మెతుకులు చల్లితే కాకులకు కొదువా?
metukulu challite kakulaku koduva?
If you scatter cooked rice grains, will there be a shortage of crows?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where people flock to someone who has wealth, power, or resources. Just as crows gather wherever food is scattered, opportunistic people will always surround someone who is willing to spend money or offer favors. It implies that followers or sycophants are easy to find as long as there is a personal benefit involved.
Related Phrases
ఉరిసినచోట ఉడుకులు చల్లినట్లు.
urisinachota udukulu challinatlu.
Like pouring hot water on a raw, peeled wound.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone's suffering is aggravated by further misfortune or harsh words. It is similar to the English idiom 'to rub salt in the wound.' It refers to making a painful situation even more unbearable through insensitive actions or additional problems.
ఏడు మెతుకులు తింటే ఏనుగంత సత్తువ
edu metukulu tinte enuganta sattuva
Eating seven grains of cooked rice gives strength equal to an elephant.
This proverb is often used to emphasize the importance of eating a proper meal, even a small amount, to gain significant energy and vitality. It highlights that nutrition is the key to strength and is sometimes used to encourage children to eat or to describe the restorative power of food.
బ్రహ్మ తలిస్తే ఆయుస్సుకు కొదువా, మొగుడు తలిస్తే దెబ్బలకు కొదువా?
brahma taliste ayussuku koduva, mogudu taliste debbalaku koduva?
If Brahma decides, is there a shortage of lifespan? If a husband decides, is there a shortage of beatings?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone has absolute power or control over an outcome. Just as the Creator (Brahma) can grant a long life at will, someone in a position of authority or dominance can cause trouble or inflict hardship whenever they choose. It often highlights the helplessness of one party against the whims of a more powerful one.
చోళ్లు చల్లితే జొన్నలు పండునా?
chollu challite jonnalu panduna?
If you sow finger millets, will sorghum grow?
This proverb emphasizes the principle of cause and effect, similar to 'you reap what you sow.' It is used to explain that one cannot expect great results or specific outcomes without putting in the appropriate effort or the right resources. It highlights that actions have specific consequences and you cannot get something different from what you started with.
కనిపెంచిననాడు కొడుకులుగాని, కోడళ్లు వచ్చాక కొడుకులా?
kanipenchinanadu kodukulugani, kodallu vachchaka kodukula?
They are sons only while being birthed and raised; are they still sons once the daughters-in-law arrive?
This proverb reflects a cynical or traditional social observation about how sons often change their priorities or distance themselves from their parents after getting married. It is used to express the disappointment of parents who feel neglected by their sons due to the influence of their wives (daughters-in-law).
లోకులు కాకులు
lokulu kakulu
People are like crows
This expression is used to convey that people will always find something to gossip about or criticize, regardless of what one does. Just as crows caw incessantly, society often engages in relentless talk or judgment. It is used to advise someone to ignore public opinion or gossip.
దేవుడు తలిస్తే దెబ్బలకు కొదువా?
devudu taliste debbalaku koduva?
If God decides, will there be a shortage of blows?
This proverb is used to express that when one's luck is bad or when divine fate is against them, troubles and misfortunes come in quick succession from all directions. It is often used to lament a series of unexpected hardships or to suggest that one cannot escape destiny when it turns unfavorable.
గతుకులకు పోతే, బతుకులు పోయినవి
gatukulaku pote, batukulu poyinavi
When he went to lap, his livelihood went. When a greedy man went to spoon upon another for his breakfast he was kept waiting so long that he lost his situation.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone, out of greed or a desire for small, insignificant gains (scraps/leftovers), ends up losing something very valuable or even their entire livelihood. It serves as a warning against being penny-wise and pound-foolish, or taking unnecessary risks for minor rewards.
మెతుకులు చల్లితే కాకులకు తక్కువా?
metukulu challite kakulaku takkuva?
If you scatter grains [ of boiled rice ] will there be any lack of crows ?
This expression is used to signify that when there are resources, opportunities, or money available, there will never be a shortage of people (often sycophants or opportunists) flocking to take advantage of them. It suggests that followers or takers are easily attracted by incentives.
పాటు కలిగితే కూటికి కొదువా
patu kaligite kutiki koduva
If there is hard work, will there be a shortage of food?
This proverb emphasizes the dignity and reward of labor. It means that as long as a person is willing to work hard and put in the effort, they will never have to worry about basic necessities like food. It is used to encourage industriousness and self-reliance.