Slangora

tarkari

An Indian and South Asian English term for a vegetable side dish or curry, used across the subcontinent and diaspora communities.

tɑɹˈkɑɹi221 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
🗺️ Regional & Other
3 definitions
Community

Definitions

#1·Apr 28, 2026

An Indian and South Asian English term for a vegetable side dish or curry, used across the subcontinent and diaspora communities. The word is common in everyday cooking vocabulary and restaurant menus. It typically refers to a cooked vegetable preparation -- distinct from dal (lentils) or meat dishes -- and reflects the central importance of vegetable dishes in South Asian cuisine.

She made a simple tarkari with potatoes and cauliflower to go alongside the dal.
Origin: From Hindi/Urdu 'tarkari' (vegetables, a vegetable dish); widely used across South Asia. Editorial expansion authored on Slangora.
Was this helpful?

Comments

#2·Apr 28, 2026

A term used across South Asia — particularly in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh — for a cooked vegetable dish or vegetable curry served as a side. Tarkari is a staple of everyday home cooking, accompanying dal and rice or roti at most meals. The word crosses linguistic boundaries in the region and appears in Bengali, Nepali, Hindi, and other languages, always referring to a vegetable preparation.

She made aloo tarkari to go with the dal bhat, and it was perfect.
Origin: From Persian and Urdu tarkari, meaning vegetables or a vegetable dish. Editorial expansion authored on Slangora.
For parents

"tarkari" means: A term used across South Asia — particularly in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh — for a cooked vegetable dish or vegetable curry served as a si.... This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

"tarkari" means: A term used across South Asia — particularly in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh — for a cooked vegetable dish or vegetable curry served as a si.... Register: neutral, standard English, usable in most everyday contexts. A common non-native mistake is to use the word in the wrong register, or to assume one fixed meaning when it is actually polysemous; always check the surrounding register and the audience before producing it yourself. In formal writing, prefer a neutral synonym or a short descriptive phrase, and use this word only when you have heard or read it being used naturally in a comparable context.

Was this helpful?

Comments

#3·Apr 27, 2026

(India) A side dish of vegetables.

Was this helpful?

Comments

Have a better definition?

Add your own interpretation of "tarkari".

Add definition

🗺️About Regional & Other slang

Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.

See all Regional & Other slang on Slangora.

Tags

Other words near "tarkari" (T)

Browse all slang words starting with T.

Related terms

People also read

Semantically related