Kannada proverbs explanation - Shivappa
ಕನ್ನಡ ಗಾದೆಗಳು,ನಿಮ್ಮ ಕನ್ನಡ ಭಾಷೆಯಲ್ಲಿ | ಕನ್ನಡ ಭಾಷೆ | ಕನ್ನಡ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ
ಅಕ್ಕನ್ ಗಂಡನ ಕೂಡೆ ದುಕ್ಕ ಹೇಳಿದ್ರೆ, ಮಕ್ಕಳ್ ಮರಿಯ ಬುಟ್ಟು ಬಾ ಅಂದ
akkan gaMDana kUDe dukka hELidre, makkaL mariya buTTu baa aMda
Literal: When she shared her troubled life with her elder sister’s husband, he said, forsake your children and come to
me.
ಆರು ಕಾಸಿನ ಸಂಬಳ ಆದರೂ, ಅರಮನೆಯ ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡು
aaru kaasina saMbaLa aadarU, aramaneya kelasa maaDu
Literal: Even if the salary is worth six penny be employed in the palace
Meaning: Always do a respecteable job, although there is less monetary benefit.
ಆಲಸ್ಯಾತ್ ಅಮೃತಂ ವಿಷಂ
aalasyaat aMrutaM viShaM
Literal: By delay nectar is (=turns into) poison.
Meaning: Opportunity unavailed becomes harmful. One should not delay.
Equivalent: Idleness is the root of all evil
ಆರುವ ದೀಪಕ್ಕೆ ಕಾಂತಿ ಹೆಚ್ಚು
aaruva dIpakke kaaMti heccu
Literal: a dying out flame dazzles more
Meaning: This suggests subtly the final glow or false promise before the approaching end.
ಅಪ್ಪನ ಮಾತು, ಆನೆಯ ಬಲ
appana maatu, aaneya bala
Literal: father’s approval [provides one with] the strength of an elephant [morally].
ಅಣ್ಣ ತಮ್ಮನ ಬೇರೆ ಮಾಡ ಬೇಡ
aNNa tammana bEre maaDa bEDa
Literal: don’t part two brothers.
ಆರೊಗ್ಯವೇ ಭಾಗ್ಯ
aarOgyavE bhaagya
Literal: Health is wealth.
Meaning: In one’s life, health is more essential than material wealth and so it should not be neglected.
ಅಲ್ಪನಿಗೆ ಐಶ್ವರ್ಯ ಬಂದರೆ ಅರ್ಧ ರಾತ್ರೀಲಿ ಕೊಡೆ ಹಿಡಿಸಿಕೊಂಡ
alpanige aishwarya baMdare ardha raatrIli koDe hiDisikoMDa
Literal: if an inferior gets riches, he demands an umbrella to be held over his head at midnight
Meaning: this is indirect way of saying a person should be poised and should maintain his emotional balance, when
fortune smiles on him.
Equivalent: No pride like that of a enriched begger
ಅಳಿವುದೇ ಕಾಯ ಉಳಿವುದೇ ಕೀರ್ತಿ
aLivudE kaaya uLivudE kIrti
Literal: the body dies, the fame lives.
Meaning: the acquired name and fame of a person lives longer than the self.
ಅಳಿಯ ಅಲ್ಲ ಮಗಳ ಗಂಡ
aLiya alla magaLa gaMDa
Literal: [he is] not my Son-in-law, but my daughter’s husband.
Meaning: The fact does not change by saying it in a different way.
ಆಡಿದರೆ ಅರಗಿಣಿ ಕಾಡಿದರೆ ನಾಗರ ಕಾಟ
aaDidare aragiNi kaaDidare naagara kaaTa
Literal: if you act out you are a royal parrot, if annoyed, you bother like a cobra
Meaning: when things are fine you are excellent companion, the moment it goes wrong you are like a serpent
ಅಳೋ ಗಂಡ್ಸನ್ನು ನಗೋ ಹೆಂಗ್ಸನ್ನು ನಂಬಬಾರದು
aLO gaMD’sannu nagO heMg’sannu naMbabaaradu
Literal: never believe a man who is cry-prone nor a female who is smile-prone
Meaning: Do not believe a man who cries for everthing and similarly a lady who smiles things away.
ಅಯ್ಯೋ ಪಾಪ! ಅಂದ್ರೆ ಅರ್ಧ ಆಯಸ್ಸು
ayyO paapa aMdre ardha aayassu
Literal: if you pity [on somebody], [you have] half life.
Meaning: show pity on someone your lifespan will be cut short i.e., you spend half your life worrying about it.
Meaning: Don’t be kind to one and everyone, some times people take you for a ride
ಆಡುವವ ಆಡಿದ್ರೆ ನೋಡುವವಗೆ ಸಿಗ್ಗು
aaDuvava aaDidre nODuvavage siggu
Literal: If an actor enacts [indecently/without inhibitions], the spectator is ashamed
Meaning: an actor may perform to the embarrassment of the spectator
ಅಂಜಿದವನ ಮೇಲೆ ಕಪ್ಪೆ ಹಾರಿದಂಗೆ
aMjidavana mEle kappe haaridaMge
Literal: Its like frog jumping on a person who is already afraid (of it).
ಅಲ್ಲದ ಕನಸು ಕಂಡರೆ ಎದ್ದು ಕುಂಡ್ರು.
allada kanasu kaMDare eddu kuMDru
Literal: if you see a negative dream, get up and sit.
Meaning: wake up to the alaraming calls
ಅಡ್ಡ ಗೋಡೆಯ ಮೇಲೆ ದೀಪ ಇಟ್ಟ ಹಾಗೆ
aDDa gODeya mEle dIpa iTTa hAge
Literal: It is like placing a lamp atop a partitioning wall.
Equivalent: He is as undecided as an orphan: if he does not wash his hands, he is called dirty, if he does, he is
wasting water.
Usage: This is said of people who refuse to take sides (/ take a stand). Sometimes, it is used in the negative sense to
chide people who are indecisive.
ಆರು ಕೊಟ್ಟರೆ ಅತ್ತೆ ಕಡೆ, ಮೂರು ಕೊಟ್ಟರೆ ಸೊಸೆ ಕಡೆ
aaru koTTare atte kaDe, mUru koTTare sose kaDe
Literal: Give him six denominations he sides with mother-in law (backs her up), give him three denominations he
sides with daughter-in-law (backs her up).
ಅಡಿಕೆಗೆ ಹೋದ ಮಾನ ಆನೆ ಕೊಟ್ಟರೂ ಬರದು
aDikege hOda maana aane koTTarU baradu
Literal: The reputation lost on a betelnut won’t comeback though you donate an elephant.
Meaning: The reputation lost on trivial things cannot be regained by donating big alms.
Equivalent: A wounded reputation is seldom cured
ಅಜ್ಜಿಗೆ ಅರಿವೆಯ ಚಿಂತೆ, ಮೊಮ್ಮಗಳಿಗೆ ಕಜ್ಜಾಯದ ಚಿಂತೆ
ajjige ariveya chinte, mommagaLige kajjaayada chinte
Literal: Grandma is worried about her worn out dress; the Granddaughter worried about having a sweet dish.
Meaning: This is said of irresponsible youngsters who expect a lot from parents who struggle to make ends meet.
Used to stress the importance of prioritizing.
Equivalent: Every heart has its own ache
ಅಕ್ಕಿಯ ಮೇಲೆ ಆಸೆ, ನೆ೦ಟರ ಮೇಲೆ ಪ್ರೀತಿ
akkiya mEle aase, neMTara mEle prIti
Literal: She has desire for rice(likes saving it) and has love for her relatives too.
Equivalent: you cannot have a cake and eat it too.
Equivalent: I love you well but touch not my pocket
ಅ೦ಬಲಿ ಕುಡಿಯುವವನಿಗೆ ಮೀಸೆ ಹಿಡಿಯುವವ ಒಬ್ಬ
aMbali kuDiyuvavanige mIse tikkuvanobba
Literal: For the one who drinks porridge, [there is] a person to hold moustache.
Meaning: The one who subsists on porridge, has got an attender to trim his moustache.
Usage: This is said of people who live beyond their means.
Equivalent: Nothing agrees worse than a proud mind and a begger’s purse
Equivalent: Little roast great boast
ಅ೦ತೂ ಇಂತೂ ಕು೦ತಿ ಮಕ್ಕಳಿಗೆ ರಾಜ್ಯ ಇಲ್ಲ.
aMtU iMtu kuMti makkaLige eMtU rajyavilla
Literal: somehow Kunti’s sons have got no state [to rule].
Usage: This proverb is reserved for unlucky ones who never make it however they struggle.
history: The Pandavas, sons of Kunti, spent their childhood and youth in exile. After they finally won the great battle
of Mahabharata there was nothing to rule but a ghost kingdom.
ಅತ್ತೆಗೊ೦ದು ಕಾಲ; ಸೊಸೆಗೊ೦ದು ಕಾಲ
attegondu kaala; sosegondu kaala
Literal: [There is] a time for mother-in-law and a time for daughter-in-law.
Usage: The image of the mother-in-law who ruled the roost in joint families with a vengeance to make up for the
indignities suffered during her daughter-in-law days is evident here.
Equivalent: Every dog has his day
ಆಸೆಯೇ ದುಃಖಕ್ಕೆ ಮೂಲ
aaseyE duHKakke mUla
Literal: greed is the rootcause of sorrow.
ಆಳ್ ಮೇಲ್ ಆಳ್ ಬಿದ್ದು ಗೋಣು ಬರಿದಾಯ್ತು
aaL mEl aaL biddu gONu baridaaytu
(= ಒಬ್ಬರು ಮತ್ತೊಬ್ಬರ ಮೇಲೆ ಹೊಣೆ ಹೊರಿಸಿ, ಹೊಣೆ ಹೊರಲು ಒಬ್ಬರು ಇಲ್ಲ) (ಆಳ್ = ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿ ; ಗೋಣು = ಕುತ್ತಿಗೆಯ ಹಿಂಭಾಗ, ಹೊರೆ ಹೊರಲು ಬಳಸುವ
ಹೆಗಲಿನ ಭಾಗ)
Literal: [each] servant turn(fell) on [the other] servant and the shoulder/s [which were supposed to share owner’s
burden] cleared out!
Meaning: This is said referring to a group of individuals.[When occassion called for taking up the responsibility,] Each
individual passed the buck to the other individual and there was none left to shoulder the responsibility.
ಅರಿಯದೆ ಮಾಡಿದ ಪಾಪ ಅರಿತಂದು ಪರಿಹಾರ
ariyade maaDida paapa aritandu parihaara
Literal: a sin did without realizing is cured when you realize it.
Meaning: a sin commited out of mistake could be rectified when you look back on it.
Equivalent: a fault confessed is half redressed
ಅಕ್ಕರೆಯಿದ್ದಲ್ಲಿ ದುಃಖವುಂಟು
akkareyiddalli duHKavunTu
Literal: where there is love, there is grief.
Meaning: love accompanies grief.
ಅಕ್ಕನ ಚಿನ್ನವಾದ್ರೂ ಅಕ್ಕಸಾಲಿ ಟೊಣೆಯದೆ(=ಕದಿಯದೆ) ಬಿಡ
akkana cinnavAdrU akkasAli ToNeyade(=kadiyade) biDa
Literal: Though the gold belogs to his own sister, a goldsmith wouldn’t let it without swindling
Equivalent: I would cheat my own father at cards.
ಆಯಕಟ್ಟು ಇಲ್ಲದವನಿಗೆ ಆರುಕಟ್ಟು ವಿಭೂತಿ
aaya-kaTTu illadavanige aaru-kaTTu vibhUti
Literal: a person with no physique/vitality/propriety has six packs of holy-ash [i.e., he would resort to a consecreted
ointment to ward off any harm/danger to himself]
Meaning: no fighting spirit would would make a man [pseudo] religious
ಅವನು ಸಗಣಿ ತಿಂತಾನೆ, ನೀನೂ ತಿಂತೀಯಾ?
avanu sagaNi tiMtaane, nInU tiMtIyaa?
Literal: He eats dung, would you eat it too?
Meaning: Don’t follow others blindly.
ಅಡಿಗೆ ಬಿದ್ದರೂ ಮೂಗು ಮೇಲೆ
aDige biddarU mUgu mEle
Literal: though he fell to the feet, his nose is above the feet [i.e., his nose is not touching the feet]
Equivalent: Though vanquished, he could still argue.
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ಬೆಳ್ಳ ಬೆಳತನಕ ಗೌಡ್ರ ಮನೆತನಕ
beLLa beLatanaka gauD’ra manetanaka
Literal: untill dawn traversed(got across) unto the landlord’s house
Meaning: This proverb is a taunt at people who engage in long chats (aimless talks) which serves no end.
ಬಯಸಿ ಬಯಸಿ ಮದುವೆಯಾದ್ರೆ ಬಡಿಯೊ ಗಂಡ ಸಿಕ್ಕಿದ
bayasi bayasi maduveyaadre baDiyo gaMDa sikkida
Literal: with lot of expectations(desire) I got married and got a spouse who beats me up.
Meaning: When you really look forward to something it’s often an anticlimax when it actually happens.
ಬೆಕ್ಕು ಕಣ್ಣು ಮುಚ್ಚಿಕೊಂಡು ಹಾಲು ಕುಡಿದಂತೆ.
bekku kaNNu muchchikonDu haalu kuDidante
Literal: It is like a cat lapping up the milk with its eyes closed [to the world].
Meaning: Others can see through a misdeed despite pretensions.
ಬೇಲಿನೇ ಎದ್ದು ಹೊಲ ಮೇದ ಹಾಗೆ
bElinE eddu hola meyda haage
Literal: Its as if the fence uprooted [itself] and allowed the field to be grazed [by the live stock].
Meaning: A fence is meant to stop cattle from grazing. What if the fence itself is a culprit? This proverb comes from a
skepticism of those who break laws they are supposed to uphold.
ಭಂಗೀ ದೇವರಿಗೆ ಹೆಂಡಗುಡುಕ ಪೂಜಾರಿ
Bangi devarige hendaguDuka pujaari
Literal: For the God who is on dope(drugs), [it is but appropriate to have] a priest who is a drunkard.
Meaning: The underlings are usually quite a match for the rogues in power whom they serve.
ಬದುಕಿದಾಗಿಲ್ಲ ಬಾಳಿದಾಗಿಲ್ಲ ಸಾಯೋ ಕಾಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಶನಿಕಾಟ
badukdaagilla baaLidagilla saayO kaladalli ShanikaaTa
Literal: when lived it wasn’t there, when survived it wasn’t there, but inflictions by the god of misfortune in ones
demise time.
