చుట్టం ఆకలి మందానికెరుక
chuttam akali mandanikeruka
The hunger of a guest is known to the vessel (or the one serving).
This proverb implies that the true needs or struggles of a person are only understood by those who are directly responsible for them or those who have to bear the burden. It is often used to describe situations where outsiders make assumptions, but the actual difficulty is felt only by the person in charge or the one providing the service.
Related Phrases
పుట్టిల్లు మేనమామ కెరుక.
puttillu menamama keruka.
The maternal uncle knows all about the birth house.
This proverb is used to indicate that there is no need to explain or describe something to someone who is already intimately familiar with it. Just as a maternal uncle knows everything about his own sister's home (his childhood home), an expert or an insider does not need a briefing on their own domain.
పేగు చుట్టమా, పెట్టు చుట్టమా?
pegu chuttama, pettu chuttama?
Is he a blood relation, or a dinner relation ?
This proverb is used to question the nature of a relationship. It asks whether a person is a genuine blood relative (pegu chuttam) who cares out of love, or a 'fair-weather friend' (pettu chuttam) who is only around for financial gain, gifts, or personal benefit. It is often used when someone shows sudden interest in a person's life only when they become wealthy or influential.
A table friend is changeable. (French.)‡ * Vache de loin a lait asses. † Geluk en glas brekt even ras. ‡ Ami de table est variable.
కాపుల జాతకాలు కరణాల కెరుక.
kapula jatakalu karanala keruka.
The horoscopes of the farmers are known to the village accountants.
In traditional Telugu village administration, the 'Karanam' (village accountant) maintained all records, debts, and land details of the 'Kapu' (farmers). This proverb implies that an authority or someone close to the situation knows all the secrets and the complete history of a person, even if they try to hide it. It is used when someone's true status or secrets are already well-known to a specific observer.
దానరి పొట్టు దైవాని కెరుక.
danari pottu daivani keruka.
God knows the husk of the grain.
This proverb is used to signify that only the Creator or a higher power truly knows the inner secrets, hidden flaws, or the complete truth behind someone's actions or the essence of a situation that appears different on the outside.
లోగుట్టు పెరుమాళ్ళకెరుక, తెరగుట్టు సాతానికెరుక
loguttu perumallakeruka, teraguttu satanikeruka
The inner secret is known to the Lord, and the secret behind the curtain is known to the priest.
This proverb is used to convey that while the general public might be unaware of the truth, the insiders or those involved intimately know the hidden secrets and reality of a situation. It suggests that every hidden matter has someone who knows the truth behind it.
ఇంటిగుట్టు పెరుమాళ్ళకెరుక
intiguttu perumallakeruka
The secrets of the house are known only to God.
This proverb is used to say that the internal matters, struggles, or hidden secrets of a family are known only to the family members and the Almighty. It is often used when someone tries to hide their domestic problems from the outside world, or when implying that one cannot truly know what goes on inside another person's home.
పాము కాళ్ళు పామునకెరుక.
pamu kallu pamunakeruka.
The snake only knows where it's feet are.
This proverb is used to convey that a person's secrets, hidden traits, or internal struggles are best known only to themselves or to those within their own group. Since snakes do not have visible legs, it suggests that things hidden from the world are still known to the one who possesses them or to those of the same kind.
The Hindus believe that a snake has feet, though they are invisible. A man knows his own business best.
కలిగినవాని కందటూ చుట్టాలే
kaliginavani kandatu chuttale
Everyone is a relative to a wealthy person.
This proverb highlights the social reality that people flock towards those who are rich or successful. It suggests that when a person has wealth, even strangers or distant acquaintances try to claim a relationship with them, whereas a poor person is often ignored by their own kin.
లోగుట్టు పెరుమాళ్ళ కెరుక
loguttu perumalla keruka
The internal secrets are known only to God (Perumalla)
This proverb is used to indicate that the inner secrets, hidden flaws, or true nature of a situation or a person are known only to God or those very closely involved. It is often used when someone maintains a respectable outward appearance despite having hidden troubles or secrets.
మాట చుట్టమేగాని, పూట చుట్టం కాదు.
mata chuttamegani, puta chuttam kadu.
A relative in words, but not a relative at mealtime.
This expression describes people who offer verbal sympathy or make grand promises but disappear when actual help or hospitality (like providing a meal) is required. It refers to someone who is friendly only on the surface and avoids the responsibility of true friendship or kinship.