బిడ్డలేని ఇంటికి ఆవుదూడ ముద్దు, ఏమీలేని ఇంటికి ఎనుముదూడ ముద్దు
biddaleni intiki avududa muddu, emileni intiki enumududa muddu
A calf is precious to a childless home; a buffalo calf is precious to an empty home.
This proverb describes how people find value and companionship in lesser things when the most desired or ideal thing is missing. In a house without children, a cow calf is treated with love like a child. In a house with no assets or livestock at all, even a buffalo calf is considered a great treasure. It is used to highlight how one's circumstances define the value of what they possess.
Related Phrases
మింటికి మంటికి ముడివేసినట్లు
mintiki mantiki mudivesinatlu
Like tying a knot between the sky and the earth
This expression is used to describe an impossible task, a highly exaggerated statement, or a clever person who can bridge two completely unrelated or extreme things through their talk or actions. It is often used to describe someone who spins tall tales or attempts to reconcile vast differences.
వరహాకన్నా వడ్డీ ముద్దు, కుమారునికన్నా మనవడు ముద్దు.
varahakanna vaddi muddu, kumarunikanna manavadu muddu.
Interest is sweeter than the principal; a grandson is dearer than a son.
This proverb highlights the human tendency to cherish secondary outcomes or subsequent generations more than the original source. Just as a moneylender might value the accumulating interest over the original capital, grandparents often feel a deeper, more indulgent affection for their grandchildren than they did for their own children.
ముసలివానికి ముండ ముద్దు
musalivaniki munda muddu
An old man is fond of a young widow
This proverb describes a situation where an elderly person becomes overly attached to or obsessed with someone or something unsuitable or inappropriate for their age. It is often used to criticize elderly men who pursue younger women, or more broadly, to point out the irony of developing new, intense cravings at a late stage in life when they should be focused on other matters.
కోడలికి కొడుకు ముద్దు, అత్తకి అల్లుడు ముద్దు
kodaliki koduku muddu, attaki alludu muddu
A son is dear to the daughter-in-law, a son-in-law is dear to the mother-in-law.
This expression highlights how people favor those who align with their personal interests or bring them status. In a traditional household, a daughter-in-law's position is strengthened by her son, while a mother-in-law often favors her son-in-law as he is a guest and a reflection of her daughter's well-being.
బిడ్డ లేని ముద్దు, వాన లేని వరద
bidda leni muddu, vana leni varada
Fondling without a child, a flood without rain.
This proverb is used to describe something that is meaningless, artificial, or lacks a foundation. Just as a flood cannot exist without rain and kissing has no purpose without a child (in a parental context), an action or situation without its core essence or cause is considered hollow or futile.
ముసలివాడికి ముండ ముద్దు
musalivadiki munda muddu
An old man is fond of women.
This proverb highlights how people's preferences or attachments change with age or vulnerability. It suggests that someone in a weak or advanced stage of life finds comfort or affection in things that others might overlook or find plain, often implying that simplicity or basic companionship becomes more valuable than vanity in one's later years.
* On ne saurait faire boire un âne s'il n'a pas soif. † Man kan nœde en Mand till at blunde, men ikke til at sove.
పాడిలేని గొడ్డు, బిడ్డలేని ఆలు
padileni goddu, biddaleni alu
A cow that gives no milk, a wife without a child.
This proverb is used to describe something that does not fulfill its primary purpose or lacks the essential quality that makes it valuable or complete in a traditional context. It highlights the sense of incompleteness or futility in a situation.
ఆ ఇంటికి దడీలేదు, ఈ ఇంటికి గడియలేదు.
a intiki dadiledu, i intiki gadiyaledu.
That house has no fence, and this house has no latch.
This proverb describes a state of total insecurity, neglect, or lack of discipline. It is used to refer to a situation where there are no boundaries or protections in place, often implying that a system or family is disorganized and vulnerable to outside interference or internal chaos.
రాక్షసికి నరమాంసం ముద్దు, పండుకోతికి పుండుముద్దు
rakshasiki naramamsam muddu, pandukotiki pundumuddu
Human flesh is dear to a demoness, an open wound is dear to an old monkey
This proverb describes how different beings have their own peculiar, and sometimes grotesque, obsessions or preferences. It is used to highlight that what seems repulsive to others might be highly valued or obsessively nurtured by someone else due to their inherent nature or habit. It often refers to people who find pleasure in negative things or those who keep picking at their own problems/flaws.
ఆ ఇంటికి దడిలేదు, ఈ ఇంటికి గడి లేదు
a intiki dadiledu, i intiki gadi ledu
That house has no fence, and this house has no latch.
This proverb describes a situation of complete lack of security or discipline. It is used to refer to households or organizations where there is no control, no boundaries, and no protection, often implying a state of mismanagement or vulnerability where anyone can come and go as they please.