Lokoktiyan (लोकोक्तियाँ, Proverbs)
लोकोक्तियाँ (Lokoktiyan) are complete-sentence-like sayings born out of everyday folk experience, and they differ from मुहावरे (muhavare) (idioms). REET consistently gives you a proverb and asks for its implied meaning, or asks you to pick the right proverb for a given situation, so you need to remember both the meaning and the context of use.
- 4 questions in REET 2024
- Class 6-8 depth
- 8 min read
How REET asks this
Of the four REET 2024 questions, one directly tested whether you could identify which of the given sayings is actually a लोकोक्ति (lokokti) (as opposed to a मुहावरा (muhavara)), and the other three asked for the correct implied meaning of a well-known लोकोक्ति (lokokti) (‘हाथ कंगन को आरसी क्या (haath kangan ko aarsi kya)’, ‘दाल भात में मूसलचंद (daal bhaat mein moosalchand)’, ‘tan par nahin latta...’) or the right proverb for a given situation. In other words, both the लोकोक्ति (lokokti)-मुहावरा (muhavara) distinction and the meaning carry equal weight.
What is a लोकोक्ति (lokokti), and how does it differ from a मुहावरा (muhavara)?
A लोकोक्ति (lokokti) (proverb) is a well-known, self-contained, complete saying that captures the essence of an event, story or folk experience — for example, ‘हाथ कंगन को आरसी क्या (haath kangan ko aarsi kya)’ (why need a mirror for a bangle on the hand). It is a complete sentence in itself, and it doesn’t change according to tense, number or person.
A मुहावरा (muhavara) (idiom), in contrast, is a group of words (a phrase) that gives a complete meaning only once it is fitted into a sentence, and it usually ends in the verb form ‘-na’ (like ‘नाकों चने चबवाना (naakon chane chabwana)’ — to make someone sweat). Its form changes with tense and number within the sentence (‘chabwaya’, ‘chabwa raha hai’). A simple way to tell them apart: if a saying feels like a complete sentence on its own and is tied to a story or experience, it’s a लोकोक्ति (lokokti); if it’s a phrase that only forms a complete meaning together with a verb, it’s a मुहावरा (muhavara).
Another useful marker: a लोकोक्ति (lokokti) usually carries some lesson, moral or distilled life-experience within it, while a मुहावरा (muhavara) is simply a decorative way of expressing an action or feeling, with no moral necessarily attached. For instance, ‘नौ दो ग्यारह होना (nau do gyarah hona)’ is a मुहावरा (muhavara) that simply means ‘to run away’, whereas ‘जैसी करनी वैसी भरनी (jaisi karni waisi bharni)’ is a लोकोक्ति (lokokti) that gives a complete lesson about the fruits of one’s actions. Understanding this distinction rather than rote-memorising it makes it far easier to remember, because then every new saying can be weighed on this same scale.
In practice, the words ‘कहावत (kahaavat)’ and ‘लोकोक्ति (lokokti)’ are used interchangeably — both are popular sayings rooted in folk experience. Regional dialects (like Rajasthani) have their own sayings too, which count as लोकोक्तियाँ (lokoktiyan) in that dialect; but REET’s Hindi section only tests लोकोक्तियाँ (lokoktiyan) that are current in standard Hindi. लोकोक्तियाँ (Lokoktiyan) are also used in formal contexts like essays, speeches and interviews, provided both their meaning and context match correctly.
While solving लोकोक्ति (lokokti) questions, first check whether any option is based on the literal, word-for-word meaning of the saying — such options are usually wrong because they miss the proverb’s practical lesson and only offer a surface-level translation of the words.
