कौए को हंस बनाना
Making crow into swan
直訳: Crow (कौआ) to (को) Swan (हंस) making (बनाना)
Use this to describe a futile attempt to make something inherently flawed appear perfect or elegant.
15秒でわかる
- Trying to turn something bad into something good.
- A metaphor for the impossibility of changing someone's basic nature.
- Used to describe wasted efforts on hopeless causes.
意味
This phrase describes the futile effort of trying to turn someone or something inherently flawed into something elegant or perfect. It is like trying to give a complete makeover to someone who refuses to change their basic nature.
主な例文
3 / 6Discussing a friend's bad relationship
उस लड़के को सुधारना मतलब कौए को हंस बनाना है।
Trying to fix that guy is like making a crow into a swan.
Talking about a cheap product
इस पुरानी मशीन पर पेंट करके तुम कौए को हंस नहीं बना सकते।
You can't make this old machine a swan just by painting it.
A cynical comment in a meeting
इस बेकार प्रोजेक्ट पर पैसा लगाना कौए को हंस बनाना ही होगा।
Investing money in this useless project is just trying to turn a crow into a swan.
文化的背景
The swan (Hamsa) holds a high status in Hindu mythology as the vehicle of Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom. In contrast, the crow is often associated with ancestors or mundane cleverness. This idiom reflects the ancient Indian philosophical debate between 'nature' and 'nurture', leaning heavily toward the power of innate nature.
Tone Matters
This phrase can be very offensive if used directly to someone's face. Use it 'about' a situation rather than 'at' a person to avoid starting a fight.
The Swan Secret
In India, the swan isn't just a bird; it's a 'Paramahamsa'—a symbol of the highest spiritual awakening. Calling someone a 'crow' in this context is a huge contrast in status.
15秒でわかる
- Trying to turn something bad into something good.
- A metaphor for the impossibility of changing someone's basic nature.
- Used to describe wasted efforts on hopeless causes.
What It Means
Imagine trying to teach a crow to sing like a nightingale. It just won't happen. In Hindi, कौए को हंस बनाना means attempting to transform something low-quality into something high-quality. It usually refers to a person's character or a hopeless situation. You are essentially saying that some traits are permanent. No amount of polishing can change the core essence.
How To Use It
You use this when you see someone wasting energy. It acts as a reality check for over-ambitious projects. You can use it as a verb phrase in a sentence. For example, तुम उसे सुधारने की कोशिश मत करो. You are telling someone to stop being delusional. It highlights the gap between reality and unrealistic expectations.
When To Use It
Use it when a friend tries to fix a toxic ex. Use it at work when a boss wants a miracle. It fits perfectly when someone buys a junk car and expects a Ferrari. It is great for venting about stubborn people. Use it to express frustration or cynical wisdom. It works well in heart-to-heart chats or office gossip.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for someone genuinely trying to learn. It can sound very insulting and mean-spirited. Avoid it in professional performance reviews with subordinates. It implies the person is 'lowly' like a crow. Never use it for children or students. It suggests that improvement is impossible, which is quite discouraging. Keep it for peers or situations, not for punching down.
Cultural Background
In Indian folklore, the हंस (swan) is a symbol of purity. It is said to separate milk from water. The कौआ (crow) is seen as clever but noisy and common. This contrast is deeply rooted in ancient fables like the Panchatantra. It reflects a traditional belief in 'Prakriti' or innate nature. It suggests that some things are simply 'born that way'.
Common Variations
You might hear कौआ चले हंस की चाल. This means a crow trying to walk like a swan. It mocks someone for imitating their superiors poorly. Another version is नीम न मीठा होय, meaning neem won't become sweet. Both carry the same 'nature doesn't change' vibe. These variations add flavor to your daily Hindi conversations.
使い方のコツ
This is an informal idiom with a cynical edge. Use it with caution as it categorizes things/people into 'low' and 'high' statuses, which can be perceived as elitist or insulting.
Tone Matters
This phrase can be very offensive if used directly to someone's face. Use it 'about' a situation rather than 'at' a person to avoid starting a fight.
