మొగుడంటే ముఖం మాడ్పు, రంకు మొగుడంటే రంగు మార్పు
mogudante mukham madpu, ranku mogudante rangu marpu
A frown for the husband, but a glow for the lover.
This proverb describes hypocrisy or a lack of affection in a relationship. It refers to a person who acts grumpy, annoyed, or indifferent toward their legitimate partner or responsibilities, yet becomes cheerful, vibrant, and enthusiastic when dealing with illicit interests or outside attractions.
Related Phrases
ఇల్లు కాలి ఇల్లాలు ఏడుస్తుంటే రంకు మొగుడొచ్చి రాళ్ళేశాడట
illu kali illalu edustunte ranku mogudochchi ralleshadata
While the housewife was crying because her house was on fire, her paramour came and pelted stones.
This proverb describes a situation where someone is already in deep distress or a catastrophic crisis, and instead of receiving help, someone else adds to their misery or takes advantage of the situation in a cruel or insensitive way. It is used to highlight the extreme insensitivity of others during a person's worst moments.
మొగుడంటే మొద్దులు పెట్టి, మిండడంటే ముద్దులు పెట్టును.
mogudante moddulu petti, mindadante muddulu pettunu.
She hits her husband with logs of wood, but showers her lover with kisses.
This proverb describes a person who is hypocritical or unfaithful, treating those who have a rightful claim to their affection with contempt or cruelty, while being overly affectionate toward those who are undeserving or illicit. It is generally used to critique misplaced priorities or disloyalty.
టంగుటంగుమంటుంది కుండ, కంగుకంగుమంటుంది బిందె
tangutangumantundi kunda, kangukangumantundi binde
The pot goes 'tangu-tangu', the brass vessel goes 'kangu-kangu'
This expression uses onomatopoeia to highlight the difference in value, sound, and durability between objects or people. While a clay pot (cheap/fragile) makes a dull sound, a metal vessel (expensive/strong) makes a resonant, clear sound. It is used to compare the quality or character of two different things, suggesting that true value or merit makes its presence known clearly.
కామమ్మ మొగుడంటే కాబోలు అనుకున్నా, కాదంటే కావడి కుండలు బయటపెట్టండి
kamamma mogudante kabolu anukunna, kadante kavadi kundalu bayatapettandi
I assumed he was Kamamma's husband; if you say he is not, then bring out the carrying-pole and pots.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone makes a bold or convenient assumption, but when challenged, they demand immediate proof or material evidence. It highlights the tendency of people to shift the burden of proof onto others or to act stubborn when their assumptions are questioned, often used in contexts where someone is trying to save face after a false claim.
సుఖం మరిగిన దాసరి పదం మరచినాడట
sukham marigina dasari padam marachinadata
A priest who got used to comforts forgot his hymns.
This proverb describes a situation where someone becomes so accustomed to a life of luxury or ease that they forget their original duties, core responsibilities, or the hard work that defined them. It is used to criticize people who neglect their roots or professions after attaining comfort.
మొగుడు చచ్చి మొత్తుకుంటూ ఉంటే, రంకు మొగుడొచ్చి రాళ్ళేసాడట
mogudu chachchi mottukuntu unte, ranku mogudochchi rallesadata
While she was mourning her dead husband, her paramour came and threw stones at her.
This proverb describes a situation where a person already suffering from a major tragedy or problem is further harassed or troubled by an insensitive or opportunistic person. It is used to highlight the cruelty of adding more misery to someone who is already in a state of grief or distress.
వానలు కురిస్తే వాతలు మానునా, బిడ్డలు కంటే రంకులు మానునా
vanalu kuriste vatalu manuna, biddalu kante rankulu manuna
If it rains, will brands disappear ? If children be born, will adultery be discontinued ?
This proverb highlights that certain deep-rooted habits, character flaws, or past consequences do not change or disappear simply because of a change in circumstances or the passage of time. It is used to point out that external events cannot fix internal moral failings or permanent damage.
ఉంచుకున్నవాడు మొగుడూ కాదు, పెంచుకున్నవాడు కొడుకూ కాదు
unchukunnavadu mogudu kadu, penchukunnavadu koduku kadu
A kept man is not a husband, an adopted one is not a son.
This traditional proverb suggests that certain relationships formed through convenience or external arrangements may lack the genuine legal, social, or biological permanence of original roles. It is often used to imply that something acquired or temporary cannot fully replace the original or legitimate version.
తల్లి ముఖం చూడని బిడ్డ, వాన ముఖం చూడని పైరు.
talli mukham chudani bidda, vana mukham chudani pairu.
A child who doesn't see their mother's face is like a crop that doesn't see the rain.
This proverb highlights the essential nature of a mother's care and rain for survival and growth. Just as a crop cannot flourish or survive without rain, a child suffers and cannot thrive without the nurturing presence and affection of a mother. It is used to describe situations of extreme deprivation or the lack of a fundamental life-sustaining element.
ఏడ్చేదాని మొగుడొస్తే, నా మొగుడొస్తాడు
edchedani mogudoste, na mogudostadu
If the crying woman's husband returns, then my husband will return too.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone waits for others to act before taking their own initiative, or expects a result only after someone else in a similar or worse situation achieves it first. It often highlights a lack of self-confidence or a dependency on others' progress.