That’s Easier Said Than Done – कहना आसान है, करना मुश्किल / बातें बनाना आसान है

The idiom “That’s easier said than done” is used to acknowledge that something sounds simple or easy when someone talks about it, but in reality, it is much harder to achieve or perform. It reflects the difficulty of actually carrying out an action or task, even if it seems easy when spoken.

Meaning:

• The phrase “That’s easier said than done” means that talking about a plan, goal, or task might sound simple, but executing or achieving it is a lot harder.
• It emphasizes that while someone may suggest a solution or idea, actually making it happen is much more challenging.
• The idiom is often used when people make suggestions or recommendations that sound easy, but the reality of implementation is quite different.

Used When:

• When someone suggests an idea or solution that sounds simple, but in reality, it requires a lot of effort, time, or resources to complete.
• It reflects the difference between theory (what is easy to say) and practice (what is hard to do).
• It is used when you want to acknowledge that a task may seem straightforward but requires much more than what is being said.

Implied Message:
The idiom expresses the idea that although something may seem simple or easy to say, there is a greater difficulty involved when you actually try to do it. It suggests that action requires more effort, skill, or preparation than words alone.

Hindi Equivalent:
“कहना आसान है, करना मुश्किल” or “बातें बनाना आसान है”
(अर्थ: जो काम कहने में आसान लगता है, उसे करना उतना ही मुश्किल होता है।)

Detailed Explanation
The idiom “That’s easier said than done” is used to highlight the gap between theory and practice. For example, someone may suggest getting fit by working out every day, but in reality, it takes a lot of time, effort, and dedication to follow through with it. Saying “I’ll start exercising every day” is easier than actually doing it.

This phrase can also be used to acknowledge the difficulty of a task when someone is giving advice or suggesting something without fully understanding the challenges involved.

Example Scenario:
Imagine someone tells you, “Just relax and don’t worry about the exam, you’ll do fine.” You might respond, “That’s easier said than done,” acknowledging that staying calm and not worrying is far harder than it seems, especially when you’re preparing for a big test.

Example Sentences:
English: “You think solving this issue will be quick? That’s easier said than done.”
Hindi: “तुम्हें लगता है कि इस समस्या का हल जल्दी हो जाएगा? कहना आसान है, करना मुश्किल है।”

Key Takeaways:

• “That’s easier said than done” acknowledges that actions are often harder than words.
• The idiom points out the difference between simple suggestions and actual execution.
• It’s often used when someone makes a statement that sounds easy but is difficult to carry out in reality.

Origin of the Idiom:
The idiom “That’s easier said than done” dates back to at least the 16th century, reflecting the understanding that many things are easier to talk about than to actually perform. The phrase has become a way of expressing skepticism about the feasibility of a task or idea.

Real-World Examples:

In Conversations:
English: “You think I can finish the report in an hour? That’s easier said than done, I’ve got a lot of work to do.”
Hindi: “तुम्हें लगता है कि मैं एक घंटे में रिपोर्ट खत्म कर सकता हूँ? कहना आसान है, करना मुश्किल है।”

In the Media:
English: “Everyone tells me to stay positive, but that’s easier said than done when you’re going through tough times.”
Hindi: “हर कोई मुझे पॉजिटिव रहने के लिए कहता है, लेकिन कहना आसान है, करना मुश्किल है जब आप कठिन समय से गुजर रहे होते हैं।”

When to Use the Idiom:

• When someone offers advice or makes a suggestion that sounds simple, but you know the reality of following through is difficult.
• To express the challenge of turning words into actions, or ideas into reality.
• To reflect frustration or skepticism about something that sounds too good to be true or overly simplistic.

Reflection Questions:

• Can you think of a time when you heard someone suggest something that sounded easy but turned out to be much harder in reality?
• How do you deal with situations where something is easier said than done?

Similar Expressions

English Idiom	Hindi Meaning
Easier said than done	कहना आसान है, करना मुश्किल
A lot easier to talk about than to do	बातें बनाना आसान है, करना मुश्किल है
Talk is cheap	बातें सस्ती होती हैं
Words are easy, actions are hard	बातें आसान होती हैं, काम कठिन होता है