ఈతకట్టెల నిప్పు ఇంటికి రాదు, ఈడిగవాని పెండ్లాము చేతికి రాదు.
itakattela nippu intiki radu, idigavani pendlamu chetiki radu.
Fire from palm wood doesn't reach home; the toddy tapper's wife doesn't come to hand.
This proverb is used to describe things that are temporary or unreliable. Palm wood burns very quickly and turns to ash before it can be carried home for use, and a toddy tapper's wife is often busy helping her husband in the fields or with sales, making her unavailable for other chores. It signifies that certain efforts are futile because the nature of the object or person is inherently unsuitable for the desired outcome.
Related Phrases
చిదిగి పొదిగి చిన్నవానికి పెండ్లి చేసే వరకు పెద్దవాని పెండ్లాము పెద్దలలోకి పోయినదట.
chidigi podigi chinnavaniki pendli chese varaku peddavani pendlamu peddalaloki poyinadata.
When by saving and saving they married the younger son, the elder son's wife went to her ancestors.
This proverb describes a situation where excessive delay or extreme frugality in planning an event leads to the loss of its original purpose or results in another tragedy. It is used when someone takes so much time to organize or save for something that the circumstances change entirely, often making the effort redundant or bittersweet.
అప్ప అదనుకూ రాదు, ఆకలికీ రాదు
appa adanuku radu, akaliki radu
A sister who is neither there for the occasion nor for the hunger.
This proverb describes someone or something that is useless because they are never available when actually needed. It refers to a person who fails to show up both during important ceremonies (occasions) and during times of desperate need (hunger). It is used to point out the unreliability of a resource or person.
పాతది పనికిరాదు, కొత్తది కొరగాదు
patadi panikiradu, kottadi koragadu
The old is of no use, the new is not suitable.
This proverb describes a state of dilemma or dissatisfaction where one finds faults in both the old ways/things and the new alternatives. It is used when a person is stuck in a transition phase, unable to rely on past experiences or tools while finding the newer ones ineffective or difficult to adapt to.
పెట్టక కీర్తిరాదు, నలపింపక ఇంతికి నింపురాదు.
pettaka kirtiradu, nalapimpaka intiki nimpuradu.
Fame does not come without giving, and a woman does not gain charm without care.
This proverb emphasizes that everything has a cost or a prerequisite. Just as one cannot gain a reputation for being generous without actually giving or donating, true beauty or grace requires effort and nurturing. It is used to suggest that rewards and results are tied to specific actions and sacrifices.
కాటికి పోయిన పీనుగు కట్టెల పాలు కాక ఇంటికి వస్తుందా?
katiki poyina pinugu kattela palu kaka intiki vastunda?
Will a corpse that has gone to the cremation ground return home instead of being consumed by the logs?
This expression is used to describe an irreversible situation or a total loss. Just as a body taken to the pyre will inevitably be burnt and cannot return, it signifies that once something is gone or a certain point of no return is reached, there is no hope of recovery or reversal.
బీదవానికి మాట ఇయ్యరాదు, కలిగినవానికి చోటు ఇయ్యరాదు
bidavaniki mata iyyaradu, kaliginavaniki chotu iyyaradu
Do not give your word to a poor man, and do not give space to a wealthy man.
This proverb advises caution in social and financial dealings. If you make a promise to a poor person and fail to keep it, their despair may lead to bitterness or social shame for you. Conversely, if you give a wealthy or powerful person space (or a foothold in your affairs/property), they may use their influence to eventually usurp or dominate you.
కూలి కూటికి రాదు, లేకి చేతికి రాడు
kuli kutiki radu, leki chetiki radu
Wages do not suffice for food, and a mean person does not submit to anyone's control.
This proverb is used to describe a situation of extreme inefficiency or futility. It suggests that just as meager wages are insufficient to provide even a basic meal, a person with a low or stubborn character (leki) is impossible to manage or reform. It is often used to remark on someone who is both unproductive and unmanageable.
ఆ ఇంటికి దడీలేదు, ఈ ఇంటికి గడియలేదు.
a intiki dadiledu, i intiki gadiyaledu.
That house has no fence, and this house has no latch.
This proverb describes a state of total insecurity, neglect, or lack of discipline. It is used to refer to a situation where there are no boundaries or protections in place, often implying that a system or family is disorganized and vulnerable to outside interference or internal chaos.
పడుచుసేద్యం పాకానికిరాదు
paduchusedyam pakanikiradu
Young age cultivation does not yield the desired result.
This proverb is used to suggest that certain tasks require maturity, experience, and patience rather than just youthful energy or haste. Just as farming needs seasoned knowledge to get a good harvest, important life goals cannot be achieved through impulsive actions or lack of experience. It emphasizes the value of wisdom over raw enthusiasm.
ఆ ఇంటికి దడిలేదు, ఈ ఇంటికి గడి లేదు
a intiki dadiledu, i intiki gadi ledu
That house has no fence, and this house has no latch.
This proverb describes a situation of complete lack of security or discipline. It is used to refer to households or organizations where there is no control, no boundaries, and no protection, often implying a state of mismanagement or vulnerability where anyone can come and go as they please.