కులట బిడ్డ కొడుకవుతాడా, మెరుపుతీగ దీపమవుతుందా?
kulata bidda kodukavutada, meruputiga dipamavutunda?
Will the child of a promiscuous woman become a son, will a streak of lightning become a lamp?
This is an old proverb used to express that certain things are inherently unreliable, unstable, or temporary by nature. Just as a flash of lightning cannot serve as a steady source of light for a home, something born out of instability or lack of character cannot be expected to fulfill a permanent, dutiful role. It is used to caution against relying on things or people that lack a solid foundation or integrity.
Related Phrases
మందబలం చూసి కుక్క మొరుగుతుంది.
mandabalam chusi kukka morugutundi.
Seeing the strength of the pack, the dog barks.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person acts brave or aggressive only because they have the support of a group or a crowd behind them. It highlights that their courage is not innate, but rather derived from numerical superiority.
అబ్బ పెంచిన బిడ్డ అయినా కావాలి, అమ్మ పెంచిన బిడ్డ అయినా కావాలి, ముండ పెంచిన బిడ్డ మండలాధిపతి అవుతాడా?
abba penchina bidda ayina kavali, amma penchina bidda ayina kavali, munda penchina bidda mandaladhipati avutada?
A child must be raised by a father or a mother; can a child raised by a mistress become a ruler?
This traditional proverb emphasizes the importance of a proper upbringing, parental guidance, and legitimate social standing in shaping a person's character and future success. It suggests that without the discipline and moral foundation provided by parents, one cannot achieve great heights or leadership roles. It is often used to highlight that a lack of proper mentorship leads to a lack of merit.
ఇల్లు అలికితే పండగవుతుందా? తోరణం కడితే పెళ్ళవుతుందా?
illu alikite pandagavutunda? toranam kadite pellavutunda?
Does cleaning the house make it a festival? Does hanging a garland make it a wedding?
This expression is used to convey that superficial preparations or external appearances do not equate to the actual occurrence of a major event. It implies that just because you have started the basic groundwork, it doesn't mean the grand result is guaranteed or complete. It is often used to caution someone against premature celebration or oversimplification of a complex task.
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.
ఎవరు ఏమి చేసినా, ఇంటికి ఆలు అవుతుందా, దొంతికి కడవ అవుతుందా?
evaru emi chesina, intiki alu avutunda, dontiki kadava avutunda?
Will any service rendered by another be as a wife to the house or a pot for the pile? Said by a man whose wife has died or gone astray. ఏ.
This proverb is used to say that outsiders or guests can never replace the core, essential members of a household or the fundamental components of a system. Just as a temporary visitor cannot take the place of a wife in managing a home, or a random vessel cannot replace the foundational pot (kadava) in a traditional stack (donti), some roles are unique and irreplaceable.
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.
కొడుకు మనవాడైనా కోడలు మనదవుతుందా?
koduku manavadaina kodalu manadavutunda?
Even if the son is ours, will the daughter-in-law become ours?
This expression highlights the inherent distance or difference in perspective felt toward someone who enters a family from the outside. It is used to suggest that despite biological or legal ties, a newcomer (like a daughter-in-law) might not share the same deep-rooted loyalty or belonging as one's own children, or that family dynamics change significantly after marriage.
కులటబిడ్డ కొడుకగునా, మెరుపు దీపమగునా?
kulatabidda kodukaguna, merupu dipamaguna?
Will a harlot's child become a loyal son? Will a flash of lightning become a steady lamp?
This proverb uses metaphors to suggest that certain inherent traits or temporary phenomena cannot be relied upon for long-term stability or legitimacy. Just as a sudden flash of lightning cannot serve as a permanent source of light for a house, things born out of instability or lack of virtue are perceived as unreliable.
కల నిజమవుతుందా? కాకి కోకిలవుతుందా!
kala nijamavutunda? kaki kokilavutunda!
Will a dream come true? Can a crow become a cuckoo!
This expression is used to convey extreme skepticism or to dismiss an idea as impossible. It suggests that just as a crow can never transform into a melodious cuckoo, certain unrealistic dreams or expectations will never manifest into reality. It is often used to ground someone who is being overly idealistic or delusional.
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.