తిండి చింత, దండి చింత.
tindi chinta, dandi chinta.
Worry about food is a great worry.
This proverb highlights that basic survival and the struggle for sustenance are the most significant and constant burdens a person can face. It emphasizes that hunger or the lack of resources to eat outweighs all other worldly concerns.
Related Phrases
పూచింది పొడమంత, కాచింది గంపంత
puchindi podamanta, kachindi gampanta
Flowered as much as a small patch, but yielded a basketful.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a small effort or a modest beginning leads to a surprisingly large or abundant result. It is often used to praise high productivity or unexpected success from minimal resources.
చిత్తడి చేల చినుకులు, చిన్నదాని చిందులు
chittadi chela chinukulu, chinnadani chindulu
Raindrops on marshy fields, and the playful antics of a young girl.
This poetic expression draws a parallel between the unpredictability and refreshing nature of rain falling on muddy agricultural fields and the lively, spontaneous, and sometimes erratic behavior of a young girl. It is used to describe things that are natural, lively, and captivating in their own messy or unpredictable way.
భగవంతా నాకేం చింత అంటే, పొద్దున లేస్తే పొట్టదే చింత.
bhagavanta nakem chinta ante, podduna leste pottade chinta.
Oh God, if you ask what my worry is, it is the worry of the stomach as soon as I wake up.
This proverb expresses the struggle of common people for whom daily survival and filling their belly is the primary concern above all else. It is used to describe a state of poverty or a situation where basic necessities take priority over higher thoughts or luxuries.
గతించిన దానికి చింతించిన ఏల
gatinchina daniki chintinchina ela
Why worry about that which has already passed?
This expression is used to advise someone against dwelling on the past or mourning over things that cannot be changed. It is the Telugu equivalent of the English proverb 'There is no use crying over spilled milk.' It encourages focusing on the future instead of wasting energy on past mistakes or misfortunes.
చింత చచ్చినా పులుపు చావదు
chinta chachchina pulupu chavadu
The tamarind may be dried, but it loses not its acidity. Retaining vigour of mind though weakened in body.
This proverb is used to describe a person who has lost their wealth, status, or power but still retains their old ego, arrogance, or habits. Just as the acidic quality remains in tamarind even after it dries up, some people refuse to change their stubborn nature despite a change in their circumstances.
చింతా చిగిరింత యేపు.
chinta chigirinta yepu.
The growth of the tamarind and the burgrass. The tamarind grows slowly, the Chigirinta ( Panicum Verticillatum ) shoots up very rapidly and soon withers.
This expression describes something that starts small or thin but grows rapidly and extensively, much like the delicate-looking but fast-growing tamarind shoots. It is often used to refer to a person who was once thin or small but has suddenly grown tall or become very active and successful.
Slow and sure.
చింత చిగురింత ఏపు
chinta chigurinta epu
Tamarind sprouts as much as its growth.
This proverb is used to describe something that is growing or expanding rapidly. It is often applied to people who have suddenly gained wealth, influence, or physical height, or to situations where a small beginning has quickly led to significant development.
పరుగెత్తు పందకు కాంతలతోడి చింతయా
parugettu pandaku kantalatodi chintaya
Does a coward who runs away care for women?
This proverb is used to mock those who lack courage or honor. It implies that a person who flees from their responsibilities or a battlefield out of fear is too preoccupied with their own safety to care about dignity, relationships, or the well-being of their loved ones.
చింత లేదు, చింత లేకపోతే పులుసు లేదు.
chinta ledu, chinta lekapote pulusu ledu.
"No matter" said one, "Then if there's no tamarind, there's no acid" said the other. There is here a pun upon the word Chinta which means both "thought, sorrow" and also "tamarinds."
This is a pun on the Telugu word 'Chinta' which means both 'worry' and 'tamarind'. It is used humorously to describe a situation where someone says they have no worries, but in reality, they are missing a basic necessity or the very thing that gives life flavor. It highlights that being completely free of 'concerns' might sometimes mean lacking something essential.
పట్టింది చింత కొమ్మ గాని ములగకొమ్మ కాదు
pattindi chinta komma gani mulagakomma kadu
What was grabbed is a tamarind branch, not a drumstick (moringa) branch.
This proverb is used to describe someone who is stubborn or persistent in their stance. Tamarind branches are strong and flexible, making them hard to break, whereas drumstick branches are brittle and break easily. It implies that the person has taken a firm hold of a situation or opinion and will not let go or be easily defeated.