పంటి పాచి పోయినా, ఇంటి హీనం పోదు
panti pachi poyina, inti hinam podu
Even if the tartar on the teeth is gone, the poverty of the house remains.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone makes a very minor or superficial improvement while the major, underlying problem remains untouched. It suggests that small cosmetic changes are useless when facing a deeper crisis or structural failure.
Related Phrases
వంట ఇంటి కుందేలు ఎక్కడికి పోతుంది?
vanta inti kundelu ekkadiki potundi?
Where will the kitchen rabbit go?
This expression is used to describe someone who is dependent or has no choice but to return to a specific place or person. It refers to someone who lacks the independence or means to survive elsewhere, implying they will eventually come back to their 'base' regardless of their actions.
ఇంటింటికీ మట్టి పొయ్యే
intintiki matti poyye
Every house has an earthen fire-place.
This proverb means that certain problems, weaknesses, or secrets are universal and exist in every household or for every person, regardless of how they appear on the outside. It is used to convey that one is not alone in their struggles and that human nature or domestic issues are the same everywhere.
Every man has his faults.
ఎవరు ఏమి చేసినా, ఇంటికి ఆలు అవుతుందా, దొంతికి కడవ అవుతుందా?
evaru emi chesina, intiki alu avutunda, dontiki kadava avutunda?
Will any service rendered by another be as a wife to the house or a pot for the pile? Said by a man whose wife has died or gone astray. ఏ.
This proverb is used to say that outsiders or guests can never replace the core, essential members of a household or the fundamental components of a system. Just as a temporary visitor cannot take the place of a wife in managing a home, or a random vessel cannot replace the foundational pot (kadava) in a traditional stack (donti), some roles are unique and irreplaceable.
యతి కోసం పోతే మతి పోయినట్లు
yati kosam pote mati poyinatlu
Like losing one's senses while going for an ascetic.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person, in the pursuit of something minor or spiritual, ends up losing their common sense or something far more valuable. It highlights a loss of perspective or poor judgment during a specific endeavor.
మాధుకరి వాని ఇంటికి ఉపాదానం వాడు పోయినట్టు
madhukari vani intiki upadanam vadu poyinattu
Like the raw rice beggar going to the house of the boiled rice beggar. Some beggars will only receive raw rice which they cook for themselves, others receive boiled rice.
This proverb describes a redundant or futile action where a person seeks help or resources from someone who is in the same poor condition as themselves. It is used to mock the irony of asking for a favor from someone who is equally needy or incapable of providing it.
కన్నెతనం పోయినా, అన్న మాట పోయినా బతుకే భారం
kannetanam poyina, anna mata poyina batuke bharam
If virginity is lost, or if a given word is lost, life becomes a burden.
This expression emphasizes the extreme importance of integrity and keeping one's promises. In traditional contexts, it compares the loss of a person's reputation or honor (symbolized by broken promises) to the irreversible loss of virtue, suggesting that living without honor or credibility is a heavy burden.
పోయిన మగడు పోయినా, పొన్నకాయలా గుండు కుదిరింది
poyina magadu poyina, ponnakayala gundu kudirindi
Even if the husband is gone, the head shave is as perfect as a Ponnakaaya fruit.
A sarcastic expression used to describe a situation where someone overlooks a major loss or disaster and instead focuses on a trivial or insignificant detail that turned out well. It highlights a misplaced sense of priority or an inappropriate focus on minor aesthetics/outcomes amidst a tragedy.
కంటికి కలక వంటికి పోటు
kantiki kalaka vantiki potu
Infection to the eye, pain to the body
This expression is used to describe a situation that is extremely annoying, constant, and difficult to ignore. Just as an eye infection causes persistent discomfort and a body ache makes one restless, this phrase refers to a person or a problem that causes continuous irritation or trouble.
కుంటి కులాసం, ఇంటికి మోసం.
kunti kulasam, intiki mosam.
What's the cripple's delight is harm to the house. Such a man is said always to be in mischief.
This proverb describes a situation where an unproductive or dependent person indulges in unnecessary luxuries or lazy pleasures at the expense of those who support them. It is used to critique individuals who waste resources they haven't earned, leading to the financial or structural downfall of the household.
కాలం పోతుంది మాట నిలుస్తుంది
kalam potundi mata nilustundi
Time passes away, but the word remains
This expression emphasizes the permanence and importance of one's promises or speech. While time is fleeting and situations change, the words you speak—especially promises or insults—leave a lasting impact and are remembered long after the moment has passed. It is used to advise someone to be careful with their words or to honor their commitments.