Hindi: A language rich in proverbs and idiomatic expressions

Hindi is a language which is spoken or understood across the entire country. On September 14, 1949 it was accorded the status of Rajbhasha by the Constituent Assembly of India. We celebrate 14^th September every year as Rajbhasha Diwas and the month of September as Rajbhasha Month. Today, after Chinese and English, it is the 3^rd largest spoken language in the world – with its popularity steadily on the rise.

Having adopted liberal Economic policies in wake of globalization, India is being perceived as a major market by the foreign countries now. For them, presenting their wide varieties of amazing range of products to a country of such a large population is like a dream opportunity for future.

It’s one of the main reasons that some of the most prestigious Universities in the world today have begun to give Hindi its due importance. With a view to improve their career and future, many foreign students are even keen to wear the badge ‘Hindi-Honor’ on their chests.

Hindi language has a vast repository of words and expressions. Many regional languages have contributed to its embellishment by changing and improving its contours and character. In fact, it has always been the dearest progeny of the rich ancient language Sanskrit that has nurtured and helped in blossoming of a variety of regional languages. By now even many English words become have part of the daily vocabulary of many Hindi-Speaking people, and so is the case vise-versa. In English at present many Hindi words are appearing verbatim.

In fact, for the enrichment and growth of any language such constants multilayered exchange of intellectual capital is quite essential. Their benefits get manifested on both sides, which is a natural way to the development of languages.

As Hindi has grown out of a mixture or a variety of languages, born out of general and daily exchange of ideas and thoughts of ordinary – folk, it has a marked rural and regional flavor to it.

Varied aspects of people’s philosophy, beliefs, lifestyles, way of thinking and value – system etc. afford it a certain vibrancy, besides a uniquely colorful and distinctive character.  Such elements not only make a language rich but also help it to become more receptive, flexible, interesting and free –flowing.

Hindi language is a big reservoir of a variety of expressions and phrases that may be called proverbs or idiomatic expressions. Their usage helps in imparting a certain beauty and meaningfulness to the language. By proverb we mean a specific expression commonly in use in a certain language. In a way, it’s a distilled expression of particular experiences of people in a certain community. Talking in the same vein, sometimes in a small sentence we can find ‘Gagar mein Sagar’ (ocean in a tumbler) – and its impact may appear minor but could prove lasting (ghav karein gambhir).

Oxford Concise Dictionary describes proverb as a ‘commonly used expression that’s brief and meaningful’. And according to Fleming, proverb or sayings contain the common wisdom of a specific community or an age. While a proverb may be a complete sentence, an idiomatic expression may only form a part of the sentence. Proverbs are usually fixed in expression, while the meaning of idioms could change according to the use. As both are enriched expressions they lend certain grace and beauty to the language.

Disraeli’s claim at the proverbs and maxims are older than the oldest texts appear to be true. Proverbs like ‘mare bhadon ka ghaam’ and ‘dhobi ka kutta na ghar ka na ghat ka’ truly reflect the experiences of ages. Armed with these unique expressions, even the so called illiterate ruler – folk often surprise the ‘educated ones’ by retorting with ‘saw takey ki ek baat’.

By now in Hindi we can clearly see the assimilation and incorporation of different proverbs and idiomatic expressions from other languages. If from Sanskrit we have ‘anabhyase visham shastrasm’ (without practice even shastra could turn into poison) and ‘maunam sammati lakshanam’ (silence is an indication of agreement), from Persian and Urdu we have ‘akalmandon ko ishara kafi hai’, ‘abhi dilli door hai’, ‘gaye the roza chudaney, namaaz gale padi’.

From English too we have proverbs like ‘khaali dimaag shaitan ka ghar’ (an empty is devil’s workshop) or ‘har cheez jo chamakti hai, sona nahi hoti’ (all the glitters is not gold). Proverbs and sayings have touched almost every aspect of life in an unabashed and vigorous manner, and that’s the reason they are so popular.

Come let’s have a look at some of these bold and spirited expressions that have continued to fire people’s imagination down the ages. These draw on almost every aspect of life, be it animal or bird, number or food, lifestyle or general behavior of people – and all wrapped up in the timeless wisdom to which humanity continues to add.

SOME HINDI PROVERBS/IDIOMS AND THEIR CORRESPONDING ENGLISH EXPRESSIONS

Relating to Animals

अक्ल बड़ी या भैंस 
(Tact is more powerful than mere strength).
अपने घर कुत्ता भी शेर 

(Every cock fights best on his own dung hill).

बंदर क्या जाने अदरक का स्वाद 
(Honey is not meant for monkey’s mouth).

ऊँट के मुँह में जीरा 
(A drop in the ocean).
साँप के सपोले ही पैदा होंगे 

(As the crow is so the egg be).

Relating to Figures
न नौ मन तेल होगा न राधा नाचेगी 

(If the sky falls we shall gather larks).
 तीन तेरह होना 

(To be at sixes and sevens).
नया नौ दिन पुराण सौ दिन 

(New brooms are no better than old ones).
एक अनार सौ बीमार 

(One post and one hundred candidates).
नौ दो ग्यारह होना 

(To turns tails).

Relating to Body Parts
आँख मिचौली करना 

(To play hide and seek).

कान न देना 
(To turn a deaf ear).

आँख कान खुले रखना 
(To be on alert).
आँख का काजल चुराना 

(To steal the teeth out of one’s mouth).

आँख चुराना 
(To cut someone dead).
इस हाथ दे, उस हाथ ले 

(Early sow, early mow).

Relating to Food Items
दाल में काल होना 

(To smell a rat).
दूध का धुला 

(All light with no shadow).

भूख में चने भी मखाने 
(Hunger is the best sauce).

थोथा चना बाजे घना 
(Empty vessels make much noise).

दूध का जला छाछ भी फूँक- फूँक कर पीता है 
(A burnt child dreads the fire).
अकेला चना भाड़ नहीं फोड़ता 

(A gram cannot break the furnace).

Relating to Behavior/Habit
चैन की बंसी बजाना 

(To enjoy the music of life).

जैसे को तैसा 
(Tit for tat).
एक हाथ से ताली नहीं बजती 

(It takes two to quarrel).
राई का परबत बनना 

(To make a mountain of a moll-hill).

हथेली पर सरसों नहीं जमती 
(Rome was not built in a day).
बहती गंगा में हाथ धुँआ 

(Make hay while the sun shines).
जैसी करनी वैसी भरनी 

(As you sow, so you reap).
आप भला तो जग भला 

(Good mind, good find).

Relating to Fruits/Vegetables
अंगूर खट्टे हैं 

(The grapes are sour).
थाली का बैंगन 

(A fickle minded person).
आम खाओ पेड़ न गिनो 

(Gather in the harvest, why count the stalks).

करेला और नीम चढ़ा 
(A pimple grown on an ulcer).
आम के आम घुठलियों के दाम 

(Money for money and interest besides).