స్తంభం లేచినంత మాత్రాన భవనం అవుతుందా?
stambham lechinanta matrana bhavanam avutunda?
Does erecting a pillar alone make a building?
This expression is used to highlight that starting a project or having one component of a larger task does not mean the task is complete. It emphasizes that a single effort or a superficial beginning is not equivalent to a finished achievement, often used to humble someone who is overconfident after only making a small start.
Related Phrases
రాత్రంతా భజన చేసినా భక్తి పూజ్యమేనట
ratranta bhajana chesina bhakti pujyamenata
Even after singing hymns all night, the devotion is zero.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone puts in a lot of effort or goes through the motions of a task, but the actual result or the core intent behind it is missing. It highlights hypocrisy or performing actions superficially without genuine commitment or output.
అంబరంలో కుంభం, ఆదివారంలో సోమవారం
ambaramlo kumbham, adivaramlo somavaram
A pot in the sky, and Monday within a Sunday.
This expression is used to describe something that is impossible, nonsensical, or a complete fabrication. It refers to situations where someone tells a lie or presents a scenario that defies logic, much like finding a physical pot in the vacuum of space or a Monday occurring inside a Sunday.
వాడి మాట పిండికీ అవుతుంది, పిడుక్కూ అవుతుంది
vadi mata pindiki avutundi, pidukku avutundi
His speech will answer for flour or for a thunderbolt. Said of an ambiguous speech.
This expression is used to describe a person who speaks with clever ambiguity or doublespeak. Their words are crafted in such a way that they can be interpreted in two completely different ways depending on the outcome, allowing them to claim they were right regardless of what happens.
ఎవరు ఏమి చేసినా, ఇంటికి ఆలు అవుతుందా, దొంతికి కడవ అవుతుందా?
evaru emi chesina, intiki alu avutunda, dontiki kadava avutunda?
Will any service rendered by another be as a wife to the house or a pot for the pile? Said by a man whose wife has died or gone astray. ఏ.
This proverb is used to say that outsiders or guests can never replace the core, essential members of a household or the fundamental components of a system. Just as a temporary visitor cannot take the place of a wife in managing a home, or a random vessel cannot replace the foundational pot (kadava) in a traditional stack (donti), some roles are unique and irreplaceable.
అడసులో నాటిన స్తంభము
adasulo natina stambhamu
A post fixed in the mire [swinging to and fro].
This expression is used to describe a person who lacks firm determination or a situation that is unstable. Just as a pillar fixed in slushy mud lacks a solid foundation and wobbles, it refers to individuals who frequently change their opinions, stances, or decisions.
Said of a time server. To sit on two stools. (Latin.)‡ * Was Kümmerti's den Mond, wenn ihn die Hunde anbellen. † Chi mal comincia, peggio finisce. ‡ Duabus sellis sedere.
ఎవరు ఏమి చేసినా ఇంటికి ఆలి అవుతుందా, దొంతికి కడవ అవుతుందా?
evaru emi chesina intiki ali avutunda, dontiki kadava avutunda?
No matter what anyone does, can she become a wife to the house or can it become a pot for the stack?
This proverb is used to highlight that certain natural roles or essential positions cannot be replaced or replicated by others, no matter how hard they try. Just as a specific pot is needed to fit a stack (donti) or a specific person fulfills the role of a wife (aalii) in a household, some things are irreplaceable and unique to their purpose.
నామాలు పెట్టినంత మాత్రాన చావు బుద్ధులు పోతాయా?
namalu pettinanta matrana chavu buddhulu potaya?
Just because one wears sacred marks, will their wicked nature disappear?
This expression is used to highlight that external appearances, religious symbols, or a change in attire do not change a person's inherent character or malicious intent. It is often used to criticize hypocrites who pretend to be virtuous while remaining deceptive or cruel at heart.
కుక్కలు కూసినంత మాత్రాన ఏనుగు పరువుపోతుందా
kukkalu kusinanta matrana enugu paruvupotunda
Does an elephant lose its dignity just because dogs bark at it?
This expression is used to convey that the status or reputation of a great person is not diminished by the petty criticisms or insults of insignificant or inferior people. It suggests that one should ignore baseless noise and maintain their composure.
తాళము పోయినంత మాత్రాన పెట్టె తెరవలేమా?
talamu poyinanta matrana pette teravalema?
Just because the lock is lost, can we not open the box?
This expression is used to convey that if the primary or conventional way of doing something fails, one can always find an alternative method to achieve the goal. It highlights resourcefulness and the idea that a single obstacle shouldn't stop progress.
ఉల్లి మల్లి అవుతుందా, ఉంచుకున్నది పెళ్ళాం అవుతుందా?
ulli malli avutunda, unchukunnadi pellam avutunda?
Will an onion ever become a jasmine flower? Will a mistress ever become a wife?
This is a traditional Telugu proverb used to express the idea that things have an inherent nature or status that cannot be changed. It suggests that a substitute or an informal arrangement can never truly replace or equate to the original, formal, or sanctified version of something. It is often used to emphasize that some boundaries or social roles are permanent.