Talk:Telugu proverbs

Bhasha pattukovadam

Chethulu kaalinaaka aakulu pattukunnatlu
Full telugu In this topic Gathikithe athakadhu


 * చేతులు కాలినాక ఆకులు పట్టుకున్నట్లు
 * Literal: Chethulu kaalinaaka aakulu pattukunnatlu
 * Translation: (no point in) holding medicinal leaves after burning one's hands


 * Alternate Translation: Like holding leaves after burning hands


 * Meaning: One should be careful and not touch fire in the first place. What is the point of holding (or rubbing) medicinal leaves after burning the hands?


 * Alternate Meaning: In the olden days when people used to cook food in the farms, they used readily available leaves in the farm to take out dishes from fire once cooked. So the proverb says use leaves while taking out the hot vessels from fire. There is no point in burning hands and using leaves later on to sooth them.


 * Moral: Prevention is better than cure

Mohamataniki poyi munda kadupu techukundanta
It is to criticise some one who is too shy & submissive. It literally translates to "being too submissive, a widow gets pregnant". It is to be understood that an Indian widow, in olden days was not supposed to get married again. This proverb is used when some one is too submissive & succumbs to others demands or orders against his own will.

Telugu: మొహమాటానికి పోయి ముండ కడుపు

Kukka katuki cheppu debba

 * kukka katuki cheppu debba - కుక్క కాటుకి చెప్పు దెబ్బ
 * The meaning of this proverb is that one should respond with appropriate measure to any unethical or unreasonable action by your opponent instead of being submissive or cowered.

Literal translation: Kukka katu = a dogs bite, cheppu = footwear, debba = slap,hit.

An equivalent saying in english would be ' Tit for tat'.

Thinninti vaasaalu lekkapettu
The origin of the proverb is rooted in the telugu folklore. The background of the proverb comes from the relationship of a host and a guest. If a stranger is given hospitality by a kind person, s/he starts counting the vaasaalu( bamboo bars) used in the construction of a house/thatched hut. It means that after having his/her meals the person is eyeing for something more.
 * Thinninti vaasaalu lekkapettu - తిన్నింటి వాసాలు లెక్కపెట్టు
 * This proverb is used when someone who is trusted and helped by a person, cheats his/her benefactor.


 * Thinniti=Host's house
 * vaasaalu=Bamboo bars
 * lekkapettu=counting

Thini - After eating (having meal). Inti vaasaalu - bamboos (bamboo trees) of the household. Lekkapettu - counting.

The unwanted guest is not contented with the free meal alone, eyeing for more.

Alasyam amrutam visham

 * Alasyam amrutam visham - ఆలస్యం ఆమృతం విషం
 * The literal meaning of the proverb is, if you make delay even ambrosia turns into poison.

It is used to emphasize the importance of time and punctuality in our lives. If we don't do the right thing at RIGHT time, it no longer remains as a right thing. An equivalent saying in english would be "A stich in time saves nine".

Parigetti Paalu Thaage Kante Nilchuni Neellu Thaagatam Melu
Upendra G
 * Parigetti Paalu Thaage Kante Nilchuni Neellu Thaagatam Melu - పరిగెత్తి పాలు తాగే కంటే నిల్చుని నీళ్లు తాగడం మేలు
 * It is better to have water at your place, rather than run and have milk

Make use of the available things first before you run for the unavailable

'A bird in hand is better than two in the bush.'

Siggu Leni vadiki Navve Sringhaaram

 * Siggu Leni vadiki Navve Sringhaaram


 * The literal meaning of the proverb is, Laughter is the ornament for the shameless.

It is used to describe the person who ,after doing something wrong, laughs instead of feeling shameful for what that person has done.

Subham Palakara Pellikodaka Ante PelliKuturu Munda Ekkada Chachindi Annadanta

 * Subham Palakara Pellikodaka Ante PelliKuturu Munda Ekkada Chachindi Annadanta  - శుభం పలకరా పెళ్ళికొడక అంటే పెళ్లికూతురు ముండ ఎక్కడ చచ్చింది అన్నాడంట

After marriage the bridegroom says the word Subham in Telugu culture to signify the end of the ceremony.The proverb is used to describe a person with a negative attitude and when doing something is very pessimistic about it.

Pichuka Meeda Brahmastram

 * Pichuka Meeda Brahmastram - పిచ్చుక మీద బ్రహ్మాస్త్రం
 * The literal meaning of the proverb is, using Brahmastram on a small bird.

