translation q

May 18, 2006 2:02 AM

Can someone translate this phrase from an Indian language (Hindi?) into English please? Many thanks.

The phrase is "Hum logon ko jab bhi Mumbai mein maal ki kami hoti hai, Goa se delivery aati hai."

posted by dydecker to writing & language (4 comments total)

Literal translation: whenever we folks run short of stuff in Mumbai, a delivery from Goa comes.
posted by madman at 2:22 AM on May 18, 2006

"stuff" or "goods" is the closest meaning of "maal" that I can think of. While I don't know the context of this sentence, it does sound suspiciously like they're talking about drugs. :)
posted by madman at 2:24 AM on May 18, 2006

Thanks madman. And yes, your guess as to what 'maal' means is on the money!
posted by dydecker at 2:33 AM on May 18, 2006

Sometimes, attractive girls are also referred as "maal" in Hindi

So that means when there is a shortage of good looking chicks in Mumbai, we bring them from Goa.
posted by labnol at 4:04 AM on May 18, 2006