నిప్పును కొడితే రెండు అవుతుంది కానీ, నీళ్ళను కొడితే రెండు అవుతాయా?
nippunu kodite rendu avutundi kani, nillanu kodite rendu avutaya?
If you cut fire it will be divided, but if you cut water will it divide ?
This proverb emphasizes the unbreakable bond of family or blood relations. It suggests that while some things can be easily divided or destroyed (like fire scattering), certain relationships (like water) are cohesive and cannot be permanently separated by outside force or internal conflict. It is used to express that family members will eventually reunite regardless of disputes.
Inseparable friendship. They are finger and thumb.
Related Phrases
ఒక చెంప కొట్టితే పాలు, ఒక చెంప కొట్టితే నీళ్లు
oka chempa kottite palu, oka chempa kottite nillu
If you slap one cheek, milk [comes ]; if you slap the other cheek, water [comes ]. Said of a very tender, delicate boy.
This expression is used to describe someone who is extremely innocent, tender, or young. It signifies a person who is so soft and fragile that they haven't yet experienced the harshness of the world, often referring to infants or very naive individuals.
బోదనం కొట్టితే రాజనం పండును
bodanam kottite rajanam pandunu
If you strike the 'Bodanam' weed, the 'Rajanam' rice will grow.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of hard work and timely weeding in agriculture. 'Bodanam' is a weed that mimics the appearance of rice plants; if a farmer identifies and removes it diligently, they will yield high-quality 'Rajanam' rice (a superior variety). It is used to suggest that eliminating negative elements or putting in specific effort leads to excellent results.
ఒక దెబ్బకు రెండు పిట్టలు
oka debbaku rendu pittalu
Two birds with one stone
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone achieves two different goals or solves two separate problems with a single action or effort. It is the Telugu equivalent of the English idiom 'To kill two birds with one stone'.
మొగుడు కొట్టినందుకు కాదు గానీ, ముక్కు చీమిడి వదిలినందుకు సంతోషం
mogudu kottinanduku kadu gani, mukku chimidi vadilinanduku santosham
It is not about the husband's beating, but the joy that the nasal mucus is gone.
This expression is used sarcastically to describe a situation where someone tries to find a trivial or absurd silver lining in a bad or humiliating situation. It points out the irony of ignoring a major problem (being beaten) while focusing on a minor, irrelevant benefit (clearing a stuffy nose).
రెండు ఆవుల పాలు తాగిన దూడ
rendu avula palu tagina duda
A calf which has drunk the milk of two cows. It is common among Hindus for childless persons to adopt children of their friends and treat them as their own. Such children are petted both by their real and by their adoptive parents, and are in consequence often spoilt.
This expression refers to a person who is exceptionally strong, healthy, or energetic because they have benefited from multiple sources of support or resources. It can also describe someone who is overly smart, cunning, or quick-witted due to having diverse experiences or 'best of both worlds' advantages.
ఒక చేత్తో చప్పట్లు కొట్టలేము
oka chetto chappatlu kottalemu
If you clap with one hand will there be any sound ? Nothing can be done successfully by a single person. One man is no man. ( Latin. )* Two heads are better than one. Hand washes hand, and finger finger. ( Greek. )
This expression is used to convey that cooperation or participation from both sides is necessary for a result, conflict, or agreement. It is often used to suggest that in a dispute, one person alone is rarely responsible, or that a task requires mutual effort.
అందానికి రెండు బొందలు, ఆటకు రెండు తాళాలు.
andaniki rendu bondalu, ataku rendu talalu.
Two holes in beauty; two cymbals in a dance.
This expression is used to describe a situation where excessive decoration or unnecessary additions are made to something that is already complete or simple, often leading to a lack of harmony or practical use. It highlights that adding more doesn't always mean improving quality.
Said of an ugly and bad dancer.
తిట్టితే కోపం, కొట్టితే నొప్పి
tittite kopam, kottite noppi
If you abuse—anger; if you beat—pain.
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely sensitive or lacks resilience. It highlights that they react negatively to even the smallest forms of criticism or physical hardship. It can also be used to point out obvious cause-and-effect reactions in human emotions and physical sensations.
నిప్పును కొడితే రెండు అవుతుంది కానీ, నీళ్ళను కొడితే రెండు అవుతాయా?
nippunu kodite rendu avutundi kani, nillanu kodite rendu avutaya?
If you strike fire, it splits into two, but if you strike water, does it split into two?
This expression emphasizes the unbreakable strength of unity and blood relations. Just as water cannot be divided by striking it with a stick, family bonds or deep friendships cannot be permanently severed by external interference or petty quarrels. It is used to describe things that are inseparable.
నేడు చస్తే రేపటికి రెండు.
nedu chaste repatiki rendu.
If you die to-day, to-morrow will be two. i. e. the second day, on which milk will be poured on his bones, accord- ing to custom, after his body has been burnt.
This proverb is used to highlight the transient nature of life and the rapid passage of time. It implies that once a person is gone, the world moves on quickly, and their death soon becomes a thing of the past. It is often used to counsel against over-thinking about the future or to emphasize that time waits for no one.