Pichuka means a small bird (sparrow). Brahmastram is the most powerful weapon according to Hindu mythology. The proverb refers to situations where one uses disproportionately excessive force on a weak opponent.

Koose Gadida Vachi Mese Gaadidani Chedakottindi Anta

 * Koose Gadida Vachi Mese Gaadidani Chedakottindi Anta - కూసే గాడిద వచ్చి మేసే గాడిదని చెడకొట్టింది అంట
 * The literal meaning of the proverb is, the braying donkey comes and disturbs the grazing donkey.

It is used to describe people who are not productive (the braying donkey), but go around disturbing others who are doing something more productive (the grazing donkey). Well, it presupposes that grazing is more productive than braying!

Nidra poye vadini nidra leppochu kani; Nidra poyinnatu natinche vadini nidra lepalem
Meaning: You can wake up someone who is sleeping; It is impossible to wake up a person who is pretending to be asleep

Context: You can convince someone who is sincere, but impossible to convince someone who is pretending to be sincere.
 * yes, this is correct.

నిద్ర పోయే వాడిని లేపోవచ్చు కాని నిద్ర పోయినట్టు నటించే వాడిని నిద్ర లేపెలేము. Nidra poyE vADini lEpOvacchu kAni, nidra pOyinaTTu naTinchE vADini nidra lEpelEmu.

Pommanu vaaru kaadu poga pettu vaaru
Can also be used when someone.. "When someone cannot convince another person in any way, he will convince him forcibly"
 * pommana leka poga peTTinaTTlu - పొమ్మను వారు కాదు పొగ బెట్టు వారు
 * Literal translation is: "Instead of directly asking someone to leave, making them leave by starting some smoke", referring to indirect actions in place of direct words.
 * Meaning is "If you cannot ask someone to leave, make the situation untenable for them to stay"

Minga metukuledu meesalaki sampenga nune ani

 * minga metukuledu kani meesalaki sampenga nune ani - మింగ మెతుకు లేదు కానీ మీసాలకు సంపంగ నూనె అని

The context where this fits correctly is where we don't have the basic amenities,but we look for luxuries.....

word to word meaning:

Minga = to eat methuku = single unit of rice ledu = not there meesalaku = to the moustache sampenga = an aromatic flower from which oil can be made nune = oil

Put together we don't have a single rice grain to eat,but we want the aromatic oil for the moustache...

Poruginti pulla koora ruchI English Equivalent: Grass on the other side is greener.

literal meaning: Neighbor's side dish is always tastier.

Chinta chachina pulupu chaavaledu ani
Literal translation: Even if a tamarind is of no use the pungent taste it contains never dies. Meaning: A person can be down and out in his life but the arrogance and the pesky nature never dies in him.
 * Chinta chachina pulupu chaavaledu ani - చింత చచ్చిన పులుపు చావలేదు అని

Donga Munda Pelliki Chavu Melem
Literal Translation :To the marriage of a unfit bride a funeral orchestra joins. Meaning: To do a unnecessary work being done by a vagabond another one joins/supports.
 * Donga Munda Pelliki Chavu Melam  - దొంగ ముండ పెళ్ళికి చావు మేలం
 * Another version of this proverb is Kukka Muddi Pandi Nakindi

Andite juttu andaka pothe kaalu
అందితే జుట్టు అందకపొతే కాళ్ళు Literal translation: If possible (go for) hair, if not (go for) feet.
 * Andite juttu andaka pothe kaalu

This refers to situations where someone is willing to do anything to get one's way. Grabbing hair refers to use of force while going for feet refers to pleading. So, the overall idea is - if use of force doesnt work, beg & plead.

Yenki pelli subbi chaavu kochindi
Literal translation: Yenki's ( a persons name) marriage has resulted in Subbi's ( a persons name)death. Meaning: A person is suffering to the maximum because of somebody else's cause(celebrations).
 * Yenki pelli subbi chaavu kochindi

veedilo pilli Intlo puli
Literal translation: A Tiger at home, but a cat outdoors. Refers to people's inconsistent behavior in their comfort zone vs. other areas. Tiger implies confident and aggressive behavior, while cat refers to meek and timid behavior. So, the proverb suggests that one behaves confidently at home (tiger when indoors) but gets all meeka and timid outside (the cat outdoors)
 * Intlo puli veedilo pilli

