Meaning
To damage someone's good name or standing.
Cultural Background
The concept of 'Khandaan ki Izzat' (Family Honor) is central. A 'daag' on one member is seen as a 'daag' on the entire lineage, affecting marriage prospects and social standing for siblings and cousins. Melodramatic films from the 70s and 80s frequently used this phrase. A hero might swear to 'wash the stain' (daag dhona) off his father's name, driving the entire plot of the movie. Hindi news channels use 'Daag' as a buzzword for political scandals. Headlines like 'Daagi Mantri' (Stained/Tainted Minister) are very common during elections. In Sufi and Bhakti poetry, the 'daag' is sometimes used differently—as the stain of worldly desires on the pure soul. Here, the goal is to keep the 'daman' (soul's garment) clean for the Divine.
Use with 'Par'
Always remember to use the postposition 'पर' (on) with the thing being stained. Example: 'Naam PAR daag'.
Not for Dyeing
Don't use this for hair dye or fabric dye. That is 'rangna' (to color). 'Daag' is always an unwanted stain.
Meaning
To damage someone's good name or standing.
Use with 'Par'
Always remember to use the postposition 'पर' (on) with the thing being stained. Example: 'Naam PAR daag'.
Not for Dyeing
Don't use this for hair dye or fabric dye. That is 'rangna' (to color). 'Daag' is always an unwanted stain.
The 'Daman' Connection
For a more poetic or high-level touch, use 'daman' instead of 'naam'. 'Daman par daag' sounds very sophisticated.
Log Kya Kahenge
This phrase is the ultimate weapon in the 'What will people say?' culture. Use it to express social pressure.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
उसकी चोरी की खबर ने स्कूल के नाम पर ______ दिया।
The sentence requires the active transitive form 'daag laga diya' (put a stain).
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly in a figurative sense?
Choose the best option:
Option B uses the idiom to describe damage to a moral quality (honesty).
Match the Hindi phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are the standard idiomatic translations.
Complete the dialogue.
पिता: तुमने परीक्षा में नकल क्यों की? बेटा: पिताजी, मुझे माफ कर दीजिए। पिता: तुमने हमारी ______ पर दाग लगा दिया है!
'Izzat' (honor) is the most common object for this idiom in a family context.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Lagaana vs Lagna
Practice Bank
4 exercisesउसकी चोरी की खबर ने स्कूल के नाम पर ______ दिया।
The sentence requires the active transitive form 'daag laga diya' (put a stain).
Choose the best option:
Option B uses the idiom to describe damage to a moral quality (honesty).
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the standard idiomatic translations.
पिता: तुमने परीक्षा में नकल क्यों की? बेटा: पिताजी, मुझे माफ कर दीजिए। पिता: तुमने हमारी ______ पर दाग लगा दिया है!
'Izzat' (honor) is the most common object for this idiom in a family context.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, in a figurative sense, it always implies damage to reputation or honor. Literally, it's just a stain, which is also usually unwanted.
Absolutely. 'Company ki image par daag lagaana' is very common in business news.
'Daag' is a general stain. 'Kalank' is a deep stigma or disgrace, often much harder to remove.
You can say 'daag dhona' (to wash the stain) or 'apne naam ko saaf karna'.
Only if you are talking about ethics or professional standards in a serious way. Don't use it for minor mistakes.
Yes, but usually we say 'nishaan' (mark) for cars. 'Daag' is more for fabric or reputation.
It's the adjective form meaning 'stained' or 'tainted'. A 'daagi neta' is a tainted politician.
Slang often uses 'vaat lagna' or 'naam kharab hona', but 'daag lagaana' remains the standard idiom.
Yes, 'record par daag' is a perfect translation for a criminal record.
Because a 'daag' is most visible on white. It symbolizes the loss of purity/integrity.
Related Phrases
कलंक लगाना
synonymTo stigmatize or brand with shame
कीचड़ उछालना
similarTo slander or mud-sling
नाम डुबोना
similarTo sink a name/reputation
दामन साफ होना
contrastTo have a clean record/character
दाग धोना
builds onTo clear one's name
