Across India, everyday conversations are peppered with sharp, witty and deeply cultural phrases that say far more than their literal meanings. From Bengali sarcasm to Goan exclamations, here are some expressive gems that celebrate identity and humour in regional languages
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Bengali
Shob janta genjiwala
Translation: The vest seller who knows everything. The person who sells vests but can also solve geopolitics, heartbreak, climate change, and your tax returns without being asked. The ultimate unsolicited expert.
Usage: Don’t ask him anything; he is a complete shob janta genjiwala, the moment he sits down for tea he will begin a Nobel Prize-level analysis.
Meghna Roy Choudhury, theatremaker
Sindhi
Jehenji boli naahin, tehenji goli naahin
Translation: One who has no language of their own has no identity.
Usage: Person A: My child is five now, but we haven’t taught him our mother tongue yet. Person B: Jehenji boli naahin, tehenji goli naahin.
Rakshita Manglani, artist and host
Parsi-Gujarati
Mai maseena popla
Translation: The poplas (tittle-tattle or gossip) of the mother and the aunt.
Usage: My brother started some Mai maseena popla when he met his friend after ages.
Zervaan Bunshah, actor
Goan-Konkani
Maiche kazar
Translation: Literally ‘mother’s wedding’. Used as an exclamation when a situation does not go as planned or descends into disorder.
Usage: Person A: Why aren’t you here yet? Person B: I’m on my way; they’ve dug up the road outside my building again. Person A: Maiche kazar!
Jewel Rodrigues, pickle entrepreneur
Marathi
Nattapatta
Translation: The little ritual of adorning yourself and dressing up, for a special occasion.
Usage: Oh look at her, stepping out with all that nattapatta on.
Urjita Wani, stand-up comedian
Malayalam
Enthino vendi thilakunna sambhar
Translation: Like sambar boiling for no reason. It describes someone who is unnecessarily enthusiastic, overreacting, or worked up without a clear reason.
Usage: He rushed to buy a gym membership on New Year. You won’t see him anywhere near it in a week. It’s just enthino vendi thilakunna sambhar.
Anna Tony, CA article
Haryanvi
Lath gad di bhai
Translation: Planting a staff firmly. It signifies a job done exceptionally well, or a mighty show of dominance.
Usage: Did you watch India’s win against Pakistan in the World Cup yesterday? Lath gad di bhai!
Ranjit Dahiya, artist
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