मतलब
When something feels suspicious.
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
In Pakistan, this phrase is a staple of political talk shows. Analysts use it daily to describe back-door deals and political conspiracies. In Hindi-Urdu speaking regions of India, the phrase is often used in Bollywood scripts to build tension in mystery or comedy scenes. Among Urdu speakers in the UK or USA, the phrase is often used to warn younger generations about online scams or suspicious 'get rich quick' schemes. In South Asian business circles, 'Daal mein kala' is a polite way to say 'I don't trust this contract' without being overly aggressive.
Use 'Kuch'
Always add 'kuch' (something) to sound more native: 'Daal mein *kuch* kala hai'.
Not for Food
Don't use this if you are actually complaining about the taste of lentils!
मतलब
When something feels suspicious.
Use 'Kuch'
Always add 'kuch' (something) to sound more native: 'Daal mein *kuch* kala hai'.
Not for Food
Don't use this if you are actually complaining about the taste of lentils!
The 'Puri' Upgrade
Use 'Puri daal hi kali hai' to sound very fluent when describing a major scam.
खुद को परखो
Fill in the missing word to complete the idiom.
اس سستے سودے میں ضرور دال میں کچھ ___ ہے۔
The idiom is 'Daal mein kala', meaning something is fishy.
Which situation best fits the idiom 'Daal mein kala hona'?
A person wins the lottery fairly.
This situation is suspicious and involves a hidden catch, which is exactly what the idiom describes.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the idiom.
احمد: وہ کل سے مجھ سے بات نہیں کر رہا۔ سارہ: ہمم، مجھے لگتا ہے کہ ___۔
Sarah is expressing suspicion about Ahmed's friend's behavior.
Match the idiom variation to its meaning.
Match 'Puri daal hi kali hai' with its meaning.
'Puri daal hi kali hai' is an intensification meaning the whole thing is corrupt.
🎉 स्कोर: /4
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
अभ्यास बैंक
4 अभ्यासاس سستے سودے میں ضرور دال میں کچھ ___ ہے۔
The idiom is 'Daal mein kala', meaning something is fishy.
A person wins the lottery fairly.
This situation is suspicious and involves a hidden catch, which is exactly what the idiom describes.
احمد: وہ کل سے مجھ سے بات نہیں کر رہا۔ سارہ: ہمم، مجھے لگتا ہے کہ ___۔
Sarah is expressing suspicion about Ahmed's friend's behavior.
Match 'Puri daal hi kali hai' with its meaning.
'Puri daal hi kali hai' is an intensification meaning the whole thing is corrupt.
🎉 स्कोर: /4
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
5 सवालIt's better to avoid it in very formal business emails. Use 'mashkook' (suspicious) instead. However, in a casual office chat, it's fine.
It is 'Daal mein kala' because 'kala' refers to an unspecified 'something' (masculine). However, if you say 'Puri daal kali hai', then 'kali' matches 'daal' (feminine).
Yes, it almost always implies something negative, deceptive, or dishonest.
The closest equivalents are 'Something is fishy' or 'I smell a rat'.
No, you use it for a situation. To call a person suspicious, you would say 'Wo mashkook banda hai'.
संबंधित मुहावरे
کچھ گڑبڑ ہونا
synonymSomething is wrong/messy.
بلی تھیلے سے باہر آنا
similarThe cat is out of the bag.
دودھ کا دودھ، پانی کا پانی
contrastTo separate truth from lies clearly.
آستین کا سانپ
builds onA snake in the grass / hidden enemy.
