Signification
Asking for a period to think or act.
Contexte culturel
In Marathi culture, 'giving time' is often associated with the concept of 'Sanyam' (restraint). It is considered wise to ask for time rather than making a rash promise. In the IT hubs of Pune, 'Mala vel dya' is the standard polite way to push back against unrealistic deadlines without sounding confrontational. In farming communities, time is often requested in terms of seasons or festivals (e.g., 'Give me time until Diwali'). The phrase is a staple in dramatic scenes where a character asks for time to prove their innocence or love, often accompanied by emotional music.
Add 'Thoda'
Always add 'Thoda' (a little) to sound less demanding. 'Mala thoda vel dya' sounds much more natural than just 'Mala vel dya'.
The Retroflex 'L'
If you pronounce 'Vel' with a normal 'L', it might sound like 'Vel' (creeper) or be misunderstood. Practice the Marathi 'ळ' sound.
Signification
Asking for a period to think or act.
Add 'Thoda'
Always add 'Thoda' (a little) to sound less demanding. 'Mala thoda vel dya' sounds much more natural than just 'Mala vel dya'.
The Retroflex 'L'
If you pronounce 'Vel' with a normal 'L', it might sound like 'Vel' (creeper) or be misunderstood. Practice the Marathi 'ळ' sound.
Use with 'Vichar'
Pair it with 'Vichar karayla' (to think) in interviews. It buys you 10-15 seconds of silence without it being awkward.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of 'give' (formal).
कृपया मला थोडा वेळ ____.
'Krupaya' indicates a formal request, so 'Dya' is the correct imperative.
Which sentence means 'Give me time to think'?
Select the correct Marathi translation:
'Vichar karayla' means 'to think'.
Complete the dialogue between a boss and an employee.
Boss: 'काम कधी पूर्ण होईल?' Employee: 'सर, मला अजून दोन दिवस ____.'
The employee is speaking to a 'Sir' (boss), so the formal 'Dya' is required.
Match the Marathi phrase to its English meaning.
Match the following:
These show the variation of the dative pronoun.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesकृपया मला थोडा वेळ ____.
'Krupaya' indicates a formal request, so 'Dya' is the correct imperative.
Select the correct Marathi translation:
'Vichar karayla' means 'to think'.
Boss: 'काम कधी पूर्ण होईल?' Employee: 'सर, मला अजून दोन दिवस ____.'
The employee is speaking to a 'Sir' (boss), so the formal 'Dya' is required.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These show the variation of the dative pronoun.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsYes, but adding 'Krupaya' (Please) at the beginning makes it even better: 'Krupaya mala thoda vel dya'.
No. To ask the time, say 'Kiti vajle ahet?' (What time is it?). 'Mala vel dya' always means you want a duration of time.
'Vel' is common and used everywhere. 'Avadhi' is formal/literary and means 'duration' or 'period'.
Change 'Mala' to 'Amhala'. So, 'Amhala vel dya'.
This is a common colloquialism in Marathi where 'Vel' is treated as masculine/neuter in the context of duration. Grammatically 'Thodi vel' is correct, but 'Thoda vel' is what you'll hear on the streets.
Expressions liées
वेळ काढणे
similarTo make time / To find time
वेळ घालवणे
contrastTo waste time
वेळ पाळणे
builds onTo be punctual
वेळोवेळी
specialized formFrom time to time
