Kannada Proverbs
Kannada proverbs are sentence that states the truth of life or situation and contains the deep hidden meaning of life or experience or thoughts.
Proverbs have come from our ancestors passing through generations.
Funny proverbs in Kannada
Kannada Proverbs and Kannada Gadegalu
ಹಾಸಿಗೆ ಇದ್ದಷ್ಟು ಕಾಲು ಚಾಚು
Literal Meaning – “Stretch your legs only as much as the cot allows you to”.
Moorti chikkadaadaru keerthi doddadu
ಮೂರ್ತಿ ಚಿಕ್ಕದಾದರು ಕೀರ್ತಿ ದೊಡ್ಡದು
Literal Meaning – “Even if the physical form is small, the fame is big”
Beeso DoNne Tappisi Kondare Saavira Varusha Aayassu
ಬೀಸೋ ದೊಣ್ಣೆ ತಪ್ಪಿಸಿಕೊಂಡರೆ ಸಾವಿರ ವರುಷ ಆಯಸ್ಸು
Literal Meaning – “If you escape from the stick being waved at you, you will live a thousand years”
baDavara mane ooTa chenna doDDavara mane nOTa chenna
ಬಡವರ ಮನೆ ಊಟ ಚೆನ್ನ ದೊಡ್ಡವರ ಮನೆ ನೋಟ ಚೆನ್ನ
Literal Meaning – “The food in a poor man’s home is tasty; while the rich man’s home is nice to look at”
MaaDodella Anachaara Mane Munde Brindavana
ಮಾಡೋದೆಲ್ಲಾ ಅನಾಚಾರ ಮನೆ ಮುಂದೆ ಬೃಂದಾವನ
Literal Meaning – “One does all kinds of wrong deeds, but has got a Brindavana in front of the house”
ALiya ALLa MagaLa Ganda
ಆಳಿಯ ಅಲ್ಲ ಮಗಳ ಗಂಡ
Literal Meaning – “He is not my son-in-law, but my daughter’s husband”
Ibbara JagaLa Mooraneyanavanige Laabha
ಇಬ್ಬರ ಜಗಳದಲ್ಲಿ ಮೂರನೆಯವರಿಗೆ ಲಾಭ
Literal meaning – “In a fight between two, the third person benefitted”
Kannada proverbs in Kannada language with explanation in Kannada
Ganda Hendira JagaLadalli Koosu Badavaayithu
ಗಂಡ ಹೆಂಡಿರ ಜಗಳದಲ್ಲಿ ಕೂಸು ಬಡವಾಯಿತು
Literal Meaning – “In the fight between husband and wife, the child became weak”
Athiyaadare Amruthavoo Visha
ಅತಿಯಾದರೆ ಅಮೃತವೂ ವಿಷ
Literal Meaning – “If taken in excess, even Amrutha (divine nectar) is poison”.
Akki MeLe Aase Nenatara MeLe Preeti
ಅಕ್ಕಿ ಮೇಲೆ ಆಸೆ ನೆಂಟರ ಮೇಲೆ ಪ್ರೀತಿ
Literal meaning – “Desire over rice; love over relatives”. If one does not like to spend the rice he has at home but is equally interested in serving his guests/relatives well, one faces a dilemma.
Haavu Sayolla Kolu Muriyalla
ಹಾವು ಸಾಯೋಲ್ಲ ಕೋಲು ಮುರಿಯೋಲ್ಲ
Literal meaning: ” Neither the Snake dies nor the stick breaks”
Ganda Hendira Jagala Vundu Malaguva Thanaka
ಗಂಡ ಹೆಂಡಿರ ಜಗಳ ಉಂಡು ಮಲಗುವ ತನಕ
Literal meaning: “The fight between Husband and wife is temporary and always ends before they have dinner and go to bed”
Huttu GuNa Suttaru Hogalla
ಹುಟ್ಟು ಗುಣ ಸುಟ್ಟರೂ ಹೋಗೋಲ್ಲ
Literal meaning – “That quality which comes by birth does not go away even when burnt (when the person dies)”
Uppu Thinda Mele Neeru Kudiyale Baeku
ಉಪ್ಪು ತಿಂದ ಮೇಲೆ ನೀರು ಕುಡಿಯಲೇ ಬೇಕು
Literal meaning – “If you have salt, you have to drink water”
beLLagirOdella haalalla
ಬೆಳ್ಳಗಿರೋದೆಲ್ಲ ಹಾಲಲ್ಲ
Literal meaning – “All that is white is not milk”
Kannada Proverbs List
vEda suLLaadaru gaade suLLaagadu
ವೇದ ಸುಳ್ಳಾದರು ಗಾದೆ ಸುಳ್ಳಾಗದು
Literal meaning – “Even if the holy scriptures are wrong, wise sayings can never be wrong”.
