-ta and -tavat

In this lesson, we will learn about two more common suffixes. Both of these suffixes create adjectives.

-ta

Also known as: the past passive participle, the PPP, kta

The suffix -ta is important and powerful. When we add it to a root that means “X,” we usually create words that mean “(has) been X-ed.”

Here are some examples of -ta. Note that it causes the same sound changes as -tvā:

• नी → नीत
  nī → nīta
  lead → led
  

• कृ → कृत
  kṛ → kṛta
  do, make → done, made
  

-ta usually creates words that express karmaṇi prayoga. In English, we would say that these words have a passive sense:

• रामेण शरः कृतः।
  rāmeṇa śaraḥ kṛtaḥ.
  By Rama, an arrow has been made.
  

But if the root implies a sense of motion, it has the normal kartari prayoga sense:

• गम् → गत
  gam → gata
  go → (has) gone
  

And likewise for other roots, especially if they don't have an object:

• बुध् → बुद्ध
  budh → buddha
  awaken → (has) awakened
  

Finally, there are some roots where -ta has a more general sense:

• शक् → शक्त
  śak → śakta
  be able to → able, capable
  

-tavat

Also known as: the past active participle, ktavatu̐

The suffix -tavat has a similar meaning to -ta. When we add it to a root that means “X,” we usually create words that mean “has X-ed.” Here are some examples:

• श्रु → श्रुतवत्
  śru → śrutavat
  hear → has heard
  

-tavat causes all the same sound changes that -ta does.