Signification
Listening secretly to others' conversations.
Contexte culturel
The 'nosy neighbor' is a common archetype in Bengali neighborhoods (Para). Eavesdropping is often seen as a way to gather 'Para-gossip'. In villages, houses are close together. 'Kān Pātā' is often literal, as walls are thin and voices carry easily. Satyajit Ray and other filmmakers often used scenes of characters eavesdropping to reveal plot secrets or show character curiosity. With the rise of apartments, 'Kān Pātā' has moved to balconies or common hallways.
Context is Key
Always use this for 'secret' listening. If the person knows you are listening, it's just 'Shōnā'.
Don't use with 'Music'
Saying 'I am Kān Pātā-ing to music' sounds like you are spying on the singer.
Signification
Listening secretly to others' conversations.
Context is Key
Always use this for 'secret' listening. If the person knows you are listening, it's just 'Shōnā'.
Don't use with 'Music'
Saying 'I am Kān Pātā-ing to music' sounds like you are spying on the singer.
The 'Pētē' form
When describing the *state* of listening, use 'কান পেতে থাকা' (Kān pētē thākā).
Social Stigma
Be careful calling someone a 'Kān-pātlā' (eavesdropper) as it is quite insulting.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'Kān Pātā'.
সে দরজার আড়ালে ______ সব কথা শুনে নিল।
'কান পেতে' is the conjunctive form used to describe how the action was done.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Select the correct usage:
'Kān Pātā' is for private/secret conversations, not radio or classroom listening.
Complete the dialogue.
A: তুমি কি আমাদের কথা শুনছিলে? B: না, আমি ______ না।
The speaker is denying eavesdropping.
Match the phrase to the situation.
When would you say 'কান খাড়া করা' (Kān khāṛā korā) instead of 'কান পাতা' (Kān Pātā)?
'Kān khāṛā korā' means to become suddenly alert.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
When to use Kān Pātā
Gossip
- • Neighbors
- • Office
- • Friends
Secrets
- • Siblings
- • Spies
- • Surprise parties
Waiting
- • Phone ring
- • Footsteps
- • Nature
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesসে দরজার আড়ালে ______ সব কথা শুনে নিল।
'কান পেতে' is the conjunctive form used to describe how the action was done.
Select the correct usage:
'Kān Pātā' is for private/secret conversations, not radio or classroom listening.
A: তুমি কি আমাদের কথা শুনছিলে? B: না, আমি ______ না।
The speaker is denying eavesdropping.
When would you say 'কান খাড়া করা' (Kān khāṛā korā) instead of 'কান পাতা' (Kān Pātā)?
'Kān khāṛā korā' means to become suddenly alert.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsUsually yes, it implies spying. However, it can be neutral if you are listening for a sound like a baby crying.
No, use 'Kān Dēōyā' for paying attention to someone speaking to you.
'Āṛi Pātā' is more informal and often implies hiding behind something. They are mostly interchangeable.
You can say 'কান পাতবেন না' (Kān pātbēn nā).
Yes, 'আড়ি পাতা লোক' or colloquially 'কান-পাতলা লোক' (though the latter also means someone who believes rumors easily).
Metaphorically yes, but 'Hacking' or 'Snooping' have more specific modern terms.
No, that would be 'Mon diyē shōnā'.
Yes, Rabindranath Tagore used 'Kān pētē roi' to mean waiting for a divine or nature's call.
Yes, it is one of the most common idioms in the Bengali language.
Only if you are describing a character or a situation; don't use it to describe your own listening skills!
Expressions liées
আড়ি পাতা
synonymTo eavesdrop from a hidden spot.
কান দেওয়া
contrastTo pay attention or obey.
কান খাড়া করা
similarTo perk up one's ears.
কান ভারী করা
builds onTo poison someone's ears with gossip.
এক কানে শোনা অন্য কানে বের করা
contrastIn one ear, out the other.
