tola: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1 (very low frequency outside specific regional/technical contexts)Technical/Historical/Regional
Quick answer
What does “tola” mean?
A traditional unit of mass used in South Asia, approximately 11.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A traditional unit of mass used in South Asia, approximately 11.66 grams.
Primarily refers to the historical weight measurement, still used in precious metals trade and some traditional contexts. Can be used metaphorically to imply a small but standardized amount.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is equally unfamiliar in general use in both varieties. Recognition might be slightly higher in BrE due to historical colonial connections with South Asia.
Connotations
No strong regional connotations. Connotes specificity, tradition, and South Asian contexts.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both. Likely only encountered in historical texts, specialized trade (jewellery, bullion), or cultural discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “tola” in a Sentence
[NUM] tola(s) of [MATERIAL]weigh [NUM] tola(s)priced per tolaVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tola” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The antique merchant priced the gold bangle at £500 per tola.
- Recipes in this old manuscript call for a tola of saffron.
American English
- The jeweller imported silver bars measured in tolas.
- In historical trade, a tola was a crucial unit of account.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in South Asian jewellery and bullion markets for pricing gold and silver.
Academic
Found in historical, economic, or metrological texts concerning South Asia.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday international English.
Technical
A precise unit in traditional metrology; relevant for assayers and antique dealers.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tola”
- Using it as a general term for 'a little bit' instead of a specific weight.
- Misspelling as 'tolar' (a Slovenian currency).
- Assuming it's a current international unit.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very low-frequency, specialised term. Most English speakers will not know it unless they have a specific interest in South Asian culture, history, or precious metals trade.
No, it is exclusively a noun referring to a unit of mass. You cannot 'tola' something or have a 'tola' object.
It is not part of the International System of Units (SI). Its use is traditional and persists in specific private-sector contexts, especially in South Asia, but it has been replaced by metric units for official purposes.
The traditional Indian tola is standardized as 180 troy grains, which is exactly 11.6638038 grams. It is often rounded to 11.66 grams.
A traditional unit of mass used in South Asia, approximately 11.
Tola is usually technical/historical/regional in register.
Tola: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtəʊlə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtoʊlə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not worth a tola of salt (rare, metaphorical)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'TOtal weight smALL' -> a small total standard weight (tola).
Conceptual Metaphor
STANDARDIZATION IS WEIGHT (A tola represents a fixed, agreed-upon standard for measurement.)
Practice
Quiz
In which context are you most likely to encounter the word 'tola' today?