Meaning
A situation good for one, bad for another
Cultural Background
The proverb reflects the historical reality of the 'Zamindari' system where the harvest month was also the time of high-pressure tax collection. Poush is the month of 'Poush Parbon', where families make 'Pitha'. It's the most celebrated food month in Bengal. Today, the phrase is heavily used in political talk shows to describe how government policies affect different social classes. Rabindranath Tagore and other poets have used the imagery of Poush to contrast the beauty of nature with the harshness of human life.
Use for Irony
This phrase is best used when you want to sound observant and slightly cynical about life's unfairness.
Sensitivity Check
Don't use this if someone has just experienced a major personal tragedy like a death in the family.
Meaning
A situation good for one, bad for another
Use for Irony
This phrase is best used when you want to sound observant and slightly cynical about life's unfairness.
Sensitivity Check
Don't use this if someone has just experienced a major personal tragedy like a death in the family.
Journalistic Style
If you are writing an essay in Bengali, using this proverb in the introduction or conclusion adds great rhetorical weight.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing words to complete the proverb.
কারোর ______ মাস, কারোর ______।
The standard proverb uses 'পৌষ' (Poush) and 'সর্বনাশ' (Shorbonash).
Which situation best fits the proverb 'কারোর পৌষ মাস কারোর সর্বনাশ'?
Situation: A new bridge is built. People cross easily, but the boatmen lose their jobs.
The bridge is a 'harvest' for commuters and 'ruin' for boatmen.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the proverb.
রহিম: শেয়ার বাজারে ধস নামায় আমার সব গেল! করিম: আর আমার ভাই শর্ট-সেল করে অনেক টাকা কামালো। একেই বলে...
The context of one person losing money while another gains fits this proverb.
Identify the correct meaning of 'সর্বনাশ' in this proverb.
In the phrase 'কারোর পৌষ মাস কারোর সর্বনাশ', what does 'সর্বনাশ' imply?
'Shorbonash' literally means the destruction of everything.
Match the components of the proverb.
Match the left and right sides.
The proverb structure is 'কারোর পৌষ মাস' and 'কারোর সর্বনাশ'.
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
The Duality of Poush
Practice Bank
5 exercisesকারোর ______ মাস, কারোর ______।
The standard proverb uses 'পৌষ' (Poush) and 'সর্বনাশ' (Shorbonash).
Situation: A new bridge is built. People cross easily, but the boatmen lose their jobs.
The bridge is a 'harvest' for commuters and 'ruin' for boatmen.
রহিম: শেয়ার বাজারে ধস নামায় আমার সব গেল! করিম: আর আমার ভাই শর্ট-সেল করে অনেক টাকা কামালো। একেই বলে...
The context of one person losing money while another gains fits this proverb.
In the phrase 'কারোর পৌষ মাস কারোর সর্বনাশ', what does 'সর্বনাশ' imply?
'Shorbonash' literally means the destruction of everything.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
The proverb structure is 'কারোর পৌষ মাস' and 'কারোর সর্বনাশ'.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it can be used any time of the year. 'Poush' is used metaphorically for any good time.
It's better for significant events. Using it for small things might sound overly dramatic.
It is neutral. You can use it with friends, but also in a newspaper article.
'One man's meat is another man's poison' is the closest equivalent.
Poush is the harvest month, symbolizing the peak of wealth and food in traditional Bengal.
Yes, you can change 'কারোর' to any possessive pronoun to make it personal.
No, it's not a swear word. It just means 'total ruin' or 'disaster'.
Yes, it is one of the most common proverbs in the Bengali language.
Only if you are discussing market dynamics or social issues. It might be too informal for personal questions.
No, it is a purely secular, folk proverb.
Related Phrases
একজনের লাঠি অন্যজনের বোঝা
similarOne's support is another's burden.
নিজের নাক কেটে পরের যাত্রা ভঙ্গ
contrastHurting oneself just to ruin another's journey.
অতি লোভে তাঁতি নষ্ট
builds onGreed leads to ruin.
চোরের দশ দিন গৃহস্থের এক দিন
similarThe thief has ten days, the householder has one.
