Mohamataniki poyi munda kadupu techukundanta It is to criticise
some one who is too shy & submissive. It literally translates to
"being too submissive, a widow gets pregnant".
It is to be understood that an Indian widow,
in olden days was not supposed to get married again.
This proverb is used when some one is too submissive
&succumbs to others demands or orders against his own will.
2)Kukka katuki cheppu debba - కుక్క కాటుకి చెప్పు దెబ్బ
The meaning of this proverb is that one should respond with appropriate measure to
any unethical or unreasonable action by your opponent instead of being submissive or cowered.
Literal translation: Kukka katu = a dogs bite, cheppu = footwear, debba = slap,hit.
An equivalent saying in english would be ' Tit for tat'.
3)Thinninti vaasaalu lekkapettu - తిన్నింటి వాసాలు లెక్కపెట్టు
This proverb is used when someone who is trusted and helped by a person , cheats his/her benefactor.
The origin of the proverb is rooted in the telugu folklore. The background of the proverb
comes from the relationship of a host and a guest. If a stranger is given hospitality
by a kind person, s/he starts counting the vasaalu( bamboo bars) used in
the construction of a house/thatched hut.
It means that after having his/her meals the person is eyeing for something more.
Thinniti=Host's house , vaasaalu=Bamboo bars , lekkapettu=counting
4)Alasyam amrutam visham - ఆలస్యం ఆమృతం విషం
The literal meaning of the proverb is , if you make delay even ambrosia turns into poison.
It is used to emphasize the importance of time and punctuality in our lives.
If we don't do the right thing at RIGHT time, it no longer remains as a right thing.
5)Parigetti Paalu Thaage Kante Nilchuni Neellu Thaagatam Melu
It is better to have water at your place, rather than run and have milk
Make use of the available things first before you run for the unavailable
6)Siggu Leni Vaadiki Navve Singharam
The literal meaning of the proverb is , Laughter is the ornament for the shameless.
It is used to describe the person who ,after doing something wrong ,
laughs instead of feeling shameful for what he has done.
7)Subham Palakara Pellikodaka Ante PelliKuturu Munda Ekkada Chachindi Annadanta
After marriage the bridegroom says the word Subham in Telugu culture to signify
the end of the ceremony.
The proverb is used to describe a person with a negative attitude and when doing
something is very pessimistic about it.
8)Pichuka Meeda Brahmastram
The literal meaning of the proverb is , using Brahmastram on a small bird.
Pichuka means a small bird (sparrow). Brahmastram is the most powerful weapon
according to Hindu mythology.The proverb refers to situations where one uses
disproportionately excessive force on a weak opponent. For example,
situations where a Govt. decides to use extensive military to
crackdown on unarmed and peaceful protestors.
9)Koose Gadida Vachi Mese Gaadidani Chedakottindi Anta
The literal meaning of the proverb is , the braying donkey comes and disturbs the grazing donkey.
It is used to describe people who are not productive (the braying donkey),
but go around disturbing others who are doing something more productive
(the grazing donkey). Well, it presupposes that grazing is more productive than braying!
10)Nidra poye vadini nidra leppochu kani; Nidra poyinnatu natinche vadini nidra lepalem
Meaning: You can wake up someone who is sleeping; It is impossible to wake up
a person who is pretending to be asleep
Context: You can convince someone who is sincere, but impossible to convince
someone who is pretending to be sincere.
11)Pommana leka poga pettinattlu
pommana leka poga pettinattlu - పొమ్మనలేక పొగ పెట్టినట్లు
Literal translation is: "Instead of directly asking someone to leave, making them leave
by starting some smoke", referring to indirect actions in place of direct words.
Can also be used when someone.. "When someone cannot convince another person in any way,
he will convince him forcibly"
12)Minga metukuledu meesalaki sampenga nune ani
The context where this fits correctly is where we don't have the basic amenities,
but we look for luxuries.....
word to word meaning:
Minga = to eat, methuku = single unit of rice, ledu = not there ,meesalaku = to the moustache,
sampenga = an aromatic flower from which oil can be made, nune = oil
Put together we don't have a single rice grain to eat,but we want the aromatic oil for the moustache...
13)Poruginti pulla koora ruchi
English Equivalent: Grass on the other side is greener.
literal meaning: Neighbor's side dish is always tastier.
14)Chinta chachina pulupu chaavaledu ani
Literal translation: Even if a tamarind is of no use the pungent taste it contains never dies.
Meaning: A person can be down and out in his life but the arrogance
and the pesky nature never dies in him.
15)Donga Munda Pelliki Chavu Mellam
Literal Translation :To the marriage of a unfit bride a funeral orchestra joins.
Meaning: To do a unnecessary work being done by a vagabond another one joins/supports.
Another version of this proverb is Kukka Muddi Pandi Nakindi
16)Andite juttu andaka pothe kaalu
Literal translation: If possible (go for) hair, if not (go for) feet.
This refers to situations where someone is willing to do anything to get one's way.
Grabbing hair refers to use of force while going for feet refers to pleading.
So, the overall idea is - if use of force doesnt work, beg & plead.
17)Yenki pelli subbi chaavu kochindi
Literal translation: Yenki's ( a persons name) marriage has resulted in
Subbi's ( a persons name)death.
Meaning: A person is suffering to the maximum because of somebody else's cause.
18)Intlo puli veedilo pilli
Literal translation: A Tiger at home, but a cat outdoors. Refers to people's inconsistent behavior
in their comfort zone vs. other areas. Tiger implies confident and aggressive behavior,
while cat refers to meek and timid behavior. So, the proverb suggests that one behaves
confidently at home (tiger when indoors) but gets all meeka and timid outside (the cat outdoors)
19)Toorpu tirigi dhandam pettu
Literal translation: Turn East and pr Used to indicate that all options in a given situation are exhausted,
and the last resort is to just pray and hope for divine intervention. (Hindu prayers are done facing east).
It is like saying "Tried everything, all we can do now is turn east and pray".
20)Modatikae mosam moguda ante pesarapappu pellama annattu
Literal translation : Wife says its getting impossible (financially) and husband asks
for green gram (a kind of lentils, considered premium).
Indicates someone being out of touch with reality. It is similar to the quote attributed
to Marie Antoinette about asking people to eat cake when they have no bread .
21)Illalakagane pandaga kaadu
It is a general practice to clean the house on a festival day apart from other things.
Here it means that , if you have finished painting your home, it does not mean that
the festival is over. This is similar to saying, if you have read 10 answers,
it does not mean you have got A grade in exams.
22)Aadadi tirigi chaedutundi, Magavaadu tiragaka chaedataadu
Broadly, this translates to - A woman gets corrupted with too much socializing,
and Man gets corrupted with too little. In current day, this would be exist
and inappropriate. The intended message is more on the lines of :
Women spending too much time outside home (ala socializing, gossiping etc.)
are no good, while for a man spending too much time at home
(not being out there and winning the bread, probably) aint no good.
23)Mose vadiki telsu kaavadi baruvu...మోసే వాడికి తెల్సు కావడి బరువు...
Literally, this proverb means person carrying the sedan chair (a type of human powered transport)
knows the weight of it. this can be used in the context of explaining the pain or struggle of
an individual who takes huge responsibility onto himself.
gtguh
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