Upasarga
An upasarga (उपसर्ग) is a Sanskrit term referring to a prefix. These prefixes, when attached to the beginning of a verb root (dhatu), alter its meaning and provide nuances or shades of meaning. They are an integral part of Sanskrit grammar and are found in many other Indo-Aryan languages like Hindi, Marathi, and Nepali, influencing the meaning of words constructed using Sanskrit roots.
There are traditionally considered to be twenty-two upasargas in Sanskrit. These are typically listed as:
- pra (प्र)
- para (परा)
- apa (अप)
- sam (सम्)
- anu (अनु)
- ava (अव)
- nis (निस्)
- nir (निर्)
- dus (दुस्)
- dur (दुर्)
- vi (वि)
- aṅ (अङ्) (often seen as ā (आ))
- ni (नि)
- adhi (अधि)
- api (अपि)
- ati (अति)
- su (सु)
- ut (उत्)
- abhi (अभि)
- prati (प्रति)
- pari (परि)
- upa (उप)
The meaning added by an upasarga is not always predictable, and its effect can depend on the specific verb root to which it is attached. An upasarga can intensify the meaning of the root, negate it, or completely change its sense. Understanding upasargas is essential for comprehending the intricacies of Sanskrit vocabulary and for deciphering the etymology of words in languages derived from Sanskrit. The influence of upasargas extends beyond verbs; they can also be used with nouns and adjectives to create new words with modified meanings.