Dhyana is a Sanskrit-root noun meaning sustained attention or contemplation, especially the focus used in meditation. In yoga and Buddhist contexts, it denotes a meditative absorption state and a methodical, mindful practice. The term often appears in spiritual teachings and translations of suttas or sutras to describe deep concentration.
US: maintain rhoticity influence on vowels around /d/ and /j/; keep /ɑː/ relatively open and steady. UK: crisper consonants, slightly tenser vowels, watch final /ə/ reduction; AU: more open vowel qualities, less rhotic influence, maintain the 'yah' glide with a relaxed jaw. Across all, the /j/ should be a smooth palatal approximant; avoid a hard /y/ or vowel break. IPA references: /dɪˈjɑː.nə/ for all listed accents with minor vowel quality shifts.
"She sat in dhyana for twenty minutes, letting thoughts drift away."
"The teacher guided the group into dhyana before the asanas."
"In many traditions, dhyana is a prerequisite to deeper states of insight."
"He practiced dhyana daily, integrating calm awareness into his routine."
Dhyana derives from the Sanskrit root ध् (dhī) meaning to think, contemplate, or reflect, combined with the suffix -yana, implying a path, vehicle, or method. The word appears in ancient Indian scriptures and philosophical treatises, where meditation and concentration are central to liberation. From its early Vedic and Upanishadic usage, dhyana evolved into a formal term in the later Buddhist and Jain traditions, denoting a meditative state and the ninth constituent of the eightfold path in various schools. In Buddhist texts, dhyana corresponds to jhāna, an absorptive meditation state achieved through focused attention and altered consciousness. Over time, dhyana has traveled into modern yoga and meditation discourse, retaining its core sense of deep, steady attention as a spiritual, mental training practice. First known use is attested in early Sanskrit literature, with documented references in the Upanishads and Pali Canon-like sources where contemplative practice is described as essential for inner clarity and awakening.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Dhyana" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Dhyana"
-ana sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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Dhyana is pronounced as /dɪˈjɑː.nə/ in US/UK/AU pronunciation guides. The first syllable is a light /dɪ/ before the primary stress on the second syllable /ˈjɑː/. The second syllable contains the long open back unrounded vowel /ɑː/, followed by a schwa /nə/ in soft, unstressed final. Think: di-YA-na with steady, unbroken tempo; avoid reducing the middle /ɑː/ to a quick /a/ or /æ/. Audio reference: consult a Sanskrit loanword pronunciation resource or the Pronounce app for native-like delivery.
Common errors include compressing the /ˈjɑː/ into a single quick syllable (dyana) or treating /d/ as a soft /dɪ/ without proper onset. Another frequent mistake is shortening the long /ɑː/ to /æ/ or /a/, and tilting the final schwa into a more pronounced /ə/ or /ɐ/. To correct, hold the /ɑː/ longer and ensure a clear /nə/ at the end, with the middle /j/ forming a smooth palatal glide. Practice with minimal pairs to anchor the long vowel and glide.
In US/UK/AU, the primary stress remains on the second syllable, but vowel quality shifts subtly: US often has slightly shorter /ɪ/ in the first syllable and a bright /ɑː/ in the second; UK tends toward a fuller /ɒ/ quality in some speakers and a crisper /ə/ in the final. Australian tends to be broader with a more open /ɑː/ and less rhotic influence. Always preserve the /j/ as a palatal approximant between /d/ and /ɑː/ and avoid adding an extra vowel after /n/ unless the speaker’s rhythm requires it.
Dhyana challenges include accurately producing the /d/ onset with sufficient aspiration, the palatal glide /j/ blending into the mid-back vowel /ɑː/ without creating a diphthong, and maintaining a clean final /nə/ without unnecessary nasalization. The long /ɑː/ can also be misarticulated as /a/ or /æ/, especially in rapid speech. Practicing slow, precise syllables helps lock the rhythm and reduces a clipped middle or trailing tinge. Focus on keeping the middle /j/ as a distinct glide.
No letters are silent in Dhyana, but the stress pattern is key: primary stress on the second syllable: di-YA-na. The long /ɑː/ in the second syllable carries weight and affects the surrounding vowel timbre. Keep the first syllable light and brisk, the second resolute, and the final syllable quickly softened to /ə/ rather than a fully pronounced /nə/—which preserves natural Sanskrit loanword rhythm while maintaining clarity.
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- Shadowing: listen to a clear native recitation and repeat in real-time, matching rhythm and pitch. Start slow, then progress to normal speed. - Minimal pairs: compare Dhyana with dyana (non-standard) or jhana (different word) to feel glide and vowel length. - Rhythm practice: count 1-2-3 with emphasis on 2 (di-YA-na). Practice pacing with metronome 60-90 BPM. - Stress practice: mark syllables and practice with a steady rising tone into stressed syllable, then falling off. - Recording: record yourself and compare to reference; note vowel length and glide transitions. - Context practice: two sentences to embed the word and its natural rhythm.
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