Dhātu √vad — To Speak, To Say
धातु √वद् — बोलना, कहना
The "Speech" Verb · Essential for Dialogue in NCERT · Class 6-7
Key Points to Remember
- ▸√vad = to speak/say; class 1 verb with regular endings
- ▸"Satyam vada" (सत्यम् वद) = speak the truth — most famous imperative in Sanskrit
- ▸vadati (3rd sg.) | vadāmi (1st sg.) — key forms for NCERT
- ▸Hindi "bodnā/kahnā" borrows from √vad via Prakrit
Grammar Explained
√vad is class 1, parasmaipada. "Satyam vada" (सत्यम् वद — speak the truth) from Taittirīya Upanishad is one of the most famous uses of the imperative of √vad.
| Person | Singular | Dual | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prathama (3rd) | वदति (vadati) | वदतः (vadataḥ) | वदन्ति (vadanti) |
| Madhyama (2nd) | वदसि (vadasi) | वदथः (vadathaḥ) | वदथ (vadatha) |
| Uttama (1st) | वदामि (vadāmi) | वदावः (vadāvaḥ) | वदामः (vadāmaḥ) |
Example Sentences
सत्यम् वद। धर्मम् चर।
Satyam vada. Dharmam cara.
Speak the truth. Walk in dharma. (Taittirīya Upanishad — Grade 6 text)
सः किम् वदति?
Saḥ kim vadati?
What does he say?
अहम् सत्यम् वदामि।
Aham satyam vadāmi.
I speak the truth.
Exercises (2)
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in √vad forms
1. अहम् सत्यम् _______ (I speak the truth).
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वदामि (vadāmi)
2. सः किम् _______ ? (What does he say?)
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वदति (vadati)
3. "सत्यम् वद" means:
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"Speak the truth" — vada is the imperative (command) form of √vad
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
Choose correctly
1. "Satyam vada" uses √vad in which form?
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Imperative (command)
2. "Satyam vada dharmam cara" is from:
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Taittirīya Upanishad
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