గటిక చేను గాడిద పాలు

gatika chenu gadida palu

Translation

A hard field and donkey's milk

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a situation that is completely useless or yields no benefit despite hard work. Just as a hard, barren field produces no crop and a donkey's milk is generally not consumed, it refers to a wasted effort or a lost cause where the resources and results are both worthless.

Related Phrases

The donkey that went to the city bit the donkey that went to the village.

This proverb is used to mock people who return from a big city or a prestigious position and act superior or arrogant toward those who stayed in their hometown or humble roots. It highlights the empty vanity of someone who feels elevated by their environment despite their basic nature remaining the same.

The donkey that eats the Galika weed might die, but the weed itself does not.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where an object or a habit outlasts the person using or consuming it. It highlights the persistence of certain negative influences or indestructible nature of some things despite their impact on others.

The braying donkey spoiled the grazing donkey.

This proverb describes a situation where someone who is minding their own business and working productively is distracted or ruined by the foolish actions of another. It is used when a person's good progress is halted because they joined company with someone loud, lazy, or troublesome.

The pregnancy gift goes to the ashes, and the housewife goes to others.

This proverb describes a situation of extreme misfortune or poor management where one's efforts and assets are completely wasted or lost. It specifically refers to a scenario where the customary gifts given during pregnancy (sudida) are squandered or ruined, and the mistress of the house is neglected or ends up serving others. It is used to highlight total domestic ruin or the irony of losing everything due to negligence.

A farm located right in front of the village belongs to the crows.

This proverb highlights that assets or properties that are easily accessible to everyone often end up being wasted, damaged, or stolen because they cannot be properly guarded. Just as a field near a village is easily picked over by birds before the owner can harvest it, things that lack privacy or protection are prone to exploitation.

Ash is the medicine for a donkey's wound

This expression is used to describe a simple, crude, or inexpensive solution for an unworthy or trivial problem. It implies that a high-quality or expensive remedy is not needed for something of low value or for someone who doesn't appreciate it.

Donkey's chaos/clipping

This expression is used to describe a situation of extreme chaos, disorder, or a messy state of affairs. It often refers to something that is disorganized, nonsensical, or a noisy disturbance where nothing constructive is happening.

Like a donkey trying to do a dog's job

This expression is used when someone tries to perform a task that is not within their expertise or role, often resulting in failure or chaos. It highlights the importance of sticking to one's own responsibilities and strengths.

Like a helpless man clutching the legs of a donkey.

This expression is used to describe a person who, in a state of absolute desperation or helplessness, seeks assistance from someone completely insignificant, unworthy, or incapable of helping. It highlights the irony and humiliation of being forced to rely on the lowest possible means when one has no other choice.

Even if you pour sandalwood powder on it, a donkey remains a donkey.

This proverb is used to describe a person who cannot change their inherent nature or lack of refinement, regardless of how much wealth, education, or luxury is bestowed upon them. It suggests that external appearances or decorations cannot hide one's true character or stupidity.