Signification
A physical pain or a matter of worry.
Contexte culturel
In Kolkata, 'matha byatha' is often linked to 'gastric' issues. People believe that an upset stomach causes a headache, so the phrase is frequently heard in pharmacies alongside requests for antacids. In Bangladesh, the phrase is heavily used in political and social discourse to describe national issues like 'traffic congestion' or 'price hikes' as a 'national headache'. Among Bengalis living abroad, 'matha byatha' is often used to describe the stress of visa paperwork or the cold weather, bridging their new reality with traditional idioms. Bengali poets often use 'matha byatha' to symbolize the 'burden of the crown' or the weight of intellectualism, contrasting it with the 'simple heart'.
The 'No Care' Rule
If you want to sound like a native, use 'Amar matha byatha nei' when someone asks for your opinion on a topic you find boring.
Don't use with 'Hoya'
Avoid saying 'Matha byatha hocche' too often; 'korche' is much more natural for physical pain.
Signification
A physical pain or a matter of worry.
The 'No Care' Rule
If you want to sound like a native, use 'Amar matha byatha nei' when someone asks for your opinion on a topic you find boring.
Don't use with 'Hoya'
Avoid saying 'Matha byatha hocche' too often; 'korche' is much more natural for physical pain.
Tea is the Cure
In Bengal, if you say you have a 'matha byatha', people will almost always offer you a cup of tea (cha) as the first remedy.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'matha byatha'.
বেশি রোদে হাঁটলে আমার _______ করে।
Physical pain in the head due to sun is 'matha byatha'.
Which sentence means 'I don't care about this'?
Select the correct sentence:
The negative form 'matha byatha nei' expresses lack of concern or indifference.
Match the situation to the correct use of the phrase.
Situation: A broken computer that you can't fix.
A broken computer is a source of trouble, hence a 'big headache'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: তুমি কি প্রজেক্টটা শেষ করেছ? B: না, ওটা তো আমার প্রধান _______।
'Prodhan matha byatha' is a common collocation for 'main problem'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Common Headaches
Physical
- • Sunlight
- • Loud Noise
- • Lack of Sleep
Figurative
- • Taxes
- • Traffic
- • Exams
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesবেশি রোদে হাঁটলে আমার _______ করে।
Physical pain in the head due to sun is 'matha byatha'.
Select the correct sentence:
The negative form 'matha byatha nei' expresses lack of concern or indifference.
Situation: A broken computer that you can't fix.
A broken computer is a source of trouble, hence a 'big headache'.
A: তুমি কি প্রজেক্টটা শেষ করেছ? B: না, ওটা তো আমার প্রধান _______।
'Prodhan matha byatha' is a common collocation for 'main problem'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with your boss, your doctor, or your friends.
No, for stomach ache use 'pet byatha'. 'Matha byatha' is only for the head.
'Matha byatha' is the general term for pain or worry. 'Matha dhora' is specifically for the physical sensation of a headache starting.
You can say 'Amar khub beshi matha byatha korche'.
It is written as two separate words: মাথা (matha) and ব্যথা (byatha).
Not directly. It means you are 'worried' or 'bothered', not necessarily that you have no time.
It depends on the tone. It can be a neutral statement of fact or a dismissive 'I don't care'.
There isn't a single word, but 'shanti' (peace) or 'chintamukto' (worry-free) are opposites in meaning.
Yes, to describe a challenge you solved: 'Ei somosyata amar kache ekta matha byatha chilo' (This problem was a headache for me).
It's a very expressive way to link physical feeling with mental stress, which fits the expressive nature of the culture.
Expressions liées
মাথা ধরা
similarTo catch a headache
মাথা ঘামানো
builds onTo overthink or worry about something
মাথা গরম
contrastHot-headed or angry
মাথা নিচু করা
contrastTo bow one's head in shame
