Cette page dans ta langue

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

Accueil
Apprendre
Hindi
Vocabulaire
चम्मच

A1 noun #3,500 le plus courant 9 min de lecture

चम्मच

chammach Top 3,500

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces चम्मच en 30 secondes

Explication चम्मच in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'chammach' is a basic vocabulary word you need for daily survival. You should focus on identifying the object and using it in simple 'I want' or 'This is' sentences. For example, 'Yeh chammach hai' (This is a spoon). You should also learn the basic masculine gender of the word so you can use it with 'mera' (my) or 'ek' (one). At this stage, don't worry about complex plural forms; just remember that 'chammach' is what you use to eat your cereal or soup. It is one of the essential nouns for any beginner's 'kitchen' word list.

At the A2 level, you start using 'chammach' with basic verbs and prepositions. You should be able to say 'Chammach se khao' (Eat with a spoon) or 'Chammach mez par rakho' (Put the spoon on the table). You are also introduced to the concept of measurements in recipes, such as 'do chammach cheeni' (two spoons of sugar). At this level, you should be comfortable distinguishing between a 'chota chammach' (teaspoon) and a 'bada chammach' (tablespoon). You are beginning to use the word in the context of requests and simple instructions.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

By B1, you should be able to use 'chammach' in more complex sentence structures, including the oblique plural form 'chammachon'. You might describe a process: 'Main chammachon ko dho raha hoon' (I am washing the spoons). You also begin to encounter the word in broader contexts, such as medical dosages or describing a table setting. Your understanding of the word shifts from just the object to its role in a sequence of actions. You can also start recognizing the word in cultural stories or simple news items about food or domestic life.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the B2 level, you should be aware of the metaphorical uses of the word. While 'chammach' usually means the utensil, the variant 'chamcha' is widely used in social and political commentary to mean a sycophant. A B2 learner should understand the nuance of calling someone a 'chamcha' and why it might be derogatory. You can use the word in debates about social behavior or office politics. You also understand more technical kitchen terms and can explain the difference between a 'chammach', 'karchi', and 'palta' in detail.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the C1 level, your use of 'chammach' and its derivatives is fluent and nuanced. You can use idiomatic expressions involving the word. You might use it in creative writing to describe a scene with sensory detail—the clinking of a chammach against a porcelain bowl, for instance. You are also aware of the historical etymology of the word from Persian and can discuss how culinary language in India has evolved. You can handle complex social situations where the metaphorical 'chamcha' might be used in a satirical or biting way.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of the word 'chammach'. You can use it in high-level literary analysis, perhaps discussing its use as a symbol in a Hindi novel or poem. You understand the subtle differences in regional dialects and how the word might change in various Hindi-speaking states. You can effortlessly switch between the literal utensil and the sharp metaphorical 'chamcha' in a political critique. Your pronunciation is perfect, including the slight gemination of the 'm' sound, making you indistinguishable from a native speaker.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

चम्मच en 30 secondes

Chammach means spoon in Hindi. It is a masculine noun used for eating and measuring.
It comes from the Persian word 'chamchah' and is a staple in every Indian kitchen.
The plural is also 'chammach', but it becomes 'chammachon' when followed by a postposition like 'se'.
Metaphorically, it can mean a sycophant or 'yes-man', usually in the form 'chamcha'.

The Hindi word चम्मच (chammach) is a fundamental noun that translates directly to 'spoon' in English. In the hierarchy of kitchen utensils, the chammach is perhaps the most versatile tool in an Indian household. While traditional Indian dining often emphasizes eating with the right hand—a practice rooted in Vedic traditions and sensory connection to food—the chammach has become an indispensable part of modern Indian life, especially for consuming liquid-based dishes like dal (lentils), kheer (rice pudding), or soup.

Literal Meaning: A tool consisting of a small shallow bowl with a handle, used in preparing, serving, or eating food.
Metaphorical Meaning: In informal or political contexts, 'chammach' (or its variant 'chamcha') refers to a sycophant, a 'yes-man', or someone who is overly subservient to a superior to gain favor.

"कृपया मुझे एक चम्मच दीजिए।" (Please give me a spoon.)

A common request at a dinner table.

