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मेवे

A2 noun #4,000 most common 9 min read

मेवे

meve Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips मेवे in 30 Seconds

Explanation मेवे in your Level:

At the A1 level, you just need to know that 'meve' means nuts or dry fruits. Think of it as a vocabulary word for food. You can use it in very simple sentences like 'I eat meve' (Main meve khata hoon). It is a masculine plural noun. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet, just recognize the word when you see a picture of almonds or raisins. It's an important word because it's a common snack in India. You might see it on a grocery list or hear it when someone offers you food. Just remember: Meva = one type/singular (less common), Meve = plural/the whole group.

At the A2 level, you should be able to use 'meve' in basic daily interactions. You can ask for them at a shop ('Meve chahiye') or follow a simple recipe ('Meve daalo'). You should also start noticing the difference between 'meve' (nuts) and 'phal' (fresh fruit). At this stage, you might learn the names of specific 'meve' like 'badam' (almond) and 'kaju' (cashew). You should also be aware that 'meve' is the plural form and is used for a variety of dry fruits together. You can describe them simply, like 'Meve acche hain' (Nuts are good).

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'meve' in the oblique case. This means when you say 'in the nuts' or 'with the nuts', the word changes to 'mevo'. For example: 'Mevo mein vitamins hote hain' (There are vitamins in nuts). You can also use the word to talk about health and diet in more detail. You might discuss which 'meve' are your favorite and why. You can also start using the adjective 'sookhe' to say 'sookhe meve' (dry fruits) to be more specific. You should be able to understand short paragraphs about the benefits of eating nuts.

At the B2 level, you can use 'meve' in more complex sentence structures and understand its cultural significance. You should know about 'Panch Meva' (the five-nut mix) used in religious ceremonies. You can participate in conversations about the economy, such as the rising prices of 'meve' during the festival season. You can use 'meve' in conditional sentences like 'Agar tum meve khaoge, toh tumhari sehat acchi hogi' (If you eat nuts, your health will be good). Your vocabulary should also include related terms like 'qatran' (slivers) or 'giri' (kernel).

At the C1 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of 'meve'. You can use it in metaphorical or idiomatic contexts, even if they are less common than 'phal'. You can discuss the history of 'meve' in Indian cuisine, perhaps linking it to Persian and Mughal influences. You should be able to read academic or high-level culinary articles that use 'meve' as a category for analyzing nutritional values or agricultural exports. You understand the subtle difference in register between 'meve', 'sookhe phal', and the English loanword 'nuts' used in Hinglish.

At the C2 level, you have complete mastery over the word 'meve'. You can use it in creative writing, poetry, or complex debates about food security and traditional medicine (Ayurveda). You understand how the word functions in various dialects and its etymological roots in Persian. You can effortlessly switch between the direct and oblique forms in any complex grammatical construction. You might even use the word to discuss the 'essence' or 'core' of a matter in a very literary sense, though this is rare. You are a master of the culinary and cultural nuances of 'meve' in the Hindi-speaking world.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

मेवे in 30 Seconds

Meve refers to dry fruits and nuts like almonds and raisins.
It is a masculine plural noun used for a collective group.
It is a symbol of health, wealth, and hospitality in India.
Commonly used in festive cooking, gifting, and daily healthy snacks.

The Hindi word मेवे (meve) is the plural form of मेवा (meva). In its most literal and frequent application, it refers to dry fruits and nuts. This category encompasses a wide variety of energy-dense, shelf-stable edible items such as almonds (badam), cashews (kaju), raisins (kishmish), walnuts (akhrot), and pistachios (pista). Unlike the term 'phal' which refers to fresh, succulent fruits like mangoes or apples, 'meve' specifically denotes the dried or nutty variety. In Indian culture, these are not just snacks; they are symbols of hospitality, health, and luxury. When you visit an Indian household during a festival, you are almost certain to be offered a tray of 'meve'. The word is used in kitchens when discussing ingredients for desserts, in markets when bargaining for high-quality produce, and in health contexts when discussing nutritional supplements. It is an essential noun for anyone navigating an Indian grocery store or reading a traditional recipe book. The term originates from Persian, reflecting the historical influence of Persian culture on North Indian cuisine, particularly the rich, nut-heavy dishes of the Mughal era.

Category: Food/Noun (Masculine Plural)
Culinary Context: Used primarily in desserts (kheer, halwa) and rich gravies.
Social Significance: Often gifted during Diwali and weddings as a sign of respect and prosperity.

त्योहारों पर हम मेहमानों को मेवे और मिठाइयाँ देते हैं। (On festivals, we give nuts and sweets to guests.)

