పిడతలో నూనె పిడతలోనే ఉండాలి, బిడ్డలు బీరగింజల్లా ఉండాలి.
pidatalo nune pidatalone undali, biddalu biraginjalla undali.
The oil in the pot should stay in the pot, and the children should be as healthy as ridge gourd seeds.
This is a paradoxical wish or a humorous proverb used to describe an impossible or overly greedy expectation. It refers to a situation where someone wants to enjoy the benefits of a resource (having healthy, well-fed children) without actually spending or exhausting the resource (the oil/money). It is often used to critique stinginess or unrealistic desires where one wants to have their cake and eat it too.
Related Phrases
కుండలో కూడు కదలకుండా ఉండాలి, బిడ్డలు మాత్రం పెరగాలి.
kundalo kudu kadalakunda undali, biddalu matram peragali.
The food in the pot should remain untouched, but the children must grow.
This proverb describes a situation where someone wants to achieve a result without any expenditure or effort. It is used to criticize unrealistic expectations or stinginess, highlighting that you cannot expect growth or progress if you are unwilling to use the necessary resources.
గుమ్మలో గింజలు గుమ్మలో ఉండాలి, పిల్లలు పిట్టల్లాగ ఉండాలి
gummalo ginjalu gummalo undali, pillalu pittallaga undali
The grains should stay in the bin, and the children should be like little birds
This expression refers to an ideal state of domestic prosperity and harmony. It suggests that resources (grains) should be abundant and preserved, while children should be healthy, active, and cheerful like chirping birds. It is often used to describe a well-settled, happy household.
గాదెలో గింజలు గాదెలోనే ఉండాలి, బిడ్డలు గారకాయలులా ఉండాలి
gadelo ginjalu gadelone undali, biddalu garakayalula undali
Grains should remain in the granary, and children should be as healthy as desert dates.
This proverb is used to describe a state of complete prosperity and health. It expresses the wish or situation where wealth (grains) remains intact and undiminished, while the children of the house grow up to be strong, robust, and healthy.
చేను పండాలి, ఇల్లు నిండాలి
chenu pandali, illu nindali
The crop should yield well, and the house should be full.
This is a traditional Telugu blessing or wish for prosperity. It reflects an agrarian society's definition of success: a bountiful harvest in the fields (chenu) leading to a household filled with food, wealth, and happiness (illu). It is used to express hopes for overall well-being and abundance.
సర్కారుకు చాటుగా ఉండాలి, సావుకారికి ఎదురుగా ఉండాలి
sarkaruku chatuga undali, savukariki eduruga undali
One should stay out of the government's sight and stay right in front of the moneylender's sight.
This traditional proverb advises on social and financial conduct: avoid the attention of authorities or the state to prevent taxes and legal troubles, but always remain visible and available to your creditors (moneylenders) to maintain trust and prove your integrity in repaying debts.
చల్లకుండకు చంటి బిడ్డకు చాటుండాలి
challakundaku chanti biddaku chatundali
The buttermilk pot and the infant child both need a covering.
This proverb emphasizes the need for protection and privacy for certain delicate or valuable things. Just as buttermilk can spoil if left exposed and a baby is vulnerable to the elements or 'evil eye,' some matters or assets should be kept discreetly to ensure their well-being.
మాటలో నీటుంది, మాటలో పోటుంది, మాటలో సూటి ఉంది.
matalo nitundi, matalo potundi, matalo suti undi.
In speech there is elegance, in speech there is power (a blow), and in speech there is directness.
This expression highlights the multifaceted power of words. It suggests that human speech can be used to convey sophistication (neetu), to deliver a sharp or stinging impact (potu), or to be honest and straightforward (sooti). It is often used to remind people that how we talk can charm, hurt, or clarify depending on the intent.
అడ్డాలనాడు బిడ్డలు కానీ గడ్డాలనాడు బిడ్డలా?
addalanadu biddalu kani gaddalanadu biddala?
Children when held in the arms (infancy) are children, but are they still (obedient) children when they grow beards?
This proverb highlights the changing nature of children as they grow up. It suggests that while children are easy to manage and dependent when they are infants (held in a cloth cradle or 'addalu'), they become independent, headstrong, or even ungrateful once they reach adulthood (represented by 'gaddalu' or beards). It is used to express a parent's frustration when adult children no longer listen or follow their guidance.
గాదెలో గింజలు గాదెలో ఉండాలి, బిడ్డలు మాత్రం దుడ్డుల్లా ఉండాలి.
gadelo ginjalu gadelo undali, biddalu matram duddulla undali.
Grains should remain in the granary, but children should be as strong as clubs.
This proverb describes an impossible or highly greedy expectation. It refers to someone who wants to enjoy the benefits of a resource (like having healthy, well-fed children) without actually spending or utilizing the necessary assets (the grain). It is used to critique people who want results without incurring the associated costs or effort.
భయమైనా ఉండాలి, భక్తి అయినా ఉండాలి
bhayamaina undali, bhakti ayina undali
There should be either fear or devotion
This expression is used to emphasize that a person should be governed by some form of discipline. It implies that if one does not have genuine respect (devotion) for authority or rules, they should at least have a fear of the consequences of breaking them. It is often used in contexts of parenting, workplace management, or social conduct to suggest that a complete lack of both leads to chaos or irresponsible behavior.