శెనగలు తిని, చెయ్యి కడుగుకొన్నట్టు.
shenagalu tini, cheyyi kadugukonnattu.
Like washing one's hands after eating Bengal gram. This gram is so clean, that the washing of the hands is a superfluous act. Separating one's self wholly from anything.
This expression is used to describe a quick, effortless task or a simple action that leaves no trace or burden behind. It often refers to finishing a piece of work easily and moving on without any lingering complications or mess, just as washing hands after eating simple dry chickpeas is quick and leaves the hands clean immediately.
*Obres son amores, que no buenas razones. ¡ Le parole son feminine, e fatti son marchi.
Related Phrases
కుడిచెయ్యి చేసే దానం ఎడమచెయ్యికి తెలియకూడదు
kudicheyyi chese danam edamacheyyiki teliyakudadu
The charity done by the right hand should not be known by the left hand.
This expression emphasizes the importance of anonymous or humble charity. It suggests that when you help someone, you should do it quietly without seeking fame, recognition, or boasting about your generosity to others.
చెయ్యి చూపి అవలక్షణము అనిపించుకొన్నట్టు.
cheyyi chupi avalakshanamu anipinchukonnattu.
Pointing with the hand, and being called a luckless fellow. Indiscreetly accusing a person openly of something which you are not able to prove. A fool's tongue is long enough to cut his own throat. Hear, see, and say nothing, if you wish to live in peace. (Italian.)
This proverb describes a situation where someone unnecessarily invites trouble or criticism by interfering in something or volunteering information. It is used when a person's own actions lead to a negative reputation or a bad outcome that could have been avoided by staying quiet or staying out of the way.
కాలు చెయ్యి తిన్నగా ఉన్నంత కాలం మహరాజే
kalu cheyyi tinnaga unnanta kalam maharaje
As long as hands and feet are working properly, one is a king.
This expression emphasizes the value of physical health and independence. It suggests that as long as a person is healthy enough to perform their own tasks and move around without depending on others, they live a dignified life comparable to that of a king. It is often used to remind people to cherish their health or when discussing the difficulties of old age and dependency.
ఎగిరి గంతేయడం
egiri ganteyadam
To jump with joy
This expression is used to describe a state of extreme happiness or excitement. It is commonly used when someone receives good news or achieves a significant milestone, implying they are so joyful that they are literally or figuratively jumping.
తెడ్డు ఉండగా చెయ్యి కాల్చుకున్నట్టు
teddu undaga cheyyi kalchukunnattu
Burning his hand when he had a ladle. To stir the rice with.
This proverb describes a situation where someone suffers or makes a mistake despite having the necessary tools or resources to avoid it. It is used to point out foolishness or the failure to utilize available help, similar to the English concept of 'making things harder for oneself'.
నీ ఎడమ చెయ్యి తీయి, నా పుర్ర చెయ్యి పెడతాను
ni edama cheyyi tiyi, na purra cheyyi pedatanu
Take away your left hand, I will use my sinister hand.
This expression is used to describe a redundant or meaningless action where one thing is replaced by something identical or equally ineffective. It highlights a situation where there is no real change or improvement despite the movement or effort, often used to mock someone suggesting a solution that is the same as the current problem.
As broad as long.
కంకణాల చెయ్యి ఆడితే, కడియాల చెయ్యి ఆడును.
kankanala cheyyi adite, kadiyala cheyyi adunu.
If the hand with Kankaṇamulu moves, the hand with Kaḍiyamulu moves also. Kankaṇamulu are bracelets worn by women. Kaḍiyamulu are those worn by men. Where woman leads man follows.
This proverb highlights the interdependency within a household or society. 'Hand with bangles' refers to the woman (traditionally managing the kitchen/home), and 'hand with bracelets' refers to the man (traditionally the earner). It means that when the woman works to cook and manage the house, the man can eat and have the strength to work, or more broadly, that domestic stability is the foundation for external success.
నిప్పు ముట్టనిదే చెయ్యి కాలదు
nippu muttanide cheyyi kaladu
The hand does not burn without touching fire
This expression is used to imply that every effect has a cause, or that someone wouldn't be in trouble or facing consequences unless they had done something to provoke it. It is similar to the English proverb 'Where there's smoke, there's fire.'
నిప్పు ముట్టనిదీ చెయ్యి కాలదు.
nippu muttanidi cheyyi kaladu.
Don't touch fire, and your hand won't be burnt.
This expression is used to signify that every result has a cause, particularly regarding consequences for one's actions. It implies that a person doesn't get into trouble unless they have done something wrong, or that there is no smoke without fire.
Don't play with the bear if you don't want to be bit. (Italian.)† * Ayer vaquero, hoy caballero. † Non ischersar coll'orso, so non vnuol esser morso.
శెనగలు తింటూ ఉలవలని చెప్పి, పత్తివిత్తులు చేత్తో పెట్టేవాడు.
shenagalu tintu ulavalani cheppi, pattivittulu chetto pettevadu.
When eating Bengal gram he says it's horse gram, and when he gives it, it's cotton seed.
This proverb describes a highly deceptive, hypocritical, or manipulative person who says one thing while doing something entirely different. It refers to someone who enjoys the best for themselves (chickpeas) but misleads others about what they are consuming and ultimately gives others something worthless or harmful (cotton seeds). It is used to caution against individuals who are untrustworthy and thrive on blatant lies and exploitation.
Senagalu is the Cicer Arietinum; Ulavalau is the Dolichos Uniflorus. A man of crooked ways.