स्वास्थ्य के लिए मुट्ठी भर मेवे रोज़ाना खाएं। (Eat a handful of dry fruits daily for health.)

Furthermore, 'meve' can be used metaphorically in some contexts to mean the 'fruits' of one's labor, though 'phal' is more common for that specific idiom. In everyday speech, you will hear it most often in the phrase 'Sookhe meve' (dry fruits). If you are looking for a mix of nuts, you would ask for 'mishrit meve'. Understanding this word allows you to appreciate the depth of Indian culinary traditions, where ingredients are carefully chosen not just for taste but for their Ayurvedic properties. For instance, almonds are believed to sharpen the memory, and raisins are good for digestion. Thus, 'meve' are treated with a level of reverence that regular snacks might not receive. In a sentence, 'meve' follows the rules of masculine plural nouns. If it is the subject, it remains 'meve'. If it is followed by a postposition like 'ko' or 'mein', it changes to 'mevo' (e.g., 'mevo ko bhun lijiye' - roast the nuts).

Using मेवे (meve) correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as a masculine plural noun. Since it usually refers to a collection of different types of nuts or a quantity of one type, the plural form is the standard way to refer to them as a category. If you are talking about a single piece of nut, you might use the specific name of the nut (like 'ek badam'), but 'meve' is the collective term. In a sentence like 'I like nuts', you would say 'Mujhe meve pasand hain'. Notice the 'hain' at the end, indicating the plural subject. When you are instructing someone in the kitchen, you might say 'Meve kaat do' (Chop the nuts). Here, 'meve' is the direct object. If you want to specify 'dry fruits', you add the adjective 'sookhe' (dry) to get 'sookhe meve'.

Direct Case: ये मेवे ताज़ा हैं। (These nuts are fresh.)
Oblique Case: इन मेवों की कीमत क्या है? (What is the price of these nuts?)
Imperative Context: खीर में थोड़े मेवे डाल दीजिए। (Please add some nuts to the rice pudding.)

बाज़ार से आधा किलो मेवे ले आना। (Bring half a kilo of nuts from the market.)

सर्दियों में मेवे खाना अच्छा होता है। (Eating dry fruits in winter is good.)

In more advanced usage, 'meve' can be part of compound adjectives. For example, a 'meve-dar' (full of nuts) dish. You might also encounter the term in the context of 'Panch Meva', which is a specific mixture of five types of dry fruits used in Hindu religious offerings (Prasad). This includes traditionally almonds, cashews, raisins, dry dates, and coconut. When describing a rich lifestyle or a rich diet, one might say 'voh toh meve-mishri khata hai' (he eats nuts and sugar candy), implying he lives very comfortably. In professional culinary Hindi, you might hear 'meve ki qatran' (slivers of nuts), which refers to the thinly sliced garnishes found on top of sweets like Barfi or Shahi Tukda. Mastery of this word involves knowing when to keep it simple and when to use its oblique form 'mevo' to sound like a native speaker.

The word मेवे (meve) is ubiquitous in several specific environments in India. First and foremost is the 'Kirana' store (local grocery shop) or the 'Meva Mandi' (wholesale dry fruit market). In cities like Delhi, the Khari Baoli market is famous for its 'meve'. You will hear shopkeepers shouting prices or customers asking about the quality: 'Bhaiya, ye meve taaza hain na?' (Brother, are these nuts fresh?). The second most common place is the household kitchen, especially during the preparation of festive meals. Mothers and grandmothers will often be heard saying, 'Meve bhigo do' (Soak the nuts) or 'Meve koot do' (Crush the nuts). During festivals like Diwali, Eid, or Holi, 'meve' becomes a central topic of conversation because gifting 'meve ke dibbe' (boxes of dry fruits) is a standard social practice.

Marketplace: 'Meva Mandi' is the dedicated section for wholesalers.
Religious Sites: Used in 'Prasad' (blessed food offerings) in temples.
Health Clinics: Doctors often recommend 'meve' for protein and healthy fats.

दुकानदार: "ये सबसे अच्छे मेवे हैं, कश्मीर से आए हैं।" (Shopkeeper: "These are the best nuts, they have come from Kashmir.")

दादी: "रात को मेवे भिगो देना, सुबह खाएंगे।" (Grandmother: "Soak the nuts at night, we will eat them in the morning.")

