चादर देखकर पैर पसारना
Stretch legs per blanket
Literalmente: Stretch (pasaarna) your legs (pair) only after seeing (dekhkar) the size of your blanket (chaadar).
Always match your expenses to your income to ensure long-term financial peace and stability.
En 15 segundos
- Live within your financial means.
- Don't spend more than you earn.
- Match your lifestyle to your actual budget.
- A wise reminder to avoid unnecessary debt.
Significado
This phrase is all about financial wisdom. It means you should only spend what you have and avoid living a lifestyle you can't actually afford.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Advising a friend on a phone purchase
Naya iPhone achha hai, par apni chaadar dekhkar pair pasaaro.
The new iPhone is good, but stay within your means.
A father talking to his son about a loan
Beta, hamesha chaadar dekhkar pair pasaarna chahiye.
Son, one should always live within their means.
Declining an expensive dinner invite
Is mahine mera budget tight hai, mujhe chaadar dekhkar pair pasaarne honge.
My budget is tight this month; I need to stick to my limits.
Contexto cultural
This idiom is a cornerstone of Indian middle-class philosophy, emphasizing 'Sada Jeevan, Uchh Vichar' (Simple living, high thinking). It likely originated from rural life where a physical 'chaadar' (shawl or blanket) was a vital possession. It remains highly popular today as a response to modern consumerism and debt culture.
The 'Grandma' Effect
Using this phrase makes you sound like a wise, grounded person. It's the ultimate 'adulting' idiom in Hindi.
Don't be a Buzzkill
Be careful using this when someone is celebrating. It can come off as stingy if used at the wrong moment.
En 15 segundos
- Live within your financial means.
- Don't spend more than you earn.
- Match your lifestyle to your actual budget.
- A wise reminder to avoid unnecessary debt.
What It Means
Think of your budget as a physical blanket. If you stretch your legs too far, your feet get cold. This idiom reminds you to stay within your limits. It is the ultimate advice for financial discipline. It is about being realistic with your resources.
How To Use It
You use this when discussing money or big life decisions. It usually functions as a piece of advice. You can use it to caution someone. You can also use it to explain your own choices. It fits perfectly when someone suggests an expensive plan. It sounds wise and grounded.
When To Use It
Use it when a friend wants a luxury car on a tiny salary. Use it during wedding planning to keep costs down. It is great for business meetings about budget cuts. Use it when teaching kids the value of saving. It works well in serious financial discussions. It also works in casual chats about shopping.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this to discourage big dreams. It is about money, not about your potential. Avoid using it if someone is in a genuine crisis. It might sound dismissive or insensitive then. Do not use it if you are the one being stingy. It can sound like a poor excuse for being cheap.
Cultural Background
India has a deep-rooted culture of saving for the future. Middle-class families often prioritize stability over luxury. This phrase reflects the traditional agrarian lifestyle. Resources were finite and had to be managed carefully. It is a staple of 'Grandma’s wisdom' in Indian homes. It emphasizes the virtue of contentment over greed.
Common Variations
You might hear jitni chaadar ho, utne pair pasaaro. This is the most common full sentence version. It literally means 'stretch legs as much as the blanket is'. Sometimes people just say chaadar dekhna (looking at the blanket) as a shorthand. Both versions carry the exact same weight and meaning.
Notas de uso
The phrase is neutral and can be used with almost anyone. However, when speaking to elders, it's better to use it as a general observation rather than direct advice to them.
The 'Grandma' Effect
Using this phrase makes you sound like a wise, grounded person. It's the ultimate 'adulting' idiom in Hindi.
Don't be a Buzzkill
Be careful using this when someone is celebrating. It can come off as stingy if used at the wrong moment.
The 'Chaadar' Symbol
In Indian culture, a 'chaadar' often symbolizes one's dignity and social standing. Keeping your legs inside means protecting your honor from debt.
Ejemplos
6Naya iPhone achha hai, par apni chaadar dekhkar pair pasaaro.
The new iPhone is good, but stay within your means.
A friendly warning against overspending on gadgets.
Beta, hamesha chaadar dekhkar pair pasaarna chahiye.
Son, one should always live within their means.
Classic parental advice regarding financial responsibility.
Is mahine mera budget tight hai, mujhe chaadar dekhkar pair pasaarne honge.
My budget is tight this month; I need to stick to my limits.
Using the idiom to politely decline based on finances.
Hamein abhi naya office nahi lena chahiye, pehle chaadar toh dekh lein.
We shouldn't get a new office yet; let's check our 'blanket' first.
Applying the idiom to corporate budgeting.
Poori market khareed loge kya? Zara chaadar bhi dekh lo!
Will you buy the whole market? Look at your blanket first!
A lighthearted jab at someone's shopping habits.
Kaash maine chaadar dekhkar pair pasaare hote, toh aaj karz na hota.
I wish I had lived within my means, then I wouldn't be in debt today.
Expressing regret over past overspending.
Ponte a prueba
Complete the proverb with the correct body part.
Jitni chaadar ho, utne ___ pasaaro.
The idiom specifically refers to stretching your 'pair' (legs) to fit the blanket.
Choose the best context for this phrase.
When should you say 'Chaadar dekhkar pair pasaarna'?
This phrase is a metaphor for financial discipline, not literal bedding.
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Ayudas visuales
Formality Scale
Used with friends to joke about shopping.
Bhai, chaadar dekh le!
Commonly used in daily conversations and advice.
Hamein chaadar dekhkar pair pasaarna chahiye.
Used in literature or serious financial counseling.
Vyakti ko sadaiv apni chaadar dekhkar pair pasaarne chahiye.
Where to use this phrase
Buying a Car
Choosing a sedan over a luxury SUV.
Wedding Planning
Limiting the guest list to save money.
Student Life
Eating at the canteen instead of a cafe.
Business
Delaying a risky investment.
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasIt means a bedsheet or a blanket. In this idiom, it represents your total income or budget.
Not usually. It is seen as practical advice, though saying it to a superior might be risky.
While primarily for money, you can metaphorically use it for any limited resource like time or energy.
You can use Aay ke anusar vyay karna, but the idiom Chaadar dekhkar pair pasaarna is much more natural.
Not really. It is a cautionary phrase meant to prevent future trouble.
Mixing up the words, like saying haath (hands) instead of pair (legs). Stick to the original anatomy!
Yes, it is very common in business contexts to describe 'bootstrapping' or avoiding heavy debt.
It is classic, but definitely not outdated. Even Gen Z uses it when talking about 'broke' life.
Absolutely! It's common in texts like: Bhai, thoda chaadar dekhkar pair pasaaro!
Then you can stretch your legs as much as you want! The idiom only warns those with small blankets.
Frases relacionadas
Aamdani atthanni kharcha rupaiya
Earning 50 cents but spending a dollar.
Haath khula hona
To be generous or a big spender.
Kanjoos makkhi-choos
An extreme miser (someone who would suck the milk off a fly).
Paise ped par nahi ugte
Money doesn't grow on trees.
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