Discover the Flavors of Cooking with Spices Names in Nepali With Pictures (With Worksheet Practice!)

Spices are the ingredients that give food its distinctive flavor, aroma, and character. A pinch of turmeric can add color, cardamom can bring fragrance, and black pepper can introduce a touch of heat. These small ingredients play a big role in cooking and are found in kitchens around the world.

In Nepal, spices are widely used in traditional recipes as well as everyday meals. Since learners often encounter them while cooking, shopping, or eating, spice names are practical vocabulary words that can be applied in real-life situations.

This worksheet introduces common spice names in Nepali, helping learners build useful food-related vocabulary through ingredients they see and use regularly.

Why Learning Spices Names in Nepali Matters

Spice names appear frequently in recipes, grocery shopping, cooking shows, food packaging, and daily conversations about meals. Learning these words in Nepali helps learners understand food-related discussions more confidently.

For beginners, spices are easy to learn because many of the ingredients are already familiar. Associating a Nepali word with the smell, color, or appearance of a spice often makes vocabulary easier to remember.

These words are also useful when reading recipes, identifying ingredients, or helping prepare meals, making them highly practical in everyday life.

Benefits of Learning Nepali Spice Names

• Builds useful cooking-related vocabulary.
• Helps learners identify common spices in Nepali.
• Supports reading and speaking activities.
• Improves pronunciation and word recognition.
• Makes recipe instructions easier to understand.
• Helps learners during grocery shopping.
• Supports classroom lessons and worksheets.
• Expands food and ingredient vocabulary.
• Creates opportunities for practical language use.
• Encourages observation during cooking activities.
• Makes learning more engaging and relevant.
• Strengthens memory through everyday experiences.

Because spices are commonly found in kitchens, learners can naturally practice and reinforce these words during daily routines.

Essential Spices Found in Everyday Kitchens

Some spices are used whole, while others are ground into powders before being added to dishes. The list below includes commonly recognized spices along with their Nepali names, helping learners connect familiar ingredients with practical vocabulary.

1

Turmeric

बेसार 🔊

Syllable: बेसार

Pronunciation: Besar

• Turmeric gives food a yellow color. – बेसारले खानालाई पहेंलो रंग दिन्छ।
• Turmeric is used in curry. – बेसार तरकारीमा प्रयोग गरिन्छ।
• My mother added turmeric to the soup. – मेरी आमाले सुपमा बेसार हाल्नुभयो।

2

Red Chilli

रातो खुर्सानी 🔊

Syllable: रातो खुर्सानी

Pronunciation: Rato Khursani

• Red chilli is very spicy. – रातो खुर्सानी धेरै पिरो हुन्छ।
• I like red chilli in pickles. – मलाई अचारमा रातो खुर्सानी मन पर्छ।
• He bought dried red chillies. – उसले सुकेको रातो खुर्सानी किन्यो।

3

Green Chilli

हरियो खुर्सानी 🔊

Syllable: हरियो खुर्सानी

Pronunciation: Hariyo Khursani

• Green chilli adds heat to food. – हरियो खुर्सानीले खानामा पिरोपन थप्छ।
• She chopped green chillies. – उनले हरियो खुर्सानी काटिन्।
• We grow green chillies in our garden. – हामी आफ्नो बगैंचामा हरियो खुर्सानी उमार्छौं।

4

Coriander Seeds

धनियाँको बीउ 🔊

Syllable: धनियाँको बीउ

Pronunciation: Dhaniyako Biu

• Coriander seeds have a pleasant aroma. – धनियाँको बीउको सुगन्ध मिठो हुन्छ।
• The recipe requires coriander seeds. – यो परिकारमा धनियाँको बीउ चाहिन्छ।
• She roasted coriander seeds. – उनले धनियाँको बीउ भुटिन्।

5

Cumin

जिरा 🔊

Syllable: जिरा

Pronunciation: Jira

• Cumin is a common spice. – जिरा एक सामान्य मसला हो।
• We added cumin to the lentils. – हामीले दालमा जिरा हाल्यौं।
• Cumin smells wonderful when roasted. – भुटेको जिराको सुगन्ध राम्रो हुन्छ।

