धनिया
dhaniyaeveryday
Coriander is धनिया (dhaniya) in Hindi. Fresh leaves are हरा धनिया (hara dhaniya), and the ground spice is धनिया पाउडर (dhaniya paudar).
Meaning: herb and spice (noun)
Ways to say it
| Indian | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| धनिया | dhaniya | everyday |
| हरा धनिया | hara dhaniya | fresh leaves |
| धनिया पाउडर | dhaniya paudar | ground seeds |
At the vegetable seller, ask for धनिया (dhaniya) and you will get the bunch of leaves. Many Indian dishes are finished with chopped हरा धनिया (hara dhaniya).
Which one should you use?
The American word "cilantro" is the leaf of the same plant. Hindi uses धनिया (dhaniya) for both leaves and seeds.
How do you pronounce it?
It is said "DHUH-nee-ya", with a soft breathy "dh" at the start.
Did you know?
- Vendors in India often add a small bunch of धनिया (dhaniya) free when you buy vegetables.
Examples in context
- सब्ज़ी के ऊपर थोड़ा धनिया डाल दो।Sabzi ke oopar thoda dhaniya daal do.Put some coriander on top of the vegetable dish.
- मुझे धनिया पाउडर चाहिए।Mujhe dhaniya paudar chaahiye.I need coriander powder.
Example conversation
Customer Lalita buys vegetables from a vendor in Jaipur.
- Lalitaभैया, टमाटर और हरा धनिया देना।Bhaiya, tamaatar aur hara dhaniya dena.Brother, give me tomatoes and coriander.
- Vendorधनिया कितना दूँ?Dhaniya kitna doon?How much coriander should I give?
- Lalitaबस एक मुट्ठी।Bas ek mutthi.Just a handful.
