మరుగుభాషపై మన్నుపొయ్యి, గంజిలో యింత ఉప్పెయ్యి
marugubhashapai mannupoyyi, ganjilo yinta uppeyyi
Pour soil on the obscure/secret language, and put a little salt in the gruel.
This proverb is a critique of intellectualism or complex secret languages that do not serve basic human needs. It suggests that practical survival and basic sustenance (symbolized by salt in porridge) are more important than uselessly complex or esoteric knowledge that doesn't put food on the table.
Related Phrases
గంజిలోకి ఉప్పు లేకుంటే, పాలలోకి పంచదారట
ganjiloki uppu lekunte, palaloki panchadarata
If there is no salt for the gruel, there is sugar for the milk, it seems.
This proverb describes a situation where basic necessities are lacking, yet there are demands or expectations for luxuries. It is used to mock people who cannot afford the bare minimum but aspire for high-end comforts, or to highlight extreme irony in one's financial or social state.
మతిమీద మన్నుపోత, ఉప్పకు పోయి నిప్పలెత్తు.
matimida mannupota, uppaku poyi nippalettu.
Throwing mud on the mind, going for salt and bringing fire.
This expression describes a person who is extremely absent-minded, confused, or lacks common sense. It specifically refers to situations where someone is sent to perform a simple task (like getting salt) but ends up doing something entirely different or counterproductive (like bringing burning coals) because they are not focused or have 'mud on their brain'.
ఇంటింటికీ మట్టి పొయ్యే
intintiki matti poyye
Every house has an earthen fire-place.
This proverb means that certain problems, weaknesses, or secrets are universal and exist in every household or for every person, regardless of how they appear on the outside. It is used to convey that one is not alone in their struggles and that human nature or domestic issues are the same everywhere.
Every man has his faults.
ఉన్న ఒక్క మెతుకు కాస్తా గంజిలో పోయినట్లు
unna okka metuku kasta ganjilo poyinatlu
As if the only grain of rice one had fell into the congee (gruel).
This expression is used to describe a situation where a person who is already in a precarious or poor state loses the very little they have left. It signifies a stroke of bad luck that worsens an already desperate situation, or a loss that is particularly painful because it was all that remained.
ఎదుటి పొయ్యి మండితే తన పొయ్యిలో నీళ్లు పోసుకున్నట్టు
eduti poyyi mandite tana poyyilo nillu posukunnattu
When the fire was lighted in the opposite house, he threw water on his own.
This expression describes the irrational and self-destructive nature of extreme jealousy. It refers to someone who is so consumed by envy of another person's success or prosperity that they sabotage their own progress or well-being out of spite or sheer frustration.
An envious man waxes lean with the fatness of his neighbour. Envy is its own torturer. ( Danish ? ) * Wer einen lobt in Praesentia und schimpft in Absentia, den hole die Pestilentia. † Avindayg er sin egen Böddel.
ఏనుగు బ్రతికినా వెయ్యి, చచ్చినా వెయ్యి
enugu bratikina veyyi, chachchina veyyi
An elephant is worth a thousand when alive, and worth a thousand even when dead.
This expression is used to describe someone or something of immense value, status, or reputation that remains significant regardless of their current state or circumstances. Just as an elephant provides labor while alive and valuable ivory/hides after death, a great person's legacy or a high-quality asset continues to command respect and value even after its prime.
అందులో పసలేదు, గంజిలో వార్చుమన్నట్టు
andulo pasaledu, ganjilo varchumannattu
There is no substance in that, strain the rice water. Equivalent to the English "there's nothing in him" or "there's nothing in it."
This expression is used to describe a situation or an object that is completely devoid of value, substance, or truth. Since 'ganji' (gruel/congee) is essentially the water strained from rice, trying to 'strain' it further is a futile task that yields nothing. It highlights an exercise in futility or something that is worthless.
గంజిలోకి ఉప్పే లేదు కానీ, పాలల్లోకి పంచదార కావాలన్నట్టు.
ganjiloki uppe ledu kani, palalloki panchadara kavalannattu.
There isn't even salt for the gruel, but they want sugar for the milk.
This proverb is used to describe someone who lacks basic necessities but still makes demands for luxuries or high-end items. It highlights a mismatch between one's actual financial situation and their expensive tastes or unrealistic desires.
గంజిలోకి ఉప్పులేదు మావా అంటే పాలల్లోకి పంచదార తెమ్మన్నాట్టు.
ganjiloki uppuledu mava ante palalloki panchadara temmannattu.
When someone says there is no salt for the gruel, it is like asking them to bring sugar for the milk.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone makes an even more expensive or demanding request when they are already informed that basic necessities cannot be met. It highlights the lack of common sense or the audacity of asking for luxuries when the bare minimum is unavailable.
ఇంటింటా ఒక ఇటుక పొయ్యి, మా ఇంట ఒక మట్టి పొయ్యి
intinta oka ituka poyyi, ma inta oka matti poyyi
Every house has a brick stove, while our house has a clay stove.
This proverb is used to highlight that despite outward appearances or slight differences, basic problems and human nature are universal. It implies that everyone faces similar struggles and that no one is truly unique in their suffering or circumstances.