List of loanwords in Konkani explained

The Konkani language spoken in the Indian state of Goa has loanwords from multiple languages, including Arabic, Portuguese, English and Kannada. This is a list of loanwords in the Konkani language.

Portuguese words in Konkani

For references see [1] [2] [3]

Catholic spiritual terms with Latin origins

KonkaniLatinPortugueseEnglish
AamenAmenAmémAmen
Alma AnimaAlma Soul
Padri PatremPadre Priest
BomBonumBom Good
DothDotariumDote Dowry
Fest FestaFesta Feast
InterrakInterrareEnterradoInterred/Burial
Madri MatremMadreNun
Rit RitusRitoRite
Sagrad SacrisSagradoHoly
São/SantSanctusSão/SantoSaint/Holy

Phrases

KonkaniPortugueseEnglish
Bom Fest Boa festaHappy Feast
Bom JesuBom JesusGood Jesus
ObrigadObrigadoThank you
CantarCantarSing/chant
Cantar MissCantar MissaSung Mass/Extraordinary Mass
Santa CruzSanta CruzHoly Cross
Khuris/CruzCruzCross
CarnavalCarnavalCarnival
Carne CarneMeat
SakramentSacramentoSacrament
CinzCinzaAshes
BautismoBaptismoBaptism
Sagrad ComunhaoSagrada ComunhãoHoly Communion
ConfessiaoConfissãoConfession
SacrifisSacrifícioSacrifice
PascoalPascoalRelating to Easter
InfernoInfernoHell
PentecostantPentecostesPentecost
NatalNatalChristmas
BesauñBênçãoBlessing
IgorzIgrejachurch
KopelCapelaChapel
CapainhaCampainhaBell
SimitérCemitérioCemetery
FirgorzFreguesia
Spirita SantaEspírito SantoHoly Spirit
KazarCasarTo marry
CasamentCasamentoMarriage/Wedding
RecepcaoRecepçãoReception
Festa dos ReisFesta dos ReisFeast of the Kings

Family relationships

KonkaniPortugueseEnglish
AfilhadaAfilhadaGoddaughter
Afilhado AfilhadoGodson
Avô AvôGrandfather
Avó AvóGrandmother
Irmãna Irmã Sister
Irmanv IrmãoBrother
Madrin MadrinhaGodmother
Mãi MãeMother
PadrinPadrinhoGodfather
PaiPaiFather
Prim' Primo/PrimaCousin
TiaTiaAunty
TivTio Uncle

Family last names

KonkaniPortugueseEnglishMeaning of Portuguese word
Alemão Alemão Alemao German
Baretto Barreto Baretto Barnet
Carvalho Carvalho Carvalho Oak, Oak Wood or Oak Tree
Cordeiro Cordeiro Cordeiro Lamb
Coelho CoelhoCoelhoRabbit
CorreiaCorreia CorreiaStrap
DiasDiasDiasDays plural of Dia
FernandesFernandesFernandesSon of Fernando
FigueiraFigueiraFigueiraFig tree
FurtadoFurtadoFurtadoStolen (from regular verb Furtar to steal)
Leitão LeitãoLeitaoPiglet
Lobo LoboLoboWolf
MachadoMachadoMachadoAxe
MadeiraMadeiraMadeiraWood
Mendonça or Mendonsa MendonçaMendoncaMend
Nascimento NascimentoNascimentoBirth
Noronha NoronhaNoronhaVillage Name
PalmeiraPalmeiraPalmeiraPalm Tree
PeixotePeixotoPeixotederived from Peixe (Fish)
PereiraPereiraPereiraPear tree (Pera) fruit
Pinto PintoPintoModification of Pintar (regular verb) which is painter
Salgado SalgadoSalgadoSalty or with Salt (sal)
Sardinha SardinhaSardinhaSardine fish
Travasso TravassoTravassoTragedy
Trinidade TrindadeTrinidadeTrinity
Verdes VerdesVerdesGreens

Culinary terms

KonkaniPortugueseEnglish
DoceDoceSweet
AssadoAssadoRoast
RefogarRefogarSauté - French
RacheadoRecheadoStuffed
TorradTorradoToast
Rissois Rissois Rissoles

Kitchen items

KonkaniPortugueseEnglish
KulerColherSpoon
GarfGarfoFork
SuriFacaKnife

Food produce (plant and animal)

