Signification
To lose heart or become discouraged.
Contexte culturel
In Pakistan, this phrase is often followed by 'Allah malik hai' (God is the owner/provider), reinforcing the idea that one shouldn't worry because a higher power will take care of things. In Delhi and Lucknow, you might hear 'Ji chhota karna' more frequently in domestic settings among older generations. The 'Dil' is central to Sufi poetry. A 'small heart' is one that is too focused on the self and worldly failures, while a 'big heart' is focused on the Divine. Younger Urdu speakers might use the English word 'dishearten' in the middle of Urdu sentences, but 'Dil chhota na kar' remains the soulful, preferred choice for deep friendship.
Use it for support
This is the best phrase to use when you want to show you care without being too formal.
Gender matters
Always keep 'Chhota' masculine because 'Dil' is masculine. Never say 'Dil chhoti'.
Signification
To lose heart or become discouraged.
Use it for support
This is the best phrase to use when you want to show you care without being too formal.
Gender matters
Always keep 'Chhota' masculine because 'Dil' is masculine. Never say 'Dil chhoti'.
Add 'Yaar'
Adding 'Yaar' (friend/buddy) at the end makes it sound much more natural and warm.
Religious context
In religious families, pairing this with 'Allah par bharosa rakho' (Have faith in God) is very common.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
امتحان میں فیل ہونے پر ______ نہ کرو۔
The context of failing an exam requires 'don't lose heart' (dil chhota na karo).
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Select the correct negative command:
'Mat' is the correct imperative negative, and 'dil' is masculine.
Match the situation to the response.
Situation: Your friend's cricket team lost the match.
Losing a match is a perfect time to use this idiom to comfort a friend.
Complete the dialogue.
احمد: مجھے نوکری نہیں ملی۔ سارہ: ______، اللہ بہتر کرے گا۔
Sarah is comforting Ahmad after a job rejection.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesامتحان میں فیل ہونے پر ______ نہ کرو۔
The context of failing an exam requires 'don't lose heart' (dil chhota na karo).
Select the correct negative command:
'Mat' is the correct imperative negative, and 'dil' is masculine.
Situation: Your friend's cricket team lost the match.
Losing a match is a perfect time to use this idiom to comfort a friend.
احمد: مجھے نوکری نہیں ملی۔ سارہ: ______، اللہ بہتر کرے گا۔
Sarah is comforting Ahmad after a job rejection.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsNot really. For romantic heartbreak, use 'Dil tootna'. 'Dil chhota karna' is for disappointment or losing courage.
It might be too informal. Use 'Aap mayoos na hon' (Don't be disappointed) instead.
The opposite is 'Dil bara karna' (to be generous/brave) or 'Himat pakarna' (to gather courage).
It is masculine. That's why we say 'chhota' and not 'chhoti'.
Yes! You can say 'Maine dil chhota kar liya' (I lost heart).
In some very specific dialects, yes, but 99% of the time it means to lose heart. Use 'Kanjoos' for stingy.
Yes, very often! It's a staple of emotional and motivational songs.
Say 'Dil chhota na karein'.
Yes, 'Ji chhota karna' is a perfect synonym.
Yes, it is exactly the same in Hindi (दिल छोटा کرنا/करना).
It's A1-A2. Every beginner should know this.
No, that would be medically incorrect and confusing.
Expressions liées
ہمت ہارنا
synonymTo lose courage
دل بڑا کرنا
contrastTo be generous or brave
مایوس ہونا
similarTo be disappointed/hopeless
دل ٹوٹنا
builds onTo have a broken heart
جی چھوٹا کرنا
synonymTo lose heart
