An indefinite particle ci is often added to the declined forms of interrogative pronouns. As the name suggests, the addition of this particle changes the meaning of the word so formed to an indefinite (non-specific) person or thing.

E.g.
ko = who
koci = some(one)
ko puriso = which man / person, who;
koci puriso = some man (someone)


Let us translate a few sentences containing such words.

1. Koci samaṇo gāme piṇḍāya carati.

koci = some(one),

Translation : Some monk is walking for alms in the village.

 

2. Rājā kenaci isinā saddhiṃ bhāsati.

kenaci = with someone

Translation : The king speaks / is speaking with some sage.

 

3. Yācako kāyaci itthiyā bhattaṃ alabhi.

Translation : The beggar received food from some woman.

 

4. Sakunā kānici phalāni tuṇḍehi gahetvā uḍḍenti

Translation : The birds fly carrying some fruits in their beaks.

(The instrumental case tuṇḍehi is used to show that they carry fruits by / with their beaks)


Please note that when the particle ci is added to the pronoun kiṃ, it forms a sandhi
kiṃ + ci = kiñci

 

5. Corā rattiyaṃ kiñci gehaṃ pavisitvā suvaṇṇaṃ coresuṃ.

Translation : The thieves entered (broke into) some house at the night and stole the gold.

Last modified: Sunday, 10 March 2024, 1:30 PM