Bedeutung
To bring disgrace or shame.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The concept of 'Aabru' (honor) is central. Bringing shame is often seen as a collective failure of the family, not just the individual. In rural areas, this idiom is taken very seriously and can imply a total social boycott. In urban areas, it is used more metaphorically. Historically, this was a real punishment. The 'blackening' was a physical mark that prevented the criminal from hiding their identity. Gujarati soap operas (TV serials) use this phrase constantly to create high drama and emotional tension between characters.
Use with Caution
This is a very strong idiom. Using it against someone is a serious accusation of moral failure.
Passive Voice
Use 'Modhu kalu thayu' (face became black) if you want to describe the situation without sounding like you are attacking the person directly.
Bedeutung
To bring disgrace or shame.
Use with Caution
This is a very strong idiom. Using it against someone is a serious accusation of moral failure.
Passive Voice
Use 'Modhu kalu thayu' (face became black) if you want to describe the situation without sounding like you are attacking the person directly.
Family Honor
Remember that in Gujarati, this idiom often implies the shame is shared by the whole family.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
ચોરી કરીને તેણે આખા ગામમાં પોતાનું _________ કર્યું.
The idiom is 'મોઢું કાળું કરવું'. 'મોઢું ધોયું' means washed face, which is the opposite.
Which situation best fits the use of 'મોઢું કાળું કરવું'?
In which of these scenarios would you use the idiom?
The idiom is used for shameful or disgraceful acts.
Complete the dialogue.
માતા: બેટા, ક્યારેય એવું કામ ના કરીશ કે અમારે સમાજમાં... દીકરો: ના મમ્મી, હું હંમેશા તમારું નામ રોશન કરીશ.
The mother is warning the son about bringing shame to the family.
Match the phrase to its meaning.
Match 'મોઢું કાળું કરવું' with its figurative meaning.
The idiom literally means blackening the face but figuratively means bringing shame.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Shame vs. Glory
Aufgabensammlung
4 Aufgabenચોરી કરીને તેણે આખા ગામમાં પોતાનું _________ કર્યું.
The idiom is 'મોઢું કાળું કરવું'. 'મોઢું ધોયું' means washed face, which is the opposite.
In which of these scenarios would you use the idiom?
The idiom is used for shameful or disgraceful acts.
માતા: બેટા, ક્યારેય એવું કામ ના કરીશ કે અમારે સમાજમાં... દીકરો: ના મમ્મી, હું હંમેશા તમારું નામ રોશન કરીશ.
The mother is warning the son about bringing shame to the family.
Match 'મોઢું કાળું કરવું' with its figurative meaning.
The idiom literally means blackening the face but figuratively means bringing shame.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIt's not a 'swear word,' but it is a very harsh criticism. It's like calling someone a 'disgrace.'
Yes, if you feel you have done something very wrong. E.g., 'મેં મારું મોઢું કાળું કર્યું.'
Only in very informal or heated discussions. In formal business, use 'reputation damage.'
The opposite is 'Naam Roshan Karvu' (to make the name shine).
Historically yes, but today it is 99% used figuratively for shame.
No, that would be too dramatic. Use it for big, life-altering lies.
Extremely common in Gujarati family dramas and rural-themed movies.
It becomes 'karyu' because 'Modhu' is neuter. 'તેણે મોઢું કાળું કર્યું.'
In idioms, 'Kalu' (black) often represents shame, secrets, or illegal things (like 'Kalu naanu' - black money).
You can say 'આબરૂને નુકસાન પહોંચાડવું' (to cause damage to honor).
Verwandte Redewendungen
નાક કાપવું
similarTo cut the nose (to shame someone).
નામ રોશન કરવું
contrastTo make the name shine (to bring glory).
આબરૂ ધૂળમાં મેળવવી
synonymTo mix honor in the dust.
કલંક લગાડવું
similarTo apply a stigma/blot.
