मतलब
Asking someone to pause briefly.
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
In Marathi culture, 'Ek minute' is often a polite way to stall. If someone says it repeatedly, they might be avoiding the task. In Mumbai, people are always in a rush. 'Ek minute' is said very fast and often accompanied by a 'wait' hand gesture while walking. In villages, 'Ek minute' might literally mean a longer break, like stopping for tea. In Indian offices, 'Give me a minute' is a standard way to manage multiple tasks, often used in English even during Marathi conversations.
The 'Nā' Factor
Add 'nā' at the end (एक मिनिट थांब ना) to sound much more like a native speaker and less like you're giving an order.
The Elder Rule
Never forget the 'ā' at the end of 'thāmb' when talking to anyone older than you. It's the most common way learners accidentally sound rude.
मतलब
Asking someone to pause briefly.
The 'Nā' Factor
Add 'nā' at the end (एक मिनिट थांब ना) to sound much more like a native speaker and less like you're giving an order.
The Elder Rule
Never forget the 'ā' at the end of 'thāmb' when talking to anyone older than you. It's the most common way learners accidentally sound rude.
Hand Gestures
Hold your hand up with palms facing the person while saying this. It's the universal sign for 'wait' in Maharashtra.
Texting Shortcut
In Marathi WhatsApp chats, people just type '1 min' or 'ek min'. You don't always need the verb 'thāmb' in text.
खुद को परखो
Choose the correct form to use with your grandfather.
आजोबा, ____ थांबा.
While all are grammatically okay, 'एक मिनिट थांबा' is the standard polite request.
Complete the informal request to a friend.
राहुल, एक मिनिट ____, मी येतोय.
Since Rahul is a friend, the informal 'thāmb' is used.
Match the phrase to the correct register.
1. एक मिनिट थांब 2. एक मिनिट थांबा
Thāmb is informal; Thāmbā is formal.
Complete the dialogue.
A: चल, उशीर होतोय! B: ____, माझी चावी सापडत नाहीये.
The context of losing keys requires asking for a wait.
🎉 स्कोर: /4
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
Register Comparison
अभ्यास बैंक
4 अभ्यासआजोबा, ____ थांबा.
While all are grammatically okay, 'एक मिनिट थांबा' is the standard polite request.
राहुल, एक मिनिट ____, मी येतोय.
Since Rahul is a friend, the informal 'thāmb' is used.
1. एक मिनिट थांब 2. एक मिनिट थांबा
Thāmb is informal; Thāmbā is formal.
A: चल, उशीर होतोय! B: ____, माझी चावी सापडत नाहीये.
The context of losing keys requires asking for a wait.
🎉 स्कोर: /4
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
10 सवालIt is an English loanword that is now fully integrated into Marathi. The native word is 'kshana' or 'pal', but 'minute' is more common in daily life.
Only if you use the formal version: 'Ek minute thāmbā, sir'. Using 'thāmb' would be inappropriate.
'Thāmb' is for one person (informal/younger). 'Thāmbā' is for multiple people or one person (formal/older).
You say 'Ek sekand thāmb' (एक सेकंद थांब).
No, it's an idiom for 'a short while'. It could mean 10 seconds or 5 minutes.
Yes, it means 'Wait two minutes'.
With friends, it's perfectly normal. With strangers, use 'thāmbā' to be safe.
The imperative 'thāmb' is the same for all genders.
You can say 'Krupaya ek minute thāmbā'.
Say 'Mājhyāsāṭhī ek minute thāmb'.
संबंधित मुहावरे
जरा थांब
synonymWait a little
एक सेकंद थांब
similarWait a second
प्रतीक्षा करा
specialized formPlease wait
थांब तिथेच
builds onWait right there
वेळ काढणे
contrastTo make time
