<h2>Bengali</h2>
<img title="Meghna Roy Choudhury, theatremaker" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/feb/Mind-your-tongue-feb-b_e.jpg" alt="Meghna Roy Choudhury, theatremaker" width="1280" height="720" />
Shob janta genjiwala Translation: The vest seller who knows everything. The person who sells vests but can also solve <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai-guide/things-to-do/article/meet-larry-the-cat-at-uk-prime-ministers-10-downing-street-and-other-popular-felines-23617435" rel="nofollow">geopolitics</a>, heartbreak, climate change, and your tax returns without being asked. The ultimate unsolicited expert. &nbsp;
Usage: Don&rsquo;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
<h2>Sindhi</h2>
<img title="Rakshita Manglani, artist and host" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/feb/Mind-your-tongue-feb-c_e.jpg" alt="Rakshita Manglani, artist and host" width="1280" height="720" />
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&rsquo;t taught him our <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai-guide/things-to-do/article/tune-in-to-the-guides-playlist-with-these-five-songs-this-week-23617433" rel="nofollow">mother tongue</a> yet. Person B: Jehenji boli naahin, tehenji goli naahin.
Rakshita Manglani, artist and host
<h2>Parsi-Gujarati</h2>
<img title="Zervaan Bunshah, actor" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/feb/Mind-your-tongue-feb-d_e.jpg" alt="Zervaan Bunshah, actor" width="1280" height="720" />
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
<h2>Goan-Konkani</h2>
<img title="Jewel Rodrigues, pickle entrepreneur" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/feb/Mind-your-tongue-feb-e_e.jpg" alt="Jewel Rodrigues, pickle entrepreneur" width="1280" height="720" />
Maiche kazar Translation: Literally &lsquo;mother&rsquo;s wedding&rsquo;. Used as an exclamation when a <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai-guide/things-to-do/article/unwind-at-peak-wellness-sunrise-to-noon-in-mumbai-at-juhu-this-weekend-23617466" rel="nofollow">situation</a> does not go as planned or descends into disorder.
Usage: Person A: Why aren&rsquo;t you here yet? Person B: I&rsquo;m on my way; they&rsquo;ve dug up the road outside my building again. Person A: Maiche kazar!
Jewel Rodrigues, pickle entrepreneur
<h2>Marathi</h2>
<img title="Urjita Wani, stand-up comedian" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/feb/Mind-your-tongue-feb-f_e.jpg" alt="Urjita Wani, stand-up comedian" width="1280" height="720" />
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. &nbsp; Urjita Wani, stand-up comedian
<h2>Malayalam</h2>
<img title="Anna Tony, CA article&nbsp;" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/feb/Mind-your-tongue-feb-h_e.jpg" alt="Anna Tony, CA article&nbsp;" width="1280" height="720" />
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 <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai-guide/things-to-do/article/unwind-in-virar-this-weekend-with-some-board-games-at-rajodi-beach-23617268" rel="nofollow">membership</a> on New Year. You won&rsquo;t see him anywhere near it in a week. It&rsquo;s just enthino vendi thilakunna sambhar.
Anna Tony, CA article&nbsp;
<h2>Haryanvi</h2>
<img title="Ranjit Dahiya, artist" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/feb/Mind-your-tongue-feb-g_e.jpg" alt="Ranjit Dahiya, artist" width="1280" height="720" />
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&rsquo;s win against Pakistan in the World Cup yesterday? Lath gad di bhai!
Ranjit Dahiya, artist

On International Mother Language Day today, multilingual Mumbaikars share witty phrases from their mother tongues that you can include in your everyday lingo

From Bengali wit to Marathi flair, everyday expressions rich in culture

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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

Mind your tongue: Regional phrases that pack a punch

Bengali

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