<p>&quot;<strong>Yatha butha</strong>&quot; and &quot;<strong>Thathata</strong>&quot; are pali terms for Reality.</p>
<p>By referring <a href="https://suttacentral.net/search?query=tathatta&amp;lang=en%2Cpi&amp;define=1&amp;details=1" rel="nofollow noreferrer">SuttaCentral</a> website,</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Definition for the pāli word Yathābhūtaṃ</p>
<p>yathābhūtaṃ adv. in truth; in reality; in its real essence.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>As Butha,</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Definition for the pāli word Bhucca</p>
<p>bhūta] only in cpd. yathā—bhuccaṁ (nt. adv.) as it is, that which
really is, really (=yathā bhūtaṁ) Th 2, 143 … 143. See under yathā.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>As Thatha</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Definition for the pāli word Tathatta</p>
<p>M i.468.—abl. tathattā in truth, really Sn 520 sq. (cp. M Vastu
iii.397). tathatta nt. the state of … Tathatta (nt.) [*tathātvaṁ] &quot;the
state of being so,&quot; the truth, Nibbāna; only in foll. phrases: (a)</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Most common terms used to clarify reality are &quot;<strong>Anicha, Dukka, Anatha</strong>&quot;. &quot;<em><strong>Sunya and Pathichasamuthpanna</strong></em>&quot; also can be used.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-04T14:44:29.720Z
And "[dhamma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reality_in_Buddhism)".
ChrisW
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-04T14:23:21.687Z
2015-12-04T14:23:21.687Z
2020-06-17T09:56:10.877Z
Shrawaka
<p>The English word ‘reality’ (from the Latin res, "matter” or “thing") is very misleading and says the opposite of what “reality” actually is. The Latin 'res' is a very deceptive word, it makes you think about something static, finite. </p>

<p>It’s etymologically very interesting to look at reality from a Norwegian perspective. The Norwegian words are more dynamic and the reason might be that Norwegian is a highly ambiguous language. </p>

<p>We have two official versions of Norwegian, and so we have two words for 'reality'. One is 'røyndom'. 'Røyn' means something you can experience, something you can learn, but also something that takes a toll, something that gets you worn down. It's not static, but a dynamic concept, an expression of change. Its meaning is similar to the meaning of suffering.  </p>

<p>The other, the most common word for reality, is 'virkelighet' (like the German 'wirklichkeit'). 'Virke' means functioning, so 'virkelighet' is "that which happens when it's 'working/functioning' ". </p>

<p>‘Virke' also means 'seem'. If you want to say in Norwegian "it seems to be that way, but it's not", you use the same word! (det <em>virker</em> som ...") I think it's interesting and an example of etymology clarifying philosophy.</p>

<p>What are the Pali and Sanskrit words for reality? Is "reality" an accurate translation? What English word – like the Norwegian ones – could be used instead to better represent what actually is the nature of reality? </p>

<philosophy><pali-language><reality><language>
What Pali and English words are translations of the Norwegian words for ‘reality’?
# What Pali and English words are translations of the Norwegian words for ‘reality’?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-12-04)

The English word ‘reality’ (from the Latin res, "matter” or “thing") is very misleading and says the opposite of what “reality” actually is. The Latin 'res' is a very deceptive word, it makes you think about something static, finite.

It’s etymologically very interesting to look at reality from a Norwegian perspective. The Norwegian words are more dynamic and the reason might be that Norwegian is a highly ambiguous language.

We have two official versions of Norwegian, and so we have two words for 'reality'. One is 'røyndom'. 'Røyn' means something you can experience, something you can learn, but also something that takes a toll, something that gets you worn down. It's not static, but a dynamic concept, an expression of change. Its meaning is similar to the meaning of suffering.

The other, the most common word for reality, is 'virkelighet' (like the German 'wirklichkeit'). 'Virke' means functioning, so 'virkelighet' is "that which happens when it's 'working/functioning' ".

‘Virke' also means 'seem'. If you want to say in Norwegian "it seems to be that way, but it's not", you use the same word! (det *virker* som ...") I think it's interesting and an example of etymology clarifying philosophy.

What are the Pali and Sanskrit words for reality? Is "reality" an accurate translation? What English word – like the Norwegian ones – could be used instead to better represent what actually is the nature of reality?

**Tags:** philosophy, pali-language, reality, language


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2015-12-04. Score: 2

"**Yatha butha**" and "**Thathata**" are pali terms for Reality.

By referring [SuttaCentral](https://suttacentral.net/search?query=tathatta&lang=en%2Cpi&define=1&details=1) website,

> Definition for the pāli word Yathābhūtaṃ
>
> yathābhūtaṃ adv. in truth; in reality; in its real essence.

**As Butha,**

> Definition for the pāli word Bhucca
>
> bhūta] only in cpd. yathā—bhuccaṁ (nt. adv.) as it is, that which
> really is, really (=yathā bhūtaṁ) Th 2, 143 … 143. See under yathā.

**As Thatha**

> Definition for the pāli word Tathatta
>
> M i.468.—abl. tathattā in truth, really Sn 520 sq. (cp. M Vastu
> iii.397). tathatta nt. the state of … Tathatta (nt.) [\*tathātvaṁ] "the
> state of being so," the truth, Nibbāna; only in foll. phrases: (a)

Most common terms used to clarify reality are "**Anicha, Dukka, Anatha**". "***Sunya and Pathichasamuthpanna***" also can be used.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: And "[dhamma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reality_in_Buddhism)".  

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