हल्दी
A bright yellow spice derived from the root of the Curcuma longa plant, widely used in Indian cooking for flavor and color. It is also highly valued in traditional medicine and Hindu rituals for its antiseptic and auspicious properties.
Examples
3 of 5खाने में थोड़ी हल्दी डाल दो।
Add a little turmeric to the food.
हल्दी का उपयोग आयुर्वेदिक औषधियों में किया जाता है।
Turmeric is used in Ayurvedic medicines.
क्या तुमने दूध में हल्दी मिलाई?
Did you mix turmeric in the milk?
Word Family
Memory Tip
Remember that 'Haldi' sounds like 'Healthy'—and turmeric is one of the healthiest spices you can eat!
Quick Quiz
चोट लगने पर गरम दूध में ____ डालकर पीना चाहिए।
Correct!
The correct answer is: हल्दी
Examples
खाने में थोड़ी हल्दी डाल दो।
everydayAdd a little turmeric to the food.
हल्दी का उपयोग आयुर्वेदिक औषधियों में किया जाता है।
formalTurmeric is used in Ayurvedic medicines.
क्या तुमने दूध में हल्दी मिलाई?
informalDid you mix turmeric in the milk?
हल्दी में 'करक्यूमिन' नामक सक्रिय तत्व पाया जाता है।
academicAn active ingredient called 'curcumin' is found in turmeric.
इस वर्ष हल्दी के निर्यात में काफी वृद्धि हुई है।
businessThere has been a significant increase in turmeric exports this year.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
हल्दी लगे न फिटकरी
to get something done without any cost or effort
हाथ पीले करना
to get someone married (literally: to make hands yellow with turmeric)
हल्दी-कुमकुम
a social gathering for married women involving the exchange of turmeric and vermilion
Often Confused With
Both are rhizomes, but ginger is beige/pale inside while turmeric is bright orange/yellow.
This is simply a regional/dialectal variation of the word 'Haldi' used in areas like Bihar.
Usage Notes
The word 'हल्दी' refers to both the spice used in the kitchen and the yellow color itself in certain poetic contexts. It is a feminine noun in Hindi.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use the masculine gender for turmeric. Remember to say 'हल्दी अच्छी है' (Turmeric is good) rather than 'हल्दी अच्छा है'.
Memory Tip
Remember that 'Haldi' sounds like 'Healthy'—and turmeric is one of the healthiest spices you can eat!
Word Origin
Derived from the Sanskrit word 'Haridra' (हरिद्रा), meaning yellow.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In Indian culture, a 'Haldi' ceremony is held before a wedding where turmeric paste is applied to the bride and groom for beautification and blessing.
Quick Quiz
चोट लगने पर गरम दूध में ____ डालकर पीना चाहिए।
Correct!
The correct answer is: हल्दी
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