सीधे मुख्य सामग्री पर जाएं

New !!

100+ Hindi Proverbs & Their English Equivalents: The Ultimate Muhavare Guide

100+ Hindi Proverbs & Their English Equivalents: The Ultimate Muhavare Guide

Home » English Literature » Hindi Proverbs & Idioms

Have you ever tried to translate a Hindi Muhavara literally and ended up sounding ridiculous? You tell someone "My buffalo is dancing," and they look at you like you’ve lost your mind. That is the tragedy of literal translation. To truly master a language—whether you are analyzing the Eras of English Literature or cracking a joke in a Delhi metro—you need the soul of the saying, not just the body.

Funny illustration of a student confused by the literal translation of the Hindi idiom Naach Na Jaane Aangan Tedha

Stop Saying "My Buffalo is Dancing"! Learn the correct English equivalents for famous Hindi idioms before your next exam.

In 2010, the internet struggled to find the meaning of "Sau sonaar ki, ek lohaar ki." We are here to settle that debate once and for all.

Whether you are a student eyeing the lucrative RBI Rajbhasha Adhikari Salary & Job Profile, a scholar researching Vidyapati's Padavali and Arth Saundarya, or just someone wanting to sound smarter, this is the Ultimate List of Hindi Proverbs and Their True English Equivalents.

The "Golden" Question: Sau Sonaar Ki, Ek Lohaar Ki

Let’s beat the confusion immediately. Old blogs couldn't find the answer, but at Sahityashala, we dig deeper—much like the realism found in Modern Urdu Ghazals.

A dramatic illustration comparing a goldsmith's hundred blows to a blacksmith's single blow, representing the Hindi proverb Sau Sonaar Ki Ek Lohaar Ki

The Ultimate Showdown: Why one powerful stroke beats a hundred weak ones.

Hindi: सौ सुनार की, एक लोहार की (Sau sonaar ki, ek lohaar ki)
Literal: A hundred blows of a goldsmith, one of a blacksmith.
The Correct English Idiom: "One chop of the axe is worth a hundred strokes of the hatchet." OR simply, "Quality over Quantity."

This proverb highlights the power of a single impactful action over many weak ones—a concept often explored in Hindi Satire (Vyangya), where a single sharp sentence can dismantle an entire argument.

Top 25+ Hindi Proverbs (Muhavare) & Their English Twins

Stop translating word-for-word. Use these instead to impress your professors. This understanding is as foundational as knowing Ras, Chhand, and Alankar in Hindi Poetry.

Hindi Proverb (Devanagari) Transliteration English Equivalent (Idiom)
नाच न जाने आंगन टेढ़ा Naach na jaane aangan tedha A bad workman blames his tools
अंत भला तो सब भला Anth bhala to sab bhala All's well that ends well
बन्दर क्या जाने अदरक का स्वाद Bandar kya jaane adrak ka swad Casting pearls before swine
दूर के ढोल सुहावने लगते हैं Door ke dhol suhavane lagte hain The grass is always greener on the other side
जैसी करनी वैसी भरनी Jaisi karni waisi bharni As you sow, so shall you reap
थोथा चना बाजे घना Thotha chana baje ghana Empty vessels make the most noise
ऊँची दुकान फीका पकवान Unchi dukan phika pakwan Great cry and little wool / All that glitters is not gold
एक हाथ से ताली नहीं बजती Ek haath se taali nahi bajti It takes two to tango
आसमान से गिरा खजूर में अटका Aasman se gira khajoor mein atka Out of the frying pan into the fire
दूध का जला छाछ भी फूँक कर पीता है Doodh ka jala chhachh bhi phook kar peeta hai Once bitten, twice shy
अंधों में काना राजा Andhon mein kana raja In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king
उल्टा चोर कोतवाल को डांटे Ulta chor kotwal ko daante The pot calling the kettle black
आम के आम गुठलियों के दाम Aam ke aam gutliyon ke daam Earth's joys and heaven's combined / Killing two birds with one stone
जिसकी लाठी उसकी भैंस Jiski lathi uski bhains Might is right
डूबते को तिनके का सहारा Doobte ko tinke ka sahara Drowning man catches at a straw
खोदा पहाड़ निकली चुहिया Khoda pahad nikli chuhiya Much ado about nothing / Making a mountain out of a molehill
ऊंट के मुंह में जीरा Oont ke muh mein zeera A drop in the ocean
सांच को आंच नहीं Saanch ko aanch nahi Truth needs no evidence / Pure gold does not fear the flame
जैसा देश वैसा भेष Jaisa desh vaisa bhesh When in Rome, do as the Romans do
जो गरजते हैं वो बरसते नहीं Jo garajte hain wo baraste nahi Barking dogs seldom bite
जाको राखे साइयाँ, मार सके न कोय Jako rakhe saiyan, maar sake na koy He whom God steers sails safely
अधजल गगरी छलकत जाए Adhjal gagri chhalkat jaye Little knowledge is a dangerous thing
आप भला तो जग भला Aap bhala to jag bhala Good mind, good find / To the good, the world appears good
घर की मुर्गी दाल बराबर Ghar ki murgi dal barabar Familiarity breeds contempt / No prophet is accepted in his own land
दाल में काला Dal mein kala Something is fishy

