పుట్టిన వానికి తమ్ముడు, పుట్టే వానికి అన్న
puttina vaniki tammudu, putte vaniki anna
The younger brother of him who is born, the elder brother of him who is about to be born. Said jokingly of a dwarf.
This proverb describes someone who is in a middle position or a mediator. It refers to a person who has experienced both sides of a situation, making them versatile or uniquely positioned between two generations or two different states of being.
Related Phrases
అరిష్టానికి అంగారకుడు, పాపానికి భైరవుడు
arishtaniki angarakudu, papaniki bhairavudu
Mars for misfortune, Bhairava for sin
This expression is used to describe a person who is a definitive or ultimate solution to a problem, or conversely, someone who is a fierce destroyer of obstacles. In a negative context, it can refer to someone who is as intense or destructive as Mars is considered in astrology for causing ill-effects, or as powerful as Lord Bhairava is in destroying sins.
పెట్టిన వారికి పుట్టినదే సాక్షి, పెట్టని వారికి పుట్టనిదే నిజము.
pettina variki puttinade sakshi, pettani variki puttanide nijamu.
The alms received witness to those who gave; those who gave not, truly do not receive. If the charitable become poor, they will not ask for help in vain ; but the uncharitable will obtain nothing.
This proverb highlights that the results of charity or kind deeds are visible through the prosperity and well-being of future generations (descendants). Conversely, those who are miserly or unkind leave no such legacy behind. It is used to emphasize that one's generosity is often reflected in the success of their children or the enduring impact of their legacy.
అన్నెం పున్నెం తినడానికి ఆలితమ్ముడు, అబ్బ తద్దినం పెట్టడానికి మగని తమ్ముడు
annem punnem tinadaniki alitammudu, abba taddinam pettadaniki magani tammudu
Wife's brother for eating and enjoying, husband's brother for performing the father's funeral rites.
This proverb describes a double standard or opportunistic behavior where one chooses specific relatives based on convenience. It highlights a scenario where a woman prefers her own brother (ali tammudu) to share in food and festivities, but expects her husband's brother (magani tammudu) to take on the difficult, somber, or obligatory tasks like religious rituals. It is used to criticize those who seek out people for pleasure but delegate responsibilities to others.
పొట్టివానికి పుట్టెడు బుద్ధులు
pottivaniki puttedu buddhulu
A short person has a basketful of brains.
This proverb is used to suggest that what a person lacks in physical stature or height, they often make up for with extreme cleverness, wit, or cunningness. It implies that short people are exceptionally sharp-minded.
పాడికి పంట తమ్ముడు
padiki panta tammudu
Crop is the younger brother of dairy farming
This proverb highlights the interdependence of agriculture and animal husbandry. It suggests that where there is dairy (cattle), a good harvest naturally follows, as they complement each other's success and provide a holistic livelihood for a farmer.
ఊరు పుట్టినప్పుడే ఉగాది పుట్టినది
uru puttinappude ugadi puttinadi
Ugadi was born when the village was born
This expression is used to describe something that has existed since the very beginning or has been a tradition since time immemorial. It signifies that a practice or an event is as old as the foundation of the place or community itself.
వంగిన వాని కింద మరీ వంగితే, పట్టెడలు తగులుతాయి.
vangina vani kinda mari vangite, pattedalu tagulutayi.
If you bend even lower under someone who is already bent, your joints will be hit.
This proverb warns against excessive submissiveness or trying to be overly humble with someone who is already yielding. It implies that being too accommodating or sycophantic can lead to unnecessary trouble or physical/metaphorical injury. It is used to advise people to maintain their dignity and boundaries.
భోజనం చేసిన వానికి అన్నం పెట్టే వేడుక, బోడి తలవానికి తలంట పోసే వేడుక
bhojanam chesina vaniki annam pette veduka, bodi talavaniki talanta pose veduka
Serving a meal to one who has already eaten is like giving a head bath to a bald person.
This proverb describes redundant or futile actions. It highlights the absurdity of offering something to a person who neither needs it nor can benefit from it, emphasizing that such efforts are a complete waste of time and resources.
పెట్టిన దానికి పుట్టిందే సాక్షి
pettina daniki puttinde sakshi
The one who is born is the witness to what was given.
This proverb is used to say that the results or outcomes are the best evidence of the efforts or causes that preceded them. Just as a child's characteristics or very existence serves as proof of the parents' union and care, any final product serves as a testament to the quality of the work or resources put into it.
చచ్చేవాడికి తమ్ముడు, పుట్టేవాడికి అన్న
chachchevadiki tammudu, puttevadiki anna
Younger brother to the one dying, elder brother to the one being born
This expression describes a person who is in a middle-aged or transitional stage of life. It is often used to refer to someone who is neither too young nor too old, bridging the gap between generations, or someone who is an experienced adult who has seen both the end of one era and the start of another.