6

Mustard Seeds

तोरीको दाना 🔊

Syllable: तोरीको दाना

Pronunciation: Toriko Dana

• Mustard seeds are used for tempering. – तोरीको दाना झान्न प्रयोग गरिन्छ।
• The seeds popped in hot oil. – दाना तातो तेलमा फुटे।
• My grandmother uses mustard seeds often. – मेरी हजुरआमाले प्रायः तोरीको दाना प्रयोग गर्नुहुन्छ।

7

Fenugreek Seeds

मेथी 🔊

Syllable: मेथी

Pronunciation: Methi

• Fenugreek seeds have a bitter taste. – मेथीको स्वाद अलि तितो हुन्छ।
• Methi is used in pickles. – मेथी अचारमा प्रयोग गरिन्छ।
• He roasted fenugreek seeds carefully. – उसले मेथी सावधानीपूर्वक भुट्यो।

8

Black Pepper

कालो मरिच 🔊

Syllable: कालो मरिच

Pronunciation: Kalo Marich

• Black pepper adds flavor to dishes. – कालो मरिचले परिकारमा स्वाद थप्छ।
• I sprinkled black pepper on the salad. – मैले सलादमा कालो मरिच छर्कें।
• Black pepper is used worldwide. – कालो मरिच विश्वभर प्रयोग गरिन्छ।

9

Cardamom

अलैँची 🔊

Syllable: अलैँची

Pronunciation: Alaichi

• Cardamom smells sweet and pleasant. – अलैँचीको सुगन्ध मिठो हुन्छ।
• We added cardamom to tea. – हामीले चियामा अलैँची हाल्यौं।
• Cardamom is used in desserts. – अलैँची मिठाइमा प्रयोग गरिन्छ।

10

Cloves

ल्वाङ 🔊

Syllable: ल्वाङ

Pronunciation: Lwang

• Cloves have a strong aroma. – ल्वाङको सुगन्ध बलियो हुन्छ।
• My mother added cloves to rice. – मेरी आमाले भातमा ल्वाङ हाल्नुभयो।
• Cloves are used in spice mixes. – ल्वाङ मसला मिश्रणमा प्रयोग गरिन्छ।

11

Cinnamon

दालचिनी 🔊

Syllable: दालचिनी

Pronunciation: Dalchini

• Cinnamon is sweet and fragrant. – दालचिनी मीठो र सुगन्धित हुन्छ।
• I enjoy cinnamon tea. – मलाई दालचिनी चिया मन पर्छ।
• Cinnamon is used in cakes. – दालचिनी केकमा प्रयोग गरिन्छ।

12

Nutmeg

जायफल 🔊

Syllable: जायफल

Pronunciation: Jayaphal

• Nutmeg is used in sweets. – जायफल मिठाइमा प्रयोग गरिन्छ।
• A little nutmeg adds flavor. – थोरै जायफलले स्वाद बढाउँछ।
• She grated nutmeg into the dessert. – उनले मिठाइमा जायफल किसिन्।

13

Mace

जायपत्री 🔊

Syllable: जायपत्री

Pronunciation: Jayapatri

• Mace comes from the nutmeg plant. – जायपत्री जायफलको बिरुवाबाट प्राप्त हुन्छ।
• It is used in spice blends. – यो मसला मिश्रणमा प्रयोग गरिन्छ।
• Mace has a unique aroma. – जायपत्रीको विशेष सुगन्ध हुन्छ।

14

Bay Leaf

तेजपात 🔊

Syllable: तेजपात

Pronunciation: Tejpat

• Bay leaves add aroma to food. – तेजपातले खानामा सुगन्ध थप्छ।
• We cooked rice with bay leaves. – हामीले तेजपात राखेर भात पकायौं।
• Remove the bay leaf before serving. – पस्कनुअघि तेजपात निकाल्नुहोस्।

