కుండమార్పు మనువులు కూడైనా వస్తవి, కుమ్మయినా అవుతవి
kundamarpu manuvulu kudaina vastavi, kummayina avutavi
Marriages by exchange of pots (reciprocal marriages) can either result in abundance or turn into a heap of ash.
This proverb refers to 'Kundamarpu'—a traditional marriage practice where two families exchange siblings (a brother and sister from one family marry a sister and brother from another). It suggests that such arrangements are highly volatile: if the families get along, they flourish together ('abundance'), but if a conflict arises in one marriage, it inevitably ruins the other ('heap of ash'). It highlights the interdependent risk of reciprocal relationships.
Related Phrases
ఆవులూ ఆవులూ పోట్లాడుకుంటే లేగల కాళ్లు విరిగినట్లు
avulu avulu potladukunte legala kallu viriginatlu
When the cows fight, the sucking calves' legs are broken. When the great fall out, the poor suffer.
This proverb describes a situation where the conflict or power struggle between two powerful parties or superiors results in the suffering of innocent, smaller, or weaker subordinates who are caught in the middle. It is used to highlight collateral damage caused by leadership disputes.
అమ్మాయి వస్తే అన్నీ అణుగుతవి
ammayi vaste anni anugutavi
Once the girl arrives, everything will settle down.
This proverb suggests that after getting married (when the daughter-in-law enters the house), a man's recklessness or wandering nature will naturally decrease as he takes on responsibilities. It is often used when parents discuss marriage as a solution for a son's irresponsible behavior.
మాటలు కోటలు దాటుతాయి, కాలు గడప దాటదు
matalu kotalu datutayi, kalu gadapa datadu
His words leap over forts, his foot does not cross the threshold.
This expression is used to describe people who talk big and boast about grand plans or achievements, but in reality, fail to take even the smallest action or initiative. It highlights the contrast between empty talk and lack of practical effort.
Great vaunters, little doers. ( French. )† * Il se ruine à promettre, et s'acquit à ne rien donner. † Grand vanteurs, petite faiseurs.
మూడు మనువులు వెళ్ళినా, పొయ్యి ఊదమన్నారు
mudu manuvulu vellina, poyyi udamannaru
Even after going through three marriages, they told her to blow the stove.
This expression highlights that no matter how much experience or seniority one gains, they cannot escape basic chores or fundamental responsibilities. It is often used to describe situations where a person's status or age doesn't exempt them from hard work or routine tasks.
గుమ్మళ్లు కుళ్లినవి ఆవాలు అల్లినవి.
gummallu kullinavi avalu allinavi.
The pumpkins have become rotten, the mustard plants have spread. Said when the base and wicked rise in power and the great and good disappear.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where great or powerful entities have fallen or perished, while small, insignificant, or weak entities are thriving or taking over. It highlights the irony of time or circumstances where the mighty fail and the lowly flourish.
తిట్టితే గాలికిపోతవి, తింటే లోనికి పోతవి
tittite galikipotavi, tinte loniki potavi
If someone scolds, the words go into the air; if you eat, the food goes inside.
This proverb is used to encourage someone to ignore verbal abuse or insults. It suggests that harsh words are intangible and vanish like the wind without causing physical harm, whereas food provides actual nourishment. It is often said to someone who is upset by criticism or scolding, advising them to stay resilient and focus on their own well-being instead of dwelling on others' words.
వానలు కురుస్తుంటవి, కప్పలు అరుస్తుంటవి.
vanalu kurustuntavi, kappalu arustuntavi.
Rain will fall, frogs will croak. Said of any thing which must be expected as a matter of course.
This expression refers to the natural and inevitable sequence of events. It is often used to describe situations where things are happening as they normally should, or to imply that despite certain activities or noise (like people talking or complaining), life goes on and natural processes continue.
మాను పండ్లు మాను కిందనే రాలుతవి.
manu pandlu manu kindane ralutavi.
The tree's fruits fall below the tree.
This proverb is the Telugu equivalent of 'the apple doesn't fall far from the tree'. It is used to describe how children often inherit the characteristics, behaviors, or qualities of their parents or family environment.
What is in your lot, that you will have. Every man hath his own planet.
రాముని పాదాలు తగిలితే, రాళ్ళు రమణులవుతవి.
ramuni padalu tagilite, rallu ramanulavutavi.
If Rama's feet touch them, stones turn into beautiful women.
This expression originates from the Ramayana (Ahalya's story). It is used to signify the transformative power of a great person's presence or grace, suggesting that even the most hardened or hopeless situations can be redeemed and beautified by the touch of divinity or noble leadership.
తిడితే గాలికి పోతాయి, తింటే లోపలికి పోతాయి
tidite galiki potayi, tinte lopaliki potayi
The abuse which is heaped on me goes to the winds, but the food which I eat goes within.
This expression is used to advise someone to be thick-skinned or indifferent to verbal abuse or insults. It suggests that harsh words have no physical form and vanish into the air without causing harm, whereas food provides actual nourishment. It is often said to encourage someone not to take criticism to heart as long as their basic needs are met.
A mean sycophant.