Order anything by pointing in Bengali
I would like, this one, how much, the bill: survive any counter or menu. Play the ten Bengali words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 11 Bengali phrases in this lesson
- আমাকে ... দিনAA-ma-ke ... DIN
- I would like...
- এইটাEY-ta
- This one
- কত দাম?KO-to daam
- How much is it?
- বিল দিনbil DIN
- The bill, please
- কার্ডেKAR-deh
- By card
- নগদেNO-god-eh
- In cash
- পানিPA-ni
- Water
- কফিKO-fi
- Coffee
- চাchaa
- Tea
- বিয়ারBI-yar
- Beer
- ... ছাড়াCHHA-ra
- Without...
Literally "give me ...", the everyday polite order: আমাকে এক কাপ চা দিন (AA-ma-ke EK kap CHA DIN), a cup of tea for me.
Point clearly and say it. At any counter or market stall, এইটা plus a gesture covers the entire selection process without needing further vocabulary.
The universal price question. You can also say "কত টাকা?" (KO-to TAA-ka, how many taka). At markets, always ask before you pick something up, as prices can be flexible for visitors.
In local restaurants the bill rarely comes automatically. Catching the waiter's eye and saying "বিল" or miming writing on your palm also works fine.
Mobile banking (bKash, Nagad) is extremely popular in Bangladesh, even at small shops. Showing a QR code and saying "bKash?" often works faster than any phrase.
Village markets and roadside stalls almost always prefer cash. ATMs are widely available in Dhaka and major towns but can be scarce in rural areas.
Bangladesh uses পানি (PA-ni, the South Asian form). In West Bengal they say জল (JOL). Tap water is not safe to drink; bottled water is widely available and cheap.
Tea, চা (CHA), is far more common. Coffee is mostly a city cafe drink.
Sold in small clay cups at roadside stalls.
Alcohol is restricted in Bangladesh and served only in licensed hotels and bars. In Kolkata it is easy to find.
Goes after the word: চিনি ছাড়া (CHI-ni CHHA-ra), without sugar; ঝাল ছাড়া (JHAL CHHA-ra), not spicy.