चाट
chāṭeveryday, India
In Hindi, "chaat" is written चाट (chāṭ). It is the name for a group of savory street snacks from India.
You ask for it at a street stall with एक प्लेट चाट (ek plēṭ chāṭ), "one plate of chaat".
Meaning: Indian street snack (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word comes from the Hindi verb चाटना (chāṭnā), "to lick", which suggests a snack you want to finish to the last bit.
How do you pronounce it?
The ट (ṭ) is a retroflex sound made with the tongue curled back, so the word sounds like "chaat" with a hard "t".
Did you know?
- The word चाट (chāṭ) is used for the whole family of snacks, and in Hindi भैया (bhaiyā), "brother", is the usual way to address the vendor.
Examples in context
- चलो चाट खाते हैं।chalo chāṭ khāte haiṁ.Let us go and eat chaat.
- भैया, एक प्लेट चाट देना।bhaiyā, ek plēṭ chāṭ denā.Brother, give me one plate of chaat.
- मुझे चाट बहुत पसंद है।mujhe chāṭ bahut pasand hai.I like chaat very much.
Example conversation
Riya and her friend Neha stop at a street stall in Delhi.
- Riyaभैया, दो प्लेट चाट देना।bhaiyā, do plēṭ chāṭ denā.Brother, two plates of chaat please.
- Vendorज़रूर, अभी देता हूँ।zarūr, abhī detā hūṁ.Sure, I will give it right now.
- Nehaथोड़ी तीखी बनाना।thōṛī tīkhī banānā.Make it a little spicy.
