, thicket
Sammāsambuddha
Perfectly Enlightened One
aggi
fire
abhūta
false, untrue, not real
abhinandati
rejoices at, delights in
senā
army
sārāṇīya
conciliatory, friendly, memorable
yatra
where, wherever
mutta
released, liberated; urine
ukkaṃseti
praises, exalts
vambheti
despises, scorns
macchariya
stinginess, avarice
kiñci
anything, something (usually + na = nothing)
yāma
watch (of night); Yāma (heaven)
adho
below, downward
catasso
four (feminine)
kappa
aeon, world cycle; thought; fitting
uddesa
exposition, summary, recitation
yassa
whose, of which (genitive relative)
satimant
mindful, attentive
ambho
hey! hello there! (vocative)
aparaṃ
further, moreover; later; another thing
pitara
father (accusative)
samphappalāpa
frivolous talk, idle chatter
kuto
whence? from where? how?
voropeti
deprives of, bereaves
vivicca
detached from, separated from
vicāra
sustained thought, examination
māna
conceit, pride; measurement
āharati
brings, fetches; produces
paṇṇa
leaf; feather; letter
esanā
seeking, longing, request
mana
mind (instrumental/ablative variant)
parikkhaya
exhaustion, destruction, loss
paṭikkūla
repulsive, disgusting; aversion
upekkhaka
equanimous, indifferent
pāvā
Pāvā (town name)
duppavedita
badly declared/explained
aniyyānika
not leading out (to salvation)
saṅgaha
collection; help, kindness
khema
safe, secure; safety; Nibbāna
ṭhitika
enduring, lasting, stable
manas
mind (stem form variant)
nāga
serpent; elephant; noble person (Arahant)
gandhabba
Gandhabba (celestial musician; embryo state)
piya
dear, beloved, pleasant
kusalatā
skillfulness, proficiency
sambuddha
fully awakened, enlightened
janeti
generates, produces, gives birth to
vāyamati
strives, endeavours, exerts oneself
padahati
strives, exerts oneself
sa-
with, together with, having (prefix)
ogha
flood (defilements)
pakkhandati
leaps forward, jumps into
santiṭṭhati
stands still, remains, settles down
subhāvita
well developed, well cultivated
yathāsuta
according to what was heard
anuṭṭhita
not arisen; inactive, lazy
susamāraddha
well undertaken, well begun
lūkha
rough, coarse, miserable
abhibhāyatana
sphere of mastery (meditation)
avitatha
not otherwise, true, real
nidāna
source, origin, cause; introduction
mayā
by me (instrumental pronoun)
sant
being, existing; good, virtuous; peaceful one
akata
undone, unmade, uncreated (Nibbāna)
ākaṅkhati
wishes for, desires, expects
bhatta
meal, food, boiled rice
abhikkamati
goes forward, approaches
anuviloketi
looks over, surveys, considers
vara
excellent, best, noble; boon
abhijānāti
knows directly/fully, remembers
pitā
father
pubba
former, previous, earlier; eastern
ahu
he/she/it was (aorist variant)
rati
attachment, delight, pleasure
sandhāna
connection, union; agreement
asamaya
wrong time, unsuitable occasion
nagara
city, town, fortress
sūra
brave, valiant; hero; sun
samudda
ocean, sea
vinīta
trained, disciplined, removed
abhinibbatteti
produces, brings forth, completes
gahapatika
householder (related form)
sakkaroti
honours, reveres
garukaroti
respects, esteems
māneti
honours, respects, reveres
pūjeti
honours, worships, offers gifts to
paṭicchanna
covered, concealed, hidden
anujānāti
permits, allows, grants
jātika
belonging to a birth/kind; subject to birth
visaya
region, sphere, domain; object; scope
paccassosi
he/she replied, agreed (aorist)
jeṭṭha
eldest, chief, best, senior
negama
townsman; relating to a town
jānapada
countryman; relating to the country
sabbākāra
all modes/aspects/ways
antarahita
disappeared, vanished
dāra
wife
kammanta
work, business, occupation
daḷha
firm, strong, steadfast
theyyasaṅkhāta
reckoned as theft
kāraka
doer, maker; agent
kañci
anyone, someone (usually + na = no one)
gahaṇa
taking, seizing; eclipse
micchādiṭṭhi
wrong view
ātāpin
ardent, zealous, strenuous
bhikkhave
O monks! (vocative plural)
anāsava
without taints/cankers, pure (Arahant)
abhisamparāya
future life, next world
pappaṭaka
thin cake, wafer; bark
okkamati
enters, descends into
kenaci
by someone, by anyone; somehow
abhiññatara
more knowledgeable/distinguished
satipaṭṭhāna
foundation of mindfulness
paññatti
designation, concept, regulation
paṇihita
directed, aimed, aspired
samāpatti
attainment (meditative)
loma
body hair
etad
this, that (neuter pronoun variant)
anudhamma
conformity with Dhamma; minor Dhamma
anupasama
non-calm, unpeaceful
satthu
of the teacher (genitive)
puthu
separate, individual, various; wide
paṭighāta
repulsion, anger, resistance
nibbidā
disenchantment, aversion, disgust
catta
given up, abandoned, renounced
agati
wrong course/path (passion, hate, etc.)
