చీర కట్టినమ్మ శృంగారము చూడు, గుడ్డ కట్టినమ్మ కులుకు చూడు.
chira kattinamma shringaramu chudu, gudda kattinamma kuluku chudu.
Look at the finery of the well dressed and the strut of the poorly dressed woman.
This proverb is used to mock people who have very little but show off excessively. It compares someone wearing a beautiful saree (who has a right to be graceful) to someone wearing a mere piece of cloth or a rag but acting overly proud or vain. It highlights the irony of arrogance in those with meager means or status.
Related Phrases
ఇంగువ కట్టిన గుడ్డ
inguva kattina gudda
A rag which had held assafëtida.
This expression is used to describe a person or a family that has lost their past wealth or glory but still retains the aura or reputation of it. Just as a cloth used to wrap pungent asafoetida smells of it long after the spice is gone, the person carries the prestige of their former status.
Said of a man who is respected on account of his connection with the family of some famous person, no longer living ; or on account of his own greatness, now passed away.
మాటకు మాట శృంగారము, పేటకు కోట శృంగారము
mataku mata shringaramu, petaku kota shringaramu
A word is the ornament of a word, a fort is the ornament of a town.
This proverb emphasizes that just as a fort protects and dignifies a town, a quick and fitting reply (repartee) adds grace and completeness to a conversation. It is used to highlight the importance of effective communication and responsiveness in dialogue.
ఇల్లు కట్టి చూడు, పెళ్ళి చేసి చూడు.
illu katti chudu, pelli chesi chudu.
Try building a house, try performing a wedding.
This proverb highlights the two most challenging, resource-intensive, and complex tasks in a person's life: constructing a home and organizing a marriage. It suggests that one only understands the true extent of the effort, patience, and financial strain involved once they personally undertake these responsibilities.
ఇల్లు కట్టి చూడు, పెళ్లి చేసి చూడు
illu katti chudu, pelli chesi chudu
Try building a house, try making a marriage. An expense greater than contemplated. Building and the marrying of children are great wasters.
This proverb highlights that building a home and organizing a marriage are the two most challenging and resource-intensive tasks in a person's life. It suggests that one only understands the true extent of the effort, financial strain, and unforeseen difficulties involved once they actually undertake these responsibilities.
ఏమీలేనమ్మకు ఏడ్పుల శృంగారం, కలిగినమ్మకు కడుపుల శృంగారం
emilenammaku edpula shringaram, kaliginammaku kadupula shringaram
For the woman who has nothing, crying is the adornment; for the woman who has everything, her children are the adornment.
This proverb contrasts poverty and prosperity. It suggests that a person who lacks resources often resorts to complaining or seeking sympathy (crying) to gain attention, whereas a person with wealth or resources finds joy and pride in their family and possessions (children/stomach). It is used to describe how people's behaviors and sources of pride differ based on their socio-economic status.
చీరగట్టినమ్మ సింగారం ఏమిచూస్తావు, ఏలికలు గట్టినమ్మ ఎగిరింతలు చూడు
chiragattinamma singaram emichustavu, elikalu gattinamma egirintalu chudu
Why look at the beauty of the woman wearing a saree, look at the leaps of the woman wearing rags.
This proverb is used to highlight that people who have nothing to lose or are in a desperate state often act with more vigor, boldness, or recklessness than those who are well-settled and bound by decorum. It is a sarcastic remark comparing the modest grace of the privileged to the frantic energy of the underprivileged or the desperate.
ఇల్లులేనమ్మ హీనము చూడు మగడులేనమ్మ మానము చూడు
illulenamma hinamu chudu magadulenamma manamu chudu
Look at the wretchedness of a woman without a house; look at the loss of dignity of a woman without a husband.
This traditional proverb reflects historical social perspectives where a house and a husband were considered the primary sources of security, status, and protection for a woman. It is used to describe how the lack of basic shelter or social support leads to vulnerability and loss of social standing.
ఏమీ లేనమ్మకు ఏడ్పుల శృంగారం, కలిగినమ్మకు కడుపుల శృంగారం
emi lenammaku edpula shringaram, kaliginammaku kadupula shringaram
Weeping is the ornament of a poor woman, embonpoint is the ornament of a rich woman.
This proverb highlights the difference in life's priorities and behaviors based on one's economic or social status. A person in poverty or misery often has nothing but their sorrow to express, while a wealthy or satisfied person finds beauty and fulfillment in their abundance and family. It is often used to describe how people's external expressions are dictated by their internal circumstances.
మాటకు మాట శృంగారం, పేటకు కోట శృంగారం
mataku mata shringaram, petaku kota shringaram
A reply for a word is the beauty of a conversation, as a fort is the beauty of a town.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of wit and timely responses in a conversation. Just as a fort provides grandeur and protection to a settlement, an apt and quick-witted reply enhances the quality and elegance of a dialogue.
చీర కట్టినమ్మ శృంగారం చూడు, గుడ్డ కట్టినమ్మ కులుకు చూడు
chira kattinamma shringaram chudu, gudda kattinamma kuluku chudu
Look at the grace of the woman wearing a saree, and look at the vanity of the woman wearing a rag.
This proverb is used to criticize someone who lacks merit or status but acts with excessive pride or vanity compared to someone who is genuinely dignified. It highlights the irony of someone with very little acting more arrogant than someone who is well-off or naturally graceful.