కాని కాలాన ఆలే పెండ్లామైంది

kani kalana ale pendlamaindi

Translation

In bad times, one's own wife becomes a problem/burden.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a string of bad luck or an unfortunate period in life where even the things or people meant to support you (like a spouse) seem to turn against you or become sources of trouble. It highlights how everything goes wrong when time is not in your favor.

Related Phrases

When asked to speak auspicious words, the groom said all the married women at the wedding are his senior wives.

This proverb is used to describe a person who says something incredibly foolish, offensive, or inappropriate when asked to speak or act properly. It highlights the irony of someone ruining a positive situation by being tactless or utterly lacking common sense.

They said your wedding is ruined, so come to my wedding to collect the ritual betel leaves (tamboolam).

This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely insensitive or selfish. It refers to a situation where someone ignores another person's tragedy or loss and instead asks them for help or participation in their own celebration. It highlights a complete lack of empathy.

When good fortune comes, your wife will become your spouse. Said in joke to a man who fancied that he had been very fortunate.

This ironic proverb is used to describe a situation where someone attributes a natural or inevitable outcome to 'extraordinary luck' or 'divine intervention'. It highlights the absurdity of crediting luck for something that was already yours or bound to happen anyway. It is often used to mock someone who is overly superstitious or when someone gets lucky in a way that is redundant.

If luck favors, that itself will become your wife.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where things fall into place effortlessly due to pure luck. It implies that when fortune is on your side, even unlikely or difficult outcomes become reality without much struggle. It is often used to remark on someone's unexpected success or a stroke of good luck that settles a major life matter.

All shame is gone, junior wife; shall we at least go to the wedding, senior wife?

This expression is used to describe a person who lacks self-respect or has already lost their reputation and continues to act shamelessly without concern for social standing. It highlights a situation where someone, having already suffered a major embarrassment or failure, behaves as if nothing happened or tries to seek further social engagement despite their loss of dignity.

Your paternal uncle's wife is not your maternal aunt; your maternal uncle's wife is not your paternal aunt.

This proverb highlights the nuances of relationships and blood ties. It suggests that while people may hold certain titles or positions through marriage, they do not necessarily inherit the same biological significance or emotional depth as the original relative. It is often used to caution against expecting the same level of care or loyalty from relatives by marriage as one would from blood relatives.

In bad times, even a stick turns into a snake and bites.

This proverb is used to describe a period of misfortune where everything seems to go wrong. It implies that when one is going through a streak of bad luck, even harmless objects or trusted situations can unexpectedly cause harm or turn against them.

Why would I beat you for serving dal during the day, wife? Why would I scold you if you make sweet boorelu every day, wife?

This expression is used to describe someone who makes obvious or redundant statements about being kind only when their own needs are met with luxury. It mocks a person who pretends to be reasonable while actually demanding high standards or special treatment constantly. It reflects a situation where 'good behavior' is conditional upon receiving the best possible service or food.

In bad times, even a pigeon pea plant will not bear fruit

This proverb describes a period of misfortune where even the simplest or most reliable tasks fail to yield results. It is used to express that when luck is against someone, even their best efforts and usually dependable resources will let them down.

For a poor man, his wife is his only wealth.

This proverb suggests that for someone with no material possessions or financial resources, a supportive and hardworking life partner is their greatest asset and source of strength. It highlights the value of companionship and family over material riches in times of poverty.