Signification
Someone or something that is disliked.
Contexte culturel
The phrase is deeply tied to the 'Joint Family' system where interpersonal friction was common but often unspoken. Rabindranath Tagore's novel 'Chokher Bali' (1903) changed the phrase from a simple folk idiom to a symbol of complex psychological desire. In modern urban settings, it's often used to describe political rivals or annoying neighbors in apartment complexes. The 2003 film adaptation of Tagore's novel brought the phrase back into popular fashion among the youth.
Use it for people
Remember that unlike the English 'eyesore', this is almost exclusively for people you dislike.
Don't say it to their face
It's a strong idiom. Use it when talking *about* someone, not *to* them, unless you want a fight!
Signification
Someone or something that is disliked.
Use it for people
Remember that unlike the English 'eyesore', this is almost exclusively for people you dislike.
Don't say it to their face
It's a strong idiom. Use it when talking *about* someone, not *to* them, unless you want a fight!
The Tagore Connection
Mentioning the novel 'Chokher Bali' will make you sound very cultured to native speakers.
Friendship Names
In old Bengal, friends often gave each other ironic names like 'Chokher Bali' to ward off the 'evil eye'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
সে তার আচরণের জন্য সবার ______ বালি হয়ে গেছে।
The idiom always uses the genitive form 'চোখের' (Chokher).
Which of these best describes 'Chokher Bali'?
What does 'Chokher Bali' mean?
It figuratively means an eyesore or someone who irritates you.
Match the Bengali phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
The idiom maps directly to 'eyesore' in English.
Complete the dialogue.
মা: তুমি কি রাহুলের সাথে কথা বলেছ? ছেলে: না মা, সে তো আমার ______।
In the context of avoiding someone, 'Chokher Bali' is the appropriate idiom.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Bali vs. Tara
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesসে তার আচরণের জন্য সবার ______ বালি হয়ে গেছে।
The idiom always uses the genitive form 'চোখের' (Chokher).
What does 'Chokher Bali' mean?
It figuratively means an eyesore or someone who irritates you.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
The idiom maps directly to 'eyesore' in English.
মা: তুমি কি রাহুলের সাথে কথা বলেছ? ছেলে: না মা, সে তো আমার ______।
In the context of avoiding someone, 'Chokher Bali' is the appropriate idiom.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsNo, it's better to use 'অগোছালো' (ogochhalo) for a room. 'Chokher Bali' is for people.
It's moderately rude. It expresses strong dislike but is common in literature and drama.
Binodini, the protagonist of Rabindranath Tagore's novel of the same name.
সে আমার চোখের বালি (Se amar chokher bali).
No, 'Bali' stays the same even if you dislike multiple people.
Probably not. It's too informal and emotional for a professional interview.
'Chokher Tara' (Apple of the eye) is the perfect opposite.
Not necessarily. It means their *presence* or *actions* are irritating, not their physical looks.
Yes, it is equally common in West Bengal (India) and Bangladesh.
Only if you are joking about how annoying they are being!
Because sand is a tiny but extremely effective irritant that you can't ignore.
It's neutral. It appears in high literature but is used in daily gossip too.
Expressions liées
চক্ষুশূল
synonymA more formal version of eyesore.
চোখের তারা
contrastThe apple of one's eye.
হাড়ের রেয়া
similarAn irritant to the bone.
চোখের বিষ
specialized formPoison of the eye.