You will also hear this word in the media, particularly in health segments on news channels or in cooking shows. Celebrity chefs often emphasize the importance of 'roasting meve' to enhance their flavor. In literature and songs, 'meve' can symbolize sweetness or the bounty of nature. For example, a folk song might mention the 'meve' of the mountains. In the context of the gym or fitness culture in India, 'meve' are often discussed as 'natural supplements'. You might hear a trainer say, 'Protein powder ki jagah meve khao' (Eat nuts instead of protein powder). Lastly, in the business world, the 'Meva Vyapaar' (Dry fruit trade) is a significant sector, and you might see headlines about the rising prices of 'meve' during the wedding season. This wide range of contexts shows that 'meve' is a word that bridges the gap between the traditional kitchen, the modern gym, and the bustling marketplace.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with मेवे (meve) is confusing it with the word मावा (mava). Although they differ by only one vowel sound, their meanings are entirely different. 'Meva' refers to nuts and dry fruits, while 'Mava' (also known as Khoya) refers to milk that has been thickened by heating in an open iron pan. If you ask a sweet-shop owner for a 'mava' box when you want dry fruits, you will end up with a block of dairy instead of almonds and cashews. Another common error is using 'meve' when you mean fresh fruit. Fresh fruits like bananas, oranges, and grapes are always called 'phal' (फल). While 'meve' are technically dried fruits, the category is distinct in Hindi conversation.

Meva vs. Mava: Meva = Dry Fruits; Mava = Condensed Milk Solids.
Meva vs. Phal: Meva = Dried/Nutty; Phal = Fresh/Juicy.
Pluralization Error: Saying 'Mevas' (English-style plural) instead of 'Meve'.

गलत: मुझे ताज़ा मेवे जैसे आम पसंद हैं। (Wrong: I like fresh nuts like mangoes.)

सही: मुझे ताज़ा फल जैसे आम पसंद हैं। (Right: I like fresh fruits like mangoes.)

A subtle mistake involves the use of the oblique case. Beginners often say 'Meve ka price' instead of 'Mevo ka price'. In Hindi, when a noun is followed by a postposition (ka, ke, ki, mein, se, ko), the noun must change its form if it is plural. For masculine plural nouns ending in 'e' like 'meve', they change to 'o' (mevo). Another mistake is assuming all 'meve' are sweet. While raisins and dates are sweet, almonds and walnuts are not. Therefore, 'meve' is a broad category of texture and form rather than a flavor profile. Lastly, some learners try to use 'meve' as a verb. 'Meve' is strictly a noun. If you want to say 'to add nuts', you must use a verb like 'daalna' (to put/add). Avoid phrases like 'Khana meve karo' which is nonsensical. Instead, use 'Khane mein meve daalo'. Keeping these distinctions in mind will help you sound more natural and avoid confusion in the kitchen or market.

While मेवे (meve) is the most common general term for dry fruits and nuts, there are several alternatives and more specific words you can use depending on the context. The most formal or descriptive alternative is सूखे फल (sookhe phal), which literally translates to 'dry fruits'. This is often used in health literature or formal menus. If you want to be very specific about the nuts, you would use their individual names. For example, if a recipe only calls for almonds, you wouldn't just say 'meve', you would say बादाम (badam). If you are referring to a mixture of nuts and seeds, you might use the term तिल-हन (til-han) for oilseeds, though this is more technical and less common in daily speech.

सूखे फल (Sookhe Phal): More literal translation of 'dry fruits'. Used in formal contexts.
गिरी (Giri): Refers specifically to the kernel or the 'nut' inside a shell (e.g., akhrot ki giri).
काजू-बादाम (Kaju-Badam): Often used as a pair to represent the whole category of expensive nuts.

डॉक्टर ने सूखे फल खाने की सलाह दी है। (The doctor has advised eating dry fruits.)

मुझे अखरोट की गिरी बहुत पसंद है। (I really like the walnut kernels.)

Another related term is नट्स (nuts). Due to the influence of English, many urban Indians simply use the English word 'nuts' while speaking Hindi. However, 'meve' remains the soulful, traditional choice. In the context of religious offerings, you might hear पंचमेवा (panchmeva), which refers specifically to a sacred mix of five items. If you are talking about the texture of a dish, you might use कुरकुरा (kurkura) (crunchy) to describe the effect of adding 'meve'. Understanding these synonyms helps you navigate different social strata—from the formal 'sookhe phal' to the colloquial 'kaju-badam' and the traditional 'meve'. Each carries a slightly different weight but all center around the richness and nutritional value of these plant-based powerhouses.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"उत्तम स्वास्थ्य हेतु सूखे मेवों का सेवन अनिवार्य है।"

Neutral

"बाज़ार से कुछ मेवे लेते आना।"

Informal

"अरे भाई, थोड़े मेवे तो खिलाओ!"

