Avyayībhāva Samāsa — Indeclinable Compounds
अव्ययीभाव समास — अव्यय बनाना
Turning Words into Adverbs Using Prefixes · NCERT Class 8
Key Points to Remember
- ▸Avyayībhāva = making indeclinable; creates adverbs from prefix + noun
- ▸Common prefixes: yathā (as per), prati (each/every), anu (following), upa (near)
- ▸Yathāśakti (to the best of ability), Pratidinam (daily) = key examples
- ▸The whole compound acts as one adverb and never changes form
Grammar Explained
Avyayībhāva Samāsa creates an indeclinable (avyaya — unchangeable) word, typically an adverb. The first member is usually a prefix (anu, upa, prati, yathā, etc.) and the compound as a whole acts like an adverb and does not change for gender, number, or case.
Prefix + Noun → Indeclinable adverb
prefix + noun → avyaya (adverb)
यथा + शक्ति → यथाशक्ति
yathā + śakti → yathāśakti
as per ability → "to the best of one's ability"
अनु + रूपम् → अनुरूपम्
anu + rūpam → anurūpam
according to + form = fitting, suitable, proportionate
प्रति + दिनम् → प्रतिदिनम्
prati + dinam → pratidinam
toward + day = daily, every day
उप + वनम् → उपवनम्
upa + vanam → upavanama
near + forest = park, garden near a forest
Exercises (2)
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Form and analyse Avyayībhāva
1. "Daily" (prati + dina) = ?
Show answer
प्रतिदिनम् (pratidinam)
2. "To the best of ability" (yathā + śakti) = ?
Show answer
यथाशक्ति (yathāśakti)
3. What makes Avyayībhāva different from other samāsas?
Show answer
It is indeclinable (avyaya) — does not change for gender, number, or case
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
Identify the samāsa
1. "Pratidinam" (daily) is which samāsa?
Show answer
Avyayībhāva
2. Avyayībhāva compounds are always:
Show answer
indeclinable (avyaya)
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