B2 Idiom غير رسمي 2 دقيقة للقراءة

जीभ लड़ना

Tongue fights

حرفيًا: जीभ (Tongue) + लड़ना (To fight)

Use it to describe petty bickering or when someone is talking back defiantly in a casual setting.

في 15 ثانية

  • To engage in a verbal spat or back-and-forth argument.
  • Often implies talking back to an elder or authority figure.
  • Used for petty bickering or heated, repetitive verbal exchanges.

المعنى

This phrase describes a verbal spat or a back-and-forth argument where people are 'clashing' with their words. It’s that moment when a simple talk turns into a sharp, repetitive exchange of retorts.

أمثلة رئيسية

3 من 6
1

A mother scolding a defiant child

मुझसे जीभ मत लड़ाओ, चुपचाप अपना काम करो!

Don't argue with me, just do your work quietly!

💭
2

Two friends arguing over a cricket match

तुम दोनों बेकार में जीभ क्यों लड़ा रहे हो?

Why are you two arguing unnecessarily?

😊
3

Reporting a workplace conflict to a friend

आज ऑफिस में मैनेजर के साथ मेरी जीभ लड़ गई।

Today I had a verbal spat with the manager at the office.

💼
🌍

خلفية ثقافية

This idiom reflects the high value placed on verbal restraint in South Asian households. It is frequently used by parents to reprimand children who are being 'too clever' or argumentative. It highlights the idea that words can be as aggressive as physical blows.

💡

The 'Backtalk' Nuance

If an elder says this to you, they aren't just saying you're arguing; they're saying you're being disrespectful. Best to stop talking immediately!

⚠️

Avoid in Interviews

Never use this to describe a 'healthy discussion' in a job interview. It sounds too aggressive and petty.

في 15 ثانية

  • To engage in a verbal spat or back-and-forth argument.
  • Often implies talking back to an elder or authority figure.
  • Used for petty bickering or heated, repetitive verbal exchanges.

What It Means

जीभ लड़ना is all about verbal friction. It describes two or more people getting into a petty or heated argument. It isn't about a deep philosophical debate. It is about the act of bickering. Think of it as 'locking horns' but using tongues instead. When you use this, you imply that the talking has become confrontational.

How To Use It

You use it as a verb phrase. Usually, it describes the action of arguing with someone. You can say उससे जीभ मत लड़ाओ (Don't argue with him). It highlights the repetitive nature of the spat. It’s perfect for those 'he said, she said' moments. It captures the energy of words flying back and forth like a tennis match.

When To Use It

Use it when you see a pointless argument brewing. It’s great for describing siblings fighting over the remote. You can use it at a vegetable market when bargaining gets too intense. It fits perfectly when a boss and employee are having a tense standoff. Use it when the atmosphere is thick with verbal tension. It’s very common in household settings or casual street encounters.

When NOT To Use It

Avoid this in very formal or somber settings. Don't use it during a funeral or a high-stakes legal negotiation. It sounds a bit too 'feisty' for a polite request to a stranger. If someone is grieving, this phrase is too aggressive. It also doesn't fit a romantic, soft conversation. Using it there would be like bringing a sword to a poetry reading.

Cultural Background

In Indian culture, respect for elders is huge. Often, a younger person talking back is seen as जीभ लड़ना. It carries a slight nuance of 'talking back' or being 'cheeky'. Historically, it suggests that the tongue has a mind of its own. It reflects the vibrant, sometimes loud, nature of Indian social life. It’s a staple in Bollywood dramas during family confrontations.

Common Variations

You might hear जुबान लड़ना (Zubaan ladana) which is a synonym. जुबान is the Urdu-origin word for tongue. Both are used interchangeably in North India. Sometimes people just say बहस करना for a more neutral 'to argue'. But जीभ लड़ना adds that extra spicy flavor of a physical-sounding clash. It makes the argument feel more alive and annoying.

ملاحظات الاستخدام

This is a B2-level idiom because it requires understanding the nuance between a formal debate and a petty spat. It is mostly informal and should be used carefully with superiors.

💡

The 'Backtalk' Nuance

If an elder says this to you, they aren't just saying you're arguing; they're saying you're being disrespectful. Best to stop talking immediately!

