ఆవలింతకు అన్నదమ్ములున్నారుగాని, తుమ్ముకు తమ్ముడయినా లేడు.
avalintaku annadammulunnarugani, tummuku tammudayina ledu.
Yawning has elder and younger brothers, sneezing has not even a younger brother. Yawning is sympathetic, sneezing is not. A good gaper makes two gapers. (French.)
This proverb is used to describe the contagious nature of certain actions versus the sudden, isolated nature of others. Yawning is socially contagious—when one person yawns, others often follow (the 'brothers'). In contrast, a sneeze is sudden and usually happens alone without triggering others to do the same. It highlights how some behaviors spread through a group while others remain individual.
Related Phrases
బాలల తుమ్ము, బాలింత తుమ్ము మంచిది.
balala tummu, balinta tummu manchidi.
A child's sneeze and a postpartum mother's sneeze are good.
This is a traditional saying used to indicate that certain natural bodily reactions, which might normally be seen as bad omens or signs of illness, are actually signs of health and recovery in specific cases. It suggests that when a child or a woman who has recently given birth sneezes, it is a positive sign that their respiratory system and body are functioning well and clearing out.
తుమ్ముకు తమ్ముడు ఆవలింతకు అన్న
tummuku tammudu avalintaku anna
A sneeze has a younger brother, and a yawn has an elder brother.
This is a traditional Telugu saying used when someone sneezes or yawns repeatedly. It suggests that these actions rarely occur just once; if you sneeze once, another is likely to follow (the 'younger brother'), and if you yawn, more are soon to come (the 'elder brother').
తల్లిదండ్రులు అన్నదమ్ములున్నా పొలతికి పురుషుడు కొరవే
tallidandrulu annadammulunna polatiki purushudu korave
Even if there are parents and brothers, for a woman, a husband is indispensable.
This proverb emphasizes that despite having the support and love of her birth family (parents and siblings), a married woman's primary source of security, status, and companionship in traditional society is her husband. It is used to highlight the unique and essential role a spouse plays in a woman's life.
పాడికి పంట తమ్ముడు
padiki panta tammudu
Crop is the younger brother of dairy farming
This proverb highlights the interdependence of agriculture and animal husbandry. It suggests that where there is dairy (cattle), a good harvest naturally follows, as they complement each other's success and provide a holistic livelihood for a farmer.
కమ్మని, తుమ్మని నమ్మరాదు.
kammani, tummani nammaradu.
Do not trust a Kamma or a Thumma (Acacia) tree.
This is a historical folk saying or 'sameta' that warns of unpredictability. The literal comparison suggests that just as the Thumma tree is thorny and difficult to handle, one should be cautious in dealings. Note: Like many caste-based proverbs, this reflects historical social tensions or stereotypes and is used to describe situations where one should remain vigilant against potential deception or hidden 'thorns' in a situation.
తుమ్ముకు తమ్ముడు లేడుగాని, ఆవిలింతకు అన్న ఉన్నాడు
tummuku tammudu ledugani, avilintaku anna unnadu
A sneeze has no younger brother, but a yawn has an elder brother.
This proverb describes the contagious nature of yawning compared to sneezing. While a sneeze is usually an isolated event for an individual, a yawn often triggers others nearby to yawn as well (the 'elder brother' following the lead). It is used to highlight how certain behaviors or habits are easily imitated or spread among people.
బాలల తుమ్ము బాలెంత తుమ్ము మంచిది
balala tummu balenta tummu manchidi
The sneeze of a child and the sneeze of a mother who recently gave birth is good.
In Telugu culture, it is traditionally believed that children and postpartum mothers are highly sensitive to their environment; if they sneeze, it is seen as a positive sign of their body reacting naturally or a sign of vitality rather than a bad omen or serious illness. This proverb is used to reassure parents or family members not to worry about minor sneezes in such cases.
నమ్మిన ఇమ్ము నమ్ముకున్న అమ్ము.
nammina immu nammukunna ammu.
If you believe, give; if you have believed, sell.
This proverb highlights the importance of trust and caution in trade and relationships. It suggests that if you trust someone, you can extend credit or give goods, but once a transaction or commitment is made based on that trust, one must ensure it is fulfilled (or sold) to maintain the integrity of the deal.
రాజు కొడుకైనా కావాలి, సానిదాని తమ్ముడైనా కావాలి.
raju kodukaina kavali, sanidani tammudaina kavali.
One must either be the son of a king or the brother of a courtesan.
This proverb refers to the privilege of living a life of leisure and luxury without manual labor. It suggests that such a comfortable lifestyle is typically reserved for those born into royalty (power/wealth) or those who live off the earnings and influence of someone highly sought after (historically referring to the status of a 'Sani' or courtesan's family members who were often pampered). It is used to describe someone who enjoys benefits without working for them.
చచ్చేవాడికి తమ్ముడు, పుట్టేవాడికి అన్న
chachchevadiki tammudu, puttevadiki anna
Younger brother to the one dying, elder brother to the one being born
This expression describes a person who is in a middle-aged or transitional stage of life. It is often used to refer to someone who is neither too young nor too old, bridging the gap between generations, or someone who is an experienced adult who has seen both the end of one era and the start of another.