अब पछताए होत क्या जब काम हो गया

/əb pəʈɑːeː hoːt kʰə jaːb kɑːm ho gəɪ̯/proverb
too late to regret

अब पछताए होत क्या जब काम हो गया?

What’s the use of regretting now when the work is done?


What It Really Means
The phrase metaphorically conveys that regret or repentance after the completion of an action is useless and comes too late to change the outcome.
Literal Meaning
What use is there in regretting now when the work is done?
Literal Breakdown
अबnow+पछताए होतis there regret+क्याwhat+जब काम हो गयाwhen the work is done
Mental Image
Imagine a person who has finished a task but realizes they made a mistake. The imagery is of someone looking back with regret, realizing that their actions (or inactions) have already led to an irreversible outcome.
When to Use
A student who didn’t study for an exam and fails it might hear this proverb from a teacher or parent, emphasizing that their lack of preparation has already led to failure and regret is now pointless.
Cultural Note
This proverb reflects the cultural emphasis in Hindi-speaking regions on timely action and foresight. It is often cited in moral teachings and folk wisdom to encourage proactive behavior and responsibility.
informal

An expression used to convey that regretting or repenting after something has already happened is pointless and futile.

तुमने पढ़ाई नहीं की और अब परीक्षा में फेल हो गए। अब पछताए होत क्या जब काम हो गया?

You didn’t study and now you’ve failed the exam. What’s the use of regretting now when the work is done?

उसने समय रहते फैसला नहीं लिया और अब पछताते हुए बैठा है। अब पछताए होत क्या जब काम हो गया?

He didn’t make a decision in time and now sits regretting it. What’s the use of regretting now when the work is done?

This proverb is often used to criticize someone for their inaction or poor planning when it’s too late to change the outcome.

Related Phrases

अग्नि परीक्षाmetaphor
trial by fire (a test of one's mettle)

Pro Tip

When to use this proverb

Use this proverb when someone has missed an opportunity or failed to act in time, and you want to emphasize that their regret is now meaningless. It’s a strong way to point out someone’s mistake without directly insulting them.

Gold Rule

Avoid using this proverb in formal settings

This proverb is informal and carries a tone of reproach. It is best suited for casual conversations among friends or family, not in professional or formal contexts.

Word Origin

This proverb originates from Hindi and Urdu literature, where it is commonly found in folk wisdom and moral teachings. The phrase combines 'अब' (now), 'पछताए' (to regret), 'होत' (is), 'क्या' (what), 'जब' (when), 'काम' (work), 'हो गया' (is done) to form a rhetorical question emphasizing the futility of regret after the fact.

Usage Notes

This proverb is typically used in informal conversations to scold someone for their negligence or to highlight the importance of timely action. It carries a tone of reproach and is often used in situations where someone has missed an opportunity due to procrastination or lack of foresight.

Word Breakdown

अब
now
adverb
+
पछताए
to regret
verb (past participle)
+
होत
is
verb (auxiliary)
+
क्या
what
interrogative pronoun
+
जब
when
conjunction
+
काम
work
noun
+
हो गया
is done
verb phrase
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