పెనుగొండకు పిల్లనివ్వరాదు, రొద్దానికి ఎద్దునివ్వరాదు
penugondaku pillanivvaradu, roddaniki eddunivvaradu
Do not give a daughter to Penugonda, do not give an ox to Roddam.
This is a regional proverb from the Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh. Historically, Penugonda was a high-altitude area with severe water scarcity, making domestic chores difficult for women, while Roddam had rocky, hard terrain that was exhausting for cattle to plow. It is used to advise against entering into alliances or situations where the physical conditions are too harsh to endure.
Related Phrases
వాళ్ళు పిల్ల నివ్వనన్నారు, నేను చేసుకోనన్నాను.
vallu pilla nivvanannaru, nenu chesukonannanu.
They said they wouldn't give their daughter (in marriage), and I said I wouldn't marry her.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone pretends they didn't want something only after they were rejected or denied it. It is a way of saving face or acting out of spite when things don't go one's way, similar to the concept of 'sour grapes'.
ఎలమట్టుకు ఎద్దునివ్వరాదు, పొమ్మట్టుకు పడుచునివ్వరాదు
elamattuku eddunivvaradu, pommattuku paduchunivvaradu
Do not give a bull to a relative, and do not give a young woman (in marriage) to a neighboring village.
This traditional proverb suggests that certain transactions or relationships can lead to constant interference or trouble. If you give a bull to a relative, every time it falls sick or underperforms, they may complain to you. Similarly, if you marry off a daughter to a family in the same or nearby village, every small domestic dispute or issue may reach your ears immediately, leading to constant involvement and lack of peace.
వినరాదు, కనరాదు, అనరాదు.
vinaradu, kanaradu, anaradu.
Should not hear, should not see, should not say.
This expression is the Telugu equivalent of the 'Three Wise Monkeys' principle (See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil). It serves as a moral guideline advising people to avoid listening to gossip or negativity, refrain from witnessing bad deeds, and avoid speaking ill of others or using harsh language.
అదృష్టవంతునికి ఆశపెట్టరాదు, బలవంతునికి చోటివ్వరాదు.
adrishtavantuniki ashapettaradu, balavantuniki chotivvaradu.
You should not encourage vain hopes in a helpless dependant, nor give place to a powerful man.
This proverb warns against unnecessary interference with powerful or exceptionally lucky individuals. Giving hope to a lucky person is futile because their fortune already favors them, and allowing a strong or influential person to gain a foothold in your affairs can lead to them eventually dominating or displacing you.
గిరాకీ కొననివ్వదు, మందం అమ్మనివ్వదు
giraki konanivvadu, mandam ammanivvadu
High demand doesn't let you buy, low demand doesn't let you sell.
This proverb describes a common market dilemma or a stalemate situation in business. When there is high demand (Giraki), prices are too high or stocks are unavailable, making it difficult to buy. Conversely, when the market is dull or slow (Mandam), there are no buyers, making it difficult to sell. It is used to express the frustrations of unfavorable market conditions or the difficulty of finding the right timing for a transaction.
చావనివ్వడు, బ్రతకనివ్వడు
chavanivvadu, bratakanivvadu
He will neither allow me to die nor to live. Perpetual worrying.
This expression is used to describe a person or a situation that is extremely suffocating or troublesome. It refers to someone who keeps others in a state of perpetual misery or limbo, where they are neither allowed to move on nor allowed to live in peace.
అతంత్రునికి ఆశ పెట్టరాదు, బలవంతునికి చోటు ఇవ్వరాదు.
atantruniki asha pettaradu, balavantuniki chotu ivvaradu.
Do not give hope to a person without self-control, and do not give space to a person who is powerful.
This proverb advises caution in dealings with specific types of people. Giving false hope to someone who lacks discretion or independence (atantrudu) leads to unnecessary trouble or harassment. Similarly, giving a foothold or space to a powerful person can lead to them eventually dominating or displacing you. It is a warning about maintaining boundaries for self-protection.
పాము చావకూడదు, బడితె విరగకూడదు
pamu chavakudadu, badite viragakudadu
He won't allow the snake to die, and he won't allow the stick to be broken.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one seeks a diplomatic or clever solution to a problem that resolves the issue without causing loss, damage, or hurting any parties involved. It refers to maintaining a delicate balance or handling a conflict so skillfully that the task is accomplished without any negative consequences.
Applied to a trimmer.
అమ్మ తానూ పెట్టదు, అడుక్కు తిననివ్వదు
amma tanu pettadu, adukku tinanivvadu
The mother neither gives food herself [to her child,] nor allows it to beg.
This proverb describes a dog-in-the-manger situation or a person who acts as a hindrance. It is used to describe someone who refuses to help you themselves, but also prevents you from seeking help or finding alternatives elsewhere, effectively leaving you helpless.
చావనివ్వడు, బ్రతకనివ్వడు
chavanivvadu, bratakanivvadu
He neither lets one die nor lets one live.
This expression is used to describe a person or a situation that is extremely suffocating or harassing. It refers to someone who keeps others in a state of constant misery, preventing them from progressing or finding peace, yet not letting them completely abandon the situation.