ఇంటి కోడళ్ళు తిన్నా కోళ్ళు తిన్నా వృథాగా పోవు
inti kodallu tinna kollu tinna vrithaga povu
Whether the daughters-in-law of the house eat or the chickens eat, it will not go to waste.
This proverb suggests that money or resources spent within the family or on its assets are never truly lost. Just as feeding the household's chickens eventually benefits the family (through eggs or meat), food eaten by the family members contributes to the strength and well-being of the household itself. It is used to justify internal expenses that might otherwise seem like a loss.
Related Phrases
భంగు తిన్న కోతివలె
bhangu tinna kotivale
Like a monkey that has consumed bhang (cannabis)
This expression is used to describe a person who is acting in an erratic, restless, or uncontrollably hyperactive manner. Just as a monkey is naturally restless, adding an intoxicant like bhang would make its behavior completely unpredictable and wild; hence, it refers to someone behaving in a chaotic or senseless fashion.
ఉప్పు తిన్నవాడు నీళ్లు తాగుతాడు.
uppu tinnavadu nillu tagutadu.
The man that has eaten salt drinks water.
This proverb functions as a metaphor for the law of karma and accountability. It means that every action has a consequence, and one must eventually face the results of their deeds. Just as eating salt inevitably leads to thirst, committing an act (especially a wrong or illegal one) will inevitably lead to its natural repercussions or punishment.
ఘాటాలు తిన్న కోడె ఘాటికి రానట్లు
ghatalu tinna kode ghatiki ranatlu
Like a young bull that has tasted the lush grass of the valley and refuses to return to its manger.
This proverb is used to describe a person who has experienced better opportunities, luxuries, or freedom elsewhere and is no longer willing to return to their previous, restricted, or mundane life. It highlights the difficulty of bringing someone back to a routine or humble state once they have tasted a superior or more enjoyable lifestyle.
ఆవాలు తిన్నమ్మకు యావ, ఉలవలు తిన్నమ్మకు ఉలుకు
avalu tinnammaku yava, ulavalu tinnammaku uluku
A woman who eats mustard seeds has desire; a woman who eats horse gram has a startle.
This proverb describes how different habits, foods, or actions produce specific physiological or psychological reactions. It is often used metaphorically to suggest that a person's behavior or guilt is a direct result of their secret actions—specifically, if someone has done something wrong (eaten horse gram which causes gas/discomfort), they will be jumpy or 'startled' when the topic comes up.
అన్నం తిన్నవాడు, తన్నులు తిన్నవాడు మర్చిపోడు
annam tinnavadu, tannulu tinnavadu marchipodu
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.
ముంజలు తిన్నవానికంటే, మోరులు తిన్నవానికే తంటా.
munjalu tinnavanikante, morulu tinnavanike tanta.
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.
చింతకాయలు తిన్న నోరు కొట్టులు తిననగునా?
chintakayalu tinna noru kottulu tinanaguna?
Can a mouth that has eaten tamarinds eat bits of wood?
This proverb describes a fall from grace or a significant decline in one's standard of living. It suggests that someone who was once accustomed to a comfortable or luxurious life (symbolized by tasty tamarinds) finds it difficult or unbearable to settle for a life of extreme poverty or hardship (symbolized by eating dry wood/scraps).
చిన్నవాళ్ళు తింటే చిరుతిండి, పెద్దవాళ్ళు తింటే ఫలహారం
chinnavallu tinte chirutindi, peddavallu tinte phalaharam
If children eat it, it's a snack; if elders eat it, it's a religious offering (light meal).
This expression points out social hypocrisy or double standards. It suggests that the same action is judged differently based on the status or age of the person performing it. While a child eating between meals might be seen as a bad habit (snacking), an elder doing the same is given a more respectful or justified label (tiffin or sacred meal).
కాలం వస్తే గాడిద కాళ్ళు పట్టుకోవాలి
kalam vaste gadida kallu pattukovali
When time is bad, one must hold a donkey's feet.
This proverb suggests that when a person is in a difficult situation or facing bad times, they might have to humble themselves or seek help from someone they normally look down upon to get their work done. It emphasizes the importance of pragmatism and patience over pride during adversity.
అన్నం తిన్నవాడు, తన్నులు తిన్నవాడు మర్చిపోరు
annam tinnavadu, tannulu tinnavadu marchiporu
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).