చెట్టుకు చావ నలుపు, మనిషికి చావ తెలుపు
chettuku chava nalupu, manishiki chava telupu
Black is the death for a tree, white is the death for a human.
This proverb highlights indicators of decay or failure. In plants, turning black usually signifies rot or death. In humans, turning white (pale) often indicates illness, fear, or the loss of vitality. It is used to describe how different entities show signs of their decline in distinct ways.
Related Phrases
కోడి నలుపైనా గుడ్డు తెలుపే
kodi nalupaina guddu telupe
Even if the hen is black, the egg is white.
This proverb is used to emphasize that one's appearance, origin, or external circumstances do not dictate the quality or value of what they produce. It is often used to say that wisdom or good results can come from anyone, regardless of their background or status.
ముండ చావనూ చావదు, ముట్టు తప్పనూ తప్పదు
munda chavanu chavadu, muttu tappanu tappadu
The widow neither dies nor does her menstrual cycle stop.
This proverb is used to describe a persistent, annoying problem or a person who remains a constant nuisance without any resolution. It refers to a situation that is stuck in a stagnant, unpleasant state where there is neither an end to the trouble nor any relief from the daily difficulties associated with it.
చావుకు చావు ఉన్నదా?
chavuku chavu unnada?
Does death have a death?
This expression is used to signify that something is eternal, inevitable, or that a particular cycle or entity cannot be destroyed. It often implies that a fundamental reality or a recurring problem cannot be ended or killed off simply.
రెండు నలుపులు కలిసి ఒక తెలుపు కానేరదు
rendu nalupulu kalisi oka telupu kaneradu
Two blacks cannot come together to make one white
This proverb is the Telugu equivalent of 'Two wrongs don't make a right.' It suggests that combining two negative actions, lies, or mistakes will not result in a positive outcome or the truth.
కోడలు నలుపైతే కులమంతా నలుపగునా?
kodalu nalupaite kulamanta nalupaguna?
If the daughter-in-law is dark-skinned, does the entire lineage become dark?
This proverb is used to criticize the act of judging an entire family or group based on the perceived physical flaws or mistakes of a single individual (specifically a new entrant like a daughter-in-law). It highlights that one person's traits do not define or diminish the status of the whole collective.
చావ చావడు, చాప ఇవ్వడు
chava chavadu, chapa ivvadu
He neither dies nor gives up the mat.
This expression refers to a person who is neither performing a task nor stepping aside to let someone else do it. It is used to describe a stubborn or obstructive person who occupies a position or resource without being productive, effectively blocking progress for everyone else.
చావ చావడు, మంచమూ వదలడు
chava chavadu, manchamu vadaladu
He would neither die nor give up his bed.
This expression is used to describe a situation or a person that is stuck in a state of limbo, causing prolonged distress or inconvenience to others. It refers to a problem that doesn't get resolved but continues to linger, or a person who occupies a position without being productive, preventing others from taking over.
ఆవు నలుపైతే పాలు నలుపా?
avu nalupaite palu nalupa?
If the cow is black, is the milk also black?
This proverb is used to emphasize that external appearance does not define internal quality or character. Just as a black cow still yields white milk, a person's outward look or status does not dictate their inner worth or the value of their contribution.
పాము చావకూడదు, బడితె విరగకూడదు
pamu chavakudadu, badite viragakudadu
The snake should not die, and the stick should not break.
This proverb describes a situation where one seeks a solution that resolves a conflict or achieves a goal without causing harm to anyone involved or damaging the resources used. It is used when suggesting a balanced, diplomatic, or 'win-win' approach to a delicate problem.
కోడలు నలుపు అయితే, కులమంతా నలుపు.
kodalu nalupu ayite, kulamanta nalupu.
If the daughter-in-law be black, the whole family will be blackened. i. e. a bad daughter-in-law will bring disgrace on her husband's family.
This proverb reflects traditional social biases where the qualities or perceived flaws of a new entrant (the daughter-in-law) are unfairly attributed to the reputation or lineage of the entire family. It is often used to describe how a single person's traits or actions are sometimes used by society to judge an entire community or group.