Study Notes: Samas (समास) — Compound Words in Hindi

Overview

Samas (समास) is the process of combining two or more words into a single compound word to make speech concise and meaningful. In SSC GD exams, 2–4 questions typically test your ability to identify the type of samas in a given compound word or break down a compound into its constituent parts. This topic is purely rule-based—once you understand the six main types and their defining characteristics, scoring becomes straightforward. The key skill is recognising which component (first word, second word, both equally, or neither) carries the primary meaning in the compound. Most questions present a samast pad (compound word) and ask you to identify its type or provide the vigrah (expansion). Mastering samas also strengthens your understanding of Hindi word formation, which indirectly helps in other grammar sections.

Understanding samas requires you to think about *meaning dominance*. When two words combine, does the first word dominate? The second? Both equally? Or does an entirely new meaning emerge? Each type of samas answers this question differently. Practice by breaking down newspaper headlines, textbook compound words, and previous years' questions. With consistent practice, pattern recognition becomes second nature.

Key Concepts

• **Samas definition**: The process of joining two or more words (usually two) into one compound word while retaining or modifying the original meaning. The compound is called **samast pad** (समस्त पद) and its expansion is **vigrah** (विग्रह).

• **Six main types**: Avyayibhav (अव्ययीभाव), Tatpurush (तत्पुरुष), Karmadharay (कर्मधारय), Dvigu (द्विगु), Dvandva (द्वन्द्व), and Bahuvrihi (बहुव्रीहि). Each has distinct rules about which component's meaning dominates or how the parts relate.

• **Tatpurush subdivisions**: This is the largest category with six sub-types based on the vibhakti (case marker) used in the vigrah: karma tatpurush (को), karan tatpurush (से/के द्वारा), sampradaan tatpurush (के लिए), apadan tatpurush (से—separation), sambandh tatpurush (का/की/के), and adhikaran tatpurush (में/पर).

• **Meaning dominance principle**: In Avyayibhav, the first word dominates. In Tatpurush and its subtypes, the second word dominates. In Dvandva, both words have equal importance. In Bahuvrihi, neither word is primary—the compound refers to a third entity.

• **Karmadhara vs. Tatpurush**: Karmadharay is a special Tatpurush where the relation is one of **apposition or adjective-noun** (e.g., नीलकंठ = नीला है जो कंठ). If there's a case marker in vigrah, it's plain Tatpurush; if it's adjective-noun or noun-noun apposition, it's Karmadharay.

• **Dvigu vs. Karmadharay**: Dvigu always begins with a **numeral** (संख्यावाचक), and the compound denotes a collective group or sum (e.g., त्रिलोक = तीनों लोकों का समाहार). If no numeral, it's not Dvigu.

• **Bahuvrihi's uniqueness**: The compound word does *not* directly mean either component; instead, it describes someone/something *by* that attribute (e.g., दशानन = दस हैं आनन जिसके, referring to Ravana, not the ten faces themselves).

• **Exam strategy**: Learn to identify the vibhakti in vigrah first. This instantly categorises most compounds into Tatpurush subtypes or eliminates Tatpurush altogether. Then check for numerals (Dvigu), equality (Dvandva), or third-entity reference (Bahuvrihi).

Formulas / Key Facts

1. **Avyayibhav (अव्ययीभाव)**: First word is an avyay (indeclinable) and dominates. The compound becomes indeclinable. Vigrah uses यथा, भर, बिना, etc. Example: यथाशक्ति = शक्ति के अनुसार.

2. **Tatpurush (तत्पुरुष)**: Second word (uttarpad) dominates. Six sub-types based on vibhakti: (a) Karma—को (राजभक्त = राजा को भक्त); (b) Karan—से (मनचाहा = मन से चाहा); (c) Sampradaan—के लिए (देशभक्ति = देश के लिए भक्ति); (d) Apadan—से (separated) (पथभ्रष्ट = पथ से भ्रष्ट); (e) Sambandh—का/की/के (राजपुत्र = राजा का पुत्र); (f) Adhikaran—में/पर (आपबीती = अपने पर बीती).

3. **Karmadharay (कर्मधारय)**: A Tatpurush sub-type where one word is an adjective/apposition of the other, no vibhakti. Vigrah uses "है जो" or simple apposition. Example: नीलकमल = नीला है जो कमल.

4. **Dvigu (द्विगु)**: Begins with a numeral; denotes a collective or total. Example: चौराहा = चार राहों का समूह, त्रिलोक = तीन लोकों का समाहार.

