Significado
To be extremely stingy or miserly.
Contexto cultural
In many folk tales, the 'Kanjus' (miser) is a recurring character used to teach children that greed leads to isolation. This idiom is often the moral of such stories. Bollywood often uses this idiom to define comic villains or eccentric fathers. It immediately signals to the audience that the character is a 'cheapskate' who will provide comic relief through their stinginess. In rural settings, where 'Damdi' was once a real currency, the idiom carries a weight of historical reality. It reflects the harshness of old economic systems where every tiny coin mattered. Among the modern middle class, this is used ironically to tease friends who are 'too' careful with money, like those who refuse to pay for a premium app and watch 10 ads instead.
Use for Irony
Use this when someone spends a lot on luxury but haggles with a poor vendor for 1 rupee. It highlights the hypocrisy.
Too Strong for Friends?
Be careful using this with close friends unless you are joking. It can be taken as a serious insult to their character.
Significado
To be extremely stingy or miserly.
Use for Irony
Use this when someone spends a lot on luxury but haggles with a poor vendor for 1 rupee. It highlights the hypocrisy.
Too Strong for Friends?
Be careful using this with close friends unless you are joking. It can be taken as a serious insult to their character.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the correct word to complete the idiom.
चमड़ी जाए पर _______ न जाए।
The traditional idiom uses 'दमड़ी' (Damdi) to rhyme with 'चमड़ी' (Chamdi).
In which situation is this idiom MOST appropriate?
Which person is 'चमड़ी जाए पर दमड़ी न जाए'?
This person is choosing physical discomfort (getting wet/sick) to save a small amount of money.
Complete the dialogue with the idiom.
अमित: 'क्या तुमने सुना? सेठ जी ने अपनी बीमारी में भी सस्ता और खराब खाना खाया और अब उनकी तबीयत और बिगड़ गई है।' सुनील: 'हाँ भाई, उनकी तो वही बात है—___________________।'
The context of choosing bad food (saving money) over health (skin/body) fits this idiom perfectly.
🎉 Puntuación: /3
Ayudas visuales
Stinginess vs. Frugality
Banco de ejercicios
3 ejerciciosचमड़ी जाए पर _______ न जाए।
The traditional idiom uses 'दमड़ी' (Damdi) to rhyme with 'चमड़ी' (Chamdi).
Which person is 'चमड़ी जाए पर दमड़ी न जाए'?
This person is choosing physical discomfort (getting wet/sick) to save a small amount of money.
अमित: 'क्या तुमने सुना? सेठ जी ने अपनी बीमारी में भी सस्ता और खराब खाना खाया और अब उनकी तबीयत और बिगड़ गई है।' सुनील: 'हाँ भाई, उनकी तो वही बात है—___________________।'
The context of choosing bad food (saving money) over health (skin/body) fits this idiom perfectly.
🎉 Puntuación: /3
Preguntas frecuentes
3 preguntasNo, 'Damdi' is an obsolete currency. It is only remembered today because of this idiom.
No, it sounds self-deprecating in a very negative way. Use 'मैं बहुत सोच-समझकर खर्च करता हूँ' (I spend carefully) instead.
'Kanjus' is a simple noun meaning 'miser'. This idiom is a vivid description of the *extent* of that miserliness.
Frases relacionadas
कंजूस मक्खीचूस
synonymA miser who would suck a fly to get the ghee back.
हाथ का मैल
contrastMoney is like dirt on the hands (it comes and goes).
कौड़ी-कौड़ी जोड़ना
similarTo save every single penny (Kaudi).
