రవిక, పగలు బిడ్డకు అడ్డము, రాత్రి మగనికి అడ్డము.
ravika, pagalu biddaku addamu, ratri maganiki addamu.
A blouse is an obstacle for the child during the day and an obstacle for the husband at night.
This is a traditional Telugu riddle (podupu katha) where the answer is a 'blouse' (ravika). It describes the function of the garment: during the day, it acts as a barrier for a breastfeeding child, and at night, it is an garment that needs to be removed for intimacy with the husband.
Related Phrases
టెంకాయ చెట్టుకు మడిగుడ్డ కట్టగానే దొంగకడ్డమా?
tenkaya chettuku madigudda kattagane dongakaddama?
Will wrapping a ritual cloth around a coconut tree stop a thief?
This proverb highlights that mere formalities, rituals, or superficial measures cannot prevent someone with bad intentions from causing harm. It is used to point out that a person's character or a serious security threat won't be changed by symbolic gestures.
ఆడదాని చేతి అద్దం, మగాడి చేతి బిడ్డ బ్రతకదట
adadani cheti addam, magadi cheti bidda bratakadata
A mirror in a woman's hand and a child in a man's hand do not survive.
This is a traditional proverb highlighting gender-stereotypical roles from the past. It suggests that a mirror in a woman's hand will break because she uses it too frequently, and a baby in a man's hand will not thrive because he lacks the natural nurturing patience or skill required for childcare. In modern usage, it is often cited to remark on the lack of care or the inherent risk of mishandling something when it is not in the hands of an 'expert' or 'natural' caretaker.
పగలు చూస్తే రాత్రి కలలో వస్తుంది అన్నట్లు
pagalu chuste ratri kalalo vastundi annatlu
As if what you see during the day appears in your dreams at night
This expression refers to things that leave such a strong impression on the mind that they continue to haunt or reappear in thoughts. It is used to describe someone who is obsessed with a particular thought or a traumatic/intense event that they cannot stop thinking about even when asleep.
టెంకాయ చెట్టుకు మడిగుడ్డ కట్టగానే అది దొంగకు అడ్డమా?
tenkaya chettuku madigudda kattagane adi dongaku addama?
Will a holy cloth tied to a coconut tree stop a thief?
This proverb is used to say that external appearances of piety or ritualistic symbols cannot prevent someone with bad intentions from doing harm. It highlights the futility of using religious or symbolic gestures to solve practical security problems or to change someone's inherent nature.
పగలు తల్లి, రాత్రి భార్య
pagalu talli, ratri bharya
He calls her a mother in the day time and a wife at night. An unprincipled rascal.
This expression is used to describe an extremely fickle, opportunistic, or shameless person who changes their stance or behavior toward someone based on their needs or the time of day. It highlights hypocrisy or a lack of moral consistency in relationships or situations.
పగలు పక్కచూచి మాట్లాడు, రాత్రి అదీ మాట్లాడ వద్దు.
pagalu pakkachuchi matladu, ratri adi matlada vaddu.
When you speak in the day time, look around ; at night don't speak at all. ( Hills see, walls hear. ( Spanish. ) )
This proverb warns about the importance of secrecy and caution when discussing sensitive matters. It suggests that even in daylight, one must check their surroundings for eavesdroppers, but at night, when sounds travel further and silence is unpredictable, it is better to remain completely silent to avoid being overheard.
పగలు చత్వారి, రాత్రి రేజీకటి
pagalu chatvari, ratri rejikati
Daytime presbyopia, nighttime night blindness.
This expression describes a person who is completely helpless or makes excuses in every situation. Just as someone who cannot see during the day due to long-sightedness and cannot see at night due to night blindness, it refers to a state of total inability or constant complaining regardless of the circumstances.
అడ్డాలనాడు బిడ్డలు కానీ గడ్డాలనాడు బిడ్డలా?
addalanadu biddalu kani gaddalanadu biddala?
Children when held in the arms (infancy) are children, but are they still (obedient) children when they grow beards?
This proverb highlights the changing nature of children as they grow up. It suggests that while children are easy to manage and dependent when they are infants (held in a cloth cradle or 'addalu'), they become independent, headstrong, or even ungrateful once they reach adulthood (represented by 'gaddalu' or beards). It is used to express a parent's frustration when adult children no longer listen or follow their guidance.
రాత్రి పడ్డ గతిలో పగలు కూడా పడనా?
ratri padda gatilo pagalu kuda padana?
Shall we fall in the day time into the pit into which we fell at night? Shall we not benefit by experience ? Bought wit is best. Experience teaches. (Latin.):
This proverb is used to express that once someone has learned from a past mistake or a bad experience (the 'night'), they will be more cautious and avoid the same pitfall in the future (the 'day'). It signifies learning a lesson and becoming wiser.
* Mulgere hircum. † A mal nudo mal cuo. I Experientia docet.
పగటి మాటలు పనికి చేటు, రాత్రి మాటలు నిద్రకు చేటు.
pagati matalu paniki chetu, ratri matalu nidraku chetu.
Talking in the day time spoils one's business ; talking in the night time spoils one's sleep.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of time management and focus. It suggests that gossiping or talking excessively during the day hinders productivity, while doing the same at night disturbs necessary rest. It is used to advise someone to stop talking and get back to their responsibilities or to sleep.