noun
mala
MAY-luh
Mala (noun) means a string of prayer beads used in Hindu and Buddhist practice for counting repetitions of a mantra or chant. Example: “She wore a wooden mala around her wrist during meditation.”
noun
1
A string of prayer beads used in Hindu and Buddhist practice for counting repetitions of a mantra or chant.
"She wore a wooden mala around her wrist during meditation."
2
A spicy Sichuan seasoning made from Sichuan pepper and chili.
"The hot pot broth was loaded with mala seasoning."
How to use mala
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a string of meditation beads, or a fiery, tongue-numbing Sichuan spice blend, depending on context.
Common pairings
mala beads
mala hot pot
mala flavor
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Word forms
- Plural
- malae, malas
Fill the gap
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She wore a wooden _____ around her wrist during meditation.
Etymology
The prayer-bead sense is a learned borrowing from Sanskrit māla ("garland"); the culinary sense comes from Mandarin 麻辣 (málà), meaning "numbing and spicy."
Rhymes for mala
See all rhymes for mala →Frequently asked questions
What does “mala” mean?
The word “mala” means a string of prayer beads used in Hindu and Buddhist practice for counting repetitions of a mantra or chant. In plain terms, either a string of meditation beads, or a fiery, tongue-numbing Sichuan spice blend, depending on context.
How do you pronounce “mala”?
“Mala” is pronounced MAY-luh (/ˈmeɪ.lə/ in IPA).
How do you use “mala” in a sentence?
Here is “mala” used in a sentence: “She wore a wooden mala around her wrist during meditation.”
What part of speech is “mala”?
“Mala” is a noun.
Where does the word “mala” come from?
The word “mala” comes from Sanskrit. The prayer-bead sense is a learned borrowing from Sanskrit māla ("garland"); the culinary sense comes from Mandarin 麻辣 (málà), meaning "numbing and spicy.".
How many meanings does “mala” have?
“Mala” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a string of prayer beads used in Hindu and Buddhist practice for counting repetitions of a mantra or chant.
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