Signification
To sit idle or do nothing useful.
Contexte culturel
The phrase reflects the 'Pasale' (shopkeeper) culture where small-scale entrepreneurship is common. Being idle in a shop is a sign of a bad day. In the crowded markets of Asan and Indra Chowk, this phrase is used to lament the rising prices and falling number of buyers. In villages, it might be used during the 'off-season' for farming when there is little to do in the fields. Used by Nepalis abroad to describe the struggle of finding a job or having a slow shift in a foreign country.
Use it for humor
It's a great way to make Nepali friends laugh by showing you understand their colloquialisms for being lazy.
Don't use with elders
Unless you are very close, telling an elder they are 'killing flies' can be seen as calling them lazy/useless, which is rude.
Signification
To sit idle or do nothing useful.
Use it for humor
It's a great way to make Nepali friends laugh by showing you understand their colloquialisms for being lazy.
Don't use with elders
Unless you are very close, telling an elder they are 'killing flies' can be seen as calling them lazy/useless, which is rude.
The 'Basnu' connection
Always pair it with 'basnu' (to sit) to sound more natural: 'Mākha mārerabasnu'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
आज पसलमा कोही ग्राहक छैनन्, साहुजी ______ बसिरहनुभएको छ।
The idiom is 'माखा मारेर बस्नु' (to sit killing flies).
What does 'Mākha mārnu' mean in a business context?
If a businessman says 'Ma mākha mārirहेको chu', he means:
In business, it refers to stagnation and lack of customers.
Match the Nepali phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
Mākha mārnu is the closest equivalent to twiddling thumbs.
In which situation would you use 'Mākha mārnu'?
Select the best situation:
The idiom fits a situation of idleness or lack of work.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesआज पसलमा कोही ग्राहक छैनन्, साहुजी ______ बसिरहनुभएको छ।
The idiom is 'माखा मारेर बस्नु' (to sit killing flies).
If a businessman says 'Ma mākha mārirहेको chu', he means:
In business, it refers to stagnation and lack of customers.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Mākha mārnu is the closest equivalent to twiddling thumbs.
Select the best situation:
The idiom fits a situation of idleness or lack of work.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it's purely idiomatic. No one will think you are actually harming insects.
Only if you want to get fired! It implies the person is being unproductive.
No, 'resting' (ārām garnu) is positive. 'Mākha mārnu' is usually neutral or slightly negative.
The opposite would be 'Vyasta hunu' (to be busy) or 'Kām garnu' (to work).
Yes, 'Maile mākha māré' means 'I sat idle.'
Yes, characters often use it to complain about unemployment or slow days.
No, it's only for people or businesses run by people.
It's an idiom, which is a step above slang but still very informal.
No, it is purely secular and related to commerce and daily life.
Ma mākha mārirहेको chaina.
Expressions liées
हात बाँधेर बस्नु
synonymTo sit with hands tied.
समय खेर फाल्नु
similarTo waste time.
गफ हाँक्नु
builds onTo boast or chat aimlessly.
आकाशको फल आँखा तरी मर
contrastWishing for the impossible.
