कहावत (kahaavat)
noun
A single-sense word meaning 'proverb, saying' -- the fixed, traditional turns of phrase Hindi speakers reach for to make a point memorably.
Sense
1
:
proverb, saying
noun, feminine
Synonyms: लोकोक्ति (lokokti, formal), मुहावरा (muhaavraa, not a true synonym -- means 'idiom', often confused)
Frequency: high
Cultural Note: Hindi conversation, especially from grandparents and elders, is seasoned with कहावतें (kahaavten) -- proverbs about crows, wells, camels, and needles that carry village wisdom into everyday city talk. Starting a sentence with कहते हैं (kahte hain, 'they say') or एक कहावत है (ek kahaavat hai, 'there is a saying') is a classic way to lend authority to advice, much like invoking 'as they say' in English.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners often mix this up with मुहावरा (muhaavraa): a कहावत (kahaavat) is a complete saying with its own wisdom or moral (like 'a stitch in time saves nine'), while a मुहावरा (muhaavraa) is an idiom, a fixed phrase that needs to be plugged into a sentence (like 'to pull someone's leg'). 2) The natural verb pairing is कहावत है (kahaavat hai, 'the saying goes') or कहावत के अनुसार (kahaavat ke anusaar, 'according to the saying') -- learners sometimes try to force other verbs where these set phrases are expected.
Sample Sentences:
मेरी दादी के पास हर मौके के लिए एक कहावत होती थी।
My grandmother had a proverb for every occasion.
(merii daadii ke paas har mauke ke lie ek kahaavat hotii thii।)
एक कहावत है कि जल्दी का काम शैतान का।
There is a saying that haste is the devil's work.
(ek kahaavat hai ki jaldii kaa kaam shaitaan kaa।)
कहते हैं, अधजल गगरी छलकत जाए।
As they say, a half-full pitcher spills the most.
(kahte hain, adhjal gagrii chhalkat jaae।)
यह कहावत हर हिंदी भाषी को बचपन से सिखाई जाती है।
This proverb is taught to every Hindi speaker since childhood.
(yah kahaavat har hindii bhaashii ko bachpan se sikhaaii jaatii hai।)
अगर तुम्हें कोई कहावत याद हो, तो सुनाओ।
If you remember any proverb, go ahead and tell it.
(agar tumhen koii kahaavat yaad ho, to sunaao।)
काश मुझे भी इतनी कहावतें याद होतीं जितनी मेरे नाना को थीं।
I wish I remembered as many proverbs as my grandfather did.
(kaash mujhe bhii itnii kahaavten yaad hotiin jitnii mere naanaa ko thiin।)
टीचर ने बच्चों को दस नई कहावतें याद करने को कहा।
The teacher told the children to memorize ten new proverbs.
(tiichar ne bachchon ko das naii kahaavten yaad karne ko kahaa।)
वह अक्सर बहस में कहावतें उछाल कर अपनी बात साबित करता है।
He often proves his point in arguments by throwing around proverbs.
(vah aksar bahas men kahaavten uchhaal kar apnii baat saabit kartaa hai।)
क्या तुम्हें कोई ऐसी कहावत पता है जो दोस्ती के बारे में हो?
Do you know any proverb that is about friendship?
(kyaa tumhen koii aisii kahaavat pataa hai jo dostii ke baare men ho?)
प्राचीन ग्रंथों में ऐसी अनेक कहावतें मिलती हैं जो आज भी सच्ची जान पड़ती हैं।
Many such proverbs are found in ancient texts that still seem true today.
(praachiin granthon men aisii anek kahaavten miltii hain jo aaj bhii sachchii jaan padtii hain।)
कृपया अपने भाषण में कम से कम एक कहावत का उल्लेख करें।
Please mention at least one proverb in your speech.
(kripyaa apne bhaashan men kam se kam ek kahaavat kaa ullekh karen।)
Morphology
Noun
(sg.f.direct):
कहावत
(kahaavat)
(sg.f.oblique):
कहावत
(kahaavat)
(pl.f.direct):
कहावतें
(kahaavten)
(pl.f.oblique):
कहावतों
(kahaavton)