చిన్నక్క చిలక, పెద్దక్క గిలక, చూస్తే చుక్క, రేగితే కుక్క.
chinnakka chilaka, peddakka gilaka, chuste chukka, regite kukka.
The younger sister is a parrot, the elder sister is a rattle; when you look at them they are like stars; when angry they are like dogs.
This is a rhythmic folk saying used to describe a woman's dual nature or temperament. It suggests that while she may appear beautiful, gentle, or charming (like a parrot or a star) on the surface, she can become extremely aggressive or fierce (like a dog) if she is provoked or loses her temper.
Related Phrases
నక్కా నక్కా నా నామం చూడు, తిరిగి చూస్తే తిరుమణి చూడు.
nakka nakka na namam chudu, tirigi chuste tirumani chudu.
O Jackal! Jackal! look at my Nāmam, if you look again see my Tirumani. —Tirumani ( lit. sacred earth ) is the name given to the outer lines, made with white clay, of the Nāmam.
This expression is used to describe a cunning or deceptive person who tries to distract others with religious or righteous appearances while hiding their true intentions. It refers to someone who uses superficial symbols of piety to cover up their deceitful nature, often used when someone is being hypocritically holy.
చిన్నక్కను పెద్దక్కను, పెద్దక్కను చిన్నక్కను చేసే వాడు
chinnakkanu peddakkanu, peddakkanu chinnakkanu chese vadu
He makes the younger sister the elder, and the elder sister the younger.
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely cunning, manipulative, or a master of deception. It refers to someone capable of twisting facts or reality so convincingly that they can make even the most obvious truths appear reversed.
Said of an unprincipled, untruthful man.
నమలక, మింగక నానవేసినట్లు.
namalaka, mingaka nanavesinatlu.
Like soaking something without chewing or swallowing it.
This expression is used to describe a state of indecision or procrastination. It refers to someone who keeps a task or a decision lingering for a long time without either completing it or rejecting it, much like keeping food in the mouth without chewing or swallowing.
చిన్నక్కను పెద్దక్కను, పెద్దక్కను చిన్నక్కను చేసినట్లు
chinnakkanu peddakkanu, peddakkanu chinnakkanu chesinatlu
Like making the younger sister the older one, and the older sister the younger one.
This expression is used to describe a situation where things are completely mixed up, shuffled, or inverted. It refers to a state of total confusion or an illogical reversal of roles or order.
అవసరం తీరితే, అక్క మొగుడు కుక్క
avasaram tirite, akka mogudu kukka
Once the need is fulfilled, the sister's husband is treated like a dog.
This proverb describes ingratitude. It is used to mock people who seek help from someone with great respect, but once their work is done or their need is met, they treat that same person with contempt or total disregard.
చూస్తే చుక్క, లేస్తే కుక్క
chuste chukka, leste kukka
A star when seen (sitting), a dog when it gets up.
This expression is used to describe someone who appears calm, beautiful, or well-behaved while stationary or silent, but turns out to be aggressive, loud, or ill-mannered once they start acting or speaking. It is often used to warn that appearances can be deceptive.
వెయ్యి పుట్ల వడ్లకు ఒక్క చిలకపురుగు చాలును.
veyyi putla vadlaku okka chilakapurugu chalunu.
One Chilakapurugu is enough for a thousand Puṭṭis of Paddy. Chilakapurugu ( lit. parrot-worm ) is a small worm found in stored grain.
This proverb highlights how a single small negative element or one bad person can destroy a vast amount of good work or a large community. It is used to caution that even a minor flaw or a single troublemaker should not be underestimated, as they have the potential to ruin everything.
పెద్దక్క ఓలి తెగితే, చిన్నక్క ఓలి తెగుతుంది
peddakka oli tegite, chinnakka oli tegutundi
If the elder sister's marriage settlement fails, the younger sister's marriage settlement also fails.
This proverb describes a chain reaction or a precedent-setting event. It suggests that if a rule is broken or a standard is lowered for the first person in a sequence, it automatically applies to those following them. It is used to caution that one's failure or deviation can negatively impact others who are dependent on that same process or tradition.
చిలక చిలకా పేరు చెప్పు అంటే కీ కీ అందంట.
chilaka chilaka peru cheppu ante ki ki andanta.
When asked 'Parrot, Parrot, tell me your name', it said 'Kee Kee'.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone gives an irrelevant or evasive answer to a simple, direct question. It highlights the inability or unwillingness of a person to provide a meaningful response, much like a parrot that can only repeat its natural sounds regardless of what it is asked.
పేచీలకు పెద్దకొడుకు
pechilaku peddakoduku
The eldest son of quarrels (or troubles).
Used to describe a person who is extremely troublesome, argumentative, or someone who always finds a reason to pick a fight or create a dispute. It implies that the person is a 'pioneer' or a 'master' at creating unnecessary complications.