Meaning: lived and survived all odds happily [when young], but afflicted with misery in oldage.
Usage: This can be used in bothways for pitying and scolding the greed of people. It incites pity, when a wise person
suffers because of some one during his last days and This adage can also refer to the people who had enough money
with them to lead a happy life in oldage but due to greed they have lost it and are suffering with dire circumstances.
ಬಯಕೆಗೆ ಬಡವರಿಲ್ಲ
bayakege baDavarilla
Literal: desire knows no poor.
Meaning: people from all walks of life are affected by desires.
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ಚಿಕ್ಕವನಾದ್ರು ಶಿವನ ಬುದ್ದಿ
cikkavanaadru Sivana buddi
Literal: Though he is very young, has got wisdom like that of Shiva[God]
ಚೇಳಿಗೆ ಪಾರುಪಥ್ಯ ಕೊಟ್ಟ ಹಾಗೆ
chELige pArupatya koTTa hAge
Literal: It is like giving authority to a scorpion.
Meaning: If the mean people get into positions of authority they cause a great damage like a scorpion, which needs
no reason to sting, would work overtime if asked to do so.
ಚಿಂತೆ ಇಲ್ಲದವನಿಗೆ ಸಂತೆಯಲ್ಲೂ ನಿದ್ದೆ
chinte illadavanige santeyallU nidde
Literal: One without worries can doze off in a marketplace [noisy hubbub].
Meaning: One hasn’t a problem in the world, why one would have any worries whatsoever.
ಛಲಗಾರ ಚಟ್ಟ ಏರಿದ, ಭಂಡ ಬದುಕಿದ
Chalagaara chatta eerida, bhanda badukida
Literal: a dogged person died(clambered himself onto the funeral pyre) a brazen person survived
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ದಂಡಂ ದಶ ಗುಣಮ್ ಭವೆತ್
daMDaM dasha guNam bhavet
Literal: Punishment has got 10 credits to its name.
Meaning: Beating gives the necessary attitudes of a man
Meaning: [for social control] penalisation is 10 times more effective than any other solutions.
ದಾನ ದಾನಕ್ಕಿಂತ ನಿದಾನ ದೊಡ್ಡದು
daana daanakkiMta nidaana doDDadu
Literal: Decisiveness/volition is greater than all kinds of charity
Meaning: Intent on doing charity is greater than charity with an irresolute mind.
ದಿಕ್ಕು ದಿಕ್ಕಿಗೆ ಹೋದರೂ ದುಕ್ಕ ತಪ್ಪದು
dikku dikkige hOdarU dukka tappadu
Literal: wherever(whichever direction) you go, sorrow won’t leave you
Meaning : sorrow is a painful existance of life.
ದುಡ್ಡೇ ದೊಡ್ಡಪ್ಪ.
duDDE doDDappa
Literal: Money is bigger father [godfather].
Meaning: Money is everything in real/practical world.
Equivalent: In God we trust, all others must pay cash.
Equivalent: Money makes mare to go
Equivalent: Money make many things
ದೇವರು ವರ ಕೊಟ್ಟರೂ ಪೂಜಾರಿ ವರ ಕೊಡ
dEvaru vara koTTarU pUjAri vara koDa
Literal: Though god gives a boon, the priest wouldn’t
Meaning: Though god grants a wish to a devotee, the priest wouldn’t let it reach the devotee smoothly.
Usage: This is often used to taunt the underlings who are worse than the bureaucrats they serve.
ದೂರದ ಬೆಟ್ಟ ನುಣ್ಣಗೆ.
doorada beTTa nuNNage
Literal: Distant hill looks smooth
Equivalent: Grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
Usage: This proverb is used to pacify those who compare themselves with other peers and thinks that the others are
better off / have a competative edge over them.
ಧರ್ಮಕ್ಕೆ ದತ್ತಿ ಕೊಟ್ಟರೆ ಹಿತ್ತಲಿಗೆ ಹೋಗಿ ಮೊಳ ಹಾಕಿದರು
dharmakke daTTi koTTare hittalige hOgi moLa hAkidaru
Literal: When a cloth is given for charity, they took it to the backyard and measured it.
Equivalent: looking a gift horse in the mouth.
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ಎಲ್ಲರು ಶಿವನ ಮರೆತರೆ ಕೈಲಾಸವೇ ಹಾಳಕ್ಕು; ಎಲ್ಲರು ಶಿವನ ನೆನೆದರೆ ಇಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ಹಾಳಕ್ಕು;
ellaru Sivana maretare kailaasavE haaLakku; ellaru Sivana nenedare illiyE haaLakku
Literal: if all forget god(shiva) the heaven(kailash) is ruined, if all remember god the world is ruined.
Meaning: world is as such a neutral entity, and is in a state of proper balance.
ಎತ್ತು ಏರಿಗೆಳೀತು, ಕೋಣ ನೀರಿಗೆಳೀತು.
ettu ErigeLItu, kONa nIrigeLItu
Literal: (If you yoke a Buffalo and an ox together,) the Ox will pull for the hilltop and the Buffalo for the swamp.
Meaning: This is a scene of a cart pulled by an ox and a buffalo which do not co-ordinate well and do what they
please leading to a disaster. Mismatched company of people could lead to a similar situation.
ಎಲ್ಲರ ಮನೆ ದೊಸೇನೂ ತೂತೇ
ellara mane dosenU tUtE
Literal: a Dosa made in any or every house has pores.
Meaning: This conveys the meaning that we all are essentially the same. We all have same stories.(Of sorrows and
joys – But in different forms, which is understood but not mentioned).
Note: Dosa is a south Indian Snack similar to pancakes.
ಎಲ್ಲಾರು ಮಾಡುವುದು ಹೊಟ್ಟೆಗಾಗಿ ಗೇಣು ಬಟ್ಟೆಗಾಗಿ
ellaaru maaDuvudu hoTTegaagi gENu baTTegaagi
Literal: Everybody’s deeds are for the sake of belly and for a piece of cloth.
Meaning: The most abhoring of deeds have been committed by people in order to meet the bare necessities of life.
ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಬೆಳಕು ಬೆಳಕಲ್ಲ, ಸತ್ಯದ ನುಡಿಯೇ ಬೆಳಕು
ellaa beLaku beLakalla satyada nuDiyE beLaku
Literal: not all that lits is light, the word of truth is light.
Meaning: virtue is more than light, hence equals god.
ಎಂತೂ ಒಬ್ಬರ ಸೇವೆ ಮಾಡೋದೇ ಬಲು ಕಷ್ಟ
eMtU obbara sEve maaDOdE balu kaShTa
Literal: serving another by any means is difficult indeed.
ಎಡದ ನೆತ್ತಿಗೆ ಬಡಿದರೆ ಬಲದ ನೆತ್ತಿಗೆ ತಾಕಿತು
eDada nettige baDidare balada nettige taakitu
Literal: if you pat the left side of the head, it struck the right side of the head.
Equivalent: He struck at Tib but down fell the Tim
ಎಡವಿದ ಕಾಲು ಎಡವುದು ಹೆಚ್ಚು
eDavida kaalu eDavudu heccu
Literal: a stumbled leg, stumbles more
Meaning: a injured person is more prone to injuries / a addicted is more prone to further addiction etc.,
Equivalent: Misfortunes/difficulties never come single
ಎಂಟು ವರ್ಷಕ್ಕೆ ನನ್ನ ಮಗ ದಂಟಾದ
eMTu varShakke nanna maga daMTaada
Literal: at eight years of age my son turned out to be a numskull
ಎಂಥೆಂಥ ದೇವರಿಗೇ ಅಂತರಾಟ ಆಗಿರುವಾಗ ಕಾಲ್ಮುರುಕ ದೇವರಿಗೆ ಕೈಲಾಸವೇ?
eMtheMtha dEvarigE aMtaraaTa aagiruvaaga kaalmuruka dEvarige kailaasavE?
Literal: such and such gods happen to be in the doldrums, will there be a heaven for the god with a broken leg?
Meaning: all the qualified gods are in a state of suspended animation and the unqualified god [i.e., the god with a
broken leg] got a entry into the Kailasa [the heavenly abode of the great god Shiva of Hindu pantheon].
ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಬಣ್ಣ ಮಸಿ ನುಂಗಿತು
ellaa baNNa masi nuMgitu
Literal: a stain engrosses all colours
Meaning: a black mark on you could diminish your all acquired name and fame.
ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಪಾಲಕೀಲಿ ಕೂತರೆ ಹೊರೋರು ಯಾರು
ellarU paalakIli kUtare horOru yaaru
Literal: If all get into the palanquin, who will be the bearers?
ಎರಡೂ ಕೈ ತಟ್ಟಿದರೆ ಸದ್ದು
eraDU kai taTTidare saddu
Literal: a clap(noise) [if and only] if both hands hit together.
Equivalent: to clap you need both hands
Equivalent: There is no smoke without fire
ಎರಡು ದಾಸರ ನಂಬಿ ಕುರುಡು ದಾಸ ಕೆಟ್ಟ
eraDu daasara naMbi kuruDu daasa keTTa
Literal: a blind saint (in indic traindition a saint genrally begs for alms for his sustenance) ruined himself by relying
on two associate saints.
ಏಳರಲ್ಲಿ ಬರಲೋ? ಎಪ್ಪತ್ತರಲ್ಲಿ ಬರಲೋ?
ELaralli baralO? eppattaralli baralO?
Literal: Misfortune questions us: Shall I come in young age (at age 7)? or in old age (at age 70)?
Meaning: This is read as Misfortune questioning any/all individuals. The underlying meaning is that difficulties could
be boldly faced and easily overcome in young age rather than old age.
ಏರಿದವ ಇಳಿದಾನು
Eridava iLidaanu
Meaning: A person who is successful may see a downturn
ಎದ್ದಾಗ ಜುಟ್ಟು ಹಿಡಿ ಬಿದ್ದಾಗ ಕಾಲ್ ಹಿಡಿ
eddaaga juTTu hiDi, biddaaga kaal hiDi
Literal: when [you] raise up (=well off) [you] catch hold of the lock of hair [of my head and get things done for
yourself], when [you] fall down [you] catch hold of [my] feet [and get things done for yourself]
Meaning: This is said of the opportunist who changes tactics, with the sole purpose of realising his wishes.
ಎತ್ತು ಇಲ್ಲದವಗೆ ಎದೆ ಇಲ್ಲ, ಮಕ್ಕಳ್ ಇಲ್ಲದವಗೆ ಮನೆ ಇಲ್ಲ
ettu illadavage ede illa, makkaL illadavage mane illa
Literal: one who doesn’t have bullocks [to plough the paddy-field] has no chest (can’t stand upright with dignity in a
society), one who doesn’t have childrens has no home.
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ಗಂಡ ಹೆಂಡಿರ ಜಗಳ ಉಂಡು ಮಲಗೋ ತನಕ
gaMDa heMDira jagaLa uMDu malago tanaka
Literal: The strife between a husband and wife lasts only till they dine and go to bed.
Meaning: i.e. disagreements between people in love are forgotten easily.
ಗೆದ್ದೆತ್ತಿನ ಬಾಲ ಹಿಡಿದ ಹಾಗೆ
geddettina baala hiDida haage
Literal: It is like holding the tail of the defeated(overpowered and won over) ox
Meaning: Success has many fathers but failure is an orphan.
ಗುಬ್ಬಿ ಮೇಲೆ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಾಸ್ತ್ರವೇ?
gubbi mEle bramhAstravE?
Literal: Could a Brahmastra be used on a sparrow?
history: (Brahmastra was a weapon of mass destruction during the age of Lord Rama. Brahmastra was believed to
possess the power to destroy the whole world. One fascinating fact about the use of this weapon was that a person
possessing it should use it only on an opponent who is equal to him and also when he has no other alternatives left
during the combat, may be the war convention of that time!!!)
This is said of actions beyond proportion taken on helpless/hapless people.
ಗಾಳಿ ಬಂದಾಗ ತೂರಿಕೊ, ಧಾರಣೆ ಬಂದಾಗ ಮಾರಿಕೊ
gaaLi baMdaaga tUriko, dhaaraNe baMdaaga maariko
Literal: when wind comes up go with it yourself; when market comes up sell in it your goods.
Equivalent: make hay while sun shines
Equivalent: As the wind flows, you must set your sail
ಗವುಜಿ ಗದ್ದಲ ಏನೂ ಇಲ್ಲ, ಗೋವಿಂದ ಭಟ್ಟ ಬಾವೀಲಿ ಬಿದ್ದ
gavuji gaddala EnU illa, gOviMda bhaTTa baavIli bidda
Literal: without any commotion whasoever, Mr.Govinda bhatta took extreme step of taking his own life by throwing
himself in a well.
ಗಿಡವಾಗಿ ಬಗ್ಗದ್ದು ಮರವಾಗಿ ಬಗ್ಗೀತೆ?
giDavaagi baggaddu maravaagi baggIte?
Literal: As a sapling, if it can’t bend, will it ever, when it has grown to become a tree?
Meaning: The proverb implies, It is rather easier to bend a sapling than a tree. Those who have trouble following
rules as young will get worse when they get older.
Equivalent: Better to nip in the bud
Equivalent: Best to bend while a twig
ಗೆದ್ದೋನು ಸೋತ, ಸೋತೋನು ಸತ್ತ
geddOnu sOta, sOtOnu satta
Literal: the winner lost, the loser died.
Meaning: The one who wins in the battle, court of law etc., is almost a lost contestant and one who has lost is almost
a dead entity
ಗೊಲ್ಲರು ಮಠ ಕಟ್ಟಿದಂಗೆ
gollaru maTha kaTTidaMge
Literal: Its like nomadic people building a [local] monastery.
ಗಂಡು ಗುಂಡು, ಹೆಣ್ಣು ಹೆಳವು
gaMDu guMDu, heNNu heLavu
Literal1: male offspring is [ever] sound, female offspring is [ever] lame
Literal2: [with] male heir [life] rolls [like sphere(ಗುಂಡು/guMDu)], [with] female heir [life] limps [like a walk impeded
by injury]
Meaning1: this proverb is a rebuke to parents/society that is partial towards their own childrens/subjects based on
their gender/shortcomings.
Meaning2: taking care of a female child (esp. marrying her off in due time) is a financial burden for a poor family.
