Archaic Vedic Structures

This is another Sanskrit vestige! -am often marks the accusative or nominative neuter in Sanskrit. In Hindi, words like swayam (self) or evam (and/thus) are frozen forms that we use as indeclinables.

Generally, no. You wouldn't say India-tah. However, in very specific geopolitical contexts, you might hear Bharat-Pak sambandh (India-Pakistan relations) where the grammar is compounded, but suffixes like -tah are reserved for abstract nouns or generic locations.

Yes! Kripayā comes from kripā (grace) + the Instrumental case marker yā (by/with). So kripayā literally means 'with grace' or 'by grace'. It's an archaic instrumental case living a secret life as 'please'.

Ant mein is neutral—'in the end'. Antatah implies a process, struggle, or logical conclusion—'ultimately' or 'finally'. Use antatah when delivering a verdict.

Plenty! -tra (location) gives us sarvatra (everywhere) and anyatra (elsewhere). -dā (time) gives us sarvadā (always). They function just like -tah but for place and time.

Look for complex conjunct consonants (like ksha, tra, gya), the vowel ri (ṛ), or the sh sound (ṣ). If it sounds like a yoga pose, it's likely Tatsam and safe for these suffixes.

Yes, but usually in a metaphorical sense. Putravat (like a son) describes a relationship style, not physical resemblance. For physical looks, stick to jaisa.

Bingo. Arthaat means 'that is to say' or 'namely'. It comes from artha (meaning) + āt (ablative case marker). Literally 'from the meaning'.

Only if they are being ironic or studying for a Hindi PhD. In texts, we shorten swagat to wlcm. These structures are for the boardroom, not the chatroom.

Bhavatu is a Sanskrit imperative meaning 'let it be'. You'll hear it in mottos (Satyam Shivam Sundaram) or yoga classes, but it's not productive in Hindi. You can't say aavatu for 'let him come'.

Similar, but -shah (-शः) usually indicates distribution or manner. Kramashah (orderly/respectively), aksharashah (literally/letter-by-letter). It's another flavor of the same archaic system.

Absolutely not. Main is a Tadbhav (evolved) word. The Sanskrit root is aham. But even aham-tah is not used in Hindi. Use merī rāy mein or vyaktigat rūp se.

Good ear! The 'a' is retained because of the Sanskrit pronunciation rules. It keeps the rhythm. Visheṣa + tah = visheṣatah.

Yes. Kadā (when) + chit (indefinite marker). Kadāchit means 'perhaps' or 'lest'. It's a fossilized combination functioning as an adverb.

In historical epics (like Baahubali), yes! Or when a character is playing a strict teacher or a priest. It creates an immediate 'ancient/pure' vibe.

Evam is a fancy 'aur' (and). It connects two Tatsam words. Satya evam Ahimsa. Don't use it to connect 'bread evam butter'.

Highly recommended. The visarga (the two dots :) in -tah (-तः) is crucial. Without it, it looks incomplete.

No, yadyapi (although) is a Sandhi (combination) of yadi + api. It's another archaic structure used as a conjunction in formal Hindi.

It's like a soft, breathy echo of the preceding vowel. Mūlatah sounds like Mūlata-ha (very short 'ha'). Don't ignore it!

Falah means 'so-and-so' in Urdu/Arabic context. Phalatah means 'consequently' in Hindi/Sanskrit. Don't confuse them!