Finally a comprehensive Mauritian Ingredients Translations list, complete with spices, vegetables, fruits and more. I’ll continue to update it so be sure to bookmark this page and check often!
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How this Mauritian Ingredients Translation List came together
Back when I moved to the United States in 2004, I was craving my favorite Mauritian dishes. So naturally I needed to cook them myself because, sadly, there are no Mauritian restaurants where I am.
Mauritian ingredients translation from Créole to English were not coming to me naturally. I had to look up the translations on the internet, and not only were those sparse at the time, but they weren’t always accurate.
Translating ingredients from Mauritian Créole to other languages can be a challenge because there isn’t really much of a Mauritian dictionary, especially in multiple languages. This is why I did my own research and compiled a translation list in Microsoft Excel.
Western language translations from Créole to English and French
In view of the fact that in Mauritius, we use a potpourri of French, Hindi, Bhojpuri, Tamil, Urdu, Chinese, Hakka, etc. in our Créole dialect, it can sometimes be tricky to find the English or French equivalent of an ingredient.
I’m sharing my ingredient translations list here because I figured that there must be a decent number of Mauritians (or tourists) who, like me, want to know the Mauritian ingredients translation from Créole to English and French, or vice versa.
Eastern language translations from Créole to Hindi, Tamil, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Hakka
If I felt they were relevant, I’ve even included translations in Hindi, Tamil, Mandarin, Cantonese and Hakka. You can jump from one language to another.
How to use this Ingredients Translations List
Use the tips below on how to best use this list!
Best viewed in a Desktop or Laptop Browser
First and foremost, please note that this ingredients translation list is best viewed in a desktop or laptop browser. When viewing in a mobile phone or tablet, you’ll be able to read the translations but it might not be the best user experience.
Primarily Mauritian ingredients translations
The translation list is meant to be a concise list of ingredients commonly used in Mauritian cuisine. It’s not designed to be a comprehensive translation list for most ingredients in existence.
In other words, my intent is for it to be useful to the person creating Mauritian dishes and not for someone simply looking for ingredients translations in multiple languages.
For instance, you’ll not find translation for basil if basil is not part of traditional Mauritian cookery. But do refer to this list if you need to look up calebasse chinois in English or cumin in Créole, etc.
Grocery shopping
I use this list as a quick reference when I’m grocery shopping, or cooking, since I can quickly pull it up on my phone.
Use “Ctrl + F”
On a desktop, I also find it handy to use “ctrl” + “f” and type the ingredient I am looking to instantly locate it on the page.
Bookmark this page!
I hope you find this list helpful. It’ll be frequently updated so be sure to bookmark it and check back often! If there is a common ingredient that you feel is missing, you can let me know in the comment section below.
Spices and herbs translations
Coriander seeds (la grain coriande)
English | French | Créole | Hindi/Tamil/Mandarin/Hakka |
|---|---|---|---|
| Almond | Amande | Zaman | Badam |
| Aniseed | Anis | Gros l’ani Gros anis | Saunf |
| Asafoedita | Férule persique | Hingue | Hing Perungaayam (Tamil) |
| Cardamom | Cardamome | Elaîti | Elaichi Elakkai (Tamil) |
| Carom, seeds | Ajowan | Carom, carrom | Ajwain |
| Chili, hot pepper | Piment | Pima | Mirch Xian la jiao (Mandarin) |
| Cilantro, coriander leaves | Coriandre | Cotomili | Dhania patta Kothamalli thalai (Tamil) Xiang cai (Mandarin) |
| Cinnamon | Cannelle | Canelle | Dalchini |
| Cloves | Girofle | Girofle/Zirofle | Laung |
| Coriander, seeds | Coriandre | Coriande | Suhka dhania |
| Cumin | Cumin | Ti l’ani Tilani | Jheera |
| Curry leaves | Feuilles de cari | Cari poulé | Kadhi patta Karuveppilai (Tamil) |
| Curry powder | Poudre de curry | La poudre cari | |
| Fennel seeds | Fenouil | Fenouil | Saunf |
| Fenugreek leaves | Feuilles de fenugrec | Feuille méti | Kasoori methi |
| Fenugreek seeds | Fenugrec | Méti | Methi dana |
| Garlic | Ail | L’ail | Lashun |
| Garlic chive (or Chinese chive) | Queue d’ail | La queue l’ail/ Laqué l’ail | Maroi nakuppi (Manipuri) Jiǔ cài (Mandarin) |
| Ginger, fresh | Gingembre | Gingembre, zinzam | Adrak |
| Green onion or scallion | Queue d’oignon | La queue zoignon, La queue zonion | Haraa pyaaza Vengayathal (Tamil) Cōng (Mandarin) |
| Lemon | Citron | Citron | Nimbu |
| Lime | Citron vert | Ti limon | Hara nimbu |
| Mint | Menthe | La menthe | Pudina Bo He (Mandarin) |
| Mustard seeds | Moutarde | La grain moutarde | Raee |
| Nigella, seeds | Graines de nigelle | Kalongi | |
| Nutmeg | Muscade | Miscad | Jaiphal |
| Onion | Onion | Zoignon, zonion | Pyaaz |
| Pepper | Poivre | Di poive | Kali mirchi |
| Poppy seed | Pavot | Kas kas | khasakhas or khas khas |
| Saffron | Safran | Jafran | Kesar or jaffran |
| Sesame seeds | Graines de sésame | Gingeli, zinzi | Til Zhīma zǐ (Mandarin) |
| Shallot | Echalote | Salote (sometimes called zoignon, same as onion) | Chote pyaaz |
| Tamarind | Tamarin | Tamarin | Imli |
| Turmeric | Curcuma | Safran | Haldi Manjal (Tamil) |
A great way to use the spices in this list is by making your own Authentic Mauritian Curry Powder recipe or a Homemade Achard Masala Paste!
