Signification
To ruin something or bring to ground.
Contexte culturel
The concept of 'Māṭo' (soil) is tied to the motherland ('Māṭo ko māyā' - love for the soil). Ruining something by mixing it in the soil is a powerful metaphor for betraying the very foundation of one's life. In Newari culture, land and soil are central to rituals. The idiom is used frequently in community disputes regarding heritage and property. Among Nepali speakers abroad, this phrase is often used to describe the fear of losing cultural identity in a new 'soil'. Poets often use this idiom to describe the transience of life and the ultimate fate of human pride.
Use with 'Mehanat'
The most common pairing for this idiom is with 'Mehanat' (hard work). It's a very natural way to complain about wasted effort.
Don't use for small things
If you drop a spoon, don't say you 'mixed it in the soil'. It sounds too dramatic. Use it for things that actually matter.
Signification
To ruin something or bring to ground.
Use with 'Mehanat'
The most common pairing for this idiom is with 'Mehanat' (hard work). It's a very natural way to complain about wasted effort.
Don't use for small things
If you drop a spoon, don't say you 'mixed it in the soil'. It sounds too dramatic. Use it for things that actually matter.
The 'Dinu' effect
Adding 'idinu' (मिलाइदियो) makes the ruin sound more intentional or more complete. Use it when you want to sound more expressive.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
तिमीले झूट बोलेर मेरो विश्वास ______।
The idiom for ruining trust is 'माटोमा मिलाउनु'.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Select the correct usage:
This sentence correctly uses the figurative meaning of ruining a plan.
Match the situation to the phrase.
Situation: A student forgets to save their 10-page essay and the computer crashes.
Since it involves hard work (effort), 'mehanat' is the appropriate word.
Complete the dialogue.
A: तिम्रो भाइले त तिम्रो नयाँ फोन फुटाएछ नि! B: हो नि, मेरो महिनाभरिको कमाइ ______।
The speaker is describing their earnings being ruined (intransitive).
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesतिमीले झूट बोलेर मेरो विश्वास ______।
The idiom for ruining trust is 'माटोमा मिलाउनु'.
Select the correct usage:
This sentence correctly uses the figurative meaning of ruining a plan.
Situation: A student forgets to save their 10-page essay and the computer crashes.
Since it involves hard work (effort), 'mehanat' is the appropriate word.
A: तिम्रो भाइले त तिम्रो नयाँ फोन फुटाएछ नि! B: हो नि, मेरो महिनाभरिको कमाइ ______।
The speaker is describing their earnings being ruined (intransitive).
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt's not a swear word, but it is very strong. Using it against someone is a direct accusation of failure.
Yes, if a car is totaled in an accident, you can say 'गाडी माटोमा मिल्यो'.
'Milnu' is 'to be ruined' (passive/intransitive), 'milāunu' is 'to ruin' (active/transitive).
Yes, especially in headlines about political scandals or economic crashes.
In English translation, yes. In Nepali, 'māṭo' covers both soil, earth, and dirt.
No, this idiom is inherently negative. To say something was 'built up', you would use 'खडा गर्नु' (khaḍā garnu).
Not usually, but in a very dramatic context, it can imply someone's life is over figuratively.
माटोमा नमिलाऊ (Māṭomā namilāū).
Extremely common across all of Nepal.
Yes! 'यो फिल्मले मेरो मुड माटोमा मिलाइदियो' (This movie ruined my mood).
Expressions liées
नाक काट्नु
similarTo lose face / To bring shame.
सत्यानाश हुनु
synonymTo be completely destroyed.
खरानी पार्नु
similarTo turn to ashes.
धुलो पिठो पार्नु
similarTo beat someone to a pulp / To destroy completely.