15

Asafoetida

हिङ 🔊

Syllable: हिङ

Pronunciation: Hing

• Asafoetida is used in lentil dishes. – हिङ दालका परिकारमा प्रयोग गरिन्छ।
• A pinch of asafoetida is enough. – एक चिम्टी हिङ पर्याप्त हुन्छ।
• Hing improves the flavor of food. – हिङले खानाको स्वाद बढाउँछ।

16

Fennel Seeds

सौंफ 🔊

Syllable: सौंफ

Pronunciation: Sauf

• Fennel seeds are sweet and aromatic. – सौंफ मीठो र सुगन्धित हुन्छ।
• People chew fennel after meals. – मानिसहरू खाना खाएपछि सौंफ चपाउँछन्।
• Fennel is used in many recipes. – सौंफ धेरै परिकारमा प्रयोग गरिन्छ।

17

Carom Seeds

ज्वानो 🔊

Syllable: ज्वानो

Pronunciation: Jwano

• Carom seeds help digestion. – ज्वानोले पाचनमा मद्दत गर्छ।
• My grandmother uses jwano in cooking. – मेरी हजुरआमाले पकाउँदा ज्वानो प्रयोग गर्नुहुन्छ।
• Carom seeds have a strong taste. – ज्वानोको स्वाद बलियो हुन्छ।

18

Sesame Seeds

तिल 🔊

Syllable: तिल

Pronunciation: Til

• Sesame seeds are nutritious. – तिल पौष्टिक हुन्छ।
• Til is used in sweets. – तिल मिठाइमा प्रयोग गरिन्छ।
• We made sesame laddus. – हामीले तिलको लड्डु बनायौं।

19

Poppy Seeds

खसखस 🔊

Syllable: खसखस

Pronunciation: Khaskhas

• Poppy seeds are tiny. – खसखस साना दाना हुन्छन्।
• They are used in baking. – यी बेकिङमा प्रयोग गरिन्छन्।
• She sprinkled poppy seeds on bread. – उनले रोटीमा खसखस छर्किन्।

20

Saffron

केसर 🔊

Syllable: केसर

Pronunciation: Kesar

• Saffron is an expensive spice. – केसर महँगो मसला हो।
• It gives food a rich color. – यसले खानालाई आकर्षक रंग दिन्छ।
• We added saffron to rice pudding. – हामीले खिरमा केसर हाल्यौं।

21

Star Anise

चक्फूल 🔊

Syllable: चक्फूल

Pronunciation: Chakphool

• Star anise has a star shape. – चक्फूल ताराजस्तो आकारको हुन्छ।
• It is used in spice blends. – यो मसला मिश्रणमा प्रयोग गरिन्छ।
• Star anise adds a sweet aroma. – चक्फूलले मीठो सुगन्ध दिन्छ।

22

Dry Ginger

सुकुटी अदुवा 🔊

Syllable: सुकुटी अदुवा

Pronunciation: Sukuti Aduwa

• Dry ginger is used in herbal medicine. – सुकुटी अदुवा जडीबुटी औषधिमा प्रयोग गरिन्छ।
• It has a strong flavor. – यसको स्वाद बलियो हुन्छ।
• My grandmother keeps dry ginger at home. – मेरी हजुरआमाले घरमा सुकुटी अदुवा राख्नुहुन्छ।

23

Fresh Ginger

अदुवा 🔊

Syllable: अदुवा

Pronunciation: Aduwa

• Fresh ginger is used in tea. – अदुवा चियामा प्रयोग गरिन्छ।
• I added ginger to the curry. – मैले तरकारीमा अदुवा हालेँ।
• Ginger has many health benefits. – अदुवाका धेरै स्वास्थ्य लाभ छन्।

24

Garlic

लसुन 🔊

Syllable: लसुन

Pronunciation: Lasun

• Garlic adds flavor to food. – लसुनले खानामा स्वाद थप्छ।
• We use garlic every day. – हामी दैनिक लसुन प्रयोग गर्छौं।
• My mother crushed garlic for cooking. – मेरी आमाले पकाउन लसुन कुट्नुभयो।

