మింగ మెతుకు లేదు, తాగ గంగ లేదు
minga metuku ledu, taga ganga ledu
No grain of rice to swallow, no water (Ganga) to drink.
This expression describes a state of extreme poverty or absolute lack of basic necessities. It is used to mock someone who puts on appearances or acts arrogant while having nothing to eat or drink, or simply to describe a person who is struggling for survival without even the simplest resources.
Related Phrases
మింగమెతుకు లేదుగానీ, మీసాలకు సంపెంగ నూనె.
mingametuku ledugani, misalaku sampenga nune.
There isn't a grain of food to swallow, but champaca oil for the mustache.
This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks basic necessities but indulges in expensive luxuries or puts on a show of wealth. It mocks vanity and the habit of maintaining a false status while struggling with essential needs.
కాకికి కంకెడు లేదు, పెట్టకు పిడికెడు లేదు
kakiki kankedu ledu, pettaku pidikedu ledu
Not even a grain stalk for the crow, not even a handful for the hen.
This expression describes an extremely stingy person or a situation of absolute scarcity where someone refuses to help others, even in the smallest way. It highlights a lack of generosity even towards those who need very little.
మింగ మెతుకు లేదు, మీసాల మీదికి సంపెంగనూనె
minga metuku ledu, misala midiki sampenganune
Not a grain to eat, but scented oil for his mustaches.
This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks basic necessities (like food) but indulges in expensive luxuries or maintains a false sense of status to show off to others. It mocks superficial vanity and the act of maintaining appearances while suffering in poverty.
Love of outward show disproportionate to one's means.
ఆలు లేదు, చూలు లేదు, కొడుకు పేరు సోమలింగం.
alu ledu, chulu ledu, koduku peru somalingam.
No wife and no pregnancy, but the child’s name is Somalingam.
Some people look for results even before the necessary tasks are performed. This indicates absurdity in wildly expecting something to happen.
We have no son and yet are giving him a namc. (Spanish.)* Count not your chickens before they are hatched. * Hijo no tenemos, y nombre le ponemos.
తాడూ లేదు, బొంగరం లేదు
tadu ledu, bongaram ledu
Neither a string nor a top.
This expression is used to describe someone who lacks any ties, responsibilities, or assets. It often refers to a person who is roaming aimlessly without any sense of direction or accountability, or to a situation that is completely disorganized and lacks a proper basis.
మింగ మెతుకు లేదు మీసాలాకి సంపెంగ నూనె
minga metuku ledu misalaki sampenga nune
Literally, no food to eat but for the moustache perfumed oil.
This is said when one does not live within one’s means. Extravagance is to be avoided at any cost, as it would turn one into a pauper sooner than later.
తాడూ లేదు, బొంగరమూ లేదు
tadu ledu, bongaramu ledu
Neither a string nor a top
This expression is used to describe a person who is irresponsible, lacks roots, or has no attachments or accountability. Just as a spinning top cannot be controlled or operated without a string, it refers to someone who is wandering aimlessly or a situation that has no proper foundation or control.
మింగ మెతుకు లేదు గానీ, మీసాలకు సంపెంగ నూనె అన్నాడట.
minga metuku ledu gani, misalaku sampenga nune annadata.
He doesn't have a single grain to swallow, but he wants champaca oil for his mustache.
This proverb describes a person who lacks basic necessities or is in a state of poverty, yet tries to maintain a fake, luxurious, or boastful outward appearance. It is used to mock people who focus on superficial vanity while neglecting their essential needs.
నాడు కట్టా లేదు, నేడు చించా లేదు.
nadu katta ledu, nedu chincha ledu.
Neither on that day did I put it on, nor on this day have I torn it.
This proverb is used to describe someone who is consistently lazy, indifferent, or irresponsible. It refers to a person who didn't take the effort to wear/tie a garment properly in the past and doesn't bother about it being torn or ruined in the present. It characterizes a state of having no cares, no progress, and no sense of responsibility regardless of the time or situation.
Said by a poor fellow who had never had the pleasure of putting on a good cloth or the annoyance of tearing it.
చింత లేదు, చింత లేకపోతే పులుసు లేదు.
chinta ledu, chinta lekapote pulusu ledu.
"No matter" said one, "Then if there's no tamarind, there's no acid" said the other. There is here a pun upon the word Chinta which means both "thought, sorrow" and also "tamarinds."
This is a pun on the Telugu word 'Chinta' which means both 'worry' and 'tamarind'. It is used humorously to describe a situation where someone says they have no worries, but in reality, they are missing a basic necessity or the very thing that gives life flavor. It highlights that being completely free of 'concerns' might sometimes mean lacking something essential.