# chai

/ˈtʃaɪ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/chai
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. spiced tea

noun · CEFR B1

a sweet, spiced tea made with milk, originally from India.

For teachers: a beverage made by brewing black tea with a mixture of aromatic spices and herbs, typically served with milk and sweetener.

- I ordered a hot chai with almond milk at the café this morning.
- The barista prepared a traditional chai by simmering black tea leaves with cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger before adding steamed milk.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to the liquid, but countable when ordering a single serving.

### 2. tea in general

noun · CEFR B2 · Dialect

the word for tea in many parts of the world, especially India.

For teachers: the generic term for tea in various languages, particularly in South Asia and parts of the Middle East.

- While traveling in India, we stopped for a cup of chai at a roadside stall.
- In many Indian households, offering a guest a cup of chai is a fundamental gesture of hospitality.

Teaching tip: Learners should note that while 'chai' means 'tea' in many languages, in English it almost always refers specifically to the spiced variety.

### 3. Jewish symbol

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a Jewish symbol that represents the word 'life'.

For teachers: a Hebrew symbol and word meaning 'life', frequently worn as a pendant or used in Jewish art.

- She wore a gold chai necklace that her grandmother had given her.
- The chai symbol is central to Jewish culture, appearing frequently in toasts and as a decorative motif on ritual objects.

## Examples

- I love drinking hot chai on a rainy afternoon.
- The street vendor prepared a fresh batch of chai, crushing ginger and cardamom pods directly into the boiling milk.
- While the term simply means tea in many languages, in Western culinary contexts it specifically refers to masala chai, characterized by its robust spice profile and creamy texture.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.