మంచం అల్లలేని మగవాడు, మజ్జిగ చిలకలేని ఆడది

mancham allaleni magavadu, majjiga chilakaleni adadi

Translation

A man who cannot weave a cot, and a woman who cannot churn buttermilk

Meaning

This expression is used to describe individuals who lack the basic, essential skills expected of them in a traditional household. It highlights incompetence in fundamental duties: a man failing at manual labor/repairs and a woman failing at core domestic tasks.

Related Phrases

There is no gratitude for the one who gave a house or for the one who served buttermilk.

This proverb highlights the irony of human ingratitude. It suggests that people often fail to show appreciation or give credit even to those who have provided significant help (like a home) or basic hospitality (like buttermilk). It is used when someone's kindness is met with indifference or negativity.

There is no woman who cannot cook kuḍumus, nor man who cannot hum a tune.

This proverb highlights certain basic or inherent traits attributed to genders in traditional society. It implies that everyone possesses some fundamental skills or natural inclinations—suggesting that cooking simple staples is a basic skill for women and humming or showing interest in music/art is a basic trait in men. It is often used to describe common human nature or universal behaviors.

Kuḍumu is a common kind of cake. Applied to things which are very common.

There is no woman who cannot cook rice and no man who cannot weave a cot.

This traditional proverb highlights the basic, essential life skills that were historically expected of every individual based on their role in the household. It suggests that certain fundamental tasks are so universal that one cannot claim ignorance of them; it is often used to emphasize that everyone should at least know the basics of their responsibilities.

A fly to a fly. ( Hind. )

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone tries to benefit from both sides or keep something for themselves while pretending to share. It signifies a person's dual nature of being stingy while acting as if they are fulfilling a duty or being generous.

The odor without children, the flood without rain.

This proverb is used to describe things that are unnatural, inexplicable, or lacking their primary cause. It refers to a situation where a result is seen without its source, often used to highlight something that feels incomplete, artificial, or suspicious.

Jewelry without lac, meat without bone.

This proverb is used to describe things that are of the highest quality, pure, and without any flaws or unnecessary fillers. Just as pure gold jewelry without lac (wax filler) is more valuable and pure meat without bone is more desirable, this expression refers to something that is perfect and substantial in its own right.

A man who cannot weave a cot - a woman who cannot churn buttermilk

This proverb highlights the lack of basic essential skills expected of individuals in traditional roles. It describes a situation where people are incompetent in their fundamental duties, leading to an unproductive or dysfunctional household.

Without a woman it is a forest; without a man it is a monastery.

This proverb highlights the importance of both genders in maintaining a balanced household. It implies that a home without a woman's presence feels wild and disorganized like a forest, while a home without a man feels lonely or austere like a monastery. It emphasizes domestic completeness through partnership.

A priest without a tuft for a woman without a bun.

This proverb is used to describe a match between two people who are equally lacking or poorly suited in a similar way. It implies that a person gets a partner or an associate who is just as flawed or incomplete as they are, often used in a humorous or satirical context to describe mediocre pairings.

An unstable word is like a bundle of water.

This proverb is used to describe a person who does not stick to their word or lacks consistency in their promises. Just as it is impossible to pack or carry water in a bundle, the promises of an inconsistent person have no substance and cannot be relied upon.