⚠️

Avoid in Interviews

Never use this to describe a 'healthy discussion' in a job interview. It sounds too aggressive and petty.

💬

Zubaan vs Jeebh

While `जीभ` is common, using `जुबान लड़ना` (Zubaan ladana) sounds slightly more poetic or dramatic, often heard in old Hindi films.

أمثلة

6
#1 A mother scolding a defiant child
💭

मुझसे जीभ मत लड़ाओ, चुपचाप अपना काम करो!

Don't argue with me, just do your work quietly!

Here it means 'don't talk back'.

#2 Two friends arguing over a cricket match
😊

तुम दोनों बेकार में जीभ क्यों लड़ा रहे हो?

Why are you two arguing unnecessarily?

Used to describe a pointless debate.

#3 Reporting a workplace conflict to a friend
💼

आज ऑफिस में मैनेजर के साथ मेरी जीभ लड़ गई।

Today I had a verbal spat with the manager at the office.

Describes a clash that actually happened.

#4 Texting a friend about a noisy neighbor
😄

पड़ोसी फिर से एक दूसरे से जीभ लड़ा रहे हैं।

The neighbors are clashing with each other again.

Commonly used for neighborhood gossip.

#5 Warning a sibling before a fight starts
😊

अगर तुमने फिर से जीभ लड़ाई, तो मैं मम्मी को बता दूँगा।

If you argue again, I will tell Mom.

Used as a warning against talking back.

#6 A shopkeeper and a customer bargaining
🤝

भाई साहब, दस रुपये के लिए इतनी जीभ क्यों लड़ाना?

Brother, why argue so much for just ten rupees?

Used to point out the pettiness of the argument.

اختبر نفسك

Choose the correct verb form to complete the sentence.

बड़ों के सामने ___ अच्छी बात नहीं है।

✓ صحيح! ✗ ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة: जीभ लड़ाना

The infinitive form 'लड़ाना' is used here to mean 'the act of arguing'.

Which word fits best in this context of a verbal fight?

वो हमेशा छोटी बातों पर अपनी ___ लड़ाता है।

✓ صحيح! ✗ ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة: जीभ

The idiom is specifically 'जीभ लड़ना', referring to the tongue/speech.

🎉 النتيجة: /2

وسائل تعلم بصرية

Formality Scale of जीभ लड़ना

Very Informal

Used with siblings or close friends during a fight.

तू मुझसे जीभ मत लड़ा!

Neutral/Casual

Describing an argument you witnessed.

वो दोनों जीभ लड़ा रहे थे।

Formal

Rarely used; 'बहस' is preferred in meetings.

N/A

Where to use जीभ लड़ना

जीभ लड़ना
🏠

At Home

Siblings fighting over food.

🛒

Market

Bargaining with a vendor.

💼

Office

A heated debate with a peer.

🚗

Traffic

Two drivers shouting at each other.

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

No, it is purely verbal. It refers to a clash of words, not physical violence.

Only if you have a very casual relationship. Otherwise, it might sound like you are accusing them of being petty.

Not really. Debating is बहस करना. जीभ लड़ना is more about bickering or talking back.

जीभ is Sanskrit-based, while जुबान is Persian/Urdu-based. Both mean tongue and work in this idiom.

Usually no. It carries a negative connotation of conflict or annoyance.

Yes, it is extremely common in daily North Indian Hindi conversations.

You can say मुझसे जीभ मत लड़ाओ (Mujhse jeebh mat ladao).

The phrase itself isn't a swear word, but using it to describe someone's behavior can be seen as a mild criticism.

There isn't a direct opposite idiom, but मौन रहना (to stay silent) is the opposite action.

It is great for dialogue in stories, but avoid it in formal essays or news reports.

عبارات ذات صلة

जुबान लड़ाना

To argue or talk back (Urdu-origin synonym)

मुँह लगना

To get into an argument with someone beneath your dignity

तू-तू मैं-मैं करना

To have a petty verbal spat

बहस छिड़ना

For an argument to break out

هل كان هذا مفيداً؟
لا توجد تعليقات بعد. كن أول من يشارك أفكاره!

ابدأ تعلم اللغات مجاناً

ابدأ التعلم مجاناً