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.
Related Phrases
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.
దంచలేనమ్మ ఊది ఊది చూచిందట
danchalenamma udi udi chuchindata
The woman who couldn't pound (grain) just kept blowing on it.
This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks the skill or will to complete a difficult task and instead makes excuses or performs unnecessary, superficial actions to appear busy or to delay the work. It is similar to the English idea of 'making a show of effort' while avoiding the actual labor.
ఉన్నమ్మ ఉన్నమ్మకే పెట్టె, లేనమ్మా ఉన్నమ్మకే పెట్టె
unnamma unnammake pette, lenamma unnammake pette
The woman who has gives to the woman who has; the woman who has not also gives to the woman who has.
This proverb describes a social irony where resources or gifts tend to flow towards those who are already wealthy or powerful, rather than to those in need. It highlights that everyone seeks to please the rich, while the poor are often ignored or even forced to give up what little they have to those above them.
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.
ఆడలేక మద్దెల ఓడన్నట్లు
adaleka maddela odannatlu
Like a woman who cannot dance saying the drum is crooked.
This proverb is used to describe a person who blames their tools, environment, or other people for their own lack of skill or failure. It is equivalent to the English idiom 'A bad workman always blames his tools.'
అత్తలేనమ్మ ఉత్తమురాలు, మామలేనమ్మ మరీభాగ్యశాలి.
attalenamma uttamuralu, mamalenamma maribhagyashali.
The woman without a mother-in-law is the best woman; the woman without a father-in-law is even more fortunate.
This is a humorous and sarcastic proverb reflecting the traditional domestic tensions in joint families. It suggests that a daughter-in-law feels most peaceful and free when she is not under the supervision or restrictions of her in-laws, particularly the mother-in-law who historically held authority over the household.
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.
తీగ పెట్టినమ్మ మాట తీయగా, కమ్మపెట్టినమ్మ మాట కమ్మగా, విచ్చుటాకులున్నమ్మా నీమాట విన సహించదు అన్నదట.
tiga pettinamma mata tiyaga, kammapettinamma mata kammaga, vichchutakulunnamma nimata vina sahinchadu annadata.
The words of the one who gave a creeper are sweet; the words of the one who gave a leaf-stalk are savory; but the words of the one who has blooming leaves are unbearable to hear.
This proverb highlights human psychology and bias based on self-interest. It refers to a person who praises those who have given them something (even something small like a vegetable creeper or a palm leaf) while being critical or intolerant of those who have plenty but have not shared anything with them yet. It is used to describe how people's perceptions of others are often colored by the benefits they receive.
చేయలేనమ్మకు చేష్టలు మెండు, వండలేనమ్మకు వగపులు మెండు.
cheyalenammaku cheshtalu mendu, vandalenammaku vagapulu mendu.
A woman who cannot work has many antics; a woman who cannot cook has many grievances.
This proverb describes people who make excuses or create drama to avoid their responsibilities. It is used to mock those who lack skill or willingness to work but pretend to be busy or complain about external factors to hide their incompetence.