కలతమారి మొగుడు కమ్మలు చేయిస్తే, అప్పలకూటి మొగుడు అమ్ముకుతిన్నాడు
kalatamari mogudu kammalu cheyiste, appalakuti mogudu ammukutinnadu
When a quarrelsome husband got earrings made, the debt-ridden husband sold them and ate.
This proverb highlights a contrast in misfortunes or types of husbands. It describes a situation where one woman has a difficult, argumentative husband who at least provides an asset (earrings), while another woman has a husband who is so burdened by debt or poverty that he sells off what little they have just to survive. It is used to compare different types of domestic struggles or to show that someone's gain is often lost due to another's dire circumstances.
Related Phrases
మొగుడు లేకపోతే అప్ప మొగుడు, కూర లేకపోతే పప్పకూర.
mogudu lekapote appa mogudu, kura lekapote pappakura.
If a husband is not there, then the elder sister's husband; if a curry is not there, then dal.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone settles for a substitute or an alternative when the original or preferred choice is unavailable. It highlights the human tendency to find a replacement, sometimes even an inappropriate or simplified one, just to fill a void.
ఏడ్చేదాని మొగుడు వస్తే, నా మొగుడూ వస్తాడు
edchedani mogudu vaste, na mogudu vastadu
If the crying woman's husband returns, my husband will return too.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone waits for others to act or succeed before taking initiative themselves, or a situation where one's fate is tied to the general outcome of a group. It is often used to mock someone who lacks independent drive and simply follows the crowd's luck or progress.
ఏడిచేదాని మొగుడు వస్తే, నా మొగుడూ వస్తాడు
edichedani mogudu vaste, na mogudu vastadu
If the weeping widow's husband returns, mine will come also. Stolid indifference. Want of feeling.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone's own success or progress is entirely dependent on another person's outcome. It reflects a state of helplessness or a wait-and-see approach, implying 'if it can happen for them, it will eventually happen for me too.'
పందిరి ఇల్లు కాదు, పరదేశి మొగుడు కాదు
pandiri illu kadu, paradeshi mogudu kadu
A shed is not a house, and a traveler is not a husband.
This proverb highlights the importance of stability and permanence. Just as a temporary thatched shed (pandiri) cannot provide the security of a permanent home, a person who is just passing through (paradesi) cannot fulfill the long-term responsibilities or provide the stability expected of a spouse. It is used to caution against relying on temporary arrangements or people who lack commitment.
ఇంటి మొగుడు మట్టిగబ్బు, పొరుగింటి మొగుడు పూలవాసన
inti mogudu mattigabbu, poruginti mogudu pulavasana
Own husband smells like mud, neighbor's husband smells like flowers.
This proverb is used to describe the human tendency to undervalue what one already possesses while overestimating the value or quality of what others have. It is similar to the English expression 'The grass is always greener on the other side.'
అవసరం తీరితే, అక్క మొగుడు కుక్క
avasaram tirite, akka mogudu kukka
Once the need is fulfilled, the sister's husband is treated like a dog.
This proverb describes ingratitude. It is used to mock people who seek help from someone with great respect, but once their work is done or their need is met, they treat that same person with contempt or total disregard.
పందిరి ఇల్లూ కాదు, పరదేశి మొగుడూ కాదు
pandiri illu kadu, paradeshi mogudu kadu
A shed is not a house, and a traveler is not a husband.
This proverb describes temporary or unreliable situations. Just as a temporary thatched shed (pandiri) cannot provide the permanence and security of a real home, a stranger or traveler who is just passing through cannot fulfill the long-term responsibilities of a life partner. It is used to caution against relying on things or people that lack stability or commitment.
నన్నమ్మకు మొగుడు, తిమ్మన్న తల్లికి మొగుడు.
nannammaku mogudu, timmanna talliki mogudu.
A husband to Nannamma, and a husband to Timmanna's mother.
This expression is used to describe someone who is extremely clever, cunning, or a 'know-it-all' who thinks they can outsmart anyone. It refers to a person who claims superiority over those who are already considered experts or authorities in a particular field, often used in a sarcastic tone to highlight someone's overconfidence or manipulative nature.
ఏడ్చేదాని మొగుడు వస్తే, ఏకు వడికేదాని మొగుడూ వస్తాడు.
edchedani mogudu vaste, eku vadikedani mogudu vastadu.
If the crying woman's husband returns, the spinning woman's husband will also return.
This proverb is used to convey that time and circumstances are the same for everyone. If a favorable event happens for one person, similar relief or results will eventually come to others in a similar situation. It suggests patience and the universal nature of fate or timing.
మొగుడు చచ్చి మర్రో అంటుంటే మిండ మొగుడు వచ్చి బిడ్డ పుట్టిస్తాలే అన్నాడట
mogudu chachchi marro antunte minda mogudu vachchi bidda puttistale annadata
When she was crying 'Alas!' because her husband died, her paramour came and said, 'Don't worry, I will give you a child.'
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone offers a completely inappropriate, insensitive, or irrelevant solution to a person in deep distress. It highlights the lack of empathy or the absurdity of a person trying to take advantage of or misinterpret a tragic situation for their own interests.