Child friendly

"ये देखो जादुई मेवे, इन्हें खाओगे तो शक्ति आएगी!"

Slang

"उसकी तो चाँदी है, बस मेवे तोड़ रहा है।"

Fun Fact

While in modern Persian 'miva' still means any fruit, in Hindi, if you want to say 'fruit', you use the Sanskrit-derived word 'phal'. 'Meva' is reserved for the premium, dried variety.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈmeɪveɪ/

US /ˈmeɪveɪ/

The stress is equal on both syllables: ME-VE.

Rhymes With

देवे (deve - gives) लेवे (leve - takes) खेवे (kheve - rows a boat) सेवे (seve - serves) टेवे (teve - habit/custom) घेवे (gheve - take/regional) रेवे (reve - particles/sand) पेवे (peve - drink/archaic)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'Mee-vee' (like the English word 'me').
Pronouncing the 'v' too harshly like a sharp 'v' in 'victory'. In Hindi, it's softer.
Making the first syllable short like 'meh-vay'. It should be 'may-vay'.
Confusing it with 'Mava' (thickened milk).
Adding an 's' at the end when speaking English ('meves').

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The script is simple, but the oblique form 'mevo' might confuse beginners.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering the 'matra' for 'm' and 'v'.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce if you remember it's 'May-vay'.

Listening 4/5

Can be easily confused with 'Mava' in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

फल (Phal - Fruit) खाना (Khana - To eat/Food) दूध (Doodh - Milk) मीठा (Meetha - Sweet) बाज़ार (Bazar - Market)

Learn Next

बादाम (Badam - Almond) काजू (Kaju - Cashew) किशमish (Kishmish - Raisin) पकवान (Pakwan - Gourmet dish) स्वाद (Swad - Taste)

Advanced

पौष्टिकता (Paushtikta - Nutrition) प्रसंस्करण (Prasanskaran - Processing) निर्यात (Niryat - Export) आयुर्वेद (Ayurveda) व्यंजन (Vyanjan - Cuisine/Dish)

Grammar to Know

Masculine Plural Nouns ending in -e

मेवा (Singular) -> मेवे (Plural).

Oblique Case Transformation

मेवे (Direct) + को (Postposition) = मेवों को.

Adjective-Noun Agreement

अच्छे मेवे (Good nuts), not अच्छी मेवे.

Compound Verb Usage

मेवे डाल देना (To put nuts - completed action).

Quantifier Agreement

बहुत मेवे (Many nuts), थोड़े मेवे (Few nuts).

Examples by Level

मुझे मेवे पसंद हैं।

I like nuts.

Simple subject-verb-object structure.

यह मेवे हैं।

These are nuts.

'Ye' is the plural demonstrative pronoun.

मेवे खाओ।

Eat nuts.

Imperative form of the verb 'khana'.

क्या ये मेवे हैं?

Are these nuts?

Simple question formation with 'Kya'.

मेरे पास मेवे हैं।

I have nuts.

Possession using 'ke paas'.

मेवे मीठे हैं।

The nuts (raisins/dates) are sweet.

Adjective 'meethe' agrees with masculine plural 'meve'.

एक किलो मेवे।

One kilo of nuts.

Quantity followed by the noun.

मेवे और फल।

Nuts and fruits.

Using the conjunction 'aur'.

बाज़ार से मेवे लाओ।

Bring nuts from the market.

Use of postposition 'se' (from).

दूध में मेवे डालो।

Put nuts in the milk.

Use of postposition 'mein' (in).

ये मेवे बहुत महंगे हैं।

These nuts are very expensive.

Adjective 'mehangey' agrees with plural 'meve'.

मुझे सूखे मेवे चाहिए।

I want dry fruits.

Use of 'chahiye' for wanting something.

मेवे सेहत के लिए अच्छे हैं।

Nuts are good for health.

Compound postposition 'ke liye' (for).

क्या आप मेवे खाते हैं?

Do you eat nuts?

Present indefinite question.

वह मेवे काट रही है।

She is cutting nuts.

Present continuous tense.

थाली में थोड़े मेवे हैं।

There are some nuts in the plate.

Quantifier 'thode' (some/few).

सर्दियों में मेवे खाना फायदेमंद होता है।

Eating nuts in winter is beneficial.

Gerundial use of 'khana' as a subject.

इन मेवों को पानी में भिगो दें।

Soak these nuts in water.

Oblique form 'mevo' because of postposition 'ko'.

