పొద్దు పోదు, నిద్రరాదు, పద్మాక్షీ, ఒక పాటయినా పాడవే అన్నట్లు
poddu podu, nidraradu, padmakshi, oka patayina padave annatlu
Time doesn't pass, sleep doesn't come; oh lotus-eyed woman, at least sing a song.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is extremely bored or restless and is trying to find any trivial activity or distraction to kill time. It often implies that the activity being suggested is a desperate attempt to overcome boredom rather than a genuine interest.
Related Phrases
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.
పెద్దపులి ఎదుటయినా పడవచ్చుగాని, నగరివారి ఎదుట పడరాదు
peddapuli edutayina padavachchugani, nagarivari eduta padaradu
One may face a tiger, but one should never face government officials.
This proverb highlights the unpredictable and potentially destructive nature of bureaucracy and state power in ancient times. It suggests that while a tiger is a known physical danger, the legal or political entanglements with authorities (royalty/government) can be more complex, lingering, and ruinous to a person's life.
పొద్దు పొడుపున వచ్చిన వాన, పొద్దుగూకి వచ్చిన చుట్టం పోరు
poddu podupuna vachchina vana, podduguki vachchina chuttam poru
Rain that starts at sunrise and a guest who arrives at sunset will not leave soon.
This is a traditional Telugu proverb used to describe situations or people that stay longer than desired. Just as morning rain often persists throughout the day, a relative who arrives late in the evening is expected to stay overnight and potentially longer, making it difficult to ask them to leave.
కుండలో కూడుంటే, ముండకు నిద్రరాదు.
kundalo kudunte, mundaku nidraradu.
If there is food in the pot, the widow cannot sleep.
This proverb describes a greedy or gluttonous person who cannot rest as long as there is something left to consume. It is used to highlight an obsessive nature over resources or an inability to save for later because of an immediate desire to indulge.
ఉన్నది పోదు, లేనిది రాదు.
unnadi podu, lenidi radu.
That which exists does not leave, and that which does not exist does not come.
This proverb expresses a sense of stoicism or fatalism regarding one's destiny or inherent nature. It means that what is meant to be yours will stay, and what is not destined for you cannot be acquired. It is often used to console someone facing loss or to suggest that some things are unchangeable and predetermined by fate.
పెట్టినమ్మ పుణ్యానపోదు, పెట్టనమ్మ పాపాన పోదు.
pettinamma punyanapodu, pettanamma papana podu.
The woman who serves/gives doesn't go to heaven just for that, and the woman who doesn't serve doesn't go to hell just for that.
This expression is used to highlight that charity or hospitality should be done out of genuine kindness rather than for spiritual rewards or out of fear of sin. It suggests that one's character and overall actions matter more than a single act of giving or refusing. It is often used to tell someone not to be too proud of their charity or too judgmental of others' lack thereof.
నీ మొగాన పొద్దు పొడిచినట్లు నిక్కుతావు
ni mogana poddu podichinatlu nikkutavu
You are strutting as if the sun rose exclusively on your face.
This expression is used to mock someone who is acting overly proud, arrogant, or self-important without any actual justification. It suggests the person thinks they are the center of the universe or have achieved something extraordinary when they haven't.
రోగికి నిద్రరాదు, భోగికి కునుకురాదు
rogiki nidraradu, bhogiki kunukuradu
The sick person cannot sleep, and the pleasure-seeker cannot nap.
This proverb describes how both extreme suffering and extreme pleasure can lead to sleeplessness. A sick person (rogi) is kept awake by physical pain or discomfort, while a person indulging in luxuries and worldly pleasures (bhogi) is often too excited, distracted, or busy with enjoyment to find rest.
నా పాదమే గతి అన్నట్లు
na padame gati annatlu
As if saying my feet are the only refuge
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is left with no choice but to retreat or flee quickly. It is often used to mock someone who ran away in fear or abandoned a task out of cowardice, suggesting their own feet (running away) were their only savior.
ఏరు నిద్ర పోయినట్టు
eru nidra poyinattu
As the river sleeps. Smooth waters run deep. There is no worse water than that which sleeps. ( French. )
This expression is used to describe a person who appears very calm, innocent, or silent on the surface but possesses great depth, hidden strength, or potential danger. Just as a river looks still while having a powerful current underneath, it refers to someone whose true intentions or capabilities are not immediately visible.