नाच न जाने आँगन टेढ़ा
Can't dance, courtyard crooked
Wörtlich: Naach (Dance) na (not) jaane (know), aangan (courtyard) tedha (crooked)
Use this to playfully call out someone who blames their equipment instead of their own lack of ability.
In 15 Sekunden
- Blaming external tools for your own lack of skill.
- A witty way to call out someone making poor excuses.
- Equivalent to 'a bad workman blames his tools' in English.
Bedeutung
It describes someone who lacks skill but blames their failure on their equipment or surroundings. It is like saying 'a bad workman always blames his tools.'
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6A friend loses a video game and blames the lag.
Tumhe khelna nahi aata, bas bol rahe ho internet slow hai. Naach na jaane aangan tedha!
You don't know how to play, you're just saying the internet is slow. Can't dance, courtyard is crooked!
A colleague blames the laptop for a slow presentation.
Laptop theek hai, tumne taiyari nahi ki. Naach na jaane aangan tedha.
The laptop is fine, you didn't prepare. A bad workman blames his tools.
Texting a friend who failed a recipe and blamed the oven.
Recipe follow nahi ki aur ab oven ko blame kar rahe ho? Naach na jaane aangan tedha! 😂
You didn't follow the recipe and now you're blaming the oven? Typical!
Kultureller Hintergrund
The courtyard (aangan) was historically the social hub of Indian domestic life. This idiom highlights the human tendency to save face by projecting failure onto physical spaces. It has been popular for centuries and is found in almost every Indian language with slight regional variations.
The Half-Phrase Trick
In casual Hindi, you can just say 'Naach na jaane...' and stop. The listener will automatically finish the thought in their head. It makes you sound very native!
Don't Be a Bully
Only use this when the excuse is clearly fake. If someone's computer actually crashed and they lost work, using this will make you seem insensitive.
In 15 Sekunden
- Blaming external tools for your own lack of skill.
- A witty way to call out someone making poor excuses.
- Equivalent to 'a bad workman blames his tools' in English.
What It Means
Imagine someone steps onto a dance floor and trips. Instead of admitting they can't dance, they complain the floor is uneven. That is exactly what Naach na jaane aangan tedha captures. It is a witty way to call out an excuse. You use it when someone blames external factors for their own incompetence. It suggests the problem is internal, not external.
How To Use It
You can use this phrase as a standalone comment. If a friend fails a game and blames the controller, just say it. It acts like a verbal 'eye-roll.' You don't need to change the grammar much. It is a fixed proverb that fits most contexts perfectly. Just wait for the excuse, then drop the line.
When To Use It
Use it during casual debates or friendly banter. It is great for sports when a player blames the grass. Use it at work if a colleague blames 'bad software' for a late report. It works best when the excuse is obviously thin. It adds a bit of sharp humor to the conversation.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using this if someone is genuinely struggling with a broken tool. If the 'courtyard' really is crooked, you will look mean. Do not use it with your boss during a serious performance review. It is too informal and mocking for high-stakes professional crises. Keep it for light-hearted call-outs.
Cultural Background
In traditional Indian homes, the aangan (courtyard) was the heart of the house. It was where festivals and dances happened. Dancing is a respected skill in Indian culture. Blaming the very ground you stand on is seen as a funny, transparent lie. It reflects a cultural value of taking personal responsibility for one's craft.
Common Variations
You might hear people just say the first half: Naach na jaane... and trail off. Everyone knows the rest of the rhyme. Sometimes people swap aangan for other nouns in modern slang, but the original is timeless. It remains one of the most quoted proverbs in Hindi households.
Nutzungshinweise
This phrase is highly idiomatic and carries a sarcastic undertone. It is best used in informal or semi-formal settings where a bit of wit is appreciated. Avoid it in situations requiring high empathy.
The Half-Phrase Trick
In casual Hindi, you can just say 'Naach na jaane...' and stop. The listener will automatically finish the thought in their head. It makes you sound very native!