मेवों की खुशबू बहुत अच्छी है।

The aroma of the nuts is very good.

Oblique form 'mevo' with possessive 'ki'.

हमें रोज़ाना मुट्ठी भर मेवे खाने चाहिए।

We should eat a handful of nuts daily.

Use of 'chahiyen' (plural) agreeing with 'meve'.

मिठाई के ऊपर मेवे सजाए गए हैं।

Nuts are decorated on top of the sweet.

Passive construction 'sajaye gaye hain'.

बिना मेवों के खीर अधूरी है।

Kheer is incomplete without nuts.

Oblique form 'mevo' with 'bina' (without).

क्या आपने मेवे भून लिए हैं?

Have you roasted the nuts?

Compound verb 'bhun lena' in perfect tense.

मेवों का व्यापार बढ़ रहा है।

The dry fruit trade is growing.

Oblique form 'mevo' with 'ka'.

त्योहारों के दौरान मेवों की मांग बढ़ जाती है।

The demand for dry fruits increases during festivals.

Complex noun phrase 'mevo ki maang'.

मेवों में पाए जाने वाले तेल दिल के लिए अच्छे होते हैं।

The oils found in nuts are good for the heart.

Relative clause 'paaye jaane waale'.

अगर मेवे ताज़ा न हों, तो उनका स्वाद कड़वा हो जाता है।

If the nuts are not fresh, their taste becomes bitter.

Conditional sentence 'Agar... toh'.

उसने मेवों के डिब्बे बहुत सुंदर तरीके से पैक किए।

He packed the nut boxes very beautifully.

Adverbial phrase 'sundar tareeke se'.

विभिन्न प्रकार के मेवों के अलग-अलग लाभ होते हैं।

Different types of nuts have different benefits.

Use of 'vibhinn' and 'alag-alag' for variety.

मेवों को ज़्यादा देर तक भूनने से वे जल सकते हैं।

Roasting nuts for too long can burn them.

Use of 'se' to indicate cause/reason.

क्या आप जानते हैं कि मेवे कैसे स्टोर किए जाते हैं?

Do you know how nuts are stored?

Indirect question with 'ki'.

मेवों की गुणवत्ता की जाँच करना ज़रूरी है।

It is important to check the quality of the nuts.

Genitive construction 'mevo ki gunvatta'.

मुग़लई व्यंजनों में मेवों का उपयोग प्रचुर मात्रा में किया जाता है।

Dry fruits are used in abundance in Mughlai cuisine.

Formal vocabulary like 'vyanjan' and 'prachur'.

आयुर्वेद के अनुसार, मेवे शरीर को प्राकृतिक ऊर्जा प्रदान करते हैं।

According to Ayurveda, nuts provide natural energy to the body.

Formal phrase 'ke anusar'.

मेवों के अत्यधिक सेवन से पाचन संबंधी समस्याएँ हो सकती हैं।

Excessive consumption of nuts can cause digestive problems.

Sanskritized vocabulary like 'atyadhik sevan'.

इस क्षेत्र की अर्थव्यवस्था मुख्य रूप से मेवों के निर्यात पर टिकी है।

The economy of this region primarily rests on the export of dry fruits.

Economic context with 'niryat' (export).

मेवों की खेती के लिए विशिष्ट जलवायु परिस्थितियों की आवश्यकता होती है।

The cultivation of nuts requires specific climatic conditions.

Scientific terminology like 'vashisht jalvayu'.

प्राचीन काल में मेवे केवल राज परिवारों के लिए उपलब्ध थे।

In ancient times, nuts were available only to royal families.

Historical reference with 'prachin kaal'.

मेवों के अर्क का उपयोग सौंदर्य प्रसाधनों में भी किया जाता है।

The extract of nuts is also used in cosmetics.

Technical use 'ark' (extract).

मेवों की पैकेजिंग में नमी से बचाव का विशेष ध्यान रखा जाता है।

Special care is taken to protect against moisture in the packaging of nuts.

Industrial context.

मेवों की मिठास और उनकी पौष्टिकता का संगम उन्हें एक आदर्श आहार बनाता है।

The confluence of the sweetness of dry fruits and their nutritional value makes them an ideal diet.

Highly literary style with 'sangam' and 'paushtikta'.

साहित्य में मेवे अक्सर समृद्धि और प्रकृति की उदारता के प्रतीक रहे हैं।

In literature, nuts have often been symbols of prosperity and the generosity of nature.

Abstract symbolic usage.

वैश्वीकरण ने मेवों की सुलभता को बढ़ाया है, जिससे उनके उपभोग के पैटर्न बदल गए हैं।

Globalization has increased the accessibility of nuts, thereby changing their consumption patterns.