ಗಂಡು ಕುಳಿತು ಕೆಟ್ಟ, ಹೆಣ್ಣು ಕಿಸಿದು ಕೆಟ್ಟಳು
gaMDu kuLitu keTTa, heNNu kisidu keTTaLu
Literal: The boy spoilt [his life] by idling, the girl spoilt [her life] by grinning
ಗಂಡ ಇದ್ದಾಗ ಬುದ್ದಿ ಇಲ್ಲ, ಬುದ್ದಿ ಬಂದಾಗ ಗಂಡ ಇಲ್ಲ
gaMDa iddaaga buddi illa, buddi baMdaaga gaMDa illa
Literal: when husband was alive had got no wisdom, when husband was no more acquired wisdom
Equivalent: Everybody is wise after the event
ಗಂಧದ ಕೊರಡು ಸುಟ್ಟು ಬೂದಿಯ ತಂದು ಪೂಸಿದ ಹಾಗೆ
gaMdhada koraDu suTTu bUdiya taMdu pUsida haage
Literal: Its like burning a sandal wood and applying the ash of it [to ones body, as a perfume]
Meaning: A fruitless effort by somebody that does not achieve what one sets out for.
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ಹೌದಪ್ಪನ ಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹೌದಪ್ಪಾ ಅಲ್ಲಪ್ಪನ ಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಅಲ್ಲಪ್ಪಾ
Literal: In the house of Mr.Yes, Yes Sir; In the house of Mr.No, No Sir
Equivalent: To be things to all men
ಹರಟೆ ಇಲ್ಲದೆ ಸಂಜೆ ಆಗದು, ಸಂಗತಿ ಇಲ್ಲದೆ ದಾರಿ ಸವೆಯದು
haraTe illade saMje aagadu, saMgati illade daari saveyadu
Literal: Evening spent is not complete without [some] chitchat, path traversed is not complete without [some
eventful] news.
ಹಸಿವೆಗೆ ಸವಿ ಬೇಡ, ನಿದ್ದೆಗೆ ಹಾಸಿಗೆ ಬೇಡ
hasivege savi bEDa, niddege haasige bEDa
Literal: the hunger needs no taste and the sleep needs no bed(comfort)
Meaning: for the hungry taste doesn’t matter; for the one who is deprived of sleep comfort doesn’t matter, he/she
would like to sleep anyway.
ಹಮ್ಮು ಮುರಿದ ಮೇಲೆ ಗುಮ್ಮನಾದ
hammu murida mEle gummanaada
Literal: once his ego is broken he became mum
ಹೆಸರಿಗೆ ಹೆಂಡ್ರ ಕಾಣೆ ಮಗನ ಹೆಸರು ನಂಜುಂಡ
hesarige heMDra kaaNe magana hesaru naMjuMDa
Literal: you don’t have a wife [even] for namesake and your [would be] son’s name is Mr.Nanjunda.
Meaning: This is a taunt against those who look for results even before the necessary resources are acquired and the
desired task is carried out.
ಹಲ್ಲಿದ್ದಾಗ ಕಡ್ಲೆ ಇಲ್ಲ; ಕಡ್ಲೆ ಇದ್ದಾಗ ಹಲ್ಲಿಲ್ಲ
halliddAga kaDle illa; kaDle iddAga hallilla
Literal: There are no nuts [to munch] when one has sound teeth and when there are [plenty of] nuts, one has no
tooth left.
Meaning: Munching nuts is a sign of prosperity. It is frustrating that one is poor when the youth to enjoy the riches is
abundant whereas when one finally gets rich the faculties to enjoy are gone.
ಹೋದ್ಯಾ ಪಿಶಾಚಿ ಅಂದರೆ ಬಂದೆ ಗವಾಕ್ಷಿಲಿ ಅಂತಂತೆ
hOdyaa piSaachi aMdare baMde gavaakShili aMtaMte
Literal: I said “There goes the devil”, It replied “Here I come through the ventilator”.
Meaning: Just when you thought a burning issue was resolved, you see the very issue reappearing in another form.
ಹಾಳೂರಿಗೆ ಉಳಿದವನೇ ಗೌಡ
haaLUrige uLidavanE gouDa
Literal: One who stays behind in a ruined village is its chairman.
Usage: A dig at people in power at weak institutions.
ಹನಿಗೂಡಿದರೆ ಹಳ್ಳ; ತೆನೆಗೂಡಿದರೆ ಭತ್ತ
hanigUDidare haLLa; tenegUDidare bhatta
Literal: drops join to make a stream; ears combine to make a crop.
Equivalent: Little drops of water make a mighty ocean.
Equivalent: Penny and penny laid up will be many
Equivalent: A whole bushel of wheat is made up of single grains
ಹಾಡಿದ್ದೇ ಹಾಡೋ ಕಿಸುಬಾಯಿ ದಾಸ
haaDidde haaDO kisubaayi daasa
Literal: A grin-mouthed saint[beggar] who harps the same song again and again.
Usage: A rude putdown of those who keep repeating the same argument.
Equivalent: To harp upon the same string
ಹಾಸಿಗೆ ಇದ್ದಷ್ಟು ಕಾಲು ಚಾಚು
haasige iddaShTu kaalu chaachu
Literal: stretch your legs as much as the bed [stretches]
Meaning: This is a warning to live within one’s means.
ಹೆತ್ತೋರಿಗೆ ಹೆಗ್ಗಣ ಮುದ್ದು, ಕೂಡಿದೋಳಿಗೆ ಕೋಡಗ ಮುದ್ದು
hettOrige heggaNa muddu, kUDidOLige kODaga muddu
Literal: a bandicoot is pretty to its parents, a monkey is pretty to its mate
Meaning: Parents like their children though they are bad; a spouse likes her mate though he is odd.
Usage: This is a wacky statement of the somber truth: Love is blind.
Equivalent: every potter praises his pot
ಹಿರಿಯಣ್ಣನ ಚಾಳಿ ಮನೆ ಮಂದಿಗೆಲ್ಲಾ
hiriyaNNana chaaLi mane maMdigella
Literal: The elder brother’s habits are for all in the family.
Meaning: The underlings follow the leader, especially his bad traits.
Equivalent: As the old cock crows so crows the young
ಹಿತ್ತಲ ಗಿಡ ಮದ್ದಲ್ಲ
hittala giDa maddalla
Literal: The herb in the backyard is not a medicine
Meaning: The herb grown in ones own backyard is not perceived to be a medicine.
Equivalent: Familiarity breeds contempt.
ಹೊಳೆ ನೀರಿಗೆ ದೊಣೆನಾಯ್ಕನ ಅಪ್ಪಣೆ ಏಕೆ?
hoLe nIrige doNenaaykana appaNe Eke?
Literal: Who needs the approval of a city[water board] official for the water from a stream?
Usage: This is a rudimentary opposition to taxation and control of things taken for granted in a village life.
Note: ದೊಣೆನಾಯ್ಕ = an official named to look after the village ponds/lakes.
ಹೊಸತರಲ್ಲಿ ಅಗಸ ಗೋಣಿ ಎತ್ತಿ ಎತ್ತಿ ಒಗೆದ
hosataralli agasa gONi etti etti ogeda
Literal: At the beginning, the washerman washed the jute bag many a times.
Meaning: People who are new on the job work eagerly and enthusiastically until they find their way and slack off.
Clothes were washed in villages by Dhobis who toke them to a lake, soak them and beat the hell out of them on a
rock to get rid of the dirt. The amount of beating was inversely proportional to the value of the cloth. A jute bag
hardly deserved any attention except by one who was new to the job.
This is a saying that describes whether one can distinguish between a novice & an expert
Equivalent: New brooms sweep clean
ಹೊಸ ವೈದ್ಯನಿಗಿಂತ ಹಳೇ ರೋಗಿನೇ ಮೇಲು
hosa vaidyanigiMta haLE rOginE mElu
Literal: An old patient is better than a novice doctor.
Usage: This stems from a suspicion of inexperienced and untested people with education vis a vis wise, familiar and
old fellows of dubious qualifications.
ಹೊಟ್ಟೆಗೆ ಹಿಟ್ಟಿಲ್ಲದಿದ್ದರೂ ಜುಟ್ಟಿಗೆ ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆ ಹೂವು
hoTTege hiTTilladiddarU juTTige mallige hUvu
Literal: though there is no food for the stomach, the jasmine flowers to [decorate] the tresses (hairdo).
Meaning1: Dressing beyond one’s means is frowned upon as a sign of false pride (traditional meaning).
Meaning2: Over the years the same proverb has acquired another meaning contrary to the traditional one that the
pretentious outward display is a must to survive in a materialistic society.
Note: In India wearing jasmine(flower) in the hair tresses is considered elegant for women, especially on their way to
a temple or a wedding party (its more of a tradition in India).
ಹುಟ್ಟಿಸಿದ ದೇವರು ಹುಲ್ಲು ಮೇಯಿಸದಿರುತ್ತಾನೆಯೇ?
huTTisida dEvaru hullu mEyisuttaneye?
Literal: Will the God who brought us into this world make us graze on grass.
Usage: This proverb mouths faith and optimism in the face of adversity.
ಹುಚ್ಚು ಮುಂಡೆ ಮದುವೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಉಂಡವನೇ ಜಾಣ
huchchu muMDe maduveyalli uMDavanE jaaNa
Literal: In the wedding of the mad widow one who has a meal is wise.
Meaning: This earthy saying implies that one who manages to get by in a wild and chaotic situation deserves
compliments.
Meaning: A widow’s wedding, that too if she is insane, is highly improbable. Only a smart person can manage to find
such a wedding and even enjoy a meal there.
ಹೂವಿನ ಜೊತೆ ನಾರು ಸ್ವರ್ಗ ಸೇರಿತು
hUvina jote naaru svarga sEritu
Literal: The string used to tie the garland also reached heaven with it.
Meaning: Those who are in the company of the noble will reap the benefits by association.
ಹಬ್ಬ ಹಸನಾಗಲಿ, ಗೋಧಿ ಜತನಾಗಲಿ, ಬಂದ ಬೀಗರು ಉಂಡು ಹೋಗಲಿ
habba hasanAgali, gOdi jatanAgali, baMda bIgaru uMDu hOgali
Literal: let the festival be clean[without any hiccups], let the wheat[bread] be saved, and let the invitees dine and go.
Equivalent: you cannot eat your cake and have it too.
ಹಾವು ಸಾಯಬೇಕು ಕೋಲು ಮುರಿಯಬಾರದು
haavu saayabEku kOlu muriyabaaradu
Literal: the snake should die and the club shouldn’t break
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ಇರುಳು ಮಾತು ನಿದ್ದೆಗೇಡು, ಹಗಲು ಮಾತು ಕೆಲಸಗೇಡು
iruLu maatu niddegEDu, hagalu maatu kelasagEDu
Literal: chatting at night spoils sleep, chatting during daytime spoils work
ಇರುಳು ಚಿಂತೆ ನಿದ್ದೆಗೇಡು, ಹಗಲು ಚಿಂತೆ ಕೆಲಸಗೇಡು
iruLu ciMte niddegEDu, hagalu ciMte kelasagEDu
Literal: worrying at night spoils sleep, worrying during daytime spoils work
ಇದ್ದದ್ದು ಇದ್ದ ಹಾಗೆ ಹೇಳಿದ್ರೆ, ಸಿದ್ದಪ್ಪನಿಗೆ ಸಿಡಿಲು ಹೊಡೆಯಿತು.
iddaddu idda hAge hELidre, siddappanige siDilu hoDeyitu
Literal: When facts are said as it is, Mr.Siddappa was shocked.
Usage: This is a dig on those who cannot take criticism and throw tantrums.
ಇರುಳು ಕಂಡ ಬಾವೀಲಿ ಹಗಲು ಬಿದ್ದ ಹಾಗೆ.
iruLu kaMDa baavIli hagalu bidda haage
Literal: Its like falling into a well, during broad daylight, which you had noticed at night.
Literal: Falling in a well during the day when you could notice the same at night.
Meaning: Refers when people do the wrong things knowingly. It might be either due to reluctancy or due to
irresponsibility.
ಇಡೀ ಮುಳುಗಿದರೂ ಮೂಗು ಮೇಲೆ
iDI muLugidarU mUgu mEle
Literal: though he drowned completely [in water], his nose is still above [the water surface].
Equivalent: Though vanquished he could argue still
ಇಟ್ಟುಕೊಂಡಾಕಿ ಇರೂತನ ಕಟ್ಟಿಕೊಂಡಾಕಿ ಕಡೀತನ
iTTukoMDaaki irUtana kaTTikoMDaaki kaDItana
Literal: a concubine’s company till you last, a spouse’s company till the end of times.
ಇಬ್ಬರ ನ್ಯಾಯ, ಮೂರನೇಯವನಿಗೆ ಆದಾಯ
ibbara nyaaya, mUranEyavanige aadaaya
Literal: Two persons dispute [for a resource], the third person profits [from it].
Equivalent: Two dogs strive for a bone and the third runs away with it
ಇದ್ದ ಊರ ಸುದ್ದಿ ಇದ್ದಲ್ಲಿ ತೆಗೆಯ ಬಾರದು, ಬೇವೂರ ಸುದ್ದಿ ಹೋದಲ್ಲಿ ತೆಗೆಯ ಬಾರದು
idda Ura suddi iddalli tegeya baaradu, bEvUra suddi hOdalli tegeya baaradu
Literal: [one] shouldn’t rake up the [stale] news of native town at home, [one] shouldn’t rake up [stale] news of alien
town abroad.
Equivalent: Go into the country for what news in town
ಇದ್ದುದ ಹೇಳಿದರೆ ಹದ್ದಿನಂತ ಮೋರೆ ಆಯಿತು
iddaddu hELidare haddinaMta mOre aayitu
Literal: when facts are said, his face became(shrank) like that of falcon’s.
Equivalent: A truth teller finds the doors closed against him
ಇದ್ದದ್ದು ಹೋಯಿತು ಮದ್ದಿನ ಗುಣದಿಂದ
iddaddu hOyitu maddina guNadiMda
Literal: I Lost what (=>the health) I had with the effect of medicine
Equivalent: He was well, would be better, took physic and died
ಇದ್ದಲ್ಲಿ ಗವುಡ ಹೋದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಿವುಡ
iddalli gavuDa hOdalli kivuDa
Literal: a chair-person at home, a deaf-person abroad
Equivalent: Every dog is a lion at home
ಇದ್ದೋರು ಇದ್ದಹಾಗೆ ಸಿದ್ಧಾ ದೇವಿಗೆ ಸಿಡಿಲು ಬಡೀತು
iddavaru iddahaage siddhaa dEvige siDilu baDItu
Literal: Ms.siddhaa devi is shocked though everything around her was stand still (at peace).
