Signification
To overlook someone's mistake
Contexte culturel
In Marathi culture, the 'stomach' is associated with the ability to keep secrets (Potat pachaune). A person who can't keep a secret is said to have a 'thin stomach' (Potat pani na tichne). In large Indian families, elders often use this idiom to maintain peace between siblings or cousins. It prevents small arguments from turning into family feuds. Famous writers like P.L. Deshpande often used this idiom to describe the 'Mothapana' (magnanimity) of simple, middle-class characters. In many Marathi 'Abhangs' (devotional songs), devotees ask God (Vitthal) to put their sins in His stomach, emphasizing God's infinite capacity for mercy.
The 'Please' Factor
Always add 'Krupaya' (Please) or use the plural 'Ghala' to sound more respectful when asking for forgiveness.
Don't over-use
If you use this for every single mistake, people will think you are irresponsible. Save it for when you really need grace.
Signification
To overlook someone's mistake
The 'Please' Factor
Always add 'Krupaya' (Please) or use the plural 'Ghala' to sound more respectful when asking for forgiveness.
Don't over-use
If you use this for every single mistake, people will think you are irresponsible. Save it for when you really need grace.
The 'Mothapana' compliment
If you say 'You are a big person, please put this in your stomach,' you are much more likely to be forgiven!
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the idiom.
माझी चूक ______ घाला.
The idiom is 'Potat ghalne' (to put in the stomach).
Which situation is best for using 'Potat ghalne'?
Choose the correct scenario:
The idiom is used for minor social mistakes, not crimes or daily chores.
Complete the dialogue.
Student: सर, गृहपाठ राहून गेला. Teacher: ठीक आहे, यावेळेस तुझी चूक ______.
The teacher is forgiving the student, so 'Potat ghalto' is the correct idiom.
Match the phrase to the meaning.
Match 'Potat ghalne' with its figurative meaning.
The figurative meaning is to forgive or overlook a fault.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesमाझी चूक ______ घाला.
The idiom is 'Potat ghalne' (to put in the stomach).
Choose the correct scenario:
The idiom is used for minor social mistakes, not crimes or daily chores.
Student: सर, गृहपाठ राहून गेला. Teacher: ठीक आहे, यावेळेस तुझी चूक ______.
The teacher is forgiving the student, so 'Potat ghalto' is the correct idiom.
Match 'Potat ghalne' with its figurative meaning.
The figurative meaning is to forgive or overlook a fault.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with your mother (informal) or your boss (formal) by just changing the verb ending.
No, it's for minor mistakes or social blunders. For serious crimes, use 'Kshama' or legal terms.
'Kshama karne' is a direct translation of 'to forgive.' 'Potat ghalne' is more idiomatic and implies a sense of 'overlooking' or 'absorbing' the mistake.
Literally, yes. But in 99% of conversations, it is used figuratively for forgiveness.
त्याने माझी चूक पोटात घातली (Tyane mazi chuk potat ghatli).
Yes, if you make a small slip-up, you can say it humbly to show you know Marathi culture well.
Yes, Hindi has 'Pet mein dalna' and Gujarati has similar forms, but it is most culturally prominent in Marathi.
A close opposite would be 'Rai-cha parvat karne' (to make a mountain out of a molehill).
You use it to ask *others* to overlook *your* mistake. You don't usually say 'I put my own mistake in my stomach.'
Yes, very much so! It's a staple of Marathi conversation across all ages.
Expressions liées
पोटात पाणी न हलणे
similarTo remain completely unperturbed.
पोटात एक आणि ओठात एक
contrastTo have one thing in the heart/stomach and another on the lips (hypocrisy).
कानाडोळा करणे
synonymTo turn a blind eye.
क्षमा करणे
synonymTo forgive.
