दूर से सुंदर लगना
उस लड़की को दूर से सुंदर लग रहा था, पर पास आने पर पता चला कि उसका चेहरा इतना खूबसूरत नहीं था।
That girl seemed attractive from afar, but when she came closer, it turned out her face wasn't that beautiful.
To appear more attractive or desirable when viewed from a distance, often due to idealization or lack of close scrutiny.
उस फिल्म की कहानी दूर से सुंदर लग रही थी, लेकिन असल में वह बहुत निराशाजनक थी।
The movie's plot seemed attractive from afar, but in reality, it was very disappointing.
उसका व्यक्तित्व दूर से सुंदर लगता है, लेकिन असल में वह बहुत कठोर है।
His personality seems attractive from afar, but in reality, he is very harsh.
Often used to describe situations where initial impressions are misleading due to lack of close observation or idealization.
Collocations
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Cultural Context
This idiom reflects the Hindi cultural value of 'dekhne mein achha lagna' (seeming good at first glance), which often contrasts with the reality. It is commonly used in conversations about relationships, art, or ideas where initial impressions are idealized.
Gold Rule
Usage Scenario
Use this idiom when someone's initial impression is overly positive but later proves to be misleading. For example, describing a movie that looked promising in trailers but was disappointing upon watching.
Word Origin
The phrase combines 'दूर' (distant), 'से' (from), 'सुंदर' (beautiful), and 'लगना' (to seem/appear). It reflects the Hindi cultural emphasis on first impressions and the tendency to idealize things when seen from a distance, often leading to disappointment upon closer inspection.
Usage Notes
This idiom is commonly used in Hindi to describe situations where initial impressions are deceptive. It can apply to people, objects, or abstract concepts like ideas or plans. The phrase carries a slightly negative connotation, implying that the true nature is revealed upon closer examination.