లేబరముకాదె బిడ్డలు లేని బ్రతుకు
lebaramukade biddalu leni bratuku
Is it not a labor/burden, a life without children?
This expression reflects a traditional societal sentiment that a life without children is empty, difficult, or lacks purpose. It suggests that having offspring is what gives life fulfillment and value, and without them, existence feels like a heavy or meaningless struggle (labour).
Related Phrases
మగవాని బ్రతుకు చిప్పనిండ మెతుకు, ఆడదాని బ్రతుకు గంజిలో మెతుకు.
magavani bratuku chippaninda metuku, adadani bratuku ganjilo metuku.
A man's life is a bowl full of grains; a woman's life is a grain in the gruel.
This traditional proverb reflects historical gender roles and social hierarchies. It suggests that a man's life or contribution is seen as substantial and central (a bowl full of food), while a woman's life is often perceived as supplementary or less significant (a single grain in liquid). It is used to describe the disparity in how society values the lives and roles of men and women.
ఏమిచేసి బ్రతుకుదునమ్మా అంటే, నోరుచేసుకు బ్రతుకుబిడ్డా అన్నదట
emichesi bratukudunamma ante, noruchesuku bratukubidda annadata
When asked 'Mother, how shall I survive?', the mother replied 'Survive by using your mouth (speech), my child'.
This expression highlights that communication skills and articulateness are essential for survival and success. It is used to describe situations where someone makes a living or gets things done through their power of speech, persuasion, or sometimes by being vocal and assertive about their needs.
జోడులేని బ్రతుకు త్రాడులేని బొంగరము.
joduleni bratuku traduleni bongaramu.
A life without a partner is like a spinning top without a string.
This proverb highlights the importance of companionship. Just as a top cannot spin or find direction without a string to guide it, a person's life without a life partner is seen as aimless, unstable, or lacking support and control.
దయ్యాల ముందర బిడ్డలు బ్రతుకుతారా?
dayyala mundara biddalu bratukutara?
Will children survive in front of demons?
This expression is used to describe a situation where innocent or vulnerable people cannot thrive or survive under the control of cruel, greedy, or evil individuals. It implies that being in a predatory environment inevitably leads to destruction.
ఒకనాటి అదను, ఏడాది బ్రతుకు.
okanati adanu, edadi bratuku.
A single day's opportunity, a year's livelihood.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of timing and seizing the right moment. It suggests that acting at the right time (especially in agriculture or business) can provide sustenance and stability for a long period. It is used to highlight that missing a crucial opportunity might lead to a year of hardship.
దయ్యముల ముందర బిడ్డ బ్రతుకునా?
dayyamula mundara bidda bratukuna?
Could a child live in front of devils ?
This expression is used to describe a situation where something fragile, innocent, or valuable is placed in the hands of cruel and heartless people. Just as a child cannot survive amongst demons, a good person or a delicate task cannot thrive or succeed in an environment filled with wicked people or destructive forces.
ఆడదాని బ్రతుకు అరిటాకు బ్రతుకు వంటిది.
adadani bratuku aritaku bratuku vantidi.
A woman's life is like a banana leaf.
This proverb highlights the perceived vulnerability and fragility of a woman's life in traditional society. Like a banana leaf, which gets damaged whether it falls on a thorn or a thorn falls on it, a woman's reputation or life is seen as being easily affected by circumstances regardless of who is at fault.
గ్రాసం లేని కొలువు, మీసం లేని బ్రతుకు
grasam leni koluvu, misam leni bratuku
A job without fodder (sustenance) is like a life without a mustache.
This proverb highlights that a job or position that doesn't provide enough income for basic survival is useless and lacks dignity. In traditional context, a mustache was seen as a symbol of pride and honor for a man; similarly, a job's primary purpose is to provide livelihood, and without that, it holds no value or respect.
జోడు లేని బ్రతుకు, తాడు లేని బొంగరం.
jodu leni bratuku, tadu leni bongaram.
A life without a partner is like a spinning top without a string.
This proverb highlights the importance of companionship. Just as a top cannot be spun or controlled without a string, a person's life is seen as directionless, unstable, or incomplete without a life partner or soulmate to support and balance them.
ఆడదాని బ్రతుకు అల్ప బ్రతుకు
adadani bratuku alpa bratuku
A woman's life is a fragile/humble life
This is a traditional Telugu proverb often used to express the perceived vulnerability, hardships, or subordinate status women faced in social structures. It suggests that a woman's life is delicate or subject to many challenges. In modern contexts, it is sometimes used to reflect on the historical plight or difficulties specific to women's experiences.