ಇಕ್ಕೇರಿ ತನಕ ಬಳಗ, ಮಾನ ಮುಚ್ಚಲಿಕ್ಕೆ ಅರಿವೆ ಇಲ್ಲ
ikkEri tanaka baLaga, maana muccalikke arive illa
Literal: [she has] relatives as far as ikkeri-town and [she has] no clothes to cover the shame. [i.e., to hide ones
nudity/poverty and keep intact ones honour/dignity in a society]
Equivalent: Fame is a magnifying glass
ಇಕ್ಕಲಾರದ ಕೈ ಎಂಜಲು
ikkalaarada kai eMjalu
Literal: I can’t serve(give the charity), my hands are salivary(defiled).
Meaning: a person not keen on lending something will always find a pretext to escape out of it.
Equivalent: An ill pay master never wants an excuse
ಇಕ್ಕುವಳು ನಮ್ಮವಳಾದ್ರೆ ಕೊಟ್ಟಿಗೆಯಲ್ಲಾದರೂ ಉಣಲಕ್ಕು
ikkuvaLu nammavaLaadre koTTigeyallaadarU uNalakku
Literal: If the attendant is mine(my wife), I could dine even in a hut.
Equivalent: A friend in court makes the process short
ಇಲಿ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿದವೆಂದು, ಮನೆಗೆ ಉರಿ ಇಡ ಬಾರದು
ili heccidaveMdu, manege uri iDa baaradu
Literal: Burn not your house to fright away the mice
ಇಲಿಯ ವ್ಯಾಜ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಬೆಕ್ಕು ಸಾಕ್ಷಿ!
iliya vyaajyakke bekku saakShi
Literal: A cat is the jury at mouses’ trial!
Equivalent: A fox should not be the jury at a goose’s trial
ಇಲಿಯಾಗಿ ನೂರುದಿನ ಬಾಳೋದಕ್ಕಿಂತ ಹುಲಿಯಾಗಿ ಮೂರು ದಿನ ಬಾಳೋದು ಲೇಸು
iliyaagi nUrudina baaLOdakkiMta huliyaagi mUru dina baaLOdu lEsu
Literal: living like a tiger for three days is better than living like a rat for hundred days.
Meaning: one should be known as a brave rather than a timid person.
ಇಲ್ಲದ ಬದುಕು ಮಾಡಿ ಇಲಿಗೆ ಚಣ್ಣ ಹೊಲಿಸಿದರು
illada baduku maaDi ilige caNNa holisidaru
Literal: ventured on a life of vanity and got a pair of trousers stiched for a rat
Meaning: embarking on something stupid purely for reasons of vanity
Equivalent: He puts a hat on an hen
Equivalent: He is making clothes for fishes
ಇತ್ತಿತ್ತ ಬಾ ಅಂದ್ರೆ ಇದ್ದ ಮನೇನೂ ಕಿತ್ತುಕೊಂಡ
ittitta baa aMdre idda manEnU kittukoMDa
Literal: when [we] asked [him] to come closer, he snatched the only house we had.
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ಜೋಳ ಇಲ್ಲ್’ರಿ ಅವ್ವ ಅಂದ್ರೆ ಅನ್ನ ಮೊಸರು ಉಣ್ಣ್’ಹೋಗು ಅಂತಿದ್ಳಂತೆ, ಉತ್ತರ ಕಾಶವ್ವ
jOLa ill’ri avva aMdre anna mosaru uNN’hOgu aMtidLaMte, uttara kASavva
Literal: When said, Millets are not there [to prepare dish & have it] madam. Mrs.Uttara Kaashavva replied go and
have rice with yoghurt.
History: In India [till very recently], the poor could only afford millets as a common source of food. The rice & milk
was the food of the wealthy rich people.
Meaning: When a advisor suggests something which is beyond ones [affordable] means, he would likely to be
taunted with the above proverb.
ಜಟ್ಟಿ ಬಿದ್ದರೂ ಮೀಸೆ ಮಣ್ಣಾಗಲಿಲ್ಲ
jaTTi biddarU mIse maNNaagalilla
Literal: Though the wrestler bit the dust, his moustache didn’t.
Meaning: Moustache is a sign of pride. One who manages not to lose face despite defeat gets such compliment.
ಜನ ಮರುಳೋ ಜಾತ್ರೆ ಮರುಳೋ
jana maruLO jaatre maruLO
Literal: Are the people stupid or the crowd [carnival] stupid?
Literal: Are customs ridiculous or the people [who follow them] are ridiculous?
Meaning: This proverb bemoans the irrational behavior of normal people in large crowds
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ಕಡ್ಡಿ ಇದ್ದದ್ದು ಗುಡ್ಡ ಮಾಡು
kaDDi iddaddu guDDa mADu
Meaning: make a Mountain out of a molehill
ಕುಂಟನನ್ನು ನೀರಿಗೆ ಇಳಿಸಿ ಎಂಟಾಳ್‍ ಬಾಳ್‍ಗೆಟ್ಟರು
kuMtanannu nIrige iLisi eMTaaL baaL^geTTaru
Literal: a lame person is sent to water [for swimming] and eight people lost their lives [in the process of rescuing
him]
Meaning: why ask/allow a unqualified person(lame person) to do a job and why loose your resources(=rescue team)
in the process of rectifying the mistake resulted there of.
ಕಾಸಿದ್ರೆ ಕೈಲಾಸ ಇಲ್ಲದಿದ್ರೆ ವನವಾಸ
kaasidre kailaasa illadidre vanavaasa
Literal: If you have money, you have the Kailasa [paradise]. if you don’t have, then a reclusive life.
Meaning: In a society high status and position are yours if you have money otherwise you will just be a vagabond.
Note: the word Kailasa is used as a synonym for status and position. In Hindu tradition Kailasa/Kailash is the abode
of Shiva
ಕಶ್ಟ – ಸುಖ ಜೀವನದ ಏರಡು ಮುಖ
kashTa – sukha jeevanada EraDu mukha
Literal: Sadness – Happiness are two faces/facets of life
ಕೈಯಲೀ ಆಗದವನು ಕೊಗ್ಗೆ ಮರಕ್ಕೆ ಗುತ್ತೆಗೆ ತೊಗೊಂಡ
kaiyalee Agadavanu kogge marakke guttege togoMDa
Literal: The one who is unable to do his own work, took the contract cutting the hardest tree on earth
Meaning: Judge the feasibility of work before promising anything
ಕೊಂದ ಪಾಪ ತಿಂದು ಪರಿಹಾರ
koMda pApa tiMdu parihAra
Literal: The sin acquired by killing [an animal], is gotten rid of by eating it(the sin) up [i.e., by facing sufferings].
Meaning: according to Hindu tradition, ones sufferrings in this life are due to the sins acquired by him in the past and
one would definitely be afflicted with misery in this life or next by committing himself to sin.
ಕನ್ನಡಿಯೊಳಗಿನ ಗಂಟಿಗಿಂತ ಕೈಯೊಳಗಿನ ದಂಟೇ ಮೇಲು
kannaDiyoLagina gaMTigiMta kaiyoLagina daMTE mElu
Literal: The handgrip of a mirror held in hand is better than wealth in the mirror [i.e, Psuedo wealth]
Equivalent: A bird in hand is worth two in the bushes
Note: ದಂಟು = The handle of an object [a mirror]
ಕೆಟ್ಟ ಮೇಲೆ ಬುದ್ಧಿ ಬಂತು
keTTa mEle buddhi baMtu
Literal: [I am] ruined and then [I] got wisdom
Equivalent: Everybody is wise after the event.
Equivalent: Misfortunes makes us wise
ಕುಣೀಲಾರದವಳು ನೆಲ ಡೊಂಕು ಅಂದ್ಲು
kuNIlaaradavaLu nela DoMku aMdlu
Literal: A female who can’t dance complained that the floor is uneven [to step on].
Equivalent: A bad worker always blames his tools.
ಕೀಲು ಸಣ್ಣದಾದರೂ ಗಾಲಿ ನಡೆಸುತ್ತದೆ.
kIlu saNNadaadarU gaali naDesuttade
Literal: though the axle-pin is small, it drives the wheel
Equivalent: Great engines turn on small pivots
ಕೀರ್ತಿಯೇ ಕೈಲಾಸ ಅಪಕೀರ್ತಿಯೇ ನರಕ.
kIrtiyE kailaasa apakIrtiyE naraka
Literal: Fame is heaven, Infamy is hell
Equivalent: A good reputation is a fair estate
ಕೋಪದಲ್ಲಿ ಕುಯ್ದ ಮೂಗು ಶಾಂತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬಂದೀತೇ.
kOpadalli kuyda mUgu SaaMtiyalli baMdItE
Literal: Will the nose cut in rage could be recovered in calmness?
Meaning: Rash acts done in anger leads to damages which cannot be undone.
ಕೋತಿ ತಾನೂ ಕೆಡೋದಲ್ದೆ ವನಾನೂ ಕೆಡಿಸ್ತು.
kOti taanU keDOdalde vanaanU keDistu
Literal: The monkey ruined itself and it ruined the garden too.
Meaning: This warns one not to meddle with those who can bring down their detractors with them. This proverb is a
bit mischievous because the reference is to a story in the Ramayana in which Hanuman sets fire to large parts of
Lanka on his mission to find Sita who was under house arrest. In fact he succeeded in his mission to deliver a
message of hope to her and intimidate her abductor, Ravana. His tail was set on fire by Ravana for which Hanuman
paid back by torching his palaces.
ಕೋತಿಯಂಥೋನು ಕೆಣಕಿದ, ಮೂತಿಗೆ ಹೆಟ್ಟಿಸಿಕೊಂಡು ತಿಣುಕಿದ.
kOtiyaMthOnu keNakida, mUtige heTTisikoMDu tiNukida
Literal: Mr.Monkey-lookalike jeered at me and when I jabbed his face he is troubled.
Meaning: a mock intended at someone when reciprocated makes one agitated.
ಕೃಷಿತೋನಾಸ್ತಿ ದುರ್ಭಿಕ್ಷಂ.
kRuShitOnaasti durbhikShaM (Sanskrit)
Literal: dearth of agriculture is famine
ಕೂಸು ಹುಟ್ಟೋಕೆ ಮುಂಚೆ ಕುಲಾವಿ ಹೊಲಿಸಿದರು.
kUsu huTTOke muMce kulaavi holisidaru
Literal: getting a cap stitched even before the baby was born.
Meaning: This is a reference to things done prematurely. This proverb goes back to a time when infant mortality was
very high and people postponed getting things for children until they were born and were in reasonable health.
Clothes, toys etc. of children were a painful reminder to the bereaved parents. It was even considered a bad omen to
prepare excessively for a child before its birth.
ಕೂತು ಉಣ್ಣೋನಿಗೆ ಕುಡಿಕೆ ಹೊನ್ನು ಸಾಲದು.
kUtu uNNOnige kuDike honnu saaladu
Literal: a pot full of gold is not enough for a do-nothing [=> his riches won’t last long]
Equivalent: Idleness is the greatest prodigality in the world
ಕಡು ಕೋಪ ಬಂದಾಗ ತಡಕೊಂಡವನೇ ಜಾಣ.
kaDu kOpa baMdaaga taDakoMDavanE jaaNa
Literal: when intense anger comes(/gushes) forth, he who holds it back is wise.
Equivalent: Be master of thy anger
Equivalent: He is a wise man that leads passion by the bridle
ಕಳ್ಳನ ಹೆಜ್ಜೆ ಕಳ್ಳನೇ ಬಲ್ಲ.
kaLLana hejje kaLLanE balla
Literal: a thief knows a theif’s trails.
Equivalent: A thief knows a thief as a wolf knows a wolf
ಕಳ್ಳನ ಮನಸ್ಸು ಹುಳ್ಳಗೆ.
kaLLana manassu huLLage
Literal: the mind of a thief is fraught with uncertainity.
ಕಂಡದ್ದು ಕಾಣೆ ಉತ್ತಮ, ಕಂಡದ್ದು ಕಂಡೆ ಮಧ್ಯಮ, ಕಾಣದ್ದು ಕಂಡೆ ಅಧಮ.
kaMDaddu kaaNe uttama, kaMDaddu kaMDe madhyama, kaaNaddu kaMDe adhama
Literal: [witness] a phenomena, and don’t see it [as it is] is better; [witness] a phenomena, and see it [as it is] is
moderate; [witness] a no phenomena, and see it is worst (/not witness a phenomena and contemplate on it is
worst).
Meaning: better is reading an event, moderate is looking at an event as it is, worst is tampering with it.
ಕಂಡವರ ಮಕ್ಕಳನ್ನು ಬಾವಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ದೂಡಿ ಆಳ ನೋಡಿದ ಹಾಗೆ.
kaMDavara makkaLannu baaviyalli dUDi aaLa nODida haage
Literal: Its like assessing the depth of a well, by pushing somebody else’s childrens into it.
Equivalent: A barber learns to shave on the orphan’s face
ಕಂಗಾಲಾದರೂ ಹಂಗಾಳಾಗಬಾರದು.
kaMgaalaadarU haMgaaLaagabaaradu
Literal: though become poverty-stricken, don’t become an indebted fellow.
ಕಣ್ಣಾರೆ ಕಂಡರೂ ಪರಾಂಬರಿಸಿ ನೋಡು.
kaNNaare kaMDarU paraaMbarisi nODu
Literal: though you see it with your own eyes, scrutinize it.
Equivalent: Judge not of men or things at first sight
Equivalent: Consideration is the parent of wisdom
ಕಣ ಕಾಯಬಹುದು, ಹೆಣ ಕಾಯಾಕೆ ಆಗೊದಿಲ್ಲ (=ಬೇಸರದಿಂದ ಹೊತ್ತು ಕಳೆಯಲಿಕ್ಕಾಗದು).
kaNa kaayabahudu, heNa kaayaake aagodilla (=bEsaradiMda hottu kaLeyalikkaagadu)
Literal: you can wait out a paddy field, you can’t wait out a dead body.
Meaning: implies that, spending time by doing some work is better than simply wasting away ones time idling.
ಕಟ್ಟಿದ ಕೆರೆಗೆ ಕೋಡಿ ತಪ್ಪಲ್ಲ, ಹುಟ್ಟಿದ ಮನೆಗೆ ಬೇರೆ(ಪಾಲಗುವುದು) ತಪ್ಪಲ್ಲ.
kaTTida kerege kODi tappalla, huTTida manege bEre(paalaguvudu) tappalla
Literal: a dammed lake can’t avoid overflow [when its filled up to the brim the excess of water will flow out], a family
unit can’t avoid division [eventually childrens grow up and some of them establish diffrent home for themselves]
ಕಾರ್ಯವಾಸಿ ಕತ್ತೆ ಕಾಲು ಕಟ್ಟು.
kaaRyavaasi katte kaalu kaTTu
Literal: [if] Mr.Donkey is a safer bet to get the work done, bind his feet [and get the work done].