Vegetables translations
| English | French | Créole | Hindi/Tamil/Mandarin/Hakka |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amaranth, Chinese spinach | Amarante | Brèdes malbar | Chauli Mulaikkira (Tamil) Xiàncài (Mandarin) |
| Arrowroot | Arrowroot | Larourout | Araarot or araroot |
| Artichoke | Artichaut | Zartissot | Hathi chak |
| Asparagus | Asperge | Zasperze | Shatavari or sattawar Lúsǔn (Mandarin) |
| Aubergine, eggplant | Aubergine | Brinzel | Brinjal Katharikkai (Tamil) |
| Bamboo shoots | Pousses de bambou | Bamboo | Zhu sun (Mandarin) |
| Beetroot | Betterave | Bétrave | Chukandar |
| Bell pepper, capsicum | Poivron | Piment salade | Shimla mirchi Kudai milagai (Tamil) |
| Bitter gourd, bitter melon | Melon amer | Margoze | Karela Paavakkai (Tamil) Kǔ guā (Mandarin) |
| Bottle gourd, obo squash, calabash | Courge bouteille, Calebasse | Calbas | Lauki Surakkai (Tamil) |
| Bok choy | Chou chinois | Petsai | Pai tsai |
| Bok choy, baby | Pak choi | Pak choi | Xiao bai cai (Mandarin) |
| Breadfruit | Fruit à pain | Friapain | Bakri-chajhar (Hindi) Irppla (Tamil) |
| Cabbage | Chou | Li chou/li sou | Patta gobhi Muttaigosu (Tamil) |
| Cassava, tapioca, yuca | Manioc | Manioc | Kasaava Maravalli kizhangu (Tamil) Mù shǔ (Mandarin) |
| Cauliflower | Chou fleur | Souflère | Phool gobi Pookkosu (Tamil) Càihuā (Mandarin) |
| Chinese cabbage/ Napa cabbage | Chou sinois | Pet sai | Chini gobhi |
| Chili/Hot pepper | Piment | Pima | Mirch Milagai (Tamil) |
| Chayote Choko (Australia) | Chayote, chou chou | Sousou, chouchou | Chow chow (Hindi) Foshugua (Chinese) |
| Corn, maize | Maïs | Maille | Bhutta Makka Solam (Tamil) |
| Cucumber | Concombre | Cocomme | Kheera Vellarikai (Tamil) |
| Green bean | Haricot vert | Zaricot vert | Haree phalee |
| Greens (general leafy greens) | Brèdes | Brèdes | Saag |
| Jicama | Dolique bulbeux | Patate chinois, samcot | Saa got (Cantonese) |
| Leek | Poireau | Poiro | Hara pyaj |
| Lentil – red | Lentilles | Lenti rouze | Masoor dal |
| Moringa – leaves | Le moringa | Brède mouroum | Là mù zǐ (Mandarin) |
| Moringa – drumsticks | Baton de moringa | Baton mouroum Baton mouroungue (Reunion island) | Sahjan ki phalli Murungai kai (Tamil) |
| Mustard greens | Moutarde chinoise | Sarson saag Bao xin jie cai (Mandarin) | |
| Okra, lady fingers | Gombo | Lalo | Bhindi Vendaikkai (Tamil) Qiū kuí (Mandarin) |
| Patty pan squash | Patisson | Patisson | |
| Peas | Petit pois | Ti pois | Matar |
| Peanut (or groundnut) | Cacahuète or arachide | Pistasse | Moong phali |
| Pumpkin | Giraumon | Ziromon | Kaddū |
| Radish | Radis | Radi | Mooli Bai Luó bo (Mandarin) |
| Snake gourd | Gourde de serpent | Patol | Padwal Pudalankaai (Tamil) |
| Sponge gourd, luffa, ridge gourd, Chinese okra | Luffa | Pipengaille | Torai Peerkangai (Tamil) Si gua (Chinese) |
| Sweet potato | Patate douce | Patate, batate | Shakar kandi Sakaravalli kilangu (Tamil) |
| Taro | Taro | Arouille, awi | Arbi (Hindi) Seppankizhangu (Tamil) Yu tou (Mandarin) Wu tau (Cantonese) |
| Turnip | Navet | Gros rave | Shalgam |
| Watercress | Cresson | Kresson | Jalakumbhi |
| Winter melon, ash or wax gourd | Melon d’hiver, goudre de cendre | Calebasse chinois | Safed Petha (Hindi) Dong gua (Chinese) |
| Yardlong bean Chinese long bean | Haricot kilomètre | Vohème | Lobia ki phalli |
If you love chayote (chouchou), you might want to try my Homestyle Boulette Chouchou recipe!
