Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “Kama” come from?

Kama derives from Sanskrit काम, from Proto-Indo-Iranian kā́ma, from the Proto-Indo-European root keh₂-.

Ancestry of “Kama”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Hindiकामwork, task, labour; job, employment; function,...
2Sanskritकामwish, desire, longing; love, affection, object of...
3Proto-Indo-IraniankáHmaswish, desire
4Proto-Indo-Europeankóh₂-mo-s—
5Proto-Indo-Europeankeh₂-to desire, wish
Every word from Proto-Indo-European keh₂- →