मतलब
Pretending not to hear anything
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
Mustard oil is considered sacred and healing in Nepali culture. Using it in an idiom about 'ignoring' shows how even something good can be used to describe a negative social behavior. In Newari culture, there are specific festivals where oil is applied to the body. The idiom is equally popular in Nepal Bhasa (Newari) translations, showing its deep regional roots. The concept of 'oil in ears' exists in Hindi as well ('Kaan mein tel daalna'), showing a shared linguistic heritage across the Indo-Aryan language family. On Nepali Twitter and TikTok, you'll see the emoji 👂🛢️ used to mock politicians who don't respond to viral issues.
Use with 'Basnu'
To sound more like a native, use 'कानमा तेल हालेर बस्नु' (Kaan-ma tel haalera basnu). It emphasizes that the person is *persistently* ignoring you.
Don't over-use with elders
While common, telling an elder 'कानमा तेल नहाल्नुस्' can sound a bit cheeky or disrespectful if they are actually busy.
मतलब
Pretending not to hear anything
Use with 'Basnu'
To sound more like a native, use 'कानमा तेल हालेर बस्नु' (Kaan-ma tel haalera basnu). It emphasizes that the person is *persistently* ignoring you.
Don't over-use with elders
While common, telling an elder 'कानमा तेल नहाल्नुस्' can sound a bit cheeky or disrespectful if they are actually busy.
The 'Mustard Oil' Connection
If you ever visit a Nepali home and see mustard oil, remember this idiom! It's the most common oil in the country.
खुद को परखो
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
मैले धेरै पटक भनें, तर उसले त ______ हाल्यो।
The idiom is specifically 'कानमा तेल' (oil in the ear).
Which situation best fits the use of 'कानमा तेल हाल्नु'?
When would you use this phrase?
The idiom is used for intentional ignoring or indifference.
Complete the dialogue.
A: तिमीले मेरो कुरा किन सुनेनौ? B: माफ गर, मैले ______।
B is admitting (perhaps sarcastically or figuratively) that they were ignoring A.
Match the sentence to the context.
Sentence: 'छोराले पढ्ने बेलामा सधैं कानमा तेल हाल्छ।'
This is a very common domestic use of the idiom.
🎉 स्कोर: /4
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
अभ्यास बैंक
4 अभ्यासमैले धेरै पटक भनें, तर उसले त ______ हाल्यो।
The idiom is specifically 'कानमा तेल' (oil in the ear).
When would you use this phrase?
The idiom is used for intentional ignoring or indifference.
A: तिमीले मेरो कुरा किन सुनेनौ? B: माफ गर, मैले ______।
B is admitting (perhaps sarcastically or figuratively) that they were ignoring A.
Sentence: 'छोराले पढ्ने बेलामा सधैं कानमा तेल हाल्छ।'
This is a very common domestic use of the idiom.
🎉 स्कोर: /4
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
10 सवालIt can be. It's informal and accusatory. Use it with friends, children, or when complaining about someone else, but be careful using it directly to a superior.
No. It's specifically for *intentional* ignoring. If someone just forgot, use 'birsinu'.
The opposite would be 'कान ठाडो पार्नु' (to be very alert/listening) or 'ध्यान दिएर सुन्नु' (to listen carefully).
Yes, it is a very common traditional remedy for earaches or to soften earwax, though doctors now advise caution.
Yes, very frequently in newspaper columns, social media posts, and literature to criticize indifference.
No, that's not an idiom. It would just mean literally getting water in your ear, like when swimming.
उनीहरूले कानमा तेल हाले (They ignored).
A more slangy way to say this is 'Kaan thunera basnu' (sitting with ears closed).
Yes! You can use it metaphorically for someone who 'sees' your messages but doesn't reply.
Yes, many folk (Lok Dohori) songs use this to describe a lover who is ignoring the singer's pleas.
संबंधित मुहावरे
सुनेको नसुन्यै गर्नु
synonymTo pretend not to have heard.
एक कानले सुन्ने अर्को कानले उडाउने
similarIn one ear and out the other.
वास्ता नगर्नु
synonymTo not care / To ignore.
आँखा चिम्लनु
contrastTo close one's eyes (to a problem).
