They do not take the neuter singular when they do not imply an aggregate.
Examples Eko-putto
ekaputto
one son
Tayo-bhava
tibhava catuddisa
three existences
Cattasso-disa
four directions
2. A Case Compound (Tappurisa) is that which is formed by combining a substantive with another substantive belonging to any one of the oblique cases, by dropping its case endings. In some exceptional cases, however, the preceding members retain their case endings. These compounds take the gender of the final member and are declined accordingly. With the exception of the Nominative and Vocative cases all the other oblique cases go to form these compounds.
Examples gamam-gato = gamagato (m —> m)
he who has gone to the village
sivam-karo = sivamkaro
blessings-bestower
Ablative (of agent)
Buddhena-desito = Buddhadesito
preached by the Buddha
Instrumental
asina-kalaho = asikalaho
sword-fight
Dative
lokassa-hito = lokahito
beneficial to the world
Ablative
corasma-bhayam = corabhayam
fear from thief
Genitive
Buddhassa-dhammo = Buddhadhammo
Buddha's Doctrine
vane-vaso = vanavaso
residence in the forest
ante-vasiko = antevasiko
pupil (lit. he who lives near)
Accusative
Locative
3. A Copulative Compound (Dvanda) is that which is formed by combining two or more substantives which, if not compounded, would be connected by the particle ca. These compounds generally take the plural and the gender of the final member when the component members are viewed separately. If they collectively imply an aggregate, they take the neuter singular.
Examples A.
B.
cando ca suriyo ca = candasuriya
moon and sun
nara ca nariyo ca = naranariyo
men and women
namanca rupanca = namarupam
mind and matter
sukhanca dukkhanca = sukhadukkham
happiness and pain
hatthi ca gavo ca assa ca = hatthigavassam
elephants, cattle, and horses
4. An Attributive Compound (BahubbThi) is that in which the component members collectively denote something else than what is originally expressed by them. These compounds assume the gender of the implied object and are declined accordingly. Examples:
•
pita means yellow; ambara, garment, but pltambaro means he who has a yellow garment,
•
agata, come; samana, ascetic; agatasamano, the place to which ascetics have come, i.e., a monastery.
•
dittho, seen; dhammo. Truth; ditthadhammo, by whom the Truth has been seen, i.e., a Saint.
•
ni, free from; tanha craving; nittanho, he who is free from craving, i.e., an Arahant.
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