ಕಾಮಾಲೆ ಕಣ್ಣೊನಿಗೆ ಕಂಡಿದ್ದೆಲ್ಲ ಹಳದಿ ನೇ.
kaamaale kaNNonige kaMDiddella haLadi nE
Literal: Mr.Jaundiced-eye, sees all with yellow shade
Meaning: This proverb drives home the point that narrow minded people never look at any issue holistically.
ಕಬ್ಬು ಡೊಂಕಾದ್ರೆ ಸವಿ ಡೊಂಕೇ.
kabbu DoMkaadre savi DoMkE
Literal: Though the sugarcane is bent, does its sweetness bent too? [=>being bent has no effect on its quality]
Equivalent: A deformed body may have a beautiful soul
Equivalent: Black pills may have wholesome effects
ಕಚ್ಚುವ ನಾಯಿ ಬೊಗಳದು, ಬೊಗಳುವ ನಾಯಿ ಕಚ್ಚದು.
kaccuva naayi bogaLadu, bogaLuva naayi kaccadu
Literal: Biting dog barks not, Barking dog bites not
Equivalent: Barking dogs seldom bite
ಕೈ ಕೆಸರಾದ್ರೆ ಬಾಯಿ ಮೊಸರು.
kai kesaraadre baayi mosaru
Literal: If the hands get soiled, the mouth gets the yoghurt.
Meaning: The hard work has its reward.
ಕೈಗೆ ಬಂದ ತುತ್ತು ಬಾಯಿಗೆ ಬರಲಿಲ್ಲ.
kaige baMda tuttu baayige baralilla
Literal: The morsel which came upto the palm didn’t reach the mouth.
Meaning: Here the imagery is one of a child being fed by a mother who makes balls of rice mixed with curry (tuttu).
This is an intimate moment of great joy and satisfaction for the child. It could lead to great unhappiness if the ball
did not reach the mouth.
Equivalent: Between the hand and the lip the morsel may slip.
Equivalent: Many things slip between the cup and the lip.
ಕೈಯಲ್ಲಿ ಶರಣಾರ್ಥಿ, ಕಂಕುಳಲ್ಲಿ ದೊಣ್ಣೆ.
kaiyalli SaraNaarthi, kaMkuLalli doNNe
Literal: with hands [folded] he seeks mercy, [but] under his armpit [lurks] a cudgel.
Meaning: This is a warning about those who speak softly but carry a big stick to strike when you least expect.
Equivalent: Fair without and foul within
ಕಲ್ಲು ಇದ್ದಾಗ ನಾಯಿ ಇಲ್ಲ ನಾಯಿ ಇದ್ದಾಗ ಕಲ್ಲು ಇಲ್ಲ.
kallu iddaaga naayi illa naayi iddaaga kallu illa
Literal: when stone is there dog isn’t there, when dog is there stone isn’t there
Meaning: This proverb has a philosophical content in it. A dog is sculptored on a rock. If you look at that as a rock, u
will not recognise the dog. If you look at that object as a dog, the rock is not recognised. It implies, if you look
superficially, you fail to see the real meaning.
ಕಪ್ಪರ ತಿಪ್ಪೇಲಿಟ್ಟರೆ ತನ್ನ ವಾಸನೆ ಬಿಟ್ಟೀತೇ?
kappara tippEliTTare tanna vaasane biTTItE?
Literal: [suppose] if a camphor is placed on a dunghill, would it let go of its aroma?
Equivalent: A diamond is valuable though it lie on a dunghill
ಕತೆ ಹೇಳೋಕೆ ಹ್ಞುಂ-ಗುಟ್ಟೋರಿರಬೇಕು, ನೆಟ್ಟಗೆ ಬಾಳೋಕೆ ಛೀ-ಗುಟ್ಟೋರಿರಬೇಕು
kate hELOke h~juM-guTTOrirabEku, neTTage baaLOke CI-guTTOrirabEku.
Literal: to tell a story, ‘uh-huh’ response should be there, to lead a proper life, ‘dammit’ response should be there.
ಕೆಡುವ ಕಾಲಕ್ಕೆ ಬುದ್ಧಿ ಇಲ್ಲ ಮರಣ ಕಾಲಕ್ಕೆ ಮದ್ದಿಲ್ಲ.
keDuva kaalakke buddhi illa maraNa kaalakke maddilla
Literal: wisdom is void during ones ruin, medicine is void during ones death.
Meaning: at the time of ones ruin, wisdom wouldn’t pay off, at the time of ones death, medicine wouldn’t pay off.
ಕೆಟ್ಟ ಮೇಲೆ ಬುದ್ಧಿ ಬಂತು, ಅಟ್ಟ ಮೇಲೆ ಒಲೆ ಉರಿಯಿತು.
keTTa mEle buddhi baMtu, aTTa mEle ole uriyitu
Literal: Got wisdom after being ruined, the stove caught full flame after the cooking was done.
Meaning: In olden days the earthen stove (ole) used dried cowdung cakes to burn and it was no mean task to get it
going. The dawn of wisdom after it is too late is often compared to the frustration with the stove which was too slow
in becoming functional.
To be wise after the event
ಕಿಡಿಯಿಂದ ಕಾಡ ಸುಡ ಬಹುದು.
kiDiyiMda kaaDa suDa bahudu
Literal: A spark could ignite a forest.
Equivalent: A little leak would sink a great ship
ಕೊಡಲಿ ಕಾವು ಕುಲಕ್ಕೆ ಸಾವು
koDali kaavu kulakke saavu
Literal: the helve of an axe [brings about] the demise of its family line
Equivalent: The axe goes to the wood from whence it borrowed its helve
ಕೊಂಕಣ ಸುತ್ತಿ ಮೈಲಾರಕ್ಕೆ ಬಂದ ಹಾಗೆ.
koMkaNa sutti mailaarakke baMda haage
Literal: its like coming to Mailara-town [a town situated in a lofty land] via the Konkan-city [the towns situated on
coastal belts]
ಕೊಣನಿಗೆ ಕೊಸೆಯೋ ಸಂಕಟ, ಎಮ್ಮೆಗೆ ಈಯೋ ಸಂಕಟ.
koNanige koseyO saMkaTa, emmege IyO saMkaTa
Literal: The buffalo has great inconvenience in having it away, the she-buffalo has great inconvenience in horning the
buffalo away.
ಕೊಟ್ಟೋನು ಕೋಡಂಗಿ, ಇಸ್ಕೊಂಡೋನು ಈರಭದ್ರ.
koTTOnu kODaMgi, iskoMDOnu Irabhadra
Literal: One who gave is a looser, one who got it is a winner.
Meaning: This proverb suggests that it is better to get the best deal under bad circumstances than trying to be fair
and patient. You may end up with nothing in the bargain.
ಕೊಟ್ಟದ್ದು ತನಗೆ; ಬಚ್ಚಿಟ್ಟದ್ದು ಪರರಿಗೆ.
koTTaddu tanage; bacciTTaddu pararige
Literal: What you give away will be yours and what you hide back will go to others
Meaning: The virtue of charity and the evil of greed are emphasized here.
ಕ್ರಮ ಕಾಣದ ನಾಯಿ ಕಪಾಳೆ ನೆಕ್ತು.
krama kaaNada naayi kapaaLe nektu
Literal: a dog couldn’t see the pecking order and licked the [Owner’s] cheek.
Meaning: A Dog that doesn’t know the way to behave licked its Owner’s cheek. The virtue of [OR blunder as a result
of not] teaching etiquette(discipline) [to younger generation] is emphasized here.
ಕುಂಬಳಕಾಯಿ ಕಳ್ಳ ಅಂದ್ರೆ ಹೆಗಲು ಮುಟ್ಟಿ ನೋಡಿಕೊಂಡ
kuMbaLakaayi kaLLa aMdre hegalu muTTi nODikoMDa
Literal: When “Pumpkin thief!” was cried out, he touched his shoulder to check
Equivalent: One with a guilty conscience needs no accuser.
ಕುಂಬಾರಂಗೆ ವರುಷ; ದೊಣ್ಣೆಗೆ ನಿಮಿಷ.
kuMbaaraMge varuSha; doNNege nimiSha
Literal: It takes a year for the potter [to make pots] and it takes a minute for the cudgel [to break the pots].
Equivalent: An hour may destroy what an age was building
Equivalent: It is easier to pull down than to build.
ಕುಂತು ತಿಂದರೆ, ಕುಡಿಕೆ ಹೊನ್ನೂ ಸಾಲದು.
kuMtu tiMdare, kuDike honnU saaladu
Literal: if you sit and eat, a potfull of gold won’t suffice
Meaning: Idleness eats away at ones riches.
Equivalent: Laziness travels so slowly that poverty soon overtakes him.
ಕುರುಡು ಕಣ್ಣಿಗಿಂತ ಮೆಳ್ಳೆ ಗಣ್ಣು ವಾಸಿ.
kuruDu kaNNigiMta meLLe gaNNu vaasi
Literal: A squint eye is better than a blind eye
Equivalent: Better a bare foot than no foot at all
ಕೋಣನ ಮುಂದೆ ಕಿನ್ನುಡಿ ಬಾರಿಸಿದ ಹಾಗೆ
kONana muMde kinnuDi baarisida haage
Literal: its like playing a music to a buffalo
ಕೊತ್ತಿಗೆ ಆಟ ಇಲಿಗೆ ಪ್ರಾಣ ಸಂಕಟ
kottige aaTa ilige praaNa saMkaTa
Literal: to a cat its just an amusement where as to a rat its life in peril
Meaning: The antics of a cat are matters of death to a rat
ಕೊಟ್ಟ ಹೆಣ್ಣು ನೆಲ ಯಾರಿಗೆ
koTTa heNNu nela yaarige
Literal: bride and land [once] given away are never yours.
ಕೊಟ್ಟ ಸಾಲವ ಕೇಳದೆ ಕೆಟ್ಟ, ಬಿತ್ತಿದ ಹೊಲವ ನೊಡದೆ ಕೆಟ್ಟ
koTTa saalava kELade keTTa, bittida holava noDade keTTa
Literal: lend a loan and not asking it back may ruin you; sow the field and not taking care of it may ruin you.
Meaning: Suffering by not asking the loan to be returned, nor looking after the planted [with seeds] fields)
ಕೈಯಾಗೆ ಕನ್ನಡಿ ಇಟ್ಕೊಂಡು ನೀರಾಗೆ ಮಕ ನೊಡ್ದಂಗೆ
kaiyaage kannaDi iTkoMDu nIRaage maka noDdaMge
Literal: looking for ones image(face) in the water when there is a mirror at hand
ಕೈಗೆ ಬಂದದ್ದು ಬಾಯ್ಗೆ ಇಲ್ಲ
kaige baMdaddu baayge illa
Literal: What came to the hand/palm is not there for the mouth
ಕುಂತು ಅತ್ತವಗೆ ಕುಂತು ಅಳು, ನಿಂತು ಅತ್ತವಗೆ ನಿಂತು ಅಳು
kuMtu attavage kuMtu aLu, niMtu attavage niMtu aLu
Literal: Cry sitting with the one who cried sitting with you, cry standing with the one who cried standing
Meaning: proper and equal reciprocation
ಕುರುಡಗೆ ಹಗಲೇನ? ಇರುಳೇನ?
kuruDage hagalEna? iruLEna?
Literal: How does it matter whether it is day or night for a blind man?
ಕೆಟ್ಟೆ ಅಂತ ಕೇಡ ತೋರ ಬೇಡ
keTTe aMta kEDa tOra bEDa
Literal: Though you are ruined, show not hatred [to others]
ಕುಂಬಳ ಕಾಯ ಸಾಕಿ ಹಂದಿಗ ಕೊಟ್ಟಂಗೆ
kuMbaLa kaaya saaki haMdiga koTTaMge
Literal: Its like Growing pumpkins and feeding it to the wild boar
ಕಸ ಆದರೂ ರುಚಿ ಮಾಡಿ ತಿನ್ನು
kasa aadarU ruci maaDi tinnu
Literal: Even if it is rubbish, eat it after making it tasty
ಕಿಚ್ಚ ತಿಂದವ ಇಜ್ಜಲ ಹೇತಾನ?
kiccha tiMdava ijjala hEtaana?
Literal: One who eats fire, [does he] excretes charcoal?
ಕೊಟ್ಟು ಬರೋ ನಿಷ್ಠುರಕ್ಕಿಂತ ಕೊಡದೆ ಬರೋ ಮುನಿಸು ಲೇಸು
koTTu barO niShThurakkiMta koDade barO munisu lEsu
Literal: better is the resentment got without giving(=helping) than the balme got by giving(=helping)
Meaning: Better to face the resentment for not helping [esp. relatives] than to bail them out [esp. financially] and
while the time comes for them to return the favour they might blame you [of some short comings in the timely help
they got!] insted of returing the dues from their side.
ಕರೆದಂಗೆ ಕರೀತೀನಿ, ಕಾಲ್‌ಹಿಡಿದು ಬೇಡುತೀನಿ, ಕರೆದವರಿಗೆ ಬರದಂಗೆ ಬುದ್ದಿ ಕೊಡೋ ವೀರಭದ್ರ
karedaMge karItIni, kaal^hiDidu bEDutIni, karedavarige baradaMge buddi koDO vIrabhadra
Literal: like inviting I would call them, I would bind their feet and ask them [to come], oh God(Veerabhadra)! give the
invities such a wisdom that they shouldn’t turn up /show up [at the dinner party].
ಕೇಳುವವನಿಗೆ ಹೇಳುವವ ಅಡಿಯಾಳು
kELuvavanige hELuvava aDiyaaLu
Literal: For the one who asks, the one who answers is a servant
Meaning: It is easier to put questions than to answer them. It is therefore necessary to be considerate to others and
raise only genuine doubts for proper clarification.
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ಲೇ ಅನ್ನೋದಕ್ಕೆ ಅವಳೇ ಇಲ್ಲ, ಮಗನ ಹೆಸರು ಮುದ್ದುರಂಗ
lE annOdakke avaLE illa, magana hesaru mudduraMga
Literal: to call [her] by name, she(wife) isn’t there, [and] your [would be] son’s name is muddu-ranga.
Meaning: You are making plans without acquiring the required resources.
