గ్రాసము లేని కొలువు
grasamu leni koluvu
Work without pay. Work not paid for is ill done. Work done expects money. (Portuguese.)
This expression refers to a job or position that provides no salary, benefits, or basic means of survival. It is used to describe an unrewarding occupation where the effort put in does not yield even the most essential returns.
* Obra feita dinheiro espera.
Related Phrases
వీరణం లేనిది కొలువు కాదు, ఊరణం లేనిది బూరె కాదు.
viranam lenidi koluvu kadu, uranam lenidi bure kadu.
A court is not complete without a war-drum, and a sweet bun (boore) is not complete without soaking.
This proverb emphasizes that certain things are incomplete or ineffective without their essential components. Just as a royal assembly lacks dignity without the sound of the veeranam (drum), a traditional sweet like Boore will not be tasty or soft if the batter/filling isn't soaked or fermented properly. It is used to highlight the importance of fundamental requirements for any task or entity to be successful.
కారము లేని కూర, ఉపకారము లేని మనుష్యుడు.
karamu leni kura, upakaramu leni manushyudu.
A curry without spice, a person without helpfulness.
This proverb is used to emphasize that just as a curry is tasteless and useless without spices, a person who does not help others or show kindness is considered worthless in society. It highlights the importance of being helpful and altruistic.
సరసము విరసముకే
sarasamu virasamuke
Joking causes a breach [of friendship]. Better lose a jest than a friend. A joke never gains an enemy, but often loses a friend. Familiarity breeds contempt.
This proverb warns that excessive teasing, joking, or overly familiar behavior (sarasamu) often crosses a boundary and ends in a conflict, resentment, or a fight (virasamu). It is used to advise people to maintain boundaries even in friendly interactions.
పొట్టి పోతరాజు కొలువు
potti potaraju koluvu
The service of Potti Pôta Râzu.
This expression is used to describe a place or situation where there is no discipline, order, or decorum. It typically refers to a chaotic environment where everyone talks at once or where the rules are constantly ignored, much like a disorganized royal court.
A worrying fellow, of whom it is said that when his followers were behind him, he abused them for treating him as their ( Pariah ) guide ; when they went before him, he accused them of acting as if they were his superiors ; and when they travelled at each side of his palankin, he repri- manded them for daring to place themselves on an equality with himself.
గ్రాసం లేని కొలువు - రసం లేని కావ్యం
grasam leni koluvu - rasam leni kavyam
A job without a salary is like a poem without emotion.
This proverb highlights that certain things are meaningless or futile without their core essential element. Just as a poem is dry and unappealing without 'rasa' (emotion/aesthetic flavor), a job or service is useless if it does not provide 'grasam' (sustenance/livelihood). It is used to describe a situation that lacks its primary purpose or reward.
తోరణము లేని వీరణము లేని పెండ్లి బాజాలు
toranamu leni viranamu leni pendli bajalu
Wedding music without a festoon or a drum.
This expression refers to a situation that lacks the necessary grandeur, preparation, or essential components despite having the outward appearance of an event. It is used to describe something that is hollow, incomplete, or poorly organized.
బాపనవాని కొలువూ తెల్ల గుర్రపు కొలువూ కొలువ కూడదు.
bapanavani koluvu tella gurrapu koluvu koluva kudadu.
You should not serve a Brahman or a white horse. There is no end to your labor.
This traditional proverb suggests that certain tasks or service roles are inherently difficult or unrewarding. Serving a white horse is considered difficult because any speck of dirt is easily visible, requiring constant cleaning. Similarly, the proverb historically implies that serving a scholarly or meticulous master (metaphorically represented by a Brahmin) requires excessive attention to detail and purity, making the work never-ending and difficult to satisfy.
గ్రాసం లేని కొలువు, మీసం లేని బ్రతుకు
grasam leni koluvu, misam leni bratuku
A job without fodder (sustenance) is like a life without a mustache.
This proverb highlights that a job or position that doesn't provide enough income for basic survival is useless and lacks dignity. In traditional context, a mustache was seen as a symbol of pride and honor for a man; similarly, a job's primary purpose is to provide livelihood, and without that, it holds no value or respect.
ముడ్డి ముఖము లేని బిడ్డ, మొదలు లేని పాట.
muddi mukhamu leni bidda, modalu leni pata.
A child without face or posteriors, a song without beginning.
This expression is used to describe something that lacks structure, logic, or a clear purpose. It refers to a situation, story, or task that is disorganized, incoherent, and makes no sense from the start to the end.
గ్రాసము లేని కొలువు
grasamu leni koluvu
Employment without sustenance
This expression refers to a job or position that does not provide enough salary or benefits to meet basic living needs. It is used to describe unrewarding work or a situation where the effort put in far exceeds the meager compensation received.