Fruits translations
| English | French | Créole | Hindi/Tamil/Mandarin/Hakka |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avocado | Avocat | Zavoka | Nashpati or avocado phal |
| Bilimbi | Bilimbi | Bilimbi | Huang gua shu (Mandarin) |
| Grapefruit | Pamplemousse | Pamplemous | |
| Guava | Goyave | Goyave | Amarood |
| Jackfruit | Jaque | Zak | Kathal Pala pazham (Tamil) |
| Java plum (Malabar plum) | Jamblon | Jamblon | Jamun Hai nan pu tao (Mandarin) |
| Jujube (Chinese date) | Jujube | Masson | Ber Zǎozi (Mandarin) |
| Lemon | Limon | Citron | Burra nimbu Elumichai (Tamil) |
| Lime | Citron vert | Ti limon | Nimbu Elumichai (Tamil) |
| Longan (dragon’s eye) | Longane | Longane | Lung ngaan (Cantonese) |
| Lychee | Litchi | Letchi | Litchee Lìzhī (Mandarin) |
| Pawpaw (papaya) | Papaye | Papaye | Papeeta |
| Passion fruit | Fruit de la passion | Grenadine | Krishna phal |
| Pomegranate | Grenade | Grenade | Anār Shíliú (Mandarin) |
| Raspberry | Framboise | Framboise | Fù pénzi (Mandarin) |
| Raspberry – wild | Framboise des bois | Framboise sauvage Fraise sausage | n/a |
| Rose apple (Java or wax apple) | Pomme d’eau | Jamalac | Chambakka (Hindi) Jambu (Tamil) Lian wu (Mandarin) |
| Soursop (custard apple) | Coeur de boeuf | Ker de beffe | Sarifa |
| Star fruit | Carambole | Caranbol | Kamrakh Yang tao (Mandarin) |
| Sugar apple | Pomme cannelle | Zatte | Sarita |
| Tamarind | Tamarin | Tamarin | Imli |
| Watermelon | Pastèque | Melon d’eau | Tarabooj Xīguā (Mandarin) |
Flour and other ingredients translations
| English | French | Créole | Hindi/Indian or Hakka |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agar agar | Agar agar | La mousse | Hán tiān (Mandarin) Hon tiên (Hakka) |
| Arrowroot powder | Poudre d’arrow root Poudre de marante | La route | Géfěn (Mandarin) |
| Bean curd, tofu | Fromage de soja | Tofu Teokon | Tohfoo Dòu fu (Mandarin) |
| Clarified butter (ghee) | Beurre clarifié | Mantègue | Ghee Nei (Tamil) |
| Corn starch | Fécule de maïs Amidon de maïs | Farine maye | Yùmǐ diànfěn (Mandarin) |
| Fungus – black, Wood ear mushroom | Champignon noir | Hei yun (Mandarin) | |
| Semolina | Semoule | Gréo | Sooji ravai (Tamil) |
| Tapioca starch/flour | Poudre de manioc | La poudre cange La poudre manioc | Ling fen (Mandarin) |
Mauritian recipes
I hope you enjoyed these ingredients translations, and don’t forget to bookmark this page for future reference!
Please be sure to check my Authentic Mauritian Recipes like the Mauritian Fish Vindaye or my easy Vegetable Achard!
Thanks for visiting!