ಲೋಕ ತಿಳಿಯಬೇಕು ಲೆಕ್ಕ ಕಲಿಯಬೇಕು
lOka tiLiyabEku lekka kaliyabEku
Literal: One should comprehend the world as well as develop his maths skills
Meaning: to survive, one should be very practical and should know counting.
ಲಂಚ ಕೊಟ್ಟು ಮಂಚ ಏರು ವಂಚನೆ ಮಾಡಿ ಕೈಲಾಸ ಏರು
laMca koTTu maMca Eru vaMcane maaDi kailaasa Eru
Literal: bribe and acquire a seat. cheat and acquire a position
Meaning: This is said while refering to a system which has corrupted down to its roots.
ಲಾಭವಿಲ್ಲದ ವ್ಯಾಪಾರ ಕತ್ತೆ ಮೈ ಪರಚಿದಂಗೆ
laabhavillada vyaapaara katte mai paracidaMge
Literal: a profitless business is like scratching a donkey’s body.
ಲೆಕ್ಕೆ ಸೊಪ್ಪಿನ ಸಾರದರೂ ಲೆಕ್ಕದ ಮುದ್ದೆ ಉಣಬೇಕು
lekke soppina saaradarU lekkada mudde uNabEku
Literal: Should not leave having the full meal though you find curry is bitter in taste
Meaning: should’nt leave any job halfway, because things are not favouring you
ಲಿಂಗ ಹರಿದ ಮೇಲೆ ಜಂಗಮನ ಹಂಗೇನು
liMga harida mEle jaMgamana haMgEnu
Literal: when you have broken off ties with god [linga] himself, why have any obligation of the universal saint.
Meaning: Once the relationship is broken, why to worry about the person
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ಮಣ್ಣಿನಿಂದ ಮಣ್ಣಿಗೆ
maNNiniMda maNNige
Literal: from mud to the mud
Meaning: We are made from Mother Earth and we go back to Mother Earth
ಮನಸ್ಸಿನಂತೆ ಮಾದೇವ
manassinaMte maadEva
Literal: God is as one thinks [it is]
Meaning: what one thinks is what he perceives
ಮೂರ್ಖನಿಗೆ ದೊಣ್ಣೆಯ ಪೆಟ್ಟು, ಬುದ್ದಿವಂತನಿಗೆ ಮಾತಿನ ಪೆಟ್ಟು
mUrKanige doNNeya peTTu, buddivaMtanige maatina peTTu
Literal: stroke of a cudgel for a fool, stroke of a word for the wise.
Meaning: Beating up a fool is the right way to handle him and taunting is the right way to handle an intellect
ಮನೆಗೆ ಮಾರಿ ಊರಿಗೆ ಉಪಕಾರಿ
manege maari Urige upakaari
Literal: samaritan abroad and a devil at home
ಮೇಲೆ ಬಿದ್ದು ಬಂದ ಸೂಳೆ ಮೂರು ಕಾಸಿಗೂ ಕಡೆ
mEle biddu baMda sULe mUru kaasigU kaDe
Literal: a fancy woman who comes to you all by herself is not worth three penny.
ಮೂರೂ [ಮಾನ, ಮರ್ಯಾದೆ, ಮತ್ತು ನಾಚಿಕೆ] ಬಿಟ್ಟೋರು ಊರಿಗೆ ದೊಡ್ಡೋರು
mUrU biTTOru Urige doDDOru
Literal: one who has setaside(left) three things [honour, integrity, and shame] is a bigshot in the city.
ಮೂರ್ತಿ ಚಿಕ್ಕದಾದ್ರು ಕೀರ್ತಿ ದೊಡ್ಡದು
mUrti cikkadaadru kIrti doDDadu
Literal: Though the idol is small the fame is big.
Meaning: This is a reference to self effacing people with accomplishments. Incidentally people with accomplishments
are expected to be self effacing. If not, they may be termed arrogant.
ಮಾಡೋದು ದುರಾಚಾರ, ಮನೆ ಮುಂದೆ ಬೃಂದಾವನ
maaDOdu duraacaara, mane muMde bRuMdaavana
Literal: What they do is evil but they have holy herbs in the verandah.
Meaning: This is said of people whose outward behavior is impeccable but actions are despicable. In Hindu tradition,
having a little garden of the Thulasi plant in front of a house is considered a sign of piety and goodness.
ಮಾತು ಬಲ್ಲವನಿಗೆ ಜಗಳವಿಲ್ಲ, ಊಟ ಬಲ್ಲವನಿಗೆ ರೋಗವಿಲ್ಲ
maatu ballavanige jagaLavilla, UTa ballavanige rOgavilla
Literal: One who knows how to talk will have no fights and one who knows what to eat will have no sickness.
ಮಾತು ಬೆಳ್ಳಿ, ಮೌನ ಬಂಗಾರ
maatu beLLi, mauna baMgaara
Literal: speech is silver, silence is golden
ಮಾತು ಬಂಗಾರ ಮೌನ ಸಿಂಗಾರ
maatu baMgaara mauna siMgaara
Literal: spoken words are golden, [right amount of] silence [while communicating] adorns/ornaments it.
ಮಾಡಿದ್ದುಣ್ಣೋ ಮಾರಾಯ
maaDidduNNO maaraaya
Literal: Dude, savour your deeds.
Meaning: One has to live through (enjoy or suffer) the consequences of his actions.
Equivalent: As you sow, so shall you reap
ಮಾತು ಮನೆ ಮುರೀತು, ತೂತು ಒಲೆ ಕೆಡಿಸ್ತು
maatu mane murItu, tUtu ole keDistu
Literal: gossip ruins the house, a hole ruins the oven.
ಮದುವೆ ಮಡಿನೋಡು ಮನೆ ಕಟ್ಟಿ ನೋಡು
maduve maDinODu mane kaTTi nODu
Literal: tryout arranging a marriage, tryout building a house.
Meaning: arranging a marriage or building a house should be experienced by self (to understand the difficulties in
carrying it off)
ಮದುವೆಯಾಗೋ ಗುಂಡ ಅಂದ್ರೆ ನೀನೇ ನನ್ನ ಹೆಂಡ್ತಿ ಅಂದ
maduveyaagO guMDa aMdre nInE nanna heMDti aMda
Literal: I said “Get married, Mr. Gunda” He replied :”then you be my wife.”
Meaning: This is a warning about fellows who latch on to those who try to help them.
ಮಕ ನೋಡಿ ಮಾರು ಹೋದ, ಗುಣ ನೋಡಿ ದೂರ ಹೋದ
maka nODi maaru hOda, guNa nODi dUra hOda
Literal: he saw her face and got carried away, he saw her merit and went far away [from her].
ಮನೆಗೆ ಬೆಂಕಿ ಬಿದ್ದಾಗ ಬಾವಿ ತೋಡಿದರಂತೆ
manege beMki biddaaga baavi tODidaraMte
Literal: When the house is on fire they began to dig a well.
Equivalent: Too little, too late.
ಮುಳ್ಳಿನಿಂದ ಮುಳ್ಳು ತೆಗೆ, ಹಗೆಯಿಂದ ಹಗೆ ತೆಗೆ
muLLiniMda muLLu tege, hageyiMda hage tege
Literal: Remove thorn by a thorn, remove enemy by an enemy [using enemy’s enemy].
ಮುಲಾಜಿಗೆ ಬಸುರಾಗಿ ಹೇರೋಕೆ ತಾವಿಲ್ಲ
mulaajige basuraagi hErOke taavilla
Literal: [She] gotten pregnant on an(some social) obligation and no place to deliver the baby.
ಮುತ್ತು ಒಡೆದರೆ ಹೋಯ್ತು, ಮಾತು ಆಡಿದರೆ ಹೋಯ್ತು
muttu oDedare hOytu, maatu aaDidare hOytu
Literal: perl is lost once it’s broken, speach is lost once it’s spoken.
ಮಂಗನ ಪಾರುಪತ್ಯ ಮರದ ಟೊಂಗೆ ಮೇಲೆ
maMgana paarupatya marada ToMge mEle
Literal: monkey’s authority is only on tree top [on branches & twigs].
ಮಾತಿನ ಬೊಮ್ಮ ತೂತಾದ ಮಡಕೆಯ ಪರಿ
maatina bomma tUtaada maDakeya pari
Literal: Knowledge consisting only in words is an earthen vessel with holes.
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ನಲಿತಾನೆ ಮಾದಯ್ಯ ನಡಟ್ಟೀಲಿ (=ನಡು ಹಟ್ಟಿಯಲ್ಲಿ) ಕುಣಿತಾನೆ ಮಾದಯ್ಯ ಕುರಿಹುಂಡೀಲಿ (=ಕುರಿ ಹಿಂಡಿನಲ್ಲಿ)
nalitaane maadayya naduhaTTIli, kuNitaane maadayya kurihiMDalli
Meaning: This is said of a person who is shy of performing (any sector) outside, but who boasts of himself in-house
ನಮ್ಮ ಬೆಳ್ಳಿ ಹೊಲ್ಲಾದರೆ ಚಿನ್ನಿವಾರನ ಕೂಡೆ ಹೋರಾಟ ಏನ?
namma beLLi hollaadare cinnivaarana kUDe hOraaTa Ena?
Literal: If our silver is bad, why do we quarrel with the goldsmith.
ನಾವುಂಟು ಮೂರು ಲೋಕವುಂಟು
naavuMTu mUru lOkavuMTu
Literal: [if only] we exist, three worlds exist.
Meaning: we can enjoy many a things in life, if only we survive. The underlying message is “be fit and survive
yourselves to relish this beautiful life”.
Note: According to Hindu pantheon the three worlds are the ‘outer heaven'(“svarga” where Gods reside), the ‘real
world’ (“bhUmi” where we live our dreams & desires) & the inner underworld(“paataaLa” where the evilspirit/s [of us]
reside).
ನಮ್ಮ ಕಣ್ಣು ನಮಗೆ ಕೆಡಿಸಿತು
namma kaNNu namage keDisitu
Literal: Our eyes will spoil us.
Meaning: for unnecessary greed eyes are to be blamed.
ನುಡಿ ಪುರಾತನ ನಡೆ ಕಿರಾತನ
nuDi purAtana naDe kirAtana
Literal: his talks are ideologic, his ways are but a folly.
Equivalent: Many talk like philosophers, but live like fools
ನೀರಿಗೆ ಬಿದ್ದವನಿಗೆ, ಮಳೆ ಏನು? ಚಳಿ ಏನು?
nIrige biddavanige, maLe Enu? caLi Enu?
Literal: person who is caught in water, is not bothered by rain or chilly weather.
Meaning: person afflicted with misery, wouldn’t be bothered by minor difficulties.
ನಾಯಿ ಬಾಲ ಯಾವಾಲು ಡೊಂಕು
nAyi bAla yAvAlu DoMku
Literal: dog’s tail is always bent
Usage: This is said of a person who engages himself in crooked ways (bad behaviour) and not at all inclined to mend
his ways.
ನಾಯಿ ಬೊಗಳಿದರೆ ದೇವಲೋಕ ಹಾಳೇನು
nAyi bogaLidare dEvalOka haaLEnu
Literal: if a dog barks would it spoil the heaven
Usage: This is said while comparing taunting world (critics) and persons of excellence
ನಡತೆ ಕಲಿಯೋದು ಏರುಬಂಡೆ ನಡತೆ ಕೆಡೋದು ಜಾರುಬಂಡೆ
naDate kaliyOdu ErubaMDe naDate keDOdu jaarubaMDe
Literal: learning virtue is [like ascending] an upward slope, spoiling it is [like descending] a downward slope.
ನಾಯಿಗೆ ಕೆಲಸಿಲ್ಲ, ನಿಲ್ಲೋಕೆ ಹೊತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ
naayige kelasilla, nillOke hottilla
Literal: a dog has got no work and it also has got no time to stop by [i.e., it has got no time to stop roaming about
tirelessly].
Usage: This is said of someone who pretends to be busy even when he’s got nothing to do.
ನಯಶಾಲಿ ಆದವನು ಜಯಶಾಲಿ ಆದಾನು
nayaSaali aadavanu jayaSaali aadaanu
Literal: a humble person could win over in the end
ನೆಂಟರೆಲ್ಲ ಖರೆ, ಕಂಟಲೆ ಚೀಲಕ್ಕೆ ಕೈ ಹಾಕಬೇಡ
neMTarella Kare, kaMTale cIlakke kai haakabEDa
Literal: you are my kins, true, but touch not my bag full of money.
Equivalent: I love you well but touch not my pocket
ನಿಜ ಆಡಿದರೆ ನಿಷ್ಠೂರ
nija aaDidare niShThUra
Literal: if you speak truth, you get resentment.
Equivalent: Truth produces hatred
ನಿಯತ್ತಿಲ್ಲದೋರಿಗೆ ಬರಕತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ
niyattilladOrige barakattilla
Literal: One who has got integrity has got no prosperity
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ಒಂದು ಕಣ್ಣಿಗೆ ಸುಣ್ಣ ಒಂದು ಕಣ್ಣಿಗೆ ಬೆಣ್ಣೆ
oMdu kaNNige suNNa oMdu kaNNige beNNe
Literal: [Its like applying] limestone paste to one eye and butter to the other eye
Usage: This is used to highlight the partial nature of any individual/institution.
ಒಂದು ಸಿಟ್ಟಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಬಾವಿಗೆ ಬಿದ್ರೆ ಏಳು ಸಿಟ್ಟಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಏಳ ಕೂಡದು.
oMdu siTTinalli bAvige biddare ELu siTTinalli ELa kUDadu
Literal: if you jump into a well in a spurt of rage, even with seven times the same rage you can’t get out of the well.
ಒಣ ಮರವ ಬೆಂಕಿ ತಿಂತಂತೆ ಹಸಿ ಮರವ ಚಿಂತೆ ತಿಂತಂತೆ
ONa marava beMki tiMtaMte hasi marava ciMte tiMtaMte
Literal: fire eats up a dry wood (old age/person), worry eats up a fresh wood (young age/person);
ಒಂದು ಕಿವೀಲಿ ಕೇಳಿ ಇನ್ನೊಂದು ಕಿವೀಲಿ ಬಿಟ್ಟುಬಿಡು
oMdu kivIli kELi innoMdu kivIli biTTubiDu
Literal: hear it out from one ear and leave it out from the other [ear].
Meaning: to turn a deaf ear to something
ಒಂದಲ್ಲ ಮಗಳೇ ಸಂದ್ಯೆಲ್ಲಾ ಬ್ಯಾನೆ.
oMdalla magalE saMdyellaa byaane
Literal: not one, o’Daughter, all nooks [and corners of my body] are in pain.
