Food & Drinks

1. મેનુ બતાવો

   Me-nu ba-taa-vo

   Please show me the menu

   Usage

   First phrase to use when entering a restaurant

   Grammar Note

   Gujarati polite imperatives end in "-o". "Batavo" is the polite imperative of "batavvun" (to show).

2. બિલ લાવો

   Bill laa-vo

   Please bring the bill

   Usage

   Requesting the bill after a meal

   Grammar Note

   "Laavvun" means "to bring". Polite imperative is "laavo".

3. આ શું છે?

   Aa shun chhe?

   What is this?

   Usage

   Asking about a dish or ingredient

   Grammar Note

   Gujarati "shun" (what) corresponds to Hindi "kyaa". Gujarati uses "shun" for both "what" and yes/no questions.

4. મને શાકાહારી ખોરાક જોઈએ છે

   Ma-ne shaak-aa-haa-ri kho-raak jo-ie chhe

   I want vegetarian food

   Usage

   Especially important as Gujarat has a very high proportion of vegetarians

   Grammar Note

   Gujarat has one of India's highest vegetarianism rates. The Jain tradition of strict vegetarianism is also strong here.

5. આ ખૂબ સ્વાદિષ્ટ છે

   Aa khub svaad-isht chhe

   This is very delicious

   Usage

   Praising the food

   Grammar Note

   "Svaad" (taste) is Sanskrit-derived. Gujarati cuisine is famous for dishes like dhokla, thepla, and undhiyu.

6. પાણી આપો

   Paa-ni aa-po

   Please give me water

   Usage

   Requesting water at a restaurant or during a meal

   Grammar Note

   "Aapvun" means "to give". "Aapo" is the polite imperative. Gujarati "paani" (water) is the same word as in Marathi and Hindi.

7. તીખું નહીં

   Ti-khun na-hin

   Not spicy please

   Usage

   Gujarati food is generally mild but useful to specify

   Grammar Note

   Gujarati "nahin" (not) is the same as Hindi. Adjective "tikhun" uses the neuter form.

8. ફરી એક વખત આપો

   Fa-ri ek va-khat aa-po

   Please give me once more

   Usage

   Asking for a refill or another serving

   Grammar Note

   "Fari" means "again" in Gujarati, equivalent to Hindi "phir".

9. મને એલર્જી છે

   Ma-ne e-lar-ji chhe

   I have an allergy

   Usage

   Communicating food allergies

   Grammar Note

   Gujarati uses the dative construction "to me there is allergy". "Chhe" is the Gujarati copula.

10. ખૂબ સરસ ખાવાનું હતું

    Khub sa-ras khaa-vaa-nun ha-tun

    The food was very wonderful

    Usage

    Complimenting the food after a meal

    Grammar Note

    "Khaavaanun" is the gerund of "khaavun" (to eat), meaning "food/something to eat". A common Gujarati expression.

11. ભાત

    Bhaat

    Cooked rice

    Usage

    Cooked rice; raw rice is ચોખા

12. બ્રેડ

    Bread

    Bread

    Usage

    Western-style loaf bread; Indian flatbreads are રોટલી or નાન

13. નૂડલ્સ

    Noodles

    Noodles

    Usage

    Word for noodles

14. સૂપ

    Soup

    Soup

    Usage

    Word to point at when ordering soup

15. ફળ

    Phal

    Fruit

    Usage

    General word for fruit

16. પનીર

    Paneer

    Paneer (Indian fresh cheese)

    Usage

    The main protein in Gujarati vegetarian food; it is dairy, so beware if milk-allergic

17. ટોફુ

    Tofu

    Tofu

    Usage

    Available in city supermarkets but rarely served in ordinary eateries

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