पालक
pālak/pɑː.lək/
The Hindi word for spinach is पालक (pālak).
पालक refers to the particular edible plant, Spinacia oleracea.
Meaning: a particular edible plant, Spinacia oleracea (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /pɑː.lək/. It has two syllables.
Did you know?
- The word पालक is a homonym in Hindi. While it means 'spinach' as a vegetable, it also means 'guardian' or 'protector' when derived from the Sanskrit word for 'one who preserves'.
- The Sanskrit ancestor of the word, पालक्या (pālakyā), specifically referred to 'Indian spinach' (Beta bengalensis) rather than the modern European variety.
- Hindi has several words for 'greens' or 'leafy vegetables' collectively, known as साग saag, and पालक is considered one of the most prominent types of साग.
Examples in context
- मुझे पालक बहुत पसंद है।mujhe paalak bahut pasand hai.I like spinach very much.
- क्या आज पालक की सब्जी बनी है?kya aaj paalak ki sabzi bani hai?Is there spinach curry made today?
- बाज़ार से ताज़ा पालक ले आओ।baazaar se taaza paalak le aao.Bring some fresh spinach from the market.
Example conversation
Anjali and Amit are deciding what to cook for dinner.
- अंजलि Anjaliअमित, क्या हम पालक बना सकते हैं?Amit, kya hum palak bana sakte hain?Amit, can we make spinach?
- अमित Amitहाँ, लेकिन क्या हमारे पास पालक है?Haan, lekin kya hamare paas palak hai?Yes, but do we have spinach?
- अंजलि Anjaliनहीं, मुझे बाज़ार से पालक लाना होगा।Nahi, mujhe bazaar se palak lana hoga.No, I will have to bring spinach from the market.
- अमित Amitठीक है, मैं तुम्हारे साथ चलता हूँ।Theek hai, main tumhare saath chalta hoon.Okay, I will go with you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “spinach” translations and entries पालक, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries पालक, CC BY-SA 4.0.
