పట్టినదెల్లా బంగారం ముట్టినదెల్లా ముత్యం
pattinadella bangaram muttinadella mutyam
Whatever is held turns into gold, whatever is touched turns into a pearl.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is extremely lucky or highly successful in every endeavor they undertake. It is similar to the English expression 'The Midas Touch.' It implies that everything the person involves themselves in results in prosperity and success.
Related Phrases
వచ్చేదెల్లా రాని, పొయ్యేదెల్లా పోని.
vachchedella rani, poyyedella poni.
Let what is to come come, and what is past be past. Let bygones be bygones.
This expression is used to convey a sense of stoicism, fearlessness, or resignation toward the future. It implies that one is ready to face any consequences, whether they be gains or losses, and is often said when taking a bold risk or accepting an inevitable situation.
ముట్టుకుంటే ముత్యం, పట్టుకుంటే బంగారం
muttukunte mutyam, pattukunte bangaram
A pearl if touched, gold if held.
This expression is used to describe someone or something of exceptional quality, value, or purity. It is often used as a compliment for a well-behaved child, a virtuous person, or a piece of work that is flawless and precious.
ముక్కుపట్టిన ముత్యం, చెవి పట్టని కమ్మ
mukkupattina mutyam, chevi pattani kamma
A pearl that fits the nose, an earring that does not fit the ear.
This expression is used to describe things or situations that are perfectly suited or ill-fitting. It highlights the contrast between something that is elegantly appropriate (like a perfectly sized nose-stud) and something that is disproportionate or unsuitable (like an earring that is too large or cumbersome for the ear). It can also refer to people who are either a perfect fit for a role or completely out of place.
ముక్కు పట్టని ముత్యము
mukku pattani mutyamu
A pearl that does not suit the nose.
This expression is used to describe something that is excessively large, disproportionate, or ill-fitting for its intended purpose. It can also refer to a person who is too proud or important for a specific role, or someone who is beautiful but difficult to manage.
చూచిందెల్లా సుంకము, పాసిందెల్లా పంకము
chuchindella sunkamu, pasindella pankamu
Everything seen is a tax, and everything expired/leftover is mud.
This proverb is used to describe an extremely difficult or exploitative situation where one is taxed or charged for everything they see or do, while everything they possess or produce turns into waste or loses its value. It depicts a state of total loss or high-handedness where there is no benefit remaining for the individual.
మాచకమ్మకు ముత్యాలసర మదేల
machakammaku mutyalasara madela
Why does a woman like Machakamma need a pearl necklace?
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is given something they do not deserve, cannot appreciate, or which does not suit their character or status. It highlights the incongruity of giving something precious or refined to someone who lacks the refinement to handle it.
అయిదేళ్ళ ఆడపిల్ల అయినా, మూడేళ్ళ మొగపిల్లవాడికి లోకువే.
ayidella adapilla ayina, mudella mogapillavadiki lokuve.
Even if she is a five-year-old girl, she is considered inferior to a three-year-old boy.
This is a traditional Telugu proverb reflecting historical gender biases and patriarchal structures. It suggests that regardless of age or physical superiority, a female was traditionally expected to be subordinate to a male. In modern usage, it is often cited when discussing social inequalities or criticizing outdated societal norms.
నక్కను చూచిన వాడెల్లా వేటకాడే
nakkanu chuchina vadella vetakade
Every one who sees a jackal hunts it.
This proverb suggests that merely witnessing an event or possessing a small piece of knowledge doesn't make one an expert. It is used to mock people who boast or pretend to be specialists without having the actual skills or experience required for a task.
మన్ను పట్టితే బంగారం, బంగారం పట్టితే మన్ను
mannu pattite bangaram, bangaram pattite mannu
Touching mud turns it into gold, touching gold turns it into mud
This proverb describes the extremes of luck or fortune. It refers to a person's current 'luck streak'—when someone is highly successful, even their smallest efforts (mud) yield great results (gold). Conversely, when someone is going through a period of extreme misfortune, even their most valuable assets or best efforts fail miserably.
చూచినదెల్లా సుంకము, పాశినదెల్లా పంకము
chuchinadella sunkamu, pashinadella pankamu
Every thing that is seen [is subjected to the payment of] duty; and every thing that is rotten [is thrown away in the] mud. Excessive demands.
This proverb describes a state of extreme greed or exploitation where an authority tries to tax or claim everything they lay their eyes on. It also suggests a situation where things have deteriorated to a point where everything useful is being exploited and everything left over is useless waste. It is often used to criticize greedy rulers or systems that leave nothing for the common person.