कान खड़े होना
Ears stand up
직역: कान (Ears) + खड़े होना (To stand up)
Use this phrase when a specific sound or piece of information suddenly grabs your full attention.
15초 만에
- To suddenly become very alert or suspicious.
- Based on the physical movement of an animal's ears.
- Used when hearing something unexpected or intriguing.
뜻
Imagine a dog hearing a bag of treats open. This phrase describes that moment you suddenly become alert or suspicious because you heard something interesting or alarming.
주요 예문
3 / 6Overhearing a secret
जैसे ही उसने 'पैसे' का नाम लिया, मेरे कान खड़े हो गए।
As soon as he mentioned 'money', my ears stood up.
Sensing danger at night
रात को बाहर आहट सुनकर चौकीदार के कान खड़े हो गए।
Hearing a sound outside at night, the watchman became alert.
Texting about gossip
उसकी बातें सुनकर तुम्हारे कान क्यों खड़े हो गए?
Why did you get so alert hearing her talk?
문화적 배경
The idiom draws from the imagery of animals like deer or dogs whose ears physically move when they sense danger. In Indian society, where community and neighborhood ties are strong, 'keeping an ear out' for news or gossip is a common social behavior.
The 'Suspicion' Nuance
While it means 'alert', it often implies you suspect something fishy is going on. Use it when you think someone is hiding something.
Don't use for 'listening'
If you are just listening to music or a lecture, don't use this. It must be a sudden reaction to a specific trigger.
15초 만에
- To suddenly become very alert or suspicious.
- Based on the physical movement of an animal's ears.
- Used when hearing something unexpected or intriguing.
What It Means
Think of an animal in the wild. When it hears a rustle, its ears prick up. In Hindi, कान खड़े होना means exactly that for humans. It is that instant shift from being relaxed to being fully alert. You use it when something catches your attention. It usually implies a sense of caution or suspicion. It is that 'wait, what did they just say?' moment.
How To Use It
The phrase acts as a verb in your sentence. You can say your ears 'stood up' when you heard a secret. It is very flexible with tenses. Use कान खड़े हो गए for the past tense. Use कान खड़े हो जाते हैं for things that always make you alert. It is a great way to show, not just tell, that you are paying attention.
When To Use It
Use it when you overhear gossip at a cafe. Use it when a boss mentions 'bonuses' in a boring meeting. It fits perfectly when you sense something is wrong. If you hear your name mentioned in the next room, this is your go-to phrase. It is perfect for storytelling to make your narrative more vivid.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for physical exercise or literal standing. It is strictly for mental alertness triggered by sound. Avoid using it in extremely formal legal documents. It is a bit too descriptive for a police report. Also, do not use it if you are just 'listening' normally. It requires a sudden spark of interest or alarm.
Cultural Background
India is a land of storytelling and vibrant street life. People are naturally curious about their surroundings. This idiom likely comes from observing nature, specifically dogs and horses. In Indian culture, being 'savdhaan' (alert) is a valued trait. This phrase captures that survival instinct in a very relatable, human way. It has been a staple in Hindi literature and Bollywood films for decades.
Common Variations
You might hear कान फड़कना, which is more about a physical twitch. Some people say चौकन्ना होना for a more formal 'to be alert'. However, कान खड़े होना remains the most popular visual idiom. It is the gold standard for describing that 'spidey-sense' tingling through your hearing.
사용 참고사항
This idiom is very common in daily conversation. It is neutral enough for most social settings but avoid it in strictly academic or legal writing.
The 'Suspicion' Nuance
While it means 'alert', it often implies you suspect something fishy is going on. Use it when you think someone is hiding something.
Don't use for 'listening'
If you are just listening to music or a lecture, don't use this. It must be a sudden reaction to a specific trigger.
Animal Roots
Hindi speakers love animal-based idioms. This one is so common that people don't even picture ears anymore; they just feel the alertness!
예시
6जैसे ही उसने 'पैसे' का नाम लिया, मेरे कान खड़े हो गए।
As soon as he mentioned 'money', my ears stood up.
Shows sudden interest in a specific topic.
रात को बाहर आहट सुनकर चौकीदार के कान खड़े हो गए।
Hearing a sound outside at night, the watchman became alert.
Used in a context of vigilance and safety.
उसकी बातें सुनकर तुम्हारे कान क्यों खड़े हो गए?
Why did you get so alert hearing her talk?
A playful way to call someone out for being nosy.
किचन में पैकेट खुलने की आवाज़ से कुत्ते के कान खड़े हो गए।
The dog's ears stood up at the sound of a packet opening in the kitchen.
Using the idiom literally for an animal is often humorous.
जब मैनेजर ने छंटनी की बात की, तो सबके कान खड़े हो गए।
When the manager talked about layoffs, everyone became alert.
Describes a collective sense of worry or alarm.
बच्चे के रोने की हल्की सी आवाज़ से ही माँ के कान खड़े हो जाते हैं।
A mother becomes alert at even the slightest sound of her baby crying.
Shows a deep, instinctive level of alertness.
셀프 테스트
Choose the correct form of the idiom for a past event.
पड़ोसियों की लड़ाई सुनकर राहुल के ___।
Since the event (hearing the fight) happened, we use the past tense 'हो गए'.
Complete the sentence to show suspicion.
पुलिस को देखते ही चोर के ___।
The idiom for becoming alert or suspicious is 'कान खड़े होना'.
🎉 점수: /2
시각 학습 자료
Formality Scale of 'कान खड़े होना'
Gossiping with friends about a neighbor.
अरे, खबर सुनते ही मेरे कान खड़े हो गए!
Describing a news event or a story.
धमाके की आवाज़ से सबके कान खड़े हो गए।
Used in journalism or literature.
घोटाले की खबर से प्रशासन के कान खड़े हो गए हैं।
When will your ears 'stand up'?
Hearing a Secret
Whispering in the hallway
Danger
Footsteps behind you at night
Opportunity
Hearing about a job opening
Suspicion
A friend acting very strange
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문No, it is purely metaphorical for humans. It describes the internal feeling of sudden focus, though animals do it physically.
It is a bit informal for a standard email, but fine in a conversational chat with colleagues. Stick to सावधान in very formal reports.
It is usually neutral but leans slightly towards 'suspicious' or 'alarmed'. It is rarely used for purely happy surprises.
You would say उसके कान खड़े हो गए (Uske kaan khade ho gaye).
Yes, if the noise makes you alert or worried, like a bang or a crash. धमाके से मेरे कान खड़े हो गए works perfectly.
ध्यान देना means to pay attention intentionally. कान खड़े होना is an involuntary reaction to something you heard.
The word कान (ears) stays the same in plural, but the verb हो गए indicates the plural action of both ears.
Technically no, it is specifically for things you hear. For seeing, you might use आंखें फटी रह जाना (eyes wide open).
No, it is a standard idiom. It is used by people of all ages and is considered very natural Hindi.
In Hindi, we always use the plural 'ears' for this idiom, even if you only heard it on one side!
관련 표현
दाल में कुछ काला होना
Something is fishy / suspicious
चौकन्ना रहना
To stay alert/vigilant
आंखें खुलना
To have one's eyes opened to the truth
कान भरना
To poison someone's ears (backbite)
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