Ati Aase Gati Kaedu
ಅತಿ ಆಸೆ ಗತಿ ಕೇಡು
Literal meaning – “Too much desire will lead to disaster”
Yeradu Kai Saeridrene ChappaaLe
ಎರಡು ಕೈ ಸೇರಿದ್ರೇನೆ ಚಪ್ಪಾಳೆ
Literal meaning – “Only if both hands join together, can we clap”
Rogi Bayasiddu Haalu Anna Vaidya HeLiddu Haalu Anna
ರೋಗಿ ಬಯಸಿದ್ದು ಹಾಲು ಅನ್ನ ವೈದ್ಯ ಹೇಳಿದ್ದು ಹಾಲು ಅನ್ನ
Literal meaning – “The patient wanted milk and rice and the doctor prescribed milk and rice”.
Shiva Poojeli Karadi Banda Haage
ಶಿವ ಪೂಜೆಲಿ ಕರಡಿ ಬಂದ ಹಾಗೆ
Literal meaning – “Like the bear which appeared during God’s worship”.
Baeleenay Eddu Hola Meythu
Literal meaning – “The fence itself grazed the grass”
Aaru Kaasu Kotre Atte Kade Mooru Kaasu Kotre Sose Kade
Literal meaning – “If given 6 cents, he will side with the mother-in-law while if given 3 cents, he will side with the daughter-in-law”.
HaLoorige ULidavane Gowda
Hosa Vaidyanigintha HaLe Rogine Vaasi
Literal meaning – “An experienced patient is better than a new doctor”.
Sankata Bandaaga Venkataramana
Literal meaning – “When there is a calamity, you think of Venkataramana (God)”
Koti Taanu Kedodalde Vananella Kedasthu
Literal meaning – “The monkey not only spoils itself, it also spoils the entire forest”.
Kannada Proverbs Translated in English
Hoovina Jote Naaru Swargakke Hoytu
Kaamaale Kannige Kaanodella HaLadi
Literal meaning – “For one who has (suffering from) Jaundice, everything appears yellow”
Yaardo Duddu Yellamana Jaatre
Literal meaning – “Not sure whose money it is, but the (Lord’s) festival is happening”
Hittala Gida Maddalla
Literal meaning – “The plant growing in the backyard is not medicine”.
Shanka Dinda Bidrene Theertha
Literal meaning – “It’s considered holy water only if it falls from the conch”.
Manasiddare Maarga
Literal meaning – “If you have the intentions, there is always a way”
Hallu Iddavanige Kadle Illa Kadle Iddavanige Hallu Illa
ಹಲ್ಲು ಇದ್ದವನಿಗೆ ಕಡಲೆ ಇಲ್ಲ ಕಡಲೆ ಇದ್ದವನಿಗೆ ಹಲ್ಲಿಲ್ಲ
Literal meaning – “One who has teeth does not have peanuts to eat
while the one who has peanuts does not have teeth”
Attege Ondu Kaala Sosege Ondu Kaala
Literal meaning – “If it’s the mother-in-law’s time now, then the daughter-in-law will also have her day”.
Jatti Jaari Bidru Meese MannaagaLilla
Literal meaning – “Even though the wrestler/heavyweight slipped and fell down, his mustache was not soiled one bit”.
