kurma
/ˈkurma/
The English word 'date' can be translated into Malay as kurma.
In Malay, kurma refers specifically to the edible fruit of the date palm.
Meaning: point in time (noun)
Which one should you use?
kurma refers specifically to the edible fruit of the date palm, whereas tarikh refers to a calendar date.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈkurma/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use kurma to mean a calendar date. You should use tarikh instead when referring to a point in time on a calendar.
Did you know?
- In some traditional Malay recipes, kurma is not just eaten raw but used as a base for a creamy, mild curry known as kari kurma. This dish is distinct from the fruit itself.
- The word kurma is a loanword from Persian, reflecting the historical influence of Persian culture and trade on the Malay language and cuisine.
- In Malay, the concept of a 'calendar date' is tied to tarikh, a word that originates from the Arabic word for 'arrival' or 'time'.
Examples in context
- Pernahkah awak merasa roti kacang kurma?Have you ever eaten date nut bread?This sentence is useful for seeing how to use kurma in the context of food.Tatoeba #9708946 by imperiex, translation #8733292 by AlanF_US
- Sila berikan tarikh pertemuan yang sesuai.Please provide a suitable meeting date.
- Kita jumpa di kedai kopi petang ini?Shall we meet at the coffee shop this afternoon?
Example conversation
Farah and Hafiz are at a market buying food for Ramadan.
- FarahAdakah awak mahu kurma ini, Hafiz?Do you want these dates, Hafiz?
- HafizYa, saya mahu beli kurma itu.Yes, I want to buy those dates.
- FarahMari kita ambil sebekas kurma.Let's take a box of dates.
- HafizIdea yang bagus, Farah.That is a good idea, Farah.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry kurma, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