Don't Be a Bully
Only use this when the excuse is clearly fake. If someone's computer actually crashed and they lost work, using this will make you seem insensitive.
The 'Aangan' Connection
The 'aangan' was the most public part of an old Indian house. Making an excuse there was like failing in front of the whole neighborhood!
Beispiele
6Tumhe khelna nahi aata, bas bol rahe ho internet slow hai. Naach na jaane aangan tedha!
You don't know how to play, you're just saying the internet is slow. Can't dance, courtyard is crooked!
Classic use for gaming excuses.
Laptop theek hai, tumne taiyari nahi ki. Naach na jaane aangan tedha.
The laptop is fine, you didn't prepare. A bad workman blames his tools.
Calling out a lack of preparation in a semi-casual office setting.
Recipe follow nahi ki aur ab oven ko blame kar rahe ho? Naach na jaane aangan tedha! 😂
You didn't follow the recipe and now you're blaming the oven? Typical!
Using emojis makes the proverb feel light and teasing.
Padhai ki hoti toh pen ki galti nahi nikaalte. Naach na jaane aangan tedha.
If you had studied, you wouldn't blame the pen. You're just making excuses.
Common household banter between siblings.
Mic toh sahi hai, tumhari awaaz hi besuri hai. Naach na jaane aangan tedha.
The mic is fine, your voice is just out of tune. Stop blaming the tools.
A blunt but honest critique using the idiom.
Sabke liye garmi thi, par tum haar gaye. Naach na jaane aangan tedha.
It was hot for everyone, but you lost. Don't blame the weather.
Used to point out that conditions were the same for everyone.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the correct phrase to complete the sentence where Rahul blames his shoes for losing a race.
Rahul ne kaha uske joote kharab hain, par sach toh yeh hai ki use ___.
Since Rahul is blaming his shoes (tools) for his failure, this idiom is the perfect fit.
Identify the missing word in the proverb.
Naach na jaane ___ tedha.
The traditional proverb uses 'aangan' (courtyard) as the place where the dance happens.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality Scale
Used with friends and family during banter.
Teasing a friend about a bad shot in cricket.
Common in movies, books, and general conversation.
A narrator describing a character's excuses.
Rarely used in serious business or legal settings.
Avoid in a board meeting.
When to Drop This Phrase
Bad Cooking
Blaming the stove for burnt roti.
Sports
Blaming the racket for a missed hit.
Gaming
Blaming the controller for losing.
Technical Issues
Blaming the software for a user error.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIt means 'Doesn't know how to dance.' It sets up the premise that the person lacks the actual skill they are trying to perform.
While modern apartments don't have courtyards, the word aangan is still widely understood through poetry, songs, and this specific idiom.
Probably not. It is quite sarcastic. Using Naach na jaane aangan tedha in an email to a client could be seen as unprofessional or rude.
Yes, 'A bad workman always blames his tools' is the closest equivalent. Both highlight the deflection of blame.
The 'Dh' is a retroflex sound. Curl your tongue back to touch the roof of your mouth. It sounds like 'Tay-dh-aa'.
Yes! If you want to be self-deprecating, you can say, 'Mujhe pata hai mera naach na jaane aangan tedha wala haal hai' (I know I'm just making excuses).
No, it is a classic proverb (Muhavara/Lokokti). It is culturally rich rather than 'street' slang.
Then do not use this phrase. This idiom specifically targets 'false' or 'weak' excuses.
Absolutely. It is a staple in Indian households and is frequently used in Bollywood movies and TV shows.
Yes, almost every Indian language has a version. For example, in Bengali, they say 'Naachte na janle uthun baka,' which means the exact same thing.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Apne pairon par kulhadi maarna
Ulta chor kotwal ko dante
Aasman se gira, khajoor mein atka
Thotha chana baje ghana
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