దంచినమ్మకు బొక్కిందే కూలి
danchinammaku bokkinde kuli
The lady who pounded the grain got only what she managed to snack on as her wages.
This proverb describes a situation where someone works extremely hard but receives very little or no formal compensation, having to satisfy themselves with meager, incidental gains. It is used when effort is disproportionate to the reward, or when one's hard work only yields enough for immediate survival.
Related Phrases
ఎగిరెగిరి దంచినా అంతే కూలి, ఎగరక దంచినా అంతే కూలి.
egiregiri danchina ante kuli, egaraka danchina ante kuli.
Whether you jump and pound or pound without jumping, the wages are the same.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where the end result or reward remains the same regardless of the amount of extra effort, unnecessary drama, or showmanship one puts in. It suggests that working smarter or more calmly is better than exerting unnecessary energy for no additional gain.
విసిరినమ్మకు బొక్కినదే కూలి
visirinammaku bokkinade kuli
The grinding woman's hire is what she gobbles up.
This proverb describes a situation where someone works hard but receives very little or no profit in return, essentially only getting what they consumed or used during the process. It is used to highlight instances of fruitless labor or poor compensation.
దంచినమ్మకు బొక్కిందే దక్కినట్లు
danchinammaku bokkinde dakkinatlu
Like the woman who threshes only gets to keep what she nibbled.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone works extremely hard on a task, but receives very little or insignificant benefit compared to the effort put in. It refers to the manual labor of pounding grain, where the worker might only get to eat a few grains that fall into her mouth while the bulk of the produce goes to someone else.
బియ్యం దంచినమ్మకు బొక్కిందే కూలి
biyyam danchinammaku bokkinde kuli
For the woman who pounded the rice, the grain she ate while doing it is her only wage.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone works hard but receives no formal pay or reward, other than a few minor perks or what they consumed while performing the task. It signifies a lack of proper compensation for labor.
దంపి నమ్మకు బొక్కిందే కూడు.
dampi nammaku bokkinde kudu.
Do not trust the pounding; what you have swallowed is the food.
This proverb emphasizes that one should only rely on what is already achieved or secured rather than trusting potential outcomes or future promises. It is often used to remind people that hard work or processes (pounding the grain) don't matter until the final result (the food) is actually consumed or in hand.
వచ్చినమ్మకు బయ్యారము, రానమ్మకు రాగాలు
vachchinammaku bayyaramu, ranammaku ragalu
For the one who arrived, a warm welcome; for the one who didn't, many complaints.
This proverb describes a common human tendency where a person who is present is treated with respect or given tasks, while those who are absent or failed to show up are criticized or spoken of with long, complaining tones (ragalu). It is used to highlight how people often grumble about those who aren't there to defend themselves or how presence dictates treatment.
పొయ్యి ఊదినమ్మకు బొక్కెడయినా దక్కదా
poyyi udinammaku bokkedayina dakkada
Will she who blows the fire not even get a mouthful ?
This proverb emphasizes that a person who works hard on a task deserves a share of the results or rewards. It is used to justify why someone who contributed effort should be compensated or given credit, implying it is unfair to deny them a small portion of the outcome.
He is a very bad manager of honey who leaves nothing to lick off his fingers. ( French. )* He who manages other people's wealth does not go supperless to bed. ( Italian. )!
బొమ్మకు మొక్కినా నమ్మకం ఉండవలె
bommaku mokkina nammakam undavale
Even if you pray to a doll/statue, there must be faith.
This expression emphasizes that the power of prayer or any action lies in the sincerity and faith of the person performing it, rather than the object of worship itself. It is used to suggest that without true belief, rituals or actions are meaningless.
బియ్యం దంచినదానికి బొక్కిందే దక్కుట.
biyyam danchinadaniki bokkinde dakkuta.
For the one who pounded the rice, only what was gobbled up remains.
This proverb refers to a situation where a person works extremely hard on a task but receives no final reward or profit for their efforts, other than the small, immediate snacks or 'crumbs' they managed to consume during the process. It is used to describe thankless jobs or labor where the primary benefit goes to someone else while the worker gets nothing significant.
విసిరినమ్మకు బొక్కందే కూలి.
visirinammaku bokkande kuli.
For the woman who grinds the grain, the broken bits are her wage.
This proverb describes a situation where a person works hard but receives very little or negligible compensation. It is used to highlight unfair pay, exploitation, or situations where one has to settle for meager leftovers despite significant effort.