వానలుంటే పంటలు, లేకుంటే మంటలు
vanalunte pantalu, lekunte mantalu
If there are rains, there are crops; if not, there are fires.
This proverb highlights the critical importance of rainfall for agriculture. It signifies that timely rains lead to prosperity and food security (crops), whereas a lack of rain leads to drought, starvation, and economic devastation (metaphorically referred to as fires/suffering).
Related Phrases
విత్తనాలుంటేనే పెత్తనాలు.
vittanaluntene pettanalu.
Only if there are seeds, can there be management (authority).
This proverb highlights that one can only exercise authority or manage affairs if they possess the necessary resources or capital. In an agricultural context, it means without seeds to sow, there is no farm to manage; in a broader sense, it implies that financial stability is the foundation of influence and leadership.
నాదమంటే గంట, వాదముంటే తంట
nadamante ganta, vadamunte tanta
If it is sound, it is a bell; if it is an argument, it is a trouble.
This expression highlights the difference between pleasant sounds and unpleasant conflicts. It suggests that while ringing a bell produces a harmonious sound, engaging in unnecessary arguments or disputes only leads to problems and complications. It is used to advise someone to avoid bickering and maintain peace.
ఉంటే అమీరు, లేకుంటే పకీరు
unte amiru, lekunte pakiru
If you have, you are a rich man; if not, you are a beggar.
This expression describes an 'all or nothing' lifestyle or a person who lives extravagantly when they have money but falls into extreme poverty as soon as it is gone. It is often used to refer to someone who doesn't save for the future or lacks a middle ground in their financial habits.
అయితే ఆడబిడ్డ, లేకుంటే మగబిడ్డ
ayite adabidda, lekunte magabidda
Either a baby girl or a baby boy.
This expression is used to describe a situation where there are only two possible outcomes, both of which are acceptable or equally significant. It is often used to signify that no matter what happens among the expected options, the result is certain and fine. It can also be used to shut down unnecessary speculation about a result that will eventually reveal itself.
ఉంటే ఉగాది, లేకుంటే శివరాత్రి
unte ugadi, lekunte shivaratri
If there is (plenty), it is Ugadi; if there is (nothing), it is Shivaratri.
This proverb describes an unstable or extreme financial situation. 'Ugadi' represents a feast and celebration (plenty), while 'Shivaratri' represents fasting and staying awake (poverty/hunger). It is used to describe someone who either lives in luxury when they have money or starves when they don't, lacking a middle ground or consistent lifestyle.
కూలి చేస్తే కుండ కాలుతుంది, లేకుంటే పొట్ట కాలుతుంది
kuli cheste kunda kalutundi, lekunte potta kalutundi
If you work for wages, the pot burns; otherwise, the stomach burns.
This proverb highlights the struggle of the working class and the necessity of labor for survival. 'The pot burns' refers to cooking food on a stove, while 'the stomach burns' refers to the pain of hunger. It is used to emphasize that one must work every day to avoid starvation.
గోరంతను కొండంత చేయడం
gorantanu kondanta cheyadam
Making a mountain out of a molehill (Literally: making a fingernail-sized thing as big as a mountain)
This expression is used to describe someone who exaggerates a very small issue or minor incident into something massive or significant. It is typically applied when someone overreacts or blows a situation out of proportion.
డబ్బుంటే ఢిల్లీ భోగాలు, డబ్బు లేకుంటే ఎలవడాలు.
dabbunte dhilli bhogalu, dabbu lekunte elavadalu.
If you have money, you enjoy Delhi-like luxuries; if you don't have money, you face hardships/destitution.
This expression highlights the power of wealth in determining social status and comfort. It contrasts the extreme luxury one can enjoy with money against the struggle and lack of basic respect one faces in poverty.
నెలకు మూడు వానలు నిండారు పంటలు
nelaku mudu vanalu nindaru pantalu
Three rains a month result in abundant crops
This is a traditional saying that describes an ideal climatic condition for prosperity. It suggests that if it rains regularly (thrice a month), the harvest will be plentiful, leading to the well-being of society. It is often used to describe times of peace, balance, and agricultural abundance.
కింద పెట్టిన పంటలుండవు, పైన కురిసే వానలుండవు
kinda pettina pantalundavu, paina kurise vanalundavu
The crops planted below do not remain, and the rains from above do not fall.
This proverb is used to describe a state of extreme distress, hopelessness, or a complete failure of systems. It originally refers to agricultural drought where neither the soil yields crops nor the sky yields rain, signifying a total lack of resources or support from any direction.