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.
Related Phrases
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.
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.
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.
అన్నం పెట్టినవారింటికి కన్నము పెట్టినట్లు
annam pettinavarintiki kannamu pettinatlu
Like breaking into the house of the person who fed you.
This expression describes extreme ingratitude or betrayal. It refers to a person who harms their benefactor or someone who has helped them in their time of need. It is used to condemn the act of biting the hand that feeds you.
అన్నము పెట్టినవారిల్లు కన్నము పెట్టవచ్చునా?
annamu pettinavarillu kannamu pettavachchuna?
May you break into the house of him who has fed you ?
This proverb emphasizes the virtue of gratitude and loyalty. It suggests that it is a great sin or an act of extreme betrayal to harm or cheat someone who has helped or supported you during your time of need.
Kannam is a hole made by burglars in the wall of a house.
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.
అయ్య దాసరులకు పెడితే, అమ్మ జంగాలకు పెట్టినట్లు
ayya dasarulaku pedite, amma jangalaku pettinatlu
When the master fed the Dâsaris (devotees of Vishṇu), the mistress fed the Jangams (devotees of Śiva). Applied to a spirit of contradiction.
This proverb describes a situation where both partners in a couple or group are equally charitable, or more commonly, equally wasteful and extravagant in spending resources on outsiders. It is used to highlight a lack of financial coordination or a mutual tendency to give away assets, often leading to the depletion of the household's wealth.
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.