Major proverbs asked in REET and their meaning
| Proverb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| अरहर की टट्टी गुजराती ताला (arhar ki tatti gujarati taala) (a locking down a flimsy screen with an expensive lock) | going to great, disproportionate expense to protect something trivial |
| हाथ कंगन को आरसी क्या (haath kangan ko aarsi kya) (why need a mirror for a bangle already on the hand) | when something is self-evident, it needs no proof |
| दाल भात में मूसलचंद (daal bhaat mein moosalchand) (a pestle turning up in plain lentils and rice) | an unnecessary third person interfering in the private business of two people |
| तन पर नहीं लत्ता, पान खाये अलबत्ता (tan par nahin latta, paan khaaye albatta) (no clothes on the back, yet chewing paan) | putting on a showy lifestyle or indulgence beyond one’s means |
| थोथा चना बाजे घना (thotha chana baaje ghana) (an empty-husked chickpea rattles the loudest) | a person with little real worth or ability makes the most noise or show |
| इन तिलों में तेल नहीं (in tilon mein tel nahin) (there’s no oil in these sesame seeds) | a situation from which no benefit can be expected |
| अंधों में काना राजा (andhon mein kaana raja) (among the blind, the one-eyed man is king) | in a group where everyone is mediocre, even a slightly capable person is considered the best |
| नौ सौ चूहे खाकर बिल्ली हज को चली (nau sau chuhe khaakar billi haj ko chali) (after eating nine hundred mice, the cat sets off on a pilgrimage) | putting up a show of goodness after committing a great many wrongs |
| एक अनार सौ बीमार (ek anaar sau bimaar) (one pomegranate, a hundred sick people wanting it) | many claimants competing for the same single thing or position |
REET doesn’t ask for a proverb’s literal meaning — it asks for its practical, implied meaning.
Strategy for identifying the implied meaning
In proverb questions, one option usually gives the literal meaning and another gives the actual implied meaning. For example, for ‘हाथ कंगन को आरसी क्या (haath kangan ko aarsi kya)’, one option was ‘bangles are worn on the hand’ (literal, wrong), and the correct option was ‘the self-evident needs no proof’ (the actual sense). Always pick the option that captures the practical lesson behind the proverb, never a word-for-word translation.
लोकोक्तियाँ (Lokoktiyan) are deeply tied to the folk life, agriculture, family relationships and everyday practical wisdom of Rajasthan and the whole of north India, which is why they have been passed down orally across generations. Exams like REET test this to check whether prospective teachers also understand the cultural and practical side of language, not just its textbook grammar — so in the classroom too, teaching these sayings by connecting them to children’s own everyday life works best.
So whenever you read a proverb, ask yourself what the practical lesson behind it is, not merely what a literal translation of the words would give.
How to teach this to children
Activity
Each week, tell a proverb through a short story or an everyday incident, then ask students to describe another situation that carries the same meaning — this helps the implied meaning stick.
Teaching material
A comic strip or poster showing the proverb alongside its meaning helps build interest in Classes 6-8.
Common misconception
Children often think लोकोक्ति (lokokti) and मुहावरा (muhavara) are the same thing since both are decorative folk-language devices — make the distinction clear based on form (a complete sentence versus a phrase) and changeability.
Assessment
Give 5 well-known proverbs and have students write their implied meaning, then give 3 sayings and ask which are proverbs and which are idioms.
Memory trick / exam tip
If a saying feels like a complete sentence on its own (it doesn’t change with tense or number) and feels like the lesson of a story or experience — treat it as a लोकोक्ति (lokokti). If it’s a phrase ending in ‘-na’ that needs to be fitted into a sentence — treat it as a मुहावरा (muhavara).
