ఆడపడుచు బ్రతుకగోరితే, తోడికోడలు చావుకోరుతుంది.

adapaduchu bratukagorite, todikodalu chavukorutundi.

Translation

If the sister-in-law (husband's sister) wishes for life, the co-sister-in-law wishes for death.

Meaning

This proverb highlights the stereotypical and intense rivalry or friction that can exist between women related through marriage in a joint family. It illustrates a conflict of interest where one person's gain or survival is perceived as another's loss, reflecting deep-seated domestic discord or lack of empathy between relatives.

Related Phrases

The life one lived is known at the time of death.

This proverb emphasizes that a person's true character, reputation, and the impact of their life's work are only fully realized and judged by society after they pass away. It is often used to suggest that one's legacy is defined by how they are remembered by others when they are gone.

Does death have a death?

This expression is used to signify that something is eternal, inevitable, or that a particular cycle or entity cannot be destroyed. It often implies that a fundamental reality or a recurring problem cannot be ended or killed off simply.

A signature demands a sacrifice; romance demands the cold.

This proverb highlights the consequences or requirements of specific actions. 'A signature demands a sacrifice' suggests that signing a legal document or contract often involves committing something valuable or taking on a heavy responsibility. 'Romance demands the cold' implies that intimacy and playful affection are best enjoyed in cozy, cold weather. It is used to explain the natural prerequisites or outcomes of certain situations.

A woman who didn't know what to do with her time went to her sister-in-law's sister's wedding.

This proverb is used to describe someone who involves themselves in unnecessary or irrelevant tasks just because they are bored or have nothing better to do. It highlights a person seeking distraction through distant connections or trivial activities.

A woman who had nothing to do went to her co-sister-in-law's parents' house.

This proverb is used to describe a person who, out of boredom or lack of meaningful work, engages in unnecessary, pointless, or irrelevant activities that serve no purpose. It highlights the tendency of idle people to meddle in things that don't concern them just to pass time.

A woman's life is like a banana leaf.

This proverb highlights the perceived vulnerability and fragility of a woman's life in traditional society. Like a banana leaf, which gets damaged whether it falls on a thorn or a thorn falls on it, a woman's reputation or life is seen as being easily affected by circumstances regardless of who is at fault.

I am not grieved because my husband beat me, but because his brother's wife will taunt me. Ridicule is feared more than pain.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is less bothered by the primary hardship or problem itself, but is deeply hurt by the mockery or humiliation they face from peers or others as a result of it. It highlights how social stigma or being looked down upon by equals can be more painful than the actual misfortune.

It is not because the husband beat me, but because the sister-in-law laughed at me.

This proverb describes a situation where the actual pain or loss caused by a primary event is less hurtful than the humiliation or mockery faced from peers or rivals during that event. It is used to highlight how social embarrassment or the gloating of others often stings more than the misfortune itself.

Ellamma's life (or fate) will be known once the day breaks.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where the true outcome or the reality of a person's condition will only be revealed after a period of time or once a specific event concludes. It implies that current appearances might be deceptive and the final truth will come to light eventually.

A stupid woman going to the marriage of her husband's bro- ther's wife's sister. Doing useless things.

This proverb describes someone who gets involved in unnecessary or distant matters just because they are bored or have no work of their own. It is used to mock people who waste time on trivial or unrelated tasks instead of doing something productive.