दाल चावल दे दो
Give dal rice
Literally: Lentils rice give
Use this phrase to comfortably order a standard, healthy meal in any casual Indian setting.
In 15 Seconds
- A direct request for India's most popular comfort food meal.
- Perfect for ordering at local eateries or casual home settings.
- Uses the neutral-informal verb 'De Do' for a friendly tone.
Meaning
This is the most basic way to ask for a plate of lentils and rice, the ultimate Indian comfort food. It is a direct request used when ordering at a dhaba or asking for a meal at home.
Key Examples
3 of 6Ordering at a roadside Dhaba
Bhaiya, ek plate dal chawal de do.
Brother, give me one plate of dal rice.
Asking your host at a homestay
Mujhe bas thoda dal chawal de do.
Just give me a little dal rice.
In a formal restaurant setting
Ek plate dal chawal dijiye.
Please give one plate of dal rice.
Cultural Background
Dal Chawal is considered the 'national comfort food' of India. It represents the simplicity of home cooking and is often the first meal people crave after traveling abroad. The phrase reflects the directness of Indian street food culture where efficiency is key.
The 'Bhaiya' Booster
Always start the sentence with 'Bhaiya' (brother) when ordering at a stall. It builds instant rapport and might get you an extra scoop of dal!
Mind the Verb
While 'De do' is common, use 'Dijiye' if you are speaking to someone much older than you to avoid sounding slightly bossy.
In 15 Seconds
- A direct request for India's most popular comfort food meal.
- Perfect for ordering at local eateries or casual home settings.
- Uses the neutral-informal verb 'De Do' for a friendly tone.
What It Means
Dal Chawal De Do is the bread and butter of Hindi requests. It literally means "Please give me lentils and rice." In India, this isn't just a meal. It is the universal symbol of home, comfort, and simplicity. When you say this, you are asking for the most reliable dish on any menu. It is the food that hugs your soul from the inside out.
How To Use It
The phrase is built on three parts. Dal (lentils), Chawal (rice), and De Do (give). The De Do part is the action. It is polite but direct. You can say it at a roadside eatery or to a family member. Just point to the menu or the pot and say it clearly. It is hard to mess this one up because everyone knows what you want!
When To Use It
Use it when you are hungry and don't want anything fancy. It is perfect for a quick lunch at a Dhaba (roadside cafe). Use it when you are visiting an Indian friend and they ask what you want to eat. It shows you appreciate the local staples. You can also use it when you are feeling a bit under the weather. Nothing heals like Dal Chawal does. It is the ultimate 'safe' order.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using De Do in a very high-end, five-star restaurant. In those places, you might want to use Dijiye to sound more sophisticated. Don't use it in a business meeting unless you are actually ordering food. It is a literal request for food, not a metaphor for a simple deal. Also, don't say it if you are at a wedding feast. People might think you are ignoring the 50 other fancy dishes available!
Cultural Background
In India, Dal Chawal is the great equalizer. From billionaires to laborers, everyone eats it daily. It is often the first solid food an Indian baby eats. Every region has its own version. In the North, it might be thick and buttery. In the South, it might be tangy and thin. By asking for this, you are participating in a thousand-year-old culinary tradition. It is the ultimate 'reset' button for the Indian palate.
Common Variations
You can swap the verb to change the politeness. Use Dal Chawal Dijiye for more respect. If you are with very close friends, you might just say Dal Chawal Dena. If you want to be specific, you can add Pehle (first) or Thoda (a little). For example, Thoda Dal Chawal De Do means "Give me a little lentils and rice." It is a very flexible phrase for your daily survival kit.
Usage Notes
This phrase sits in the 'neutral' register. It is not rude, but it is not overly formal. Use it with service staff, friends, or family. In very formal settings, swap 'De do' for 'Dijiye'.
The 'Bhaiya' Booster
Always start the sentence with 'Bhaiya' (brother) when ordering at a stall. It builds instant rapport and might get you an extra scoop of dal!
Mind the Verb
While 'De do' is common, use 'Dijiye' if you are speaking to someone much older than you to avoid sounding slightly bossy.
The Comfort Factor
In India, saying you just want 'Dal Chawal' is a way of saying you feel at home. It’s a compliment to the cook's homely skills.
Examples
6Bhaiya, ek plate dal chawal de do.
Brother, give me one plate of dal rice.
Adding 'Bhaiya' makes it friendly and local.
Mujhe bas thoda dal chawal de do.
Just give me a little dal rice.
Using 'bas' (just) implies you want a simple meal.
Ek plate dal chawal dijiye.
Please give one plate of dal rice.
Changing 'De do' to 'Dijiye' increases the respect level.
Mere liye bhi dal chawal de do!
Give (order) dal rice for me too!
Quick and direct for a text message.
Itna sab nahi, bas dal chawal de do!
Not all this, just give me dal rice!
Shows you prefer simplicity over fancy options.
Main thak gaya hoon, bas dal chawal de do.
I am tired, just give me dal rice.
Expresses a need for comfort and ease.
Test Yourself
Complete the request for rice and lentils.
Bhaiya, ek plate ___ ___ de do.
Dal (lentils) and Chawal (rice) is the standard pair for this meal.
Make the phrase more formal.
Dal chawal ___.
Dijiye is the formal version of the verb 'to give'.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 'De Do'
Used with friends or younger siblings.
Dal chawal de!
Standard for shops and street food.
Dal chawal de do.
Polite request for elders or upscale places.
Dal chawal dijiye.
Where to say Dal Chawal De Do
Roadside Dhaba
Ordering lunch quickly.
Friend's House
Asking for a simple dinner.
Office Canteen
Getting a daily meal.
Sick Bed
Requesting light food.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, it is perfectly fine for everyday situations like markets or casual eateries. If you want to be extra polite, use Dal Chawal Dijiye.
Simply say Chawal de do. If you only want lentils, say Dal de do.
It is better to use Dijiye instead of De do in upscale places. Also, they might have specific names for the dal, like Dal Makhani.
It is a compound verb where De comes from Dena (to give) and Do is the imperative form. Together they mean 'Please give'.
Usually, yes! They are the perfect nutritional pair. You will rarely hear someone order just one without the other for a main meal.
You can say Chammach de do along with your request. Most people eat dal chawal with their hands at home, but restaurants provide spoons.
A Dhaba is a roadside restaurant in India. They are the best places to use the phrase Dal Chawal De Do.
Absolutely! Just replace 'Dal Chawal' with any food item, like Roti de do or Samosa de do.
While Hindi is understood in many places, in the South, rice is often called Sadam. However, Dal Chawal is understood in almost every urban center.
The most common mistake is forgetting the object. Don't just say De do; always specify Dal Chawal so they know what to give you!
Related Phrases
Khana laga do
Serve the food
Paani pilado
Give me some water to drink
Bill le ao
Bring the bill
Thoda aur
A little more
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