Proverbs of your language with English translation

21.4K Views
0 Replies
1 min read
It is really a great idea to know about proverbs of all regional languages, including Hindi. Let us make it a learning tool and share some new ideas.
Let me start with 3 such proverbs with English translation. Can you add some more?

1. Minnunnathellaam Ponnalla - All that glitters are not gold(No change in meaning from English)
2. Muttathe Mullakku Manamilla/Akkara Paccha.......(Jasmine at our courtyard has no perfume/Only the other shore is green) Meaning.....We never see what's in our hand, we search it somewhere else.
3. Paavathinte Kanjiyil Paattayidaruth (Don't put cock roach in poor man's Kanji-food of poor people). Meaning...live and let live!

20 Replies

Why me and Sarala only? No one else interested? :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

I want some HIndi, Bengali, Tamil, Punjabi and of course Kashmiri ones
I think all of them dont know any proverbs of their languages or there are no proverbs in their language i guess
you can't teach an old dog new trick - English
Inthil valaiyathathu iempathil valaiyathu - Tamil

If the mother-in-law breaks it, it is a mud pot. If the daughter-in-law
breaks it, it is a golden pot. - English
mamiyar udaithal maen kodam, marumagal udaithal poon kodam. - tamil
you can't teach an old dog new trick - English
Inthil valaiyathathu iempathil valaiyathu - Tamil

If the mother-in-law breaks it, it is a mud pot. If the daughter-in-law
breaks it, it is a golden pot. - English
mamiyar udaithal maen kodam, marumagal udaithal poon kodam. - tamil


I know the second one....my 'Paati' used to tell it often :P
you can't teach an old dog new trick - English
Inthil valaiyathathu iempathil valaiyathu - Tamil

If the mother-in-law breaks it, it is a mud pot. If the daughter-in-law
breaks it, it is a golden pot. - English
mamiyar udaithal maen kodam, marumagal udaithal poon kodam. - tamil


I know the second one....my 'Paati' used to tell it often :P


Mostly senior persons only use that proverbs.. :laugh: :laugh:
"Thala irikkumbol vaal aadaruthu"
When there is head, no need for tail to nod :P
When there are seniors, we should keep quiet :evil:
Similar one
Ponnurukkunnidathu poochakkenthu kaaryam
Where gold is made, cat has what business there?
i.e. We need not interfere in other people's matters
mundu vachina cheyvulu kanna, veynakotchina kommu vadi - telugu

there is no english proverb here.

just explain you with an example. If you have friend and you met another new friend. then if you give preference to your new friend than the old friend. that is the meaning of this proverb
mundu vachina cheyvulu kanna, veynakotchina kommu vadi - telugu

there is no english proverb here.

just explain you with an example. If you have friend and you met another new friend. then if you give preference to your new friend than the old friend. that is the meaning of this proverb

We do have a similar one...but can't remember it now. Will quote later
The patient will rule the world - English
Porutthar bhumi allvar - Tamil :cheer:
Paddavadu yeppudu cheydda vadu kadu - telugu

The person who suffers is not a bad person

for example:A person is getting scolding from his boss though the person didnt do any mistake and the person kept silent.

So the person is the sufferer and as he is a good person so he kept silent
"Moothavar vaakum muzhu nellikkayum aadyam kaikkum, pinne madhurikkum"

Elders' words and gooseberry are bitter first, but later sweet!!
Isn't it a nice proverb?
Adigayvadiki cheyppay vadu lokuva - telugu

I dont know in english but i will tell you the meaning

A person is asking unnecessary questions to a person. the person is answer them what ever the questions asked by the other person. this is because the answering person has become fun to the person who is asking unnecessary and silly questions.
Mayerai katti malaiyai elu, vanthan malai poonal mair. - Tamil
There is no harm in trying, especially if it is a low-hanging frui - English

Meaning in English

Pull a mountain by tying a hair to it. If you succeed you will get a
mountain, if you lose you will lose a hair
Aaap Bhalo to Jaggat Bhalo! In Bengali meaning if you are good, the world is also good!!
Noru manchidi ithey vurumanchiday- telugu

if your mouth is clean with clean words then world will be with clean words
Noru manchidi ithey vurumanchiday- telugu

if your mouth is clean with clean words then world will be with clean words


Looks similar to "Aaap Bhalo to Jaggat Bhalo!".

Aaasaanaksharamonnu pizhacchaal anpathonpath pizhakkum shishyanu....
meaning........ If guru commits mistake by just 1 letter, his shishya will make 51 mistakes :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Mayerai katti malaiyai elu, vanthan malai poonal mair. - Tamil
There is no harm in trying, especially if it is a low-hanging frui - English

Meaning in English

Pull a mountain by tying a hair to it. If you succeed you will get a
mountain, if you lose you will lose a hair


"Poyaal oru vaakk.....kittiyaal oru chaak"
If gone...just one word. If got.... a full sack :S :S :S
Kaaryam kaanan kazhutha kaalum pidikkanam

If you want a favour from someone, never hesitate to fall even in the feet of a donkey :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:


Vaadiya poo choodiyaalum, choodiya poovu choodaruth.
You may wear flowers that are not fresh, yet never wear flowers that are already worn by someone else.....
A Punjabi proverb says "Golli kidi te gehne kide' That means this maid-servant of yours is totally faithful to you. Even her ornaments are your property donated by you.
A Punjabi proverb says "Golli kidi te gehne kide' That means this maid-servant of yours is totally faithful to you. Even her ornaments are your property donated by you.


Goli is not a maid servant but a slave. In princely states, the 'Golis' would also be sent along with bride to groonm's place. Acharya Chatur Sen Shastri has written a very informative book on Golis. His book is titled 'Goli'.

'Goli' is not specific to Punjab. There were many Golis in Rajasthan. They served in 'Harems' of Hindu Rajput kings and Landlords (Zamindars). 'Goli' system is a very ugly chapter in our past.

Topic Author

S

Sandhya Rani

@Sandhya Rani

Topic Stats

Created Monday, 26 March 2012 09:21
Last Updated Tuesday, 30 November -0001 00:00
Replies 0
Views 21.4K
Likes 0

Share This Topic