Significado
To bring shame or dishonor upon oneself or one's family.
Contexto cultural
In rural North India, the 'donkey parade' (gadhe par baithana) was a real social punishment until the early 20th century. The phrase is a linguistic fossil of this practice. Bollywood movies from the 70s and 80s frequently used this phrase in scenes where a 'dishonorable' daughter or son is kicked out of the house. It's a key trope of the 'Angry Father' character. Even today, protesters in India sometimes literally try to smear black ink on the faces of politicians they consider corrupt. This is a literal enactment of the idiom as a form of protest. Among the diaspora, the phrase is still used by older generations to enforce cultural norms, though younger generations may find it overly dramatic or archaic.
High Intensity
This is a high-intensity idiom. Use it only for serious matters, or you will sound like a character in a 1970s drama.
Passive Voice
Use 'मुँह काला होना' (to be shamed) when you want to focus on the state of the person rather than who shamed them.
Significado
To bring shame or dishonor upon oneself or one's family.
High Intensity
This is a high-intensity idiom. Use it only for serious matters, or you will sound like a character in a 1970s drama.
Passive Voice
Use 'मुँह काला होना' (to be shamed) when you want to focus on the state of the person rather than who shamed them.
The 'Izzat' Connection
Always remember that this phrase is about the collective. You are shaming your family/group, not just yourself.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
उसने चोरी करके अपने माता-पिता का ______ कर दिया।
The standard idiom is 'मुँह काला करना'.
Which situation best fits the use of 'मुँह काला करना'?
In which scenario would you use this idiom?
The idiom is reserved for serious moral or social disgrace.
Complete the dialogue with the appropriate response.
पिता: 'तुमने जेल जाकर हमारे खानदान की इज्जत मिट्टी में मिला दी!' बेटा: '_______'
The son is acknowledging the shame he brought to the family.
Match the idiom variation to its best description.
Match: 1. मुँह काला करना, 2. मुँह पर कालिख पोतना, 3. मुँह दिखाने लायक न रहना
1 is the standard verb, 2 is more vivid/literary, 3 is the state of the person after the act.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosउसने चोरी करके अपने माता-पिता का ______ कर दिया।
The standard idiom is 'मुँह काला करना'.
In which scenario would you use this idiom?
The idiom is reserved for serious moral or social disgrace.
पिता: 'तुमने जेल जाकर हमारे खानदान की इज्जत मिट्टी में मिला दी!' बेटा: '_______'
The son is acknowledging the shame he brought to the family.
Match: 1. मुँह काला करना, 2. मुँह पर कालिख पोतना, 3. मुँह दिखाने लायक न रहना
1 is the standard verb, 2 is more vivid/literary, 3 is the state of the person after the act.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasIt is not a 'bad word,' but it is a very harsh accusation. It implies that someone has no character or honor.
Yes, if you feel you have done something terribly wrong: 'मैंने अपना मुँह काला कर लिया' (I have shamed myself).
'Nak Katana' is about loss of prestige (like losing a job), while 'Muh Kala Karna' is about a moral scandal (like being caught stealing).
No, it is too emotional. Use 'छवि खराब करना' (chhavi kharab karna - to ruin the image) instead.
No. Historically and linguistically, it refers to charcoal/soot used in punishments and has no connection to skin color or race.
No, it would sound sarcastic or overly dramatic.
Not exactly, but 'मुँह उज्ज्वल करना' (muh ujjwal karna) or 'नाम रोशन करना' are the positive opposites.
उसने मेरा मुँह काला कर दिया।
Mostly in a joking or hyperbolic way, or when discussing serious news/movies.
'Kalikh' means soot or the black residue from a lamp. Smearing it is the ultimate act of shaming.
Frases relacionadas
नाक कटाना
similarTo lose honor/prestige.
कलंक लगाना
synonymTo stain someone's reputation.
मुँह छिपाना
builds onTo hide one's face in shame.
नाम रोशन करना
contrastTo bring glory to one's name.
