Indian cuisine is a riot of flavours, and Hindi has some wonderfully vivid words to describe its spices and dishes. Whether you're cooking or just exploring the language, these terms will add some zest to your vocabulary.
14 Hindi Words for Spices and Foods
हल्दी
/ɦəl.d̪iː/“Turmeric”
A bright yellow spice, essential in curries and known for its earthy flavour and health benefits.
धनिया
/d̪ʱə.nɪ.jɑː/“Coriander”
Fresh leaves (cilantro) or ground seeds used for a citrusy, slightly sweet flavour in dishes.
जीरा
/d͡ʒiː.ɾɑː/“Cumin”
A warm, aromatic seed often toasted before use in tempering or spice blends.
गरम मसाला
/ɡə.ɾəm mə.sɑː.lɑː/“Garam Masala”
A fragrant spice mix including cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves, used to add depth to dishes.
हींग
/ɦiːŋɡ/“Asafoetida”
A pungent resin with a strong aroma, used sparingly in lentil dishes and pickles.
मिर्च
/mɪɾt͡ʃ/“Chilli”
Fresh green or dried red chillies that bring heat to Indian cooking.
अदरक
/əd̪.ɾək/“Ginger”
A zesty root used fresh, dried, or powdered in teas, curries, and sweets.
लहसुन
/ləɦ.sʊn/“Garlic”
A pungent bulb essential for tempering and marinades.
इलायची
/ɪ.lɑːj.t͡ʃiː/“Cardamom”
Aromatic green or black pods used in sweets, teas, and savoury dishes.
दालचीनी
/d̪ɑːɾ.t͡ʃiː.niː/“Cinnamon”
Sweet, woody bark used in desserts and spiced teas like chai.
सरसों
/səɾ.sõː/“Mustard”
Seeds or oil used for tempering, especially in Bengali and Punjabi cooking.
कढ़ी पत्ता
/kə.ɽʱiː pət̪.t̪ɑː/“Curry Leaves”
Fragrant leaves used in South Indian tempering for a distinctive aroma.
अमचूर
/əm.t͡ʃuːɾ/“Dried Mango Powder”
A tangy powder made from unripe mangoes, used to add sourness to dishes.
पनीर
/pə.niːɾ/“Paneer”
Fresh Indian cheese, a staple in vegetarian curries like palak paneer.
Using These Words in Context
Many of these spices are used in everyday Hindi cooking. For example, you might hear someone say, "कृपया थोड़ी हल्दी दीजिए" ("Please pass the turmeric") while cooking.
Tip: Try using these words when shopping at Indian grocery stores or reading recipes. It’s a great way to practise!
