జెముడుకు కాయలూ లేవు, నిలువ నీడా లేదు.
jemuduku kayalu levu, niluva nida ledu.
The cactus has no fruit and provides no shade to stand under.
This expression is used to describe a person who is completely useless or of no benefit to others. Just as the cactus plant neither offers food (fruit) nor relief from the sun (shade), some people possess neither resources to share nor a helpful nature.
Related Phrases
నిలవ నీడ, పట్టుకొమ్మ లేదు
nilava nida, pattukomma ledu
No shade to stand under, or branch to clutch. Helpless and forlorn.
This expression is used to describe a person who is completely destitute, homeless, or lacking any form of support system. It signifies a state of total helplessness where someone has no place to stay and no one to rely on for help.
నొసట కళ్ళు లేవు, నోట్లో పళ్ళు లేవు
nosata kallu levu, notlo pallu levu
No eyes on the forehead, no teeth in the mouth.
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely old or in a state of physical decline. It can also sarcastically refer to someone who is acting helpless or lacks basic common sense and capability.
నిలువదగనిచోట నలువది నిందలు వచ్చు
niluvadaganichota naluvadi nindalu vachchu
Standing in a place where one shouldn't stand leads to forty accusations.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of choosing the right environment and company. If you stay in a place or situation that is inappropriate for your character or social standing, you will inevitably face numerous false accusations or damage to your reputation, even if you have done nothing wrong.
కట్టె లేదు, పిడక లేదు, కాచి పోయడానికి నీళ్లు లేవు, పదవోయి అల్లుడా బావిగట్టుకు అన్నట్టు.
katte ledu, pidaka ledu, kachi poyadaniki nillu levu, padavoyi alluda bavigattuku annattu.
There is no firewood, there is no dry cowdung, there is no water to boil—come away to the well O son-in-law ! The son-in-law should have been provided with a warm bath, but his wife's parents were too poor.
This expression is used to mock someone who pretends to offer hospitality or perform a task while lacking any of the necessary resources or genuine intention to do so. It describes a situation where instead of providing comfort at home, the host suggests a shortcut that makes the guest do all the work, reflecting empty promises or extreme lack of preparation.
జెముడుకు కాయలు ఉన్నవా నీడ ఉన్నదా?
jemuduku kayalu unnava nida unnada?
Has the Jemuḍu fruit or shade?
This proverb is used to describe a person who is completely useless or miserly. Just as a cactus neither provides edible fruit nor sufficient shade for a traveler, some individuals possess neither a helpful nature nor resources that benefit others. It is typically applied to people from whom no help or kindness can be expected.
Jemuḍu is the Euphorbia Tirucalli.
ఈదబోతే తాగ నీళ్లు లేవు
idabote taga nillu levu
When he went to swim, there was not enough water to drink. Disappointed hopes.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone aims for something grand or ambitious but lacks even the most basic necessities. It highlights a stark irony or extreme poverty/scarcity.
* A fonte puro pura default aqua.
చదువు లేదు, మరుపు లేదు
chaduvu ledu, marupu ledu
Neither study nor forgetting.
This expression is used to describe someone who is completely ignorant or uneducated. It implies that since the person never learned anything (study) in the first place, there is nothing for them to forget. It highlights a state of total lack of knowledge or intellectual effort.
కథకు కాళ్లు లేవు, ముంతకు చెవులు లేవు
kathaku kallu levu, muntaku chevulu levu
No legs to the tale, no ears to the pot. Said of a story that one cannot make head or tail of. A story without a head. (Greek.)
This proverb is used to describe a story, explanation, or excuse that lacks logic, consistency, or a proper foundation. It refers to something that is nonsensical or a 'cock and bull story' where the details don't add up or have no basis in reality.
నాడు నిలువబడాలేదు, నేడు ఎత్తుబడా లేదు
nadu niluvabadaledu, nedu ettubada ledu
Neither was it standing then, nor is it lifting up now.
This expression refers to a state of constant failure or persistent poverty. It is used to describe a situation where things were not stable in the past and show no signs of improvement or progress in the present. It implies that there has been no growth or positive change over time.
నాడు నిలువబడా లేదు, నేడు ఎత్తుబడా లేదు.
nadu niluvabada ledu, nedu ettubada ledu.
I was never rich one day and poor another.
This proverb describes a person who has been consistently useless or unsuccessful throughout their life. It refers to someone who lacked stability or foundation in the past ('nadu') and shows no progress or elevation in the present ('nedu'). It is often used to critique someone's lack of growth or contribution over a long period.
Said by a man who had not experienced the ups and downs of fortune, but had remained in a mediocre state throughout his life.