పండాకు రాలుతుంటే, కొత్తాకు నవ్వుతుంది
pandaku ralutunte, kottaku navvutundi
While the old leaf falls, the new leaf laughs.
This proverb is used to describe the irony of the younger generation mocking or ignoring the elderly's decline, forgetting that they too will eventually age and face the same fate. It highlights the cycle of life and the inevitability of aging.
Related Phrases
కాడు కాలుతూ ఉంటే, కన్నె ఎదుగుతూ ఉంటుంది.
kadu kalutu unte, kanne edugutu untundi.
While the graveyard is burning, the maiden is growing.
This proverb highlights the cycle of life and the relentless passage of time. It illustrates that even while death and destruction are occurring in one place (the graveyard), life and growth continue elsewhere. It is used to describe the inevitable continuity of life and the simultaneous nature of ending and beginning.
తుంటి మీద కొట్టితే పళ్ళు రాలాయట
tunti mida kottite pallu ralayata
When the man received a blow on his back, he cried out that he had lost his teeth.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where there is no logical connection between a cause and its effect, or when someone gives an irrelevant or illogical response to a situation. It highlights absurdity and a lack of correlation.
Applied to inappropriate actions or words.
కొట్టక కొట్టక పక్కలో కొట్టి
kottaka kottaka pakkalo kotti
Striking and striking, but striking in the side.
This expression describes a situation where someone waits for a long time to act, or makes a great effort, only to make a critical mistake or perform the action at the wrong time/place. It is used to highlight a significant failure or a blunder after much anticipation or effort.
తుంటి మీద కొడితే పళ్ళు రాలాయట
tunti mida kodite pallu ralayata
When hit on the hip, it is said that the teeth fell out.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where the cause and the effect are completely unrelated or illogical. It highlights a scenario where a punishment or action is misdirected, or when someone gives an absurd excuse that defies common sense.
మెత్తగా ఉంటే మొత్త బుద్ధి వేస్తుంది
mettaga unte motta buddhi vestundi
If you are soft, people will feel like hitting you on the head.
This proverb is used to warn that if a person is too submissive, overly kind, or weak, others will naturally try to take advantage of them or mistreat them. It suggests that one must maintain a certain level of firmness to command respect.
ఏ ఆకు రాలినా ఈతాకు రాలదు
e aku ralina itaku raladu
Even if every other leaf falls, the date palm leaf does not fall.
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely stubborn, unyielding, or remains unaffected by circumstances that influence everyone else. It signifies resilience or, in a negative sense, someone who refuses to budge or change their stance regardless of the pressure or situation around them.
పండాకు రాలుతుంటే, పసరాకు నవ్వుతుందట
pandaku ralutunte, pasaraku navvutundata
When the yellow leaf is falling, the green leaf laughs.
This proverb is used to describe the irony or foolishness of young people mocking the elderly. Just as a green leaf (the youth) will eventually turn yellow and fall like the old leaf, everyone is subject to the passage of time and aging. It serves as a reminder that the fate of the old today will be the fate of the young tomorrow.
కిందిమట్ట కాలుతుంటే, పైమట్ట నవ్వుతుందట
kindimatta kalutunte, paimatta navvutundata
While the lower palm leaf is burning, the upper one is laughing.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone laughs at others' misfortunes without realizing that the same fate awaits them. Just as the fire consuming the bottom leaf of a palm tree will eventually reach the top, one's current safety is often temporary in a shared crisis.
ఒక్కొక్క రాయి తీస్తూంటే, కొండయినా తరుగుతుంది.
okkokka rayi tistunte, kondayina tarugutundi.
If you keep removing one stone at a time, even a mountain will diminish.
This proverb emphasizes the power of persistence and consistency. It suggests that any task, no matter how monumental or seemingly impossible, can be completed by taking small, continuous steps. It is used to encourage someone facing a daunting challenge.
మంత్రాలకు మామిడి కాయలు రాలుతాయా?
mantralaku mamidi kayalu ralutaya?
Can unripe mangoes be made to drop by magic?
This expression is used to remind someone that results require hard work and practical effort rather than just empty talk or miracles. It is a sarcastic rhetorical question aimed at those who expect success without doing the necessary work.
Said of excessive leniency or ineffective measures.