KonkaniPortugueseEnglish
Arroz/seethArroz Rice
BatattBatataPotato
YangimBerinjelaEggplant
CajuCajúCashew
PopaiPapaiaPapaya
Tomat Tomate Tomato
Paer/perGoiabaGuava
Kobi Couve Cabbage
Couve-florcouve-florCauliflower
OnosAnanás Pineapple
NaarlCocoCoconut
Laranj Laranjaorange
Camarao/sungta CamarãoPrawn/Large Shrimp
kombiGalinha chicken
dukra massleitoapork

Food Products

KonkaniPortugueseEnglish
AssadAssado de Carne Roast Beef
Kombiecho assadAssado de frangoRoast Chicken
Assad Leitao Leitoa assadaRoast Pork
Bol Bolo Cake
SamusaChamuçasSamosas
ChorisChouriçoSausage
Pão Pãobread
Choris PãoChouriço Pão Sausage Bread
Sungtache rissolRissois de CamarãoPrawn Puffs
Torrad PãoTorradas
Sod SodaSoda Water
VinagreVinagreVinegar
VinhoVinhowine
Porto Portoport wine
Madeira MadeiraMadeira (wine)
FeniFeni Feni an alcoholic drink originating in Goa
Caju FeniCaju feniCashew Feni
SorpotelSarapatelPork Curry

Daily use words

KonkaniPortugueseEnglish
ZonelleJanelaWindow
KodelleCadeira(s)chair(s)
Mezz Mesa Table
Armar ArmárioCupboard
Camisa Camisa Shirt
Tanki Tanque Tank
Kor – – CorColour
Kustar/kuhsht Custar Difficult

Education terms

KonkaniPortugueseEnglish
Tint TintaInk
ProsorProfessorTeacher
Lisavn LiçãoLesson
Kadern CadernoExercise Book

Professional terms

KonkaniPortugueseEnglish
Adogad Advogado Advocate
Dotor Doutor doctor
Pintari PintorPainter
Ord Ordemorder
Selad folpapel seladoStamped paper

Geographical descriptors

KonkaniPortugueseEnglish
Bombaim BombaimMumbai
Viaje Viagem Voyage
Mar MarSea
Praer PraiaBeach
CidadeCidadeCity
VaddoAldeiaVillage
ZonZonaDistrict
CommunidadComunidadeCommunity

City and town names in Goa

KonkaniPortugueseEnglish
Alto AltoHigh
Alto Betin Alto BetimHigh Betim
Goa Velha Goa Velha Goa Velha
Velha Goa Velha GoaOld Goa
Vasco da Gama Vasco da GamaVasco da Gama
Dona Paula Dona Paula Owner/lady Paula
Santa Cruz Santa CruzSanta Cruz
IlhasIlha Island
Reis Magos Reis Magos Three Wisemen

Residential and business addresses

KonkaniPortugueseEnglish
Bairro Bairro/BairristaNeighbourhood/Local
BandhBandaSideways
St Agostino São AgustinhoSaint Augustine
Primeiro Primeiro First
Segundo Segundo Second
Cabesa Cabeça Head

Architectural terms

KonkaniPortugueseEnglish
Pared/wonti ParedeWall
GaleriGaleriaGallery
BalkaniBalcãoBalcony
Varand Varanda Verandah

Miscellaneous words

KonkaniPortugueseEnglish
GovetGavetaDrawer
PixolPincelaBrush
TizuloTijoloBrick
KulchanvColchãoMattress
BurakBuracoHole
SakSacoBag
SusegadSossegadoQuiet/peaceful
Sai/gagroSaiaSkirt
CalçãoCalçõesShorts
Sabu/SabaunSabãoSoap
BancBancoBench
JulabJulapaLaxatic
LilanvLeilãoAuction
MestMestreCarpenter/Master
SorpotelSarapatelPork curry
CabarAcabarFinished
BolssBolsoPocket

Arabic / Persian words in Konkani

Some words are also used wherein the original meaning has been changed or distorted:

English words

See also

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Book: Saradesāya, Manohararāya. A History of Konkani literature. Sahitya Akademi. 2000. 81-7201-664-6. 25 § 26.
  2. A. E. Medlycott, (1905) "India and the Apostle Thomas"; Gorgias Press LLC;
  3. Thomas Puthiakunnel, (1973) "Jewish colonies of India paved the way for St. Thomas", The Saint Thomas Christian Encyclopedia of India, ed. George Menachery, Vol. II.