चना
chanaeveryday
A chickpea is चना (chana) in Hindi. The large pale kind is काबुली चना (kaabuli chana) and the small dark kind is काला चना (kaala chana).
Meaning: round pale legume (noun)
Ways to say it
| Indian | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| चना | chana | everyday |
| काबुली चना | kaabuli chana | large, pale |
| काला चना | kaala chana | small, dark |
चना (chana) is the whole legume, and the flour made from it is बेसन (besan). Roasted chickpeas are a snack called भुना चना (bhuna chana).
Which one should you use?
The cooked dish छोले (chhole) is made with काबुली चना (kaabuli chana). The word छोले (chhole) refers to the curry, not the raw pulse.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Chickpea dishes are especially popular in North India, such as छोले भटूरे (chhole bhature).
Did you know?
- काबुली (kaabuli) means "from Kabul", pointing to the old trade links between Afghanistan and India.
Examples in context
- मुझे एक किलो चना चाहिए।Mujhe ek kilo chana chaahiye.I need one kilo of chickpeas.
- माँ ने आज छोले बनाए हैं।Maa ne aaj chhole banaaye hain.Mom has made chickpea curry today.
Example conversation
Customer Hema buys pulses at a grocery store in Delhi.
- Hemaभैया, चना है क्या?Bhaiya, chana hai kya?Brother, do you have chickpeas?
- Dukaandaarहाँ, काला चना या काबुली?Haan, kaala chana ya kaabuli?Yes, black or kaabuli?
- Hemaकाबुली चना दीजिए।Kaabuli chana deejiye.Please give kaabuli chana.
