ఊళ్ళో చుట్టరికము, ఊరిముందరి చేను పనికిరావు.
ullo chuttarikamu, urimundari chenu panikiravu.
Relatives within the same village and a field at the village entrance are of no use.
This proverb highlights practical inconveniences. Relatives living in the same village may become a burden due to frequent social expectations or lack of privacy, while a farm plot located at the entrance of a village is prone to damage by passing cattle and trespassers. It is used to advise that some things which seem convenient on the surface can be problematic in reality.
Related Phrases
బండెడు ధనమిచ్చినా, బావమరిది లేని చుట్టరికం పనికిరాదు
bandedu dhanamichchina, bavamaridi leni chuttarikam panikiradu
Even if a cartload of wealth is given, a relationship without a brother-in-law is useless.
This expression highlights the cultural importance of the 'Bavamardi' (brother-in-law) in Telugu families. It suggests that material wealth cannot replace the joy, companionship, and dynamic social support provided by certain close familial bonds, particularly the playful and supportive relationship shared with a brother-in-law.
కొత్త చింతకాయతొక్కు, కొత్త చుట్టరికము రుచి
kotta chintakayatokku, kotta chuttarikamu ruchi
New tamarind pickle and a new relationship are tasty.
This proverb highlights that in the initial stages, everything about a new relationship or a fresh batch of pickle feels delightful and exciting. It is often used to describe the honeymoon phase of a friendship, marriage, or any new association where people are on their best behavior and the experience feels uniquely pleasant before the novelty wears off.
ఉత్తర ఉరిమినా, పాము తరిమి కరిచినా తిరగదు
uttara urimina, pamu tarimi karichina tiragadu
Neither the thunder of the Uttara constellation nor the bite of a snake that chases will turn back.
This proverb highlights certainty and inevitability. It refers to the Uttara rain/monsoon season, where it is believed that if it thunders, rain is guaranteed to fall. Similarly, it suggests that certain consequences or natural events are irreversible and bound to happen once initiated.
ఊరిముందర చేను, ఊళ్ళో వియ్యము సరికావు
urimundara chenu, ullo viyyamu sarikavu
A farm in front of the village and a marital alliance within the same village are not good.
This proverb suggests that having a farm right at the village entrance leads to constant disturbances or loss of crop to passersby, and marrying into a family within the same village can lead to frequent interference, petty squabbles, and loss of respect due to over-proximity. It advises maintaining a healthy distance in certain professional and personal matters.
చెప్పలు ఉన్నా చెప్పులు తెగినా చుట్టరికం తప్పదు
cheppalu unna cheppulu tegina chuttarikam tappadu
Whether you have wealth or your sandals are torn, kinship cannot be avoided.
This proverb highlights that family relationships and kinship obligations remain constant regardless of one's financial status. Whether a person is wealthy (symbolized by having possessions) or poor (symbolized by torn footwear), they must still maintain their social and familial ties.
ఊరిముందర చేను, ఊరపిచ్చుకల పాలు.
urimundara chenu, urapichchukala palu.
A field at the edge of the village belongs to the house sparrows.
This proverb describes a situation where a resource is so easily accessible or exposed that it inevitably gets consumed or exploited by others. Just as a crop field located right at the village entrance is constantly raided by sparrows, an asset without proper protection or privacy will be taken advantage of by everyone around it.
వస్త్ర హీనము విస్తర హీనము పనికిరావు
vastra hinamu vistara hinamu panikiravu
A person without clothes and a leaf without food are of no use.
This expression emphasizes the importance of basic necessities and proper preparation. Just as one cannot present themselves in society without proper clothing, one cannot serve or consume a meal on an empty banana leaf (plate). It is used to convey that certain things are incomplete or useless without their essential components.
చుట్టరికం, పేరంటం కలిసివచ్చినట్లు
chuttarikam, perantam kalisivachchinatlu
Like kinship and a formal ceremony coming together.
This expression is used to describe a situation where two beneficial or relevant events happen simultaneously or overlap perfectly. It refers to a scenario where one trip or action serves two purposes—visiting a relative (kinship) and attending a social/religious gathering (perantam) at the same time, thereby saving effort and making the most of the occasion.
ఉత్తర ఉరిమి కురిసినా, పాము తరిమి కరిచినా తిరగదు.
uttara urimi kurisina, pamu tarimi karichina tiragadu.
If there be rain with thunder when the sun is in Uttara, there will be no drought; if a snake pursues and bites you, the bite will be fatal.
This proverb highlights absolute certainty and the irreversible nature of specific events. It refers to the 'Uttara Karthe' (a period in the lunar calendar) where rains are traditionally believed to be guaranteed and heavy. Just as a bite from a snake chasing its prey is fatal and inevitable, the effects of certain actions or natural phenomena are final and cannot be undone or avoided.
మాటలకు పేదరికము లేదు
matalaku pedarikamu ledu
He is not wanting in words.
This proverb means that speaking or making promises costs nothing. It is used to describe situations where people talk big or offer hollow words because talking is free and requires no actual resources or effort.
He ruins himself in promises, and clears himself by giving nothing. ( French. )*