కననిది బిడ్డ కాదు, కట్టనిది చీర కాదు.
kananidi bidda kadu, kattanidi chira kadu.
That which has not been brought forth is not a child ; that which is not worn is not a garment. Nothing belonging to others can make up for the want of one's own.
This expression highlights the value of personal experience, biological connection, and practical utility. It suggests that the true essence or value of something is realized only when it fulfills its primary purpose or has a direct personal bond. It is often used to emphasize that ownership or a relationship is truly meaningful only when it is direct and earned, rather than through secondary means.
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.
నీకు రానిది, నేను విననిది, లోకంలో లేనిదీ చెప్పమన్నట్టు.
niku ranidi, nenu vinanidi, lokamlo lenidi cheppamannattu.
Like asking to tell something you don't know, I haven't heard, and doesn't exist in the world.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is asked to provide an impossible or non-existent explanation, or when someone is making up blatant lies that defy logic and reality. It highlights the absurdity of a request or a statement.
పిల్లలు లేనిది ఇల్లు కాదు, పిట్టలు లేనిది తోపు కాదు
pillalu lenidi illu kadu, pittalu lenidi topu kadu
A house without children is not a home, and a grove without birds is not a grove.
This proverb highlights the essential elements that bring life and joy to a place. Just as birds are vital for the vibrancy and identity of a grove (orchard), children are considered the soul and joy of a household. It is used to emphasize the importance of children in making a home feel complete and lively.
ముండ కాదు, ముత్తయిదువ కాదు
munda kadu, muttayiduva kadu
Neither a widow, nor a married woman. Said by a man kept in suspense, neither granted nor refused a request, and not knowing whether he was to be as fortunate as a married woman or as unfortunate as a widow.
This expression is used to describe someone or something that is in an ambiguous or uncertain state, belonging to neither of two distinct categories. It often refers to a person who lacks a clear identity or a situation that remains unresolved and 'in-between.'
నీకు రానిదీ, నేను విననిదీ, భూలోకములో లేనిదీ చెప్పుమన్నట్టు.
niku ranidi, nenu vinanidi, bhulokamulo lenidi cheppumannattu.
Tell me something that you never knew, that I never heard, and that never existed in the world.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is asked to provide impossible or non-existent information. It highlights the absurdity of a request that demands something completely unknown to both the teller and the listener, and which has no basis in reality. It is often used sarcastically when someone expects an answer that is logically impossible to give.
నీకు రానిదీ నాకు విన సహించనిదీ పాడుమన్నట్టు.
niku ranidi naku vina sahinchanidi padumannattu.
Sing something that you don't know and that I cannot bear to hear. Asking something which is impossible.
This proverb describes a situation where someone is forced or encouraged to do something they are incompetent at, resulting in an outcome that is unpleasant or intolerable for everyone involved. It is used to mock a task performed poorly by someone without skill, which only causes annoyance to the observer.
ఉల్లి ముట్టనిదీ వాసన రాదు
ulli muttanidi vasana radu
Unless you had touched the garlick [ your fingers ] would not have smelt.
This proverb is equivalent to 'There is no smoke without fire.' It suggests that rumors or accusations usually have some basis in truth, or that an effect must have a cause.
If you had not meddled with a bad business you would not have got a bad name. He who touches pitch defiles himself. ( Italian. )*
ఓపనివాడు కోరనిదీ, ఒంటనివాడు ఆడనిదీ లేదు.
opanivadu koranidi, ontanivadu adanidi ledu.
There is nothing which an invalid will not ask for; and there is nothing which an envious man will not say.
This proverb describes human nature regarding laziness and jealousy. It implies that a person who is unable or unwilling to work (incapable) often makes grand demands or wishes for things without effort, while a person who cannot tolerate others' success (envious) will spread rumors or say anything to belittle them. It is used to criticize those who talk big but do nothing, or those who gossip out of spite.
నీకు రానిది, నేను విననిది, లోకములో లేనిది చెప్పమన్నట్టు
niku ranidi, nenu vinanidi, lokamulo lenidi cheppamannattu
Like asking to say something you don't know, I haven't heard, and doesn't exist in the world.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is asked to perform an impossible task or provide information that is non-existent. It highlights the absurdity of a request that defies logic or reality, often used when someone makes unreasonable demands or asks for something completely fictional.
నిప్పు ముట్టనిదీ చెయ్యి కాలదు.
nippu muttanidi cheyyi kaladu.
Don't touch fire, and your hand won't be burnt.
This expression is used to signify that every result has a cause, particularly regarding consequences for one's actions. It implies that a person doesn't get into trouble unless they have done something wrong, or that there is no smoke without fire.
Don't play with the bear if you don't want to be bit. (Italian.)† * Ayer vaquero, hoy caballero. † Non ischersar coll'orso, so non vnuol esser morso.