చోళ్లు చల్లితే జొన్నలు పండునా?
chollu challite jonnalu panduna?
If you sow finger millets, will sorghum grow?
This proverb emphasizes the principle of cause and effect, similar to 'you reap what you sow.' It is used to explain that one cannot expect great results or specific outcomes without putting in the appropriate effort or the right resources. It highlights that actions have specific consequences and you cannot get something different from what you started with.
Related Phrases
అన్నం లేకుంటే జొన్న సాగుచెయ్యి
annam lekunte jonna sagucheyyi
If there is no rice, cultivate sorghum (jowar).
This proverb emphasizes adaptability and resourcefulness. It suggests that if the primary resource or preferred option is unavailable, one should seek out a practical alternative rather than giving up.
దున్నక చల్లితే, కొయ్యక పండినది.
dunnaka challite, koyyaka pandinadi.
When the field was sown without being ploughed it yielded without being reaped. i. e. it yielded nothing. If you neglect the use of the right means you must expect poor results.
This proverb is used sarcastically to describe a situation where someone expects results without putting in the necessary hard work, or a situation that results in total failure/nothingness because the fundamental steps were skipped. It highlights that if you don't do the groundwork (plowing), you won't get a real harvest (cutting the crop).
కోడలు నలుపైతే కులమంతా నలుపగునా?
kodalu nalupaite kulamanta nalupaguna?
If the daughter-in-law is dark-skinned, does the entire lineage become dark?
This proverb is used to criticize the act of judging an entire family or group based on the perceived physical flaws or mistakes of a single individual (specifically a new entrant like a daughter-in-law). It highlights that one person's traits do not define or diminish the status of the whole collective.
చోళ్లు విసిరే తిరగలి, జొన్నలు విసురునా?
chollu visire tiragali, jonnalu visuruna?
Will the millstone used for grinding finger millets ever grind sorghum?
This proverb is used to describe a person's inherent nature or capacity. It suggests that one cannot perform a task beyond their capability, or that a tool designed for a specific small purpose cannot be expected to handle a much larger or more difficult task. It is often applied when someone expects a person of limited skill to perform a complex job.
ఆవు నలుపైతే పాలు నలుపా?
avu nalupaite palu nalupa?
If the cow is black, is the milk also black?
This proverb is used to emphasize that external appearance does not define internal quality or character. Just as a black cow still yields white milk, a person's outward look or status does not dictate their inner worth or the value of their contribution.
మేఘాలు నలుపైతే వాననీళ్ళు నలుపగునా?
meghalu nalupaite vananillu nalupaguna?
If the clouds are black, will the rainwater be black?
This proverb is used to illustrate that the source or external appearance of something does not necessarily define the quality or essence of the outcome. Just as dark clouds produce clear water, a person's humble origins or outward appearance do not dictate their character or the value of their work.
పది చాలు పత్తికి, ఏడు చాలు జొన్నకు
padi chalu pattiki, edu chalu jonnaku
Ten furrows for cotton, seven furrows for sorghum.
This is a traditional agricultural proverb from Andhra Pradesh. It specifies the ideal number of times a field should be ploughed for specific crops to ensure a good harvest. It highlights the importance of soil preparation, suggesting that cotton requires more intensive tilling (ten times) compared to sorghum (seven times).
మెతుకులు చల్లితే కాకులకు కొదువా?
metukulu challite kakulaku koduva?
If you scatter cooked rice grains, will there be a shortage of crows?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where people flock to someone who has wealth, power, or resources. Just as crows gather wherever food is scattered, opportunistic people will always surround someone who is willing to spend money or offer favors. It implies that followers or sycophants are easy to find as long as there is a personal benefit involved.
ఇద్దుం చల్లితే ముత్తుము పండినట్లు.
iddum challite muttumu pandinatlu.
Like sowing two measures and harvesting three measures.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a small investment or effort leads to a significant and abundant return. It highlights productivity, prosperity, and the reward of good fortune or hard work.
మెతుకులు చల్లితే కాకులకు తక్కువా?
metukulu challite kakulaku takkuva?
If you scatter grains [ of boiled rice ] will there be any lack of crows ?
This expression is used to signify that when there are resources, opportunities, or money available, there will never be a shortage of people (often sycophants or opportunists) flocking to take advantage of them. It suggests that followers or takers are easily attracted by incentives.