Signification
A person who pretends to be religious
Contexte culturel
The phrase is deeply embedded in the 'Baul' and 'Sufi' traditions of Bengal, which often criticize institutionalized religious hypocrisy. The term 'Tapaswi' refers to someone performing 'Tapas' (heat/austerity). Using it with 'Biral' (cat) is a sharp satire on the corruption of sacred vows. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, the famous novelist, used this imagery to critique the social leaders of his time. Today, the phrase is often used for 'NGO-wallahs' or 'Activists' who are perceived as being in it for the money rather than the cause.
Context is Key
Use this phrase when there is a clear gap between someone's 'holy' words and 'greedy' actions.
Don't Overuse
It's a strong accusation. Using it too often can make you seem cynical.
Signification
A person who pretends to be religious
Context is Key
Use this phrase when there is a clear gap between someone's 'holy' words and 'greedy' actions.
Don't Overuse
It's a strong accusation. Using it too often can make you seem cynical.
Literary Flair
Using this in a Bengali essay about social issues will impress your teachers/examiners.
Animal Imagery
Bengali is rich in animal-based idioms. Learning this opens the door to others like 'Ghorar Dim' (Horse's egg).
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
সে বাইরে খুব সাধু সাজে, কিন্তু আসলে সে একটা ___________।
The idiom is 'বিড়াল তপস্বী'.
Which situation best describes a 'বিড়াল তপস্বী'?
Choose the correct scenario:
It refers to a hypocrite with bad intentions.
Match the Bengali phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are the closest semantic matches.
Complete the dialogue.
রহিম: ওই লোকটা তো খুব দান-ধ্যান করে। করিম: আরে না, ও তো একটা ___________, ওটা শুধু দেখানোর জন্য।
The context implies the person is doing it just for show (hypocrisy).
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesসে বাইরে খুব সাধু সাজে, কিন্তু আসলে সে একটা ___________।
The idiom is 'বিড়াল তপস্বী'.
Choose the correct scenario:
It refers to a hypocrite with bad intentions.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the closest semantic matches.
রহিম: ওই লোকটা তো খুব দান-ধ্যান করে। করিম: আরে না, ও তো একটা ___________, ওটা শুধু দেখানোর জন্য।
The context implies the person is doing it just for show (hypocrisy).
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it is an insult. It accuses someone of being a liar and a hypocrite.
Yes, the phrase is gender-neutral in Bengali.
They are almost identical. 'Biral Tapaswi' is slightly more common in colloquial speech.
Yes, it is equally common in both West Bengal and Bangladesh.
Only if you are describing a third party's unethical behavior. Don't use it to address someone in the room!
Yes, 'Biral' is cat and 'Tapaswi' is monk/ascetic.
People might use 'Fake' or 'Fraud', but 'Biral Tapaswi' is more colorful.
ব-এ ই-কার, ড-এ শূন্য র, া, ল (বিড়াল) ত, প, স-এ ব-ফলা, ঈ-কার (তপস্বী)।
It is a classic idiom, but it is still very much in use today.
Usually no, as children aren't typically accused of complex religious hypocrisy.
Expressions liées
বকধার্মিক
synonymA crane-like religious person (hypocrite).
ভণ্ড সাধু
synonymFake saint.
তুলসী বনের বাঘ
similarA tiger in a basil grove.
মুখোশধারী
similarMask-wearer.
আদর্শবাদী
contrastIdealist.