5. **Dvandva (द्वन्द्व)**: Both words have equal weight; vigrah uses "और/तथा/एवं". Example: माता-पिता = माता और पिता, दाल-रोटी = दाल और रोटी.

6. **Bahuvrihi (बहुव्रीहि)**: Compound describes a third entity by an attribute; neither component is the primary meaning. Vigrah uses "है जिसका/जिसके/जिसमें". Example: चक्रपाणि = चक्र है जिसके पाणि में (Vishnu), लम्बोदर = लम्बा है उदर जिसका (Ganesha).

7. **Nan Tatpurush (नञ् तत्पुरुष)**: A Tatpurush with negation (अ, अन्, न). Example: असभ्य = न सभ्य, अनपढ़ = न पढ़ा हुआ.

8. **Aluk Tatpurush (अलुक् तत्पुरुष)**: Vibhakti retained in the compound (rare). Example: युधिष्ठिर = युधि (युद्ध में) स्थिर.

Worked Examples

**Example 1**: Identify the type of samas in **राजपुरुष**. **Vigrah**: राजा का पुरुष **Analysis**: The vibhakti is "का" (genitive—sambandh), and the second word (पुरुष) dominates. **Answer**: Tatpurush samas (specifically Sambandh Tatpurush—संबंध तत्पुरुष).

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**Example 2**: Identify the type of samas in **पीताम्बर**. **Vigrah**: पीत (पीला) है जो अम्बर (वस्त्र) **Analysis**: The compound means "one who wears yellow cloth" (Krishna). Neither "yellow" nor "cloth" is the main subject; the compound describes Krishna. **Answer**: Bahuvrihi samas (बहुव्रीहि समास).

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**Example 3**: Identify the type of samas in **त्रिफला**. **Vigrah**: तीन फलों का समूह (आँवला, हरड़, बहेड़ा) **Analysis**: Begins with a numeral (त्रि = तीन) and denotes a collective group. **Answer**: Dvigu samas (द्विगु समास).

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**Example 4**: Identify the type of samas in **नीलगगन**. **Vigrah**: नीला है जो गगन **Analysis**: "नीला" (adjective) qualifies "गगन" (noun) with no case marker; this is an apposition relation. **Answer**: Karmadharay samas (कर्मधारय समास).

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**Example 5**: Identify the type of samas in **प्रतिदिन**. **Vigrah**: दिन-दिन, प्रत्येक दिन **Analysis**: The first component "प्रति" (an avyay) dominates, and the compound is indeclinable. **Answer**: Avyayibhav samas (अव्ययीभाव समास).

Common Mistakes

1. **Confusing Karmadharay with Tatpurush**: Students see a compound like महापुरुष and call it Tatpurush. **Fix**: If there's no vibhakti in vigrah (महा = महान, adjective qualifying पुरुष), it's Karmadharay, not plain Tatpurush.

2. **Missing the numeral in Dvigu**: Compounds like चौमासा look like Tatpurush. **Fix**: If the first word is a number (चौ = चार), check if it denotes a collective. चौमासा = चार मासों का समूह → Dvigu.

3. **Thinking Bahuvrihi = Karmadharay**: Words like लम्बोदर (लम्बा उदर) seem like adjective-noun. **Fix**: Ask "Is the compound directly describing the noun, or a third entity?" लम्बोदर refers to Ganesha, not the belly itself → Bahuvrihi.

4. **Ignoring Nan Tatpurush**: Students miss the negation prefix (अ, अन्). Example: अधर्म looks generic. **Fix**: Recognize अ + धर्म = न धर्म → Nan Tatpurush, a sub-type of Tatpurush.

5. **Assuming all two-word compounds are Dvandva**: राम-लक्ष्मण could be Dvandva (राम और लक्ष्मण), but राजा-रानी is also Dvandva only if both are equal. **Fix**: Confirm "और" in vigrah and equal importance of both components.

Quick Reference

• **Avyayibhav**: First avyay dominates, compound indeclinable (यथाशक्ति, प्रतिदिन).
• **Tatpurush**: Second word dominates, vigrah has vibhakti (राजपुत्र, देशभक्ति).
• **Karmadharay**: Adjective-noun or apposition, no vibhakti (महापुरुष, नीलकमल).
• **Dvigu**: Numeral first, collective meaning (त्रिभुवन, सप्ताह).
• **Dvandva**: Both equal, vigrah uses "और" (माता-पिता, रात-दिन).
• **Bahuvrihi**: Describes third entity by attribute (दशानन = Ravana, चक्रधर = Vishnu).