నీపై ఆశ లేదు, నాపై పస లేదు, ఏడు సేర్ల తప్పేలకెసరు పెట్టమను
nipai asha ledu, napai pasa ledu, edu serla tappelakesaru pettamanu
No hope in you, no strength in me, yet ask to boil water in a seven-seer pot.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where there are no resources or capabilities available, yet someone makes grand, unrealistic demands. It highlights the irony of planning a massive feast or task when both the provider and the recipient lack the basic means to even start.
Related Phrases
పైపై నెరిమించు కేసరికి పక్కెర వేయవచ్చునా
paipai neriminchu kesariki pakkera veyavachchuna
Can one put armor on a lion that naturally shines and excels?
This expression is used to suggest that greatness, courage, or inherent talent cannot be confined, suppressed, or artificiality enhanced by external tools. Just as a lion's natural power and majesty are its own defense and don't require man-made armor, a person of true character or capability doesn't need external validation or artificial aids to prove their worth.
నాడు కట్టాలేదు, నేడు చింతాలేదు
nadu kattaledu, nedu chintaledu
No effort was put in then, and no worry is felt now.
This proverb describes a state of total negligence or lack of foresight. It is used to describe a person who did not take action or plan during the appropriate time (the past) and consequently feels no regret or concern about the failure in the present. It often implies a sense of indifference toward one's responsibilities.
బొట్టు పసేగాని, బోనం పసలేదు
bottu pasegani, bonam pasaledu
The bindi (decoration) has splendor, but the meal has no substance.
This expression is used to describe a situation where there is a lot of external show, pomp, or decoration, but the core essence or quality is lacking. It refers to something that looks impressive on the outside but is disappointing in reality.
అందులో పసలేదు, గంజిలో వార్చుమన్నట్టు
andulo pasaledu, ganjilo varchumannattu
There is no substance in that, strain the rice water. Equivalent to the English "there's nothing in him" or "there's nothing in it."
This expression is used to describe a situation or an object that is completely devoid of value, substance, or truth. Since 'ganji' (gruel/congee) is essentially the water strained from rice, trying to 'strain' it further is a futile task that yields nothing. It highlights an exercise in futility or something that is worthless.
ధర్మానికి దండగలేదు, వెట్టికి వైసాలేదు.
dharmaniki dandagaledu, vettiki vaisaledu.
There is no waste in charity, and there are no wages for forced labor.
This proverb highlights two economic truths in traditional society: first, that money spent on charity or righteous causes is never a waste as it earns merit; second, that forced or involuntary labor (vetti) never results in any monetary compensation or earnings for the worker.
ఉట్టికి ఎగరలేనమ్మ స్వర్గానికి ఎగురుతానన్నదట
uttiki egaralenamma svarganiki egurutanannadata
The woman who cannot jump to the hanging basket says she will fly to heaven.
This proverb is used to mock someone who fails at a simple, basic task but makes grand claims about achieving something much more difficult or impossible. It highlights the gap between one's actual abilities and their unrealistic ambitions.
ఏమిటికీ లేదు, మూడింటికీ ఎసరు.
emitiki ledu, mudintiki esaru.
Nothing for anything, but boiling water for three.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone gains nothing from their efforts, and instead, even the existing essential resources or people are put in jeopardy or lost. It signifies a total loss or a counterproductive outcome where one ends up worse off than before.
కొసరిన కూరలోనే పస ఉంటుంది
kosarina kuralone pasa untundi
There is no taste in the greens unless some are received over. Said by Hindu women, who are never satisfied unless they obtain some- thing over and above their money's worth.
This expression suggests that things obtained with effort, persistence, or as a small extra favor often feel more satisfying or valuable than what is given freely or initially. It is used to describe the satisfaction found in small additions or the value of items gained through request/bargaining.
ఎద్దు పోగలేదు, పైన బాగలేదు
eddu pogaledu, paina bagaledu
The ox cannot walk, and the weather above is not good.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone makes multiple excuses to avoid work. It implies that both internal capability (the ox) and external conditions (the weather) are being blamed to justify inaction or laziness.
పందికి పారులేదు, తవిదకు తప్పలేదు
pandiki paruledu, tavidaku tappaledu
The pig does not have diarrhea, but the bran is not spared.
This proverb describes a situation where an effort or resource is wasted without achieving the intended result, or when someone is blamed/burdened despite the situation not requiring it. It refers to a scenario where a pig is fed bran (tavida) to cure diarrhea (paaru), but even if the pig doesn't have the ailment, the bran is still consumed. It is used when expenses are incurred or sacrifices are made unnecessarily.