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Description
Type: Noun (food item, legume)
Origin: The term "چنا" refers to chickpeas, while "دال" means split or hulled lentils. Daal Chana is a staple pulse in South Asian cuisine, commonly used in curries, stews, and soups.
Nutritional Value: High in protein, dietary fiber, iron, and vitamins, making it an affordable and healthy protein source.
Culinary Use: Widely cooked in Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh; often combined with rice, roti, or vegetables.
Expanded Features:
Polarity: Neutral
Register: Everyday, culinary
Pragmatic Sense: Refers to both the raw lentil and the dish made from it
Synonyms (Urdu): چنے کی دال، بنگال چنا
Synonyms (English): bengal gram, chickpea lentil, gram pulse, split gram
Antonyms (Urdu): غیر دال، گوشت
Antonyms (English): meat, non-legume, animal protein
Key Nuances:
A staple food for vegetarian diets.
Economical source of protein in South Asian households.
Can be eaten as a simple curry or used in festive dishes.
Usage Contexts:
Commonly eaten at lunch or dinner with roti.
Used in traditional South Asian street food recipes.
Cooked with spices, onions, and tomatoes for a hearty meal.
Example Sentences:
Urdu: آج دوپہر کے کھانے میں دال چنا پکائی گئی۔
English: Split chickpea lentil was cooked for lunch today.,
Urdu: دال چنا صحت کے لئے بہت فائدہ مند ہے۔
English: Bengal gram lentil is very beneficial for health.,
Urdu: دال چنا روٹی کے ساتھ بہت مزیدار لگتی ہے۔
English: Chickpea lentil tastes delicious with bread.
Cultural Insight:
Daal Chana is not only a household favorite but also a comfort food in South Asian culture. It symbolizes simplicity and sustenance, often linked to humble yet nourishing meals.
Related Terms:
Daal Masoor (دال مسور): red lentil
Daal Moong (دال مونگ): green gram lentil
Daal Mash (دال ماش): black gram lentil