सौ बीमार एक बीमारी

/sɔː bimaːr ek bimaːriː/
phrase★Intermediate— many problems share a common root◆proverb
◆ What It Really Means
A situation where multiple apparent problems are actually symptoms of a single underlying issue, suggesting that addressing the root cause will resolve all related problems.
Literal Meaning
A hundred sick people suffering from the same disease.
Literal Breakdown
सौ बीमारa hundred sick people+एक बीमारीone disease
◇ Mental Image
The mental picture of a hundred people lying sick in a room, all suffering from the same illness. This image emphasizes that treating individual symptoms won’t help; the disease itself must be cured.
◈ When to Use
During a team meeting at work, when employees complain about low productivity, communication breakdowns, and high stress levels, a manager might say, 'सौ बीमार एक बीमारी है। हमें काम के बोझ को कम करना होगा।' (Many problems stem from one root cause: we need to reduce the workload.)
◉ Cultural Note
This proverb reflects traditional Indian holistic thinking, where health and problems are often seen as interconnected systems rather than isolated issues. It is commonly used in Hindi-speaking regions to encourage systemic problem-solving.
literary

When multiple issues or problems in a situation are actually symptoms of a single underlying cause.

उस परिवार में सौ बीमार एक बीमारी थी, सारा झगड़ा पैसों को लेकर था।

In that family, all the fights stemmed from one root cause: money.

स्कूल में सौ बीमार एक बीमारी थी, शिक्षकों की कमी के कारण सब कुछ प्रभावित हो रहा था।

The school had many problems, but they all stemmed from one root cause: a shortage of teachers.

💡

Often used to emphasize that addressing the core issue will resolve multiple related problems.

💡Pro Tip

When to use this proverb

Use this proverb when you want to emphasize that multiple problems in a situation are interconnected and share a common origin. It’s particularly useful in management, family discussions, or any context where systemic thinking is needed.

⚡Gold Rule

Avoid literal interpretation

This is a metaphorical proverb. Do not interpret it as suggesting that literally 100 sick people have the same disease, but rather as a way to highlight interconnected problems.

📖Word Origin

A traditional Hindi proverb combining 'सौ' (hundred), 'बीमार' (sick/issue), and 'एक बीमारी' (one sickness). The imagery evokes a situation where a hundred sick people are actually suffering from the same disease, highlighting the shared root cause.

📝Usage Notes

Commonly used in discussions about systemic issues, organizational problems, or family conflicts where multiple symptoms point to a single underlying cause. Often employed in problem-solving contexts to advocate for addressing the core issue rather than treating individual symptoms.

Word Breakdown

सौ
hundred
numeral
+
बीमार
sick/issue
noun/adjective
+
एक
one
numeral
+
बीमारी
disease/sickness
noun
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