भिंडी
bhiṇḍī/bʱɪɳ.ɖiː/
The English phrase "lady finger" is translated to Hindi as भिंडी (bhiṇḍī).
भिंडी refers to the long, slender green vegetable used in cooking. When you want to refer specifically to a cooked dish made of this vegetable, it is common to say भिंडी की सब्जी (bhiṇḍī kī sabzī).
Which one should you use?
While भिंडी is the standard Hindi name, you may also encounter लेडी फिंगर, which is an informal term derived directly from English.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as /bʱɪɳ.ɖiː/. It has two syllables: bhiṇ-ḍī.
Did you know?
- In multicultural Indian kitchens, 'lady finger' can cause confusion because the term refers to both the vegetable भिंडी and a type of sponge biscuit used in Western desserts.
- In Indian English, 'lady finger' is the standard name for the vegetable, while speakers in the US and UK almost exclusively call it 'okra'.
- The Sanskrit ancestor of भिंडी is the word भिण्डा, which has evolved through Middle Indo-Aryan structures into its modern Hindi form.
Examples in context
- मुझे भिंडी बहुत पसंद है।Mujhe bhindi bahut pasand hai.I like lady finger very much.
- बाज़ार में ताज़ी भिंडी मिली?Bazaar mein taazi bhindi mili?Did you find fresh lady finger in the market?
- आज खाने में भिंडी बनी है।Aaj khaane mein bhindi bani hai.Lady finger has been cooked for the meal today.
Example conversation
Vikas and Anjali are discussing what to cook for dinner in their kitchen.
- विकास Vikasअंजलि, आज खाने में क्या बनाओगी?Anjali, aaj khaane mein kya banaogi?Anjali, what will you cook for the meal today?
- अंजलि Anjaliमैं आज भिंडी बनाऊँगी।Main aaj bhindi banaungi.I will cook lady finger today.
- विकास Vikasक्या मेरे लिए भी थोड़ी भिंडी रखोगी?Kya mere liye bhi thodi bhindi rakhogi?Will you also keep some lady finger for me?
- अंजलि Anjaliहाँ विकास, ज़रूर रखूँगी।Haan Vikas, zaroor rakhungi.Yes Vikas, I certainly will.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry भिंडी, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries भिंडी, CC BY-SA 4.0.