Toorpu tirigi dhandam pettu
Literal translation: Turn East and pray Used to indicate that all options in a given situation are exhausted, and the last resort is to just pray and hope for divine intervention. (Hindu prayers are done facing east). It is like saying "Tried everything, all we can do now is turn east and pray".
 * Toorpu tirigi dhandam pettu

Modatikae mosam moguda ante pesarapappu pellama annattu
Literal translation : Wife says its getting impossible (financially) and husband asks for green gram (a kind of lentils, considered premium).
 * Modatikae mosam moguda ante pesarapappu pellama annattu

Indicates someone being out of touch with reality. It is similar to the quote attributed to Marie Antoinette about asking people to eat cake when they have no bread.

Illu alaggane pandaga kaadu
It is a general practice to clean the house on a festival day apart from other things. Here it means that, if you have finished decorating your home, it does not mean that the festival is over. This is similar to saying, if you got A grade in mid term, it does not mean you will have A grade in that subject.
 * Illalaggane pandaga kaadu

In modern english "One swallow does not make a summer".

Aadadi tirigi chaedutundi, Magavaadu tiragaka chaedataadu

 * Aadadi tirigi chaedutundi, Magavaadu tiragaka chaedataadu

Broadly, this translates to - A woman gets corrupted with too much socializing, and Man gets corrupted with too little. In current day, this would be sexist and inappropriate. The intended message is more on the lines of : Women spending too much time outside home (socializing, gossiping etc.) are no good, while for a man spending too much time at home (not being out there and winning the bread, probably) is not good. It would be sensible to consider that "anyone" who doesn't earn for themselves and waste time with trivial things is being unproductive. So the quote can be considered sexist.

Literally, this proverb means person carrying the sedan chair (a type of human powered transport) knows the weight of it. this can be used in the context of explaining the pain or struggle of an individual who takes huge responsibility onto himself.
 * Mose vadiki telsu kaavadi baruvu...మోసే వాడికి తెలుసు కావడి బరువు...

Others
Literally: when A suggests to B not to eat while shitting, instead of listening B replies that he will eat with it.
 * earigetappudu thinoodhura ante, adduka thinta anndu ata..

This is used in the context when the experience of others is not made to use and people do exactly opposite to what is suggested.


 * aalu ledu cholu ledu koduku peru somalingam..ఆలూ లేదు చూలూ లేదు కొడుకు పేరు సోమలింగం..

Literally : No wife yet, No pregnancy yet, but planning to name the son as "Somalingam".

This is used in the context of someone daydreaming about things that are so far ahead in time and nowhere in immediate sight. Someone who is dreaming the future (a son's name), but doesnt have the minimum requirements (a pregnant wife).

even though you have all you need, you are unable to make business as your son-in-law doesn't talk good about it.
 * angatlo anni unna alludi notlo shani...అంగట్లో అన్ని ఉన్నా అల్లుడి నోట్లో శని


 * antya nisturam kanna aadi nisturam melu...అంత్య నిష్ఠూర౦ కన్నా ఆది నిష్ఠూర౦ మేలు...

Literally, this proverb means unreachable grapes are sour. It is similar to the proverb "The grapes are sour, said the fox, when he could not get at them". This can be used in context when a person fails to achieve something and he says it was not worth it.
 * andani draksha pallu pullana..అందని ద్రాక్ష పళ్లు పుల్లన..
 * ambali taage vadiki meesalu egabette vadu okadu..అంబలి తాగే వాడికి మీసాలు ఎగబెట్టే వాడు ఒకడు..

Literally, this proverb means - a person who answer's is taken for granted by the person who question's him. This can be used in the context of a person who asks too many questions to others. Literally, this proverb means-forest lit with moonlight. This is used in context of something very precious is provided when there is no one to benefit out of it. Literally this proverb means that "Obstacle in starting of a work". This is used when an obstacle occurs at the very beginning stage of a work.
 * adige vaadiki cheppe vadu lookuva...అడిగే వాడికి చెప్పే వాడు లోకువ...
 * adavi kaachina vennala..అడవి కాచిన వెన్నెల..
 * aadilone hamsapaadam..ఆదిలోనే హంసపాదం..


 * unte ooru pothe paadu..ఉంటే ఊరు పోతే పాడు..

Translating literally it means " Why speaking truth makes angry". This is used when some one gets angry by listnening a truth.
 * Unnamata ante uluku enduku..ఉన్నమాట అంటే ఉలుకు ఎందుకు..


