Bengali · Food & Drink

পানি

pani

Water

Beginnernoun

Definition

The liquid of life; pani in Bangladesh, jol in West Bengal.

Example

এক গ্লাস পানি দিন।

A glass of water, please.

Etymology

The word 'পানি' (pani) is borrowed from the Sanskrit 'पान' (pāna), meaning water, and has retained this meaning across various Indo-Aryan languages.

How & Where It’s Used

Used in both formal and informal settings, 'পানি' is prevalent in everyday spoken and written Bengali, essential for discussions about food and drink.

Literary Heritage

The term 'পানি' appears in many Bengali folk songs and poetry, often symbolizing life and purity.

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