కడవడంత గుమ్మడికాయ అయినా కత్తిపీటకు లోకువ.
kadavadanta gummadikaya ayina kattipitaku lokuva.
Although the pumpkin be as big as a large pot, yet it is subject to the kitchen knife. Gummadi kāya is the Cucurbita Maxima. However great a family a wife may come from, she must still be sub- ject to her husband.
This proverb highlights that size or status does not matter when faced with the right tool or authority meant to handle it. It is used to describe situations where a small but powerful entity (like a blade or a person in authority) can easily manage or control something much larger or seemingly superior.
Related Phrases
అందరికీ నేను లోకువ, నాకు నంబి రామాయ లోకువ.
andariki nenu lokuva, naku nambi ramaya lokuva.
I am below all, but Nambi Râmâya is below me.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone who is constantly bullied or looked down upon by everyone else finds someone even weaker or more vulnerable to dominate. It illustrates the human tendency to seek a sense of superiority even when one is at the bottom of the social hierarchy.
కొన్నది వంకాయ, కొసరింది గుమ్మడికాయ
konnadi vankaya, kosarindi gummadikaya
Bought a brinjal, but asked for a pumpkin as a free extra.
This proverb describes a person who buys something very small or cheap but expects a disproportionately large or valuable item for free (kosaru). It is used to mock someone's unreasonable greed or lack of proportion in dealings.
ఊరంతా నాన్నకు లోకువ - నాన్న అమ్మకు లోకువ.
uranta nannaku lokuva - nanna ammaku lokuva.
The whole village is inferior to father - but father is inferior to mother.
This expression is used to describe a person who appears powerful or authoritative to the outside world but is completely dominated or humble at home by their spouse. It highlights the hierarchy of influence and the idea that everyone has someone they answer to, regardless of their status elsewhere.
కొన్నది వంకాయ, కొసరినది గుమ్మడికాయ
konnadi vankaya, kosarinadi gummadikaya
What he bought was a brinjal, what he got to boot was a gourd.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone demands or expects a free addition (bonus) that is far more valuable or larger than the actual item they paid for. It highlights greediness or unreasonable expectations in transactions.
కందకు లేని దురద కత్తిపీటకెందుకు?
kandaku leni durada kattipitakenduku?
If the elephant yam itself doesn't have an itch, why should the slicer (the knife board) have one?
This proverb is used to criticize an outsider who shows more concern, agitation, or anger about an issue than the person directly affected by it. It highlights unnecessary interference or exaggerated reactions by someone who has no stake in the matter.
మఘకు మానికంత చెట్టయితే, కార్తీకానికి కడవంత గుమ్మడికాయ.
maghaku manikanta chettayite, kartikaniki kadavanta gummadikaya.
If the plant is as small as a measuring bowl during the Magha rain, it will produce a pumpkin as large as a pot by Kartika.
This agricultural proverb highlights the relationship between seasonal rains and crop yields. It suggests that if a plant gets a good start during the Magha Nakshatram (rainy period), it will grow robustly and yield a massive harvest by the Kartika season.
అడిగే వాడికి చెప్పేవాడు లోకువ.
adige vadiki cheppevadu lokuva.
For the one who asks, the one who answers seems inferior in status.
It is easier to put questions than to answer them. It is therefore necessary to be considerate to others and raise only genuine doubts for proper clarification.
నూరు తిట్టినా ఒక గుమ్మడికాయ ఇస్తే సరి
nuru tittina oka gummadikaya iste sari
Even if you scold a hundred times, it is enough if you give one pumpkin.
This proverb is used to describe someone who is willing to endure verbal abuse or harsh criticism as long as there is a tangible material gain or reward at the end. It highlights the preference for practical benefits over temporary insults.
అందరికీ నేను లోకువ. నాకు నంబి సింగరాయ లోకువ.
andariki nenu lokuva. naku nambi singaraya lokuva.
I am inferior to everyone. Nambi Singaraya is inferior to me.
This proverb describes a social hierarchy of belittlement. It refers to a situation where a person is bullied or looked down upon by everyone else, and in turn, they find someone even weaker or lower in status to dominate. It highlights the human tendency to seek someone to feel superior over, even when one is at the bottom of the ladder.
ఊరపిచ్చుకకు గుమ్మడికాయంత గూద
urapichchukaku gummadikayanta guda
An anus as big as a pumpkin for a common sparrow.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone's arrogance, ego, or demands are vastly disproportionate to their actual status, size, or capability. It highlights the absurdity of an insignificant person having an oversized attitude or problem.