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paṭipucchitabbo

paṭipucchitabba

masc nom sg of paṭipucchitabba (ptp)

1. should be asked; should be questioned; lit. to be asked

Built from

• paṭi — prefix · back, against
  The prefix paṭi (from PIE *poti, turning back) conveys counter-motion or reciprocal action. Here it suggests a question asked back or in return, lending the sense 'worthy of being asked' when combined with the gerundive.
• pucch — root · ask, question
  From PIE *prek- (to ask, request), cognate with Sanskrit pṛcchati and Latin precor (pray, beseech). The root captures the act of inquiry or supplication.
• ita — ending · past participle
  The -ita ending marks completion; pucchita is the past participle of pucchati, meaning 'asked' or 'questioned'.
• bba — ending · gerundive (should be)
  The -bba (from *-tvya) is the gerundive suffix expressing obligation, fitness, or what ought to be done. Here it transforms the past participle into 'should be asked', marking what deserves to be questioned.

Analysis. paṭi + pucchita + bba: paṭi (back, in return, counter to) + pucchita (past participle of pucchati, to ask) + bba (gerundive suffix, expressing obligation or fitness). The prefix paṭi gives the sense of being asked back or questioned in return; the gerundive bba marks what ought to be done. Often appears in the Suttas to describe questions worthy of being asked or that merit a response.

Etymology. √pucch (to ask, question) is cognate with Sanskrit pṛcchati (asks) from PIE *prek- (to ask, request); this root also appears in Latin precor (I pray, beseech). The gerundive formation -bba (from *-tvya) parallels Sanskrit -tavya and shows the ancient obligation sense: what must be done.

Meanings from the Digital Pāḷi Dictionary; morphology and etymology by Claude.

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