Significado
Looking to someone else for help.
Contexto cultural
The idiom reflects the traditional 'Joint Family' system where the patriarch or matriarch makes all decisions. Younger members 'look at their mouth' out of respect and necessity. It is a common critique in Nepali media regarding 'Bideshi Sahayata' (Foreign Aid). Intellectuals argue that the country has become too used to 'looking at the mouth' of donor nations. Be careful to distinguish this from 'Mukh Herne' festivals. On Mother's Day, you 'see the face' of your mother to honor her, which is a positive, ritualistic act, unlike the dependency of 'Mukha Taknu'. In social gatherings, if food is served, guests will often 'look at the host's mouth' to see if the host has started eating or has given the signal to start. It's a sign of being well-bred.
Use for Passive Situations
Use this when you want to gently point out that someone is being too passive and waiting for others to act.
Avoid Literal Use
Don't use this if you are literally looking at someone's mouth while they have food stuck in their teeth!
Significado
Looking to someone else for help.
Use for Passive Situations
Use this when you want to gently point out that someone is being too passive and waiting for others to act.
Avoid Literal Use
Don't use this if you are literally looking at someone's mouth while they have food stuck in their teeth!
The 'Ko' Rule
Always remember to use the '-ko' suffix for the person you are depending on (e.g., Ram-ko mukha taknu).
Teste-se
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'Mukha Taknu'.
पैसाको लागि सधैँ साथीको _______ हुँदैन।
The sentence means 'One shouldn't always depend on a friend for money.'
Which sentence correctly uses the idiom to mean 'dependency'?
Choose the correct sentence:
This correctly uses the idiom to mean waiting for a decision.
Match the situation to the correct use of the phrase.
Situation: A group of friends is at a crossroads and nobody knows which way to go.
When people are confused and waiting for someone else to lead, they look at each other's faces/mouths.
🎉 Pontuação: /3
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
3 exerciciosपैसाको लागि सधैँ साथीको _______ हुँदैन।
The sentence means 'One shouldn't always depend on a friend for money.'
Choose the correct sentence:
This correctly uses the idiom to mean waiting for a decision.
Situation: A group of friends is at a crossroads and nobody knows which way to go.
When people are confused and waiting for someone else to lead, they look at each other's faces/mouths.
🎉 Pontuação: /3
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasIt can be slightly critical if used to describe an adult who should be independent, but it's generally neutral in descriptive contexts.
Yes, to explain that you are waiting for their instructions, but use a polite verb form like 'ताकिरहेका छौँ'.
The opposite is 'Atmanirbhar hunu' (to be self-reliant) or 'Afnai khuttama ubhinu' (to stand on one's own feet).
No, it can apply to institutions, like a company looking to the government for a subsidy.
Yes, especially in journalism and essays regarding social and economic issues.
You say 'Mero mukha nataka' (मेरो मुख नताक).
Yes, if one partner is waiting for the other to make all the plans or pay for everything.
Yes, even if you are looking to a group of people, you say 'uniharuko mukha taknu'.
No, it specifically implies an expectant look for help or a sign.
Yes, folk songs often use it to describe a lover waiting for a response or a sign of affection.
Frases relacionadas
भर पर्नु
synonymTo depend on
बाटो हेर्नु
similarTo wait for someone
हात थाप्नु
specialized formTo beg or ask for money
आफ्नै खुट्टामा उभिनु
contrastTo stand on one's own feet
