ಸಿಗಡಿ
sigaḍi
The Kannada word for prawn is ಸಿಗಡಿ (sigaḍi).
The term is used to refer to a large shrimp.
Meaning: large shrimp (noun)
Which one should you use?
ಈರಳೆ is a formal alternative for prawn.
How do you pronounce it?
sigaḍi
Did you know?
- The formal term ಈರಳೆ is so high-register that using it in a bustling fish market might actually make you sound out of place.
- While English speakers distinguish between 'shrimp' and 'prawn' by size, a Kannada speaker in a local market will likely use ಸಿಗಡಿ for both.
- If you are ordering a dish in a restaurant, you will often see 'prawn masala' written as ಸಿಗಡಿ ಮಸಾಲ instead of using a more complex grammatical structure for the spice mix.
Examples in context
- ಈ ಸಿಗಡಿ ತುಂಬಾ ದೊಡ್ಡದಾಗಿದೆ.Ee sigadi tumba doddadagide.This prawn is very large.
- ನನಗೆ ಸಿಗಡಿ ಅಂದ್ರೆ ತುಂಬಾ ಇಷ್ಟ.Nanage sigadi andre tumba ishta.I like prawns very much.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are discussing what to cook for dinner.
- ದಿವ್ಯಾ Divyaಅಭಿಷೇಕ್, ಇವತ್ತು ಸಿಗಡಿ ಅಡುಗೆ ಮಾಡೋಣವಾ?Abhishek, ivattu sigadi aduge madonava?Abhishek, shall we cook prawns today?
- ಅಭಿಷೇಕ್ Abhishekಖಂಡಿತ ದಿವ್ಯಾ, ಅದು ತುಂಬಾ ರುಚಿಯಾಗಿರುತ್ತದೆ.Khandita Divya, adu tumba ruchiyagiruttade.Sure Divya, that will be very delicious.
- ದಿವ್ಯಾ Divyaಹಾಗಾದರೆ ನಾನು ಮಾರುಕಟ್ಟೆಯಿಂದ ಸಿಗಡಿ ತರುತ್ತೇನೆ.Haagadare naanu maarukatteyinda sigadi taruttene.Then I will bring prawns from the market.
- ಅಭಿಷೇಕ್ Abhishekಸರಿ, ತಾಜಾ ಸಿಗಡಿ ಮಾತ್ರ ನೋಡಿ ತಗೊಂಡು ಬಾ.Sari, taaja sigadi maatra nodi tagondu baa.Okay, make sure to pick only fresh prawns.
