Signification
Being greedy leads to bad outcomes.
Contexte culturel
In farming communities, greed for land often led to long-standing family feuds. This proverb was a way to maintain social harmony by discouraging land-grabbing. Greed (Lobh) is one of the five vices in Sikh philosophy. The proverb is a secular echo of the spiritual teaching to remain content (Santokh). Many folk tales end with this proverb as the moral, reinforcing it as a foundational cultural value from a young age. Today, it is frequently used in the context of immigration scams (donkey flights) where people lose money trying to go abroad quickly.
Gender Agreement
Always remember that 'Bala' is feminine. Even if you forget the rest, saying 'Buri Bala' correctly will make you sound like a pro.
Don't Judge
Be careful using this with elders or superiors; it can sound like you are lecturing them.
Signification
Being greedy leads to bad outcomes.
Gender Agreement
Always remember that 'Bala' is feminine. Even if you forget the rest, saying 'Buri Bala' correctly will make you sound like a pro.
Don't Judge
Be careful using this with elders or superiors; it can sound like you are lecturing them.
The Dog Story
If you mention the story of the dog and the bone while using this phrase, people will be very impressed with your cultural knowledge.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word in the proverb.
ਲਾਲਚ ਬੁਰੀ ____ ਹੈ।
The correct word is 'ਬਲਾ' (Bala), which means calamity.
Which sentence uses the proverb correctly?
Choose the correct usage:
The proverb is used when someone does something wrong or risky due to greed.
Match the Punjabi words with their English meanings.
Match the following:
These are the core vocabulary words for this lesson.
Match the situation to the proverb's intent.
A man loses his savings in a fake lottery.
The loss was due to the desire for easy money (greed).
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesਲਾਲਚ ਬੁਰੀ ____ ਹੈ।
The correct word is 'ਬਲਾ' (Bala), which means calamity.
Choose the correct usage:
The proverb is used when someone does something wrong or risky due to greed.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the core vocabulary words for this lesson.
A man loses his savings in a fake lottery.
The loss was due to the desire for easy money (greed).
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, 'Lalaj' almost always has a negative connotation. For positive desire, use 'Ichha' (wish) or 'Supna' (dream).
Yes, it is very common to use it for gluttony, especially in a joking way among friends.
Because it modifies the feminine noun 'Bala' (calamity). Adjectives in Punjabi must agree with the noun they describe.
Yes, the exact same phrase is used in Hindi (लालच बुरी बला है), making it a very useful 'two-for-one' idiom for learners.
There isn't a single opposite proverb, but the concept of 'Sabar' (patience) or 'Santokh' (contentment) is the opposite value.
Yes, that means 'Greed was a curse,' usually used when finishing a story about someone's past mistake.
In modern conversation, 'Bala' is mostly used within this proverb or to describe a very annoying person ('Bala piche pai gayi').
While it aligns with Sikh values, it is a secular proverb used by people of all religions in Punjab.
You can say 'Lalaj na kar' (singular) or 'Lalaj na karo' (plural/formal).
Only if you are discussing ethics or a failed risky venture. It might be too informal for a standard strategy meeting.
Expressions liées
ਸਬਰ ਦਾ ਫਲ ਮਿੱਠਾ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ
contrastThe fruit of patience is sweet.
ਲਾਲਚੀ ਕੁੱਤਾ
similarGreedy dog.
ਲਾਲਚ ਕੁੱਤੇ ਦੀ ਮੌਤ ਹੈ
specialized formGreed is a dog's death.
ਹੱਥ ਨੂੰ ਆਇਆ ਨਾ ਮੂੰਹ ਨੂੰ ਲੱਗਿਆ
builds onCame to the hand but didn't reach the mouth.
