తుమ్ముకు తమ్ముడు లేడుగాని, ఆవిలింతకు అన్న ఉన్నాడు
tummuku tammudu ledugani, avilintaku anna unnadu
A sneeze has no younger brother, but a yawn has an elder brother.
This proverb describes the contagious nature of yawning compared to sneezing. While a sneeze is usually an isolated event for an individual, a yawn often triggers others nearby to yawn as well (the 'elder brother' following the lead). It is used to highlight how certain behaviors or habits are easily imitated or spread among people.
Related Phrases
బాలల తుమ్ము, బాలింత తుమ్ము మంచిది.
balala tummu, balinta tummu manchidi.
A child's sneeze and a postpartum mother's sneeze are good.
This is a traditional saying used to indicate that certain natural bodily reactions, which might normally be seen as bad omens or signs of illness, are actually signs of health and recovery in specific cases. It suggests that when a child or a woman who has recently given birth sneezes, it is a positive sign that their respiratory system and body are functioning well and clearing out.
తుమ్ముకు తమ్ముడు ఆవలింతకు అన్న
tummuku tammudu avalintaku anna
A sneeze has a younger brother, and a yawn has an elder brother.
This is a traditional Telugu saying used when someone sneezes or yawns repeatedly. It suggests that these actions rarely occur just once; if you sneeze once, another is likely to follow (the 'younger brother'), and if you yawn, more are soon to come (the 'elder brother').
ఆశకు అంతము లేదు.
ashaku antamu ledu.
There is no limit to desire. Much would have more. No one is content with his lot. (Portuguese.)* The more one has the more one wants. (Spanish.)?
This expression is used to describe the insatiable nature of human greed or ambition. It implies that once one desire is fulfilled, another takes its place, suggesting that contentment is difficult to achieve if one keeps chasing endless wants.
ఆవలింతకు అన్నదమ్ములున్నారుగాని, తుమ్ముకు తమ్ముడయినా లేడు.
avalintaku annadammulunnarugani, tummuku tammudayina ledu.
Yawning has elder and younger brothers, sneezing has not even a younger brother. Yawning is sympathetic, sneezing is not. A good gaper makes two gapers. (French.)
This proverb is used to describe the contagious nature of certain actions versus the sudden, isolated nature of others. Yawning is socially contagious—when one person yawns, others often follow (the 'brothers'). In contrast, a sneeze is sudden and usually happens alone without triggering others to do the same. It highlights how some behaviors spread through a group while others remain individual.
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.
కొంప తగలడుతున్నది తమ్ముడూ అంటే చలికాచుకుందాం అన్నాట్ట
kompa tagaladutunnadi tammudu ante chalikachukundam annatta
When told 'The house is burning, brother!', he replied 'Let's warm ourselves by the fire then.'
This proverb is used to describe a person who is extremely selfish, opportunistic, or indifferent to a disaster. It refers to someone who looks for a personal advantage or a silver lining even in a catastrophic situation that is causing great loss to others.
వంకాయ తమ్ముడు వాకుడు కాయ
vankaya tammudu vakudu kaya
The wild eggplant is the younger brother of the brinjal.
This proverb is used to describe two people or things that are very similar in nature, character, or appearance. Just as a brinjal and a wild eggplant belong to the same family and look alike, it implies that someone shares the same (often negative) traits as their associate or sibling.
తేరగా వచ్చింది తినితిని, మా తమ్ముడూ ఒకడున్నాడు అన్నట్లు.
teraga vachchindi tinitini, ma tammudu okadunnadu annatlu.
After eating everything that came for free, saying 'I also have a brother'.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is extremely selfish or greedy. It depicts a situation where someone enjoys a free meal or benefit entirely by themselves, and only mentions their family or others when everything is finished or when there is nothing left to share. It highlights hypocrisy and lack of genuine concern for others.
నమ్మిన ఇమ్ము నమ్ముకున్న అమ్ము.
nammina immu nammukunna ammu.
If you believe, give; if you have believed, sell.
This proverb highlights the importance of trust and caution in trade and relationships. It suggests that if you trust someone, you can extend credit or give goods, but once a transaction or commitment is made based on that trust, one must ensure it is fulfilled (or sold) to maintain the integrity of the deal.
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.