పాసిన అన్నం పక్వానికొస్తుందా?
pasina annam pakvanikostunda?
Can spoiled rice ever become a delicious meal?
This expression is used to convey that once something is ruined, lost, or past its prime, it cannot be restored to its original state or quality. It is often used in contexts where someone tries to fix a fundamentally flawed situation or when referring to missed opportunities that cannot be regained.
Related Phrases
ఒకరిని కోస్తే పాలు, ఇంకొకరిని కోస్తే నెత్తురు వస్తుందా?
okarini koste palu, inkokarini koste netturu vastunda?
If you cut one person, does milk come out, and if you cut another, does blood?
This rhetorical question is used to emphasize human equality. It suggests that despite differences in social status, wealth, or caste, all human beings are fundamentally the same and experience pain and suffering in the same way. It is typically used to challenge discrimination or unfair treatment.
పాసిన కూడు పక్వానికి వస్తుందా
pasina kudu pakvaniki vastunda
Will stale food ever become fresh/cooked again?
This proverb is used to convey that something which is spoiled, outdated, or past its prime cannot be restored to its original good state. It suggests that once an opportunity is lost or a person/situation has deteriorated beyond a certain point, no amount of effort can make it useful or 'ripe' again.
లేనిదానికోసం పోతే ఉన్నది ఊడిపోయినట్టు.
lenidanikosam pote unnadi udipoyinattu.
Going for what you don't have and losing what you already have.
This proverb describes a situation where a person, driven by greed or a desire for something they don't possess, takes a risk that results in the loss of their current assets or possessions. It is similar to the English expression 'A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush' or 'Grasp all, lose all.'
స్వాతి సముద్రాన్ని చంకన బెట్టుకొస్తుంది
svati samudranni chankana bettukostundi
Swati carries the ocean under her armpit
This proverb is used to describe a person who is extremely efficient, resourceful, or capable of achieving seemingly impossible tasks with ease. It highlights extraordinary skill or the power of specific timing (referring to the Swati Nakshatram/star) where a small effort leads to a massive result.
అత్తా అత్తా అన్నం పెట్టత్తా అంటే సున్నం పెడతానే అందట.
atta atta annam pettatta ante sunnam pedatane andata.
When requested, 'Mother-in-law, mother-in-law, please serve some food,' she replied, 'I will apply lime (chunam) instead.'
This proverb describes a situation where a person expects help or kindness but receives something harmful or insulting in return. It highlights the behavior of mean-spirited or heartless people who mock others' genuine needs or suffering instead of showing empathy.
కుక్క బలిస్తే గోనెలు మోస్తుందా?
kukka baliste gonelu mostunda?
If a dog gets fat, will it carry gunny sacks?
This proverb is used to say that a person's inherent nature or capabilities do not change just because they gain wealth, power, or physical size. Just as a dog, no matter how strong or well-fed, cannot perform the labor of a donkey or an ox, some people are simply not suited for certain responsibilities regardless of their outward growth.
నున్నం పుట్టని ఊళ్ళో అన్నం పుట్టునా?
nunnam puttani ullo annam puttuna?
Will food be born in a village where oil (ghee) is not born?
This proverb highlights the importance of basic resources and prerequisites. If a village lacks essential raw materials or the base for prosperity (like oil or ghee), it is unlikely to provide a full, comfortable meal or a livelihood. It is used to describe situations where one cannot expect a significant outcome when the fundamental necessities are missing.
ముక్కు కోస్తే మూడు నాళ్ళకు వస్తుంది, కొప్పు కోయరా కుమ్మరి మొగుడా
mukku koste mudu nallaku vastundi, koppu koyara kummari moguda
If you cut the nose, it grows back in three days; cut the hair bun instead, you potter husband.
This proverb is used to mock a person's misplaced anger or foolish actions. It highlights a scenario where a person tries to cause harm but chooses a permanent loss (hair, which takes long to grow) over a temporary injury, or reflects on a wife's sarcastic challenge to her husband's empty threats or ineffective punishments.
భోజనం చేసిన వానికి అన్నం పెట్టే వేడుక, బోడి తలవానికి తలంట పోసే వేడుక
bhojanam chesina vaniki annam pette veduka, bodi talavaniki talanta pose veduka
Serving a meal to one who has already eaten is like giving a head bath to a bald person.
This proverb describes redundant or futile actions. It highlights the absurdity of offering something to a person who neither needs it nor can benefit from it, emphasizing that such efforts are a complete waste of time and resources.
పాసిన కూట్లో కలిపోస్తే పదునుకు వస్తుందా
pasina kutlo kaliposte padunuku vastunda
Will adding fermented gruel water to stale rice make it fresh again?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where an attempt is made to fix something that is already permanently ruined or expired. It suggests that once something has spoiled or reached a point of no return, minor superficial additions or repairs cannot restore its original quality or utility. It is often applied to failed relationships, lost opportunities, or irreparable damages.