Marta Kya Na Karta

# 81

March 12, 2021

Today’s Hindi proverb (कहावत) is:

मरता क्या न करता?

(Transliteration: Marta kya na karta?)

Literal translation: What won’t the dying do?

Desperate Situation

Figurative meaning: A person who is in a desperate situation will not hesitate to do anything to help himself.

Usage in a sample sentence:
सुरेश ईमानदार था। कभी चोरी नहीं किया। लेकिन मरता क्या न करता? तीन दिन भूखा रहने के बाद अब अचानक खाना सामने पडा मिला तो उसने चुराके खा लिया।

(Transliteration: Suresh imandar tha. Kabhi chori nahi kiya. Lekin marta kya na karta? Teen din bhuka rehne ke baad ab achanak khana samne pada mila toh ussne churake kha liya.)

Translation: Suresh was honest. Never stole. But what wouldn’t the dying do? After going hungry for three days, now suddenly he found food lying in front of him, so he stole it and ate.  

Origins of the proverb: Our limits are tested when we are thrown into a desperate situation from which there seem to be no escape. In such situations, we tend to resort to anything to save ourselves, even resorting to things we would otherwise consider taboo. The Hindi word “marta” alludes to a person about to die. A dying person (or someone who is faced with life-or-death situation) is thought of as being in a very desperate situation. This proverb applies to such a person, who will not shy from trying anything to save himself.

Doobte Ko Thinke Ka Sahara

# 73

March 3, 2021

Today’s Hindi idiom (मुहावरा) is:

डूबते को तिनके का सहारा।

(Transliteration: Doobte ko thinke ka sahara.)

Literal translation: A straw is support for the drowning person.

Support for a Drowning Man

Figurative meaning: A person in a difficult situation finds comfort even from the tiniest bit of help. (Like a drowning person might desperately grab even at a straw to stay afloat.)  

Usage in a sample sentence:

उन्होंने अपनी नौकरी खो दी और मुझे पता है कि मेरा 100 डॉलर ज्यादा नहीं है, लेकिन डूबते को तिनके का सहारा . . .

(Transliteration:  Unhone apni naukri kho di aur mujhe pata hai ki mera 100 dollar jyada nahin hai, lekin doobte ko thinke ka sahara . . .)

Translation:  He has lost his job and I know that my 100 dollars are not much, but a drowning person may find support even from a straw . . .

Origins of the idiom: During difficult times, a person might become desperate for some help, any help. Especially when the difficulty involves a shortage of cash. In such situations, if we can contribute even a small amount, it would be a great help for him. We know that a straw cannot help a drowning person remain afloat, yet he may grab at the straw with hope because his situation is so desperate. This situation is referred to in this idiom to convey the desperation of the person facing the difficult situation.