apsara
/əˈpsɑːrə/noun
उच्चारण अप्सार
अप्सरा
Core word
- 1
[C]
in Hindu and Buddhist mythology, a beautiful female spirit of the clouds and water who dances in the court of the gods
अप्सरा
- Menaka was the apsara sent to disturb the sage's meditation.
- Carvings of apsaras decorate the walls of Angkor Wat.
- In the story, Indra sent an apsara to distract the sage from his penance.
+ 2 more examples
- The painting shows an apsara dancing among the clouds.
- Temple walls in the south often show apsaras holding garlands.
Synonyms nymph
- 2
[C] literary
a very beautiful woman
अप्सरा (अत्यंत सुंदर स्त्री)
- The poet called his heroine an apsara.
- In the old film she danced like an apsara.
- The villagers said the bride looked like an apsara in her red lehenga.
+ 2 more examples
- He described the young dancer as an apsara on stage.
- The novel's heroine is praised as an apsara by the poet.
§Structures (grammar patterns) 4
apsara as a countable noun
Say 'an apsara' for one and 'apsaras' for many; it names a celestial nymph of Indian mythology.
एक के लिए 'an apsara' और कई के लिए 'apsaras' कहा जाता है; यह भारतीय पुराणों की स्वर्गीय अप्सरा का नाम है।
- Menaka was an apsara sent to disturb the sage's penance.
- Apsaras are shown dancing in Indian temple art.
like an apsara (simile)
A very beautiful or graceful woman may be described with the simile 'like an apsara'.
अत्यंत सुंदर या सुशील स्त्री का वर्णन 'like an apsara' उपमा से किया जा सकता है।
- She danced like an apsara on the stage.
apsara + name
Famous apsaras include Urvashi, Rambha, Menaka and Tilottama; their names are used without articles.
प्रसिद्ध अप्सराओं में उर्वशी, रंभा, मेनका और तिलोत्तमा हैं; उनके नामों के साथ article नहीं लगता।
- Urvashi is one of the best-known apsaras in Indian literature.
apsara in classical dance and art
The apsara is a favourite subject of Indian classical dance, sculpture and painting, usually shown as graceful and light.
अप्सरा भारतीय शास्त्रीय नृत्य, मूर्तिकला और चित्रकला का प्रिय विषय है, जिसे प्रायः सुंदर और हल्की दिखाया जाता है।
- The dancer's costume was inspired by the apsaras of Ajanta.
+Collocations 5
adjective + apsara
celestialbeautifulgracefuldivineheavenly
- A celestial apsara descended to the earth in the story.
apsara + verb
dancesingappeardescendenchant
- The apsaras danced in Indra's court.
apsara in art
carvingsculpturepaintingtemple wall
- The temple wall has a stone carving of an apsara playing the veena.
like an apsara
dance likelook likemove likesmile like
- The young dancer moved like an apsara.
apsara + names
UrvashiMenakaRambhaTilottama
- Urvashi is remembered as a celebrated apsara of Indra's court.
“More examples 6
- The sculptor carved an apsara in the mandapa of the temple.
मूर्तिकार ने मंदिर के मंडप में एक अप्सरा उकेरी।
- In the epic, an apsara tests the sage's patience.
महाकाव्य में एक अप्सरा ऋषि के धैर्य की परीक्षा लेती है।
- Radhika dressed as an apsara for the annual cultural programme.
राधिका ने वार्षिक सांस्कृतिक कार्यक्रम के लिए अप्सरा का वेश धारण किया।
- The walls of Angkor Wat are covered with carvings of apsaras.
अंकोरवाट की दीवारें अप्सराओं की नक्काशी से भरी हैं।
- The poet called the girl an apsara because of her grace.
कवि ने उस लड़की को उसकी सुंदरता के कारण अप्सरा कहा।
- Radhika admired the apsara figures on the temple pillars.
राधिका ने मंदिर के स्तंभों पर बनी अप्सरा की आकृतियों की सराहना की।
!Common mistakes 1
✗ She is looking an apsara.
✓ She looks like an apsara.
'Look' is a stative verb here and takes 'like' before a noun.
यहाँ 'look' stative verb है और noun के पहले 'like' लगता है; continuous रूप नहीं चलता।