What does it mean word for word?
The phrase अपना मुंह बंद रखो literally means "keep your mouth closed", where apna means "your/one's own", munh means "mouth", band means "closed" and rakho means "keep".
Which one should you use?
While अपना मुंह बंद रखो is a direct and aggressive way to say "shut your mouth", the expression चुप रहो is a more common way to say "be quiet" or "shut up". Additionally, the expression चुप हो जाओ can be used to mean "become silent" or "shut up".
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb at the end of the phrase determines the level of formality and social relationship. Using rakho is the imperative form for people of equal status or younger than the speaker. To make the command more polite or to address an elder, the verb changes to अपना मुंह बंद रखिए. For a very informal or blunt command used in heated arguments or when speaking to someone much younger, you can use अपना मुंह बंद रख.
How do you pronounce it?
apna munh band rakho
Did you know?
- Using rakho in this phrase indicates the speaker views the listener as a social equal or a subordinate. Using this form with a boss or a teacher would be considered an act of open rebellion.
- The word band used in this phrase is a loanword from Classical Persian. It is a 'doublet' of the native Hindi word bandh, which sounds almost identical but has a different origin.
Examples in context
- अगर तुम सच नहीं जानते, तो अपना मुंह बंद रखो।agar tum sach nahīṃ jāntē, tō apnā munh band rakhō.If you don't know the truth, shut your mouth.
- बस! अपना मुंह बंद रखो और चुप रहो।bas! apnā munh band rakhō aur chup rahō.Enough! Shut your mouth and be quiet.
Example conversation
Two siblings are having a loud argument in the living room.
- अंजलि Anjaliअमित, तुम बहुत बोल रहे हो।amit, tum bahut bōl rahē hō.Amit, you are talking too much.
- अमित Amitमैं बस सच बोल रहा हूँ!main bas sach bōl rahā hūṃ!I am just telling the truth!
- अंजलि Anjaliअपना मुंह बंद रखो!apnā munh band rakhō!Shut your mouth!
- अमित Amitठीक है, मैं चुप हो जाता हूँ।ṭhīk hai, main chup hō jātā hūṃ.Fine, I will be quiet.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries अपना, बंद, CC BY-SA 4.0.
