Give Loan, Enemy Own – उधार दो, दुश्मन बनाओ Meaning & Explanation

Meaning & Explanation
The idiom “Give loan, enemy own” means:
Lending money or resources to someone can often lead to bad consequences, as it might create resentment or conflict (किसी को उधार देना अक्सर बुरी स्थिति उत्पन्न कर सकता है, क्योंकि इससे नाराजगी या संघर्ष हो सकता है)
The idea is that a loan can strain relationships and turn a once-friendly connection into a hostile one (उधारी रिश्तों को तनावपूर्ण बना सकती है और एक दोस्ताना संबंध को दुश्मन में बदल सकती है)
Giving a loan to someone, especially if they are not trustworthy or financially stable, might backfire and result in becoming enemies rather than friends (किसी को उधार देना, खासकर यदि वह भरोसेमंद या वित्तीय रूप से स्थिर न हो, उल्टा पड़ सकता है और दोस्ती की जगह दुश्मनी हो सकती है)

This phrase highlights the risk involved in lending to others, and it reflects a common warning about how money can often lead to tension and ruin personal relationships.

Hindi Equivalent:
“उधार दो, दुश्मन बनाओ” (Lend, and you make an enemy)
“कर्ज देने से रिश्ते बिगड़ सकते हैं” (Lending might spoil relationships)
“उधारी से दुश्मनी हो सकती है” (Loans might lead to enmity)

Detailed Explanation
This idiom is used when:
A person lends money or resources to another, and the relationship turns sour due to a lack of repayment or trust issues
It’s a cautionary phrase that warns against mixing finances with friendships
It signifies that financial help can sometimes harm the giver more than it helps the receiver, especially when the terms are not clear or respected

Common contexts: Lending money to friends or family, offering financial assistance in business, discussions about finances and relationships

Real-Life Examples

Lending to a Friend
English: “I shouldn’t have given him that loan; now he’s avoiding me. Give loan, enemy own!”
Hindi: “मुझे उसे उधार नहीं देना चाहिए था, अब वह मुझे टाल रहा है। उधार दो, दुश्मन बनाओ!”

Family Loan Gone Wrong
English: “I gave my cousin a loan for his business, and now we’re not even talking. It’s true, give loan, enemy own.”
Hindi: “मैंने अपने कज़िन को उसके व्यवसाय के लिए उधार दिया, और अब हम एक-दूसरे से बात भी नहीं कर रहे। यह सच है, उधार दो, दुश्मन बनाओ।”

Business Conflict Over Loan
English: “I loaned him money for his startup, and now he’s trying to avoid paying me back. This is a classic example of give loan, enemy own.”
Hindi: “मैंने उसे उसके स्टार्टअप के लिए पैसे उधार दिए, और अब वह मुझे वापस पैसे देने से बच रहा है। यह ‘उधार दो, दुश्मन बनाओ’ का एक क्लासिक उदाहरण है।”

Psychological & Social Insight

Why This Phrase Matters:
✓ It offers a warning about the potential risks of mixing finances with relationships
✓ It reflects the reality that money can sometimes damage trust and create hostility between people
✓ It teaches that giving loans can lead to complicated emotions, such as resentment, if the terms aren’t clear or if repayment isn’t honored

When to Use This Phrase:
When discussing the challenges or risks involved in lending money to friends, family, or acquaintances
When sharing cautionary tales about how lending has harmed a relationship
In situations where a loan has led to misunderstanding or conflict

Usage Tips
Use this phrase when you want to caution someone about lending money or resources
It’s often used in a negative context, so be mindful of the tone when saying it
Don’t use this idiom when someone is simply asking for financial help; reserve it for situations where the loan has led to a breakdown in the relationship

Similar Expressions

English	Hindi
“Neither a borrower nor a lender be”	“न उधारी लेना न उधार देना”
“Money is the root of all evil”	“पैसा बुराई की जड़ है”
“Don’t mix business with pleasure”	“कारोबार और खुशी को साथ में मत मिलाओ”

Cultural Perspectives
Western View: In Western cultures, lending money to family or friends is often viewed as risky, and this idiom is commonly used to illustrate the potential problems that arise from financial loans within close relationships. The idea is that money should not come between friends or family.
Indian Context: In India, this idiom resonates strongly, especially in a culture where family bonds are deep, and lending within the family is common. However, many still hold the belief that financial dealings, even within families, can cause rifts.
Global Relevance: Globally, this idiom has relevance in every culture where lending money to a friend or relative might lead to misunderstanding or conflict. It serves as a universal warning about the complexities of money in personal relationships.

Reflection Questions:

• Have you ever lent money to someone close to you, and did it affect your relationship?
• How do you decide when or whether to lend money to friends or family?
• What steps can be taken to avoid conflicts when lending money to others?