Meaning
A quick signal with one eye
Cultural Background
Winking is often associated with 'masti' (mischief). It is a common way for grandparents to bond with grandchildren over small secrets. The 'wink' is a powerful cinematic tool in India. It signifies the hero's confidence or the heroine's playfulness. In villages, winking at a stranger can lead to serious conflicts as it is seen as a sign of disrespect or 'lafde' (trouble). Young people use the 'wink emoji' 😉 in chats, often calling it 'dola marne wala emoji'.
Context is King
Only wink at people you know well. Winking at strangers in India can be misunderstood.
Gender Agreement
Remember: even if a girl winks, it is 'Dola MARLA' because 'Dola' is masculine.
Meaning
A quick signal with one eye
Context is King
Only wink at people you know well. Winking at strangers in India can be misunderstood.
Gender Agreement
Remember: even if a girl winks, it is 'Dola MARLA' because 'Dola' is masculine.
Use with 'Mishkil'
Pair it with the word 'Mishkilpane' (mischievously) to sound like a native storyteller.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'marne'.
त्याने मला काल गुपचूप डोळा ______.
The past tense of 'marne' for a masculine object 'Dola' is 'marla'.
Which situation is appropriate for 'Dola marne'?
In which of these cases should you use the phrase?
It is an informal phrase used for humor and secrets.
Complete the dialogue.
A: आईला सांगू नकोस मी चॉकलेट खाल्लं. B: (______ मारून) ठीक आहे, नाही सांगत.
Winking (Dola marne) is the appropriate gesture for keeping a secret.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
When to use Dola Marne
Good Contexts
- • Friends
- • Siblings
- • Jokes
- • Secrets
Bad Contexts
- • Boss
- • Teacher
- • Strangers
- • Elders
Practice Bank
3 exercisesत्याने मला काल गुपचूप डोळा ______.
The past tense of 'marne' for a masculine object 'Dola' is 'marla'.
In which of these cases should you use the phrase?
It is an informal phrase used for humor and secrets.
A: आईला सांगू नकोस मी चॉकलेट खाल्लं. B: (______ मारून) ठीक आहे, नाही सांगत.
Winking (Dola marne) is the appropriate gesture for keeping a secret.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsIt depends on the context. With friends, it's playful. With strangers or elders, it's very rude.
No, that would be 'Dole mickavne' (blinking). 'Dola marne' is specifically for one eye.
The past tense is 'Dola marla'.
You can say 'Dolyane ishara kela' (signaled with the eye).
No, it often just means 'I'm joking' or 'It's a secret'.
Related Phrases
डोळा मिचकावणे
similarTo blink/wink one eye.
डोळे वटारणे
contrastTo stare angrily.
डोळा लागणे
relatedTo fall asleep.
इशारा करणे
builds onTo signal.