The Swan Secret
In India, the swan isn't just a bird; it's a 'Paramahamsa'—a symbol of the highest spiritual awakening. Calling someone a 'crow' in this context is a huge contrast in status.
Don't Mix Birds
Don't swap the crow for a pigeon or the swan for a duck. Idioms are fixed; changing the animals will make you sound like you're glitching!
例文
6उस लड़के को सुधारना मतलब कौए को हंस बनाना है।
Trying to fix that guy is like making a crow into a swan.
Used to show that the person's character is unlikely to change.
इस पुरानी मशीन पर पेंट करके तुम कौए को हंस नहीं बना सकते।
You can't make this old machine a swan just by painting it.
Refers to superficial changes that don't fix the core issue.
इस बेकार प्रोजेक्ट पर पैसा लगाना कौए को हंस बनाना ही होगा।
Investing money in this useless project is just trying to turn a crow into a swan.
Expresses professional skepticism about a failing venture.
इतने मेकअप से क्या होगा? कौए को हंस बनाना मुश्किल है!
What will all this makeup do? It's hard to make a crow into a swan!
A playful, slightly mean joke between close friends.
मैंने उसे बहुत समझाया, पर कौए को हंस बनाना मेरे बस की बात नहीं।
I explained a lot to him, but making a crow into a swan is beyond me.
Shows resignation and acceptance of someone's flaws.
वह शरीफ बनने का नाटक कर रहा है, पर कौआ कभी हंस नहीं बनता।
He is pretending to be a gentleman, but a crow never becomes a swan.
Highlights that true nature eventually reveals itself.
自分をテスト
Choose the correct animal to complete the idiom.
तुम बेकार में कोशिश कर रहे हो, ___ को हंस बनाना मुमकिन नहीं है।
The idiom specifically uses `कौआ` (crow) to contrast with `हंस` (swan).
What does the speaker imply by using this phrase?
Speaker: 'This task is like making a crow into a swan.' The speaker thinks the task is ___.
The phrase is used to describe efforts that are futile because the core nature cannot be changed.
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Formality and Context Spectrum
Used as a harsh insult among enemies.
तुम तो कौए को हंस बनाने चले हो!
Commonly used with friends to discuss hopeless situations.
छोड़ो यार, कौए को हंस बनाना बेकार है।
Used in literature or storytelling to describe character tropes.
कहानी में वह कौए को हंस बनाने की कोशिश करता है।
Where to use 'कौए को हंस बनाना'
Bad Relationship advice
Warning a friend about a toxic partner.
Office Politics
Commenting on a failing strategy.
Product Quality
Critiquing a cheap knock-off.
Self-Reflection
Realizing you can't change your basic habits.
よくある質問
10 問Not really. It is quite blunt and can be considered rude because it implies the subject is inherently 'low' or 'bad' like a crow.
Yes! If you are trying to fix a broken, cheap item and it's not working, you can say you're trying to कौए को हंस बनाना.
Phrases like 'You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear' or 'A leopard can't change its spots' are very close in meaning.
Yes, it often appears in dialogues where a character is being told they can't hide their true, villainous nature behind fancy clothes.
Mostly, yes. It emphasizes that while you can change the appearance, the inner quality remains the same.
Hardly ever. It is almost always used to point out a waste of time or a deceptive appearance.
That is not a standard idiom. People might understand you mean 'ruining something good', but it won't sound natural.
It is moderately common, especially among older generations or in dramatic storytelling.
You conjugate it like any other verb. For example: बना रहे हो (are making) or बनाना चाहते हो (want to make).
People sometimes just say कौआ हंस नहीं बनता (A crow doesn't become a swan) to state the fact directly.
関連フレーズ
कौआ चले हंस की चाल
A crow trying to walk like a swan (blind imitation).
नीम न मीठा होय
Neem (bitter leaf) will never become sweet (nature doesn't change).
कुत्ते की दुम टेढ़ी की टेढ़ी
A dog's tail stays crooked (habitual behavior won't change).
भेड़ की खाल में भेड़िया
A wolf in sheep's clothing.
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