मुँह में पानी भर आना

mũh mẽ pānī bhar ānā◆idiom
mouth watering

उसके हाथ में जब से सोनू ने वह चॉकलेट देखा, उसके मुँह में पानी भर आया।

As soon as Sonu saw that chocolate in his hand, his mouth started watering.

◆ What It Really Means
To feel a strong craving or desire, especially for food, due to seeing or thinking about it.
Literal Meaning
Water fills the mouth.
Literal Breakdown
मुँहmouth+मेंin+पानीwater+भर आनाto fill up
◇ Mental Image
The mental picture of saliva filling the mouth in anticipation of delicious food.
◈ When to Use
Imagine someone walking past a bakery and smelling fresh bread. They might say, 'मेरे मुँह में पानी भर आया!' (My mouth watered!) even if they didn't actually salivate.
◉ Cultural Note
This idiom reflects the cultural importance of food in Hindi-speaking regions, where food is often central to social gatherings and celebrations. The idiom emphasizes the physical reaction to food, which is seen as a natural and universal response.
informal

To feel a strong desire for something, especially food, due to seeing or thinking about it.

जब उसने बाज़ार से ताज़े आम लाए, तो मेरे मुँह में पानी भर आया।

When he brought fresh mangoes from the market, my mouth started watering.

उसके खाने के बारे में सुनकर ही मेरे मुँह में पानी भर आया।

Just hearing about the food made my mouth water.

Often used when someone is tempted by the sight or smell of delicious food.

Related Phrases

दिल भर जानाidiom
to feel satisfied or overwhelmed with desire

Pro Tip

Usage Tip

Use this idiom when someone is visibly tempted by food, even if they don't say it out loud. It's more about the physical reaction (salivation) than just wanting something.

Gold Rule

Avoid Literal Translation

Do not translate this idiom word-for-word as 'water fills the mouth.' Instead, use 'mouth waters' or 'feel hungry at the sight of food.'

Usage Notes

This idiom is commonly used in everyday Hindi conversations, especially when describing hunger or craving triggered by food.

Word Breakdown

मुँह
mouth
root
+
में
in
postposition
+
पानी
water
root
+
भर आना
to fill up
verb phrase
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