MG Wordbook

Canonical English spellings of Indian and Hinglish words — with native script, pronunciation and meaning. Curated alongside the daily crossword.

Category: All Arts Clothing Concept Festival Food General Geography

Origin: All Arabic Bengali English Hindi Kannada Malayalam Marathi Persian Portuguese Punjabi Sanskrit Tamil

Biryani

बिरयानी

bir-YAH-nee

Fragrant layered rice dish with meat or vegetables, slow-cooked with whole spices.

food · Persian

Hindustan

हिंदुस्तान

HIN-doos-tan

Historical Persian-derived name for the Indian subcontinent or for North India.

geography · Persian

Kurta

कुर्ता

KOOR-tah

Loose, collarless tunic worn by men and women across South Asia.

clothing · Persian

Naan

नान

NAHN

Soft, leavened flatbread traditionally baked in a tandoor (clay oven).

food · Persian

Paneer

पनीर

puh-NEER

Fresh, unaged Indian cheese — the vegetarian protein of the north.

food · Persian

Punjab

ਪੰਜਾਬ

pun-JAHB

Region of the northwest subcontinent, divided in 1947 between India and Pakistan.

geography · Persian

Salwar

सलवार

sul-VAR

Loose, pleated trousers worn across South Asia, usually as the bottom half of a salwar-kameez.

clothing · Persian

Samosa

समोसा

suh-MOH-sah

Deep-fried savoury pastry filled with spiced potatoes, peas or meat.

food · Persian

Sitar

सितार

sih-TAR

Long-necked plucked string instrument, the iconic sound of Hindustani classical music.

arts · Persian

Tabla

तबला

TUB-lah

Pair of small hand drums central to Hindustani classical and popular music.

arts · Persian