నాదం లేని గంట, నాము లేని పంట.
nadam leni ganta, namu leni panta.
A bell without sound, a crop without grain.
This expression refers to something that lacks its core essence or purpose. Just as a bell is useless if it cannot ring and a crop is worthless if it doesn't yield grain, any object or person that does not fulfill their fundamental function is considered ineffective or hollow. It is used to describe wasted effort or decorative things that have no practical value.
Related Phrases
తోరణం లేని ఇల్లు, వీరణం లేని బాజాలు
toranam leni illu, viranam leni bajalu
A house without a festoon, music without a big drum.
This expression describes something that is incomplete or lacks the essential elements that give it character or dignity. Just as a festive house is incomplete without a 'thoranam' (decorative leaf garland) and a musical band feels lackluster without the 'veeranam' (a type of powerful drum), a situation or object is seen as dull or ineffective when its primary decorative or functional feature is missing.
అంతములేని చోటులేదు, ఆది లేని ఆరంభము లేదు.
antamuleni chotuledu, adi leni arambhamu ledu.
There is no place without an end, and no beginning without a source.
This philosophical expression emphasizes the cycle of life and the law of causality. It suggests that everything that exists has a boundary or conclusion, and every event or start has a fundamental root or origin. It is often used to describe the interconnectedness of time, existence, and the universe.
జీతములేని నౌకరు, కోపములేని దొర.
jitamuleni naukaru, kopamuleni dora.
[Where] the servant [is] without pay the master [must be] without anger.
This proverb highlights a situation that is ideal but often unrealistic or ineffective. It suggests that a servant working for free and a boss who never gets angry are both rarities that may lack the necessary discipline or structure required for a formal relationship. It can also imply that certain roles require specific traits to be functional.
అంతం లేని చోటులేదు, ఆదిలేని ఆరంభం లేదు.
antam leni chotuledu, adileni arambham ledu.
There is no place without an end, and no beginning without an origin.
This philosophical expression emphasizes the cyclical and interconnected nature of existence. It suggests that everything that exists occupies space and must eventually conclude, and every start has a preceding cause or source. It is used to describe the continuity of life, the laws of nature, or the inevitability of consequences based on origins.
కారణం లేని కార్యం, పూర్ణం లేని బూరె, వీరణం లేని పెళ్ళి ఉండవు.
karanam leni karyam, purnam leni bure, viranam leni pelli undavu.
There is no action without a cause, no Boore (sweet) without a filling, and no wedding without a drumbeat.
This proverb emphasizes that every effect must have a cause. Just as a traditional sweet is incomplete without its stuffing and a wedding feels incomplete without music, every event or action in life is inevitably linked to a prior reason or motive. It is used to suggest that nothing happens by pure chance without an underlying reason.
సంతు లేని తల్లి, చింత లేని పెళ్ళి
santu leni talli, chinta leni pelli
A mother without offspring, a wedding without worry.
This proverb is used ironically or sarcastically to describe a situation that is incomplete or lacks its fundamental purpose. Just as a woman cannot be a mother without children, a grand event like a wedding is rarely free of some level of worry or responsibility. It implies that certain roles or events naturally come with inherent burdens or characteristics, and without them, the situation is paradoxical or meaningless.
చెట్టులేని చేను, చుట్టములేని ఊరు
chettuleni chenu, chuttamuleni uru
A farm without a tree, a village without a relative
This proverb highlights the feeling of isolation and lack of support. Just as a farm without a tree offers no shade or respite for a farmer, a village where one has no relatives or friends offers no emotional support or belonging. It is used to describe situations where one feels lonely or lacks a support system in a particular place.
సంసారం లేని సిరి, పాండిత్యం లేని పేరు
samsaram leni siri, pandityam leni peru
Wealth without family/household, and a name without scholarship.
This expression highlights things that are hollow or incomplete. It suggests that wealth is meaningless without a family to share it with, just as having a famous name or reputation is empty if it is not backed by actual knowledge or expertise.
పగడం లేని ఇల్లు జగడం లేని ఇల్లు ఉండవు.
pagadam leni illu jagadam leni illu undavu.
A house without coral and a house without a quarrel do not exist.
This proverb highlights that conflict is an inevitable and natural part of family life. Just as it is impossible to find a household without any jewelry or valuables (symbolized by coral), it is equally impossible to find a home where there are no arguments or disagreements among family members. It is used to comfort people facing domestic disputes by reminding them that it is a universal experience.
కొప్పులేని సతికి పిలకలేని పంతులు
koppuleni satiki pilakaleni pantulu
A priest without a tuft for a woman without a bun.
This proverb is used to describe a match between two people who are equally lacking or poorly suited in a similar way. It implies that a person gets a partner or an associate who is just as flawed or incomplete as they are, often used in a humorous or satirical context to describe mediocre pairings.