Understanding these nuances is critical. Just as Ghazal structures and Pingal Shastra rely on precise meters, idioms rely on precise cultural context. Using the wrong one is like mistaking a Sher for a Doha.

Deep Dive: The Stories Behind The Sayings

1. Ab pachatae hot kya jab chidiya chug gayi khet

Literal: Why regret now when the bird has eaten the crop?

This is arguably the most painful proverb in the Hindi lexicon. It speaks to the futility of regret. In financial terms—perhaps relevant if you are asking "Is trading safe for Indian students?"—it means do not cry over losses you didn't prevent with a stop-loss.

English Equivalent: No use crying over spilt milk.

2. Ghar ki murgi dal barabar

Literal: The home-cooked chicken is equal to lentils (dal).

We often undervalue what we have close to us. This theme of identity and self-worth is beautifully reflected in Prasoon Jadon's Hindi poems on dissent and resistance; sometimes the most powerful voices are the ones right at home, yet we ignore them.

English Equivalent: Familiarity breeds contempt.

3. Dal mein kala

Literal: Something black in the lentils.

While the 2010 blog suggested "More to it than meets the eye," the visceral English equivalent is actually suspicious in nature.

English Equivalent: I smell a rat / Something is fishy.

Watch & Learn: Perfect Pronunciation

Visual learning traps the memory faster than text. Here are two essential guides to mastering these phrases.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the difference between a 'Muhavara' and a 'Lokokti'?
A: A Muhavara (Idiom) is a phrase that changes meaning when used in a sentence (e.g., Eid ka Chand hona). A Lokokti (Proverb) is a complete sentence in itself. Understanding this distinction is vital for those asking "Why is Hindi the next big career language?"

Q: Are these idioms useful for competitive exams?
A: Absolutely. If you are preparing for government exams, these are often direct questions. Proficiency here can set you apart.

Conclusion: Don't Be a "Thotha Chana"

Knowledge without application is noise. Start using these idioms in your essays, your interviews, and your daily life. The English language is vast, but Hindi proverbs carry the fragrance of our soil.

Did we miss your favorite childhood proverb? Drop a comment below and let’s grow this list to 200!

📢 Sirf Padhein Nahi, Likhein Bhi!
Article, Kahani, Vichar, ya Kavita — Hindi, English ya Maithili mein. Apne shabdon ko Sahityashala par pehchan dein.

Submit Your Content →

Famous Poems

Charkha Lyrics in English: Original, Hinglish, Hindi & Meaning Explained

Charkha Lyrics in English: Original, Hinglish, Hindi & Meaning Explained Discover the Soulful Charkha Lyrics in English If you've been searching for Charkha lyrics in English that capture the depth of Punjabi folk emotion, look no further. In this blog, we take you on a journey through the original lyrics, their Hinglish transliteration, Hindi translation, and poetic English translation. We also dive into the symbolism and meaning behind this heart-touching song. Whether you're a lover of Punjabi folk, a poetry enthusiast, or simply curious about the emotions behind the spinning wheel, this complete guide to the "Charkha" song will deepen your understanding. Original Punjabi Lyrics of Charkha Ve mahiya tere vekhan nu, Chuk charkha gali de vich panwa, Ve loka paane main kat di, Tang teriya yaad de panwa. Charkhe di oo kar de ole, Yaad teri da tumba bole. Ve nimma nimma geet ched ke, Tang kath di hullare panwa. Vasan ni de rahe saure peke, Mainu tere pain pulekhe. ...

