English Words Sourced from Sanskrit

English is an endlessly fascinating language. With a rich and ever-growing vocabulary, English has been inspired by numerous foreign languages over the centuries. In this blog, we look at some of the words that have become common in modern day English which have their origins in Sanskrit

1. Guru

The word guru as used in English is used in the same sense as Sanskrit and refers to a person who is regarded as a teacher, guide, expert or master.

2. Juggernaut

The word juggernaut, which means an overwhelming and unstoppable force, comes from the word “Jagannatha” which means ‘Lord of the World.’

3. Serpent

The word serpent comes from the Sanskrit word “sarpa” meaning snake.

4. Avatar

The word avatar comes from the Sanskrit word “avatara”, which means ‘descent’ and in Hinduism, the word refers to the manifestation or incarnation of a deity.

5. Loot

The word loot as used in English comes from the Sanskrit word “lunth” which means ‘to rob’. It is used both as a verb and as a noun in English, with the noun referring to goods that have been stolen.

6. Punch

While the word punch can refer to hitting someone with the fist, punch is also a drink that is made from wine or spirits and mixed with fruits and spices. This word comes from the Sanskrit word “pancha” which means ‘five’, as a traditional punch drink was made using five ingredients.

7. Pundit

In modern English usage, the word pundit is used to refer to a person who is highly skilled or an expert in a particular field. It comes from the Sanskrit word “pandit”, which means ‘learned’ or ‘skilled’ as well as a ‘learned man’.

8. Mantra

In English, the word mantra is used to refer to a slogan or a statement that is used often. It comes from the Sanskrit word “mantra” which means a hymn or a chant.

9. Jungle

The word jungle, as used to mean forest or wilderness comes from the Sanskrit word “jangala” which means an arid or an uncultivated piece of land.

10. Thug

Thug is an adjective usually used for a man who is violent or a bully. But in today’s world it is used as a slang, addressing somebody who is cool. It has got its origin in Hindi “Thag” meaning “swindler” that has come from the Sanskrit word “sthagati”.

11. Singapore

The English language name Singapore comes from its Malay name Singapura, which is believed to have been derived from Sanskrit meaning "Lion City". It is one of the Asian countries which is located at the Southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, about 85 miles north of the equator.

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