Understanding the word chammach requires looking at its physical variations. In a Hindi-speaking kitchen, you might encounter the chota chammach (teaspoon) and the bada chammach (tablespoon). Beyond the dining table, the word extends into the realm of measurement. Indian recipes frequently use 'chammach' as a standard unit for spices like turmeric, cumin, and chili powder. Unlike Western measurements which are strictly standardized, a 'chammach' in a traditional Indian recipe might be 'heaping' or 'level', depending on the cook's intuition.

"बच्चा चम्मच से खेल रहा है।" (The baby is playing with a spoon.)

Historically, the word entered Hindi through Persian influence. The Persian word chamchah evolved into the Hindi chammach. This linguistic journey mirrors the evolution of culinary habits in South Asia, where the introduction of Central Asian and Persian cuisines brought about a greater variety of serving tools. Today, if you visit an Indian restaurant, the waiter will almost always provide a chammach and a kaanta (fork), reflecting the globalized nature of modern Indian dining etiquette.

"दवाई के लिए छोटा चम्मच इस्तेमाल करें।" (Use a small spoon for the medicine.)

In terms of material, a chammach can be steel ka (made of steel), lakdi ka (wooden), or plastic ka (plastic). In many rural parts of India, or during religious festivals (Langar or Prasad), you might see eco-friendly spoons made from dried leaves, although these are more commonly called dona (bowls) rather than chammach. However, the modern stainless steel spoon is a staple in every single Indian kitchen, from the wealthiest urban apartments to the humblest village huts.

Daily Usage Contexts: 1. Stirring sugar into tea.
2. Feeding a toddler.
3. Measuring spices for a curry.
4. Eating ice cream or desserts.

Using चम्मच (chammach) in a sentence is relatively straightforward for English speakers because its grammatical function mirrors that of 'spoon'. However, because Hindi is a verb-final language, the placement of the word changes. In this section, we will explore how to integrate this word into various sentence structures, ranging from simple commands to descriptive narratives.

"क्या आपके पास एक साफ चम्मच है?" (Do you have a clean spoon?)

When you want to describe an action involving a spoon, you often use the postposition से (se), which means 'with' or 'by means of'. This is essential for expressing how you are eating or what you are doing with the tool. For example, 'Chammach se khao' means 'Eat with a spoon'. This construction is used frequently when teaching children etiquette or when the food is too hot to touch with hands.

Subject-Object-Verb Pattern: In Hindi, the spoon usually comes after the subject and before the verb.
Main (Subject) + chammach (Object) + laya (Verb).
(I brought a spoon.)

Another common usage is in the plural form. Interestingly, for masculine nouns ending in a consonant like chammach, the direct plural remains chammach. You differentiate singular from plural through context or numbers. However, in the oblique case (when followed by a postposition like 'in', 'on', or 'with'), it becomes चम्मचों (chammachon). For example, 'Chammachon ko dho do' (Wash the spoons).

"मेज पर पाँच चम्मच रखे हैं।" (Five spoons are kept on the table.)

For more advanced usage, consider the word in a professional kitchen or medical setting. In a recipe, you might see 'Ek chammach namak dalein' (Add one spoon of salt). Here, chammach acts as a unit of measurement. In a medical context, a doctor might say 'Do chammach syrup pijiye' (Drink two spoons of syrup). The word remains constant, but the context shifts the focus from the object to the quantity it contains.

Lastly, let's look at the negative construction. If you are missing a spoon, you would say, 'Yahan chammach nahi hai' (There is no spoon here). This is a vital phrase for anyone traveling in India or dining at a local eatery where cutlery might not be automatically provided with every dish. By mastering these patterns, you can navigate most dining situations with ease.

The word चम्मच (chammach) is ubiquitous in Hindi-speaking environments. You will hear it from the moment you wake up (stirring sugar into morning chai) until late-night dinner. Because it is an A1-level word, it is one of the first nouns children learn, and it appears in almost every domestic conversation involving food, health, or chores.

In the Kitchen (Rasoi): Mothers often ask their children: "Chammach dho kar lao" (Wash the spoon and bring it). Or when cooking: "Ek chammach haldi dena" (Give me one spoon of turmeric).

"चाय में चीनी चम्मच से मिलाओ।" (Stir the sugar in the tea with a spoon.)

