Proverbs, or कहावतें (kahavatein) in Hindi, are short traditional sayings that carry deep meaning and reflect the wisdom of everyday life. They are commonly used in conversations to teach values, give advice, or add humor. Here are a few well-known Hindi proverbs to begin with:
- नाच न जाने आँगन टेढ़ा – A bad worker always blames his tools.
- जहाँ चाह वहाँ राह – Where there is a will, there is a way.
- देर आये दुरुस्त आये – Better late than never.
जितना आप लोगों की मदद करोगे, उतना ही आपकी मदद होगी। — The more you help people, the more you will be helped.
Language is the result of human feeling, contact, experience, and collective wisdom in addition to the human mind. Local knowledge has a specific place in language. It comes through folklore, folk music, proverbs, and other such things. It holds a distinctive position because it captures the universal experiences of the common people in communities and the sense of community.
Short, idiomatic sayings known as proverbs are frequently employed to impart life lessons. In other words, a proverb is a brief phrase that is packed with wisdom and offers guidance for living. These tiny phrases provide our speech with more elegance or richness, as is the case with the Hindi language, and give us the chance to discover and learn about new libraries.
Everything in life has a proverb associated with it, particularly the Hindi proverbs. Proverbs are frequently used to characterize persons or events. It is a means of expressing emotions like praise, pity, or disappointment. They are relatable to everyone in some way. Proverbs are a common feature of all cultures and tongues. In this blog, the best and most well-known Hindi proverbs are discussed, along with their translations.
What Is A Proverb Called In Hindi?
The term "proverb" can be translated into Hindi as "कहावत" (kahavat) or "मुहावरा" (muhavra).
Proverbs in Hindi And English
अंत भला तो सब भला
All is Well that ends well.
Meaning - If you are going through something in life, remember if things end well, it is well. Remember not to dwell in your past, as it's over.
अपनी दही को कोई खट्टा नहीं कहता
Every potter praises his own pot.
Meaning - Never indulge in self-praise, remember to practice humility.
Best Proverbs In Hindi With Meaning
Given how vibrant and rich the Hindi language is, it should not be surprising that proverbs play a significant role in Indian society on a daily basis. Proverbs are a great method to enhance your vocabulary while also understanding Indian culture better. So, without further ado, let's jump into the wise world of Hindi proverbs and find out what they mean.
अधजल गगरी छलकत जाये (adhajaL gagarii chalakat jaaye)
“A half-filled container spills more water.”
Similar English Proverb: “An empty vessel makes the most noise.”
Meaning - This proverb is often used to convey the idea that people who have less knowledge or substance tend to talk more or make more noise to compensate for their lack of content.
नाच न जाने आँगन टेढ़ा (naach na jaane aangan tedhaa)
“Not knowing how to dance but calling the courtyard crooked.”
Similar English Proverb: “A bad workman blames his tools.”
Meaning - This proverb is used to convey the idea that sometimes people criticize or find fault with something they don't understand or cannot do themselves.
उल्टा चोर कोतवाल को डांटे (ulataa cor kotwaal ko daante)
“When caught, the thief scolds the policeman.”
Similar English Proverb: “Pot calling the kettle black.”
Meaning - It is used to describe a situation where someone who is guilty of a similar wrongdoing accuses another person of the same thing, often with a hypocritical intent.
जान है तो जहान है (jaan hai to jahaan hai)
“If there is life, then there is the world.”
Similar English Proverb: “Health is wealth.”
Meaning - The proverb is used to describe the importance of health.
जिस की लाठी उसकी भैंस (jiskii laathii usakii bhains)
“The buffalo belongs to the person who holds a stick.”
Similar English Proverb: “Might is right.”
Meaning - This proverb is used to convey the idea that the one in control or in a position of authority also has the power and influence to make decisions or dictate terms.
अब पछताए होत क्या जब चिड़िया चुग गई खेत (ab pachtaaye hot kyaa jab chidiyaa chug gayii khet)
“There’s no use repenting when the birds have already damaged the crops in the field.”
