చన్నీళ్లయినా చల్లార్చుకుని తాగాలి
channillayina challarchukuni tagali
Even cold water should be drunk slowly.
This expression advises extreme caution and patience. It suggests that even when a situation seems safe or simple, one should still act with care and verify everything before proceeding, rather than acting in haste.
There is a pun here on the word చల్లాచుకోని which also means "having cooled." Nothing should be done hastily. Good and quickly seldom meet. Haste trips up its own heels.
Related Phrases
బంగారు ముచ్చెలు అయినా కాళ్లకే తొడగాలి
bangaru muchchelu ayina kallake todagali
Though the slippers be of gold they can only be worn on the feet.
This proverb emphasizes that everything and everyone has a designated place or status. No matter how valuable or expensive something is, it cannot change its fundamental nature or bypass certain protocols. It is used to suggest that people should stick to their roles or that some things, regardless of quality, are still subject to certain limitations.
కన్న తల్లికయినా కనుమరుగుండవలెను
kanna tallikayina kanumarugundavalenu
Some things must be hidden even from the mother that bore you.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of maintaining certain boundaries, privacy, or modesty even with those closest to us. It suggests that complete exposure or lack of restraint, even in the most intimate relationships, can lead to a loss of respect or dignity.
* Ἀπέφαλος μῦθος.
చల్లయు బాలును గలిసిన చల్లకు దోడంటినట్లు
challayu balunu galisina challaku dodantinatlu
Like mixing buttermilk and milk, and then trying to curdle the buttermilk.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone attempts a task that is inherently contradictory or logically impossible. Just as milk and buttermilk neutralize or change each other's properties when mixed, making it impossible to treat the result as just one of the original substances, this phrase highlights futility or confusion in actions.
వేణ్ణీళ్ళకు చన్నీళ్ళు తోడైనట్టు
vennillaku channillu todainattu
Like adding cold water to hot water
This expression is used to describe a situation where a small amount of help or contribution is added to a larger effort. It signifies how even a minor assistance can complement or complete a task, much like how cold water helps bring boiling water to a usable temperature.
వేడినీళ్లకు చన్నీళ్లు, చన్నీళ్లకు వేడినీళ్లు.
vedinillaku channillu, channillaku vedinillu.
Cold water to hot water, hot water to cold water. The beneficial union of different dispositions.
This expression is used to describe mutual assistance or small contributions that complement each other. Just as mixing hot and cold water brings them to a comfortable temperature, it signifies how people help one another according to their capacity, or how small favors are returned to maintain balance in relationships.
చల్లకు వచ్చి ముంత దాచుకున్నట్లు
challaku vachchi munta dachukunnatlu
Coming for buttermilk and hiding the pot.
This proverb refers to a situation where someone approaches another person with a specific request or goal but is too hesitant, shy, or secretive to state their true intention. It describes the irony of seeking help or a favor while trying to hide the very vessel needed to receive it. It is used to advise someone to be straightforward instead of being unnecessarily evasive.
చన్నీళ్ళయినా చల్లార్చుకొని తాగవలెను
channillayina challarchukoni tagavalenu
Even cold water should be cooled before drinking.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of patience and careful consideration. It suggests that one should not act in haste even when a task seems simple or already prepared, implying that even the simplest things require a moment of caution to avoid mistakes.
వేడి నీళ్ళ పక్కన చన్నీళ్ళు ఉండాలి.
vedi nilla pakkana channillu undali.
Cold water should be alongside hot water.
This expression suggests that opposites or different temperaments are needed to maintain balance. In a social or domestic context, it implies that if one person is hot-tempered (hot water), another person should be calm and patient (cold water) to prevent conflict and bring stability.
చన్నీళ్ళకు వేన్నీళ్ళు తోడు
channillaku vennillu todu
Hot water added to cold water
This expression is used to describe a situation where two people or things provide mutual support, even if one's contribution is small. It often refers to a husband and wife or partners helping each other to make life more comfortable and manageable, just as mixing hot and cold water results in a pleasant temperature.
నల్లచీర కట్టిన వాళ్ళంతా నా పెళ్ళాలే అన్నట్లు.
nallachira kattina vallanta na pellale annatlu.
Like saying every woman wearing a black saree is my wife.
This expression is used to describe a person who is overly optimistic, foolishly assumes ownership or authority over things that don't belong to them, or makes broad, illogical generalizations based on a single commonality.