వాచినమ్మకు పాచినకూడు పెడితే, మా అత్త పరమాన్నం పెట్టిందని ఇరుగింట పొరుగింట చెప్పిందట.
vachinammaku pachinakudu pedite, ma atta paramannam pettindani iruginta poruginta cheppindata.
When a starving woman was given stale food, she told the neighbors that her mother-in-law served her a royal feast.
This proverb describes a person who is so deprived or desperate that even the smallest, most insignificant favor feels like a grand gesture. It is used to highlight situations where someone's extreme need makes them overly grateful for something of very low value, or when someone tries to cover up their poor circumstances by glorifying a meager offering.
Related Phrases
వాచినమ్మకు పాసినకూడు పెట్టితే, మా అత్త పరమాన్నము పెట్టిందని ఇరుగింట పొరుగింట చెప్పినదట
vachinammaku pasinakudu pettite, ma atta paramannamu pettindani iruginta poruginta cheppinadata
When an ill-treated daughter-in-law at last got some bad food from her mother-in-law, she told the neighbours she had been sumptuously fed. Real want is not dainty.
This proverb describes a person who is so deprived or in such a desperate situation that even the smallest, lowest-quality help feels like a massive luxury. It is used to highlight extreme gratitude born out of severe necessity, or sometimes to mock someone's lack of standards due to their poverty-stricken state.
ఇరుగింటమ్మా పొరుగింటమ్మా మా యింటిఆయన గోడు చూడండి
irugintamma porugintamma ma yintiayana godu chudandi
O lady neighbours! see the conduct of my husband. Inviting the sympathy of those who cannot interfere.
This expression is used to mock someone who unnecessarily broadcasts their private family matters or domestic trivialities to the entire neighborhood to gain sympathy or attention. It highlights the tendency of some people to make a public spectacle of their personal problems.
పొరుగింటి బాన పాడి కంటే, తన ఇంటి గిద్ద పాడి మేలు
poruginti bana padi kante, tana inti gidda padi melu
The small measure of milk in one's own house is better than a large pot of milk in the neighbor's house.
This proverb emphasizes the value of self-reliance and ownership. It suggests that having a small amount of something that belongs to you is more reliable and beneficial than depending on a large amount that belongs to someone else. It is used to advise people to be content with what they own rather than looking at others' wealth.
పోడిమగల నాడె పొరుగింటి పొందు
podimagala nade poruginti pondu
A neighbor's friendship exists only as long as one is prosperous.
This proverb highlights the fickle nature of relationships based on social or financial status. It suggests that neighbors or associates are friendly and supportive only when you are wealthy or influential, but they may distance themselves or disappear when you face hardships.
అత్తా అత్తా అన్నం పెట్టత్తా అంటే సున్నం పెడతానే అందట.
atta atta annam pettatta ante sunnam pedatane andata.
When requested, 'Mother-in-law, mother-in-law, please serve some food,' she replied, 'I will apply lime (chunam) instead.'
This proverb describes a situation where a person expects help or kindness but receives something harmful or insulting in return. It highlights the behavior of mean-spirited or heartless people who mock others' genuine needs or suffering instead of showing empathy.
పొరుగింట చూడరా నా పెద్దచెయ్యి
poruginta chudara na peddacheyyi
Look at my 'big hand' (generosity) in the neighbor's house.
This proverb is used to describe a hypocrite who pretends to be generous or charitable using other people's resources or properties. It refers to someone who shows off their status or kindness at the expense of others while contributing nothing themselves.
పొరుగింటి అట్లకు నెయ్యి కాచినట్లు
poruginti atlaku neyyi kachinatlu
Like melting ghee for the neighbor's pancakes.
This expression describes a situation where someone works hard or spends resources on something that only benefits others and provides no benefit to themselves. It is used to highlight wasted effort or misplaced generosity where the doer gains nothing.
అట్టు పెట్టినమ్మకు అట్టున్నర.
attu pettinammaku attunnara.
An attu-and-a-half for the mother who served an attu.
This proverb highlights the principle of reciprocity and generosity. It implies that those who give or help others will receive back even more than what they offered (interest/bonus). It is used to suggest that kindness is rewarded with greater kindness.
పొరుగింటి అట్లకు తిమ్మనం కాచుకుందట
poruginti atlaku timmanam kachukundata
She prepared the seasoning for the pancakes being cooked in the neighbor's house.
This proverb is used to describe someone who is overly eager, meddlesome, or makes premature preparations based on someone else's resources or actions without being asked. It highlights the foolishness of depending on or intervening in matters that do not belong to oneself.
మా ఇంటాయనకు మగతనముంటే, పొరుగింటాయన పొందెందుకు
ma intayanaku magatanamunte, porugintayana pondenduku
If my husband had masculinity, why would I need the neighbor's company?
This is a bold proverb used to describe a situation where someone seeks external help or a substitute only because the person who is supposed to be responsible or capable is failing to fulfill their duty. It highlights that if one's own resources or people were effective, there would be no need to depend on outsiders.