एक अनार सौ बीमार नहीं

/ek əˈnɑːr soː ˈbiːmɑːr nəˈhiː/
idiomIntermediate one rotten apple spoils the barrelproverb
What It Really Means
A single corrupt or negative individual can ruin the integrity or morale of an entire group.
Literal Meaning
One pomegranate can spoil a hundred others if stored together.
Literal Breakdown
एकone+अनारpomegranate+सौhundred+बीमारsick/rotten+नहींnot
Mental Image
The mental picture is of a single spoiled fruit contaminating a large batch of good ones, symbolizing how one bad actor can corrupt an entire community or system.
When to Use
Imagine a workplace where one employee consistently violates company policies, leading to disciplinary actions against the entire team. A manager might say, 'उस टीम में एक सदस्य की गलतियों से पूरे विभाग पर असर पड़ा। सच है, एक अनार सौ बीमार नहीं।' (One member's mistakes affected the entire department. It's true, one rotten apple spoils the barrel.)
Cultural Note
This proverb is deeply rooted in Hindi-speaking cultures, where communal living and shared responsibility are emphasized. It reflects a pragmatic approach to social dynamics, prioritizing the greater good over individual exceptions.
formal

A single bad or corrupt individual can negatively influence or ruin an entire group or system.

उस टीम में एक सदस्य की नकारात्मक सोच से पूरे समूह का मनोबल गिर गया। सच है, एक अनार सौ बीमार नहीं।

One member's negative attitude brought down the morale of the entire group. It's true, one rotten apple spoils the barrel.

💡

Often used to warn against the influence of a single problematic person in a collective setting.

💡Pro Tip

Cultural Context

This proverb reflects the collective mindset in Hindi-speaking cultures, where group harmony and individual responsibility are highly valued. It is often used to justify strict group discipline or exclusion of problematic members.

Gold Rule

Usage in Modern Contexts

While the proverb is traditional, it is still widely used in modern Hindi discourse, especially in discussions about workplace ethics, social media behavior, and political corruption.

📖Word Origin

The proverb originates from the literal observation that one spoiled pomegranate (अनार) can spoil a hundred good ones (बीमार) if stored together. It metaphorically extends to human behavior, suggesting that one corrupt or negative individual can corrupt an entire group.

📝Usage Notes

This proverb is commonly used in Hindi-speaking cultures to emphasize the importance of maintaining integrity and vigilance in groups. It is often cited in organizational, social, or familial contexts where the actions of one individual can have widespread consequences.

Word Breakdown

एक
one
numeral
+
अनार
pomegranate
noun
+
सौ
hundred
numeral
+
बीमार
sick/rotten
adjective
+
नहीं
not
negation
हिन्दी-अंग्रेज़ी शब्दकोश