प्याला
pyālā/pjɑː.lɑː/masculine
The Hindi word for cup is प्याला (pyālā). Wiktionary also lists चषक (caṣak) and प्याली (pyālī).
Meaning: drinking vessel (noun)
Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| प्याला | pyālā | /pjɑː.lɑː/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| चषक | caṣak | /t͡ʃə.ʂək/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| प्याली | pyālī | feminine |
All three forms refer to a drinking vessel. While प्याला is the general term, प्याली is the most natural word to use when specifically referring to a small cup used for drinking tea.
Which one should you use?
प्याला refers to a general cup, whereas प्याली is the diminutive form and is commonly used to refer to a small teacup or a saucer-sized cup. चषक is a highly formal or literary term for a cup.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
प्याली is the informal way to refer to a small teacup, and चषक is a highly formal or literary term and is rarely used in everyday spoken Hindi.
How does it change in a sentence?
प्याला and चषक are masculine, while प्याली is a feminine noun. Any adjectives or verbs modifying it must agree in gender.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as pyālā (/pjɑː.lɑː/). It has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- The formal term चषक is not only Sanskrit in origin but likely shares a prehistoric root with the Proto-Slavic word for 'cup' or 'bowl'.
- In many Indian contexts, the word for 'cup' is so closely tied to tea that using the feminine प्याली (pyālī) implies a specific social ritual of tea drinking.
Examples in context
- प्याला सोने का बना है।The cup is made of gold.This sentence is useful for describing what the प्याला is made of.Tatoeba #4027181 by sabretou, translation #61234 by CK
- मेरा कप चाय से भरा हुआ है।My cup is filled with tea.
- मैंने उससे प्याला छुड़ा लिया।I took the cup from him.
- मेज पर एक प्याला रखा है।mej par ek pyaala rakha hai.A cup is kept on the table.
- मुझे यह सुंदर प्याला चाहिए।mujhe yeh sundar pyaala chaahiye.I want this beautiful cup.
Example conversation
Vikas and Pooja are in the kitchen.
- विकास Vikasपूजा, क्या यहाँ कोई खाली प्याला है?Pūjā, kyā yahān koī khālī pyāla hai?Pooja, is there an empty cup here?
- पूजा Poojaहाँ, वह प्याला वहाँ रखा है।Hān, vah pyāla vahān rakhā hai.Yes, that cup is kept there.
- विकास Vikasशुक्रिया, मुझे चाय पीनी है।Shukriyā, mujhe chāy pīnī hai.Thanks, I want to drink tea.
- पूजा Poojaठीक है, विकास।Ṭhīk hai, Vikās.Okay, Vikas.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cup” translations and entries प्याला, चषक, प्याली, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries चषक, प्याला, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
