నా చెయ్యి నొస్తున్నది, నీ చేత్తో మొత్తుకో.
na cheyyi nostunnadi, ni chetto mottuko.
My hand is aching, beat with your hand upon your mouth. Mourning by proxy.
This is a sarcastic or witty expression used when someone is asked to perform a task for someone else that is either self-inflicted or redundant. It implies that the speaker is tired of helping and that the other person should take responsibility for their own burden or actions.
Related Phrases
మొదటికే మోసం, మొండిచెయ్యి చూపించడం
modatike mosam, mondicheyyi chupinchadam
Loss at the very beginning and showing an empty hand.
This expression is used when a plan fails right at the start, leading to a total loss. 'Mondi cheyyi chupinchadam' specifically means to cheat, refuse to help, or leave someone empty-handed after promising something.
మొండిచేతితో మొత్తుకున్నట్లు
mondichetito mottukunnatlu
Like hitting oneself with a hand that has no fingers.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a person's efforts or protests are completely ineffective and go unnoticed. Just as a hand without fingers cannot produce a loud sound or physical impact when striking a surface, this phrase refers to someone who is so powerless or helpless that their complaints or struggles do not result in any change or attention.
మొత్తుకో వద్దనగా లింగం కట్టారు గానీ మొక్క చేతులు తేగలరా?
mottuko vaddanaga lingam kattaru gani mokka chetulu tegalara?
They tied the Lingam despite the person screaming and protesting, but can they bring back the amputated hands?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone forces a decision or a lifestyle on another person without considering the practical consequences or the damage already done. It highlights that while one can enforce a rule or a symbol (like the Lingam), they cannot restore the fundamental ability or loss (the hands) suffered by the individual. It is used when an action is taken too late or when a symbolic gesture cannot fix a functional tragedy.
ఎముక లేని చెయ్యి
emuka leni cheyyi
A hand without a bone
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely generous and charitable. Just as a hand without a bone would be flexible and unable to close or withhold, it refers to someone who gives freely to others without hesitation or stinginess.
విస్తరి చిన్నది, వీకమ్మ చెయ్యి పెద్దది
vistari chinnadi, vikamma cheyyi peddadi
The leaf plate is small, but Veekamma's hand is large
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is overly generous or extravagant despite having very limited resources. It refers to a person serving more than what the plate (or the budget) can actually hold, highlighting a mismatch between one's means and their actions.
ఎడమచేత్తో చేసింది కుడిచేత్తో అనుభవించవలె.
edamachetto chesindi kudichetto anubhavinchavale.
What is done with the left hand must be experienced with the right hand.
This proverb is the Telugu equivalent of 'As you sow, so shall you reap.' It implies that every action, especially a bad one, has an inevitable consequence that one must face personally in the future. It is used to describe the law of karma or poetic justice.
ఎత్తుకున్న బిడ్డ మొత్తుకున్నా ఆగదు
ettukunna bidda mottukunna agadu
A child in arms won't stop crying even if you hit it.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one is forced to endure a burden or responsibility they have voluntarily taken up. Once you have committed to helping someone or taking on a task (lifting the child), you must bear the consequences and difficulties (the crying/trouble) that come with it until the end.
నీ ఎడమ చెయ్యి తీయి, నా పుర్ర చెయ్యి పెడతాను
ni edama cheyyi tiyi, na purra cheyyi pedatanu
Take away your left hand, I will use my sinister hand.
This expression is used to describe a redundant or meaningless action where one thing is replaced by something identical or equally ineffective. It highlights a situation where there is no real change or improvement despite the movement or effort, often used to mock someone suggesting a solution that is the same as the current problem.
As broad as long.
కంకణాల చెయ్యి ఆడితే, కడియాల చెయ్యి ఆడును.
kankanala cheyyi adite, kadiyala cheyyi adunu.
If the hand with Kankaṇamulu moves, the hand with Kaḍiyamulu moves also. Kankaṇamulu are bracelets worn by women. Kaḍiyamulu are those worn by men. Where woman leads man follows.
This proverb highlights the interdependency within a household or society. 'Hand with bangles' refers to the woman (traditionally managing the kitchen/home), and 'hand with bracelets' refers to the man (traditionally the earner). It means that when the woman works to cook and manage the house, the man can eat and have the strength to work, or more broadly, that domestic stability is the foundation for external success.
ఉంగరాల చేతితో మొట్టితే, నెప్పి ఉండదు
ungarala chetito mottite, neppi undadu
A rap with ringed fingers will cause no pain. A man who wears rings is generally well'off, and therefore pays hand- some damages for injuries inflicted.
This expression is used to describe a situation where receiving a rebuke, correction, or punishment from a wealthy, powerful, or respected person is not seen as an insult or a pain, but rather as a blessing or a beneficial guidance. It implies that people are willing to tolerate harshness if it comes from someone of high status or someone they admire.