Signification
To give up on something entirely
Contexte culturel
In Nepal, eating with the right hand is standard. Washing hands before and after is a strict rule. The idiom 'Haat Dhunu' captures the moment the meal is officially over. Journalists frequently use this idiom in headlines to describe political parties losing seats or athletes losing medals. It's considered punchy and evocative. In farming communities, 'Haat Dhunu' is used for the tragic loss of livestock or crops to weather, reflecting a hard reality of life. Washing hands is part of 'Aachaman' (purification). The idiom subtly hints at a clean break or a transition from one state to another.
Context is King
Always check if the person is near a tap or sink. If not, they are probably using the idiom.
Avoid for People
Never use this for someone's death. It's very disrespectful.
Signification
To give up on something entirely
Context is King
Always check if the person is near a tap or sink. If not, they are probably using the idiom.
Avoid for People
Never use this for someone's death. It's very disrespectful.
Use with 'Parnu'
Adding 'Parnu' (to have to) makes you sound more like a native speaker when describing an involuntary loss.
News Headlines
Read Nepali sports news; you will see this phrase almost every day.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'Haat Dhunu'.
मैले मेरो हराएको पैसाबाट ______।
Since the subject is 'मैले' (I), the verb must be 'धोएँ'.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly to mean 'He lost his job'?
Select the correct sentence:
The idiom requires the thing lost to be followed by 'बाट'.
Match the situation to the sentence.
Situation: A team loses the final match.
The first sentence uses the idiom for loss; the second is literal hygiene.
Complete the dialogue.
A: तिम्रो नयाँ कार कता छ? B: दुर्घटना भयो, मैले कारबाट ______।
'हात धुनु पर्यो' expresses the involuntary loss of the car due to the accident.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesमैले मेरो हराएको पैसाबाट ______।
Since the subject is 'मैले' (I), the verb must be 'धोएँ'.
Select the correct sentence:
The idiom requires the thing lost to be followed by 'बाट'.
Situation: A team loses the final match.
The first sentence uses the idiom for loss; the second is literal hygiene.
A: तिम्रो नयाँ कार कता छ? B: दुर्घटना भयो, मैले कारबाट ______।
'हात धुनु पर्यो' expresses the involuntary loss of the car due to the accident.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, if you've given up on finding them. 'मैले साँचोबाट हात धोएँ।'
It's neutral. You can use it with friends or in a newspaper.
Not exactly. English means 'no longer my problem.' Nepali means 'I lost it.'
It is 'dhoyo' (he/she), 'dhoyau' (you), or 'dhoyon' (they).
Yes, to mean you've lost the person for good, but it's a bit dramatic.
'Dhunu' is the dictionary form; 'Dhune' is the adjective/future form.
Because you are losing 'from' your possession.
Yes, that is its most common figurative use.
Yes, 'Haath Dhona' in Hindi has the exact same meaning.
Just say 'Ma haat dhunchu' without the 'baata' and the object.
Expressions liées
माया मार्नु
similarTo give up on something/someone you love.
गुमाउनु
synonymTo lose.
हात पार्नु
contrastTo acquire or obtain something.
रित्तो हात
builds onEmpty-handed.
हात हाल्नु
similarTo start a task or to interfere.