 * Kanchu mooginattu kanakambu moogunaa..కంచు మోగినట్టు కనకంబు మోగునా ..


 * Karva mante paamu kopam vidava mante kappa kopam


 * teluku pettanam isthe tellavarlu kuttindanta...తేలుకు పెత్తనం ఇస్తే తెల్లవార్లు కుట్టిందంట...


 * Penuku pettanam isthe thala antha gorikipettindi anta...పేనుకు పెత్తనం ఇస్తే తల అంత కొరికి పెట్టింది అంట...

Literally, this proverb means decorate your house until there is light. It can be used in the same context as of the english proverb "Make hay while the sun shines".
 * deepam undagane illu chakkabettukovali...దీపo ఉండగానే ఇల్లు చక్కబెట్టుకోవాలి... Make hay while the sun shines.


 * Inta gelichi raccha gelavali ...ఇoట గెలిచి రచ్చ గెలవాలి
 * Oollo pelliki kukkala hadavidi ....ఊళ్ళో పెళ్ళి కి కుక్కల హడావిడి


 * Rameswarsam vellina saneswaram tappadannattu...రామేశ్వరం పోయినా శనేశ్వరం తప్పదన్నట్టు


 * Gathi leka ganji thagu thunte, lange addu vacchindhi


 * Bellam vunda ante allam vundi annadu ata..... బెల్లం ఉందా అంటే అల్లం ఉంది అన్నాడు అట

It literally means, "a braying donkey disturbs eating donkey". It refers to one who disturbs others meaninglessly.
 * Kuse gadida vachi mese gadidani chedagotindi.....కూసే గాడిద వచ్చి మేసే గాడిద ని చెడగొట్టింది


 * Moolige nakka meeda/pina taati kaya paddattu....మూలిగే నక్క  మీద/పైన తాటి  కాయ పడ్డట్టు

means, if agreed to assist delivery of baby, you should take out baby or shit what ever comes out
 * Mantrasani pani voppukunnaka, pilla vachchina thiyyali, penta vachchina thiyyali

means, first daughters marriage is still pending and father is searching bridegroom for last daughter.
 * Modati daniki mogudu ledu kada daniki kalyanamata


 * Mundundi musalla panduga -- Worse is yet to come


 * Mosevadimeede marintha bharuvu -- All lay loads on a willing horse.


 * Kaki pilla kaki ki muddu -- Every potter likes his own pot.

In modern english "APPLE DOES NOT FALL FAR FROM THE TREE"
 * Vithanam okati aithe mokka inkokati avsthunda -- Generally this proverb used to refer parents and childs attitude..

=Telangana region= These are the proverbs used in the Regions of telegana and Andhra Pradesh mainly in villages, with a different dialect of Telugu language.


 * Ponle paapamani paata bhatta isthe; Gudi enka poyi uri vesukundi anta

Meaning: Out of mercy I gave a used cloth; this lady used it for hanging self

Context: If someone does something as charity, what is done as charity is used for wrongful purpose

Meaning: There is no hill i have not scaled; nor a un-prayed stone
 * Ekkani konda ledu; Mokkani banda ledu

Context: There is nothing that was not done to achieve something

Meaning: If you drink milk sitting under a palm tree, people will assume you are having toddy (palm wine)
 * Tadi chetti kinda kurchoni paalu tagina adi kalle anukuntaru

Meaning: He came, he ate, he left (the municipal guy)
 * Aadiya kaadiya chaldiya Baldiya

Context: Used to mock municipal staff in erstwhile Hyderabad state

Meaning: If a hen is given for a village, a feather is what one household gets
 * Oori koka kodi isthe, inti koka eeka nanta

Context: Used when something insufficient is given or offered

Meaning If you call him a good person, he will sleep in your bed
 * manchodu manchodu ante manchamekkadanta

context If some one praised well ,they sit on your shoulders/they become a burdain

Telugu
Telugu 2409:4070:4516:62F6:0:0:21A2:E8A0 08:35, 24 July 2022 (UTC)

Turupu tirigi dandam pettu
Turupu tirigi dandam pettu 2409:40F0:1021:3ECC:8000:0:0:0 18:01, 22 April 2023 (UTC)

ముందు ఉంది ముస్సాల్ల పండగ
Gtfhuf 106.76.202.95 17:34, 25 June 2023 (UTC)