नमक
namak/nə.mək/masculine
The English phrase "salt" is translated into Hindi as नमक (namak). Wiktionary also lists लोन (lon) and मिल्ह (milha).
Meaning: sodium chloride (noun)
Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| नमक | namak | /nə.mək/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| लोन | lon | /loːn/ (Hindi, Standard) | |
| मिल्ह | milha | ||
| लवण | lavaṇ | /lə.ʋəɳ/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
In everyday conversation regarding cooking or seasoning, नमक is the only natural choice for an English speaker to use.
Which one should you use?
While नमक is the common word for salt used in daily life, लवण is the formal scientific term used in chemistry to refer to a salt.
How does it change in a sentence?
नमक is a masculine noun and does not change its form in the plural when referring to the substance in general.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /nə.mək/ (namak).
Did you know?
- The word नमक is central to the history of the 'Salt March', a non-violent protest led by Mahatma Gandhi to challenge the British salt tax.
- The term नमक is used in the idiom नमक हलाल (namak halal), which refers to a person being loyal or faithful to their employer.
- The word नमक actually traces its origins back to Classical Persian, rather than being an original Indo-Aryan word.
Examples in context
- नमक काफ़ी नहीं है।Not enough salt.This sentence is useful for noting that there is not enough of the substance नमक.Tatoeba #13688095 by sabretou, translation #6583627 by Eccles17
- जले पर नमक छिड़कना।Rub salt in the wound.This sentence demonstrates the idiomatic use of the phrase with नमक.Tatoeba #483970 by minshirui, translation #19564 by dawnbreaksopen
- थोड़ा और नमक डाल दोगे?How about adding a little bit more salt?This sentence is useful for asking someone to add more of the substance नमक.Tatoeba #498191 by minshirui, translation #31563 by CK
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A kitchen where a meal is being prepared.
- पूजा Poojaक्या खाने में नमक कम है?Kya khane mein namak kam hai?Is there too little salt in the food?
- अमित Amitनहीं, नमक बिल्कुल सही है।Nahi, namak bilkul sahi hai.No, the salt is just right.
- पूजा Poojaठीक है, फिर और नहीं डालना।Theek hai, phir aur nahi dalna.Okay, then don't add any more.
- अमित Amitमैं नमक का डिब्बा रख देता हूँ।Main namak ka dibba rakh deta hoon.I will put the salt box away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “salt” translations and entries नमक, लोन, लवण, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries नमक, लवण, लोन, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
