కుక్కపైన కంబళి వేయగానే గంగిరెద్దు అవుతుందా?
kukkapaina kambali veyagane gangireddu avutunda?
Does putting a blanket on a dog make it a sacred bull?
A person's character or inherent nature doesn't change simply by changing their appearance or attire. True identity is internal and cannot be masked by external decorations or pretenses. It is often used to criticize someone trying to appear more noble or capable than they actually are.
Related Phrases
గానుగ ఎద్దు ఒక్కసారిగా దుక్కిటెద్దు అవుతుందా?
ganuga eddu okkasariga dukkiteddu avutunda?
Can an oil-mill ox suddenly become a ploughing ox?
This proverb is used to describe how long-term habits or specific training cannot be changed instantly. Just as an ox trained to walk in circles for an oil mill cannot immediately adapt to the linear, strenuous work of ploughing a field, a person accustomed to one way of life or job cannot suddenly switch to a completely different skill set or environment without proper transition and time.
వాడి మాట పిండికీ అవుతుంది, పిడుక్కూ అవుతుంది
vadi mata pindiki avutundi, pidukku avutundi
His speech will answer for flour or for a thunderbolt. Said of an ambiguous speech.
This expression is used to describe a person who speaks with clever ambiguity or doublespeak. Their words are crafted in such a way that they can be interpreted in two completely different ways depending on the outcome, allowing them to claim they were right regardless of what happens.
గంగిరెద్దును బండికి కడితే వాడవాడ, గంగిరావును బండికి కడితే ఇల్లిల్లు
gangireddunu bandiki kadite vadavada, gangiravunu bandiki kadite illillu
If you tie a decorated bull to a cart it goes through the street; if you tie Gangiraavu to a cart it goes through every house.
This proverb contrasts performance and outcomes based on the nature of the subject. It refers to the idea that a trained, decorated bull (Gangireddu) follows a broad path through the streets, whereas a common or untrained one (Gangiraavu) might wander erratically into every doorway. In a broader sense, it is used to describe how a person's behavior or a specific method determines the extent or quality of the result, often highlighting inefficiency or unnecessary persistence.
ఎవరు ఏమి చేసినా ఇంటికి ఆలి అవుతుందా, దొంతికి కడవ అవుతుందా?
evaru emi chesina intiki ali avutunda, dontiki kadava avutunda?
No matter what anyone does, can she become a wife to the house or can it become a pot for the stack?
This proverb is used to highlight that certain natural roles or essential positions cannot be replaced or replicated by others, no matter how hard they try. Just as a specific pot is needed to fit a stack (donti) or a specific person fulfills the role of a wife (aalii) in a household, some things are irreplaceable and unique to their purpose.
వెంట్రుకలు పెరికివేయగానే పీనుగు తేలిక అవుతుందా?
ventrukalu perikiveyagane pinugu telika avutunda?
Will a corpse become lighter just by plucking out its hair?
This proverb is used to point out that removing a tiny, insignificant part of a large problem or burden does not make the overall situation any easier. It highlights the futility of focusing on trivial details when dealing with a massive issue.
శివమెత్తిన గంగిరెద్దులా చిందులు తొక్కడం
shivamettina gangireddula chindulu tokkadam
To dance around like a decorated bull possessed by a deity.
This expression is used to describe someone who is acting in an uncontrollably aggressive, chaotic, or agitated manner. It likens a person's wild behavior or angry outburst to the frenzied movements of a 'Gangireddu' (sacred decorated bull) when it is perceived to be possessed or extremely restless.
హిమగిరిలో ఉంటే నంది, గంగారంలో ఉంటే గంగిరెద్దు
himagirilo unte nandi, gangaramlo unte gangireddu
If in Himagiri (the Himalayas), it is Nandi; if in Gangaram (a common village), it is a Gangireddu (a street bull).
This proverb describes how the value and respect an individual receives depend heavily on their environment, position, and the company they keep. Even a divine bull like Nandi is seen as a common street bull when removed from its sacred context. It is used to emphasize that status is often a reflection of one's surroundings.
కాశీకి వెళ్ళగానే కర్రి కుక్క గంగ గోవు అవుతుందా?
kashiki vellagane karri kukka ganga govu avutunda?
Will a black dog turn into a holy cow just by going to Kashi?
This proverb suggests that a person's fundamental character or nature does not change simply by visiting a holy place or changing their environment. It is used to point out that superficial actions cannot hide or transform one's true qualities.
ఉల్లి మల్లి అవుతుందా, ఉంచుకున్నది పెళ్ళాం అవుతుందా?
ulli malli avutunda, unchukunnadi pellam avutunda?
Will an onion ever become a jasmine flower? Will a mistress ever become a wife?
This is a traditional Telugu proverb used to express the idea that things have an inherent nature or status that cannot be changed. It suggests that a substitute or an informal arrangement can never truly replace or equate to the original, formal, or sanctified version of something. It is often used to emphasize that some boundaries or social roles are permanent.
ఇల్లలకగానే పండుగ అవుతుందా?
illalakagane panduga avutunda?
Is smearing the house always the sign of a feast ? Amigo quebrado soldado, mas nunca sano,
This proverb is used to point out that superficial preparation or mere external changes do not equate to the actual completion of a task or the arrival of a significant event. Just as a festival requires rituals, food, and celebration beyond just cleaning the floor, success requires hard work beyond just the initial setup.