Signification
Staying silent or keeping a secret.
Contexte culturel
In the 'Adda' culture of Kolkata, keeping a secret is a test of friendship. If you can't 'keep your mouth shut' about a friend's crush or job interview, you might be labeled a 'cha-er dokaner bhashan-baaj' (a tea-shop orator). In rural Bangladesh, 'মুখ বন্ধ রাখা' is often linked to family honor (Shorom). Women and younger members were traditionally expected to keep silent about internal family matters to outsiders. In modern IT hubs like Salt Lake or Dhaka, this idiom is used to refer to NDAs (Non-Disclosure Agreements). Colleagues might jokingly say, 'NDA সই করেছি, এখন মুখ বন্ধ রাখতে হবে।' Famous writers like Rabindranath Tagore have used the concept of silence (Maunata) as a powerful tool. While not always using this specific idiom, the cultural value of 'keeping the mouth shut' as a form of deep emotional expression is prevalent.
Verb Conjugation
Remember that only 'rakha' changes. 'Mukh bondho' stays the same regardless of who is speaking or when.
Don't be Rude
Avoid saying 'Mukh bondho rakho!' loudly to strangers. It's the equivalent of 'Shut up!' and can cause a fight.
Signification
Staying silent or keeping a secret.
Verb Conjugation
Remember that only 'rakha' changes. 'Mukh bondho' stays the same regardless of who is speaking or when.
Don't be Rude
Avoid saying 'Mukh bondho rakho!' loudly to strangers. It's the equivalent of 'Shut up!' and can cause a fight.
Use with 'Uchit'
To sound more natural and polite when giving advice, use 'Mukh bondho rakha uchit' (It is proper to keep one's mouth shut).
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb 'রাখা'.
সে তার বন্ধুর গোপন কথাটি নিয়ে মুখ বন্ধ ______।
The idiom is 'মুখ বন্ধ রাখা', and 'রাখল' is the past tense form of 'রাখা'.
Which situation is most appropriate for using 'মুখ বন্ধ রাখা'?
In which of these scenarios would you use the idiom?
The idiom is primarily used for secrecy and discretion.
Complete the dialogue.
রহিম: 'এই খবরটা কাউকে বলো না।' করিম: 'ঠিক আছে, আমি ______।'
Karim is promising to keep the secret, so 'মুখ বন্ধ রাখব' (I will keep my mouth shut) is correct.
Match the phrase to the intent.
Match 'মুখ বন্ধ রাখা' with its best meaning in a social context.
Discretion and silence are the core meanings of this idiom.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesসে তার বন্ধুর গোপন কথাটি নিয়ে মুখ বন্ধ ______।
The idiom is 'মুখ বন্ধ রাখা', and 'রাখল' is the past tense form of 'রাখা'.
In which of these scenarios would you use the idiom?
The idiom is primarily used for secrecy and discretion.
রহিম: 'এই খবরটা কাউকে বলো না।' করিম: 'ঠিক আছে, আমি ______।'
Karim is promising to keep the secret, so 'মুখ বন্ধ রাখব' (I will keep my mouth shut) is correct.
Match 'মুখ বন্ধ রাখা' with its best meaning in a social context.
Discretion and silence are the core meanings of this idiom.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with friends, family, and even in a professional setting if you use the polite verb forms.
Yes, but 'চুপ থাকা' (Chup thaka) is more common for just being quiet. 'Mukh bondho rakha' implies a bit more effort or a specific reason for silence.
The opposite is 'মুখ খোলা' (Mukh khola), which means to speak up or reveal something.
You say 'আমি মুখ বন্ধ রেখেছিলাম' (Ami mukh bondho rekhechilam).
It can be a bit firm. Parents often say it when a child is being too talkative or revealing family secrets.
No, it also means staying silent to avoid trouble or conflict.
Only if you are talking about confidentiality. For example: 'আমি আগের অফিসের তথ্য নিয়ে মুখ বন্ধ রাখি।' (I keep my mouth shut about my previous office's information.)
Yes, 'মুখ চিপে থাকা' (Mukh chipe thaka) is a more informal, slangy version.
Because 'rakha' implies maintaining a state (keeping), while 'kora' implies a one-time action (doing/closing).
Yes, many modern Bengali songs use it to describe the pain of not being able to express love or the need for secrecy.
Expressions liées
মুখ খোলা
contrastTo speak up or reveal a secret.
চুপ থাকা
synonymTo remain quiet.
মুখ সামলানো
similarTo watch one's tongue.
গোপন রাখা
similarTo keep something secret.
