کالی مرچ
kali mirch
The English word "pepper" is translated into Urdu as کالی مرچ (kali mirch).
کالی مرچ specifically refers to the spice known as black pepper. While the word مرچ can refer generally to peppers or chilies, using the full phrase کالی مرچ ensures you are talking about the peppercorn spice.
Meaning: spice (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
This phrase is a compound where کالی means black and مرچ means pepper or chili.
Which one should you use?
In Urdu, کالی مرچ specifically refers to black peppercorns, whereas using مرچ alone often refers to chili peppers.
How do you pronounce it?
kali mirch
Did you know?
- While English uses 'pepper' for both the peppercorn and the bell pepper, Urdu uses مرچ for chilies and شملہ مرچ specifically for the bell pepper, which literally means 'shimla pepper'.
- The word کالی (black) in the phrase originates from the Sanskrit word for 'black' or 'dark', which is the same root used for the goddess Kali.
- In South Asian cooking, کالی مرچ is frequently used as a medicinal remedy for throat infections and colds, often mixed with honey.
Examples in context
- کالی مرچ بہت تیز ہے۔kaali mirch bohat taiz hai.Black pepper is very strong.
- کیا آپ کالی مرچ ڈال سکتے ہیں؟kya aap kaali mirch daal sakte hain?Can you add black pepper?
- مجھے کالی مرچ کا ذائقہ پسند ہے۔mujhe kaali mirch ka zaiqa pasand hai.I like the taste of black pepper.
Example conversation
Ahmed and Aisha are cooking dinner in the kitchen.
- احمد Ahmedعائشہ، کیا نمک ختم ہو گیا ہے؟Aisha, kya namak khatam ho gaya hai?Aisha, is the salt finished?
- عائشہ Ayeshaنہیں، لیکن کالی مرچ کم ہے۔Nahi, lekin kaali mirch kam hai.No, but there is little black pepper.
- احمد Ahmedمیں ابھی بازار سے لے آتا ہوں۔Main abhi bazaar se le aata hoon.I will go get some from the market now.
- عائشہ Ayeshaٹھیک ہے، شکریہ احمد۔Theek hai, shukriya Ahmed.Okay, thank you Ahmed.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries مرچ, کالی, CC BY-SA 4.0.
