కాకి పుట్టి నలుపే పెరిగి నలుపే
kaki putti nalupe perigi nalupe
The crow is black when it is born, and black when it is grown.
This expression is used to describe something or someone that remains unchanged regardless of time or circumstances. It implies that certain inherent traits, habits, or characters are permanent and will not change as one grows or matures. It is often used to refer to people who do not learn from experience or who maintain their original nature (often a negative one) forever.
What's bred in the bone will never be out of the flesh. The wolf changes his hair but not his nature. (Latina.)!
Related Phrases
కస్తూరి నలుపే, తిలపిండి నలుపే
kasturi nalupe, tilapindi nalupe
Musk is black, and sesame seed cake is also black.
This expression highlights that things which appear identical on the surface can have vastly different intrinsic values. Just as expensive musk and cheap sesame residue look similar because of their color, one cannot judge the quality or worth of something based solely on its external appearance.
కోడి నలుపైనా గుడ్డు తెలుపే
kodi nalupaina guddu telupe
Even if the hen is black, the egg is white.
This proverb is used to emphasize that one's appearance, origin, or external circumstances do not dictate the quality or value of what they produce. It is often used to say that wisdom or good results can come from anyone, regardless of their background or status.
కోడలు నలుపైతే కులమంతా నలుపగునా?
kodalu nalupaite kulamanta nalupaguna?
If the daughter-in-law is dark-skinned, does the entire lineage become dark?
This proverb is used to criticize the act of judging an entire family or group based on the perceived physical flaws or mistakes of a single individual (specifically a new entrant like a daughter-in-law). It highlights that one person's traits do not define or diminish the status of the whole collective.
ఎలుక తోలు తెచ్చి ఎన్నాళ్ళు ఉతికినా, నలుపు నలుపే గాని తెలుపు రాదు
eluka tolu techchi ennallu utikina, nalupu nalupe gani telupu radu
No matter how many days you wash a rat's skin, it remains black and will never turn white.
This proverb is used to describe an individual's inherent nature or character. It suggests that a person's basic personality, especially if it is flawed or wicked, cannot be changed by external efforts, advice, or superficial improvements. It is similar to the English expression 'A leopard cannot change its spots'.
గురిగింజ తన కింద నలుపు ఎరుగదు
guriginja tana kinda nalupu erugadu
The scarlet gourd seed does not know the blackness underneath it.
This proverb is used to describe a person who points out flaws in others while being completely oblivious to their own faults or shortcomings. Just like the bright red Guriginja seed which has a black spot at its base that it cannot see, some people ignore their own negative traits.
ఆవు నలుపైతే పాలు నలుపా?
avu nalupaite palu nalupa?
If the cow is black, is the milk also black?
This proverb is used to emphasize that external appearance does not define internal quality or character. Just as a black cow still yields white milk, a person's outward look or status does not dictate their inner worth or the value of their contribution.
ఎలుకతోలు ఎంత తోమినా నలుపే
elukatolu enta tomina nalupe
No matter how much you scrub a rat's skin, it remains black.
This proverb is used to describe an inherent nature or character that cannot be changed regardless of effort, education, or external polishing. It is similar to the English expression 'A leopard cannot change its spots.'
గాలికి పుట్టి ధూళికి పెరిగినట్టు
galiki putti dhuliki periginattu
Born of the wind, and reared up by the dust. Said by parents to an ungrateful son, or by a benefactor to an ungrateful dependant.
This expression refers to someone who grew up without proper care, guidance, or parental supervision. It is often used to describe a person who has become wayward or unrefined due to a lack of structured upbringing and support.
కుడితి పులుపే బట్టి బలుపు
kuditi pulupe batti balupu
Fatness depends on the sourness of the slop.
This expression is used to describe someone who shows undue pride or arrogance based on very limited or meager resources. Just as a cow might grow slightly plump from drinking leftover kitchen slop (kuditi), the 'fatness' or pride of the person is entirely dependent on something insignificant or temporary.
కోడలు నలుపు అయితే, కులమంతా నలుపు.
kodalu nalupu ayite, kulamanta nalupu.
If the daughter-in-law be black, the whole family will be blackened. i. e. a bad daughter-in-law will bring disgrace on her husband's family.
This proverb reflects traditional social biases where the qualities or perceived flaws of a new entrant (the daughter-in-law) are unfairly attributed to the reputation or lineage of the entire family. It is often used to describe how a single person's traits or actions are sometimes used by society to judge an entire community or group.