ఇంటికి చుట్టం వస్తే, పొట్టగంజి వాడికి దుఃఖం
intiki chuttam vaste, pottaganji vadiki duhkham
When a guest arrives at the house, it is a cause of sorrow for the one living on gruel.
This proverb describes a state of extreme poverty where a person barely has enough to feed themselves (potta ganji). When a guest arrives, the host feels distressed or sorrowful because they lack the resources to offer hospitality or even share their meager meal. It is used to illustrate situations where one's own survival is so precarious that any additional social obligation becomes an unbearable burden.
Related Phrases
దూడలేని పాడి దుఃఖపు పాడి
dudaleni padi duhkhapu padi
Where there is no calf, the milk is got with pain.
This proverb refers to the traditional practice where a cow only gives milk when its calf is present. Metaphorically, it describes any endeavor, wealth, or success that is incomplete, joyless, or unsustainable because the essential core or the 'future' (represented by the calf) is missing.
కాని కాలం కోటి దుఃఖం
kani kalam koti duhkham
One sixty-fourth part of folly will bring ten millions of sorrows. A little neglect may breed great mischief.
This expression is used to describe a period of misfortune where everything seems to go wrong. It implies that when luck is not on your side (bad timing/adversity), one problem leads to another, resulting in immense suffering.
జన్మ దుఃఖం, జరా దుఃఖం, వ్యాధి దుఃఖం, సర్వం దుఃఖం
janma duhkham, jara duhkham, vyadhi duhkham, sarvam duhkham
Birth is suffering, old age is suffering, disease is suffering, everything is suffering.
Derived from Buddhist philosophy, this expression highlights the fundamental truth of human existence: that life is inherently filled with various forms of pain and hardship. It is used to describe the cycle of life and the inevitability of suffering across different stages—from birth to old age and illness.
మీరిలేని చుట్టం వస్తే, మిడకక తెల్లారదు
mirileni chuttam vaste, midakaka tellaradu
If a guest arrives without an invitation, the night will not pass without irritation.
This expression highlights the inconvenience and frustration caused by uninvited or unwanted guests. It suggests that when someone visits at an inappropriate time or without being asked, it creates a restless and bothersome situation for the host.
భారంలేని బావ చస్తే, దూలం పడ్డా దుఃఖం లేదు
bharamleni bava chaste, dulam padda duhkham ledu
If a brother-in-law who doesn't share the burden dies, there is no grief even if the roof beam falls.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person is so useless or unhelpful to the family or group that their absence or demise is not felt as a loss. It suggests that when someone contributes nothing and bears no responsibility, their presence is immaterial to the household's stability.
అతిశయ దుఃఖం ఆరునెలలు, కడుపుదుఃఖం కలకాలం
atishaya duhkham arunelalu, kadupuduhkham kalakalam
Excessive grief lasts six months, but the grief of losing a child lasts forever.
This proverb contrasts different types of sorrows. While general intense grief or social mourning might fade over a period (metaphorically six months), the pain a parent feels over the loss of their own child (kadupu duhkham) is permanent and remains for a lifetime.
చావు తప్పి కన్ను లొట్టబోయింది
chavu tappi kannu lottaboyindi
Death was avoided, but the eye was hollowed out.
This expression is used to describe a situation where one narrowly escapes a major disaster or death, but still suffers a significant, though non-fatal, loss or damage. It is similar to the English saying 'to have a close shave' or 'escaping by the skin of one's teeth' but with an emphasis on the minor damage incurred during the escape.
చాలని బట్టకొంటే చినిగేవరకు దుఃఖము, చాలనిమగని చేసుకుంటే చచ్చేవరకు దుఃఖము
chalani battakonte chinigevaraku duhkhamu, chalanimagani chesukunte chachchevaraku duhkhamu
Buying insufficient cloth brings grief until it tears; marrying an incompatible husband brings grief until death.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of making wise, long-term decisions. Just as buying cloth that is too small or of poor quality causes constant annoyance until it is worn out, choosing an unsuitable life partner leads to a lifetime of regret and sorrow. It serves as a warning to be careful in choices that have lasting consequences.
అర్తి దుఃఖం ఆరునెలలు, కడుపు దుఃఖం కలకాలం
arti duhkham arunelalu, kadupu duhkham kalakalam
The grief of the neck [lasts] six months; the grief of the womb, for ever. The " grief of the neck " signifies widowhood, when the marriage cord is broken. The " grief of the womb" signifies the loss of a child.
This proverb highlights the depth of emotional loss. It suggests that while the sorrow of losing a partner (arti) might fade or heal with time, the pain of losing one's own child (kadupu) is an eternal wound that never truly heals. It is used to describe the incomparable bond between a parent and child.
* Can ch'abbala non morde.
దూడలేని పాడి దుఃఖపు పొడి
dudaleni padi duhkhapu podi
Dairy without a calf is like a pinch of grief.
This proverb highlights that milking a cow without its calf is difficult and joyless. Metaphorically, it describes any endeavor or situation that lacks its essential core or foundation, leading only to sorrow and dissatisfaction instead of prosperity.