వడ్డెరోడికి వెళ్ళాం పెద్దది, కాపోడికి గొడ్డు పెద్దది కావాలట
vadderodiki vellam peddadi, kapodiki goddu peddadi kavalata
The stone-cutter wants a big family, and the farmer wants a big animal (ox/cattle).
This proverb highlights how people's desires and needs vary based on their profession or lifestyle. A stone-cutter (Vaddera) values more manpower (a large family) to help with manual labor, while a farmer (Kapu) values strong livestock to cultivate the land. It is used to describe how everyone seeks resources that are most beneficial to their specific livelihood.
Related Phrases
దేవుడు పెండ్లికి అందరూ పెద్దలే.
devudu pendliki andaru peddale.
At God's wedding, everyone is an elder/leader.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where there is no clear authority, hierarchy, or organization because everyone involved considers themselves to be in charge. It is often applied to chaotic events where everyone is giving orders but no one is following them.
ముక్కు చిన్నది, ముత్యం పెద్దది
mukku chinnadi, mutyam peddadi
Small nose, big pearl
This expression is used to describe a situation where an accessory or an addition is more prominent, heavy, or expensive than the main object itself. It often refers to someone overdoing something or a case where the secondary element overshadows the primary one.
చిదికి చిదికి చిన్నవాని పెండ్లి చేసే సరికి, పెద్ద వాని పెండ్లాము పెద్దల లోకి పోయిందట
chidiki chidiki chinnavani pendli chese sariki, pedda vani pendlamu peddala loki poyindata
By the time the youngest son's wedding was arranged with great struggle, the eldest son's wife passed away.
This proverb describes a situation where one problem is solved with extreme difficulty only for another major crisis to occur. It highlights the irony of fate where despite continuous efforts to settle or fix affairs in a family or project, things never reach a state of completion or peace because new setbacks arise immediately.
ఉన్నవాడు ఊరికి పెద్ద, చచ్చినవాడు కాటికి పెద్ద.
unnavadu uriki pedda, chachchinavadu katiki pedda.
He that is alive is the head man of the village, and he that is dead is the head man of the burial ground. A taunt used to one who tries to make out that he is very highly connected.
This proverb highlights the transient nature of power and social status. It suggests that authority and leadership are only relevant while a person is alive and present in society; once deceased, their worldly influence vanishes and they belong only to the graveyard.
గొంతు చిన్నది గోలెము పెద్దది
gontu chinnadi golemu peddadi
The throat is small, but the pot is big.
This expression refers to a situation where a person's physical capacity or resources are very limited, yet their greed, ambition, or appetite is disproportionately large. It is often used to describe someone who tries to consume or take on much more than they can actually handle or manage.
దోవతి పెద్దదయితే గోత్రం పెద్దదగునా?
dovati peddadayite gotram peddadaguna?
If the dhoti is large, does the lineage become great?
This proverb is used to say that outward appearance, expensive clothing, or displays of wealth do not determine a person's character, family status, or nobility. Just because someone wears fancy clothes doesn't mean they possess high virtues or a respected heritage.
కళ్ళం పళ్ళెం పెద్దదిగా ఉండాలి
kallam pallem peddadiga undali
The threshing floor and the plate should be large.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of generosity and abundance. It suggests that one should have a large heart (represented by a large plate for eating) and a productive workspace (represented by the threshing floor). It is used to encourage someone to be more liberal, resourceful, or to aim for prosperity and sharing rather than being stingy.
అద్దద్ద అనేవానికి అర్ధరూపాయి, మొద్దుకొట్టేవానికి పెద్దదుడ్డు.
addadda anevaniki ardharupayi, moddukottevaniki peddaduddu.
Half a rupee for the one who says 'addadda', a big stick for the one who stands like a log.
This expression refers to the reward or consequence based on behavior. It suggests that someone who tries to express something (even if vaguely) gets a small reward, whereas someone who is stubborn, unresponsive, or lazy (like a log) deserves punishment or a harsh lesson. It is used to describe dealing with different types of temperaments.
మౌనానికి మించిన సమాధానం లేదు.
maunaniki minchina samadhanam ledu.
There is no better answer than silence.
This expression is used to convey that sometimes staying silent is the most powerful or effective way to respond to a situation, provocation, or unnecessary argument. It suggests that silence can prevent further conflict and is often more dignified than words.
పెద్దతల లేకుంటే పెద్దరికం చాలదు
peddatala lekunte peddarikam chaladu
If there is no elderly head, the status of elderliness is insufficient.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of having an experienced or wise person at the helm. It suggests that without a wise leader (a big head) to guide and make decisions, simply holding a position of authority or seniority (elderliness) is not enough to manage a family or a group effectively.