Hindi grammar · Upper intermediate (B2)
Idioms and set phrases (मुहावरे)
Common Hindi idioms such as दाल में कुछ काला है and ऊँट के मुँह में ज़ीरा, set phrases for everyday situations, fillers and widely used slang.
How idioms work
A (muhaavraa), idiom, is a fixed phrase whose meaning isn't the sum of its words. Most Hindi idioms contain a verb, and that verb changes for tense and person as usual: (mere munh men paanee aa gayaa), my mouth watered; (vah nau do gyaarah ho gayaa), he vanished.
Idioms belong to conversation and lively writing. Learn them as whole phrases, use them with people you know, and don't translate English idioms word for word.
Common idioms
These idioms are known all over the Hindi-speaking world. The literal meaning helps you remember them.
| Idiom | Literally | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| (munh men paanee aanaa) | water comes into the mouth | the mouth waters |
| (haath bantaanaa) | to share hands | to lend a hand |
| (nau do gyaarah honaa) | to become nine two eleven | to vanish, to run off |
| (daal men kuchh kaalaa hai) | there's something black in the lentils | something's fishy |
| (oont ke munh men zeeraa) | cumin in a camel's mouth | a drop in the ocean |
| (sir khaanaa) | to eat someone's head | to pester, to drive someone mad |
| (aankhon kaa taaraa) | the star of the eyes | the apple of your eye |
| (naak men dam karnaa) | to put breath in someone's nose | to make someone's life a misery |
| (paanee-paanee honaa) | to become water-water | to be deeply embarrassed |
| (apne munh miyaan mitthoo bannaa) | to be Mr Parrot with your own mouth | to blow your own trumpet |
Set phrases for everyday situations
These fixed phrases come up in every conversation. Most are neutral and can be used with anyone.
| Hindi | Meaning |
|---|---|
| (koee baat naheen.) | Never mind. No problem. |
| (chalo, chhoro.) | Oh, forget it. |
| (kyaa karen?) | What can you do? |
| … (sach kahoon to …) | To be honest … |
| … (baat yah hai ki …) | The thing is … |
| (aapkee baat men dam hai.) | You have a point. |
| (yakeen naheen hotaa!) | I can't believe it! |
| (aap bhee naa!) | Oh, you! (affectionate) |
Fillers and slang
Fillers keep a conversation flowing: (matlab), I mean; (vaise), by the way; (chalo), oh well, come on; (dekho), look; (hai naa?), isn't it? Among friends, some slang is understood everywhere: (yaar), mate; / (bandaa / bandee), guy, girl; (jugaar), a clever fix; (mast), great; (bindaas), cool, carefree; (tenshan mat lo), don't worry. Keep these for friends, not for interviews or letters.