25

Nigella Seeds

कालोजिरा 🔊

Syllable: कालोजिरा

Pronunciation: Kalojira

• Nigella seeds are small black seeds. – कालोजिरा साना कालो दाना हुन्।
• They are used in bread and pickles. – यी रोटी र अचारमा प्रयोग गरिन्छन्।
• Kalojira has a unique flavor. – कालोजिराको विशेष स्वाद हुन्छ।

26

Black Cumin

कालो जिरा 🔊

Syllable: कालो जिरा

Pronunciation: Kalo Jira

• Black cumin is used in traditional cooking. – कालो जिरा परम्परागत पकवानमा प्रयोग गरिन्छ।
• It has a rich aroma. – यसको सुगन्ध राम्रो हुन्छ।
• We bought black cumin from the market. – हामीले बजारबाट कालो जिरा किन्यौं।

27

Stone Flower

पत्थर फूल 🔊

Syllable: पत्थर फूल

Pronunciation: Patthar Phool

• Stone flower is used in special spice mixes. – पत्थर फूल विशेष मसला मिश्रणमा प्रयोग गरिन्छ।
• It has a distinct aroma. – यसको अलग सुगन्ध हुन्छ।
• Chefs use stone flower in some curries. – केही तरकारीमा शेफहरूले पत्थर फूल प्रयोग गर्छन्।

28

Kokum

कोकम 🔊

Syllable: कोकम

Pronunciation: Kokum

• Kokum is used in sour dishes. – कोकम अमिलो परिकारमा प्रयोग गरिन्छ।
• It gives food a tangy flavor. – यसले खानामा अमिलो स्वाद दिन्छ।
• Kokum is popular in coastal cuisine. – कोकम तटीय खानामा लोकप्रिय छ।

29

Dry Mango Powder

अम्चुर 🔊

Syllable: अम्चुर

Pronunciation: Amchur

• Dry mango powder adds sourness. – अम्चुरले अमिलो स्वाद थप्छ।
• It is made from dried mangoes. – यो सुकेको आँपबाट बनाइन्छ।
• We used amchur in the snack. – हामीले खाजामा अम्चुर प्रयोग गर्यौं।

30

Curry Leaves

कडीपत्ता 🔊

Syllable: कडीपत्ता

Pronunciation: Kadipatta

• Curry leaves are aromatic. – कडीपत्ता सुगन्धित हुन्छ।
• My mother fried curry leaves in oil. – मेरी आमाले तेलमा कडीपत्ता भुट्नुभयो।
• Curry leaves are common in South Asian cooking. – कडीपत्ता दक्षिण एसियाली खानामा सामान्य छ।

31

Mint Leaves

पुदीना 🔊

Syllable: पुदीना

Pronunciation: Pudina

• Mint leaves smell fresh. – पुदीनाको सुगन्ध ताजा हुन्छ।
• We made mint chutney. – हामीले पुदीनाको चटनी बनायौं।
• I like mint tea. – मलाई पुदीनाको चिया मन पर्छ।

32

Sichuan Pepper

सिचुआन मरिच 🔊

Syllable: सिचुआन मरिच

Pronunciation: Sichuan Marich

• Sichuan pepper creates a tingling sensation. – सिचुआन मरिचले झमझम अनुभव गराउँछ।
• It is popular in Chinese cuisine. – यो चिनियाँ खानामा लोकप्रिय छ।
• I tasted Sichuan pepper for the first time. – मैले पहिलो पटक सिचुआन मरिच चाखें।

33

Mixed Spices

मिश्रित मसला 🔊

Syllable: मिश्रित मसला

Pronunciation: Mishrit Masala

• Mixed spices enhance flavor. – मिश्रित मसलाले स्वाद बढाउँछ।
• This blend contains many spices. – यस मिश्रणमा धेरै मसला छन्।
• We use mixed spices in curry. – हामी तरकारीमा मिश्रित मसला प्रयोग गर्छौं।

