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Writer's pictureVaishali A. Patel

Familiar Desi Indian Phrases

Updated: Mar 13, 2022


Indian girl sitting in exasperation because of funny Indian phrases

What is a Desi phrase you heard all the time growing up?⁠

"MARA MATHA PAR MOOK"⁠

Whenever I asked my mommy where should I put something growing up, that's the answer I usually got...


"Put it on your head!"😃


There are quite a few phrases like this that are part of our daily vocabulary as Gujarati folks!


Others I hear all the time include:⁠

💮 Tel levaa jaa (Literally go get oil, meaning do whatever you want)⁠


💮 Maathu naa khayish (Stop eating my head - leave me alone)⁠


💮 Dahaapan naa kar (Stop being a smarty pants)⁠


💮 Tatiyaa ni kadhi thayi gayi (Legs feel like kadhi - my legs hurt)⁠


💮 Matha nu dahi naa karish (Stop making yogurt out of head - stop bothering me)⁠


💮 Mathu ne batharaa (Head and two stones - leave it alone)⁠


💮 Taare bahu panchaat (What do you care)⁠


What are some of the phrases you grew up with?


I know there are probably so many more, so don't hold back!


I'd love to hear what you know in Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi or any other language you speak.


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