Meaning: I am bothered not by one but many a difficulties.
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ಪಾಲಿಗೆ ಬಂದದ್ದು ಪಂಚಾಮೃತ.
pAlige baMdaddu paMcAmRuta
Literal: the gotten share is ambrosia
Note: panchamruta is a sweet dessert made of milk, ghee, honey, yoghurt and sugar
ಪಾಲಿಗೆ ಇಲ್ಲದ್ದು ಏನಾದರೇನು?
paalige illaddu EnAdarEnu?
Literal: if its not my share, how does it matter what happens of it?
ಪಾಪ ಅಂದ್ರೆ ಕರ್ಮ ಬರ್‍ತದೆ
pApa aMdre karma bartade
Literal: if you pity, karma follows you.
ಪಾಪ ಬರಬಾರದೆಂದು ಶಾಪ ಕೊಂಡ
pApa barabAradeMdu shApa koMDa
Literal: in order to avoid a sin he incurred a curse
ಪರರ ಹಂಗಿಸಿ ಮಂಗ ಅನಿಸಿಕೊಂಡ
parapa haMgisi maMga anisikoMDa
Literal: [he] criticized others, got [himself] remarked a “monkey”.
ಪ್ರಾಯ ಬರುವಾಗ ಆಯ ತಪ್ಪಿತು
prAya baruvAga Aya tappitu
Literal: when youth comes, balace is lost.
ಪುಣ್ಯವಂತ ಮುಟ್ಟಿದ್ದೆಲ್ಲಾ ಚಿನ್ನ
puNyavaMta muTTiddella cinna
Literal: whatever touched by a lucky fellow is gold.
ಪುಟ್ಯಾನ ಜ್ವಾಳ ತೀರಿದರೂ ಹೊಟ್ಯಾನ ಹಾಡು ತೀರಲಿಲ್ಲ
pUTyaana jvALa tIridarU hoTyAna haaDu tIralilla
Literal: though the basket full of barley is all over, stomach’s hunger pangs are not over.
ಪುಗಸಟ್ಟೆ ಪುನುಗು ಸಿಕ್ರೆ ತಿಕ ಮಕಕ್ಕೆಲ್ಲ ಬಳಕೊಂಡರಂತೆ
pugasaTTe punugu sikre tika-makakkella baLakoMDaraMte
Literal: if one gets perfume (musk) for free, he applied it all over the body [from face to buns].
ಪುಕ್ಸಟ್ಟೆ ಗಂಡ ಹೊಟ್ಟೆ ತುಂಬ ಉಂಡ ಮನೆ ಗಂಡ ಗಿಣಿಚ್ಕೊಂಡು ಬಿದ್ದ
puksaTTe gaMDa hoTTe tuMba uMDa, mane gaMDa giNickoMDu bidda
Literal: free husband(paramour) ate stomachful, home husband slept stretching his limbs.
ಪುನಗನ ಬೆಕ್ಕು ತನ್ನ ವಾಸನೆ ಅರೀದೆ ಕಾಡೆಲ್ಲ ತಿರುಗಿ ತಿರುಗಿ ಸಾಯ್ತಂತೆ
punagana bekku tanna vAsane ariyade kADella tirugi tirugi saaytaMte
Literal: a Civet cat couldn’t interpret its own scent, roamed all across the forest [in search of the scent, a possible
prey] and died.
ಪುರಾಣ ಹೇಳಿದ್ರೆ ಪುಷ್ಪ ಬಿದ್ದಾವೇ?
purANa hELidre puShpa biddAvE?
Literal: if one utters puranas(stories of god), would it rain flowers.
ಪುಸ್ತಕದಲ್ಲಿರೊ ಬದನೆ ಕಾಯಿ ಸಾರಿಗೆ ಬಂದಾತೆ?
pustakadalliro badanekAyi sArige baMdAte?
Literal: is it possible to use a brinjal mentioned in the books for curry preparation?
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ರೀತಿ ತಿಳಿಯದಿದ್ದರೂ ಮಾತು ಬಲ್ಲ
rIti tiLiyadiddarU nIti/maatu balla
Literal: though [he] knows not the manners, [he] knows to talk.
Meaning: one can’t do away with the etiquette.
ರೀತಿಯಲ್ಲದ ಮಾತು ತಲೆ ಬೇನೆ
rItiyallada maatu tale bEne
Literal: Unreasonable talk is a head ache
ರೋಗದ ಕೋಳಿ ತಿಂದು ಕೀಳೇಲಿ ಹುಚ್ಚಾಟ
rOgada kOLi tiMDu kiLEli huccATa
Literal: If you have a unhygienic chicken dish, the bowel movement goes mad.
ರೋಗಕ್ಕೆ ಮದ್ದುಂಟು ಶೀಲಕ್ಕೆ ಮದ್ದಿಲ್ಲ
rOgakke madduMTu SIlakke maddilla
Literal: Illness has a cure, silliness has no cure
ರೋಗಿ ಬಯಸಿದ್ದು ಹಾಲೂಅನ್ನ, ವೈದ್ಯ ಹೇಳಿದ್ದು ಹಾಲೂಅನ್ನ
rOgi bayasiddu haalUanna vaidya hELiddu haalUanna
Literal: a patient longed for milk and rice and the doctor prescribed him milk and rice.
ರೂಪಕ್ಕೆ ಮನಸೋತವರಿಗೆ ಪಾಪಕ್ಕೆ ಭಯವಿಲ್ಲ
rUpakke manasOtavarige pApakke bhayavilla
Literal: He who falls for beauty, fears not to [commit] sin.
ರಾಜ ಠೀವಿ ತಿರುಬೋಕಿ ಲಕ್ಷಣ
rAja ThIvi tirubOki lakShaNa
Literal: [He has got] royal mannerisms, but [he has got] characteristics of a begger
Meaning: attitude and looks should complement each other
ರಾಜ ಇರೋತನಕ ರಾಣಿ ಭೋಗ
rAja irOtanaka rANi bhOga
Literal: Queen enjoys till Kingship
ರಸವಳ್ಳಿ ಹೆಣ್ಣಿಗೆ ರಸಪೂರಿ ಹಣ್ಣಿಗೆ ಮನ ಸೋಲದವರಿಲ್ಲ
rasavaLLi heNNige raspUri haNNige mana sOladavarilla
Literal: There is none who is not fond of a slender beaut and a savoury fruit.
ರತ್ನ ಒಳ್ಳೆದಾದ್ರೆ ಇದ್ದ ಠಾವಿನಲ್ಲೇ ಬೆಲೆಯಾಗ್ತದೆ.
ratna oLLedAdre idda ThAvinallE beleyAgtade
Literal: If ruby is good it is priced in its own yard (and everywhere else).
ರತ್ನತಿನ್ನೊ ಪಕ್ಷಿ ಕಾಗೆ ಸಾವಾಸಕ್ಕೆ ಬಿದ್ದು ಎಂಜಲೆಲೆಗೆ ಸೋಬತಿ ಆಗಿತ್ತಂತೆ. [ಸೊಬತಿ=ಗತಿ =ಅವಸ್ಥೆ]
ratna tinno pakShi kAge saavasakke biddu eMjalelege sObati AgittaMte
Literal: A bird which used to feed on rubies, landed in crow’s [bad] company(got associated with a crow) and
acquinted itself to [feed on] leftovers.
ರಂಪ ಇದ್ದದು ಅಡರಂಪ ಆಯಿತು
raMpa iddadu aDaraMpa aayitu
Literal: It was rumpus(a cry) [and now] it got more rumpus(became an outcry)
Meaning: It was worse and now it got worst
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ಸೊನ್ನೆಯಿಂದ ಸೊನ್ನೆಗೆ
sonneyiMda sonnege
Literal: from nothing to nothing
Meaning: the world/universe we see all around us has come into existance out of nothing and it eventually would be
absorbed into nothing (a buddhist philosophy)
ಸುಳ್ಳನ ಸಂಗ ಕೆಸರೊಳಗೆ ಮುಳ್ಳು ತುಳಿದಂತೆ
suLLana saMga kesaroLage muLLu tuLidaMte
Literal: the company of the wicked is like stepping on a thorn in the marsh
ಸತ್ಯಕೆ ಸಾವಿಲ್ಲ, ಸುಳ್ಳಿಗೆ ಜಯವಿಲ್ಲ
satyake saavilla, suLLige jayavilla
Literal: truth dies not, lie wins(prevails) not.
Meaning: Truth always(/eventually) triumps and lie never prevails
ಶುಭ ನುಡಿಯೋ ಸೋಮ ಅಂದ್ರೆ ಗೂಬೆ ಕಾಣಿಸ್ತಲ್ಲೊ ಮಾವ ಅಂದ
shubha nuDiyO sOma aMdre gUbe kaaNistallo maava aMda
Literal: when asked to say something auspicious, Mr. Soma said, uncle, an owl (inauspicious thing) showed up.
Meaning: When asked to say somethings good, never openup with an unwanted dialogs
ಸನ್ಯಾಸಿ ಹೆಣ್ತಿ ಮುಂಡೇನೂ ಅಲ್ಲ ಮುತ್ತೈದೆನೂ ಅಲ್ಲ.
sanyaasi heNti muMDEnU alla muttaidenU alla
Literal: saint’s wife is not a spouse nor a widow
ಸಂಸಾರ ಅನ್ನೋದು ಸಾಗರ ಹೊಟ್ಟೆ ಅನ್ನೋದು ಪಟ್ಣ
saMsAra annOdu sAgara hoTTe annOdu paTNa
Literal: family/world/life is a oceanic city (ocean like metropolis), stomach is a city (river like city).
ಸಂಸಾರ ಅನ್ನೋದು ಸಾಗರದ ಹೊಳೆ ಈಜ ಬಲ್ಲವನಿಗೆ ಎದೆಯುದ್ದ.
saMsAra annOdu sAgarada hoLe Ija ballavanige edeyuddu
Literal: life is an ocean, for the one who can swim through it, it’s of chest height.
ಸಂಸಾರ ಗುಟ್ಟು ರೋಗ ರಟ್ಟು
saMsAra guTTu rOga raTTu
Literal: life’s secrets [once] revealed is a disease. I.e., should be careful in not revealing it.
ಸಂಸಾರ ಸಾಗರ ಅವಸರಕ್ಕೆ ಯಾರೂ ಇಲ್ಲ
saMsAra sAgara avasarakke yArU illa
Literal1: [he has] a oceanic family(bigfamily) and [he has] none in a desperate hurry.
Literal2: [we live in] a oceanic world/life, [we have] nobody [to help us] in our desperate times.
ಸಂಸಾರ ಸಾಗರ, ಈಸಬೇಕು ಇದ್ದು ಜೈಸಬೇಕು
saMsAra sAgara, IsabEku iddu jaisabEku
Literal: life is an ocean, swim it and win it throughout.
ಸಂಸಾರಿ ಸಾವಾಸ ಮಾಡಿ ಸನ್ಯಾಸಿ ಕೆಟ್ಟ
saMsAri sAvAsa mADi sanyAsi keTTa
Literal: a saint got associated with a family man and ruined his cause.
ಸನ್ಯಾಸಿಗೆ ಯಾತರ ಕಳವಳ ಅಂದ್ರೆ ಅನ್ನದ್ದೊಂದೇ ಕಳವಳ.
sanyAsige yAtara kaLavaLa aMdre annaddoMdE kaLavaLa
Literal: what makes a saint anxious? only food makes him so.
ಸತ್ತವರಿಗೆ ಅತ್ತರೆ ಅತ್ತವರು ಸಾಯರೇ?
sattavarige attarE attavaru sAyarE?
Literal: if one cries for the dead, one who cried, does he not die himself.
ಸಿರಿ ಸೋಂಕಿದವರ ಪರಿ ಬೇರೆ
siri sOMkidavara pari bEre
Literal: ones ways are different, if afflicted with riches
ಸೊಸೆಗೆ ಮನೆವಾಸ, ಅತ್ತೆಗೆ ಪರವಾಸ
sosege manevAsa, attege paravAsa
Literal: Daughter-in-law stay in [home], Mother-in-law stay away [from home].
ಸೊತಂತ್ರ ಹೋಗಿ ಅತಂತ್ರ ಆಯ್ತು.
sotaMtra hOgi ataMtra aaytu
Literal: freedom eased off and chaos ensued.
ಸ್ತ್ರೀರೂಪವೇ ರೂಪ ಶೃಂಗಾರವೇ ರಸ
strI rUpavE rUpa SRuMgAravE rasa
Literal: Feminity is the beauty, amorousness is the savour
ಸುಖೀವಂತ್ಗೆ ದುಕ್ಕ ಹೇಳುವತ್ಗೆ ಅಳೂದು ಬುಟ್ಬುಟ್ಟು ನನ್ನ ಕೂಡ್ಕೊ ಅಂದನಂತೆ
suKIvaMtge dukka hELuvatge aLUdu buTbuTTu nanna kUDko aMdanaMte
Literal: when she shared her troubles with a well off entity, he asked her to shed tears and be his
courtesan(/cohabitant).
ಸುಖದ ಮೇಲೆ ದುಃಖ, ದುಃಖದ ಮೇಲೆ ಸುಖ
suKada mEle duHKa, duHkada mEle suKa
Literal: happiness follows sorrow and sorrow follows happiness.
Meaning: Life is a cycle where happiness follows sorrow and viceversa.
ಸುಳ್ಳೂ ಹೇಳಿದ್ರೂ ನಿಜದ ನೆತ್ತಿಮೇಲೆ ಹೊಡೆದಂಗೆ ಹೇಳಬೇಕು
suLLu hELidrU nijada netti mEle hoDedaMge hELabEku
Literal: Though you tell a lie, it should be like striking a [vigorous] blow on top of the truth’s head
Meaning: In case [you have got to lie and] you lie, make sure that the lie delivers a death blow to the truth and
prevails.
ಸುಳ್ಳು ದೇವರಿಗೆ ಕಳ್ಳ ಪೂಜಾರಿ.
suLLu dEvarige kaLLa pUjAri
Literal: for a god that is a sham, [There is] a priest who is a robber.
ಸುಸಾರಕ್ಕೆ (=ಅಪರೂಪಕ್ಕೆ) ಬಸುರಾಗಿವ್ನಿ ಮಿಸುಕಬೇಡ ಗಂಡಯ್ಯ
susArakke (=aparUpakke) basurAgivni misukabEDa gaMDayya
Literal: By chance I am pregnant so don’t-move(freeze/don’t bother me) my husband.
