In Jainism, “Padārth” (पदार्थ) is a simple but important word.

Basic meaning:

• “Pad” = word or term
• “Arth” = meaning or object

In Jain philosophy:

• Every thing that exists and can be talked about is a padārth.
• For example: jīva (soul), pudgal (matter), dharma (medium of motion), adharma (medium of rest), ākāsh (space), kāl (time) – all are padārths.
• When we say dravya, guṇa, paryāya, jīva, ajīva, tattva, karma, etc., these are types of padārth.

In very simple words: Padārth means “a real thing / category which a word stands for” in Jain philosophy.