Questions asked in REET 2024 (solved)
Question 36
Among the following, the one that is a 'lokokti' (proverb) is
- Aनया-पुराना करना
- Bअरहर की टट्टी गुजराती ताला
- Cताँतिया जवान
- Dबछिया का ताऊ होना
Explanation
लोकोक्ति एक पूर्ण वाक्य जैसी स्वतंत्र उक्ति होती है, जबकि मुहावरा वाक्यांश होता है जो प्रायः ‘-ना’ क्रिया रूप में समाप्त होता है। ‘अरहर की टट्टी गुजराती ताला’ एक लोकोक्ति है, जिसका अर्थ है — मामूली वस्तु की रक्षा के लिए बहुत कीमती प्रबंध करना। ‘नया-पुराना करना’ और ‘बछिया का ताऊ होना’ मुहावरे हैं।
Question 53
The implied meaning of the proverb "हाथ कंगन को आरसी क्या?" is –
- Aहाथ में कंगन पहने जाते हैं
- Bप्रत्यक्ष को प्रमाण की आवश्यकता नहीं होती
- Cकंगन को दर्पण में देखना चाहिए
- Dकंगन शृंगार का आवश्यक अंग है
Explanation
‘हाथ कंगन को आरसी क्या’ का अर्थ है — जो बात प्रत्यक्ष दिखाई दे रही हो, उसके लिए प्रमाण की आवश्यकता नहीं होती। हाथ में पहना कंगन देखने के लिए आरसी (दर्पण) की जरूरत नहीं पड़ती। अन्य विकल्प केवल शाब्दिक अर्थ हैं, निहितार्थ नहीं।
Question 74
The appropriate proverb (लोकोक्ति) for the meaning "a third person interfering in the affairs of two people" is-
- Aथोथा चना बाजे घना
- Bबावन तोले पाव रत्ती
- Cइन तिलों में तेल नहीं
- Dदाल भात में मूसलचंद
Explanation
‘दाल भात में मूसलचंद’ लोकोक्ति का प्रयोग तब होता है जब कोई व्यक्ति दो लोगों के बीच की बात या काम में अनावश्यक दखल दे। ‘थोथा चना बाजे घना’ का अर्थ है गुणहीन व्यक्ति का अधिक दिखावा, और ‘इन तिलों में तेल नहीं’ का अर्थ है किसी से कुछ मिलने की आशा न होना।
Question 64
The option with the closest meaning to the proverb 'तन पर नहीं लत्ता पान खाये अलबत्ता' is
- Aमनुष्य का रहन-सहन उसकी हैसियत से बाहर होना ।
- Bजितने का माल उससे ज्यादा व्यय करना ।
- Cअभावग्रस्त होने का प्रदर्शन करना ।
- Dपान खाने का शौकीन ।
Explanation
‘तन पर नहीं लत्ता, पान खाये अलबत्ता’ का आशय है— शरीर पर ढंग का कपड़ा नहीं, फिर भी पान खाने का शौक। यह ऐसे व्यक्ति पर कहा जाता है जो अपनी हैसियत से बाहर रहन-सहन या दिखावा करता है। अतः (A) निकटतम अर्थ है; (C) इसके उलट भाव है।
Practice questions
Question 1
The meaning of the lokokti (proverb) 'अंधों में काना राजा' is
- Aअयोग्य लोगों के बीच थोड़ी योग्यता वाला भी श्रेष्ठ मान लिया जाता है
- Bअंधे व्यक्ति को राजा बना देना
- Cराजा की आँखें कमजोर होना
- Dकाना व्यक्ति सबसे बुद्धिमान होता है
Explanation
The implied meaning of ‘अंधों में काना राजा (andhon mein kaana raja)’ is that where everyone is below average, even a person with a little ability is considered the best. It is not a literal statement, but a comment on relative comparison.
Question 2
The lokokti (proverb) 'नाच न जाने आँगन टेढ़ा' is used for which situation?
- Aजब कोई अपनी कमी छिपाकर दूसरों/परिस्थितियों को दोष दे
- Bजब आँगन वास्तव में टेढ़ा हो
- Cजब कोई अच्छा नृत्य करे
- Dजब घर की साफ-सफाई अच्छी हो
Explanation
This proverb is used for a person who, instead of accepting their own shortcoming, blames outside circumstances for it.
Question 3
Which of the following is a lokokti (proverb)?
- Aआँखें दिखाना
- Bजिसकी लाठी उसकी भैंस
- Cनौ दो ग्यारह होना
- Dकान भरना
Explanation
‘जिसकी लाठी उसकी भैंस (Jiski laathi uski bhains)’ is a complete sentence in itself and teaches that might makes right, so it is a लोकोक्ति (lokokti). The other three are phrases ending in ‘-na’, so they are मुहावरे (muhavare) (idioms).
Question 4
The meaning of the lokokti (proverb) 'ऊँट के मुँह में जीरा' is
- Aआवश्यकता से बहुत कम मात्रा में कुछ मिलना
- Bऊँट को जीरा खिलाना
- Cबहुत अधिक भोजन मिलना
- Dकिसी चीज़ का स्वाद कड़वा होना
Explanation
This proverb is used when someone receives a far smaller quantity of something than they actually need — just as a pinch of cumin is nowhere near enough for a giant camel.
Question 5
The lokokti (proverb) 'आम के आम गुठलियों के दाम' depicts which situation?
- Aएक ही काम से दोहरा लाभ होना
- Bआम की कीमत बढ़ना
- Cगुठली बेचना घाटे का सौदा होना
- Dकोई लाभ न होना
Explanation
The implied meaning of ‘आम के आम गुठलियों के दाम (aam ke aam gutliyon ke daam)’ is that a single action brings the main benefit along with an additional (secondary) benefit — in other words, a double gain.
