آدھا سچ پورے جھوٹ سے بدتر ہے
آدھا سچ پورے جھوٹ سے بدتر ہے
Half truth is worse than a lie
Signification
Misleading people is very harmful.
Contexte culturel
In Pakistan, social standing is tied to 'Lafz' (one's word). A person who uses half-truths is often labeled as 'Ayyar' (cunning/sly), a term that carries significant social stigma. Classical Urdu poetry often contrasts the 'Zahid' (the hypocritical preacher) with the 'Rind' (the honest drunkard). The Zahid is accused of telling half-truths about morality, making him 'badtar' than the honest sinner. Sufism emphasizes 'Sidq' (absolute sincerity). A half-truth is seen as a veil (hijab) that prevents the soul from reaching divine reality. With the rise of 'fake news' in South Asia, this proverb has seen a resurgence in social media comments to call out biased reporting.
Use it for emphasis
Use this phrase when you want to sound authoritative and morally grounded in an argument.
Don't over-use
If you use it for every small mistake, it loses its power. Save it for genuine deception.
Signification
Misleading people is very harmful.
Use it for emphasis
Use this phrase when you want to sound authoritative and morally grounded in an argument.
Don't over-use
If you use it for every small mistake, it loses its power. Save it for genuine deception.
Grammar Hack
Remember that 'badtar' is already comparative. Never say 'ziyada badtar'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to complete the proverb.
آدھا سچ پورے جھوٹ سے _______ ہے۔
'Badtar' (worse) is the correct comparative adjective for this proverb.
Which situation best fits the proverb?
A salesman tells you a phone has a great camera but doesn't mention the battery only lasts 1 hour.
The salesman is using a partial truth to mislead the buyer, which is exactly what this proverb describes.
Match the Urdu words with their English meanings.
Words: 1. آدھا, 2. سچ, 3. جھوٹ, 4. بدتر
Basic vocabulary matching for the proverb components.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
احمد: میں نے تمہیں بتایا تھا کہ میں لیٹ آؤں گا، لیکن یہ نہیں بتایا کہ میں کہاں تھا۔ سارہ: احمد، یاد رکھو _______۔
Sarah is pointing out that Ahmed's partial information was deceptive.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Truth vs. Half-Truth vs. Lie
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesآدھا سچ پورے جھوٹ سے _______ ہے۔
'Badtar' (worse) is the correct comparative adjective for this proverb.
A salesman tells you a phone has a great camera but doesn't mention the battery only lasts 1 hour.
The salesman is using a partial truth to mislead the buyer, which is exactly what this proverb describes.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Basic vocabulary matching for the proverb components.
احمد: میں نے تمہیں بتایا تھا کہ میں لیٹ آؤں گا، لیکن یہ نہیں بتایا کہ میں کہاں تھا۔ سارہ: احمد، یاد رکھو _______۔
Sarah is pointing out that Ahmed's partial information was deceptive.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsWhile it aligns with Islamic ethics, it is a secular proverb used by everyone regardless of faith.
Only if you are prepared for a serious confrontation. It is a strong accusation of dishonesty.
There isn't a direct 'opposite' proverb, but 'Sanch ko aanch nahi' (Truth has no fear) is the positive counterpart.
Yes, but mostly in serious or formal contexts. In casual talk, people use 'bura'.
Because it uses the truth to make a lie believable, which is more manipulative than a simple lie.
No, the proverb is fixed as 'Adha sach'. 'Adha jhoot' (half lie) doesn't make sense in this context.
Yes, Urdu and Hindi speakers both understand and use this proverb.
It rhymes with 'much'. The 'ch' is sharp.
Absolutely. It is an excellent way to conclude an argument about ethics or media.
It means 'whole' or 'complete'. It emphasizes the scale of the lie.
Expressions liées
سچ کڑوا ہوتا ہے
similarThe truth is bitter.
جھوٹ کے پاؤں نہیں ہوتے
similarLies have no feet (they don't last long).
سچ کو آنچ نہیں
contrastThe truth has nothing to fear.
نیم حکیم خطرہ جان
builds onA half-doctor is a danger to life.
