ఏమి పెట్టుక తిన్నావంటే, ఆకలెట్టుక తిన్నానందట

emi pettuka tinnavante, akalettuka tinnanandata

Translation

When asked what she ate with, she replied she ate with hunger.

Meaning

This expression highlights that hunger is the best sauce. It implies that when someone is genuinely hungry, the specific side dishes or quality of food do not matter as much as the satisfaction of eating. It is used to describe a situation where necessity or intense desire makes even the simplest thing seem wonderful.

Related Phrases

Thinking it's a borrowed plate, eating something or the other in it.

This proverb describes a person who takes undue advantage of something because it doesn't belong to them, or someone who is careless with borrowed items. It refers to a tendency to be reckless, wasteful, or indiscriminate when using resources that are provided for free or on loan.

If you eat the root [of garlick] there is a smell, if you eat a clove of it there is a smell. Whether you do a little evil or much, it is alike bad.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person faces the same consequence or reputation regardless of the magnitude of their actions. It is often applied to bad habits or wrongdoings, implying that even a small mistake carries the same stigma or negative outcome as a larger one.

* El rio pasado, el santo olvido. † Passato il punto, gabbato il santo.

He that ate is he that bought. If you want any thing, you must pay for it. Nothing is had for nothing. (French.)

This expression emphasizes that the person who pays for something or takes the risk of purchasing it is the one who truly enjoys the benefits or consequences of it. In a broader sense, it suggests that ownership or direct investment leads to the right of consumption or usage.

The one who ate food and the one who received kicks will never forget.

This proverb highlights that some experiences leave an indelible mark on a person's memory. It specifically refers to acts of extreme kindness (giving food to the hungry) and acts of extreme humiliation or physical pain (getting beaten). Both the person who was helped in their time of need and the person who was wronged/punished will remember those moments forever.

The man that ate, was better off than the man that bought the things [ and did not use them ].

This proverb suggests that the person who actually enjoys or consumes a resource is in a better position than the one who merely spent money to acquire it but didn't get to use it. It is often used to highlight that true value lies in experience and consumption rather than just possession or investment.

Like saying that a donkey has eaten a basketful of husk. Nothing wonderful.

This expression is used to describe someone who has done a lot of work or exerted significant effort, but for a result that is completely useless or worthless. It highlights the futility of an action where the quantity of effort does not match the quality of the outcome.

The one who ate the palm fibers faces more trouble than the one who ate the palm fruits.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where an innocent person or a person who only handled the leftovers/waste of an act gets into more trouble or faces more blame than the person who actually enjoyed the primary benefit. It highlights the irony of unfair consequences.

When a thief who steals and eats was taken as a partner, he stole everything and hid it in his bundle.

This proverb warns against trusting a person with a known history of dishonesty or theft. It implies that if you enter into a partnership or trust someone who is habitually untrustworthy, you shouldn't be surprised when they eventually betray you or steal your belongings. It is used to describe situations where someone suffers a loss due to their own poor judgment in choosing associates.

While having a house, should one eat in a temporary shelter?

This proverb suggests that one should utilize their own resources and comforts rather than opting for inferior or inconvenient alternatives. It is used to question why someone would choose a difficult or unnecessary path when they already have a settled and comfortable option available.

The one who ate food and the one who received beatings will never forget.

This proverb highlights how human memory is deeply impacted by both kindness and suffering. A person will always remember the one who helped them during hunger (gratitude), just as someone will never forget the person who caused them physical or emotional pain (resentment).