నీరు ఉంటే ఊరు లేదు, ఊరు ఉంటే నీరు లేదు

niru unte uru ledu, uru unte niru ledu

Translation

If there is water, there is no village; if there is a village, there is no water.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a state of poor planning, irony, or chronic lack of resources. It refers to a situation where essential elements are never present at the same time or place, making it impossible to settle or succeed. It highlights a mismatch between needs and available resources.

Related Phrases

Water runs towards water. Men haste to help those of their own caste, &c.

This proverb is used to describe things that naturally follow a specific path or instinct. Just as water naturally flows toward lower ground (slopes), certain events or human tendencies are inevitable. It is often used to imply that truth will eventually come out or that people naturally gravitate towards their own kind or interests.

If you have a mouth, you have a village.

This proverb emphasizes that if one has effective communication skills or the ability to speak up, they can survive and thrive anywhere. It highlights that being vocal and persuasive helps a person find support, resources, and a place in society.

If there is water, there must be seedlings.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of timing and preparedness in agriculture and life. Just as having water is useless for farming without seedlings ready to plant, having resources is ineffective if you aren't prepared to utilize them. It is used to suggest that one should be ready to act when the right conditions or opportunities arise.

As long as you have saplings, water, and speech, it is the same no matter which kingdom you are in.

This proverb emphasizes self-sufficiency and communication skills. It suggests that if a person has the means to farm (saplings and water) and the ability to speak effectively (to negotiate or stand up for themselves), they can survive and thrive anywhere in the world regardless of the political environment or location.

No mother-in-law's nagging, no father-in-law's nagging, and no buffalo in the place where one went to pick dung.

This proverb describes a state of absolute freedom or a worry-free situation where there is no one to monitor, criticize, or obstruct one's work. It is used to express that a task can be done peacefully without any external interference or obstacles.

If it stays, it is a village; if it is gone, it is a ruin.

This expression refers to things that are valuable only as long as they are functional or maintained. It is often used to describe the fragility of human life or temporary possessions, implying that once the essence or life is gone, only a useless shell remains.

If you have a mouth, you can win the battle

This expression emphasizes the power of eloquence and communication skills. It suggests that a person who speaks persuasively, boldly, or cleverly can overcome challenges, win arguments, and succeed in difficult situations, even without physical strength.

Where there is water, there is mud.

This proverb suggests that wherever there are resources, opportunities, or power, there will also be associated problems, complications, or corruption. It is used to explain that some negative side effects are inevitable in certain situations.

If there is water, it's a village; if there is a woman, it's a home.

This proverb highlights the essential elements required for sustenance and prosperity. Just as water is the lifeblood of a village for survival and agriculture, a woman's presence and care are considered the vital foundation that turns a mere house into a nurturing home.

Neither for me, nor for you; keep quiet, Oh God.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a dispute or competition results in a complete loss for all involved parties. It signifies a 'lose-lose' scenario where instead of one person gaining something, the resource or opportunity is wasted entirely, often due to stubbornness or spite.