Bedeutung
Being stingy or spending very little.
Kultureller Hintergrund
For the Bengali middle class, 'হাত টানা' is a survival tactic. It is often discussed with a sense of pride in being 'hisabi' (calculative) rather than just being poor. During weddings, the groom's side is often accused of 'হাত টানা' if the gifts or feast are not lavish enough. It's a common point of gossip. In village markets, 'হাত টানা' is used literally and figuratively. A farmer might pull his hand back from a deal if the price isn't right. Among Gen Z in Kolkata or Dhaka, 'হাত টানা' is often replaced by English loanwords like 'cheap' or 'broke,' but the idiom remains popular in family settings.
Context Matters
Use it with 'হয়' (hoy) to express that you are forced to save money, which sounds more humble.
Don't be too rude
Calling someone 'হাত টানা' to their face can be offensive. Use it behind their back or for yourself.
Bedeutung
Being stingy or spending very little.
Context Matters
Use it with 'হয়' (hoy) to express that you are forced to save money, which sounds more humble.
Don't be too rude
Calling someone 'হাত টানা' to their face can be offensive. Use it behind their back or for yourself.
The 'Pora' variation
If you want to say you are broke, use 'হাতে টান পড়েছে' instead of 'হাত টানছি'.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'হাত টানা'.
মাসের শেষে আমাদের একটু ______ হয়।
The sentence requires the infinitive form 'টানতে' to complete the phrase 'টানতে হয়' (have to pull).
Which sentence means 'He is a miser'?
Choose the correct idiom usage:
'হাত টানা' is the idiom for stinginess. 'হাত দেখা' means palmistry and 'হাত ধোয়া' means washing hands.
Match the situation to the phrase.
Your friend refuses to pay for tea even though he has money.
Since he has money but won't spend it, 'হাত টানা' (stingy) is correct. 'হাতে টান পড়া' would mean he is out of money.
Complete the dialogue.
A: চলো আজ দামী রেস্টুরেন্টে খাই। B: না রে, এখন ______।
The present continuous 'টানছি' fits the context of current financial restraint.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 Aufgabenমাসের শেষে আমাদের একটু ______ হয়।
The sentence requires the infinitive form 'টানতে' to complete the phrase 'টানতে হয়' (have to pull).
Choose the correct idiom usage:
'হাত টানা' is the idiom for stinginess. 'হাত দেখা' means palmistry and 'হাত ধোয়া' means washing hands.
Your friend refuses to pay for tea even though he has money.
Since he has money but won't spend it, 'হাত টানা' (stingy) is correct. 'হাতে টান পড়া' would mean he is out of money.
A: চলো আজ দামী রেস্টুরেন্টে খাই। B: না রে, এখন ______।
The present continuous 'টানছি' fits the context of current financial restraint.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIt depends. If you are doing it to save money, it's wise. If you are doing it to avoid helping others, it's seen as stingy.
No, it is strictly used for money or resources.
The opposite is 'মুক্তহস্ত' (Muktohosto), meaning open-handed or generous.
No, it's informal. In a job interview, say 'ব্যয় নিয়ন্ত্রণ' (controlling expenses) instead.
Not exactly. 'Broke' means you have no money. 'হাত টানা' means you are spending very little, regardless of how much you have.
Yes, you can say a company is 'হাত টানছে' regarding salaries or bonuses.
Use 'হাত টানতে বাধ্য হচ্ছি' (Hat tante baddho hocchi).
It is a hard retroflex 'T' (ট).
Yes, if someone is serving very small portions to save money, they are 'হাত টানা'.
Yes, it is equally common in both regions.
Verwandte Redewendungen
হাতে টান পড়া
similarTo run out of money.
মুক্তহস্ত
contrastGenerous/Open-handed.
কিপটেমি করা
synonymTo act like a miser.
ব্যয়সংকোচন
specialized formCost-cutting.
