The short answer
Bhat is rice, dal is lentils, tarkari is vegetables, achar is pickle, roti is flatbread, masu is meat, kukhura is chicken, buff is water buffalo, khasi is goat, machha is fish, ande is egg, dahi is curd, dudh is milk, chiya is tea, kafi is coffee, pani is water and jhol is soup or gravy.
Hindi shares many of these words, though a few differ. Knowing them helps you avoid meat if you are vegetarian and ask for what you like.
Key facts
- Rice and lentils
- Bhat, dal
- Veg and pickle
- Tarkari, achar
- Meat
- Masu, kukhura (chicken), khasi (goat)
- Drinks
- Chiya, dudh, pani
How it works
- RiceBhat · Chawal
- LentilsDal · Dal
- VegetablesTarkari · Sabzi
- ChickenKukhura · Murgi
- EggAnde · Anda
- CurdDahi · Dahi
- MilkDudh · Doodh
- TeaChiya · Chai
- WaterPani · Paani
Insider tip
Learn the meat words first if you avoid meat.
Avoid this
Do not assume "buff" is beef; it is water buffalo.
Related questions
What is jhol?
Soup or gravy.
What is achar?
Pickle.
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