Signification
Literally, 'to stay in one's own skin,' meaning to avoid interfering in others' affairs.
Contexte culturel
In joint families, privacy is rare. This idiom is often used as a defensive mechanism to maintain individual sanity amidst constant family oversight. Villains or angry protagonists often use 'अपनी औकात में रह' (a harsher version) to assert dominance. 'अपनी खाल में रह' is the more 'civilized' version of this power play. In cities like Mumbai or Delhi, 'अपनी खाल में रहना' is seen as a sign of modern urbanity—respecting the 'bubble' of others in crowded spaces like the Metro. In villages, staying in one's 'khaal' often refers to respecting caste and social boundaries, showing the idiom's more conservative roots.
The 'Safe' Idiom
If you are unsure if 'अपनी खाल में रहना' is too strong, use 'अपने काम से काम रखना'. It's safer and less likely to be misunderstood as a social commentary.
Gender Matters
Never say 'अपने खाल में रहना'. It immediately marks you as a beginner. 'Khaal' is always feminine.
Signification
Literally, 'to stay in one's own skin,' meaning to avoid interfering in others' affairs.
The 'Safe' Idiom
If you are unsure if 'अपनी खाल में रहना' is too strong, use 'अपने काम से काम रखना'. It's safer and less likely to be misunderstood as a social commentary.
Gender Matters
Never say 'अपने खाल में रहना'. It immediately marks you as a beginner. 'Khaal' is always feminine.
Sarcastic Usage
You can use this sarcastically with 'रहिये' (formal) to tell someone they are being annoying: 'ज़रा अपनी खाल में रहिये, साहब!'
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
राहुल बहुत समझदार है, वह हमेशा _______ में रहता है।
'Khaal' is feminine and singular in this idiom.
Which situation best fits the use of 'अपनी खाल में रहना'?
A neighbor is asking you about your bank balance.
This is a classic case of unsolicited interference where the idiom is appropriate.
Match the response to the situation.
Situation: Someone is gossiping about a friend's divorce.
The idiom is used to discourage gossip and respect privacy.
Complete the dialogue.
A: क्या मैं तुम्हारी मदद करूँ? B: नहीं शुक्रिया, मैं अपनी मुश्किल खुद हल कर लूँगा। मैं _______ पसंद करता हूँ।
The context of self-reliance and privacy fits the idiom.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesराहुल बहुत समझदार है, वह हमेशा _______ में रहता है।
'Khaal' is feminine and singular in this idiom.
A neighbor is asking you about your bank balance.
This is a classic case of unsolicited interference where the idiom is appropriate.
Situation: Someone is gossiping about a friend's divorce.
The idiom is used to discourage gossip and respect privacy.
A: क्या मैं तुम्हारी मदद करूँ? B: नहीं शुक्रिया, मैं अपनी मुश्किल खुद हल कर लूँगा। मैं _______ पसंद करता हूँ।
The context of self-reliance and privacy fits the idiom.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt depends on the tone. If used to describe someone, it's neutral. If said as a command to someone's face, it can be quite sharp.
Literally, yes, but it won't be an idiom then. It would just mean the animal is staying in its skin/hide.
The opposite is 'दूसरों के फटे में टाँग अड़ाना' (to interfere in others' business).
Rarely in academic writing, but very common in journalism, novels, and opinion pieces.
Not exactly. It means to be 'non-interfering'. A shy person might stay in their skin, but a confident person can also choose to stay in their skin to avoid drama.
हमें अपनी खाल में रहना चाहिए (Hamein apni khaal mein rehna chahiye). Note that 'apni' stays the same because it refers back to 'us'.
Yes, to describe yourself as a focused worker who doesn't get distracted by office politics.
'Twacha' is the formal/scientific word for skin. You cannot use 'twacha' in this idiom; it must be 'khaal'.
Because skin is the most intimate boundary. You can leave a house, but you can't leave your skin. It implies a deeper level of self-containment.
Extremely. It's a staple in dialogue where characters are setting boundaries or warning others.
Expressions liées
अपने काम से काम रखना
synonymTo mind one's own business.
अपनी हद में रहना
similarTo stay within one's limits.
दूसरों के फटे में टाँग अड़ाना
contrastTo interfere in others' business.
अपने आप में रहना
similarTo be introverted or keep to oneself.
