నేను పుట్టకపోతే నీకు పెండ్లామే లేకపోవునే అంటే, నీవు పుట్టకపోతే నీ తల్లినే పెళ్ళాడి ఉందునన్నాడట.
nenu puttakapote niku pendlame lekapovune ante, nivu puttakapote ni talline pelladi undunannadata.
When she said 'If I hadn't been born, you wouldn't have had a wife at all', he replied 'If you hadn't been born, I would have married your mother'.
This is a humorous and sarcastic Telugu proverb used to describe a witty or sharp-tongued retort to an arrogant or self-important claim. It highlights how someone's attempt to show their indispensability can be met with a crushing and absurd counter-argument, often used to silence someone who is bragging about their role in a situation.
Related Phrases
చూస్తే నీది, చూడకపోతే నాది
chuste nidi, chudakapote nadi
If seen, it is yours; if not seen, it is mine
This expression refers to someone who is being dishonest or opportunistic. It describes a situation where a person tries to steal or misappropriate something and only admits to it if they are caught; otherwise, they treat it as their own. It is used to highlight hypocrisy or lack of integrity.
అన్నము లేకపోతే వరి అన్నము, బట్ట లేకపోతే పట్టుబట్ట.
annamu lekapote vari annamu, batta lekapote pattubatta.
If you have no common food, [give me] the best; if you have no common cloth, [give me] a silk one.
This is a sarcastic expression used to describe someone who, when they lack basic necessities, demands or expects high-end luxuries instead of seeking practical alternatives. It highlights the irony of having extravagant tastes or unrealistic expectations while being in a state of poverty or deprivation.
Said by an impertinent beggar when refused assistance by a stingy person.
నేను లేకపోతే ఎవరిని పెళ్లాడుదువు అంటే, నీ అబ్బంటోడు ఇంకొకడు పుట్టి ఉంటాడు అన్నదట.
nenu lekapote evarini pelladuduvu ante, ni abbantodu inkokadu putti untadu annadata.
When asked 'Who would you have married if not for me?', she replied 'Someone just like your father's son would have been born'.
This proverb is used to deflate someone's ego when they think they are indispensable or unique. It suggests that the world doesn't stop for one person and a suitable replacement or a similar person will always be available to fill a role.
ఇస్తే పెళ్లి, ఇవ్వకపోతే పెటాకులు
iste pelli, ivvakapote petakulu
If given, a wedding; if not, crackers.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is extremely demanding or fickle. It implies that if things go their way, they will celebrate (a wedding), but if they don't get what they want, they will create chaos or break relationships (crackers/explosions). It describes an 'all or nothing' or 'my way or the highway' attitude.
నేను పుట్టకపోతే నీకు పెండ్లామే లేకపోను అంటే, నీవు పుట్టకపోతే నీ తల్లినే పెండ్లాడి ఉందును అన్నాడట.
nenu puttakapote niku pendlame lekaponu ante, nivu puttakapote ni talline pendladi undunu annadata.
When a wife said "If I had not been born, you would not have had a wife," the husband replied "If you had not been born, I should have married your mother." i. e. a better woman.
This is a witty and biting comeback used to silence someone who is being overly boastful or arrogant about their importance in a situation. It highlights that no one is indispensable and that there are always alternatives, even if the alternatives suggested are humorous or absurdly provocative.
నీవు కాకపోతే నీ అబ్బ మరివకడాయెను
nivu kakapote ni abba marivakadayenu
If you won't do it, your father will. i. e. a better person.
This is a sarcastic or mocking expression used to highlight that if one person is unable or unwilling to do something, someone else (often their father or a relative) will inevitably take their place or be held responsible. It is often used to dismiss someone's self-importance or to suggest that everyone is replaceable.
పాము వడకకపోతే, దాని విషం వడకకపోతుందా?
pamu vadakakapote, dani visham vadakakapotunda?
If the snake does not crawl, does its venom also not crawl?
This proverb is used to describe people who may appear quiet, weak, or inactive on the outside, but still retain their inherent dangerous nature or harmful qualities. It implies that a person's core character or 'venom' doesn't disappear just because they are not currently acting out.
కుదురు పడ్డ కాపురము కూలగొట్టకపోతే నీకు అంకు మొగుడినే కాదన్నాడట
kuduru padda kapuramu kulagottakapote niku anku mogudine kadannadata
He said that if he doesn't destroy a settled family life, he isn't her husband after all.
This expression is used to describe a person who is habitually malicious or someone whose primary intent is to create rifts and chaos in others' stable lives. It highlights a character that takes pride in being a home-wrecker or a source of trouble for happy families.
పెడితే పెళ్ళి, పెట్టకపోతే పెటాకులు
pedite pelli, pettakapote petakulu
If given, it's a marriage; if not, it's shattered pieces.
This proverb describes a fickle or opportunistic person who is pleasant and supportive only as long as they receive favors or benefits. If their demands are met, everything is celebrated (like a wedding); if not, they turn hostile and create trouble (represented by the sound of crackers or destruction).
తింటే నీరసం, తినకపోతే నీరసం
tinte nirasam, tinakapote nirasam
If you eat, you feel weak; if you don't eat, you feel weak.
This expression is used to describe a state of poor health or extreme exhaustion where neither food nor fasting provides relief. It can also figuratively describe a 'no-win' situation or a dilemma where every possible action leads to a negative or unsatisfying result.