సగం సాలె నేత, సగం మాల నేత

sagam sale neta, sagam mala neta

Translation

Half weaver's weaving, half laborer's weaving

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe work that is inconsistent, fragmented, or lacks uniformity. It refers to a task performed by people with different styles or skill levels, resulting in a product that is not seamless or professionally finished. It is often applied to situations where multiple people handle a single job without coordination, leading to a messy outcome.

Related Phrases

Gifts for the puberty ceremony when half of life's age is already passed.

This expression is used to describe actions that are taken too late or are no longer relevant to the situation. It mocks the irony of performing a ritual or giving a gift when the appropriate time for it has long passed, similar to 'locking the stable door after the horse has bolted'.

Like giving only half and calling oneself a paternal aunt.

This proverb describes someone who does a half-hearted or incomplete favor but demands the full respect or status associated with a close relative or a great benefactor. It is used to mock people who are stingy or perform duties poorly yet expect high praise and recognition for their supposed 'generosity'.

Half purity, half impurity.

This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks consistency or a situation that is neither here nor there. It refers to someone who tries to follow traditional customs (purity) but fails to do so completely (impurity), resulting in a state of confusion or hypocrisy. It characterizes an inconsistent or messy approach to tasks.

Silk dhoti woven by a weaver, ritual dhoti woven by a Mala.

This traditional proverb highlights the functional value of craftsmanship over social status. While a professional weaver (Saali) makes luxury silk dhotis, the community-woven cotton dhoti (Madi) is considered more sacred or appropriate for religious rituals. It is used to emphasize that every person or object has its own unique importance and specific role in society.

If a girl is born, it is like half of one's lifespan is swallowed.

This is an old, traditional saying reflecting the societal burden and financial anxiety parents used to feel regarding the responsibilities of raising a daughter, particularly concerning dowry and marriage expenses. In modern contexts, it is often cited to discuss or critique historical patriarchal attitudes.

In O teach me half, O father! Said by a spoilt child who wished his father to teach him half a letter at a time.

This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely lazy or lacks the patience to listen to even a small piece of information. It refers to a humorous situation where someone finds it too burdensome to hear a single letter and asks for it to be shortened, highlighting extreme lethargy or ignorance.

A maternal uncle who arrives at twilight and a relative who arrives at mid-morning never leave.

This proverb is used to describe guests or situations that are poorly timed and likely to result in an extended, perhaps unwanted, stay. It implies that certain timings naturally lead to people overstaying their welcome or creating more work for the hosts.

Please say at least half of the letter 'O', my son, he said.

This expression is used to mock someone who is extremely lazy, slow to learn, or completely uncooperative even when the task is simplified to the smallest possible degree. It refers to a humorous situation where a teacher or parent is so frustrated by a student's silence that they beg for even a tiny fraction of a simple sound/letter just to see some progress.

Half weaver's weave, half scavenger's weave

This expression refers to a task or piece of work that is done inconsistently or in a haphazard manner. It describes something that is neither here nor there, lacking a uniform standard or quality because it was handled by different people with different skill levels or methods. It is used to criticize a job that lacks perfection and coherence.

Being joyful is half one’s strength.

This is to suggest that one should be joyful, especially in unfavourable circumstances. That is the way to draw strength from even adverse circumstances.