জল
jol/d͡ʒɔl/
The English word water is translated into Bengali as জল (jol). Wiktionary also lists পানি (pani) and বারি (bari).
Meaning: inorganic compound H₂O (noun)
Ways to say it
| Bengali | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| জল | jol | /d͡ʒɔl/ /dʑɔl/ |
| পানি | pani | /pani/ |
| বারি | bari | /baɾi/ /baɹi/ |
The Bengali language uses different terms for the inorganic compound H₂O depending on the social context and the level of formality required.
Which one should you use?
The most common way to say water in everyday speech is পানি, while জল is a more formal option. For high-register or classical contexts, the term বারি is used.
Is it said differently in some regions?
পানি is the standard term in many dialects, including those spoken in Bangladesh.
How do you pronounce it?
jol (/dʒɔl/)
Did you know?
- The word পানি originates from the Sanskrit পানীয়, which actually means 'drinkable' or 'a beverage' rather than just 'water'.
- In West Bengal, India, you are much more likely to hear জল in daily life, whereas in Bangladesh, পানি is the dominant everyday term.
- The word জল is used in many compound words for things that are not liquid, such as জলছাপ for a 'watermark' on paper.
Examples in context
- ওদের একটু জল দাও।Get them some water.This sentence is useful for practicing the formal form জল.Tatoeba #11999760 by robingaspi, translation #3916104 by CH
- আমি গরম পানি চাই।I want hot water.This sentence is useful for practicing the colloquial form পানি.Tatoeba #12524848 by robingaspi, translation #3239417 by biber
- আমাদের একটু পানি দাও।Get us some water.Tatoeba #11997108 by robingaspi, translation #3916103 by CH
- আপনি অনুগ্রহ করে আমাকে জল দিন।Please give me water.
- ভাই, একটু পানি দাও।Brother, give me some water.
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Akash and Moumita are sitting in a living room.
- আকাশ Akashমৌমিতা, আমার একটু জল দাও।Moumita, amar ektu jol dao.Moumita, give me some water.
- মৌমিতা Moumitaহ্যাঁ, আমি এখনই নিয়ে আসছি।Hyan, ami ekhoni niye ashchi.Yes, I am bringing it right now.
- আকাশ Akashঠান্ডা জল দিও প্লিজ।Thanda jol dio please.Please give me cold water.
- মৌমিতা Moumitaএই নাও তোমার জল।Ei nao tomar jol.Here is your water.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “water” translations and entries জল, পানি, বারি, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries জল, পানি, বারি, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
