مکئی
makai
The English word "corn" is translated into Urdu as مکئی (makai).
The term refers to a tall cereal plant that produces large yellow or white kernels on a cob.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is makai.
Did you know?
- In Pakistan, roasted corn on the cob is a popular street food called بھٹا 'bhutta'. While مکئی 'makai' is the general term for the crop, بھٹا 'bhutta' specifically refers to the fresh cob before it is dried.
- Street vendors selling بھٹا 'bhutta' often apply a mixture of lemon, salt and red chili powder to the kernels. This specific flavor profile is a cultural staple during the monsoon season in South Asia.
- In many Urdu-speaking households, the term for 'popcorn' is simply a descriptive phrase involving 'makai' and 'phul' (flower/bloom), rather than a single standalone word.
Examples in context
- مجھے مکئی پسند ہے۔mujhe makai pasand hai.I like corn.
- کیا یہ مکئی تازہ ہے؟kya yeh makai taza hai?Is this corn fresh?
Example conversation
Fatima and Hamza are at a street food stall.
- فاطمہ Fatimaحمزہ، کیا ہم مکئی کھائیں؟Hamza, kya hum makai khayein?Hamza, shall we eat corn?
- حمزہ Hamzaہاں، مجھے بھوک لگی ہے۔Haan, mujhe bhook lagi hai.Yes, I am hungry.
- فاطمہ Fatimaیہ مکئی بہت تازہ ہے۔Yeh makai bohat taza hai.This corn is very fresh.
- حمزہ Hamzaٹھیک ہے، دو بھٹے لے لیں۔Theek hai, do bhutte le lein.Okay, get two cobs.
