Signification
To feel discouraged or sad
Contexte culturel
Punjabis pride themselves on 'Anakh' (self-respect) and 'Himmant' (courage). 'Dil chhota karna' is seen as a temporary state that a true Punjabi should overcome quickly. The concept of 'Chardi Kala' (constant optimism) is the spiritual antidote to 'dil chhota karna'. It is taught from childhood to keep the heart 'large' and spirits high. In farming communities, weather is unpredictable. This idiom was often used to support farmers whose crops were destroyed, emphasizing emotional endurance over material loss. A 'Vadda Dil' (Big Heart) is required for hospitality. Conversely, someone who is 'Chhote dil wala' (small-hearted) is often criticized for being stingy or unwelcoming.
Use it for comfort
Whenever a friend is sad, 'Dil chhota na ਕਰ' is the most natural thing to say.
Grammar Alert
Remember that 'Dil' is masculine. Don't change 'chhota' to 'chhoti' even if talking to a girl.
Signification
To feel discouraged or sad
Use it for comfort
Whenever a friend is sad, 'Dil chhota na ਕਰ' is the most natural thing to say.
Grammar Alert
Remember that 'Dil' is masculine. Don't change 'chhota' to 'chhoti' even if talking to a girl.
Sound Native
Add 'ਐਵੇਂ' (Aivein - just like that) before the phrase: 'ਐਵੇਂ ਦਿਲ ਛੋਟਾ ਨਾ ਕਰ' (Don't just lose heart for no reason).
Chardi Kala
Pair this idiom with 'Chardi Kala' in your mind to understand the full cultural spectrum of Punjabi emotions.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
ਜੇਕਰ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਮੈਚ ਹਾਰ ਗਏ ਹੋ, ਤਾਂ ______ ਨਾ ਕਰੋ।
The context of losing a match requires an idiom for discouragement.
Which sentence is grammatically correct for 'She lost heart'?
Choose the correct sentence:
In Punjabi, 'Dil' is masculine, so the adjective 'chhota' and verb 'kita' must be masculine singular.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ਮੇਰਾ ਵੀਜ਼ਾ ਰਿਜੈਕਟ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ। B: ______
The correct response to bad news is to offer encouragement.
Match the situation to the phrase.
Situation: Someone is crying because they lost their phone.
'Don't lose heart' is the appropriate sympathetic response.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
When to say 'Dil chhota na kar'
Failure
- • Exam
- • Match
- • Interview
Sadness
- • Bad news
- • Mean words
- • Loneliness
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesਜੇਕਰ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਮੈਚ ਹਾਰ ਗਏ ਹੋ, ਤਾਂ ______ ਨਾ ਕਰੋ।
The context of losing a match requires an idiom for discouragement.
Choose the correct sentence:
In Punjabi, 'Dil' is masculine, so the adjective 'chhota' and verb 'kita' must be masculine singular.
A: ਮੇਰਾ ਵੀਜ਼ਾ ਰਿਜੈਕਟ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ। B: ______
The correct response to bad news is to offer encouragement.
Situation: Someone is crying because they lost their phone.
'Don't lose heart' is the appropriate sympathetic response.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsNot really. For a breakup, use 'Dil tuttna'. 'Dil chhota karna' is more about discouragement or general sadness.
It's neutral. You can use it with friends, family, and even colleagues in a supportive way.
The opposite is 'Dil vadda karna' (to be generous) or 'Hausla rakhna' (to keep courage).
A 'chhote dil wala' person is stingy, but the verb 'dil chhota karna' means to be discouraged.
Yes, they are interchangeable, but 'Dil' is more common in songs and poetry.
You say 'Usne mera dil chhota kar ditta'.
No, it is strictly for emotional/mental states.
Yes, the exact same idiom exists in Hindi with the same meaning.
It's A1/A2. It's one of the first idioms a learner should know.
The 'T' is retroflex. Curl your tongue back to touch the roof of your mouth.
Only if you have a very close relationship with the recipient. Otherwise, use more formal language.
It's a metaphor for your spirit shrinking and losing its strength.
Extremely common, especially in 'Dard' (pain) or motivational songs.
Yes, that means 'The heart became small' (I became discouraged). It's the passive version.
Expressions liées
ਮਨ ਛੋਟਾ ਕਰਨਾ
synonymTo lose heart/mind
ਹੌਸਲਾ ਹਾਰਨਾ
similarTo lose courage
ਦਿਲ ਵੱਡਾ ਕਰਨਾ
contrastTo be generous or brave
ਢੇਰੀ ਢਾਹੁਣੀ
specialized formTo give up completely
ਦਿਲ ਟੁੱਟਣਾ
similarTo have a broken heart