Tumbida Koda TuLukolla
Literal meaning – “A pot which is full (of water) does not spill over”.
Tanna Yeleli Katte Biddidru Pakkada Yele Nona Odisthane
Literal Meaning – “Though he has a donkey on his plate, he is trying to shoo away the fly on the neighbour’s plate”.
Alpanige Aishwarya Bandre Ardha Raatrili Kode Hidida
Haadidde Haado Kisubai Daasa
Irulu Kanda Bhaavige Hagalu Beela Baaradu
Kannada Proverbs with explanation
Maadidunno Maharaaya
Kai Kesaraadare Bai Mosaru
This means that if you work hard, then you will reap the benefits in terms of riches. The literal translation means that if you dirty your hands (by working hard), your mouth will be full.
Taalidavanu Baaliyaanu
Hosadaralli Agasa Goni Etthi Etthi Ogada
ವೇದ ಸುಳ್ಳಾದರು ಗಾದೆ ಸುಳ್ಳಾಗದು
English transliteration: Ve-da sulla-da-ru Gaa-de sulla-ga-du
English translation: Religious beliefs may go wrong, but not a proverb.
ಕುಂಬಾರನಿಗೆ ವರುಷ, ದೊಣ್ಣೆಗೆ ನಿಮಿಷ
English transliteration: Kum-ba-ra-ni-ge va-ru-sha, donne-ge ni-mi-sha
English translation: Things will take years to create, but minutes to destroy
ಮನಸಿದ್ದರೆ ಮಾರ್ಗ
English transliteration: Mana-sid-dare Maar-ga
English translation: Where there is a will, there is a way
ಮಾತು ಬೆಳ್ಳಿ, ಮೌನ ಬಂಗಾರ
English transliteration: Maa-thu bel-li Mou-na Ban-ga-ra
English translation: Silence is gold
ಬೆಳ್ಳಗಿರೋದೆಲ್ಲ ಹಾಲಲ್ಲ, ಹೊಳೆಯೋದೆಲ್ಲ ಚಿನ್ನ ಅಲ್ಲ
English transliteration: Bel-la-gi-rod-ella haal-alla, hole-yod-ella chin-na alla
English translation: All that glitters are not gold
ಗಿಡವಾಗಿ ಬಗ್ಗದ್ದು, ಮರವಾಗಿ ಬಗ್ಗೀತೇ?
English transliteration: Gi-da-vaa-gi ba-gad-du, Ma-ra-va-gi Ba-ggithe ?
English translation: Bend it while it a plant rather than trying when it becomes a tree
ಆಳಾಗಬಲ್ಲವನು ಅರಸನಾಗಬಲ್ಲ
English transliteration: Aa-la-ga-balla-vanu Ara-sa-na-ga-balla
English translation: He who works as a servant will always be eligible to work as a King
ತಾಳಿದವನು ಬಾಳಿಯಾನು
English transliteration: Thaa-li-da-va-nu Baa-li-yaa-nu
English translation: Slow and steady wins the race
ಕೋತಿ ಕೈಗೆ ಮಾಣಿಕ್ಯ ಕೊಟ್ಟ ಹಾಗೆ
English transliteration: Ko-thi Kai-ge Maa-ni-kya Ko-tta Haa-ge
English translation: Handing over precious stones to a monkey
ಅಕ್ಕನ್ ಗಂಡನ ಕೂಡೆ ದುಕ್ಕ ಹೇಳಿದ್ರೆ, ಮಕ್ಕಳ್ ಮರಿಯ ಬುಟ್ಟು ಬಾ ಅಂದ
English transliteration: akkan gaMDana kUDe dukka hELidre, makkaL mariya buTTu baa aMda
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
English transliteration: aaru kaasina saMbaLa aadarU, aramaneya kelasa maaDu
English translation: Even if the salary is worth sixpence be employed in the palace
Always do a respectable job, although there is a less monetary benefit.
ಅಳಿಯ ಅಲ್ಲ ಮಗಳ ಗಂಡ
- English transliteration: aLiya alla magaLa gaMDa
- English translation: [he is] not my Son-in-law, but my daughter’s husband.
