A1 noun Neutral

मसाला

masaala /mə.sɑː.lɑː/

Masala refers to a blend of various ground or whole spices used in Indian cooking to provide flavor, aroma, and color. Figuratively, it is also used to describe something exciting, sensational, or exaggerated, such as in stories or news.

Examples

3 of 5
1

माँ सब्जी में मसाला डाल रही हैं।

Mother is putting spices in the vegetable dish.

2

इस उत्पाद में मसालों का सही मिश्रण होना चाहिए।

There should be a correct blend of spices in this product.

3

थोड़ा मिर्च-मसाला लगाकर बात बताओ!

Tell the story with a bit of spice/exaggeration!

Word Family

Noun
मसाला
Verb
मसाला डालना
Adjective
मसालेदार
Related
मसालेदानी
💡

Memory Tip

Think of a 'Mass of Salad' that tastes better with 'Masala'.

Quick Quiz

इस सब्जी में बहुत अधिक ___ है, यह बहुत तीखी है।

Correct!

The correct answer is: मसाला

Examples

1

माँ सब्जी में मसाला डाल रही हैं।

everyday

Mother is putting spices in the vegetable dish.

2

इस उत्पाद में मसालों का सही मिश्रण होना चाहिए।

formal

There should be a correct blend of spices in this product.

3

थोड़ा मिर्च-मसाला लगाकर बात बताओ!

informal

Tell the story with a bit of spice/exaggeration!

4

प्राचीन काल में भारतीय मसालों की माँग विश्वभर में थी।

academic

In ancient times, there was a worldwide demand for Indian spices.

5

हमारी कंपनी जैविक मसालों का व्यापार करती है।

business

Our company deals in organic spices.

Word Family

Noun
मसाला
Verb
मसाला डालना
Adjective
मसालेदार
Related
मसालेदानी

Common Collocations

गरम मसाला Garam masala (hot spice mix)
पिसा हुआ मसाला Ground spice
मसाला दान Spice box
खड़ा मसाला Whole spices
चटपटा मसाला Tangy spice

Common Phrases

मिर्च-मसाला लगाना

To exaggerate a story

मसालेदार खबर

Sensational news

मसाला चाय

Spiced tea

Often Confused With

मसाला vs मशाल

Mashaal means a torch or firebrand, while masala means spices.

मसाला vs मसा

Masa refers to a mole or wart on the skin.

📝

Usage Notes

The word is masculine. While it usually refers to food, using it for 'news' or 'movies' implies that the content is entertaining but perhaps exaggerated.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often treat it as feminine because it ends in 'a' like some feminine Sanskrit words, but in Hindi, 'masala' is a masculine noun.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of a 'Mass of Salad' that tastes better with 'Masala'.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Arabic word 'masalih' (plural of maslahah), meaning 'interests' or 'ingredients', entering Hindi through Persian.

Grammar Patterns

Masculine noun Plural (direct): मसाला Plural (oblique): मसालों
🌍

Cultural Context

Spices are the backbone of Indian culture and economy, historically driving global exploration and trade.

Quick Quiz

इस सब्जी में बहुत अधिक ___ है, यह बहुत तीखी है।

Correct!

The correct answer is: मसाला

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चीकू

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लीची

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A small, round tropical fruit with a sweet, white, translucent pulp and a thin, rough, red skin. It is primarily consumed fresh during the summer months in India and is known for its juicy texture.

नाशपाती

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अखरोट

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A walnut is a type of edible nut characterized by a hard, wrinkled shell and a brain-shaped kernel. In Hindi, it refers to both the tree and the fruit, which is highly valued for its health benefits and nutritional content.

मूंगफली

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A peanut or groundnut, which is a legume that grows underground. In India, it is a very popular snack, often eaten roasted or used to make oil and chutneys.

तिल

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Small, oval oilseeds used extensively in Indian cuisine for their nutty flavor and oil content. They are a primary ingredient in winter sweets and are also used to refer to a mole or beauty mark on the skin.

पान

A1

Paan refers to a preparation combining betel leaf with areca nut and various other ingredients like lime paste and spices, which is chewed as a palate cleanser or stimulant. It also refers to the betel leaf itself, which holds significant cultural and religious importance in South Asia.

पेय

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जौ

A1

Barley is a hardy cereal grain that is a member of the grass family. In Hindi, 'जौ' refers to this grain which is commonly used in traditional diets, health drinks like barley water, and religious rituals.

आटा

A1

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