Mahabharata Poem in Hindi: कृष्ण-अर्जुन संवाद (Amit Sharma) | Lyrics & Video

Last Updated: November 2025 Table of Contents: 1. Introduction 2. Full Lyrics (Krishna-Arjun Samvad) 3. Watch Video Performance 4. Literary Analysis (Sahitya Vishleshan) महाभारत पर रोंगटे खड़े कर देने वाली कविता Mahabharata Poem On Arjuna by Amit Sharma Visual representation of the epic dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna. This is one of the most requested Inspirational Hindi Poems based on the epic conversation between Lord Krishna and Arjuna. Explore our Best Hindi Poetry Collection for more Veer Ras Kavitayein. तलवार, धनुष और पैदल सैनिक कुरुक्षेत्र में खड़े हुए, रक्त पिपासु महारथी इक दूजे सम्मुख अड़े हुए | कई लाख सेना के सम्मुख पांडव पाँच बिचारे थे, एक तरफ थे योद्धा सब, एक तरफ समय के मारे थे | महा-समर की प्रतिक्षा में सारे ताक रहे थे जी, और पार्थ के रथ को केशव स्वयं हाँक रहे थे जी || रणभूमि के सभी नजारे देखन में कुछ खास लगे, माधव ने अर्जुन को देखा, अर्जुन उन्हें उदास लगे | ...

Saadgi To Hamari Zara Dekhiye Lyrics – Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (Meaning & Translation)

Home › Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan › Saadgi To Hamari Lyrics Saadgi To Hamari Zara Dekhiye Lyrics – Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (Meaning & Translation) Jump to Section: 📜 Hindi Lyrics 🔤 English Translation 💡 Deep Meaning Famous Line: "Log darte hai katil ki parchai se..." Meaning: "People fear the shadow of a killer, but I have fallen in love with the killer (beloved) herself." Sahityashala welcomes you to the soulful world of Qawwali. Today we explore the masterpiece sung by Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan — "Saadgi To Hamari Zara Dekhiye" . Written by the legendary poet Qateel Shifai , this Ghazal is a tale of innocent love and brutal betrayal. Below are the complete lyrics in Hindi and English with meaning. Saadgi To Hamari Lyrics in Hindi (हिंदी लिरिक्स) सादगी तो हमारी जरा देखिये, एतबार आपके वादे पे कर लिया | मस्ती में ...

Do Naavon Par Pair Pasare Aise Kaise Lyrics & Meaning - दो नावों पर पाँव पसारे ऐसे कैसे | Asad Akbarabadi

Do Naavon Par Pair Pasare Aise Kaise: The Viral Heartbreak Anthem By Asad Akbarabadi | Unlocking the Meaning of Emotional Duality ⚠️ The Truth Behind the Idiom Have you ever felt the crushing weight of being "just an option"? The phrase "Do Naavon Par Pair Pasare" is more than just a muhavara (idiom); it is a psychological indictment of modern love. It describes the exhausting, impossible act of balancing two conflicting lives, leaving the heart torn at the seams . हिंदी मूल (Full Lyrics) दो नावों पर पाँव पसारे ऐसे कैसे वो भी प्यारा हम भी प्यारे ऐसे कैसे सूरज बोला बिन मेरे दुनिया अंधी है हँस कर बोले चाँद सितारे ऐसे कैसे तेरे हिस्से की ख़ुशियों से बैर नहीं पर मेरे हक़ में सिर्फ ख़सारे ऐसे कैसे गालों पर बोसा दे कर जब चली गई वो कहते रह गए होंठ बिचारे ऐसे कैसे — असद अकबराबादी (Asad Akbarabadi) ...

Best Republic Day Poems in Hindi 2026 (26 January Kavita for Students, Teachers & Stage)

The dawn of January 26, 2026 , brings with it more than just a parade; it brings the echo of freedom that resonates in every Indian heart. As we prepare to celebrate our 77th Republic Day, the search for the perfect words—the ultimate best Republic Day poem in Hindi —begins in schools, colleges and community gatherings across the nation.  A heart-touching recitation is the perfect way to win hearts at a school competition. 📝 Editorial Note: As editors who have evaluated school and college-level poetry competitions and published Hindi literature for years, we understand which poems resonate on stage and which fail to connect. This comprehensive guide covers poems for every age group, ensuring you find the perfect verse for your needs. Table of Contents Poems by Class (1 to College) Very Short Poems (Status/Intro) Exclusive Original Poem 2026 The Classics: Timeless Verses How to Win (Performanc...