Similar English Proverb: “There’s no use crying over spilled milk.”
Meaning - This proverb is often used to convey the idea that it's pointless to regret a loss or mistake after it has already happened, similar to the English saying "Don't cry over spilled milk."
Learn to use Hindi number names to make everyday conversations easier.
दूध का जला छाछ भी फूंक कर पीता है (Duudh kaa jalaa chaach bhii phuunk kar piitaa hai)
“The person who’s burned from milk is scared of buttermilk too.”
Similar English Proverb: “Once bitten twice shy.”
Meaning - This proverb is often used to convey the idea that someone who has had a negative experience in the past tends to approach similar situations with caution or care to avoid a repeat of the negative outcome.
Best Hindi Proverbs For Students With Meaning
Hindi proverbs are not only good to read for fun but they contain wisdom about life. Every student relates to one of the following proverbs in Hindi as most of these proverbs come from experiences.
चोर-चोर मौसेरे भाई (chor-chor mausere bhaaii)
“Two thieves are just like cousins.”
Similar English Proverb: “Birds of a feather flock together.”
Meaning - This proverb is used to convey that people with similar interests often find comfort in each other's company.
जैसी करनी वैसी भरनी (jaisii karnii vaisii bharnii)
“What you receive is the consequence of your actions.”
Similar English Proverb: “As you sow, so you shall reap.”
Meaning - This proverb is used to convey that actions have consequences, a popular quote to suggest karmic retribution.
ऊँट के मुंह में जीरा (uunt ke munh men jiiraa)
“A pinch of cumin seeds in the camel’s mouth.”
Similar English Proverb: “A drop in the bucket.”
Meaning - This phrase is used to describe a situation where something valuable or beneficial is wasted on someone who cannot appreciate or make use of it.
Discover more about Hindi with Hindi class on Superprof.
अंत भला तो सब भला (ant bhalaa to sab bhalaa)
“If it’s a happy ending, then everything was worth it.”
Similar English Proverb: “All’s well that ends well.”
Meaning - This proverb conveys that in the end, everything is good if things end well for you, no point looking at the past.
While learning proverbs is great, you must know the basic rules of Hindi grammar to make use of these pearls of wisdom in the right context.
दूर के ढोल सुहावने लगते हैं (duur ke dhol suhaavne lagate hain)
“Distant drums sound pleasant.”
Similar English Proverb: “The grass is always greener on the other side.”
Meaning - This proverb emphasizes that one must always look to be content with what they have and not look at others.
आगे कुंआ पीछे खाई (aage kunaan piiche khaaii)
“A well in front and a ditch behind.”
Similar English Proverb: “Between the devil and the deep blue sea.”
Meaning - This proverb is often used metaphorically to describe a situation where someone feels trapped or is facing difficulties from all sides.
डूबते को तिनके का सहारा (duubate ko tinke kaa sahaaraa)
“To a drowning person, even a grain could be a great help.”
Similar English Proverb: “Drowning man catches at a straw.”
Meaning - This proverb conveys the message that a person in difficulty will hold on to even the slightest of hope in difficult situations.
बन्दर क्या जाने अदरक का स्वाद (bandar kyaa jaane adrak kaa svaad)
“How would a monkey know the taste of ginger!”
Similar English Proverb: “Casting pearls before swine.”
Meaning - This is an idiomatic expression in Hindi that is often used to convey that someone might not appreciate or understand the value of something.
सौ सुनार की, एक लोहार की (sau sunaar kii, ek Lohaar kii)
“Hundred blows of a goldsmith, single blow of a blacksmith.”
Similar English Proverb: “A single blow of a blacksmith is equal to a hundred blows of a goldsmith.”
Meaning - This proverb emphasizes the importance of quality over quantity, suggesting that the skill and precision of a craftsman (in this case, a goldsmith) are more valuable than the efforts of someone working less skillfully or with less expertise (such as a blacksmith).
