కంచంత బలగమున్నా కంచంలో కూడువేసే దిక్కులేదు
kanchanta balagamunna kanchamlo kuduvese dikkuledu
Even if there are relatives as large as a fence, there is no one to put food in the plate.
This proverb describes a situation where a person has a vast network of relatives or supporters, yet finds themselves completely neglected or without help in their time of need. It highlights the irony of having 'quantity' in relationships without any 'quality' or genuine care.
Related Phrases
తల వెంట్రుకలంత బలగమున్నా తలకొరివి పెట్టే దిక్కులేదు
tala ventrukalanta balagamunna talakorivi pette dikkuledu
Even if one has relatives as numerous as the hairs on their head, there is no one to perform the final rites.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a person is surrounded by many relatives or supporters, yet none of them are reliable or available to help during a critical time of need or at the end of their life. It highlights the irony of having a large but useless circle of people.
దిక్కులేని వారికి దేవుడే దిక్కు.
dikkuleni variki devude dikku.
God is the help of the helpless. God is where He was.
This proverb is used to express that when someone has no support, family, or help in the world, God will protect and guide them. It is equivalent to the English sentiment that God helps those who are helpless or abandoned.
ఒక కంచాన తిని ఒక మంచాన పడుకునేవారు
oka kanchana tini oka manchana padukunevaru
Those who eat from the same plate and sleep on the same bed.
This expression is used to describe an extremely close, intimate, and inseparable relationship between people (usually friends or family). It signifies a bond characterized by total trust and shared lives.
దివాణంలో దిక్కులేదు, అంబటిలో ఉప్పు లేదు.
divanamlo dikkuledu, ambatilo uppu ledu.
No help in the royal court, and no salt in the porridge.
This proverb is used to describe a state of complete helplessness or extreme poverty where there is neither protection from the high-ups (the court/government) nor the most basic necessity (salt) for daily survival. It highlights a situation where both external support and internal resources are absent.
కంచం పొత్తేగాని, మంచం పొత్తులేదు
kancham pottegani, mancham pottuledu
Dining plates may be shared, but the bed is not shared.
This expression is used to describe a relationship between people (often relatives or friends) who are close enough to eat together or share a meal, but are not close enough to share a household, intimate secrets, or a marital bond. It highlights the boundaries of social intimacy and the distinction between formal friendship and private life.
మంచమున్నంత వరకు కాళ్ళు చాచుకొ
manchamunnanta varaku kallu chachuko
Stretch your legs as far as the cot permits.
A piece of advice to adjust with available things. Similar to “Cut one’s coat according to one’s cloth”; that is, live within your means.
కంచంలో కూడు కుడువనే గాని కాలదన్నను గాదు
kanchamlo kudu kuduvane gani kaladannanu gadu
I am here to eat the food from the plate, not to kick it away.
This proverb is used to express loyalty or gratitude towards someone who provides sustenance or support. It implies that one should never be ungrateful or harm the source of their livelihood or the person who helps them survive.
ఒక కంచాన తిని ఒక మంచాన పడుకునేవారు
oka kanchana tini oka manchana padukunevaru
They eat of one dish and sleep on one bed.
This expression describes people who share an extremely close, intimate, and inseparable bond or friendship. It is often used to highlight the deep camaraderie and mutual trust between individuals who do everything together.
Extreme intimacy. They are hand and glove.
కంచం పొత్తేగాని మంచం పొత్తు లేదు
kancham pottegani mancham pottu ledu
Shared plate but not a shared bed.
This expression describes a relationship where people are close enough to eat together or share social meals, but do not share a deep, private, or familial intimacy. It is often used to define the boundaries of a friendship or a formal association where one's private life remains separate.
దిక్కులేని వాడికి దేవుడే దిక్కు
dikkuleni vadiki devude dikku
For those who have no one, God is the only refuge
This proverb is used to convey that when a person is helpless, abandoned, or has no support system (orphans, the destitute, or the oppressed), the divine power or providence is their ultimate protector. It is often used to offer comfort in dire situations or to remind others that the helpless are under God's care.