noun
guna
GUU-nuh
Guna (noun) means In Hindu philosophy, one of three fundamental qualities said to make up nature and personality: purity, activity, and inertia. Example: “The teacher explained how the three gunas shape a person's temperament.”
noun
1
In Hindu philosophy, one of three fundamental qualities said to make up nature and personality: purity, activity, and inertia.
"The teacher explained how the three gunas shape a person's temperament."
2
In Sanskrit grammar, a strengthening of a vowel by adding an "a" sound before it.
"The rule of guna changes the vowel in certain verb forms."
How to use guna
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA Sanskrit term for a fundamental "quality" — used both in philosophy (three qualities of nature) and in grammar (a type of vowel change).
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Word forms
- Plural
- gunas
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The teacher explained how the three _____ shape a person's temperament.
Etymology
From Sanskrit गुण (guṇá), meaning "quality" or "attribute".
Rhymes for guna
See all rhymes for guna →Frequently asked questions
What does “guna” mean?
The word “guna” means in Hindu philosophy, one of three fundamental qualities said to make up nature and personality: purity, activity, and inertia. In plain terms, a Sanskrit term for a fundamental "quality" — used both in philosophy (three qualities of nature) and in grammar (a type of vowel change).
How do you pronounce “guna”?
“Guna” is pronounced GUU-nuh (/ˈɡʊnə/ in IPA).
How do you use “guna” in a sentence?
Here is “guna” used in a sentence: “The teacher explained how the three gunas shape a person's temperament.”
What part of speech is “guna”?
“Guna” is a noun.
Where does the word “guna” come from?
The word “guna” comes from Sanskrit. From Sanskrit गुण (guṇá), meaning "quality" or "attribute".
How many meanings does “guna” have?
“Guna” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in Hindu philosophy, one of three fundamental qualities said to make up nature and personality: purity, activity, and inertia.
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