ముప్ఫై ఏళ్ళ ఆడదీ, మూడేళ్ళ మొగవాడూ ఒకటి.
mupphai ella adadi, mudella mogavadu okati.
A woman thirty years old and a man three years old are one [ in strength ].
This proverb highlights a traditional observation regarding maturity and knowledge. It suggests that by the age of thirty, a woman typically attains a level of worldly wisdom, patience, and household management skills that makes her as sharp and capable in her sphere as a three-year-old boy is in his peak stage of rapid learning, curiosity, and observation. It is often used to emphasize the intelligence and practical sense of women.
Related Phrases
రోగము ఒకటి, మందు ఒకటి
rogamu okati, mandu okati
The disease is one, the medicine is another. i. e. the one is not fitted to remove the other. Said of unsuitable remedies.
This expression is used to describe a situation where the solution provided does not match the problem at hand, or when actions taken are completely irrelevant to the actual issue. It highlights a lack of coordination or understanding in addressing a specific challenge.
పండ్ల చెట్టు కింద ముండ్ల కంప ఉన్నట్టు
pandla chettu kinda mundla kampa unnattu
Like having a thorny bush under a fruit-bearing tree
This expression is used to describe a situation where something beneficial or pleasant is accompanied by an unexpected nuisance or danger. It highlights how a good experience can be ruined or made difficult to access by a small but significant problem nearby, similar to how thorns make it hard to reach for sweet fruits.
మూడు మూరల ఒక చుట్టు, ముప్పై మూరల ఒక చుట్టు.
mudu murala oka chuttu, muppai murala oka chuttu.
Three cubits once round, thirty cubits once round [ the body ]. A woman on being given cloths of different lengths, complained in each case that the cloth would go only once round her body. Not to be satisfied.
This proverb refers to efficiency and laziness. It describes a situation where one person wraps a rope or cloth carefully in small, precise loops (three cubits), while another person, out of laziness or haste, wraps it in huge, messy loops (thirty cubits) just to finish the job quickly. It is used to criticize sloppy work done without attention to detail.
రెండు ఏండ్ల వలపు, మూడేండ్ల మురుగు ఉండదు.
rendu endla valapu, mudendla murugu undadu.
Love does not last two years, and dirt does not last three years.
This proverb highlights the fleeting nature of intense emotions and physical states. It suggests that the initial passion of a romantic attraction (valapu) often fades within two years, just as physical grime or stains (murugu) eventually wear off or are cleaned over time. It is used to caution against the assumption that temporary feelings or situations will remain unchanged forever.
కూడు వండని ఆడది, మంచం అల్లని మగవాడూ ఉండరు
kudu vandani adadi, mancham allani magavadu undaru
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.
అరవై ఏళ్లయిన తర్వాత అమ్మా అన్నాడట
aravai ellayina tarvata amma annadata
After sixty years had passed, he cried Ammâ (mother). Second childhood. Old men are twice children. (Latin.)
This expression is used to describe someone who starts learning the basics or realizes their responsibilities far too late in life. It highlights an action that is extremely delayed or untimely, suggesting that the time to do something has already passed.
ఆలు వల్లక అరవై యేండ్లు, మొగుడు వల్లక ముప్ఫయి యేండ్లు, బాలప్రాయము పది యేండ్లు.
alu vallaka aravai yendlu, mogudu vallaka mupphayi yendlu, balaprayamu padi yendlu.
For ten years they were children, for thirty years the husband disliked the wife, and for sixty years the wife disliked the husband. Applied to an unprofitable and unhappy life.
This proverb is used to describe a wasted life or a long period of time spent in procrastination and excuses. It humorously illustrates how an entire century (100 years) can pass by blaming others or circumstances—60 years blaming the wife, 30 years blaming the husband, and 10 years in childhood—without ever achieving anything meaningful.
ముప్ఫయి ఏళ్లు కష్టము అనుభవించినవాడూ లేడు, ముప్ఫయి ఏళ్లు సుఖము అనుభవించినవాడూ లేడు.
mupphayi ellu kashtamu anubhavinchinavadu ledu, mupphayi ellu sukhamu anubhavinchinavadu ledu.
There is no one who has suffered thirty years of trouble, there is no one who has enjoyed thirty years of happiness.
This proverb highlights the cyclical nature of life. It suggests that neither sorrow nor joy is permanent. Just as seasons change, a person's circumstances will inevitably shift over a long period. It is used to offer hope during difficult times or to encourage humility during prosperous times, reminding us that 'this too shall pass.'
ఉప్పుతో ముప్పై ఆరు ఉంటే, ఉత్తముండయినా వండుతుంది.
upputo muppai aru unte, uttamundayina vandutundi.
If you have with salt the thirty-six a stupid woman even can cook. There are thirty-six requisites, it is said, for cooking, salt included.
This proverb suggests that with the right resources and abundance of materials, even an unskilled person can achieve a good result. It is used to highlight that success is easier when one has all the necessary tools and supplies at their disposal.
ముప్పై తట్టల పేడ మోసే పోలికి, మూడు పుంజాల దండ బరువా?
muppai tattala peda mose poliki, mudu punjala danda baruva?
Would a necklace of three skeins of thread be heavy for Pôli who carries thirty baskets of cowdung ?
This proverb is used to point out that a person who regularly handles massive responsibilities or very difficult tasks will not find a minor or trivial task to be a burden. It highlights the contrast between major hardships already overcome and a small additional effort being requested.