Sociological analysis.

मेवों के प्रसंस्करण की जटिलता उनकी बाज़ार में ऊंची कीमतों का मुख्य कारण है।

The complexity of processing nuts is the main reason for their high prices in the market.

Formal noun phrase 'prasanskaran ki jatilta'.

विरासत में मिले इन व्यंजनों में मेवों का संतुलन एक कला की तरह है।

The balance of nuts in these inherited recipes is like an art.

Philosophical tone.

मेवों के तेलों के रासायनिक संघटन पर शोध निरंतर जारी है।

Research on the chemical composition of nut oils is ongoing.

Scientific/Academic register.

क्या मेवों का अति-वाणिज्यीकरण उनकी पारंपरिक महत्ता को कम कर रहा है?

Is the over-commercialization of dry fruits diminishing their traditional significance?

Critically analytical question.

मेवों की सुगंध मात्र से ही उत्सव का आभास होने लगता है।

The mere aroma of nuts begins to give a sense of celebration.

Evocative literary language.

Common Collocations

सूखे मेवे

मेवे का डिब्बा

मेवे का स्वाद

मेवे की कतरन

मिले-जुले मेवे

मेवे भूनना

मेवे भिगोना

महंगे मेवे

ताज़ा मेवे

मेवे और मिठाइयां

Common Phrases

मेवे डालना

— To add nuts to a dish. Very common in cooking instructions.

खीर में मेवे डालना मत भूलना।

मेवे खाना

— To eat nuts. Used in health and snack contexts.

वह रोज़ सुबह मेवे खाता है।

मेवे का भाव

— The market price of nuts. Used in shopping or economic talk.

आज मेवे का भाव क्या है?

मेवे की दुकान

— A shop that specifically sells dry fruits.

पास में एक मेवे की दुकान है।

मेवे की थाली

— A platter of nuts, usually served to guests.

मेहमानों के सामने मेवे की थाली रखो।

मेवे का हलवा

— A rich dessert made primarily of nuts.

सर्दियों में मेवे का हलवा बहुत ताकत देता है।

मेवे का पाउडर

— Nut powder, often used for baby food or thickening gravies.

दूध में मेवे का पाउडर मिला दो।

मेवे का तेल

— Nut oil, used for cooking or massage.

बादाम जैसे मेवे का तेल बालों के लिए अच्छा है।

मुट्ठी भर मेवे

— A handful of nuts. A common serving size recommendation.

बस एक मुट्ठी भर मेवे काफी हैं।

मेवे की चटनी

— A chutney made with nuts like walnuts or cashews.

पहाड़ों में मेवे की चटनी प्रसिद्ध है।

Often Confused With

मेवे vs मावा (Mava)

Mava is thickened milk solids; Meve are dry fruits. They sound very similar but are completely different ingredients.

मेवे vs मेवाड़ (Mewar)

Mewar is a region in Rajasthan. Don't confuse the place name with the food item.

मेवे vs मेवा (Meva - Singular)

While 'meva' is the singular, it's rarely used to refer to one nut. 'Meve' is the standard collective term.

Idioms & Expressions

"मेवा खाना"

— To enjoy the rewards of hard work. While 'phal' is more common, this is used in some regional dialects.

मेहनत करोगे तो मेवा मिलेगा।

Colloquial

"मेवा-मिश्री की डली"

— Something very sweet or a person who is very dear/pampered.

उसका बच्चा तो मेवा-मिश्री की डली है।

Literary/Old-fashioned

"पाँचों उंगलियाँ घी में और सिर मेवे में"

— To be in an extremely prosperous and comfortable position (Variation of a common idiom).

उसकी लॉटरी क्या लगी, उसकी तो पाँचों उंगलियाँ घी में और सिर मेवे में है।

Informal

"मेवे जैसा"

— Something very precious or high quality.

उसकी बातें मेवे जैसी कीमती हैं।

Poetic

"मेवा देना"

— To provide a benefit or a good result.

अच्छे कर्म हमेशा मेवा देते हैं।

Moralistic

"मेवे की तरह पालना"

— To raise someone with great care and luxury.

उसने अपने बच्चों को मेवे की तरह पाला है।

Regional

"बिना सेवा मेवा नहीं"

— No pain, no gain. You won't get the 'fruit' without service/hard work.

याद रखो, बिना सेवा मेवा नहीं मिलता।

Proverbial

"मेवे का झाड़"

— A source of constant wealth (Metaphorical).