ಸ್ವಧರ್ಮ ತಪ್ಪುದ್ರೂ ಅಧರ್ಮ ಮಾಡಬಾರ್‍ದು
svadharma tappudrU adharma mADabARdu
Literal: Even though ones own cause is lost, one shouldn’t [go astray and] do the unrighteousness.
ಸ್ವರ್ಗವೂ ತಪ್ಪಿತು ದುರ್ಗವೂ ತಪ್ಪಿತು
svargavU tappitu durgavU tappitu
Literal: lost fortress too and lost heaven too
Meaning: nither I held on to the fortified city to enjoy it further, nor I died in the battlefield to enjoy the riches of
heaven.
ಸತ್ತ ಮೇಲೆ ಎತ್ತ ಹೋದ್ರೇನ ?
satta mEle etta hOdrEna ?
Literal: After death, how does it matter where one goes?
ಸತ್ತ ಕೋಳಿ ಬತ್ತ ಮುಕ್ಕುತ್ತದೇ?
satta kOLi batta mukkuttadE?
Literal: Can a dead hen feed on grains?
ಸಾಲ ಮಾಡಿಯಾದರೂ ತುಪ್ಪ ತಿನ್ನು
saala maaDiyaadarU tuppa tinnu
Literal: even if by borrowing money eat/have ghee (enjoy comforts).
Meaning: One should enjoy the comforts of this life in time (materialistic philosophy of Charvaka, i.e., Ones aim of
life should be to acquire joy/happiness by letting not the sorrow to affect it)
ಸತ್ತ ಮಗುವಿನ ಕಣ್ಣು ಸಾರೆ
satta maguvina kaNNu saare
Literal: The eyes of the dead child are lotus-shaped (attractive).
Meaning: The good deeds of the dead are normally praised very much.
ಸವಿ ಕಂಡ ಕೊತ್ತಿ ಅಟ್ಟ ಹತ್ತಿದಂಗೆ
savi kaMDa kotti aTTa hattidaMge
Literal: having had the sweet taste of milk, the cat got to the attic/roof top [in search of it again].
ಸೂಜಿಯಷ್ಟು ಬಾಯಿ ಗುಡಾಣದಷ್ಟು ಹೊಟ್ಟೆ
sUjiyaShTu baayi guDaaNadaShTu hoTTe
Literal: mouth is like a needle [hole] the stomach is like a godown(warehouse).
Meaning: This is a taunt against a greedy person. It imples, One should realize what one deserves before desiring it.
Equivalent: bite off more than you can chew.
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ತಿಂದ್ಕಂಡು ತಿಂದ್ಕಂಡು ತಿರ್ಗಾಡುಮೆ(=ನಾ ಬರೀ ತಿಂದುಕೊಂಡು ಉಂಡುಕೊಂಡು ತಿರುಗಾಡುವೆ) ನನ್‍ಮೇಲ್ ಕ್ವಾಪ ನಿನ್‍ಗ್ಯಾಕಮ್ಮಿ
tiMdkaMDu tiMdkaMDu tirgaaDume(=naa barI tiMdukoMDu uMDukoMDu tirugaaDuve) nan^mEl kvaapa
nin^gyaakammi
Meaning: This is said of a do-nothing, who eats heavily and loaf around with out doing any work, but who
shouts/angry on others(family Members) who actually toil to make a living
ತಲೆ ತಲೆಗು ಪಟ್ಟ ಹೊಟ್ಟೆಗೆ ಇಲ್ಲದೆ ಕೆಟ್ಟ
tale talegu paTTa hoTTege illade keTTa
Meaning: Every one are the heads but no one is capable
ತಾಯಿ ಸೂಳೆ ಮಗಳು ಸೂಳೆ ದೇವರ ಬಾನ ಹೊರೊರು ಯಾರು?
taayi sULe magaLu sULe dEvara baana hororu yaaru?
Literal: mother is a whore, daughter is a whore, who will carry/bear the rice offered to god?
Meaning: Neither you want to do the job nor want to allow me, then how job can get done?
ತಬ್ಬಲಿ ತಲೆ ಬೊಳಿಸಿಕೊಂಡರೆ ಆನೆಕಲ್ಲು ಮಳೆ ಬಂತು
tabbali tale bOlisikoMDare aanekallu maLe baMtu
Literal: if an orphan shaves his head off, the heaven showered hailstones.
ತನ್ನೂರಲ್ಲಿ ಬಾಳಲಾರದವ ಪರೂರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಬಾಳಾನೆಯೆ?
tannUralli bALalAradava parUrinalli bALAne?
Literal: one who can’t live in his native land, can he [ever live] in a foreign land?
ತನ್ನ ಊರಿಗೆ ರಂಗ ಪರ ಊರಿಗೆ ಮಂಗ
tanna Urige raMga para Urige maMga
Literal: in homeland he is a charming god (Ranga), in a foreign land he is a monkey.
ತಲೆ ತಟ್ಟಿ ನೆಲ ನೋಡಿ ನಡೆ
tale taTTi nela nODi naDe
Literal: pat the head, watch the track and [start to] walk [forward]
Equivalent: think before you leap
ತಲೆಯವನ ಮಾತು, ಮುಂದುಕ್ ಉಪ್ಪು ಹಿಂದುಕ್ ಬೆಲ್ಲ
taleyavana maatu, muMduk uppu hiMduk bella
Literal: advice of a level-headed, at first [tastes like] salt, at last [tastes like] sugar.
ತೊರೆ ನೀರು ಇದ್ದರೂ ಬಾವಿ ನೀರು ಹೆಚ್ಚು
tore nIru iddarU baavi nIru heccu
Literal: Though we have access to lake water, watersource in our own frontyard is dearer.
ತಾಯ ಹಳಿದರೂ ನೀರ ಹಳಿಯ ಬೇಡ
taaya haLidarU nIra haLiya bEDa
Literal: In case, [you have to scorn,] scorn the mother, never [scorn] the water (the source of life)
ತೊಟ್ಟಿಲೊಳಗಣ ಕೂಸಾದರೂ ಅತ್ತ ಹೊರತು ಹಾಲು ಕೊಡರು.
toTTila oLagaNa kUsu aadarU atta horatu haalu koDaru
Literal: Though [she is] a baby confined to the cradle, without crying people won’t give(feed) milk [to her].
Meaning: Without asking, help wouldn’t be forthcoming, even from well-wishers.
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ಊರು ಸುಟ್ಟರೂ ಹನುಮಪ್ಪ ಹೊರಗೆ
Uru suTTarU hanumappa horage
Literal: though the whole town [lanka] is burnt [down], Mr.Hanuman is afar(away at a safe distance)
Meaning: This is said of a person who doesn’t take the responsibility/stand where he is ought to [esp. when a
crisis(burning issue) demands his intervention]
ಉಣ್ಣುವಾಗ ಉಡುವಾಗ ಊರೆಲ್ಲ ನೆಂಟರು
uNNuvaaga uDuvaaga Urella neMTaru
Literal: when [one is] dining, when [one is] clothing, [one has] relatives all across the town.
Meaning: when one is furnished with riches, There is no dearth of relatives to him.
ಉಪಕಾರಕ್ಕೋಗಿ ಉಪದ್ರ ಬಂತು
upakArakkOgi upadra baMtu
Literal: went to help out and got the bother.
ಉಪವಾಸ ಇರಬಹುದು ಉಪದ್ರ ತಾಳಲಾಗದು
upavAsa irabahudu upadra tALalAgadu
Literal: one can fast [with ease], but can’t bear the bother
ಉರಿದ ಹೊಟ್ಟೆಗೆ ಉಪ್ಪು ತುಂಬಿಸಿದಂಗೆ
urida hoTTege uppu tumbisidaMge
Literal: its like filling the wounded stomach with salt
ಊರಿಗೆ ಹಂದಿಯಿರಬೇಕು, ಕೇರಿಗೆ ನಿಂದಕನಿರಬೇಕು
Urige haMdiyirabEku, kErige niMdakanirabEku
Literal: a town has to have pigs, a colony has to have a reproacher
ಊಟಕ್ಕೆ ಇಲ್ಲದ ಉಪ್ಪಿನಕಾಯಿ, ಮಣ್ಣಿಗೆ ಸಮಾನ.
UTkke illada uppinakaayi, maNNige samaana
Literal: pickle which is not available during a meal, is like mud
Usage: Usability of a product is always linked to a specific circumstances. If someone/something is unavailable when
they/it is needed or being used most of the times, then its not of any use. It is meant for people who have talent and
dont make use of it when its needed.
ಉರಿಯುವ ಬೆಂಕಿಗೆ ತುಪ್ಪ ಸುರಿದಂತೆ
uriyuva beMkige tuppa suridaMte
Literal: Its like pouring ghee(fuel) to the raging fire.
Meaning: When a person is already angry the anger is aggravated by indiscreet words.
Equivalent: to add insult to the injury
Equivalent: Adding fule to the fire
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ವ್ಯವಹಾರಕ್ಕೆ ಯಾವ ವಾರ ಆದ್ರೇನು?; ವ್ಯಾಪಾರಕ್ಕೆ ಯಾವ ಪಾರಾದ್ರೇನು? (ಪಾರ = ತೀರ) (ವಾರ = ದಿನ)
vyavahArakke yAva vAra AdREnu? vyApArakke yAva pAra AdREnu?
Literal: For a business how does it matter what day of the week it is? For a trade how does it matter on what shore it
is?
ವಾಲಾಡು ಗೊಂಬೆ ವಾಲಾಡು ನೀರಿಗೆ ಬಿದ್ದರೆ ತೇಲಾಡು
vAlADu goMbe vAlADu nIrige biddare tElADu
Literal: sway baby sway, if you fall to water then wave(move in a wavy pattern)
Meaning: mould yourself according to the circumstances, in the wind(i.e., in favourable circumstances) sway
backwards and forwards (i.e., go with the wind), in the water(i.e., in adversity) sway rising and falling in a wavelike
pattern (i.e., go easy).
ವಲ್ಲದ ಹಸ ಉಣ್ಣದ ಕರ
vallada hasa uNNada kara
Literal: the cow is averse to feed [milk], the calf is averse to feed on [milk].
ವನ ಹಣ್ಣಾಯ್ತು ಗಿಣೀ ಬಾಯಿ ಹುಣ್ಣಾಯ್ತು
vana haNNAytu giNiya baayi huNNAytu
Literal: the garden bore fruits and the parrot’s mouth bore ulcers
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ಯಾರ ಹೊಟ್ಟೆ ನೋವಿಗೆ ಯಾರು ಅಜವಾನ ತಿಂತಾರೆ.
yAra hoTTe nOvige yAru ajavAna tiMtAre.
Literal: For one’s stomach ache who else [but himself] would eat Ajwain [seeds]?
Meaning: One has to endure his own pain (In adverse circumstances, a person has to help himself).
Note: ಅಜವಾನ = Ajwain
ಯಾರ ಮಾತು ಕೇಳಿ ಯಾಕೆ ಕೆಟ್ಟಿಯ? ನನ್ನ ಮಾತು ಕೇಳಿ ಬದುಕು
yAra mAtu kELi yAke keTTIya? nanna mAtu kELi baduku
Literal: why do you ruin yourself by relying on others words? rely on my word and survive[and prosper].
ಯಾವ ಚಿಂತೇನೂ ಮಾಡದೋನ ಹೆಂಡ್ತಿ ಗಂಡಿದ್ದೂ ಮುಂಡೆ
yAva ciMtEnU maaDadOna heMDti gaMDiddU muMDe
Literal: the wife of a person who never worries is a married widow.
Meaning: a wife would lead a life of a widow if her husband is unconcerned with life’s bare necessities/essentials.
ಯಾವ ಹುತ್ತದೇಲಿ ಯಾವ ಹಾವಿದೆಯೊ
yAva huttadEli yAva hAvideyo
Literal: who knows, what pit/den has got what [type of] snake?
ಯಾವ ಕಾಲ ತಪ್ಪಿದರೂ ಸಾವು ಕಾಲ ತಪ್ಪದು.
yAva kAla tappidarU sAvu kAla tappadu
Literal: [any] time/s may miss but death misses not its time
Meaning: death is a truth in ones life.
ಯುದ್ಧಕಾಲದೇಲಿ ಕತ್ತಿ ವರುಸೆ ಕಲ್ತಂತೆ
yuddhakAladEli katti varuse kaltaMte
Literal: its like learning the art of sword fighting during wartime
ಯುಕ್ತಿಯ ಮಾತು ಮಕ್ಕಳಿಂದಾದರೂ ತಿಳುಕೊ.
yuktiya mAtu makkaLiMdAdarU tiLuko
Literal: words of wisdom should be learnt even from kids
ಯೋಗ ಇದ್ದಷ್ಟೇ ಭೋಗ
yOga iddaShTE bhOga
Literal: As the luck favours, so does the joy.
ಯೋಗಿ ತಂದದ್ದು ಯೋಗಿಗೆ, ಭೋಗಿ ತಂದದ್ದು ಭೋಗಿಗೆ
yOgi taMdaddu yOgige, bhOgi taMdaddu bhOgige
Literal: Whatever a saint begot is for saintly means. Whatever a wordly man begot is for wordly means.
ಯೋಗ್ಯತೆ ಅರಿಯದ ದೊರೆ ರೋಗ ಅರಿಯದ ವೈದ್ಯ ಒಂದೇ
yOgyate ariyada dore rOga ariyada vaidya oMdE
Literal: a leader who can’t understand the worth of his subject and a doctor who can’t understand the health of his
patient are one and the same.
ಯಾರೂ ಇಲ್ಲದ ಊರಿಗೆ ಹೋಗಿ ನೀರು ಮಜ್ಜಿಗೆ ಬಯಸಿದಂತೆ
yaarU illada Urige hOgi nIru majjige bayasidaMte
Literal: Its like travelling to a foreign land [with no relatives] and longing for fresh buttermilk.
ಯಾರೂ ಇಲ್ಲದ ಮನೆಗೆ ನಾನು ಜೋಗಪ್ಪ ಅಂದ
yaarU illada manege naanu jOgappa aMda
Literal: he said, I am like a wandering saint to a ownerless house [i.e., each day I would drop in to take care of the
housewidow].
ಯಾರದೋ ದುಡ್ಡು; ಎಲ್ಲಮ್ಮನ ಜಾತ್ರೆ
yaaradO duDDu; ellammana jaatre
Literal: have a holy trip[attend the Godess Ellamma’s holy carnival] on someone else’s money.
ಯಥಾ ರಾಜ ತಥಾ ಪ್ರಜಾ
yathaa raaja tathaa prajaa
Literal: As the king is, so are his subjects.