curcuma
/kyʁ.ky.ma/masculine
The English phrase "turmeric" is translated into French as curcuma.
Meaning: spice (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the French-speaking islands of the Indian Ocean, such as Réunion and Mauritius, Haldi is the term used for turmeric.
How does it change in a sentence?
curcuma is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of curcuma is /kyʁ.ky.ma/. It has 3 syllables.
When do people say it?
On Réunion Island, women use haldi for their wedding ceremonies.
Did you know?
- The French word curcuma reveals its roots in the ancient trade routes of the Mediterranean, as it stems from the Arabic word kurkum.
- In the Indian Ocean, the use of haldi is often tied to specific ritualistic beauty treatments, not just cooking.
- In some French regional dialects, the spice is occasionally referred to as 'safran d'Inde' or 'Indian saffron'.
Examples in context
- Utilisez du curcuma pour parfumer vos platsUse turmeric to flavor your dishes
- Le curcuma donne une belle couleur jaune à la cuisine indienne.Turmeric gives a beautiful yellow color to Indian cuisine.
- La curcumine présente dans le curcuma est réputée pour ses propriétés anti-inflammatoires.Curcumin found in turmeric is renowned for its anti-inflammatory properties.
- Le curcuma est une épice très colorée.Turmeric is a very colorful spice.
- Ajoute un peu de curcuma dans la soupe.Add a little turmeric to the soup.
- Je cherche du curcuma au marché.I am looking for turmeric at the market.
Example conversation
Lucas and Léa are cooking in the kitchen.
- LucasEst-ce qu'on a du curcuma ?Do we have any turmeric?
- LéaOui, il est dans le placard, Lucas.Yes, it is in the cupboard, Lucas.
- LucasParfait, je vais en mettre un peu.Perfect, I am going to put some in.
- LéaC'est une excellente idée pour ce plat.It is an excellent idea for this dish.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “turmeric” translations and entries curcuma, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries curcuma, CC BY-SA 4.0.
