చింతకాయలు ఎరుగని దొరసాని, చింతకాయలను చూచి కొడవళ్ళా అన్నదట
chintakayalu erugani dorasani, chintakayalanu chuchi kodavalla annadata
The lady who had never seen tamarinds asked if they were sickles upon seeing them.
This proverb describes someone who is completely ignorant of common, everyday things but tries to act sophisticated or superior. It is used to mock people who lack practical knowledge or those who make ridiculous assumptions about simple matters due to their lack of exposure.
Related Phrases
సంగీతమునకు చింతకాయలు రాలునా?
sangitamunaku chintakayalu raluna?
Will singing make the tamarinds drop ?
This proverb is used to say that mere words, sweet talk, or artistic expressions cannot achieve practical or physical results that require hard work or action. It highlights the difference between theory/art and the practical effort needed to get a job done.
వంకర టింకర కాయలు ఏమిటివి అంటే, చిన్ననాడు అమ్మిన చింతకాయలు అన్నాడట
vankara tinkara kayalu emitivi ante, chinnanadu ammina chintakayalu annadata
When she asked "What are those crooked pods?" they re- plied "The unripe tamarinds you sold in your youth." The story goes that the daughter of very poor parents who in her youth had to go about selling the unripe tamarinds she was able to gather from under the trees, afterwards became the wife of a rich man. Passing through the streets one day in her grand palankin, she superciliously enquired what a tamarind girl was selling, when her bearers replied as above, "These are the tamarinds Madam, which you sold in your youth." To take one a peg lower. You used to be a baker though now you wear gloves. (Spanish.)
This proverb is used to describe someone who tries to justify their current mistakes or poor behavior by linking them to past habits or experiences. It also mocks people who give obvious or silly explanations for things that are common knowledge, pretending as if they have discovered something unique.
చింతకాయలు బేరంచేస్తూ, వంకరటింకర కాయలేమి అన్నట్లు
chintakayalu beranchestu, vankaratinkara kayalemi annatlu
While bargaining for tamarinds, asking why they are crooked.
This proverb is used to describe someone who finds fault in the natural or inherent characteristics of an object or situation just to get a lower price or to criticize for the sake of it. Since tamarinds are naturally crooked, complaining about their shape while trying to buy them is illogical and hypocritical.
సంగీతానికి చింతకాయలు రాలుతాయా?
sangitaniki chintakayalu ralutaya?
Will tamarind fruits fall for music?
This expression is used to highlight that mere words, sweet talk, or artistic efforts cannot achieve practical or physical results that require hard work or specific action. It serves as a reminder that some tasks cannot be accomplished through simple persuasion or talent alone, similar to saying 'words don't butter parsnips'.
మంత్రాలకు చింతకాయలు రాలుతాయా?
mantralaku chintakayalu ralutaya?
Will tamarind fruits fall by chanting mantras?
This proverb is used to express skepticism toward someone who thinks they can achieve practical results through mere words, empty talk, or supernatural claims without putting in the necessary physical effort or logical action. It implies that certain outcomes require hard work and cannot be obtained through shortcuts or magic.
గోంగూరలో చింతకాయ వేసినట్టు
gonguralo chintakaya vesinattu
Like mixing unripe tamarinds with Gôgu greens. Gôgu or Gôngguṛa is the Hibiscus Cannabinus. A combination of evil persons.
This expression describes a situation where something unnecessary or redundant is done, particularly when one sour ingredient is added to another already sour base. It is used to mock actions that are repetitive or when someone tries to over-emphasize a point that is already clear.
చింతకాయలు కాజ్ఞగాని, గ్రుక్కిళ్ళ కాజ్ఞా?
chintakayalu kajnyagani, grukkilla kajnya?
There may be a command (restriction) on tamarinds, but is there a command on swallowing (saliva)?
This proverb is used to point out that while one can restrict or control access to physical resources or external actions, one cannot control a person's natural reactions, thoughts, or internal desires. It is often used when someone tries to impose impossible or overreaching restrictions on others.
చింతకాయలు అమ్మేదానికి సిరిమానం వస్తే, ఆ వంకరటింకరవి ఏమి కాయలు అన్నదట
chintakayalu ammedaniki sirimanam vaste, a vankaratinkaravi emi kayalu annadata
When a woman who sells tamarind gets prosperity, she asks what those crooked fruits are.
This proverb is used to describe a person who, upon achieving sudden wealth or a higher status, pretends to be unfamiliar with their humble origins or the very things that once formed their livelihood. It highlights hypocrisy, false pride, and the tendency to look down upon one's past.
గోంగూరలో చింతకాయ వేసినట్టు
gonguralo chintakaya vesinattu
Like adding tamarind to sorrel leaves (Gongura).
This expression is used to describe a redundant or unnecessary action that adds something that is already present in abundance. Since Gongura leaves are inherently sour, adding tamarind (which is also sour) is superfluous and often ruins the balance or serves no purpose.
చింతకాయలు తిన్న నోరు కొట్టులు తిననగునా?
chintakayalu tinna noru kottulu tinanaguna?
Can a mouth that has eaten tamarinds eat bits of wood?
This proverb describes a fall from grace or a significant decline in one's standard of living. It suggests that someone who was once accustomed to a comfortable or luxurious life (symbolized by tasty tamarinds) finds it difficult or unbearable to settle for a life of extreme poverty or hardship (symbolized by eating dry wood/scraps).