In Indian restaurants, particularly in North India, the atmosphere is often loud and bustling. You will frequently hear customers calling out to the Chotu (a common, though sometimes controversial, nickname for young helpers) or the waiter: 'Bhaiya, ek chammach dena!' (Brother, give me a spoon!). It is perfectly polite to ask for one, even if the dish is traditionally eaten with hands, like Biryani.

In Bollywood movies and TV dramas, the word chammach often appears in domestic scenes. However, you might also hear the slang version 'chamcha' in political thrillers or office dramas. If a character says, 'Woh boss ka chamcha hai' (He is the boss's spoon), they are not talking about cutlery; they are accusing that person of being a sycophant. This is a very common idiom that every learner should recognize, though perhaps not use in polite company.

"राजनीति में बहुत सारे चमचे होते हैं।" (There are many sycophants in politics.)

Finally, in the context of healthcare, chammach is the standard unit of measurement for liquid medication. In pharmacies or clinics, pharmacists will explain dosages using this word. 'Din mein teen baar, ek-ek chammach' (Three times a day, one spoon each). This makes the word vital for survival and basic health management in a Hindi-speaking region.

Even though चम्मच (chammach) is a simple noun, learners often make a few recurring errors. The most common mistake involves grammatical gender. In Hindi, every noun is either masculine or feminine. Chammach is masculine. English speakers, who aren't used to assigning gender to inanimate objects, often default to feminine because the word ends in a soft consonant sound that might feel feminine to some, or they simply guess wrong.

Mistake: Wrong Gender: Incorrect: "Yeh meri chammach hai." (This is my spoon - feminine).
Correct: "Yeh mera chammach hai." (This is my spoon - masculine).

Incorrect: "एक बड़ी चम्मच लाओ।" (Bring a big spoon - used feminine adjective 'badi').
Correct: "एक बड़ा चम्मच लाओ।" (Bring a big spoon - used masculine adjective 'bada').

Another mistake occurs during pluralization. Learners often try to add an '-ein' or '-aan' ending to make it plural, similar to feminine nouns like kitab (kitabein). However, as a masculine noun ending in a consonant, the direct plural form of chammach is also chammach. You only use chammachon when a postposition (like ko, se, mein) follows it.

The third common error is the confusion between 'chammach' and 'chamcha'. While they are often interchangeable, chamcha usually refers to a larger spoon or, more frequently, is used as a slang term for a sycophant. If you call someone a chammach, they might just be confused. If you call them a chamcha, they might get offended! Use chammach for the cutlery to be safe.

"मैं चम्मचों के साथ खेल रहा हूँ।" (I am playing with the spoons - Correct use of oblique plural).

Lastly, learners sometimes struggle with the pronunciation of the double 'm'. In Hindi, double consonants are held slightly longer. It is not 'cha-mach', but 'cham-mach'. Failing to elongate the 'm' sound can make the word sound clipped and slightly unnatural to native ears. Practice saying the first 'm' and holding your lips together for a fraction of a second longer before releasing into the second 'm'.

While चम्मच (chammach) is the general term for a spoon, Hindi has a rich vocabulary for various types of cutlery and serving tools. Knowing these alternatives will help you sound more like a native speaker and allow you to be more specific in a kitchen or restaurant setting.

चमचा (Chamcha): A larger version of a spoon, often used for serving. Also used metaphorically for a sycophant.
कड़छी (Karchi): A ladle. This is what you use to serve dal or soup from a big pot. It has a much deeper bowl than a standard chammach.
काँटा (Kaanta): A fork. Literally means 'thorn'. Used for noodles, pasta, or snacks.
चाकू (Chaku): A knife. Used for cutting vegetables or fruit.

"दाल निकालने के लिए कड़छी का प्रयोग करें।" (Use a ladle to take out the dal.)

In some regional dialects, you might hear the word पाली (Pali), which refers to a very large serving spoon or a small bowl with a handle. However, this is quite specific to certain areas and not as common as chammach. If you are looking for a teaspoon specifically, you can say छोटा चम्मच (chota chammach), and for a tablespoon, बड़ा चम्मच (bada chammach).

