Learning Hindi can be an enriching experience, not just because of its beautiful script and phonetic richness, but also because it offers a glimpse into the vast cultural and philosophical wisdom of India. Hindi idioms and proverbs (मुहावरे और कहावतें) are an integral part of the language, often used to convey messages with precision and brevity. This article explores some of the most commonly used Hindi idioms and proverbs, shedding light on their meanings and usage.
ऊँट के मुँह में जीरा (A cumin seed in a camel’s mouth)
This idiom is used to describe a situation where a resource is too little to satisfy the need. It’s similar to the English idiom “a drop in the ocean.”
इतने सारे मेहमानों के लिए इतना थोड़ा खाना तो ऊँट के मुँह में जीरा है।
बंदर क्या जाने अदरक का स्वाद (What does a monkey know of the taste of ginger?)
This proverb is used to suggest that someone is ignorant of the value or nature of something.
वह तो कला की बारीकियों से अनजान है, बंदर क्या जाने अदरक का स्वाद।
आसमान से गिरा, खजूर में अटका (Fell from the sky, stuck in a date palm)
This idiom is used to describe a situation where someone escapes one problem only to find themselves in another.
उसकी नौकरी छूटी और फिर वह बीमार भी पड़ गया, आसमान से गिरा, खजूर में अटका।
अंधों में काना राजा (In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king)
This proverb means that even someone with limited abilities or qualities can be considered important or influential if those around them have even less.
इस गांव में तो वही सबसे अच्छा गाता है, अंधों में काना राजा।
नाच न जाने आँगन टेढ़ा (Blames the uneven courtyard for not knowing how to dance)
This idiom is used to criticize someone who blames external factors for their own shortcomings or failures.
वह हमेशा अपनी असफलता के लिए दूसरों को दोष देता है, नाच न जाने आँगन टेढ़ा।
घर का भेदी लंका ढाए (The insider who knows the secrets can cause the downfall)
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone within an organization or group causes its downfall or failure because they know its vulnerabilities.
कंपनी की गोपनीय जानकारी लीक हो गई, घर का भेदी लंका ढाए।
दीवार के भी कान होते हैं (Even walls have ears)
This proverb is used to caution someone to be careful about what they say because someone might be eavesdropping.
संभल कर बात करो, दीवार के भी कान होते हैं।
जैसे को तैसा (Tit for tat)
This proverb is used to suggest that one should treat others the way they have been treated, often in the context of revenge or retaliation.
उसने मेरी मदद नहीं की, अब मैं भी उसकी मदद नहीं करूँगा, जैसे को तैसा।
हाथी के दांत खाने के और दिखाने के और (Elephant’s teeth are different for showing and different for eating)
This idiom is used to describe someone who has a different outward appearance or behavior from what they truly are or feel.
वह बाहर से तो मीठा बोलता है, पर अंदर से कड़वा है, हाथी के दांत खाने के और दिखाने के और।
By incorporating these idioms and proverbs into your Hindi vocabulary, you can not only enrich your language skills but also gain deeper insights into the cultural nuances of India.
