ఒక్కొక్క చినుకే వాన అవుతుంది.
okkokka chinuke vana avutundi.
Each individual drop becomes a rain.
This proverb is the Telugu equivalent of 'Every little bit helps' or 'Many a mickle makes a muckle.' It signifies that small, consistent efforts or contributions accumulate over time to create a significant result. It is often used to encourage saving money or persistent effort in learning.
Related Phrases
వాడి మాట పిండికీ అవుతుంది, పిడుక్కూ అవుతుంది
vadi mata pindiki avutundi, pidukku avutundi
His speech will answer for flour or for a thunderbolt. Said of an ambiguous speech.
This expression is used to describe a person who speaks with clever ambiguity or doublespeak. Their words are crafted in such a way that they can be interpreted in two completely different ways depending on the outcome, allowing them to claim they were right regardless of what happens.
ఎవరు ఏమి చేసినా ఇంటికి ఆలి అవుతుందా, దొంతికి కడవ అవుతుందా?
evaru emi chesina intiki ali avutunda, dontiki kadava avutunda?
No matter what anyone does, can she become a wife to the house or can it become a pot for the stack?
This proverb is used to highlight that certain natural roles or essential positions cannot be replaced or replicated by others, no matter how hard they try. Just as a specific pot is needed to fit a stack (donti) or a specific person fulfills the role of a wife (aalii) in a household, some things are irreplaceable and unique to their purpose.
గోరంత అంత కండి కొండవుతుంది
goranta anta kandi kondavutundi
A small grain becomes a mountain
This expression is used to describe a situation that starts as a minor issue but escalates into a major problem, or when someone exaggerates a tiny matter into something significant. It is similar to the English idiom 'to make a mountain out of a molehill'.
అంటే ఆరడి అవుతుంది, అనకుంటే అలుసవుతుంది.
ante aradi avutundi, anakunte alusavutundi.
If spoken, it becomes a scandal; if not spoken, it becomes a source of contempt.
This proverb describes a 'catch-22' or a dilemma where a person is stuck between two bad options. It is used when pointing out a mistake might lead to public embarrassment or unwanted drama (aaradi), but staying silent might lead others to take one's patience for granted or treat them with disrespect (alusu).
మంది పలుచనైతే, గంజి చిక్కన అవుతుంది.
mandi paluchanaite, ganji chikkana avutundi.
If the crowd becomes thin, the porridge becomes thick.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where fewer people sharing a limited resource results in a larger or better portion for each individual. It is often used in a sarcastic or cynical context to suggest that having fewer people around (or less competition) is beneficial for personal gain.
నయాన కానిపని, భయాన అవుతుంది
nayana kanipani, bhayana avutundi
Work that cannot be done with kindness, will be done through fear
This expression is used to suggest that when gentle persuasion, politeness, or soft tactics fail to achieve a result, the use of authority, threats, or fear becomes necessary to get the job done. It highlights the shift from a 'carrot' approach to a 'stick' approach.
ఒక్కొక్క రాయి తీస్తుంటే, కొండైనా తరుగుతుంది
okkokka rayi tistunte, kondaina tarugutundi
If you keep removing one stone at a time, even a mountain will diminish.
This proverb emphasizes the power of persistence and consistency. It suggests that even the most monumental or impossible tasks can be completed if one works at them steadily, bit by bit. It is used to encourage someone facing a daunting challenge.
చిత్త చినుకు తన చిత్తమున్న చోట పడుతుంది.
chitta chinuku tana chittamunna chota padutundi.
The rain of the Chitta star falls wherever it pleases.
This proverb refers to the Chitta Karthe (a specific period in the lunar calendar). It describes the unpredictable nature of rainfall during this time, which is often localized rather than widespread. In a broader sense, it is used to describe a person who acts solely according to their own whims and fancies, or situations where outcomes are highly selective and arbitrary.
ఒక్కొక్కరాయి తీస్తూ ఉంటే, కొండయినా తరుగుతుంది
okkokkarayi tistu unte, kondayina tarugutundi
If you remove stone by stone, even a mountain will be levelled. You must pluck out the hairs of a horse's tail one by one. ( Latin. ); Drop by drop the lake is drained.
This expression emphasizes the power of persistence and consistency. It means that any task, no matter how monumental or impossible it seems, can be completed by taking small, steady steps. It is used to encourage someone facing a daunting project or goal.
ఉల్లి మల్లి అవుతుందా, ఉంచుకున్నది పెళ్ళాం అవుతుందా?
ulli malli avutunda, unchukunnadi pellam avutunda?
Will an onion ever become a jasmine flower? Will a mistress ever become a wife?
This is a traditional Telugu proverb used to express the idea that things have an inherent nature or status that cannot be changed. It suggests that a substitute or an informal arrangement can never truly replace or equate to the original, formal, or sanctified version of something. It is often used to emphasize that some boundaries or social roles are permanent.