उसका नया बिज़नेस तो मेवे का झाड़ बन गया है।

Slang/Informal

"मेवे की मिठास"

— The essence of goodness.

उसकी दोस्ती में मेवे की मिठास है।

Poetic

"मेवे चबाना"

— To live a life of leisure and wealth.

अब तो वह बस बैठा मेवे चबाता है।

Informal

Easily Confused

मेवे vs मावा

Phonetic similarity.

Mava is dairy; Meva is plant-based (nuts). Mava is soft and creamy; Meva is crunchy or chewy.

गुलाब जामुन मावा से बनते हैं, लेकिन उनके अंदर मेवे हो सकते हैं।

मेवे vs फल

Both are fruits.

Phal refers to fresh, juicy fruits. Meva refers to dried fruits or nuts.

सेब एक फल है, लेकिन बादाम एक मेवा है।

मेवे vs गिरी

Both refer to nuts.

Giri is specifically the kernel inside. Meve is the whole category of dry fruits.

अखरोट के अंदर की गिरी को मेवा कहा जाता है।

मेवे vs बीज

Some nuts are seeds.

Beej means seeds (like pumpkin seeds). While some seeds are eaten like meve, the term meve usually implies higher value nuts.

तरबूज के बीज भी मेवे की तरह खाए जा सकते हैं।

मेवे vs मिठाई

Both are festive treats.

Mithai is a prepared sweet. Meve are raw dry fruits (though they can be part of mithai).

दिवाली पर हम मिठाई और मेवे दोनों बांटते हैं।

Sentence Patterns

मुझे [Noun] पसंद हैं।

मुझे मेवे पसंद हैं।

[Location] में [Noun] डालो।

दूध में मेवे डालो।

[Noun] सेहत के लिए [Adjective] हैं।

मेवे सेहत के लिए अच्छे हैं।

अगर [Condition], तो [Result]।

अगर मेवे ताज़ा हों, तो स्वाद अच्छा आता है।

[Noun] का उपयोग [Context] में किया जाता है।

मेवों का उपयोग दवाइयों में किया जाता है।

[Noun] की [Quality] ही उसकी [Identity] है।

मेवों की पौष्टिकता ही उनकी असली पहचान है।

[Quantity] [Noun] दीजिए।

आधा किलो मेवे दीजिए।

बिना [Noun] के [Dish] अधूरी है।

बिना मेवों के खीर अधूरी है।

Word Family

Nouns

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Very frequent in culinary, festive, and health-related conversations.

Common Mistakes

Using 'meve' for fresh strawberries. → ताज़ा फल (Taaza phal)
'Meve' is only for dried fruits and nuts. Fresh berries are 'phal'.
Saying 'Meve ka price'. → मेवों का भाव (Mevo ka bhav)
Because 'ka' is a postposition, 'meve' must change to the oblique plural 'mevo'.
Confusing 'Meva' with 'Mava'. → मेवा (Meva)
Mava is a dairy product. If you want nuts, use 'Meva'.
Writing 'मेवे' as 'मेवें'. → मेवे
The dot (nasalization) is not needed here. It's a clean 'e' sound.
Using 'meve' as a singular for one almond. → एक बादाम (Ek badam)
'Meve' is a collective plural. For a single nut, use its specific name.

Tips

Learn the Big Five

To master 'meve', learn the names of the five most common ones: Badam (Almond), Kaju (Cashew), Kishmish (Raisin), Akhrot (Walnut), and Pista (Pistachio).

The 'O' Rule

Whenever you use a word like 'in', 'on', or 'with' after 'meve', change it to 'mevo'. This is the mark of a fluent speaker.

Gifting Etiquette

If you are invited to an Indian home for a festival, a box of 'meve' is a safer and often more appreciated gift than a box of sweets.

Soak your Almonds

If someone tells you 'Badam bhigo kar khao', they are giving you classic Indian health advice. Soaked 'meve' are a big part of the culture.

Ask for 'Mix'

If you want a variety, ask for 'Mishrit Meve' (Mixed nuts). It's a great snack for traveling.

Roast for Flavor

Always roast your 'meve' in a little 'ghee' (clarified butter) before adding them to desserts. It changes the flavor completely!

Long Vowels

Don't rush the word. It's not 'mev'. It's 'may-vay'. Give both syllables their full time.

Meva vs Mava

Remember: E is for Eat (nuts), A is for Add (to milk). Meva = Nuts, Mava = Milk solids.

Persian Connection

Knowing that 'meva' comes from Persian helps you understand why it's so common in Mughlai (Persian-influenced) dishes.

