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.

Schedule our one-to-one lessons at Italki -⁠https://www.italki.com/ProfessorAshish⁠

For Personalized individual and group classes, contact me -⁠https://linktr.ee/ProfessorAshish⁠

Me as a Teacher ✔️My name is Ashish & I am a Certified Professional Teacher of English, Hindi & Sanskrit with over 15 years of experience. I have helped hundreds of learners to achieve their dreams of Fluency & Impeccable Pronunciation in English, Hindi & Sanskrit. ✔️I run an English language school where I coach for Interviews, Business English, Writing skills and conversational English. I have successfully trained hundreds of IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC and Cambridge Exams students. ✔️My classes use interactive PowerPoint presentations as visual aids and are proven to take elementary level students to a competent, conversational and advanced level. ✔️I request you to kindly READ the REVIEWS of my students.

My lessons & teaching style

✔️My English Classes Include:- ➡️ Complete Course for Absolute Beginners & Beginners, Intermediate & Advanced students ➡️ Successful Job Interviews & Business English Communications ➡️ Complete Preparation of IELTS, TOEFL & other Proficiency Tests ➡️ Interactive Conversation Classes & Informal Communication Practice ✔️In Hindi & Sanskrit- ➡️ Complete Course for Foreigners - Absolute Beginners & Beginners, Intermediate & Advanced students ➡️ Interactive Conversation Classes & Informal Communication