Signification
Hard work brings rewards.
Contexte culturel
In West Bengal, this proverb is often associated with the rigorous education system. Parents use it to instill a sense of discipline in children from a very young age. In Bangladesh, while the religious origin is Hindu, the proverb is used universally by Muslims and Christians alike as a secular motivational tool, showing the syncretic nature of the Bengali language. For devotees, this isn't just a proverb but a spiritual truth. 'Keshto' (Krishna) is the ultimate goal of life, and 'Kosto' is the 'Viraha' (pain of separation) or 'Sadhana' (discipline) required to reach him. Among Bengalis living abroad (UK, USA), this proverb is used to remind the younger generation of the struggles their parents faced to establish themselves in a new country.
Rhyme is Key
Always keep the rhyme between Kosto and Keshto. It's what makes the proverb sound natural.
Context Matters
Don't use this if someone is suffering from a medical condition or a personal loss; it will sound very rude.
Signification
Hard work brings rewards.
Rhyme is Key
Always keep the rhyme between Kosto and Keshto. It's what makes the proverb sound natural.
Context Matters
Don't use this if someone is suffering from a medical condition or a personal loss; it will sound very rude.
Use in Writing
In Bengali essays (Rachana), starting or ending with this proverb will gain you extra marks for cultural fluency.
Religious Neutrality
Even though 'Keshto' is a Hindu name, feel free to use it with any Bengali speaker; it is considered a linguistic heritage, not a religious statement.
Teste-toi
Complete the proverb with the correct word.
কষ্ট করলে ______ মেলে।
The standard proverb is 'কষ্ট করলে কেষ্ট মেলে'.
Which situation best fits the proverb 'কষ্ট করলে কেষ্ট মেলে'?
রহিম লটারিতে টাকা জিতেছে। (Rahim won the lottery.) / সুমি অনেক পড়াশোনা করে পরীক্ষায় প্রথম হয়েছে। (Sumi studied hard and came first.)
The proverb applies to hard work (Sumi's studying), not luck (Rahim's lottery).
Match the Bengali words with their meanings in the proverb.
1. কষ্ট (Kosto), 2. করলে (Korle), 3. কেষ্ট (Keshto), 4. মেলে (Mele)
Kosto = Hardship, Korle = If done, Keshto = Reward, Mele = Is found.
Fill in the missing line in the dialogue.
A: আমি এই কাজটা আর করতে পারছি না, খুব কঠিন। B: হাল ছেড়ো না বন্ধু, _________।
The context of a difficult task requires a motivational proverb about effort.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesকষ্ট করলে ______ মেলে।
The standard proverb is 'কষ্ট করলে কেষ্ট মেলে'.
রহিম লটারিতে টাকা জিতেছে। (Rahim won the lottery.) / সুমি অনেক পড়াশোনা করে পরীক্ষায় প্রথম হয়েছে। (Sumi studied hard and came first.)
The proverb applies to hard work (Sumi's studying), not luck (Rahim's lottery).
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Kosto = Hardship, Korle = If done, Keshto = Reward, Mele = Is found.
A: আমি এই কাজটা আর করতে পারছি না, খুব কঠিন। B: হাল ছেড়ো না বন্ধু, _________।
The context of a difficult task requires a motivational proverb about effort.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsLiterally, yes. But in this proverb, it metaphorically means 'the reward', 'success', or 'the fruit of labor'.
You can, but it won't be the proverb anymore. It would sound like a literal statement and lose its idiomatic charm.
Yes, it is extremely common in both West Bengal and Bangladesh.
The closest equivalents are 'No pain, no gain' or 'Hard work is the key to success'.
It is neutral. It can be used in a speech, a book, or a casual conversation with a friend.
It is a conditional suffix meaning 'if' or 'when'. 'Korle' = 'If (you) do'.
Usually, it's reserved for tasks that require significant effort over time, like studying for a year or building a career.
Yes: 'কষ্ট বিনা কেষ্ট মেলে না' (Without hardship, Krishna is not found).
Because the vocabulary is simple and the grammar (conditional -le) is a core part of elementary Bengali.
No, it specifically refers to 'purposeful' suffering or effort directed toward a goal.
Expressions liées
পরিশ্রম সৌভাগ্যের প্রসূতি
synonymHard work is the mother of good fortune.
বিনা কষ্টে ইষ্ট লাভ হয় না
similarWithout pain, the desired goal is not achieved.
অলস মস্তিষ্ক শয়তানের কারখানা
contrastAn idle brain is a devil's workshop.
যত গুড় তত মিষ্টি
similarThe more molasses, the sweeter the dish.
