पलाण्डु
palāṇḍumasculine
The usual Sanskrit word for "onion" is पलाण्डु (palāṇḍu). Wiktionary also lists उष्ण, दीपन and सुकन्द.
Meaning: bulb (noun)
Ways to say it
| Sanskrit | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| पलाण्डु | palāṇḍu | masculine |
| दीपन | dīpana | |
| सुकन्द | sukanda | |
| उष्ण | uṣṇa | masculine |
पलाण्डु is a masculine noun found in classical medical and dietary texts. The other three are rarer names that describe the plant by its sharp, heating qualities.
Which one should you use?
उष्ण literally means "hot" and दीपन means "kindling the appetite", so both name the onion by its effect rather than naming it directly.
How do you pronounce it?
palāṇḍu
Did you know?
- The Manusmṛti lists पलाण्डु together with garlic among the foods that twice-born men should not eat, a rule some traditional households still follow.
- उष्ण, another name for the onion, is the everyday Sanskrit adjective for "hot", the same word used for hot water or the hot season.
Example sentences for Sanskrit are not verified yet.
Example conversation
Meera and Aryan are preparing a meal in the kitchen.
- मीरा Miraआर्यन, पलाण्डुः कुत्र अस्ति?āryana, palāṇḍuḥ kutra asti?Aryan, where is the onion?
- आर्यन Aryanपलाण्डुः पिटके अस्ति, मीरे।palāṇḍuḥ piṭake asti, mīre.The onion is in the basket, Meera.
- मीरा Miraपलाण्डुं कृन्त।palāṇḍuṃ kṛnta.Cut the onion.
- आर्यन Aryanअहम् इदानीं करोमि।aham idānīṃ karomi.I am doing it now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “onion” translations and entries उष्ण, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