Understanding these distinctions is crucial for effective communication. For instance, if you ask for a chammach to flip a pancake, a native speaker will look at you strangely; you should ask for a palta. Similarly, using a chammach for noodles is possible, but asking for a kaanta is more appropriate. Expanding your utensil vocabulary will make your Hindi sound more precise and professional.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

Before spoons became common in India, people used hollowed-out gourds or specific types of leaves to scoop liquids. The adoption of the metal 'chammach' changed Indian kitchen aesthetics significantly.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ˈtʃʌm.mətʃ/

US /ˈtʃʌm.mətʃ/

The stress is slightly on the first syllable 'Cham-'.

Rime avec

दमक (Damak) चमक (Chamak) धमक (Dhamak) कमक (Kamak) लपक (Lapak) झपक (Jhapak) खमक (Khamak) नमक (Namak - though the ending differs slightly, the rhythm is similar)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing it as 'cha-mash' (replacing 'ch' with 'sh').
Making the 'a' too long like 'chaam-mach'.
Missing the double 'm' and saying 'chamach' too quickly.
Confusing the starting 'ch' with 'j' (jammach).
Adding an extra vowel at the end (chammacha).

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 1/5

Very easy to read as it follows standard phonetics.

Écriture 2/5

The double 'm' (halant or conjunct) requires a bit of practice in Devanagari.

Expression orale 1/5

Simple 'ch' and 'm' sounds make it easy for English speakers.

Écoute 1/5

Distinct sound, easily recognizable in conversation.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

खाना (Food) पानी (Water) मेज (Table) हाथ (Hand) देना (To give)

Apprends ensuite

काँटा (Fork) चाकू (Knife) थाली (Plate) कटोरी (Bowl) गिलास (Glass)

Avancé

बर्तन (Utensils) पकवान (Cuisine) स्वाद (Taste) परंपरा (Tradition) चापलूसी (Flattery)

Grammaire à connaître

Masculine Noun Endings

Nouns ending in consonants like 'chammach' usually don't change in direct plural (e.g., do chammach).

Oblique Case

When a postposition follows, 'chammach' becomes 'chammachon' (e.g., chammachon mein).

Adjective Agreement

Masculine adjectives ending in 'a' change to match the noun (e.g., bada chammach).

Instrumental Case

Using 'se' to indicate the tool used for an action (e.g., chammach se khao).

Possessive Agreement

Possessive pronouns must be masculine (e.g., uska chammach).

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Exemples par niveau

यह एक चम्मच है।

This is a spoon.

Simple demonstrative sentence.

मुझे चम्मच चाहिए।

I want a spoon.

Using 'chahiye' for requirement.

चम्मच कहाँ है?

Where is the spoon?

Basic question structure.

यह मेरा चम्मच है।

This is my spoon.

Masculine possessive 'mera'.

एक चम्मच चीनी दो।

Give one spoon of sugar.

Imperative sentence for request.

चम्मच साफ है।

The spoon is clean.

Simple adjective-noun agreement.

छोटा चम्मच लाओ।

Bring a small spoon.

Adjective 'chota' modifying 'chammach'.

वह चम्मच है।

That is a spoon.

Using 'vah' for 'that'.

चम्मच से खाना खाओ।

Eat food with a spoon.

Using postposition 'se' for instrument.

चम्मच मेज पर रख दो।

Put the spoon on the table.

Compound verb 'rakh do'.

क्या आपके पास चम्मच है?

Do you have a spoon?

Using 'ke paas' for possession.

चम्मच बहुत गरम है।

The spoon is very hot.

Adverb 'bahut' modifying adjective 'garam'.

दो चम्मच नमक डालिए।

Please add two spoons of salt.

Polite imperative 'daliye'.

चम्मच को दराज में रखो।

Keep the spoon in the drawer.

Postposition 'ko' used for the object.

मुझे एक बड़ा चम्मच दो।

Give me a big spoon.

Adjective 'bada' for size.

चम्मच गिर गया।

The spoon fell down.

Past tense of 'girna'.

मैंने सारे चम्मच धो दिए हैं।

I have washed all the spoons.

Present perfect with 'ne' construction.

इन चम्मचों को मेज पर लगाओ।

Arrange these spoons on the table.

Oblique plural 'chammachon' before 'ko'.

चम्मच के बिना सूप पीना मुश्किल है।

It is difficult to drink soup without a spoon.

