చావదీసినంత పని అయినా, చారెడు గంజికి దోవలేదు
chavadisinanta pani ayina, charedu ganjiki dovaledu
Even after working to the point of death, there is no way to get a palmful of gruel.
This expression describes a situation of extreme exploitation or poverty where someone works incredibly hard, to the point of exhaustion or 'near death,' yet remains unable to secure even the most basic necessities like a small amount of food (ganji). It is used to highlight the injustice of backbreaking labor that yields no basic survival reward.
Related Phrases
దున్నిన పొలానికీ తాగిన గంజికీ సరి
dunnina polaniki tagina ganjiki sari
The rice water which he drank was equivalent to the field which he ploughed. Pay proportionate to labor.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where the effort or investment put into a task is exactly equal to the reward or result gained, leaving no profit or surplus. It refers to a break-even scenario or a hand-to-mouth existence where one works just enough to survive.
కాసుకు దోవలేదు, నూటికి పరవా లేదు.
kasuku dovaledu, nutiki parava ledu.
He has not the means of [getting] one cash, but thinks nothing of [spending] a hundred [pagodas]. A pagoda = 3½ Rupees. Wanton extravagance. He is able to buy an abbey.
This proverb describes a person who lacks the means to earn even a small amount of money (a 'kasu'), yet talks or acts with grand indifference toward large sums (a 'hundred'). It is used to mock someone who is boastful or financially reckless despite being in deep poverty.
దున్నిన పొలానికి, తాగిన గంజికి సరి.
dunnina polaniki, tagina ganjiki sari.
Equal to the field plowed and the porridge consumed.
This proverb describes a situation where the effort put into a task is exactly equal to the reward or compensation received, resulting in no net gain or profit. It is used to express that someone's hard work only managed to cover their basic sustenance or expenses, leaving them in a break-even state.
వడికిందంతా పత్తి అయినట్లు
vadikindanta patti ayinatlu
As if everything spun became cotton again.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a lot of hard work or effort results in zero progress, or when things return to their original raw state despite the labor put in. It signifies wasted effort or a futile exercise where the end product is no better than the starting material.
తాగను గంజి లేదు కానీ, తలకి అటికలట
taganu ganji ledu kani, talaki atikalata
Not even gruel to drink, but asks for flowers/decorations for the head.
This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks basic necessities or means of survival, yet indulges in unnecessary luxuries or shows off beyond their status. It highlights the irony of being poor but maintaining a false sense of vanity or pride.
ఒక ఊరికి వెయ్యి దోవలు.
oka uriki veyyi dovalu.
There are a thousand paths to one village.
This expression means that there are many ways to achieve a goal or solve a problem. It is used to suggest flexibility and that one shouldn't be discouraged if one particular method fails, as alternative approaches exist.
చింత చచ్చినా పులుపు చావదు
chinta chachchina pulupu chavadu
The tamarind may be dried, but it loses not its acidity. Retaining vigour of mind though weakened in body.
This proverb is used to describe a person who has lost their wealth, status, or power but still retains their old ego, arrogance, or habits. Just as the acidic quality remains in tamarind even after it dries up, some people refuse to change their stubborn nature despite a change in their circumstances.
బ్రహ్మచారి ముదిరినా, బెండకాయ ముదిరినా, లంజ ముదిరినా పనికిరాదు
brahmachari mudirina, bendakaya mudirina, lanja mudirina panikiradu
An aging bachelor, an overripe okra, and an aging prostitute are of no use.
This is a traditional Telugu proverb used to describe things or people that lose their value, utility, or charm once they pass their prime. Just as an overripe okra becomes too fibrous to cook, certain roles or states of being become problematic or ineffective if they persist too long beyond their ideal time.
ఒక ఊరికి వెయ్యి దొవలు
oka uriki veyyi dovalu
There are a thousand ways to a village. Every man in his way. There are more ways to the wood than one.
This expression is used to signify that there are many different ways or methods to achieve the same goal or reach the same destination. It encourages flexibility and emphasizes that one should not be discouraged if one particular path is blocked, as alternatives exist.
చింతలేని అంబలి చారెడే చాలు
chintaleni ambali charede chalu
A handful of porridge without worries is enough.
This proverb emphasizes that peace of mind is far more valuable than wealth or luxury. It suggests that a simple meal (ambali) eaten in tranquility is better than a feast consumed in stress or anxiety. It is used to express contentment with a modest but peaceful life.