ఒక్కరుంటే దేవులాట, ఇద్దరుంటే తన్నులాట
okkarunte devulata, iddarunte tannulata
When alone, there is searching; when together, there is fighting.
This proverb describes the irony of human relationships. When a person is alone, they feel lonely and search for company (devulata), but when they are with someone else, they often end up arguing or fighting (tannulata). It is used to highlight that humans are rarely satisfied with their current state of solitude or social interaction.
Related Phrases
గొంగట్లో గుద్దులాట (ముసుగులో గుద్దులాట)
gongatlo guddulata (musugulo guddulata)
Wrestling under a blanket (or wrestling behind a mask/veil)
This expression refers to a conflict, fight, or struggle that happens secretly or behind the scenes, away from public view. It is used when two parties are working against each other while maintaining an outward appearance of normalcy, or when internal politics are occurring within a group that others cannot clearly see.
ఊరిముందు ఉరుకులాట, మగనిముందు గంతులాట.
urimundu urukulata, maganimundu gantulata.
Running fast at the entrance of the village and jumping around in front of the husband.
This proverb is used to describe a person who shows off or acts excessively energetic only when they have an audience to impress, especially towards people they want to influence or show their importance to, while lacking substance in their actual work.
చీకట్లో చిందులాట
chikatlo chindulata
Dancing in the dark
This expression refers to activities done in secrecy or efforts that go unrecognized and wasted because they are performed where no one can see. It is used to describe futile actions or deceptive behavior carried out away from public scrutiny.
చియ్యబువ్వ చీకులాట, గొల్లాడు వస్తే గోగులాట
chiyyabuvva chikulata, golladu vaste gogulata
Playing with food like a child, and playing with flowers when the shepherd arrives.
This expression describes a person who is constantly distracted or playful when there is work to be done. It is used to characterize someone who lacks seriousness, moving from one trivial activity to another instead of focusing on their responsibilities.
వెలుగుకన్న దిక్కు వేరెవరున్నారు?
velugukanna dikku verevarunnaru?
Who else is a better direction than light?
This expression implies that knowledge or guidance (represented by light) is the ultimate savior. It is used to emphasize that when one finds a path of truth or wisdom, there is no better support or refuge to look for.
పింజారి పీకులాట కురువ గుద్దులాట
pinjari pikulata kuruva guddulata
The cotton cleaner's tugging and the shepherd's thumping
This proverb is used to describe a situation where people are engaged in tedious, endless, and noisy disputes or trivial struggles that lead to no productive outcome. It refers to the characteristic repetitive sounds and actions of traditional cotton carding (Pinjari) and sheep herding/weaving (Kuruva), signifying a chaotic or noisy commotion over petty matters.
గురువుతో గుద్దులాటా?
guruvuto guddulata?
May a man fight with his Guru ?
This expression is used when someone challenges, argues with, or tries to outsmart their own mentor, expert, or the person who taught them everything they know. It implies that such a conflict is disrespectful, foolish, or a losing battle for the student.
తన్నులాటలూ వద్దు - గుద్దులాటలూ వద్దు
tannulatalu vaddu - guddulatalu vaddu
No kicking fights and no punching fights.
This expression is used to advise against physical brawls or intense conflicts. It is often said to settle disputes amicably or to tell people to stop fighting and maintain peace. It emphasizes avoiding violence and unnecessary confrontation.
సాతాని పీకులాట
satani pikulata
A Sâtâni dispute. The Sâtâni ( Râmânujas ) admit as members of their body all classes amongst the worshippers of Vishṇu, who consequently dispute each other's rank in assemblies.
This expression refers to a state of endless, petty confusion or a situation where things are unnecessarily complicated and dragging on without a clear resolution. It is often used to describe disorganized chaos or a messy squabble where no one is sure of what is happening.
లేనిపోని పీకులాట, చావడిదాకా గుంజులాట.
leniponi pikulata, chavadidaka gunjulata.
Unnecessary bickering, dragging all the way to the public courtyard.
This proverb describes creating a major fuss over something trivial or nonexistent, often leading to a public spectacle or formal dispute. It is used when people escalate a minor issue into a large-scale conflict that involves others or requires mediation.