Using 'ke bina' (without).

वह चम्मच से चाय हिला रहा है।

He is stirring the tea with a spoon.

Present continuous tense.

दवाई के लिए इस चम्मच का उपयोग करें।

Use this spoon for the medicine.

Using 'ka upyog' (use of).

क्या मुझे एक और चम्मच मिल सकता है?

Can I get one more spoon?

Using 'mil sakta hai' for possibility.

चम्मच चांदी का बना है।

The spoon is made of silver.

Describing material using 'ka bana'.

बच्चे को चम्मच से खिलाना चाहिए।

The baby should be fed with a spoon.

Passive-style advice using 'chahiye'.

वह अपने बॉस का सिर्फ एक चम्मच है।

He is just a sycophant for his boss.

Metaphorical use of 'chammach'.

रसोई में चम्मचों की खनखनाहट सुनाई दे रही थी।

The clinking of spoons was audible in the kitchen.

Onomatopoeic word 'khankhanahat'.

उसने चम्मच से सारा शहद निकाल लिया।

He took out all the honey with a spoon.

Past tense with 'ne' and 'nikal liya'.

मेहमानों के लिए नए चम्मच निकालो।

Take out the new spoons for the guests.

Plural usage in a social context.

चम्मच को उल्टा मत रखो।

Don't keep the spoon upside down.

Using 'ulta' (upside down/opposite).

यह चम्मच बहुत पुराना और कीमती है।

This spoon is very old and valuable.

Adjectives 'purana' and 'keemti'.

उसने गुस्से में चम्मच फेंक दिया।

He threw the spoon in anger.

Adverbial phrase 'gusse mein'.

क्या आप चम्मच से खाना पसंद करेंगे?

Would you prefer to eat with a spoon?

Conditional/Polite future 'pasand karenge'.

राजनीति में 'चम्मच' होना एक आम बात है।

Being a sycophant is common in politics.

Abstract noun usage of the metaphor.

चम्मच की बनावट से उसकी प्राचीनता का पता चलता है।

The design of the spoon reveals its antiquity.

Complex subject 'chammach ki banawat'.

उसने बड़ी सावधानी से चम्मच से दवा मापी।

She measured the medicine with the spoon very carefully.

Adverbial phrase 'badi savdhani se'.

चम्मच का आविष्कार मानव सभ्यता के लिए महत्वपूर्ण था।

The invention of the spoon was significant for human civilization.

Academic sentence structure.

वह हर बात में अपने गुरु का चम्मच बनता है।

He acts as a sycophant to his teacher in every matter.

Idiomatic expression 'chammach banna'.

मेज पर चम्मचों को एक खास क्रम में रखा गया था।

The spoons were placed on the table in a specific order.

Passive voice 'rakha gaya tha'.

चम्मच से टकराकर कांच का गिलास टूट गया।

The glass broke after being hit by the spoon.

Participle phrase 'chammach se takrakar'.

आधुनिक युग में चम्मच के कई रूप विकसित हुए हैं।

Many forms of spoons have developed in the modern era.

Perfective aspect 'viksit hue hain'.

चम्मच की खनक ने सन्नाटे को चीर दिया।

The clink of the spoon pierced the silence.

Literary/Poetic personification.

उसकी चापलूसी की पराकाष्ठा उसे एक 'चम्मच' से अधिक कुछ नहीं बनाती।

The height of his flattery makes him nothing more than a sycophant.

Highly formal vocabulary ('parakastha', 'chaplusi').

इतिहासकार चम्मचों के विकास को खान-पान की संस्कृति से जोड़ते हैं।

Historians link the evolution of spoons to the culture of food and drink.

Complex transitive verb 'jodte hain'.

चम्मच मात्र एक उपकरण नहीं, बल्कि सभ्यता का प्रतीक है।

A spoon is not merely a tool, but a symbol of civilization.

Using 'matra' (merely) and 'balki' (but rather).

उसने अपनी विरासत में मिले चांदी के चम्मचों को सहेज कर रखा है।

He has carefully preserved the silver spoons he received in his inheritance.

Perfective participle 'mile' and compound verb 'sahej kar rakha'.

चम्मच से परोसने की कला भी एक विशिष्ट कौशल है।

The art of serving with a spoon is also a specific skill.

