મરચું
napũsakliṅg/ˈməɾ.t͡ʃũ/
The English word "chilli" is translated into Gujarati as મરચું (napũsakliṅg).
મરચું refers to a small spicy pepper used in cooking to add heat to food. When referring specifically to green chillies, speakers use the phrase લીલા મરચા (Lila Marcha).
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables: /ˈməɾ.tʃũ/. The stress is on the first syllable. It is romanized as napũsakliṅg.
Did you know?
- The word મરચું shares its ancient roots with the Sanskrit word *maricca*, which originally referred to a broader category of pungent spices.
- The word મરચું ('marchū') is grammatically categorized as નાપુંસકલીંગ ('napũsakliṅg'), which means it is neuter gender.
- The linguistic connection between મરચું (chilli) and મરી (black pepper) reveals a historical grouping of all 'pungent' spices under one conceptual umbrella.
Examples in context
- મને લાલ મરચું ગમે છે.mane lāl marchu game che.I like red chilli.
- રસોઈમાં મરચું નાખવાનું ભૂલી ગયા.rasoīmā̃ marchu nākhavānu bhūlī gayā.Forgot to add chilli to the cooking.
- આ મરચું બહુ તીખું છે.ā marchu bahu tīkhu che.This chilli is very spicy.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are preparing dinner together in the kitchen.
- પ્રિયા Priyaશું આપણે મરચું નાખીએ?shũ āpaṇe marchu nākhiye?Should we add chilli?
- નિલય Nilayહા, થોડું મરચું નાખો.hā, thoḍũ marchu nākho.Yes, add a little chilli.
- પ્રિયા Priyaનિલય, આ મરચું બહુ તીખું લાગે છે.nilay, ā marchu bahu tīkhu lāge che.Nilay, this chilli seems very spicy.
- નિલય Nilayચિંતા ના કર, બધું ઠીક થઈ જશે.chĩtā nā kara, badhũ thīk thaī jaśe.Don't worry, everything will be fine.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry મરચું, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries મરચું, CC BY-SA 4.0.
