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Chai

चाय
CHYE

Chai (चाय) is a Hindi-origin word used in Indian English, meaning indian tea, usually brewed strong with milk, sugar and spices. In crosswords it is the 4-letter answer CHAI (4).

Appears as an answer in MG Mini #1057.

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Meaning & usage

In India, "chai" simply means tea — but the everyday Indian chai is a particular thing: black tea leaves boiled with milk, plenty of sugar and often ginger and cardamom (in which case it is "masala chai"). It is the social and economic lubricant of the country; office cups, station kettles and tea-stall glasses are all chai. The Anglicised "chai tea" is redundant — it means "tea tea".

In a sentence

The cutting chai at the corner stall is what makes the office morning go.

Common spelling variants

  • Chaai
  • Chay

Chai is the English spelling used in MG Mini #1057.

Chai as a crossword answer

Chai is a 4-letter answer. A typical clue:

“Indian tea, usually brewed strong with milk, sugar and spices” (4)

Play the crossword that uses it — MG Mini #1057

Category: Food Origin: Hindi Script: Hindi

Related words

  • Chhakni — A type of strainer or sieve used in cooking.
  • Tapkla — A traditional Indian dish made with lentils.
  • Ghee — Clarified butter — Indian cooking fat with a high smoke point and nutty flavour.
  • Roti — Round, unleavened Indian flatbread cooked on a hot griddle.
  • Dekchi — A type of cooking pot or vessel used in Indian kitchens.
  • Chappal — A type of open-toed footwear, similar to sandals.

Related crosswords

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