gatha: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Specialised (Academic, Literary, Religious)
Quick answer
What does “gatha” mean?
A type of verse or metrical hymn, especially in ancient Indian literature, often used in Zoroastrian and Buddhist sacred texts.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of verse or metrical hymn, especially in ancient Indian literature, often used in Zoroastrian and Buddhist sacred texts.
A stanza or verse form, particularly in Prakrit or Sanskrit poetry. In academic contexts, it can refer more broadly to a unit of verse, especially one with didactic or spiritual content.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No substantial differences in meaning or usage. It is an academic loanword used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Associated with scholarly or religious discourse.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general English, with near-zero frequency in both UK and US corpora. Usage is confined to specialist fields.
Grammar
How to Use “gatha” in a Sentence
[Proper Noun] + gatha (e.g., Avestan gatha)gatha + of + [Topic] (e.g., gatha of praise)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in religious studies, theology, or literature departments when discussing ancient texts. E.g., 'The Gathas are central to Zoroastrian liturgy.'
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Specific term in Indology and comparative religion for a category of metrical composition.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gatha”
- Pronouncing it with a hard 'g' as in 'gate' (it's /ɡɑː/, like 'garage').
- Using it as a general term for any poem or song.
- Capitalising it incorrectly when not referring to a specific text (e.g., 'the Gathas of Zarathustra' is correct, 'a Buddhist Gatha' is less standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a highly specialised loanword used almost exclusively in academic contexts related to religion or ancient literature.
Not typically. It is strongly associated with ancient Indian, Zoroastrian, and Buddhist texts. Using it for modern verse would be non-standard and potentially confusing.
Both are types of sacred song or hymn. 'Psalm' is specific to the Judeo-Christian tradition (e.g., the Book of Psalms), while 'gatha' is specific to Indic and Zoroastrian traditions.
It is usually capitalised when referring to a specific, named collection (e.g., the Gathas of the Avesta). When used generically ('a Buddhist gatha'), it is often lowercased.
A type of verse or metrical hymn, especially in ancient Indian literature, often used in Zoroastrian and Buddhist sacred texts.
Gatha is usually specialised (academic, literary, religious) in register.
Gatha: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡɑːtə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡɑːtə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'GOT-ha' like 'I GOT a hymn' to remember it's a type of sacred verse.
Conceptual Metaphor
[SPIRITUAL WISDOM IS A MEASURED SONG] - The structured, rhythmic nature of the gatha represents ordered, divine knowledge.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'gatha' most likely to be used?