नेकी कर दरिया में डाल (nekii kar dariyaa men daal)
“Help others and drop the thought in the river.”
Similar English Proverb: “Do good and cast into the river.”
Meaning - This proverb emphasizes that you should do a good deed out of kindness and without expectation of a reward.
घर का भेदी लंका ढाये (ghar kaa bhedi lankaa dhaaye)
“The person knowing the secrets of the house can cause the fall of Lanka.”
Similar English Proverb: “A small leak will sink a great ship.”
Meaning - This proverb is used to convey the idea that someone trusted or closely associated with a group or family can sometimes cause harm or betrayal from within.
बोये पेड़ बबूल का तो आम कहाँ से पाए (boye ped babuul kaa to aam kahaan se paaye)
“If you have sown the seeds of acacia, how would you get mangoes from it?”
Similar English Proverb: “You will reap what you sow.”
Meaning - This phrase is often used metaphorically to convey the idea that you can only expect results that are in line with the efforts or actions you have put in.
मुंह में राम, बगल में छुरी (munh men raam, bagal men churii)
“Name of Lord Rama on the tongue and hiding a knife in the side.”
“A honey tongue, a heart of gall.
जहाँ चाह वहाँ राह (jahaan caah vahaan raah)
“If you wish to do something, you’ll create a path for it.”
Similar English Proverb: “Where there is a will, there’s a way.”
Meaning - This proverb in Hindi emphasizes that if you believe in your actions, then there will be a path to great things.
ऊँची दुकान फीके पकवान (uuncii dukaan phiike pakavaan)
“A grand shop serving bland food items.”
Similar English Proverb: “All that glitters is not gold.”
Meaning - This phrase is often used metaphorically to convey that someone or something may appear impressive or high-status at first glance, but lacks substance or quality.
अपना हाथ जगन्नाथ (apanaa haath jagannaath)
“Own hands are like that of God.”
Similar English Proverb: “If you want a thing done right, do it yourself.”
Meaning - The proverb translates to "Our own hand is our Jagannath." The term "Jagannath" refers to a deity in Hinduism, specifically a form of Lord Vishnu.
The idiom is often used to convey the idea that one should rely on oneself or take matters into one's own hands
दाल में काला (daal men kaalaa)
“Something black in the lentil.”
Similar English Proverb: “To smell a rat.”
Meaning - The proverb is used metaphorically to convey the idea that there is something suspicious or wrong in a situation.
जो गरजते हैं वो बरसते नहीं (jo garajtee hain vo barasate nahiin)
“When there’s thunder, there is no rain.”
Similar English Proverb: “Barking dogs do not bite.”
Meaning - This expression suggests that people who talk a lot or make grand promises often fail to follow through with their actions.
नाम लिया और शैतान हाज़िर (naam liyaa aur shaitaan haazir)
“Utter the name and the devil would present itself.”
Similar English Proverb: “Talk of the devil and the devil appears.”
Meaning - This phrase is often used to convey the idea that mentioning or invoking someone or something may lead to their presence or influence.
साँच को आंच क्या (saanch ko aanc kyaah)
“Pure gold is unaffected by the flame.”
Similar English Proverb: “Truth fears none.”
Meaning - The proverb emphasizes that truth will always prevail over all evil.
जैसा देश, वैसा भेष (jaisaa des, vaisaa bhes)
“Like the country, like the dress.”
Similar English Proverb: “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
Meaning - This proverb in Hindi means one must respect the culture of the place they are in.
Hindi proverbs are more than just a collection of creative expressions or literary words to Indians. Being able to employ Hindi proverbs appropriately, for instance, a proverb with Hindi animal names in it, will offer you an advantage and make you stand out from the crowd as a Hindi learner.
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This list of Hindi proverbs will hopefully provide you with the knowledge and pointers you need to sound knowledgeable, rapidly understand each proverb's context, and participate in any conversation that comes your way.
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Outstanding 😍😍😍😊😊😊
Proverbs and congratulations for your support ❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️🙏🙏❤️❤️