In 15 Seconds
- Means working extremely hard.
- Literal: to shed sweat.
- Origin: physical labor symbolism.
- Use for intense effort & dedication.
Meaning
This phrase literally means 'to shed sweat,' but it really means to put in a ton of hard work. Think of the feeling when you're pushing yourself to the limit, that physical exertion that makes you sweat. It captures that intense effort and dedication, whether you're studying for a big exam, training for a marathon, or just trying to nail that presentation at work. It's about the grind, the hustle, and the sheer physical or mental energy you pour into something.
Key Examples
3 of 12Texting a friend about a project deadline
यार, ये प्रोजेक्ट टाइम पर खत्म करने के लिए बहुत `पसीना बहाना` पड़ रहा है!
Man, I'm having to shed a lot of sweat to finish this project on time!
Instagram caption for a fitness post
आज जिम में पूरा `पसीना बहाना`! #FitnessGoals #HardWork
Shedding full sweat in the gym today! #FitnessGoals #HardWork
Talking about a student's dedication
वो मेडिकल एंट्रेंस के लिए दिन-रात `पसीना बहा रहा है`।
He is shedding sweat day and night for the medical entrance exam.
Cultural Background
Hard work is often linked to 'Karma' or duty. Sweat is a universal symbol of human effort.
Use with 'बहुत'
Always use 'बहुत' (a lot) to emphasize the effort.
In 15 Seconds
- Means working extremely hard.
- Literal: to shed sweat.
- Origin: physical labor symbolism.
- Use for intense effort & dedication.
What It Means
This Hindi idiom, पसीना बहाना (paseena bahana), paints a vivid picture. It's not just about getting a little sweaty; it's about working so incredibly hard that you're practically dripping with sweat. Imagine yourself after a really tough workout or a long day of manual labor – that's the feeling this phrase captures. It signifies intense effort, dedication, and a lot of grit. It’s the kind of hard work that leaves you exhausted but hopefully proud.
Origin Story
The origin is beautifully straightforward, rooted in the most basic human experience: physical labor. Historically, many societies relied heavily on manual work. Farmers tilling fields, laborers building structures, artisans crafting goods – all these professions involved strenuous physical activity that would inevitably lead to profuse sweating. The sweat itself became a visible, tangible symbol of the energy expended and the effort put forth. It was a direct, honest indicator of someone's hard work. So, पसीना बहाना became a natural metaphor for this intense labor, a way to describe the visible proof of one's toil. It’s like saying, 'Look at the sweat, you can see how hard they worked!' It’s folk wisdom at its finest, born from the fields and workshops.
How To Use It
You use पसीना बहाना when you want to emphasize the extreme effort someone is putting into a task. It's perfect for describing situations where the work is physically demanding or requires immense concentration and dedication over a long period. Think of it as the verbal equivalent of showing your sweat-soaked t-shirt after a tough job. You can use it for yourself or for others, highlighting the struggle and the commitment involved. It adds a layer of intensity to your description of hard work, making it sound more significant.
Real-Life Examples
- My brother is studying for his medical exams. He's been
पसीना बहानाfor months, barely sleeping. - This startup team is really
पसीना बहानाto launch their new app on time. - To get this promotion, I had to
पसीना बहानाand take on extra projects. - The athletes are
पसीना बहानाin training for the Olympics. - She
पसीना बहानाin the kitchen all day to prepare for the feast.
When To Use It
Use पसीना बहाना when you want to convey that someone is working extremely hard, especially if the work is physically taxing or requires immense perseverance. It's great for describing the dedication needed for challenging goals, like training for a marathon, preparing for a major exam, or completing a demanding project. It's also suitable when you want to acknowledge someone's significant struggle and effort. Think of it as a badge of honor for hard work. It fits well when you're talking about sports, intense study sessions, or demanding jobs.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid पसीना बहाना for tasks that are simple, easy, or require minimal effort. If you're just browsing Instagram or casually chatting with friends, saying you're पसीना बहाना would be a massive exaggeration – and frankly, a bit funny! It's also not appropriate for tasks that are purely mental without any significant strain or long-term commitment, unless that mental effort is truly grueling, like preparing for a PhD defense. Don't use it for everyday chores unless they are exceptionally difficult or time-consuming. It’s not for light work; it’s for the real grind.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using it for minor efforts. Someone might say, 'I पसीना बहाना to find my keys this morning.' That's just searching, not intense labor! Another error is applying it to situations lacking significant output or struggle. Remember, the sweat has to be earned! It’s easy to overuse it for simple tasks, making your description sound insincere or comical. Always check if the effort truly warrants this strong idiom.
Similar Expressions
मेहनत करना(mehnat karna): To work hard (more general).जी तोड़ मेहनत करना(jee tod mehnat karna): To work one's heart out (very similar intensity).जान लगाना(jaan lagana): To put one's life/soul into something (focus on dedication).खून पसीना एक करना(khoon paseena ek karna): To mix blood and sweat (even more intense, implies extreme sacrifice).
Memory Trick
Imagine a farmer toiling under the hot sun. You can literally *see* the sweat dripping off him. That visible sweat is the पसीना (sweat). The act of him working so hard is बहाना (to shed/pour). So, पसीना बहाना = seeing that farmer pour out sweat because he's working *so* hard. Visualise that intense, sweaty farmer!
Quick FAQ
- Is it always physical work? Not necessarily! It can describe intense mental effort too, like studying for finals.
- Can I use it for myself? Absolutely! It shows you acknowledge your own hard work.
