పిల్లా పిల్లా నువ్వుల చెట్టుకు నూనె ఎక్కడిదంటే, మా అమ్మ తొలి సమర్తకి, మలి సమర్తకి ఎక్కడున్నావు అందిట.
pilla pilla nuvvula chettuku nune ekkadidante, ma amma toli samartaki, mali samartaki ekkadunnavu andita.
When a child was asked where sesame oil comes from, she replied, 'Where were you during my mother's first and second puberty ceremonies?'
This proverb describes a situation where someone gives a completely irrelevant or nonsensical answer to a simple, logical question. It is used to mock people who try to sound wise or deflect a question they don't understand by bringing up unrelated personal or family history.
Related Phrases
నువ్వులకు తగిన నూనె
nuvvulaku tagina nune
Oil according to the [ quantity of ] Sesamum.
This expression is used to indicate that the result or output is directly proportional to the investment, effort, or resources put in. It is often used to tell someone that they get what they pay for, or that rewards are commensurate with the work performed.
తొలి సమర్త గూద దిగినట్లు.
toli samarta guda diginatlu.
Like the first menstruation ending up in the anus.
This is a crude but common folk expression used to describe a situation where a first-time effort or a primary task goes completely wrong or ends up in the wrong place due to ignorance, bad luck, or extreme incompetence. It signifies a total failure of a crucial debut or start.
ఇల్లు చూసి పిల్లి సమర్తయ్యిందట
illu chusi pilli samartayyindata
Seeing the house, the cat attained puberty (reached maturity).
This proverb is used to describe someone who becomes arrogant or starts demanding more importance after seeing the wealth or prosperity of the place they have entered. It reflects a situation where a person's attitude changes based on the luxury or opportunities available to them.
చచ్చే కాలానికి సమర్త కట్నాలు.
chachche kalaniki samarta katnalu.
Puberty gifts at the time of death.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone receives or attempts something useless or inappropriate for their current stage or condition. It refers to gifts given during a girl's puberty ceremony (samarta), which are completely meaningless or ill-timed when one is facing death or an end of an era.
నువ్వులూ నూనె ఒకటి, నూనె గమళ్ళవాడే వేరు
nuvvulu nune okati, nune gamallavade veru
Sesame seeds and oil are one, but the oil extractor is different.
This expression is used to highlight the difference between an entity and the agent that processes it, or to show that while two things are intrinsically linked, the middleman or external factor is distinct. It is often used to describe situations where the source and result are essentially the same, yet someone else takes the credit or handles the transformation.
చావు కాలానికి సమర్త కట్నాలు
chavu kalaniki samarta katnalu
Gifts for a puberty ceremony during a time of death.
This expression is used to describe an extremely inappropriate or ill-timed action. It highlights the absurdity of celebrating a joyful milestone or worrying about trivial formalities when a major tragedy or crisis is occurring. It is used when someone brings up irrelevant or festive matters at a somber and critical moment.
కురవోళ్ళపిల్ల బాయిల పడితే, ఎలగోళ్లపిల్ల ఎక్కి ఎక్కి పడ్డిందట
kuravollapilla bayila padite, elagollapilla ekki ekki paddindata
When a Kurava family's child fell into a well, a Yelagoalla family's child cried uncontrollably.
This proverb is used to mock or describe people who show excessive, unnecessary, or fake concern for someone else's troubles when they have no direct relation or impact. It highlights hypocritical or exaggerated displays of sympathy.
కడుపు కాలి ఏడుస్తుంటే, మనవర్తి ఏమిస్తావు అన్నదట.
kadupu kali edustunte, manavarti emistavu annadata.
When [someone] is crying because their stomach is burning [from hunger], she asked 'What maintenance/allowance will you give?'.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person is suffering from a fundamental or immediate crisis, but someone else offers an irrelevant, future, or secondary solution instead of addressing the urgent need. It highlights the disconnect between a person's basic needs and the superficial help being offered.
చంకలో పిల్లాడు, ఊరంతా వెతుకులాట
chankalo pilladu, uranta vetukulata
Child on the hip, searching all over the village.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a person is searching for something that they already possess or is right in front of them. It highlights absent-mindedness or overlooking the obvious.
గాడిద పిల్ల కోమలం
gadida pilla komalam
The tenderness of a donkey foal
This expression is used to describe a temporary or deceptive state of beauty or softness that does not last. It highlights that certain things might look attractive or gentle when they are young or new, but they eventually grow into their true, rougher nature. It is often used to mock someone's fleeting charm or a short-lived positive phase.