మేక మేయని ఆకు ఏదంటే - బండి ఆకు, రాట్నపు ఆకు.
meka meyani aku edante - bandi aku, ratnapu aku.
If you ask which leaf a goat does not eat - the cart leaf (wheel) and the spinning wheel leaf.
This is a clever play on words or a 'podupu katha' (riddle). In Telugu, 'aku' can mean both a botanical leaf and a spoke or component of a wheel. While goats are known to eat almost any plant leaf, they cannot eat the wooden 'leaves' (spokes) of a cart or a spinning wheel. It is used to highlight wit or to describe something that seems impossible until a clever distinction is made.
Related Phrases
మేక ఆకులు మేయగానే ఉపవాసమగునా?
meka akulu meyagane upavasamaguna?
Will a goat be fasting just because it eats leaves?
This proverb is used to criticize hypocrisy or superficiality in religious or disciplined practices. It suggests that merely performing an action that looks like a sacrifice (like eating leaves/simple food) doesn't count as true fasting or devotion if it is simply one's natural habit or lacks the underlying intent. It is often applied to people who pretend to be pious or frugal by doing things that actually cost them nothing.
ఆషాఢానికి ఆకుపోతలు
ashadhaniki akupotalu
Sowing seeds during the month of Ashadha
This expression refers to the agricultural tradition where the Ashadha month (June-July) is considered the ideal time for sowing and plantation as it coincides with the onset of the monsoon. In a broader sense, it signifies doing the right thing at the right time or initiating a project when the conditions are most favorable for growth.
పై ఆకు రాలితే, కింద ఆకు పైకొచ్చినట్లు
pai aku ralite, kinda aku paikochchinatlu
When the top leaf falls, the bottom leaf comes to the top
This proverb describes the natural cycle of life, succession, and seniority. Just as a new leaf becomes the top leaf when the old one falls, in human life, the next generation or subordinate moves into a position of authority or responsibility when a elder or senior retires or passes away. It reflects the inevitability of change and the continuity of roles.
అవసరానికి ఆకులో పెట్టు, నాకు నేలను పెట్టు.
avasaraniki akulo pettu, naku nelanu pettu.
Give the man who is in a hurry his food on a leaf, but give me mine on the floor. The food of Hindus is ordinarily served on a large leaf or several small leaves sewn together. Applied to a person wishing to have something done for himself in great haste, before others are attended to.
This proverb highlights the fickle nature of selfish people who seek help only when they are in need. It describes a situation where someone treats you with respect (serving on a leaf) when they want something from you, but treats you with disregard (serving on the floor) once their need is met.
ఏమీ లేని ఆకులు ఎగిసిపడితే, అన్నీ ఉన్న ఆకులు అణిగిమణిగి ఉంటాయి
emi leni akulu egisipadite, anni unna akulu anigimanigi untayi
The leaf dishes which were empty rose up high; those that were full remained steady.
This proverb is a metaphor for human behavior. It suggests that people with little knowledge, wealth, or substance often boast and make a lot of noise (like light, empty leaf plates blowing in the wind), whereas those who are truly wise, wealthy, or accomplished remain humble and composed (like heavy leaf plates filled with a full meal). It is used to describe the importance of humility and to critique empty arrogance.
The conceit of little knowledge, the humility of true learning. Shaal waters mak the maist din. (Scotch.)
నారే నరునకు రత్నము
nare narunaku ratnamu
A woman is a gem to a man
This expression highlights the importance and value of a woman in a man's life, suggesting that she is the most precious asset or companion he can have, similar to a jewel.
రాట్నం వచ్చింది బండి అడ్డం తీయరా అన్నాడట
ratnam vachchindi bandi addam tiyara annadata
He said the spinning wheel has arrived, move the cart out of the way.
This proverb is used to mock someone who exaggerates the importance of a small or insignificant object or event. It describes a situation where a person demands a lot of space or attention for something tiny (like a spinning wheel), treating it as if it were a massive vehicle (like a cart).
బెల్లం పారేసి ఆకు నాకినట్టు
bellam paresi aku nakinattu
Like throwing away the molasses and licking the leaf.
This expression describes a person who lets go of a valuable opportunity or a significant gain and instead settles for something trivial or insignificant. It is used to mock someone's lack of foresight or poor decision-making when they prioritize minor details over the main essence.
అన్నీ ఉన్న ఆకు అణిగిమణిగి ఉంటుంది, ఏమీ లేని ఆకు ఎగిరెగిరి పడుతుంది
anni unna aku anigimanigi untundi, emi leni aku egiregiri padutundi
A leaf full of food stays calm and flat, while an empty leaf flies and flutters about.
This proverb is used to describe human behavior regarding knowledge and wealth. A person who is truly wise or wealthy remains humble and composed, whereas a person with little knowledge or substance tends to show off and boast excessively. It is the Telugu equivalent of 'Empty vessels make the most noise'.
ఏ ఆకు రాలినా ఈతాకు రాలదు
e aku ralina itaku raladu
Even if every other leaf falls, the date palm leaf does not fall.
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely stubborn, unyielding, or remains unaffected by circumstances that influence everyone else. It signifies resilience or, in a negative sense, someone who refuses to budge or change their stance regardless of the pressure or situation around them.