In 15 Seconds
- A friendly reminder to take your packed meal.
- Commonly used between family members and close friends.
- Combines the English 'lunch box' with the Hindi verb 'le lo'.
Meaning
This is a simple, caring way to tell someone to take their lunch box before they leave for the day. It is a staple phrase in Indian households, often said by a parent or spouse as you head out the door.
Key Examples
3 of 6A mother talking to her son as he leaves for school
बेटा, अपना लंच बॉक्स ले लो!
Son, take your lunch box!
A wife reminding her husband who is in a rush
जल्दी में लंच बॉक्स ले लो, वरना भूख लगेगी।
Take the lunch box in the hurry, otherwise you will feel hungry.
A roommate leaving for a long library session
अरे, लंच बॉक्स ले लो, मैंने तुम्हारे लिए भी बनाया है।
Hey, take the lunch box, I made some for you too.
Cultural Background
The lunch box usually contains 'Roti-Sabzi'. Forgetting it means you'll likely have to eat 'Canteen ka khana', which is a common complaint among students. The 'Dabbawala' system is world-famous. Even if you forget your lunch box, a Dabbawala might still deliver it from your home to your office with 99.9% accuracy. The term 'Tiffin' is much more common than 'Lunch box'. It often refers to breakfast items like Idli or Dosa packed for later. In modern offices, 'Lunch box' is the standard term. Sharing your lunch box with colleagues is a key way to build friendships (social bonding).
The 'Apna' Addition
Adding 'apna' (अपना) before 'lunch box' makes it sound more natural: 'Apna lunch box le lo'.
Don't say 'Take the lunch'
In Hindi, we usually say 'Take the lunch box' (physical object) rather than just 'Take the lunch'.
In 15 Seconds
- A friendly reminder to take your packed meal.
- Commonly used between family members and close friends.
- Combines the English 'lunch box' with the Hindi verb 'le lo'.
What It Means
लंच बॉक्स ले लो (Lunch box le lo) is a direct instruction. It means 'Take the lunch box.' In Hindi, ले लो (le lo) is the imperative form of 'to take.' It sounds friendly and helpful. It is not a harsh command. It is a gentle reminder to not go hungry.
How To Use It
Use this phrase when someone is leaving for work or school. You can say it while handing them the container. You can also shout it from the kitchen as they grab their keys. It works perfectly in person or as a quick text message. If you want to be more polite to an elder, you would say लंच बॉक्स ले लीजिए (le lijiye). But for friends and family, ले लो is the gold standard.
When To Use It
Use it every morning! It is perfect for family settings. Use it when a friend visits and you have packed leftovers for them. It is also common in offices when a colleague forgets their meal on your desk. It shows you care about their well-being. It is the ultimate 'mom' phrase in India.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this in a very formal business meeting with a CEO. It is too casual for high-stakes professional settings. Avoid using it with strangers unless you are actually giving them food. If you are at a fancy restaurant, you wouldn't say this to the waiter. It implies a level of personal care and familiarity.
Cultural Background
In India, food is love. Packing a 'dabba' (lunch box) is a daily ritual. The 'Dabbawalas' of Mumbai have made this culture world-famous. Carrying home-cooked food is a sign of health and tradition. When someone tells you लंच बॉक्स ले लो, they are really saying 'I want you to eat well today.' It is a small act of service that keeps families connected.
Common Variations
डिब्बा ले लो(Dibba le lo) - 'Take the box.'खाना ले लो(Khana le lo) - 'Take the food.'अपना लंच मत भूलना(Apna lunch mat bhoolna) - 'Don't forget your lunch.'लंच पैक कर दिया है(Lunch pack kar diya hai) - 'Lunch has been packed.'
Usage Notes
This phrase sits in the 'Neutral' to 'Informal' register. It is perfect for daily life but requires a slight verb change (to 'lijiye') for formal respect.
The 'Apna' Addition
Adding 'apna' (अपना) before 'lunch box' makes it sound more natural: 'Apna lunch box le lo'.
Don't say 'Take the lunch'
In Hindi, we usually say 'Take the lunch box' (physical object) rather than just 'Take the lunch'.
The Tiffin Alternative
If you are in a smaller town, use 'Tiffin' instead of 'Lunch box' to sound more like a local.
Examples
6बेटा, अपना लंच बॉक्स ले लो!
Son, take your lunch box!
A very common daily domestic scenario.
जल्दी में लंच बॉक्स ले लो, वरना भूख लगेगी।
Take the lunch box in the hurry, otherwise you will feel hungry.
Shows concern for the person's well-being.
अरे, लंच बॉक्स ले लो, मैंने तुम्हारे लिए भी बनाया है।
Hey, take the lunch box, I made some for you too.
Casual and helpful between peers.
राहुल, अपना लंच बॉक्स ले लो, मेज पर ही रह गया।
Rahul, take your lunch box, it's left on the table.
Professional yet helpful.
कल अपना लंच बॉक्स ले लेना!
Take your lunch box tomorrow!
Using 'lena' as a future reminder in text.
मेरा लंच बॉक्स ले लो, तुम्हारा वाला तो खाली है!
Take my lunch box, yours is empty!
Lighthearted teasing about food.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing verb to complete the caring reminder.
अपना लंच बॉक्स ___ लो।
'ले लो' (le lo) is the correct compound verb for 'take'.
Which of these is the most polite way to say this to an elder?
How do you say 'Take the lunch box' to your grandfather?
'Le lijiye' is the formal/respectful 'Aap' form.
Complete the dialogue.
Mother: राहुल, जल्दी करो! बस आ गई। Rahul: जा रहा हूँ मम्मी। Mother: अरे! अपना _______ !
In the context of leaving for school (the bus is here), the lunch box reminder is most appropriate.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Situation: You see your friend leaving for the office and their tiffin is on the table.
You are reminding them to take it with them.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
What's in the Box?
Main
- • Roti
- • Paratha
- • Chawal
Side
- • Sabzi
- • Dal
- • Achaar
Practice Bank
4 exercisesअपना लंच बॉक्स ___ लो।
'ले लो' (le lo) is the correct compound verb for 'take'.
How do you say 'Take the lunch box' to your grandfather?
'Le lijiye' is the formal/respectful 'Aap' form.
Mother: राहुल, जल्दी करो! बस आ गई। Rahul: जा रहा हूँ मम्मी। Mother: अरे! अपना _______ !
In the context of leaving for school (the bus is here), the lunch box reminder is most appropriate.
Situation: You see your friend leaving for the office and their tiffin is on the table.
You are reminding them to take it with them.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is an English loanword that is now part of everyday Hindi vocabulary (Hinglish).
Technically yes, but usually people say 'Nashta le lo' for breakfast.
'Le lo' is informal (friends/family), 'Le lijiye' is formal (elders/strangers).
'Tiffin' is a legacy of British English in India and is still widely used.
Only if you want them to physically hold it for a second, not to take it with them.
Yes, with colleagues who are your friends.
लंच बॉक्स लेना मत भूलना (Lunch box lena mat bhoolna).
लंच बॉक्स ले लो (The phrase remains the same, or you can say 'Dono lunch box le lo').
No, it's a common Hindi word for 'box', but in Mumbai, it specifically means lunch box.
No, for that you say 'Paani ki bottle le lo'.
Related Phrases
खाना खा लो
similarEat your food
टिफिन पैक कर दो
builds onPack the tiffin
लंच ब्रेक
specialized formLunch break
हाथ धो लो
similarWash your hands
