Sunday, August 5, 2012

Hindi Proverbs and their English equivalents

Today we(me and a friend of mine) had a discussion regarding hindi proverbs and their hindi equivalents.. finally i came up with an idea that why don't i put some well known hindi proverbs and their english equivalents together on my blog.. so here below is the list which i come up in my mind.. 

  • Andhon main kana raja - Amongst calves handicapped cow is wise
  • Khatte angoor - sour grapes
  • Ghar ka bhedi lanka dhayey - Beware of the insider, for he can bring down the biggest setup
  • Bander kya jaane adrak ka swad -- casting pearls before swine
  • Taali ek hath se nahi bajti -- it takes two to fight or it takes two to tango
  • jahan chah wahan rah -- when there is will, there is a way
  • Doodh ka jala chach bhi phoonk phoonk ke peeta hai.. -- Once bitten, twice shy
  • daal me kaala -- More to it than meets the eyes
  • Jale pe namak chidakna -- Rubbing salt on ones wounds
  • Naach na jaane angan teda -- a poor worker blames his tools
  • Door ke dhol suhavane -- Grass looks greener on other side
  • Thota chana baje ghana - Empty vessels make more noise
  • Khota chana baje ghana -- empty vessels makes more noise
  • Apna Haat Jagannath - One's own hand is the Lord of universe
  • Ek myaan me do talwar nahi reh sakti -- One man can not serve two masters /  two of a trade seldom agrees
  • Jaisa desh vaisa bhesh -- When in Rome do as Romans do
  • Ant bhala toh sab bhala -- All's well that ends well
  • Ghoda, ghaas se dosti karega -- Tiger and deer do not walk/stroll together.
  • Aap Bhale toh jag bhala -- Good mind, good find.
  • Garajne wale badal baraste nahi -- Barking dog seldom bites
  • कर बुरा  तो  होय  बुरा / जैसी  करनी  वैसी  भरनी --- Do evil & look for like.
  • Aage kuan peeche khaai -- Between the devil and the deep sea
  • Ab pachtaaye hot kya jab chidiya chug gayi khet -- No use crying over spilt milk
  • Jitni lambi chadar utna hi pair parasre chaiye -- Cut your dress according to your cloth.
  • Ghar ki murgi daal barabar -- Self possessions are always undermined and others possession seem better
  • Chaar din ki chaandni phir andheri raat - Dark nights will return after these few moonlit nights
  • Bhains ke aage been bajana - Reading a book to a Buffalo
  • Jiski laathi uski bhains -- Might is Right (Meaning: One who is powerful, always try to spread his/her influence.)
  • Sou sonar ki ek lohar ki - A single blow of a blacksmith is equal to a hundred blows of a goldsmith
  • Ghar ka bhedi lanka dhayey - Beware of the insider, for he can bring down the biggest setup


Updated:


जब लक्ष्मी तिलक करती हो, तब मुंह धोने नहीं जाना चाहिए
Jab Lakshmi tilak karti ho, tab muh dhone nahi jana chahiye.

English Equivalent: When opportunity is at your door step, just grab it, or else you are going to lose the opportunity.

घर की मुर्गी दाल बराबर
Ghar ki murgi dal barabar

English Equivalent: Self-possessions are always undermined and other’s possessions seem better.

लातों के भूत बातों से नहीं मानते!
Laton ke bhoot baaton se nahin maante!

English Equivalent: A person who can only understand the language of beatings cannot be counselled by words.

बहती गंगा में हाथ धोना
[bahti ganga me hath dhona] - to fish in troubled waters

जितनी चादर हो उतना ही पैर फैलाना चाहिये 
[jitni chadar ho utna hi pair phailana chahiye]
English Equivalent: cut your dress according to your cloth

जैसा करोगे वैसा भरोगे
English Equivalent: As you sow, so shall you reap

कर भला हो भला
Literal Meaning: Do good and good will come to you
English Equivalent: Give, and ye shall receive.

PS: if you have some more in your mind or you feel i have made some mistake, please feel free to leave a comment.. Thanks