খাট্টা
khaṭṭa/kʰaʈːa/
The Bengali word for "sour" is খাট্টা (khaṭṭa). Wiktionary also lists চুকা (cuka) and টেঙ্গা (ṭeṅga).
Meaning: having an acidic, sharp or tangy taste (adj)
Ways to say it
| Bengali | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| খাট্টা | khaṭṭa | /kʰaʈːa/ /kʰatːa/ |
| চুকা | cuka | /t͡ʃuka/ /tɕuka/ |
| টেঙ্গা | ṭeṅga | /t̺ɛŋ.ɡa/ /ʈɛŋ.ɡa/ |
The words for "sour" in Bengali describe a taste that is acidic, sharp or tangy.
Which one should you use?
টেঙ্গা is often used more colloquially or specifically to describe a pleasant, tangy or refreshing sourness, often in the context of food like টেঙ্গা (a type of sour fish curry).
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /kʰaʈːa/.
When do people say it?
In a culinary context, the word টেঙ্গা can refer to a specific type of sour fish curry, where the tangy flavor is a central characteristic of the dish.
Did you know?
- The word টেঙ্গা shares a distant ancestor with the English word 'sting'. Both come from a root meaning 'to be sharp' or 'pointed'.
- In Bengali culture, the 'sour' element in a meal is often used as a palate cleanser or to balance the richness of fried fish.
Examples in context
- চুকা ফলটা কেটে ফেলCut up the sour fruitThis sentence shows how to use চুকা when referring to a sour fruit.
Example conversation
Akash and Ananya are tasting a piece of fruit.
- অনন্যা Ananyaআকাশ, এই লেবুটা খেয়ে দেখো।Akash, ei lebuta kheye dekho.Akash, try this lemon.
- আকাশ Akashউফ, এটা তো ভীষণ খাট্টা!Uff, eta to bhishon khatta!Ouch, this is extremely sour!
- অনন্যা Ananyaহ্যাঁ, এটা বেশ টক হয়ে আছে।Hyan, eta besh tok hoye ache.Yes, it has become quite sour.
- আকাশ Akashআমি আর খাব না।Ami ar khabo na.I won't eat any more.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sour” translations and entries খাট্টা, চুকা, টেঙ্গা, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries খাট্টা, চুকা, টেঙ্গা, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
