ఇల్లు కాలి ఇల్లాలు ఏడుస్తుంటే, బొగ్గుల వ్యాపారి బేరానికి వచ్చాడట
illu kali illalu edustunte, boggula vyapari beraniki vachchadata
When the housewife was crying because her house caught fire, a charcoal merchant came to bargain for the charcoal.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person tries to exploit someone else's tragedy for their own selfish gain. It highlights extreme opportunism and a lack of empathy, focusing on profit while another person is suffering a devastating loss.
Related Phrases
ఇల్లు కాలి ఇల్లాలు ఏడుస్తుంటే రంకు మొగుడొచ్చి రాళ్ళేశాడట
illu kali illalu edustunte ranku mogudochchi ralleshadata
While the housewife was crying because her house was on fire, her paramour came and pelted stones.
This proverb describes a situation where someone is already in deep distress or a catastrophic crisis, and instead of receiving help, someone else adds to their misery or takes advantage of the situation in a cruel or insensitive way. It is used to highlight the extreme insensitivity of others during a person's worst moments.
బొగ్గులలో రామచిలుక
boggulalo ramachiluka
A beautiful parrot ( Râmachiluka ) among coals. A good thing found in a bad place.
This expression is used to describe a person of exceptional beauty or talent who is found in a very poor, dirty, or unfavorable environment. It highlights the striking contrast between someone's inherent quality and their humble or bleak surroundings.
నందుకు ఏడుస్తున్నాను అన్నదట.
nanduku edustunnanu annadata.
She said she was crying for 'Nandu'.
This phrase is used to describe a situation where someone is pretending to be sad or upset for a noble reason, while their true motive is hidden or entirely different. It highlights hypocrisy or deceptive behavior.
బొచ్చు కాల్చితే బొగ్గులవునా?
bochchu kalchite boggulavuna?
If you burn hair will it become charcoal ? Vain economy.
This expression is used to describe a futile or impossible task. It implies that certain actions will never yield the desired or expected result because the nature of the material or situation doesn't allow for it. Just as burning hair produces ash and a foul smell rather than useful charcoal, some efforts are simply a waste of time.
జుట్టు కాలి ఏడుస్తుంటే, చుట్టకి నిప్పడిగినట్లు
juttu kali edustunte, chuttaki nippadiginatlu
When someone is crying because their hair is on fire, another person asks them for a light for their cigar.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is insensitive or indifferent to another person's severe distress. It highlights the contrast between one person's major crisis and another person's trivial or selfish needs.
బొగ్గులలో మాణిక్యం వలె
boggulalo manikyam vale
Like a ruby among coals
This expression is used to describe a person with extraordinary talent, beauty, or virtue who is found in a humble, poor, or unfavorable environment. It signifies a rare gem hidden in an unlikely place.
ఇల్లు చూస్తే తెలుస్తుంది ఇల్లాలి అందం
illu chuste telustundi illali andam
A home's appearance reveals the housewife's beauty.
This proverb suggests that the cleanliness, organization, and upkeep of a home are a direct reflection of the character, competence, and management skills of the person in charge of it. It is used to emphasize that true beauty or worth is seen in how one maintains their responsibilities and environment.
బొచ్చు కాలిస్తే బొగ్గులగునా?
bochchu kaliste boggulaguna?
If you burn hair, will it become charcoal?
This proverb is used to indicate that certain things or people cannot be transformed into something valuable, no matter how much effort is put into changing them. Just as burning hair results in ash and a foul smell rather than useful charcoal, some base natures or useless materials cannot be turned into something productive.
ఇల్లు కాలి ఏడుస్తుంటే చుట్టకు నిప్పిమ్మన్నట్లు
illu kali edustunte chuttaku nippimmannatlu
Like asking for fire to light a cigar while the house is burning down and someone is crying.
This proverb describes a situation where someone is being extremely insensitive, selfish, or opportunistic during another person's tragedy. It is used when a person focuses on their own trivial needs or petty desires while ignoring a major crisis happening right in front of them.
కడుపు కాలి ఏడుస్తుంటే, మనవర్తి ఏమిస్తావు అన్నదట.
kadupu kali edustunte, manavarti emistavu annadata.
When [someone] is crying because their stomach is burning [from hunger], she asked 'What maintenance/allowance will you give?'.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person is suffering from a fundamental or immediate crisis, but someone else offers an irrelevant, future, or secondary solution instead of addressing the urgent need. It highlights the disconnect between a person's basic needs and the superficial help being offered.