Gerundial subject 'parosne ki kala'.

वह राजनीति के गलियारों में एक चतुर 'चम्मच' के रूप में जाना जाता है।

He is known as a clever sycophant in the corridors of power.

Metaphorical and formal register.

चम्मच की धातु उसके उपयोग की अवधि निर्धारित करती है।

The metal of the spoon determines its duration of use.

Technical/Formal vocabulary.

Collocations courantes

साफ चम्मच

चम्मच से मिलाना

एक चम्मच नमक

चम्मच धोना

चांदी का चम्मच

प्लास्टिक का चम्मच

चम्मच से खिलाना

चम्मच गिरना

छोटा चम्मच

चम्मच का सेट

Phrases Courantes

चम्मच देना

— To give a spoon. Used frequently in restaurants or at home.

कृपया मुझे एक चम्मच देना।

चम्मच से चखना

— To taste with a spoon. Used during cooking to check flavor.

सब्जी चम्मच से चख कर देखो।

एक चम्मच काफी है

— One spoon is enough. Used for sugar, salt, or medicine.

चाय में एक चम्मच चीनी काफी है।

चम्मच भर

— A spoonful. Used as a quantity.

उसने चम्मच भर दही खाया।

चम्मच रखना

— To place or keep a spoon.

चम्मच को प्लेट के बगल में रखना।

चम्मच उठाना

— To pick up a spoon.

उसने सूप पीने के लिए चम्मच उठाया।

चम्मच खो गया

— The spoon is lost. Common in households with kids.

मेरा पसंदीदा चम्मच खो गया।

चम्मच की जरूरत

— Need for a spoon.

क्या तुम्हें चम्मच की जरूरत है?

चम्मच साफ करना

— To clean a spoon.

चम्मच को कपड़े से साफ करो।

चम्मच का इस्तेमाल

— Use of a spoon.

चावल के लिए चम्मच का इस्तेमाल करो।

Souvent confondu avec

चम्मच vs चमचा (Chamcha)

Often used for serving spoons or sycophants. Don't use it for a standard eating spoon in formal settings.

चम्मच vs चमक (Chamak)

Means 'shine'. Sounds similar but is a different part of speech.

चम्मच vs चिमटा (Chimta)

Means 'tongs'. Used for rotis. Don't confuse it with a spoon!

Expressions idiomatiques

"चांदी का चम्मच लेकर पैदा होना"

— To be born with a silver spoon in one's mouth. Refers to being born into a very wealthy family.

वह बहुत अमीर है, वह चांदी का चम्मच लेकर पैदा हुआ है।

Formal/Literary

"किसी का चमचा होना"

— To be someone's sycophant or 'yes-man'.

वह अपने मैनेजर का चमचा है।

Informal/Derogatory

"चमचागिरी करना"

— To act as a sycophant; to flatter someone for personal gain.

प्रमोशन के लिए चमचागिरी करना अच्छी बात नहीं है।

Informal

"चम्मच से दूध पिलाना"

— To spoon-feed someone. Metaphorically, to give someone too much help so they don't think for themselves.

उसे सब कुछ खुद करने दो, हमेशा चम्मच से दूध पिलाना ठीक नहीं।

Neutral

"एक ही चम्मच से सबको मापना"

— To judge everyone by the same yardstick (literally: to measure everyone with the same spoon).

हर बच्चा अलग होता है, आप सबको एक ही चम्मच से नहीं माप सकते।

Metaphorical

"चम्मच में पानी पीना"

— To be extremely petty or stingy (rare/regional).

वह इतना कंजूस है कि चम्मच में पानी पीता है।

Informal

"चम्मच चलाना"

— To stir things up, sometimes used metaphorically to mean causing trouble.

उसने बातों ही बातों में चम्मच चला दिया।

Informal

"चम्मच की तरह चमकना"

— To shine like a (new) spoon. Used for something very clean or bright.

उसकी कार चम्मच की तरह चमक रही है।

Descriptive

"बड़ा चमचा"

— A big sycophant; a main follower of a leader.

वह पार्टी का बड़ा चमचा है।

Informal/Political

"चम्मच भर पानी में डूब मरना"

— To be extremely ashamed (Variation of 'Chullu bhar pani mein doob marna').

