Idioms (Muhavre) Using Food in the Hindi Language

In Hindi, idioms are known as ‘Muhavre’ (मुहावरे) . Idioms are not only typical of a language but also of the culture of a region. Idioms become such an integral part of the everyday language that while using them one hardly realizes that it is an idiom. Idioms make a language rich and more meaningful. They help to increase the value of what is being spoken. For every second language learner knowledge of idioms is important. Just as in English, in Hindi what an idiom means is different from what it says literally. In this article we look at some everyday idioms in Hindi language revolving around food. In any region, food is an important part of culture and so it is often found in the language of the common people. English Idioms on food have already been discussed under Idioms using Food Terms in the English Language. Please note that the article gives translations from Hindi to English and not transliterations. The language used is not pure Hindi but rather the everyday language which is a mixture of Urdu and Hindi. The idioms discussed in this article are a part of everyday language of the people. These idioms can be easily experienced in dialogs of famous Bollywood movies and political speeches around the country.

Apni khichdi alag pakaana : (अपनी खिचड़ी अलग पकाना) :The idiom translates to cook one's own meal. It is used in a situation where a person has ideas which are different from what the group holds. (साथ मिल कर न रहना) When a person does not want to stay with the others, this idiom is used. Using the idiom in a sentence, 'raje maharaje apni apni kichdi pakate rahe, jis ke karan videshyon ne hum par shasan kiya. ' ( राजे महाराजे अपनी अपनी खिचड़ी पकाते रहे, जिस के कारण विदेशियों ने हम पर शासन किया). The sentence used in the example means - Due to infighting of the local princely states the foreigners ruled over us for such a long period.

Aate dal ka bhav malum hona : (आटे दाल का भाव मालुम होना) : It means to come to know the expenses of basic necessities. Aata (Flour) and Dal (Pulses) are a part of the staple diet in this region. The idea behind the idiom probably was a situation where procuring these basic needs is difficult for some reason. (कठिनाई में पड़ना) Using the idiom in a a sentence, 'es saal baarish samay par na padne se, aam logo ko aate dal ka bhav malum pad gaya' ( इस साल बारिश समय पर ना पड़ने से, आम लोगो को आटे दाल का भाव मालुम पड गया) The example sentence means -That due to inadequate rains, the common man is facing many problems.

Bandar kya jaane adrak ka swad: (बंदर क्या जाने अदरक का स्वाद) : A person incapable of appreciating the value of a thing invites this idiom for himself. Literally, the idiom translates to - a monkey has no idea about the taste and benefits of ginger. (अयोग्य व्यक्ति कीमती वस्तु की कद्र नहीं जानता) The English idiom for the same is "Casting pearls before swine". An example of using the idiom would be, 'Vishal: Mujhe bread khana acha lagta hai. Mahesh: Aalo ka parantha bread se zyada acha hota hai. Bandar kya jaane aadrak ka swad!' (विशाल: मुझे ब्रेड खाना पसन्द है। महेश: आलू का परांठा ब्रेड से ज्यादा स्वाद होता है । बन्दर क्या जाने अदरक का स्वाद !) The example means - Vishal: I like to eat bread. Mahesh: A stuffed potato parntha is tastier than bread. What do you know the true taste! (A parantha is a whole wheat Indian bread with butter spread liberally over it. A potato stuffed prantha is filing, nutritious and tasty.)

Nako chane chabvana: (नाकों चने चबवाना) : to make a person go through tough times. (बहुत तंग करना) Literally, it means to force a person to bite something as hard as chicken peas with his nose. Eating chicken peas with one's nose would be an impossible task. It would be used in a sentence like ’shivaji ki sena ne aapne dushmano ko nako chene chabvae' (शिवाजी की सेना ने अपने दुश्मनो को नाकों चने चबवाए) meaning that Shivaji's army gave a tough time to its enemies.

Thali ka baigan: (थाली का बैंगन) : An unsteady mind. ( अस्थिर विचारओ वाला ) It is used for persons who sway from one thought to the other very quickly. A round egg plant in a big plate would not actually be steady. It would keep rolling. Example: 'Ram to thali ka baigan hai, kabhi ek dal ko vote dene ki baat karta hai to kabhi doosri.' ( राम तो थाली का बैंगन है, कभी एक दल को वोट देने की बात करता है, तो कभी दूसरे) The example means that Ram is an undecided fellow, at times he talks of casting his vote in favor of one party and at times to the other.