amitto
enemy, foe
avihiṃsā
non-violence, harmlessness
santhāgāra
council hall, meeting hall
kaṅkhati
doubts, is uncertain
itarītara
whatsoever, any kind of, various
sañcetanā
volition, intention, purpose
attabhāva
personality, individuality, existence
dāyaka
giver, donor, supporter
yāvadattha
as much as desired/needed
passaddha
calmed, tranquil, serene
vitthāra
detail, extent; in detail (adv.)
appaṭissa
disobedient, disrespectful
bahulī-kata
much practiced (hyphenated)
yāni-kata
made a vehicle of, practiced
vatthu-kata
made a foundation of, practiced
bahussuta
very learned, erudite
niruddha
ceased, stopped, extinguished
ananuyoga
non-application, lack of devotion
pātubhāva
appearance, manifestation
viññū
wise person, intelligent one
nikkiṇṇa
bought out? redeemed? (uncertain)
ratta
coloured; impassioned; night
vacana
word, speech, utterance
assosi
he/she heard (aorist)
tikkhattuṃ
three times
methuna
sexual intercourse
surā
intoxicating liquor (fermented)
yāpeti
keeps going, maintains, lives on
dvaya
pair, couple, duality
gāminī
leading to (feminine adj.)
senāpati
general, commander-in-chief
vatvā
having said (gerund)
vuṭṭhātuṃ
to rise, to emerge (infinitive)
dārupattika
wooden bowl carrier? (ascetic type)
vijambhati
yawns, stretches; unfolds
apadāna
life story, legend (of arahants)
yata
restrained, controlled
yato
whence; since, because
ābhassara
radiant, lustrous (Brahma world)
pabhā
light, radiance, splendour
aññadatthu
except, unless, only
nimmita
created, fashioned (by mind-power)
upanijjhāyati
considers closely, reflects upon
pāna
drink, beverage; breathing
tīra
bank, shore, edge
abbhokāsa
open air, open space
yattha
where, wherein (relative adverb variant)
bahula
abundant, frequent; devoted to
micchādiṭṭhika
holding wrong view
tapojigucchā
disgust through asceticism
aparisuddha
impure, unclean
karuṇā
compassion, pity
muditā
sympathetic joy, appreciative joy
māra
Māra (Tempter); death
vīra
hero, warrior; energetic
adhana
poor, destitute
sevitabba
should be associated with/practised
upagacchati
approaches, goes near, undergoes
majja
intoxicating drink (distilled/brewed)
rājadhānī
royal capital, capital city
sannipatati
assembles, comes together
dakkhiṇā
offering, gift; southern
visama
uneven, unequal; wrong, unjust
bhātā
brother
viramati
abstains from, ceases from
iddha
prosperous, successful, powerful
phīta
prosperous, abundant, extensive
vajja
fault; what should be avoided; music
bhāradvāja
Bhāradvāja (clan/name)
ājānāti
knows clearly, understands fully
sāyaṃ
evening
itthī
woman, female (variant)
upanibbatti
rebirth, arising
sadisa
like, similar, equal
kuṭī
hut, cottage
gantha
bond, fetter; composition, text
yathābhūta
according to reality, as it really is
ādesanā
explanation, prophecy, guessing
khippa
quick, swift; quickly (adv.)
anariya
ignoble, unholy, base
lābhin
obtaining, receiving (adj.)
