Abdar আবদার ahb-DAHR A request or demand, often used in a playful or affectionate context. general · Bengali
Aiburobhaat আইবুড়োভাত eye-boo-roh-BAHT A Bengali pre-wedding ritual involving a special meal for the bride or groom. festival · Bengali
Babu बाबू BAH-boo Indian English term for a clerk or low-level bureaucrat — sometimes mildly pejorative. general · Bengali
Barowari বারোয়ারি bah-roh-WAH-ree A public or community-organized Durga Puja in Bengal. festival · Bengali
Bhaatghum ভাতঘুম bhaat-GHOOM A nap taken after eating rice, common in Bengali culture. concept · Bengali
Bhadralok ভদ্রলোক BHAD-ra-loke A term for the educated and cultured middle class of Bengal. concept · Bengali
Bhuno ভুনো BHOO-no A cooking technique in which spices are slowly sautéed until concentrated and aromatic. food · Bengali
Bhyabachyaka ভ্যাবাচ্যাকা bhya-ba-CHYA-ka A state of being bewildered or dumbfounded. general · Bengali
Boti বঁটি BOH-tee A traditional curved cutting blade mounted on a wooden base and operated by hand. food · Bengali
Chorchori চচ্চড়ি CHOR-cho-ree A Bengali mixed vegetable dish typically spiced and stir-fried. food · Bengali
Dalna ডালনা DAAL-naa A mildly spiced Bengali curry made with vegetables, paneer, or lentil dumplings. food · Bengali
Dhunuchi Naach ধুনুচি নাচ dhoo-NOO-chee NAACH A traditional dance performed with incense burners during Durga Puja. dance · Bengali
Ekannoborti একান্নবর্তী eh-kahn-no-BOR-tee A joint family living under one roof in Bengali culture. concept · Bengali
Gaye Pora (গায়ে পড়া) গায়ে পড়া GAH-yeh POR-ah Someone who inserts themselves where they haven't been invited. Concept · Bengali
Ghonto ঘণ্ট GHON-toh A Bengali vegetable dish made by cooking ingredients together until they are soft and well blended. Food · Bengali
Gondhoraj Lebu গন্ধরাজ লেবু GON-dho-raaj Le-bu An intensely aromatic citrus fruit prized in Bengali cuisine for its fragrance. food · Bengali
Jomjomat জমজমাট jom-jo-MAHT Lively, bustling, or vibrant, often used to describe events or atmospheres. general · Bengali
Kabiyal কবিয়াল kuh-BEE-yal A traditional Bengali folk singer and poet known for extempore performances. arts · Bengali
Kasundi কাসুন্দি KAH-shoon-dee A pungent Bengali mustard condiment made from fermented mustard seeds and spices. Food · Bengali
Khal Nuri খল-নুড়ি KHOL (rhymes with hall) NOO-REE A traditional Bengali mortar and pestle used to grind spices, herbs, medicines, and other ingredients by hand. kitchen tool · Bengali
Kobigaan কবিগান KO-bee-gaan A traditional Bengali folk performance combining music and poetry. arts · Bengali
Kolkata কলকাতা kohl-KAH-tah Capital of West Bengal and former British Indian capital; called Calcutta until 2001. geography · Bengali
Kora Pak কড়া পাক KOR-ah PAK A traditional Bengali sweet made from rice flour and jaggery. food · Bengali
Kosha কষা KO-sha A Bengali style of slow-cooking food in a thick, richly reduced gravy. Food · Bengali
Lobongo lotika লবঙ্গ লতিকা loh-BONG-go loh-TEE-kah A Bengali sweet pastry filled with khoya and spices, sealed with a clove. food · Bengali
Moner Manush মনের মানুষ MOH-ner MAH-noosh A beloved person deeply connected to one's inner self; a person of one's heart.. concept · Bengali
Monkharap (মনখারাপ) মনখারাপ mon-kha-RAAP Feeling of sadness or melancholy in Bengali culture concept · Bengali
Nekami (ন্যাকামি) ন্যাকামি nyah-KAH-mee A Bengali term for excessive sentimentality or affectation. general · Bengali
Nimki নিমকি NIM-kee A crispy, savory snack from India, often made with flour and spices. food · Bengali
Nolen Gur নলেন গুড় NO-len goor A type of jaggery made from the sap of date palm trees, popular in Bengal. food · Bengali
Paturi পাতুরি pah-TOO-ree A Bengali dish where fish is wrapped in banana leaves and steamed or grilled. food · Bengali
Phuchka ফুচকা FOOCH-ka A popular Bengali street food, similar to golgappa or pani puri. food · Bengali
Pora পোড়া POH-raa A Bengali style of roasting ingredients directly over an open flame. food · Bengali
Radhuni রাঁধুনি RAA-dhu-nee An aromatic spice seed widely used in traditional Bengali cooking. Food · Bengali
Rosogolla রসগোল্লা roh-soh-GOL-lah A popular Bengali sweet made from chhena and sugar syrup. food · Bengali
Sandesh সন্দেশ sun-DESH A traditional Bengali sweet made from chhena (Indian cottage cheese). food · Bengali
Shil nora শীল নড়া shil NOH-rah A traditional grinding stone used in Bengali kitchens. general · Bengali
Shingara সিঙাড়া shin-GAH-rah A savory Indian pastry filled with spiced potatoes and peas, also known as samosa. food · Bengali
Shukto শুক্তো SHOOK-toh A mildly bitter Bengali vegetable stew traditionally served at the beginning of a meal. food · bengali
Sindur Khela সিঁদুর খেলা SINDUR kheh-LA A traditional Bengali ritual involving the application of vermilion powder. festival · Bengali
Verandah বেরান্দা vuh-RAN-duh A roofed platform along the outside of a house, level with the ground floor. general · Bengali