Pali
Pali (noun) means an ancient Indian language closely related to Sanskrit, used as the sacred language of Theravada Buddhist scripture. Example: “Many early Buddhist texts were written in Pali.”
How to use Pali
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe classical language in which the earliest Buddhist scriptures were recorded.
Word forms
Palis plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Many early Buddhist texts were written in _____.
Etymology
A learned borrowing from Sanskrit pāli.
Rhymes for Pali
See all rhymes for Pali →Frequently asked questions
What does “Pali” mean?
The word “Pali” means an ancient Indian language closely related to Sanskrit, used as the sacred language of Theravada Buddhist scripture. In plain terms, the classical language in which the earliest Buddhist scriptures were recorded.
How do you pronounce “Pali”?
“Pali” is pronounced PAH-lee (/ˈpɑːli/ in IPA).
How do you use “Pali” in a sentence?
Here is “Pali” used in a sentence: “Many early Buddhist texts were written in Pali.”
What part of speech is “Pali”?
“Pali” is a noun.
Where does the word “Pali” come from?
The word “Pali” comes from Sanskrit. A learned borrowing from Sanskrit pāli.
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Vocabulary lists that include Pali: