Signification
Having no money left at all.
Contexte culturel
In Nepal, talking about money can be sensitive. This idiom allows people to discuss financial lack with humor, reducing the 'shame' of being broke. The Newar community has elaborate festivals (Jatras). It's very common to hear this idiom after a major Jatra like Indra Jatra due to the high cost of feasts. Urban youth use this idiom to describe 'broke-ness' caused by 'cafe culture' and expensive gadgets, often pairing it with English words. In villages, this might refer to the period before the harvest when food and cash reserves are low.
Use it for humor
This idiom is best used when you want to complain about being broke in a funny way.
Not for real poverty
Don't use it to describe someone who is genuinely suffering from long-term poverty; it might sound insensitive.
Signification
Having no money left at all.
Use it for humor
This idiom is best used when you want to complain about being broke in a funny way.
Not for real poverty
Don't use it to describe someone who is genuinely suffering from long-term poverty; it might sound insensitive.
Add 'Nai'
Adding 'nai' (हातै धुलो) makes it more emphatic: 'I'm REALLY broke!'
Festival context
The most natural time to use this is right after Tihar or Dashain.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
धेरै सपिङ गरेकोले मेरो त _______ भयो।
The idiom specifically uses 'हात' (hand).
Which sentence correctly uses the idiom to mean 'I am broke'?
Select the correct sentence:
This sentence correctly links the idiom to the lack of money.
Complete the dialogue.
राम: 'भोलि सिनेमा हेर्न जाने हो?' श्याम: 'होइन यार, दशैंले गर्दा मेरो त _______।'
Shyam is declining because he spent his money during the festival.
Match the situation to the phrase.
You just paid your rent and electricity bill and have 0 rupees left.
Being broke after paying bills is a perfect context for this idiom.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Literal vs. Figurative
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesधेरै सपिङ गरेकोले मेरो त _______ भयो।
The idiom specifically uses 'हात' (hand).
Select the correct sentence:
This sentence correctly links the idiom to the lack of money.
राम: 'भोलि सिनेमा हेर्न जाने हो?' श्याम: 'होइन यार, दशैंले गर्दा मेरो त _______।'
Shyam is declining because he spent his money during the festival.
You just paid your rent and electricity bill and have 0 rupees left.
Being broke after paying bills is a perfect context for this idiom.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, the idiom is strictly 'haat' (hand). 'Khutta dhulo hunu' would just mean your feet are literally dirty.
Not at all. It's a very common, slightly self-deprecating way to talk about money among equals.
Not necessarily. It usually means you spent your money, though it can imply you have none for any reason.
You can say 'उसले मेरो हात धुलो बनाइदियो।' (He made my hands dusty.)
Rarely. You might see it in a story or a column, but not in a formal report.
There isn't a direct 'dust' opposite, but 'हातमा पैसा खेलाउनु' (to play with money in hands) implies having plenty.
It's better for individuals. For a company, use 'टाट पल्टिनु' (to go bankrupt).
No, it just means dust.
Yes! It's used for having 'virtually nothing'.
Yes, it's a timeless idiom in Nepal.
Expressions liées
हात खाली हुनु
similarTo have empty hands.
खल्ती रित्तो हुनु
synonymTo have empty pockets.
कौडी नहुनु
synonymTo not have a single cowrie shell.
हात माथि हुनु
contrastTo have the upper hand / to be the giver.
हात धुनु
contrastTo wash one's hands (of something).