34

Long Pepper

पिप्ला 🔊

Syllable: पिप्ला

Pronunciation: Pipla

• Long pepper is used in traditional medicine. – पिप्ला परम्परागत औषधिमा प्रयोग गरिन्छ।
• It has a spicy taste. – यसको स्वाद पिरो हुन्छ।
• Long pepper is less common today. – आजकल पिप्ला कम प्रयोग हुन्छ।

35

Celery Seeds

अजमोदको बीउ 🔊

Syllable: अजमोदको बीउ

Pronunciation: Ajmodko Biu

• Celery seeds are used as seasoning. – अजमोदको बीउ मसालाको रूपमा प्रयोग गरिन्छ।
• They have a strong flavor. – तिनीहरूको स्वाद बलियो हुन्छ।
• The recipe includes celery seeds. – यो परिकारमा अजमोदको बीउ समावेश छ।

36

Pomegranate Seeds

अनारको दाना 🔊

Syllable: अनारको दाना

Pronunciation: Anarko Dana

• Pomegranate seeds are sweet and juicy. – अनारको दाना मीठो र रसिलो हुन्छ।
• We added them to the salad. – हामीले सलादमा अनारको दाना थप्यौं।
• The children enjoyed eating pomegranate seeds. – बालबालिकाले अनारको दाना खान रमाए।

37

Horseradish

हर्सर्‍याडिस 🔊

Syllable: हर्सर्‍याडिस

Pronunciation: Horseradish

• Horseradish has a sharp flavor. – हर्सर्‍याडिसको स्वाद निकै तिखो हुन्छ।
• It is often used as a condiment. – यो प्रायः चटनीजस्तै प्रयोग गरिन्छ।
• I tried horseradish with meat dishes. – मैले मासुको परिकारसँग हर्सर्‍याडिस चाखें।

38

Paprika

पाप्रिका 🔊

Syllable: पाप्रिका

Pronunciation: Paprika

• Paprika adds color to food. – पाप्रिकाले खानामा रंग थप्छ।
• It is made from dried peppers. – यो सुकेको खुर्सानीबाट बनाइन्छ।
• We sprinkled paprika on the dish. – हामीले परिकारमा पाप्रिका छर्कियौं।

39

Garam Masala

गरम मसला 🔊

Syllable: गरम मसला

Pronunciation: Garam Masala

• Garam masala is a popular spice blend. – गरम मसला लोकप्रिय मसला मिश्रण हो।
• It makes curry more flavorful. – यसले तरकारीलाई अझ स्वादिलो बनाउँछ।
• My family uses garam masala regularly. – मेरो परिवारले नियमित रूपमा गरम मसला प्रयोग गर्छ।

Easy Ways to Remember Nepali Spice Names

One effective method is to connect each spice with a distinctive characteristic. Turmeric can be remembered for its bright yellow color, cinnamon for its rolled bark shape, and cardamom for its strong aroma.

Learners can also study spices while organizing kitchen ingredients or helping with cooking. Seeing, touching, and smelling the spices while saying their Nepali names helps strengthen memory.

Another useful strategy is grouping spices into categories such as whole spices, powdered spices, and seasoning ingredients. This approach can make vocabulary easier to organize and review.

Simple Practice Ideas

• Label spice containers with Nepali names.
• Use flashcards with spice pictures.
• Learn a few spice names every week.
• Practice pronunciation while cooking.
• Draw spices and write their Nepali names.
• Create a notebook for food vocabulary.
• Match spice pictures with their names.
• Use spice names in simple sentences.
• Review older vocabulary regularly.
• Identify spices while shopping.
• Watch Nepali cooking videos.
• Ask family members to test your knowledge.

Regular exposure to kitchen ingredients can make vocabulary learning easier and more enjoyable.

Building Nepali Vocabulary Through Everyday Cooking

Spices offer a practical way to learn Nepali because they are part of daily life and familiar experiences. Their frequent use in cooking gives learners many opportunities to review and apply the vocabulary naturally.

As you continue expanding your Nepali vocabulary, food-related topics can introduce many useful words connected to everyday routines. Which spice do you recognize instantly by its smell or appearance?

Did you discover a Nepali spice name that was completely new to you? Share your thoughts in the comments and compare your answers with other learners.