తల్లి చస్తే నాలుక చచ్చినట్లు, తండ్రి చస్తే కళ్ళు పోయినట్లు
talli chaste naluka chachchinatlu, tandri chaste kallu poyinatlu
When the mother dies, it is like the tongue dying; when the father dies, it is like losing one's eyes.
This proverb highlights the specific roles parents play in a child's life. A mother is associated with food and taste (the tongue), meaning her absence leads to a lack of nourishment and care. A father is seen as the guide and protector (the eyes), meaning his absence leaves the family without direction or security in the world.
Related Phrases
తల్లి చస్తే తరంబాసె, తండ్రి చస్తే రుణం బాసె
talli chaste tarambase, tandri chaste runam base
If the mother dies, the generation connection is lost; if the father dies, the debt is cleared.
This proverb reflects the traditional roles in a family. When a mother passes away, the emotional bond and the connection to that generation/lineage often weakens or ends because she is the emotional glue. When a father passes away, the legal or financial obligations and 'debts' associated with his authority are considered fulfilled or settled. It is used to describe the profound changes in family dynamics after the loss of parents.
తల్లి చస్తే తరం బాసే, తండ్రి చస్తే రుణం బాసె
talli chaste taram base, tandri chaste runam base
If the mother dies, the generation is lost; if the father dies, the debt is cleared.
This proverb describes the traditional roles of parents in a family. When a mother passes away, the emotional connection and bonds between siblings and extended family (the generation) often weaken or dissolve. When a father passes away, the family's financial obligations, inheritances, and responsibilities (the debt/burden) transition to the next generation or are settled.
తండ్రి చస్తే పెత్తనం తెలుస్తుంది, తల్లి చస్తే కాపురం తెలుస్తుంది.
tandri chaste pettanam telustundi, talli chaste kapuram telustundi.
When the father dies, one understands management; when the mother dies, one understands household responsibilities.
This proverb highlights the specific roles parents play in a family. It suggests that a child only truly understands the burden of authority and financial responsibility once the father is gone, and the intricacies of managing a home and family bonds once the mother is gone.
తల్లి చనిపోతే తండ్రి పినతండ్రితో సమానము
talli chanipote tandri pinatandrito samanamu
When the mother dies, the father is equal to an uncle. He is not so affectionate as before.
This proverb suggests that after a mother's passing, the father's attention and affection might diminish or shift, especially if he remarries, making him distant like a secondary relative rather than a primary nurturer. It highlights the unique, irreplaceable role of a mother in a child's upbringing.
ఉల్లి చేసిన మేలు తల్లి కూడా చేయదు
ulli chesina melu talli kuda cheyadu
Even a mother cannot do as much good as an onion does.
This is a popular Telugu proverb emphasizing the immense medicinal and health benefits of onions. It suggests that while a mother is the ultimate caretaker, the therapeutic properties of onions are so unique and powerful for the body that they are incomparable. It is used to encourage the consumption of onions for well-being.
తాను పెంచిన పొట్టేలు తనచేతనే చచ్చినట్లు
tanu penchina pottelu tanachetane chachchinatlu
Like the ram one raised being killed by one's own self.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is harmed or betrayed by something or someone they have carefully nurtured, supported, or helped grow. It highlights the irony and pain of being victimized by one's own creation or a person they once trusted and cared for.
ఈతలకుపోయినవాడు, ఇల్లుకాలినవాడు, తాళ్ళకుపోయినవాడు తండ్రి చచ్చినా రాడు.
italakupoyinavadu, illukalinavadu, tallakupoyinavadu tandri chachchina radu.
One who has gone for palm wine, one whose house is burning, and one who has gone to the toddy trees will not come even if their father dies.
This proverb describes people who are so deeply involved or stuck in specific situations that they cannot be reached or distracted by anything else, even a family tragedy. It highlights the behavior of those who are either too focused on their addictions (toddy/palm wine) or too overwhelmed by their own personal disasters (house burning) to fulfill social or family obligations.
తల్లి చచ్చినా మేనమామ ఉంటే చాలు
talli chachchina menamama unte chalu
Even if the mother dies, it is enough if the maternal uncle is there.
In Telugu culture, the maternal uncle (menamama) holds a position of great responsibility and affection, often seen as a protective surrogate for the mother. This proverb emphasizes that even in the absence of a mother, a maternal uncle can provide the necessary support, guidance, and security to a child.
తల్లి చస్తే కడుపు పెద్ద, తలలు మూస్తే కొప్పు పెద్ద
talli chaste kadupu pedda, talalu muste koppu pedda
When the mother dies, the stomach grows; when hair is tied, the bun looks big
This proverb highlights how people manage and move on after a loss. It suggests that once the person who feeds and cares for the family (the mother) is gone, one learns to fend for themselves or overeat out of lack of discipline, and that appearances can be deceptive or managed once the initial mourning period ends.
చచ్చినట్లు కలవచ్చినా మేలుకోక తప్పదు
chachchinatlu kalavachchina melukoka tappadu
Even if you dream as if you are dead, you must wake up eventually.
This proverb is used to emphasize that no matter how deep an illusion, an escape, or a terrible situation may be, one must eventually return to reality and face the facts of life. It highlights the inevitability of facing the truth.