Sambodhana — The Vocative (Calling)
सम्बोधन (हे! अरे! भोः!)
Addressing Someone in Sanskrit · सम्बोधन · All Classes
Key Points to Remember
- ▸Sambodhana = calling/addressing; used with हे, अरे, भोः
- ▸Singular drops the -ḥ: रामः → हे राम! | देवः → हे देव!
- ▸Dual and plural are same as Prathamā: हे रामौ! | हे रामाः!
- ▸Always precedes the imperative verb (command form): हे राम! आगच्छ!
Grammar Explained
Sambodhana (सम्बोधन) is the Vocative — used when addressing someone directly. It is related to Prathamā but has its own forms and is always accompanied by interjections like हे (hey/O), अरे (hey there), or भोः (O!).
Sambodhana forms of masculine a-stem (like राम)
Sg: हे राम! (drops -ḥ) | Du: हे रामौ! | Pl: हे रामाः!
हे राम! अत्र आगच्छ।
He Rāma! atra āgaccha.
O Rāma! Come here.
हे छात्राः! पुस्तकम् उद्घाटयत।
He chātrāḥ! pustakam udghaṭayata.
O students! Open the book.
हे ईश्वर! माम् रक्ष।
He īśvara! mām rakṣa.
O God! Protect me.
Interjections used with Sambodhana
हे (neutral/respectful) | अरे (casual/surprise) | भोः (formal/exclamatory)
अरे मित्र! किम् करोषि?
Are mitra! kim karoṣi?
Hey friend! What are you doing?
भोः राजन्! धर्मम् पालय।
Bhoḥ rājan! dharmam pālaya.
O king! Uphold dharma.
Exercises (2)
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Write in Sambodhana
1. Address "Rāma" respectfully: "_______ ! अत्र आगच्छ।"
Show answer
हे राम!
2. Address "students" (छात्राः) formally: "_______ ! पठत।"
Show answer
हे छात्राः!
3. Address "God" (ईश्वर): "_______ ! माम् रक्ष।"
Show answer
हे ईश्वर!
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct Sambodhana form
1. What is Sambodhana singular of "देव" (god)?
Show answer
हे देव!
2. Which interjection is most respectful?
Show answer
हे
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