खर्बुजा
kharbuja
The English word "watermelon" is खर्बुजा (kharbuja) in Nepali.
The word refers to the fruit known as watermelon.
Meaning: fruit (noun)
Which one should you use?
तरबूज is a formal term for watermelon.
How do you pronounce it?
kharbuja
Did you know?
- The word खर्बुजा is actually a loanword from Persian, reflecting the historical influence of Persian culture and language in the South Asian subcontinent.
- While English speakers use 'watermelon' to describe one specific fruit, a Nepali speaker using खर्बुजा might actually be describing the sweet, orange-fleshed varieties often called cantaloupes.
- Because खर्बुजा covers multiple types of melons, a Nepali speaker might ask for खर्बुजा and then specify the color or size to get a watermelon.
Example conversation
Roshan and Srijana are at a fruit stall.
- रोशन Roshanसृजना, के हामी खर्बुजा किन्ने?Srijana, ke hami kharbuja kinne?Srijana, shall we buy watermelon?
- सृजना Srijanaहो, मलाई खर्बुजा खान मन छ।Ho, malai kharbuja khana man cha.Yes, I want to eat watermelon.
- रोशन Roshanयो एउटा ठूलो खर्बुजा लिनुहोस्।Yo euta thulo kharbuja linuhos.Take this one big watermelon.
- सृजना Srijanaठीक छ, यो राम्रो देखिन्छ।Thik cha, yo ramro dekhincha.Okay, this one looks good.
