పది వేస్తే పచ్చిపులుసు, లేకపోతే పాడుపులుసు
padi veste pachchipulusu, lekapote padupulusu
If ten are added, it is raw tamarind soup; otherwise, it is spoiled soup.
This expression is used to highlight that a task or project can only be successful if the necessary resources, efforts, or people are involved. Without the essential ingredients or support, the result is worthless or a failure. It emphasizes the importance of adequacy and contribution.
Related Phrases
మొగుడు లేకపోతే అప్ప మొగుడు, కూర లేకపోతే పప్పకూర.
mogudu lekapote appa mogudu, kura lekapote pappakura.
If a husband is not there, then the elder sister's husband; if a curry is not there, then dal.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone settles for a substitute or an alternative when the original or preferred choice is unavailable. It highlights the human tendency to find a replacement, sometimes even an inappropriate or simplified one, just to fill a void.
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.
ఉంటే ఊరు, పోతే పాడు.
unte uru, pote padu.
If it stays, it is a village; if it is gone, it is a ruin.
This expression refers to things that are valuable only as long as they are functional or maintained. It is often used to describe the fragility of human life or temporary possessions, implying that once the essence or life is gone, only a useless shell remains.
విచిత్రపు పచ్చిపులుసు ఈగలగొట్టి, తాలింపుపెట్టి ఇద్దరిని రమ్మంటే ముగ్గురు వచ్చారట.
vichitrapu pachchipulusu igalagotti, talimpupetti iddarini rammante mugguru vachcharata.
For the strange cold-soup, flies were swatted, seasoning was added, and when two people were invited, three arrived.
This proverb is used to describe a situation that is poorly managed or insufficient from the start. It mocks a person who prepares a meager, unhygienic dish (pachi pulusu) with great difficulty, only to find that even more guests than expected have arrived, making a bad situation even more awkward or ridiculous.
చింత చచ్చినా పులుపు చావదు
chinta chachchina pulupu chavadu
The tamarind may be dried, but it loses not its acidity. Retaining vigour of mind though weakened in body.
This proverb is used to describe a person who has lost their wealth, status, or power but still retains their old ego, arrogance, or habits. Just as the acidic quality remains in tamarind even after it dries up, some people refuse to change their stubborn nature despite a change in their circumstances.
చింతపులుసుకన్న చిక్కగ, పచ్చిపులుసుకన్న పలుచగ
chintapulusukanna chikkaga, pachchipulusukanna paluchaga
Thicker than tamarind stew, thinner than raw tamarind soup.
This expression is used to describe something that is inconsistent, vague, or lacks a definite shape or standard. It refers to a situation or a person's behavior that is confusing because it fits neither one extreme nor the other, often used sarcastically to point out poor quality or lack of clarity.
విచిత్రపు పచ్చిపులుసు, ఇస్తరాకు మింగిందట.
vichitrapu pachchipulusu, istaraku mingindata.
The strange raw tamarind soup supposedly swallowed the leaf plate.
This expression is used to describe an absurd or impossible situation where the effect/consequence is so extreme that it consumes the source or its container. It is often used to mock exaggerated claims or to point out a situation where something intended to be simple becomes unexpectedly destructive or overwhelming.
తిక్కల కష్టం, బొక్కల పులుసు
tikkala kashtam, bokkala pulusu
Madman's hard work, a soup of bones.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone puts in an immense amount of effort (often in a foolish or disorganized way) only to receive a meager or worthless result. It highlights the futility of hard work when it lacks proper direction or intelligence.
పులుసు వచ్చి, మెతుకును కొట్టుకపోయినట్లు
pulusu vachchi, metukunu kottukapoyinatlu
Like the stew coming and washing away the rice grain.
This expression is used to describe a situation where something that was meant to be supplementary or a side-dish ends up overpowering or destroying the main component. It refers to cases where a small or secondary factor causes the loss of the primary objective or asset.
చింత లేదు, చింత లేకపోతే పులుసు లేదు.
chinta ledu, chinta lekapote pulusu ledu.
"No matter" said one, "Then if there's no tamarind, there's no acid" said the other. There is here a pun upon the word Chinta which means both "thought, sorrow" and also "tamarinds."
This is a pun on the Telugu word 'Chinta' which means both 'worry' and 'tamarind'. It is used humorously to describe a situation where someone says they have no worries, but in reality, they are missing a basic necessity or the very thing that gives life flavor. It highlights that being completely free of 'concerns' might sometimes mean lacking something essential.