చేను బొందుపోయినా కూలి బొందుపోదు.
chenu bondupoyina kuli bondupodu.
Even if the field goes to waste, the labor cost does not.
This proverb is used to explain that whether a task or business succeeds or fails, the expenses incurred and the effort put into it must still be accounted for. In a literal sense, even if a farmer's crop is ruined, he still has to pay the laborers who worked on it. It highlights that costs and responsibilities remain constant regardless of the final outcome.
Related Phrases
పాలు పోసి పెంచినా వేపకు చేదు పోదు
palu posi penchina vepaku chedu podu
Even if you water a neem tree with milk, its bitterness will not go away.
This proverb describes the innate nature of people or things. It suggests that a person's fundamental character or a thing's inherent quality cannot be changed, no matter how much kindness, education, or resources are provided. It is typically used to remark on someone who remains wicked or ungrateful despite being treated very well.
ముందు పోటు, వెనుక తన్ను
mundu potu, venuka tannu
A stab in the front, a kick from the back.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a person is facing troubles or attacks from all directions simultaneously. It highlights a state of being trapped or victimized by multiple sources of misfortune or betrayal at once.
బొండు మల్లెలు బోడిముండకెందుకు?
bondu mallelu bodimundakenduku?
Why does a tonsured widow need plump jasmine flowers?
This is a traditional (and often considered harsh or outdated) proverb used to describe a situation where someone desires or possesses something that is of no use to them, or something they are socially/practically restricted from using. It highlights the irony of having a luxury or beauty that one cannot or should not enjoy according to specific contexts.
తిని ఉండలేను, తీసి బొందవెట్టు.
tini undalenu, tisi bondavettu.
I cannot stay after eating, take it and bury it.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is extremely lazy or ungrateful. It refers to someone who wants to enjoy a meal but refuses to do even the smallest bit of work or cleaning afterward, expecting others to handle everything, including 'burying' or clearing away the remains.
బోడితలకు బొండు మల్లెలు ముడిచినట్లు
boditalaku bondu mallelu mudichinatlu
Like tying jasmine flowers to a bald head.
This expression is used to describe something that is completely out of place, mismatched, or useless. Just as flowers cannot be pinned or tied to a head without hair, it refers to situations where an ornament, a gift, or an effort is wasted because the recipient or the context is unsuitable.
తిని ఉండలేక, తాగి బొందను పడినట్లు
tini undaleka, tagi bondanu padinatlu
Like eating too much, getting drunk, and falling into a pit.
This expression is used to describe a person who, despite having everything they need (food and comfort), creates unnecessary trouble for themselves through reckless behavior or bad habits. It refers to someone who ruins their own peace or stability by overindulging or being irresponsible.
అందానికి రెండు బొందలు, ఆటకు రెండు తాళాలు.
andaniki rendu bondalu, ataku rendu talalu.
Two holes in beauty; two cymbals in a dance.
This expression is used to describe a situation where excessive decoration or unnecessary additions are made to something that is already complete or simple, often leading to a lack of harmony or practical use. It highlights that adding more doesn't always mean improving quality.
Said of an ugly and bad dancer.
నింద లేనిదే బొందెపోదు
ninda lenide bondepodu
The body does not leave without a blame.
This expression suggests that death rarely occurs without some external reason, illness, or blame being assigned. It is used to imply that whenever someone passes away, people tend to seek a cause or someone to hold responsible, even though death is inevitable.
వాసన కొప్పుకేగాక బొండుమల్లెలు బోడిముండకేల?
vasana koppukegaka bondumallelu bodimundakela?
Fragrance is for a hair bun; why would a bald-headed person need double jasmines?
This proverb is used to say that certain luxuries or items are only useful to those who have the means or the situation to use them. It highlights the irrelevance of providing something to someone who cannot benefit from it due to their circumstances, often used in a sarcastic or blunt manner to describe misplaced efforts.
ఉండలేక పోతే, బొండను వెయ్యమన్నాడట.
undaleka pote, bondanu veyyamannadata.
If he can't keep quiet, put him in the stocks.
This expression is used to describe someone who makes extreme, irrational, or self-destructive decisions when faced with minor discomfort or temporary problems. It highlights the tendency to overreact or choose a permanent 'solution' to a temporary situation.