Meaning
Doing things extremely slowly
Cultural Background
In Kolkata, this phrase is often used to describe the movement of the city's iconic trams, which are beloved but notoriously slow. In Bangladesh, the phrase is frequently used in political and social commentary to criticize the slow implementation of government projects. Famous authors like Satyajit Ray and Humayun Ahmed have used this phrase to create humorous, lethargic characters in their stories. In modern Bengali startups, this phrase is used as a 'warning' to employees to stay agile and avoid 'old-school' slow habits.
Use with 'Deoa'
Always use the verb 'দেওয়া' (deoa) to sound like a native speaker when describing someone's slow behavior.
Avoid in Formal Writing
This is a colorful idiom; keep it for stories and casual talk, not formal reports.
Meaning
Doing things extremely slowly
Use with 'Deoa'
Always use the verb 'দেওয়া' (deoa) to sound like a native speaker when describing someone's slow behavior.
Avoid in Formal Writing
This is a colorful idiom; keep it for stories and casual talk, not formal reports.
Sarcasm is Key
The phrase is most effective when said with a slightly sarcastic or frustrated tone.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct word to complete the idiom.
সে সবসময় গদাই লস্করী ______ কাজ করে।
'Chal' in this context means gait/style, completing the idiom.
Which situation best fits the use of 'Gadai Laskari Chal'?
In which scenario would you use this phrase?
The idiom is used for annoying, unnecessary slowness.
Complete the dialogue.
মা: 'তাড়াতাড়ি রেডি হও!' ছেলে: 'হচ্ছি তো মা...' মা: 'তোমার এই ______ আর ভালো লাগে না!'
The mother is scolding the son for being slow.
Match the Bengali phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
Matches the idiom to its common English translation.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesসে সবসময় গদাই লস্করী ______ কাজ করে।
'Chal' in this context means gait/style, completing the idiom.
In which scenario would you use this phrase?
The idiom is used for annoying, unnecessary slowness.
মা: 'তাড়াতাড়ি রেডি হও!' ছেলে: 'হচ্ছি তো মা...' মা: 'তোমার এই ______ আর ভালো লাগে না!'
The mother is scolding the son for being slow.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Matches the idiom to its common English translation.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsMost likely a fictional or generic name used in folklore to represent a lazy landlord.
Yes! It's very common to say 'আমার কম্পিউটারটা আজ গদাই লস্করী চালে চলছে' (My computer is running at a snail's pace today).
It's a mild critique. It's not a swear word, but it's not a compliment either.
The opposite would be 'তড়িৎ গতি' (lightning speed) or 'দ্রুতগতি' (fast speed).
No, it's too informal. Use 'ধীরগতি' (slow speed) if you must talk about slowness.
No, here 'Chal' means gait, style, or movement.
Yes, it is equally popular in both West Bengal and Bangladesh.
No, the idiom is fixed as 'Chal'. 'Goti' (speed) sounds unnatural here.
Laskars were soldiers/sailors. The idiom mocks their supposedly lazy lifestyle.
Yes, you can just say 'লস্করী চাল' (Laskari Chal).
Related Phrases
কুঁড়ের বাদশা
synonymKing of the lazy
ঢিমে তাল
similarSlow rhythm
কচ্ছপ গতি
synonymTurtle speed
তড়িৎ গতি
contrastLightning speed
ধীরস্থির
contrastCalm and steady