The fact does not change by saying it in a different way.
Kannada proverbs with explanation
ಆಡಿದರೆ ಅರಗಿಣಿ ಕಾಡಿದರೆ ನಾಗರ ಕಾಟ
- English transliteration: aaDidare aragiNi kaaDidare naagara kaaTa
- English translation: if you act out you are a royal parrot, if annoyed, you bother like a cobra
When things are fine you are an excellent companion, the moment it goes wrong you are like a serpent.
ಅಳೋ ಗಂಡ್ಸನ್ನು ನಗೋ ಹೆಂಗ್ಸನ್ನು ನಂಬಬಾರದು
- English transliteration: aLO gaMD’sannu nagO heMg’sannu naMbabaaradu
- English translation: Never believe a man who is cry-prone nor a female who is smile-prone
Do not believe a man who cries for everything and similarly a lady who smiles things away.
ಅಯ್ಯೋ ಪಾಪ! ಅಂದ್ರೆ ಅರ್ಧ ಆಯಸ್ಸು
- English transliteration: ayyO paapa aMdre ardha aayassu
- English translation: if you pity [on somebody], [you have] half-life.
Show pity on someone your lifespan will be cut short i.e., you spend half your life worrying about it. So, don’t be kind to one and every one, some times people take you for a ride
ಆಡುವವ ಆಡಿದ್ರೆ ನೋಡುವವಗೆ ಸಿಗ್ಗು
- English transliteration: aaDuvava aaDidre nODuvavage siggu
- English translation: If an actor enacts [indecently/without inhibitions], the spectator is ashamed
An actor may perform to the embarrassment of the spectator.
ಅಂಜಿದವನ ಮೇಲೆ ಕಪ್ಪೆ ಹಾರಿದಂಗೆ
- English transliteration: aMjidavana mEle kappe haaridaMge
- English translation: It’s like a frog jumping on a person who is already afraid (of it).
ಅಲ್ಲದ ಕನಸು ಕಂಡರೆ ಎದ್ದು ಕುಂಡ್ರು.
- English transliteration: allada kanasu kaMDare eddu kuMDru
- English translation: if you see a negative dream, get up and sit.
Wake up to the alarming calls and dreams.
ಅಡ್ಡ ಗೋಡೆಯ ಮೇಲೆ ದೀಪ ಇಟ್ಟ ಹಾಗೆ
- English transliteration: aDDa gODeya mEle dIpa iTTa hAge
- English translation: It is like placing a lamp atop a partitioning wall.
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.
ಆರು ಕೊಟ್ಟರೆ ಅತ್ತೆ ಕಡೆ, ಮೂರು ಕೊಟ್ಟರೆ ಸೊಸೆ ಕಡೆ
English transliteration: aaru koTTare atte kaDe, mUru koTTare sose kaDe
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
- English transliteration: aDikege hOda maana aane koTTarU baradu
- English translation: The reputation lost on a betelnut won’t come back though you donate an elephant.
The reputation lost on trivial things cannot be regained by donating big alms. A wounded reputation is seldom cured.
ಅಜ್ಜಿಗೆ ಅರಿವೆಯ ಚಿಂತೆ, ಮೊಮ್ಮಗಳಿಗೆ ಕಜ್ಜಾಯದ ಚಿಂತೆ
- Transliteration: ajjige ariveya chinte, mommagaLige kajjaayada chinte
- Translation: Grandma is worried about her worn-out dress; the Granddaughter is worried about having a sweet dish.
Equivalent: Every heart has its own ache.
Kannada proverbs with explanation in Kannada
ಅಕ್ಕಿಯ ಮೇಲೆ ಆಸೆ, ನೆ೦ಟರ ಮೇಲೆ ಪ್ರೀತಿ
- Transliteration: akkiya mEle aase, neMTara mEle prIti
- Translation: She has a desire for rice(likes saving it) and has a love for her relatives too.
You cannot have a cake and eat it too. I love you well but touch not my pocket.
