ఇంటి వెనకాల ఇంగువ చెట్టు ఎంత కోసినా గుప్పెడు కొదువ
inti venakala inguva chettu enta kosina guppedu koduva
An asafoetida tree behind the house; no matter how much you cut, it's still a handful short.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone has a valuable resource or skill close to them, yet they act as if they are in constant need or fail to utilize it effectively. It signifies having plenty at hand but still complaining about a perceived shortage.
Related Phrases
ఇంగువ కట్టిన గుడ్డ
inguva kattina gudda
A rag which had held assafëtida.
This expression is used to describe a person or a family that has lost their past wealth or glory but still retains the aura or reputation of it. Just as a cloth used to wrap pungent asafoetida smells of it long after the spice is gone, the person carries the prestige of their former status.
Said of a man who is respected on account of his connection with the family of some famous person, no longer living ; or on account of his own greatness, now passed away.
ఇంటికి ఒక గుప్పెడు బియ్యం, ఇల్లాలికి పదిపుట్లు
intiki oka guppedu biyyam, illaliki padiputlu
A handful of rice for the house, but ten 'putlus' for the housewife.
This proverb is used to describe a person who behaves very stingily when it comes to family or household needs but is extremely extravagant and spends lavishly on their own personal desires or luxuries. It highlights the hypocrisy of neglecting responsibilities while indulging oneself.
ఇంటి పేరు ఇంగువ, వీధి పేరు గింగువ
inti peru inguva, vidhi peru ginguva
The family name is Asafoetida, the street name is Gingiva (humming sound).
This proverb is used to describe people who boast about their past glory or family legacy despite currently living in poverty or having lost all their wealth. Just as a container that once held asafoetida (hing) retains a faint smell even when empty, these people hold onto their status through words alone.
ఇంగువ కట్టిన గుడ్డ, బెల్లం వండిన పొయ్యి
inguva kattina gudda, bellam vandina poyyi
The cloth that tied asafoetida, the stove used for cooking jaggery
This proverb is used to describe a person or a situation that still retains a distinct aura, reputation, or quality of their past glory even after the source of that glory is gone. Just as a cloth smells of asafoetida long after it is removed, or a stove smells of burnt sugar long after cooking, a person's previous status or character remains evident in their behavior.
ఎంత చెట్టుకు అంత గాలి
enta chettuku anta gali
As big as the tree is, so much is the wind.
This proverb suggests that responsibilities, problems, or rewards are proportional to one's stature, status, or capacity. For example, a larger business faces bigger risks, or a person with a high income has higher expenses.
గుద్దులాడిన ఇంట్లో గుప్పెడు గింజలు నిలువవు.
gudduladina intlo guppedu ginjalu niluvavu.
In a house where people fight, not even a handful of grains will remain.
This proverb emphasizes that constant conflict and lack of harmony within a family lead to poverty and instability. Prosperity only stays in a home where there is peace and cooperation; whereas internal strife exhausts resources and leads to ruin.
పెంటమీద చెట్టు ప్రబలం, నీరుపోసిన చెట్టు నిర్మలం.
pentamida chettu prabalam, niruposina chettu nirmalam.
A tree on a manure heap is strong, a watered tree is pure.
This proverb contrasts the raw, unrefined strength of things that grow in waste or harsh conditions with the refined, clean beauty of things nurtured with care. It is often used to compare a person who grows up without guidance but becomes tough, versus someone who is raised with discipline and values to become virtuous.
గుద్దులాడుకునే ఇంట్లో గుప్పెడు గింజలు నిలవవు
gudduladukune intlo guppedu ginjalu nilavavu
In a quarrelsome family not a handful of grain will be left.
This proverb emphasizes that constant internal conflict, bickering, and lack of harmony lead to poverty and the loss of wealth. It suggests that prosperity cannot reside in a place where people are always at odds with each other.
ఆరికకోసిన చేతితోనే కందికోసినట్లు
arikakosina chetitone kandikosinatlu
As if harvesting pigeon peas with the same hand used to harvest kodo millet.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a person moves seamlessly from one task to another, or handles a new situation with the same ease or methods as a previous one. It often implies a sense of continuity in action or temperament, typically used when someone performs a second task immediately after the first without hesitation.
ఇంగువ కట్టిన గుడ్డ వాసనపోదు.
inguva kattina gudda vasanapodu.
The cloth that wrapped asafoetida will never lose its scent.
This proverb describes how a person's past status, experiences, or reputation (good or bad) continue to influence their character or how others perceive them, even after their circumstances have changed. It is often used to refer to someone who was once wealthy or powerful and still carries those mannerisms or 'aura' even if they are currently poor.