శకునం వేళ ఎక్కడికని అడగకూడదు గాని, ఎక్కడికో చెప్పిపో అన్నట్లు.
shakunam vela ekkadikani adagakudadu gani, ekkadiko cheppipo annatlu.
They say one shouldn't ask 'Where are you going?' at an auspicious time, but do tell me where you are going before you leave.
This proverb describes a hypocritical or contradictory behavior where someone pretends to follow a tradition or rule while simultaneously breaking it. In Telugu culture, asking 'Where are you going?' right as someone departs is considered a bad omen (shakunam). This saying mocks people who acknowledge the taboo but proceed to ask the question anyway out of curiosity.
Related Phrases
చేలో పుట్టిన బీడు ఎక్కడికి పోను.
chelo puttina bidu ekkadiki ponu.
Where can the weed born in the field go?
This proverb implies that something born or inherent to a specific place or situation cannot truly escape its origins or its nature. It is often used to suggest that a person's roots, character, or problems will remain with them regardless of where they are, or that something belonging to a person will eventually come back to them.
వంట ఇంటి కుందేలు ఎక్కడికి పోతుంది?
vanta inti kundelu ekkadiki potundi?
Where will the kitchen rabbit go?
This expression is used to describe someone who is dependent or has no choice but to return to a specific place or person. It refers to someone who lacks the independence or means to survive elsewhere, implying they will eventually come back to their 'base' regardless of their actions.
తలరాతేగాని, తనరాత ఎక్కదు.
talarategani, tanarata ekkadu.
Only the writing on the forehead (fate), but one's own writing does not get recorded.
This expression is used to describe a situation where, despite a person's hard work, efforts, or merit, things only happen according to destiny or luck. It highlights the frustration when personal effort (one's own 'writing') seems ineffective against predetermined fate ('forehead writing'). It is often used when someone faces repeated failure despite being capable.
చుట్టం వచ్చాడంట చెప్పులు ఎక్కడ వదిలాడో చూచిరా అన్నట్లు
chuttam vachchadanta cheppulu ekkada vadilado chuchira annatlu
Like saying, a relative has arrived, go see where he left his sandals.
This expression is used to describe a person who is overly suspicious or focused on trivial, petty details instead of showing proper hospitality or respect. It highlights a mean-spirited nature where one looks for a reason to find fault or protect their belongings even before welcoming a guest.
చోటే లేదంటే, మూల ఎక్కడ వెదుకుదును అన్నాడట
chote ledante, mula ekkada vedukudunu annadata
When told there is no space at all, he asked where to find a corner.
This proverb is used to describe someone who lacks common sense or is being pedantic/unreasonable. If there is no space available in a room or a situation, it is logically impossible to find a specific corner within that space. It highlights the absurdity of asking for a small part of something that has already been declared non-existent.
చూసి గాని తాగకూడదు, చదివి గాని సంతకం పెట్టకూడదు.
chusi gani tagakudadu, chadivi gani santakam pettakudadu.
Do not drink without looking, do not sign without reading.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of caution and due diligence in one's actions. Just as one should inspect a drink for impurities or harmful substances before consuming it, one must thoroughly read and understand any document before signing it to avoid legal or personal trouble. It is a warning against impulsive or blind actions.
ఆ దారి ఎక్కడికి పోతుంది అని అంటే, ఎక్కడికీ పోదు, నేను పుట్టింది మొదలు ఇక్కడే ఉంది అన్నట్లు.
a dari ekkadiki potundi ani ante, ekkadiki podu, nenu puttindi modalu ikkade undi annatlu.
When asked where that road goes, replying that it doesn't go anywhere and has been right here since I was born.
A humorous or sarcastic expression used to describe a person who interprets a question too literally or lacks common sense. It mocks the ignorance of someone who fails to understand that 'where does the road go' refers to its destination, not its physical movement.
రెక్కాడితేగాని డొక్కాడని వాడికి రత్నం దొరికితే రాయి అన్నాట్ట.
rekkaditegani dokkadani vadiki ratnam dorikite rayi annatta.
When a man whose belly is filled only if his hands toil finds a diamond, he says it is just a stone.
This expression describes a person who is so consumed by the daily grind and survival that they lack the knowledge or perspective to recognize a great opportunity or a valuable asset when it presents itself. It is used to highlight how poverty or lack of exposure can make someone ignorant of life's bigger fortunes.
పీనుగ ఎక్కడో గద్దలూ అక్కడే
pinuga ekkado gaddalu akkade
Where there is a corpse, there the vultures will be.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where people gather or hover around a place or person where there is something to be gained (often in a cynical or opportunistic way). Just as vultures find a carcass, opportunists find a source of benefit.
చేనిలో పుట్టిన బీడు ఎక్కడికి పోను?
chenilo puttina bidu ekkadiki ponu?
Where will the wasteland born within the field go?
This expression means that inherent problems or internal issues related to a person, family, or organization cannot be easily escaped or avoided. Just as a patch of barren land inside a fertile field remains part of that field's value and responsibility, internal defects or relatives with bad traits will always stay connected to the source and must be dealt with rather than ignored.