vadeti
speaks, says (causative/variant)
gārayha
contemptible, blameworthy
appicchatā
having few wishes, contentment
iha
here, in this world (variant)
rattaññū
of long standing, experienced
gihinī
housewife, female householder
addhaniya
lasting, enduring, long-lived
lokānukampā
compassion for the world
opāyika
suitable, proper, strategic
samphassa
contact, touch (mental)
gilāna
sick, ill; patient
sambodha
enlightenment, awakening
samudaya
origin, arising, cause (of suffering)
nīla
blue, dark green, dark
bhogiya
enjoying wealth, wealthy person
samānetā
leader? one who brings together? (uncertain)
kanta
pleasant, lovely; desired
uparima
upper, higher
metta
loving-kindness (adj./noun variant)
amanāpa
unpleasant, disagreeable
āṭānāṭiya
Āṭānāṭiya (Sutta/city name)
sampajañña
clear comprehension, awareness
vipatti
failure, misfortune, ruin
nekkhamma
renunciation, freedom from sensual desire
avyāpāda
non-ill will, loving-kindness
vicikicchati
doubts, is uncertain
upapatti
rebirth, arising (variant)
sabbe
all (plural pronoun)
paggaṇhāti
holds up, takes up, supports, exerts
paṭigha
repulsion, anger; sensory impact
nevasaññānāsaññāyatana
sphere of neither perception nor non-perception
saṅkhāya
having discerned/reflected/known wisely (gerund)
yoni
womb, origin; realm
saṃcetanā
volition (variant)
vihesā
vexation, annoyance, injury
pāmojja
joy, delight, gladness
passambhati
calms down, becomes tranquil
sagārava
respectful, reverent
ekatta
oneness, unity, solitude
asacchikata
unrealized
piṇḍa
lump, ball (of food), alms food
aṭṭhama
eighth
akkhaṇa
unsuitable moment, inopportune time
yoniso
wisely, properly, systematically
rāmaṇeyyaka
delightful, charming, pleasant
divasa
day
niyyāti
goes out, departs; escapes
takkara
doing that; acting accordingly
añjali
gesture of reverence
addasa
he/she saw (aorist)
cetiya
shrine, monument, sacred object
atikkamati
passes beyond, transgresses, overcomes
dasseti
shows, points out, explains
yāvataka
as much as, as many as
devatā
deity, god, spirit
ubho
both
allīna
stuck to, clinging; sluggish
aññāsi
he/she knew/understood (aorist)
go
cow, bull, ox; cattle
vāca
speech (instrumental/ablative)
nadati
roars, makes a sound
nāda
roar, sound, cry
jīvati
lives, is alive
anaya
misfortune, calamity, wrong course
kadāci
sometimes, perhaps, ever
karahaci
sometimes, now and then
cara
walking, wandering; spy
vivaṭṭati
rolls back, evolves; opens up (variant)
dīghāyuka
long-lived
kilanta
tired, weary, exhausted
aññatra
except, besides, unless
pasāda
clarity, tranquility; faith, devotion
sādhukaṃ
well, thoroughly, properly
yagghe
listen! pay attention! indeed!
visuddha
pure, purified (variant)
caṅkamati
walks up and down (meditative)
aparipuṇṇa
incomplete, unfulfilled
acchariya
wonderful, marvellous
daṇḍa
stick, staff; punishment
meraya
fermented liquor, spirits
massu
beard
vasa
power, control, authority; will
mahaggata
great, lofty, sublime (mind state)
avera
without enmity, friendly
avyāpajjha
without ill will, kindly
sākāra
with characteristics; respectful
mānusaka
human
upaga
gone towards, approached
pariyosāna
end, conclusion, consummation
pavaḍḍhati
grows, increases, develops
sena
army (variant); hawk
osakkita
retreated, drawn back
acchādeti
covers, clothes, conceals
rājisi
royal sage
gutti
protection, guard, watchfulness
dvāra
door, gate; sense faculty
theyyā
theft, stealing
sāmañña
state of recluse; generality
koci
anyone, someone (masculine nominative)
ābādha
illness, affliction, disease
savana
hearing; ear; flowing
apuñña
demerit, evil action, sin
khīṇa
destroyed, exhausted, wasted away
akkhāyati
appears, seems; is called/told
vaṇṇavantu
possessing beauty/colour; praiseworthy
garahati
blames, reproaches, despises
jhāyati
meditates; burns
uḷāra
lofty, eminent, magnificent
tala
surface, level, base; palm, sole
chavi
skin, complexion
samācāra
conduct, behaviour
parāyana
final destiny, goal, resort
parinibbāyī
attaining final Nibbāna
sammukhā
face to face, in the presence of
ānanda
Ānanda (name); joy, bliss
sāmīcipaṭipanna
practising correctly/properly
antaradhāna
disappearance, vanishing
vaya
age; loss, decay, cessation
vihiṃsā
violence, cruelty, injury
padakkhiṇa
respectful circumambulation; clockwise
ussada
abundance, plenty; prominence
pahūta
abundant, much, ample
parivāra
retinue, followers; requisite
hiri
shame (moral), conscience
ottappa
fear of wrongdoing, moral dread
alla
wet, moist; fresh, raw
namassati
pays homage to, bows down before
agutta
unguarded, unprotected
sahāya
friend, companion, helper
kicca
duty, task, what should be done
acira
not long, recent; soon (adv.)
anuppāda
non-arising, non-origination
santuṭṭha
contented, satisfied
santuṭṭhi
contentment, satisfaction
viññāya
having understood/discerned (gerund)
phassa
contact, touch, sensory impression
vighāta
destruction, annoyance, distress
anatta
not-self, soullessness
asukha
painful, unpleasant, unhappy
tibbacchanda
intense desire
patti
attainment, arrival; share; infantryman
pīta
yellow; drunk
ayonisomanasikāra
unwise attention, improper consideration
anaññathā
not otherwise, truly, certainly
caraṇa
conduct, behaviour, practice; foot
uju
straight, direct, upright