आलु
aalu
The Nepali word for potato is आलु (aalu).
The term refers to the plant tuber eaten as a starchy vegetable.
Meaning: plant tuber eaten as starchy vegetable (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is aalu.
Did you know?
- The word 'आलु' is so common in Nepali cooking that it is frequently used as a metaphor for something that is a 'filler' or lacks distinct character.
- Despite being a staple, the introduction of आलु to the Nepali diet was a historical shift from indigenous crops like buckwheat and millet.
- Nepali has a specific term for a potato curry called आलु दम, where 'दम' refers to the slow-cooking or steaming method used to tenderize the vegetable.
Examples in context
- मलाई आलु मन पर्छ।malāī ālu man parcha.I like potatoes.
- यो आलु धेरै ठूलो छ।yo ālu dherai thūlo cha.This potato is very big.
- बजारमा आलु महँगो छ।bajārmā ālu mahangō cha.Potatoes are expensive in the market.
Example conversation
Roshan and Maya are deciding what to cook for dinner.
- रोशन Roshanमाया, आज के पकाउने?Maya, aaj ke pakaune?Maya, what should we cook today?
- माया Mayaहामी आलुको तरकारी पकाउन सक्छौं।Hami aluko tarkari pakauna sakchhau.We can cook a potato curry.
- रोशन Roshanतर हामीसँग आलु छ?Tara hamisanga alu chha?But do we have potatoes?
- माया Mayaहो, भान्सामा छ।Ho, bhansama chha.Yes, they are in the kitchen.
