লবণ
lobon/lɔbon/
Salt in Bengali is expressed as লবণ (lobon) or নুন.
Meaning: sodium chloride (noun)
Ways to say it
| Bengali | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| লবণ | lobon | /lɔbon/ |
| নুন | nun | /nun/ |
Both terms refer to the chemical compound sodium chloride.
Which one should you use?
নুন is the colloquial term used in everyday conversation and at the dining table, while লবণ is a more formal or technical term used in science, literature or formal writing.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Rarh region of West Bengal, লবণ is used in informal conversations. In Dhaka, the term নুন is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
To specify a particular portion or container, such as 'the salt', you can add the definite suffix '-টা' (-ta) to the word নুন, forming নুনটা (nunta).
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is lobon and the IPA is /lɔbon/.
Did you know?
- In Bengali culture, salt is often used metaphorically in the phrase নুন আনতে পান্তা ফুরায় (nun ante panta phuray), which describes extreme poverty.
- In traditional Bengali folk medicine, a mixture of নুন and turmeric is often used as a topical paste for various ailments.
- The words নুন and লবণ are actually doublets, meaning they both originate from the same ancient Sanskrit word lavaṇa but evolved through different linguistic paths.
Examples in context
- অনুগ্রহ করে নুনটা এগিয়ে দেবেন।Pass me the salt, please.This sentence is useful for requesting the salt using the form নুন.Tatoeba #3213293 by tanay, translation #25729 by CK
- বরফ গলাবার জন্য নুন ব্যাবহার করা হয়।Salt is used to thaw ice.This sentence shows a scientific application of the form নুন.Tatoeba #5756907 by tanay, translation #5072190 by Vraja108
- "অনুগ্রহ করে নুনটা এগিয়ে দেবেন।" "এই নিন।""Pass me the salt, please." "Here you are."This sentence demonstrates a common social interaction at the table using the form নুন.Tatoeba #3182298 by tanay, translation #1673 by CK
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sourav and Ananya are cooking dinner together.
- অনন্যা Ananyaতরকারিতে কি লবণ দেওয়া হয়েছে?Torkarite ki lobon deoya hoyeche?Has salt been added to the curry?
- সৌরভ Souravনা, আমি এখনও দিইনি।Na, ami ekhono diini.No, I haven't added it yet.
- অনন্যা Ananyaএকটু লবণ দিয়ে দেখুন তো।Ektu lobon diye dekhun to.Try adding a bit of salt.
- সৌরভ Souravঠিক আছে, আমি দিচ্ছি।Thik ache, ami dicchi.Okay, I am adding it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “salt” translations and entries লবণ, নুন, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries নুন, লবণ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
