Bedeutung
To steal something.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In the business-heavy culture of Gujarat, 'safai' (cleanliness) is often a metaphor for efficiency. This idiom ironically uses that positive trait to describe a 'clean' theft. Literal hand cleaning is vital before eating with hands. This creates a constant linguistic play between the literal need to wash hands and the idiomatic fear of theft. Urban Gujarati films often use this phrase to depict 'smart' thieves or con artists, reflecting a modern shift where 'hand cleaning' is seen as a clever trick. In villages, this might refer to someone stealing crops or small livestock overnight, emphasizing the 'disappearing' act.
Use with 'Par'
Always remember the object of theft is followed by 'પર' (par). Without it, you're just talking about hygiene!
Don't use in Court
If you are reporting a crime to the police, use 'Chōrī' (theft). 'Hāth sāph karvō' might sound like you're not taking the crime seriously.
Bedeutung
To steal something.
Use with 'Par'
Always remember the object of theft is followed by 'પર' (par). Without it, you're just talking about hygiene!
Don't use in Court
If you are reporting a crime to the police, use 'Chōrī' (theft). 'Hāth sāph karvō' might sound like you're not taking the crime seriously.
Sarcastic Usage
You can use this sarcastically when someone takes the last piece of cake. It makes you sound very native!
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing word to complete the idiom.
ચોરે સોનાની ચેઈન ____ હાથ સાફ કર્યો.
The idiom always uses 'પર' (on) before the object being stolen.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly to mean 'stealing'?
Choose the correct sentence:
Option B uses the idiom figuratively to mean stealing credit. Options A, C, and D are literal hygiene contexts.
Match the situation to the correct use of the idiom.
Situation: A politician takes money from the public fund.
This is the standard way to describe embezzlement using this idiom.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'મારું પાકીટ નથી મળતું!' B: 'શું? કોઈએ ભીડમાં _________?'
'Hāth sāph karī dīdhō' is the perfect fit for a pickpocketing context.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 Aufgabenચોરે સોનાની ચેઈન ____ હાથ સાફ કર્યો.
The idiom always uses 'પર' (on) before the object being stolen.
Choose the correct sentence:
Option B uses the idiom figuratively to mean stealing credit. Options A, C, and D are literal hygiene contexts.
Situation: A politician takes money from the public fund.
This is the standard way to describe embezzlement using this idiom.
A: 'મારું પાકીટ નથી મળતું!' B: 'શું? કોઈએ ભીડમાં _________?'
'Hāth sāph karī dīdhō' is the perfect fit for a pickpocketing context.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 Fragen90% of the time, yes. Occasionally it means 'to practice' (e.g., cleaning your hand on a new skill), but that is rare compared to the theft meaning.
It's informal, not necessarily rude, but accusing someone of it is a serious charge!
Yes, it's very common now to say someone 'cleaned their hands' on a bank account via hacking.
'Hāth mārvō' usually implies a bigger amount or a more sudden 'hit'.
Yes, 'Hath saaf karna' is identical in Hindi and used the same way.
Use 'Mē hāth dhōyā' (મેં હાથ ધોયા).
No, you clean your hands on *objects* or *money*, not people.
Yes, especially in local crime reporting for its descriptive flair.
The words are A1, but the idiomatic use is usually taught at A2/B1. However, it's so common that even beginners should know it.
Yes: 'Hāth sāph karyō' (He stole).
Verwandte Redewendungen
હાથ મારવો
similarTo snatch or make a big score.
હાથફેરો કરવો
specialized formTo ransack and steal everything.
ચોરી કરવી
synonymTo steal.
હાથ ધોઈ નાખવા
contrastTo wash one's hands of something.
