పులిపిల్ల పులిపిల్లే, మేకపిల్ల మేకపిల్లే.
pulipilla pulipille, mekapilla mekapille.
A tiger-cub is a tiger-cub, a kid is a kid.
This proverb is used to describe the inherent nature, lineage, or capabilities of a person. It suggests that one's true character or potential is determined by their origin and cannot be changed, emphasizing that a strong person will remain strong and a weak person will remain weak regardless of the circumstances.
Cat after kind.
Related Phrases
తిక్క పిల్లా తిక్కపిల్లా మా అక్కపిల్లను చూస్తివా అంటే చూస్తి శుక్రవారమని కావలించుకొంటి, మాటలాడుదామంటే మరచిపోతి అన్నదట.
tikka pilla tikkapilla ma akkapillanu chustiva ante chusti shukravaramani kavalinchukonti, mataladudamante marachipoti annadata.
When asked, 'Crazy girl, crazy girl, have you seen my sister?', she replied, 'I saw her, it was Friday so I hugged her, but when it came to talking, I forgot'.
This proverb is used to describe someone who is eccentric, absent-minded, or lacks common sense. It highlights a situation where a person performs an action but forgets the most basic or important part of it (like speaking to someone they met), or gives irrelevant and illogical explanations for their behavior.
పట్టినవాడు పరిగపిల్ల అంటే, పట్టనివాడు మట్టపిల్ల అన్నాడట.
pattinavadu parigapilla ante, pattanivadu mattapilla annadata.
When the one who caught it said it was a Pariga fish, the one who didn't catch it said it was a Matta fish.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone who has no involvement or knowledge in a matter tries to contradict or argue with the person who actually did the work or has firsthand experience. It highlights the tendency of people to offer unwanted and uninformed opinions.
తోడిపిల్లను తోడేలు ఎత్తుకుపోతే, ఆమడపిల్ల కలిసివచ్చిందని అన్నాడట.
todipillanu todelu ettukupote, amadapilla kalisivachchindani annadata.
When a wolf carried away the child nearby, he said the child from a distance of eight miles was a gain.
This expression is used to describe someone who tries to find a false sense of consolation or profit in a situation involving a significant loss. It highlights a foolish or cynical optimism where a person ignores a major tragedy nearby by focusing on a minor, irrelevant, or non-existent benefit far away.
కోడిపిల్ల మీద పందిపిల్ల బలాదూరు
kodipilla mida pandipilla baladuru
Sacrificing a pig to save a chicken.
This expression is used to describe a situation where there is an overwhelming mismatch in strength or capability between two sides. It suggests that comparing the two is futile because one clearly dominates the other, often used in a sarcastic or dismissive tone regarding a one-sided competition.
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.
మేకపిల్లను చంకన పెట్టుకుని ఊరంతా వెతికినట్లు
mekapillanu chankana pettukuni uranta vetikinatlu
Like carrying a kid (baby goat) under one's arm and searching the whole village for it.
This proverb describes a situation where someone is looking for something that they already possess or that is right with them. It is used to mock absent-mindedness or the act of searching far and wide for a solution that is close at hand.
మేకపిల్లను చంకలో పెట్టుకొని ఊరంతా వెదికినట్లు
mekapillanu chankalo pettukoni uranta vedikinatlu
Like searching the whole village for a goat kid while holding it under one's arm.
This expression describes a situation where someone is searching frantically for something that is already in their possession or right in front of them. It is used to mock absent-mindedness or the irony of looking far and wide for a solution that is close at hand.
ఆత్రానికి పోతే ఆడపిల్ల పుట్టిందట
atraniki pote adapilla puttindata
When she went in a rush, she gave birth to a girl child.
This proverb is used to mock someone who acts with extreme impatience or haste, only to end up with a result that is either ordinary or contrary to their expectations. It highlights that rushing doesn't guarantee a superior or desired outcome.
తొలిపిల్లకు తొంభై అంగీలు, మలిపిల్లకు మారుదొడగలేదు.
tolipillaku tombhai angilu, malipillaku marudodagaledu.
Ninety shirts for the first child, not even a change of clothes for the second child.
This proverb describes the common human tendency to over-prepare or spend excessively on a first-time experience or first-born child out of excitement, only to become indifferent, neglectful, or exhausted of resources by the second time. It highlights inconsistency in care and the waning of initial enthusiasm over time.
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.