సన్నబియ్యం సాయపప్పు
sannabiyyam sayapappu
Fine-grained rice and split pulse
This expression is used to describe a meal or a lifestyle that is of high quality, delicate, and luxurious. In a cultural context, 'Sanna Biyyam' (fine rice) and 'Saaya Pappu' (polished/split lentils) represent the pinnacle of a refined and comfortable diet, often used to signify prosperity or being pampered.
Related Phrases
కోతి గెంతడం సాయబు సంపాదించడం
koti gentadam sayabu sampadinchadam
The monkey jumps, while the master earns.
This proverb refers to a situation where one person does all the hard work or performative labor, while someone else reaps all the financial benefits or rewards. It originates from street performers who use monkeys to entertain crowds and collect money for themselves.
అల్లుడు అర్ధబియ్యం
alludu ardhabiyyam
A son-in-law is like half a portion of rice.
This proverb is used to describe the transitory or uncertain nature of a son-in-law's belonging to his wife's family. Since he ultimately belongs to his own house and parents, he is considered a temporary guest or an unreliable permanent asset, much like rice that is only partially sufficient or 'half-measured'.
బియ్యం దంచినమ్మకు బొక్కిందే కూలి
biyyam danchinammaku bokkinde kuli
For the woman who pounded the rice, the grain she ate while doing it is her only wage.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone works hard but receives no formal pay or reward, other than a few minor perks or what they consumed while performing the task. It signifies a lack of proper compensation for labor.
అటైతే కందిపప్పు ఇటైతే పెసరపప్పు
ataite kandipappu itaite pesarapappu
If it's that way, it's pigeon pea; if it's this way, it's mung bean.
This expression describes a person who is opportunistic or lacks a firm stance. It refers to someone who changes their opinion or allegiance depending on the situation or person they are talking to, ensuring they benefit regardless of the outcome.
అప్పు చేసీ పప్పు కూడు.
appu chesi pappu kudu.
Eating well (enjoying comforts) on borrowed money.
Borrowing used to be viewed as undesirable in the past. People, now under the influence of consumerism, want to live on their future income. It is still wisdom to be neither a borrower nor a lender, in the words of Shakespeare.
సన్నసన్నంగా కాపుతనం వచ్చింది, సన్నబియ్యం వండవే అన్నాడట
sannasannanga kaputanam vachchindi, sannabiyyam vandave annadata
He said 'Domestic life has slowly settled in, now cook fine rice'.
This proverb is used to mock someone who expects luxury or high standards before they have truly established their foundations or stability. It describes a situation where someone demands rewards or comforts prematurely, often with very little effort or progress made.
అటయితే కందిపప్పు, ఇటయితే పెసరపప్పు
atayite kandipappu, itayite pesarapappu
In the one case Kandi, in the other Pesara.
This expression describes a situation where a person is guaranteed to benefit regardless of the outcome. It is used to refer to 'win-win' scenarios or when someone is playing both sides to ensure they don't lose anything either way.
Kandi is the Cajanus Indicus; Pesara is the Phaseolus Mungo. Said by a Brahman quack referring to the recovery or death of his patient. In either case he is feasted.
తెల్లబియ్యము, పాటి మానిక.
tellabiyyamu, pati manika.
White rice, but measured with a flawed mānika (a local unit of measurement).
This proverb describes a situation where something appears to be of high quality or value (like fine white rice), but is undermined by a fundamental flaw or deception in the process (like using a broken or unfair measuring cup). It is used to highlight instances where a benefit is neutralized by an accompanying disadvantage or hidden dishonesty.
ఊళ్ళో వియ్యం కయ్యముల పాలు.
ullo viyyam kayyamula palu.
Establishing a matrimonial alliance within the same village leads to quarrels.
This proverb warns against forming marriage alliances (becoming in-laws) with people residing in the same village. The logic is that constant proximity and frequent interaction between the two families can lead to unnecessary misunderstandings, interference in domestic affairs, and frequent conflicts (kayyamulu) that wouldn't occur if there were some distance between them.
సన్నబియ్యంతో అన్నం ముతక బియ్యంతో పులిహోర.
sannabiyyanto annam mutaka biyyanto pulihora.
Rice with fine grains, Pulihora with coarse grains.
This expression refers to using the right resources for the right purpose. Just as fine rice is preferred for plain eating while thicker/coarser rice is better suited for dishes like Pulihora (tamarind rice) to maintain texture, it implies that every person or object has a specific situation where they excel or are most appropriate.