Significado
Accepting an unpleasant or difficult truth or situation.
Contexto cultural
In Indian offices, hierarchy is important. When a boss gives a 'kadvi goli' (tough feedback), the employee is expected to accept it with 'shaleenata' (grace/modesty). Journalists frequently use this phrase to describe the 'Union Budget' or 'Petrol Price Hikes.' It frames the government as a doctor giving necessary but bad-tasting medicine. The cultural acceptance of 'bitterness' as a path to health makes this idiom feel very grounded in Indian reality. Many Indians grew up taking 'Kada' (bitter herbal decoction). In dramatic scenes, a character might use this to describe a betrayal or a lost love, adding a layer of 'resignation to fate' (Taqdeer).
Use with 'Pachana'
To sound like a native, use the verb 'पचाना' (pachana - to digest) if someone is struggling to accept the truth. E.g., 'वह इस कड़वी गोली को पचा नहीं पा रहा है।'
Gender Agreement
Never say 'Kadva Goli.' It's a dead giveaway that you're a learner. Always 'Kadvi'!
Significado
Accepting an unpleasant or difficult truth or situation.
Use with 'Pachana'
To sound like a native, use the verb 'पचाना' (pachana - to digest) if someone is struggling to accept the truth. E.g., 'वह इस कड़वी गोली को पचा नहीं पा रहा है।'
Gender Agreement
Never say 'Kadva Goli.' It's a dead giveaway that you're a learner. Always 'Kadvi'!
The 'Medicine' Framing
When using this in a professional setting, follow it up with a positive outcome to show you're a 'team player' who accepts necessary hardships.
Teste-se
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the adjective and verb.
नौकरी खोना उसके लिए एक ______ गोली ______ जैसा था।
'Goli' is feminine, so 'Kadvi' is required. 'Nigalna' is the standard idiomatic verb.
Which situation best fits the use of 'कड़वी गोली'?
Choose the most appropriate context:
Layoffs are a serious, unavoidable, and unpleasant reality that must be accepted.
Complete the dialogue between two business partners.
Partner A: 'हमें अपनी आधी संपत्ति बेचनी होगी।' Partner B: '____________________'
Partner B acknowledges the hardship while accepting the necessity.
Match the idiom to its best description.
Match: 1. कड़वी गोली निगलना, 2. ज़हर का घूँट पीना
This distinguishes the nuance between 'necessary medicine' and 'unfair poison.'
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosनौकरी खोना उसके लिए एक ______ गोली ______ जैसा था।
'Goli' is feminine, so 'Kadvi' is required. 'Nigalna' is the standard idiomatic verb.
Choose the most appropriate context:
Layoffs are a serious, unavoidable, and unpleasant reality that must be accepted.
Partner A: 'हमें अपनी आधी संपत्ति बेचनी होगी।' Partner B: '____________________'
Partner B acknowledges the hardship while accepting the necessity.
Match: 1. कड़वी गोली निगलना, 2. ज़हर का घूँट पीना
This distinguishes the nuance between 'necessary medicine' and 'unfair poison.'
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasNot at all. It's used among friends to discuss serious life events like breakups or failing an exam. It shows empathy.
No. For food, just say 'यह कड़वा है' (This is bitter). Using the idiom for food sounds like a joke or a mistake.
'Kadva Sach' is the truth itself. 'Kadvi Goli' is the situation or the act of having to accept that truth.
Yes, very frequently. It's the standard way to describe tough but necessary corporate decisions.
You can, but 'Nigalna' (swallow) is much more idiomatic and common in literature and news.
It is 'bittersweet.' The event is negative, but the 'pill' implies it is a necessary step toward a better or more realistic future.
No, you cannot call a person a 'kadvi goli.' You would call them 'कड़वा इंसान' (bitter person) or 'बदतमीज़' (rude).
मुझे एक कड़वी गोली निगलनी पड़ी (Mujhe ek kadvi goli nigalni padi).
Not exactly slang, but 'Zeher ka ghoont' is a more dramatic, street-level equivalent for enduring something unfair.
Yes, Hindi speakers across India use it, and similar idioms exist in Dravidian languages like Tamil and Telugu.
Frases relacionadas
कड़वा सच
synonymThe bitter truth.
ज़हर का घूँट
similarA sip of poison.
लोहे के चने चबाना
contrastTo chew iron chickpeas.
मन मसोस कर रह जाना
builds onTo suppress one's feelings/desires.
