ঝাল

What does ঝাল mean?

ঝাল (jhal) is a Bangla adjective that means spicy, hot in English.

Describes spicy or pungent taste specifically caused by chillies or hot spices. It is one of the first and most vital dining words needed in Bangladesh, where rich curries and street snacks pack considerable heat. Learners often confuse it with গরম (gorom), but গরম (gorom) refers strictly to physical temperature, never spiciness.

How do you say “spicy” in Bangla?

Say ঝাল, pronounced jhal. Press play to hear a native Bangladeshi voice say it.

Pronunciation tips

• It has a breathy consonant (bh, chh, dh, kh, th): say it with a small puff of air, as if a soft h follows.

These sounds have no exact English match. Practise them letter by letter in the Bengali alphabet guide.