Question 6
The lokokti (proverb) 'छाछ भी फूँक-फूँक कर पीना' is suitable for which situation?
- Aएक बार धोखा खाने के बाद हर छोटी बात में भी अत्यधिक सावधानी बरतना
- Bगर्म छाछ पीने की आदत
- Cस्वादिष्ट भोजन की तलाश
- Dजल्दबाजी में खाना खाना
Explanation
This proverb is used when someone, having been burnt once, becomes excessively cautious about even small matters afterward — just like blowing on buttermilk before drinking it, even though it’s already cold like milk usually is.
Question 7
The sense of the lokokti (proverb) 'जैसी करनी वैसी भरनी' is
- Aअपने कर्मों का फल स्वयं भोगना पड़ता है
- Bकाम बाँटकर करना चाहिए
- Cमेहनत करने पर पैसा मिलता है
- Dदूसरों की मदद करना
Explanation
‘जैसी करनी वैसी भरनी (Jaisi karni waisi bharni)’ means that a person must bear the consequences of their own good or bad deeds — it is a well-known proverb based on the principle of karma.
Question 8
The main grammatical difference between a lokokti (proverb) and a muhavara (idiom) is
- Aलोकोक्ति पूर्ण व अपरिवर्तनीय वाक्य होती है, मुहावरा वाक्यांश होता है जो काल-वचन से बदलता है
- Bदोनों बिलकुल एक जैसे होते हैं
- Cलोकोक्ति केवल कविता में प्रयोग होती है
- Dमुहावरे हमेशा लोकोक्ति से लंबे होते हैं
Explanation
A लोकोक्ति (lokokti) is a complete and unchanging sentence, whereas a मुहावरा (muhavara) is a phrase whose form changes according to tense, number and person within a sentence.
Question 9
The most effective way of teaching lokoktiyan (proverbs) in class is
- Aकेवल शब्दशः अर्थ रटवाना
- Bहर लोकोक्ति को कहानी या रोज़मर्रा की घटना से जोड़कर निहितार्थ समझाना
- Cलोकोक्तियों की सूची परीक्षा से एक दिन पहले देना
- Dइन्हें पाठ्यक्रम से हटा देना
Explanation
The real lesson (implied meaning) of a proverb is understood permanently only when it is tied to a real situation or story — simply rote-memorising the literal meaning doesn’t convey the deeper sense.
Question 10
The lokokti (proverb) 'बंदर क्या जाने अदरक का स्वाद' applies to which situation?
- Aजिस व्यक्ति को किसी वस्तु/गुण की समझ ही न हो, वह उसका महत्व नहीं जान सकता
- Bबंदर द्वारा अदरक खाना
- Cअदरक का स्वाद तीखा होना
- Dजानवरों को खाना खिलाना
Explanation
This proverb applies to a person who has no understanding of a particular object, art or quality, and therefore cannot judge its true value or importance.
Frequently asked questions
What is a लोकोक्ति (lokokti) (proverb)?+
A well-known, complete-sentence-like saying that captures the essence of an event or folk experience is called a लोकोक्ति (lokokti) — for example, ‘हाथ कंगन को आरसी क्या (haath kangan ko aarsi kya)’.
How many REET questions come from proverbs?+
REET 2024 had 4 questions from this topic — based on identifying implied meaning and distinguishing proverbs from idioms. It is a regular part of Bhasha-I/II every year.
What is the main difference between लोकोक्ति (lokokti) and मुहावरा (muhavara)?+
A लोकोक्ति (lokokti) is a complete sentence in itself and doesn’t change, whereas a मुहावरा (muhavara) is a phrase that changes with tense and number when fitted into a sentence, and usually ends in ‘-na’.
What is an easy way to remember proverbs?+
Tie each proverb to a short story or an everyday incident; rote-memorising the literal meaning alone makes the implied meaning easy to forget.
Does every proverb carry a moral lesson?+
Most proverbs carry some life-experience or moral lesson within them, while this isn’t necessarily true of idioms — an idiom is mainly used to express an action or feeling in a decorative way.
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Change Log
- 17 September 2026 — English page published — mirrors the fact-checked Hindi page, independently bilingual-accuracy checked