daya

Daya is a term that appears in multiple languages with distinct meanings. In Indonesian and Malay, daya denotes power, energy, or capacity and is used in a variety of compound terms such as daya tahan (endurance), daya tarik (attractiveness), and daya listrik (electric power).

In Sanskrit and many Indian languages, dayā means mercy or compassion; it is a virtuous quality emphasized in Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist traditions. The word is commonly romanized as daya or Dayā and is also used as a given name in South Asia and among diaspora communities.

Geographically, the spelling appears in East and Southeast Asia in place names such as the Daya Bay in Guangdong, China, and the associated Daya Bay Nuclear Power Station. In these uses, the origin and meaning reflect local languages rather than the Sanskrit term.

Because the same spelling traverses different languages, context—such as diacritics, the surrounding words, or the topic—helps determine whether daya refers to power, compassion, or a proper name.