అడిగితే సిగ్గు, అడగకపోతే సిద్దె కట్టుపడుతుంది
adigite siggu, adagakapote sidde kattupadutundi
Asking feels shameful, but not asking results in a heavy burden (or an empty stomach).
This proverb describes a dilemma where one feels embarrassed to ask for help or their due, but staying silent leads to hardship or suffering. It is used to encourage someone to overcome their hesitation and speak up for what they need.
Related Phrases
ఉండనిస్తే పండుతుంది, ఊడదీస్తే ఎండుతుంది
undaniste pandutundi, udadiste endutundi
If left alone it ripens, if plucked out it withers.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of patience and letting things take their natural course. Just as a fruit needs time on the tree to ripen and will wither if picked too early, certain situations or relationships require time and space to mature. It is used to advise against being impulsive or forceful.
గుడ్డివాడి చేతి నూలు కదుట్లో పడుతుందో దిండులో పడుతుందో.
guddivadi cheti nulu kadutlo padutundo dindulo padutundo.
Whether the thread in a blind man's hand falls on the spindle or on the pillow.
This expression is used to describe a situation where the outcome is purely a matter of chance or luck rather than skill or certainty. It refers to an unpredictable result where one cannot be sure if an effort will hit the target or miss it completely.
ఎండబడితే ఉండబడుతుంది, ఉండబడితే వండబడుతుంది, వండబడితే తిండి పడుతుంది, తిండిబడితే పండపడుతుంది
endabadite undabadutundi, undabadite vandabadutundi, vandabadite tindi padutundi, tindibadite pandapadutundi
If there is sunlight there is life, if there is life there is cooking, if there is cooking there is food, and if there is food there is sleep.
This traditional proverb highlights the interconnectedness of nature and human survival. It emphasizes that the sun is the primary source of life (agriculture/sustenance), which leads to domestic stability, the ability to prepare meals, nourishment, and ultimately, the comfort of rest. It is used to describe the natural order of life and the importance of favorable conditions for prosperity.
బర్రె చస్తే పాడి బయట పడుతుంది
barre chaste padi bayata padutundi
When the buffalo dies, it comes out how much milk she gave.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where the true value, contribution, or secrets of a person are only fully realized or disclosed after they are gone or when a resource is lost. It often implies that someone was exaggerating their worth or productivity while they were active.
కాలితే మచ్చపడుతుంది, కాచితే మెత్తపడుతుంది
kalite machchapadutundi, kachite mettapadutundi
If burnt, it leaves a scar; if heated/tempered, it becomes soft.
This proverb highlights the difference between harshness and patience. It suggests that reacting with extreme anger (burning) causes permanent damage or scars in relationships, whereas treating a situation with controlled, gentle persistence (tempering/heating) makes things pliable and manageable.
ఎండబడితే ఉండబడుతుంది, ఉండబడితే వండబడుతుంది, వండబడితే తిండబడుతుంది, తిండబడితే పండబడుతుంది.
endabadite undabadutundi, undabadite vandabadutundi, vandabadite tindabadutundi, tindabadite pandabadutundi.
If the sun gets hot, he will have to stay; if he stays, dinner will have to be cooked for him; if it is cooked, it will have to be eaten; and if he eats it, he will have to lie down.
This is a rhythmic folk saying that describes the essential cycle of agrarian life and food security. It highlights that proper preservation (drying crops) leads to a stable supply (storage), which ensures sustenance (cooking and eating) and ultimately leads to contentment and rest (sleep/prosperity). It is often used to emphasize the importance of the first step in a process to ensure the final result.
The muttered grumblings of a stingy host.
అద్దె పేరంటము సిద్దె మురికి
adde perantamu sidde muriki
Rented celebration leads to a dirty oil-pot.
This proverb highlights that borrowed things or services obtained through payment (rent) rather than genuine relationship result in poor quality or damage. Specifically, it suggests that when someone attends a function only for the sake of money or rent, they lack care, leading to messy outcomes. It is used to caution against relying on borrowed items or insincere participation.
అందీతే సిగ అందక పోతే కాళ్ళు.
andite siga andaka pote kallu.
To go for the head or fall at the feet of a person to get one’s purpose served.
This is said of the opportunist who changes tactics, with the sole purpose of realising his wishes.
ఉండనిస్తే పండుతుంది, ఊడదీస్తే ఎండుతుంది.
undaniste pandutundi, udadiste endutundi.
If you leave it alone, it will bear fruit; if you pull it up, it will wither away.
This proverb highlights the importance of patience and allowing things to take their natural course. It is often used to advise someone not to rush a process or interfere prematurely, as doing so might spoil the end result, just as a fruit needs time on the tree to ripen but will dry up if picked too early.
కాపురం చేసే కళ కాలు తొక్కేటప్పుడే కనిపిస్తుంది
kapuram chese kala kalu tokketappude kanipistundi
The quality of the domestic life is visible right at the moment of the foot-stepping ceremony.
This proverb suggests that the future success or quality of a venture can be predicted by its very first signs or beginnings. In a traditional wedding context, it refers to a ritual where the bride steps on a grindstone, symbolizing her entry into the household; the saying implies that one's character or the outcome of a situation is evident from the start.