Signification
High reputation but low reality
Contexte culturel
In middle-class Marathi culture, there is a strong emphasis on 'Sade-pana' (simplicity). People who show off are often mocked with this proverb to bring them back to earth. Satirical writers like P.L. Deshpande often used this concept to critique the hollow nature of bureaucracy and high society. In villages, names are often given based on aspirations (e.g., naming a child 'Shrimant' meaning Rich). If the child grows up poor, the proverb is used as a lighthearted or cruel irony. With the rise of startups, this proverb is frequently used to describe companies with massive funding (big name) but no actual profit or product.
Use for Sarcasm
This proverb is most effective when said with a slight sigh or a shake of the head to show genuine disappointment.
Don't over-adjust
Don't try to change the gender of 'Mothe' or 'Khote' to match the subject. Keep it in the standard form.
Signification
High reputation but low reality
Use for Sarcasm
This proverb is most effective when said with a slight sigh or a shake of the head to show genuine disappointment.
Don't over-adjust
Don't try to change the gender of 'Mothe' or 'Khote' to match the subject. Keep it in the standard form.
Teste-toi
Complete the proverb.
नाव मोठे, लक्षण _______.
The proverb is 'नाव मोठे लक्षण खोटे'.
Which situation best fits the proverb?
A famous school has no playground and broken benches.
The school has a 'big name' but 'false/poor' reality.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'हा नवीन फोन १००००० रुपयांचा आहे.' B: 'हो, पण बॅटरी एक तास पण चालत नाही. म्हणजे _______.'
The phone is expensive (big name) but performs poorly (false reality).
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Expectation vs. Reality
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesनाव मोठे, लक्षण _______.
The proverb is 'नाव मोठे लक्षण खोटे'.
A famous school has no playground and broken benches.
The school has a 'big name' but 'false/poor' reality.
A: 'हा नवीन फोन १००००० रुपयांचा आहे.' B: 'हो, पण बॅटरी एक तास पण चालत नाही. म्हणजे _______.'
The phone is expensive (big name) but performs poorly (false reality).
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it is very common to use it for people who boast about their status but have no skills or money.
It is a critique. It's not a swear word, but it is definitely an insult to someone's reputation.
The Hindi equivalent is 'Naam bade aur darshan chhote'.
In a medical context, yes. In this proverb, it means 'qualities' or 'signs of character'.
Absolutely. It's one of the most common ways to describe a big-budget movie that fails to entertain.
Yes, you will often see it in newspaper editorials critiquing government policies.
It is a retroflex 'n'. Curl your tongue back to touch the hard palate.
Only if the shop has a very grand name like 'The World's Best Bakery' but sells bad bread.
'Murti lahan pan kirti mahan' (Small idol, great fame) is the perfect opposite.
Yes, it has been part of Marathi oral tradition for hundreds of years.
Expressions liées
नाव सोनूबाई हाती कथलाचा वाळा
synonymName is 'Golden Lady' but wears a lead bangle.
मूर्ती लहान पण कीर्ती महान
contrastSmall idol but great fame.
दिखाऊपणा
similarShowiness/Pretension.
पोकळ वासा
similarHollow promise/claim.