अगर तुम यह काम नहीं कर सके, तो तुम्हें चम्मच भर पानी में डूब मरना चाहिए।

Idiomatic/Sarcastic

Facile à confondre

चम्मच vs काँटा

Both are cutlery.

Kaanta is a fork (piercing), Chammach is a spoon (scooping).

सूप के लिए चम्मच, नूडल्स के लिए काँटा।

चम्मच vs कड़छी

Both are used for liquids.

Karchi is a large ladle for serving; Chammach is for eating.

कड़छी से पतीले से दाल निकालो।

चम्मच vs चाकू

Both are kitchen tools.

Chaku is for cutting; Chammach is for eating.

चाकू से सेब काटो।

चम्मच vs चमड़ा

Phonetically similar start.

Chamda means 'leather'. Completely unrelated.

यह जूता चमड़े का है।

चम्मच vs चम्मचिया

Diminutive form.

Rarely used, but refers to a tiny spoon. Stick to 'Chota Chammach'.

यह छोटी चम्मचिया है।

Structures de phrases

यह [Adj] चम्मच है।

यह साफ चम्मच है।

मुझे चम्मच [Verb] है।

मुझे चम्मच चाहिए।

चम्मच से [Food] खाओ।

चम्मच से खीर खाओ।

[Number] चम्मच [Ingredient] डालो।

तीन चम्मच चीनी डालो।

चम्मच [Postposition] [Action] करो।

चम्मच को मेज पर रखो।

वह [Person] का [Slang] है।

वह नेता का चमचा है।

चम्मच की [Property] [Result] है।

चम्मच की चमक अद्भुत है।

[Metaphorical phrase with Chammach]

चांदी का चम्मच उसकी किस्मत में था।

Famille de mots

Noms

चमचा (Chamcha - large spoon/sycophant)

चमचागिरी (Chamchagiri - sycophancy)

चम्मच-सेट (Chammach-set - set of spoons)

Verbes

चम्मच से खिलाना (Chammach se khilana - to spoon-feed)

चमचागिरी करना (Chamchagiri karna - to flatter/be a sycophant)

Adjectifs

चम्मच जैसा (Chammach jaisa - spoon-like)

चमचा (Used as an adjective for a person)

Apparenté

काँटा (Fork)

चाकू (Knife)

बर्तन (Utensil)

रसोई (Kitchen)

खाना (Food)

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour voir tous les exemples

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Very high in domestic and culinary domains.

Erreurs courantes

Using 'meri' with chammach. → Mera chammach.
Chammach is masculine, so the possessive pronoun must also be masculine.
Saying 'chammachein' for plural. → Chammach (direct) or Chammachon (oblique).
Masculine nouns ending in consonants don't take the '-ein' ending in plural.
Using 'chammach' for a fork. → Kaanta.
A spoon and a fork are distinct tools with different names in Hindi.
Pronouncing it as 'sham-mach'. → Cham-mach.
The starting sound is a hard 'ch' as in 'chair', not 'sh' as in 'she'.
Using 'chamcha' in a formal restaurant. → Chammach.
Chamcha can sound informal or imply a large serving spoon; chammach is the standard term.

Astuces

Gender Memory

Imagine a spoon as a strong 'Man' carrying soup. This helps you remember it is masculine (Mera chammach).

Size Matters

Always specify 'chota' or 'bada' if you need a specific size for cooking or eating.

Hand vs Spoon

In India, use a spoon for liquid items, but don't be afraid to use your hands for bread like roti.

Chamcha Caution

Never call your friend a 'chamcha' unless you are joking, as it implies they are a spineless sycophant.

Kitchen Labeling

Stick a label saying 'चम्मच' on your spoon drawer to see it every day.

The 'CH' Sound

The 'ch' in chammach is unaspirated. Don't blow out air like 'chh'; keep it sharp like 'church'.

Persian Connection

Knowing it's Persian helps you link it to other words like 'chaku' (knife) which also have Persian roots.

Devanagari Double M

Practice writing 'म्म' to master the look of doubled consonants in Hindi.

Recipe Reading

When you see 'chammach' in a recipe, it usually means a level teaspoon unless specified otherwise.

