Hindi Muhavare and Lokoktiyan
About 6 min · Hindi and English Language · English
Time worked out from the lesson's 409 words at 150 words a minute, plus a minute for each question.
Hindi Muhavare (मुहावरे) and Lokoktiyan (लोकोक्तियाँ) form a crucial component of the Hindi language section in HSSC CET. This topic tests your understanding of figurative expressions that carry meanings beyond their literal words.
Key ideas
- Muhavara (मुहावरा): An idiomatic phrase that gains special meaning when used in a sentence; it cannot stand alone as a complete thought. Example: "आँखें खुलना" means "to realise the truth," not literally "eyes opening."
- Lokokti (लोकोक्ति): A complete, self-contained sentence expressing traditional wisdom passed through generations. Also called "कहावत" (proverb). Example: "जैसा करोगे वैसा भरोगे" — As you sow, so shall you reap.
- Literal vs Figurative Meaning: Muhavare always have a figurative meaning different from the literal word-by-word translation. Exams test whether you know the accepted figurative meaning.
- Context Usage: Muhavare require a subject and verb structure to complete them; lokoktiyan are quoted as standalone wisdom statements.
- Regional Variations: Some lokoktiyan have slight variations across Hindi-speaking regions, but standard Hindi examinations use the most widely accepted versions.
Watch out for
- Confusing Muhavara with Lokokti: Students often classify a phrase incorrectly. Remember — if it needs a sentence structure to complete it, it is a muhavara; if it stands alone as wisdom, it is a lokokti. Wrong: treating "आँखें खुलना" as lokokti.
- Literal Interpretation: Selecting meaning based on literal word translation. Wrong: "आस्तीन का साँप" = sleeve snake. Correct: It means a treacherous friend who harms while pretending friendship.
- Similar-Sounding Confusion: Mixing up idioms with similar words. Wrong: confusing "कान भरना" (to instigate against) with "कान देना" (to pay attention). Always learn the exact phrase.
Quick reference
- Muhavara = phrase (needs sentence) | Lokokti = complete proverb (standalone wisdom)
- "नौ दो ग्यारह" = भागना | "आँखों का तारा" = अत्यंत प्रिय | "आस्तीन का साँप" = छिपा शत्रु
- "अधजल गगरी" = कम ज्ञानी दिखावा करे | "घर का भेदी लंका ढाए" = अंदरूनी शत्रु खतरनाक
- Focus on commonly used muhavare and lokoktiyan
- Always match figurative meaning, never literal translation
Check yourself: 3 questions
1. मुहावरा 'आँखों में धूल झोंकना' का सही अर्थ क्या है?
2. लोकोक्ति 'जैसा देश वैसा भेष' का क्या अर्थ है?
3. 'हाथ कंगन को आरसी क्या' लोकोक्ति का सही अर्थ बताइए।
This lesson is cut from the topic's note, not rewritten. Fact-checked on 18 Oct 2026: an AI-assisted check of this note against cited sources; the errors it found were corrected that day. Some errors may remain. The questions are from Shishya's validated question bank.
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