- Does it imply success? Not directly. It focuses on the effort, not the outcome. You can
पसीना बहानाand still not achieve your goal.
Usage Notes
This idiom is best used in informal to neutral contexts. While it can describe intense mental effort, its roots in physical labor give it a tangible, exertion-focused feel. Avoid it in very formal settings or for tasks that don't genuinely require significant effort, as it can sound exaggerated.
Use with 'बहुत'
Always use 'बहुत' (a lot) to emphasize the effort.
Examples
12यार, ये प्रोजेक्ट टाइम पर खत्म करने के लिए बहुत `पसीना बहाना` पड़ रहा है!
Man, I'm having to shed a lot of sweat to finish this project on time!
Here, `पसीना बहाना` emphasizes the intense effort needed to meet a tight deadline.
आज जिम में पूरा `पसीना बहाना`! #FitnessGoals #HardWork
Shedding full sweat in the gym today! #FitnessGoals #HardWork
Used informally to highlight the difficulty and effort in a workout, common on social media.
वो मेडिकल एंट्रेंस के लिए दिन-रात `पसीना बहा रहा है`।
He is shedding sweat day and night for the medical entrance exam.
Highlights the extreme dedication and hard work required for competitive exams.
अपने पिछले पद पर, मैंने नए क्लाइंट्स लाने के लिए काफी `पसीना बहाया`।
In my previous role, I shed considerable sweat to bring in new clients.
Used professionally to show significant effort and commitment in a past job.
इस पहाड़ पर चढ़ने में तो सच में `पसीना बहाना` पड़ा, लेकिन नज़ारा अद्भुत था!
Climbing this mountain really made me shed sweat, but the view was amazing!
Connects the physical exertion of travel with the rewarding experience.
Exam के लिए `पसीना बहा रहा हूँ`, hope सब अच्छा हो!
I'm shedding sweat for the exam, hope everything goes well!
Casual, modern usage showing effort for an upcoming test.
✗ मैंने आज सुबह चाबियाँ ढूंढने में `पसीना बहाया`। → ✓ मैंने आज सुबह चाबियाँ ढूंढने में **बहुत ढूंढा**।
✗ I shed sweat finding my keys this morning. → ✓ I searched a lot for my keys this morning.
Overusing the idiom for a simple task like finding lost items diminishes its meaning.
✗ वह काम में पसीना बहाती है। → ✓ वह काम में **बहुत मेहनत करती है**। (Or: वह काम में **पसीना बहाती है** - if context implies extreme effort)
✗ She sheds sweat in work. → ✓ She works very hard in her job. (Or: She literally sweats profusely while working, if that's the case)
While `बहाना` is the verb, sometimes learners struggle with the exact conjugation or context. The corrected version provides a more general alternative or clarifies the specific meaning.
इस गेम के बॉस को हराने में तो मेरा `पसीना ही निकल गया`!
My sweat literally came out defeating this game's boss!
A slightly humorous, exaggerated way to describe the intense difficulty of a video game level.
मेरे पिता ने हमारे लिए बहुत `पसीना बहाया` है, मैं उनका हमेशा आभारी रहूँगा।
My father has shed a lot of sweat for us, I will always be grateful to him.
Expresses deep gratitude by acknowledging the immense sacrifices and hard work put in by a loved one.
इस पेंटिंग को बनाने में मैंने अपना पूरा `पसीना बहा दिया`।
I shed all my sweat making this painting.
Emphasizes the total dedication and effort poured into a creative project.
ओलंपिक की तैयारी के लिए वह हर दिन `पसीना बहाता है`।
He sheds sweat every day to prepare for the Olympics.
Highlights the rigorous and consistent effort required for elite athletic training.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct verb.
सफलता के लिए ____ पड़ता है।
The standard idiom is 'पसीना बहाना'.
🎉 Score: /1
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Spectrum of 'पसीना बहाना'
Casual chat, texting friends, social media.
यार, एग्जाम के लिए बहुत पसीना बहाना पड़ रहा है!
Everyday conversations, talking about work or hobbies.
उसने बिज़नेस को सफल बनाने के लिए खूब पसीना बहाया।
Professional settings when describing past intense efforts, but avoid in very formal speeches.
नई परियोजना को पूरा करने में टीम ने काफी पसीना बहाया।
Generally avoided in highly formal or official contexts.
N/A
Where You'll Hear 'पसीना बहाना'
Studying for exams
Finals के लिए पसीना बहाना!
Athletic training
मैच के लिए पसीना बहाना।
Demanding jobs
कंस्ट्रक्शन साइट पर पसीना बहाना।
Creative projects
फिल्म बनाने में पसीना बहाना।
Starting a business
Startup के लिए पसीना बहाना।
Difficult tasks
पहाड़ चढ़ने में पसीना बहाना।
Comparing Effort Idioms
Usage Categories for 'पसीना बहाना'
Physical Labor
- • Farming
- • Construction
- • Manual work
Mental Exertion
- • Intense study
- • Complex problem-solving
- • Long research
Skill Development
- • Learning an instrument
- • Practicing a sport
- • Mastering a craft
Goal Achievement
- • Training for competition
- • Building a business
- • Completing a marathon
Practice Bank
1 exercisesसफलता के लिए ____ पड़ता है।
The standard idiom is 'पसीना बहाना'.
🎉 Score: /1
Video Tutorials
Find video tutorials on YouTube for this phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
1 questionsNo, it is used for mental work like studying too.
Related Phrases
खून-पसीना एक करना
specialized formTo work extremely hard