Nut Milk

If you see 'Badam Milk' on a menu, it's essentially a 'meve' based drink. It's a great way to use the word in a sentence.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'MAY-VAY'. In 'MAY', the flowers bloom (fruit), but in 'VAY' (like 'way' back), they are dried up into 'MEVE'.

Visual Association

Imagine a rich, golden box filled with glowing almonds and cashews. The box has the word 'MEVE' written on it in sparkling letters.

Word Web

बादाम (Badam) काजू (Kaju) किशमिश (Kishmish) अखरोट (Akhrot) पिस्ता (Pista) खजूर (Khajur) अंजीर (Anjeer) मखाना (Makhana)

Challenge

Try to name five different 'meve' in Hindi before you eat your next snack.

Word Origin

The word 'meva' comes from the Persian word 'miva' (میوه), which generally means fruit. In Hindi and Urdu, its meaning became specialized to refer specifically to dry fruits and nuts.

Original meaning: Fruit (in Persian).

Indo-European -> Indo-Iranian -> Persian.

Cultural Context

Be careful not to confuse 'meve' with 'mava' (milk solids) as it can affect dietary requirements (e.g., for vegans).

In English-speaking countries, 'dry fruits' often just means raisins or apricots, while 'nuts' is a separate category. In Hindi, 'meve' covers both.

The phrase 'Sewa bin Meva nahi' is a famous Hindi proverb. Bollywood songs often mention 'Kaju-Badam' to describe a life of luxury. Traditional recipes like 'Gajar ka Halwa' are incomplete without a garnish of 'meve'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a Grocery Store

अच्छे मेवे दिखाओ।
मेवे ताज़ा हैं?
मेवे का भाव क्या है?
एक किलो मेवे पैक कर दो।

In the Kitchen

मेवे बारीक काट लो।
खीर में मेवे डाल दिए?
मेवे घी में भून लो।
मेवे भिगोना मत भूलना।

During a Festival

मेहमानों को मेवे दो।
मेवे का डिब्बा कहाँ है?
ये मेवे उपहार में मिले हैं।
त्योहार पर मेवे महंगे हो जाते हैं।

Doctor's Visit

क्या मैं मेवे खा सकता हूँ?
कौन से मेवे सबसे अच्छे हैं?
रोज़ाना कितने मेवे खाने चाहिए?
मेवे भिगोकर खाएं।

At a Restaurant

क्या इस डिश में मेवे हैं?
ऊपर से थोड़े मेवे डाल दीजिए।
मुझे मेवों से एलर्जी है।
मेवे वाला हलवा लाओ।

Conversation Starters

"क्या आपको सूखे मेवे पसंद हैं?"

"आपके पसंदीदा मेवे कौन से हैं?"

"क्या आप जानते हैं कि बादाम को भिगोकर क्यों खाते हैं?"

"भारत में दिवाली पर मेवे क्यों दिए जाते हैं?"

"क्या आपके देश में भी मेवे इतने ही लोकप्रिय हैं?"

Journal Prompts

आज मैंने कौन से मेवे खाए और उनका स्वाद कैसा था?

मेरे घर में मेवों का उपयोग किन-किन चीज़ों में किया जाता है?

अगर मुझे किसी को मेवे का डिब्बा उपहार में देना हो, तो मैं उसमें क्या-क्या रखूँगा?

बचपन में मेवों से जुड़ी मेरी कोई याद।

मेवे और ताज़ा फल में से मुझे क्या ज़्यादा पसंद है और क्यों?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Technically yes, but culturally peanuts (moongphali) are often seen as a separate, more 'common' snack. 'Meve' usually implies more expensive items like cashews or almonds.

You should say 'Mujhe mevo se allergy hai'. It is very important to use the oblique form 'mevo' here.

'Meva' is singular, and 'meve' is plural. However, in conversation, 'meve' is used 90% of the time to refer to the whole category.

Yes, dried apricots (khubani) are considered 'meve' because they are dried fruits.

It is a traditional mix of five dry fruits (usually almonds, cashews, raisins, dates, and coconut) used in Hindu rituals.

It is a masculine noun. This affects the adjectives and verbs used with it (e.g., 'meve acche hain').

Usually, fresh coconut is just 'nariyal'. But dried coconut (gola/khopra) is often included in the 'meve' category.

You can say 'kate hue meve' or 'meve ki qatran'.

In Indian culture, soaking nuts like almonds is believed to make them easier to digest and more nutritious.

While the local languages have their own words, 'meve' is understood by Hindi speakers across India, though the specific types of nuts might vary by region.