Politeness

Adding 'ek' (one) before 'chammach' makes a request sound more natural: 'Ek chammach dena'.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'CHAMp' who eats 'MACHo' food with a 'CHAM-MACH'.

Association visuelle

Imagine a shiny stainless steel spoon (chammach) reflecting the sun (chamak). Both words start with 'Cham-'.

Word Web

Kitchen Soup Steel Sugar Stir Sycophant Measurement Medicine

Défi

Try to ask for a spoon in Hindi at every meal today. Even if you are alone, say 'Mujhe chammach chahiye' before you start eating.

Origine du mot

The word 'chammach' is derived from the Persian word 'chamchah' (چمچه). It entered the Hindi language during the period of Persian cultural and linguistic influence in the Indian subcontinent, particularly during the Mughal era.

Sens originel : The original Persian 'chamchah' also meant spoon or ladle.

Indo-Aryan (via Indo-Iranian/Persian).

Contexte culturel

Be careful when using 'chamcha' to describe a person, as it is an insult. Stick to 'chammach' for the utensil.

English speakers might find it funny that 'spoon' is an insult in Hindi. In English, 'spooning' is romantic, but in Hindi, being a 'chammach' is derogatory.

In the movie '3 Idiots', the concept of being a 'chamcha' to the system is subtly critiqued. Traditional Hindi folk songs often mention the 'clinking of spoons' to symbolize a happy, busy home. Political cartoons in Indian newspapers frequently depict sycophants as literal spoons.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Breakfast Table

चम्मच से चीनी मिलाओ
अंडा खाने के लिए चम्मच
चम्मच गंदा है
नया चम्मच लाओ

Cooking

आधा चम्मच नमक
मसाला चम्मच से डालो
चम्मच से चलाओ
बड़ा चम्मच इस्तेमाल करो

Restaurant

एक चम्मच और देना
चम्मच गिर गया
साफ चम्मच चाहिए
काँटा और चम्मच

Medicine

एक चम्मच सिरप
छोटा चम्मच दवाई
दिन में दो चम्मच
चम्मच धोकर पीना

Office/Politics (Slang)

वह चमचा है
चमचागिरी मत करो
बॉस का चमचा
बड़ा चमचा

Amorces de conversation

"क्या आपको खाने के लिए चम्मच चाहिए या आप हाथ से खाएंगे?"

"इस सूप के लिए कौन सा चम्मच सही रहेगा?"

"क्या आप मुझे बता सकते हैं कि चम्मच कहाँ रखे हैं?"

"क्या आपने कभी चांदी के चम्मच से खाना खाया है?"

"भारतीय खाने में चम्मच का उपयोग कब शुरू हुआ?"

Sujets d'écriture

आज आपने कितनी बार चम्मच का उपयोग किया और किस काम के लिए?

क्या आपको लगता है कि चम्मच से खाना हाथ से खाने से बेहतर है? क्यों?

एक ऐसी घटना के बारे में लिखें जब आपको चम्मच की बहुत जरूरत थी लेकिन वह नहीं मिला।

अपने पसंदीदा चम्मच का वर्णन करें (रंग, आकार, सामग्री)।

क्या आपने कभी किसी को 'चमचा' कहते सुना है? उस स्थिति का वर्णन करें।

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

It is a masculine noun. You should always use masculine modifiers with it, like 'bada chammach' or 'mera chammach'. Using it as feminine is a common mistake for beginners.

You say 'do chammach'. The word 'chammach' does not change in the direct plural form.

The slang version is 'chamcha', and it refers to a sycophant or a 'yes-man' who flatters a boss or leader for personal gain. It is generally derogatory.

No, a fork is called 'kaanta'. Using 'chammach' for a fork will confuse native speakers.

You can say, 'Bhaiya, ek saaf chammach dena' (Brother, give one clean spoon).

A teaspoon is called a 'chota chammach' or 'chai ka chammach'.

Yes, it is the standard unit of measurement in Indian cooking for spices and powders.

A 'chammach' is an eating spoon, while a 'karchi' is a large ladle used for serving dal or soup from a pot.

No, it actually comes from Persian 'chamchah'. Many Indian kitchen terms have Persian origins.

Pronounce it by holding the 'm' sound slightly longer than a single 'm', similar to the word 'mid-day' but for the letter 'm'.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour les astuces et notes