తల్లి మాటలేగాని పెట్టుమాత్రం పినతల్లిది
talli matalegani pettumatram pinatallidi
The words are of a mother, but the feeding is that of a step-mother.
This proverb is used to describe a person who talks very affectionately and kindly but acts selfishly or cruelly when it comes to providing help or resources. It highlights the hypocrisy between one's sweet words and their stingy actions.
Related Phrases
తల్లి తర్పణానికే తక్కువైతే, పినతల్లికి పెట్టరా పిండప్రదానం అన్నట్లు.
talli tarpananike takkuvaite, pinatalliki pettara pindapradanam annatlu.
When there is not enough even for the mother's rites, he asks to perform rituals for the stepmother/aunt.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is unable to fulfill basic or essential needs, yet they are asked or attempt to fulfill secondary or less important demands. It highlights misplaced priorities or the irony of demanding extra when the fundamentals are not met.
మాటలు మా తల్లి మాటలు, పెట్టు మా మారు తల్లి పెట్టు
matalu ma talli matalu, pettu ma maru talli pettu
She talks like a mother, but she feeds me like a step mother.
This expression describes a person who speaks very kindly and affectionately but fails to provide any actual help or substance. It is used to point out the hypocrisy of someone whose actions do not match their sweet words, particularly in contexts of hospitality or generosity.
Said of a step mother.
తల్లి తర్పణానికే తక్కువైతే, పినతల్లికి పిండప్రదానమట
talli tarpananike takkuvaite, pinatalliki pindapradanamata
When there isn't enough for the mother's rites, one offers rituals to the stepmother.
This proverb is used to criticize someone who ignores their primary responsibilities or immediate family needs while showing off or performing unnecessary favors for others. It highlights the irony of neglecting a core duty while pretending to be generous or diligent elsewhere.
తల్లికి కూడుపెట్టనివాడు పినతల్లికి చీరపెట్టేదట
talliki kudupettanivadu pinatalliki chirapettedata
One who doesn't feed his own mother is said to buy a saree for his maternal aunt.
This proverb is used to criticize hypocrisy or misplaced priorities. It refers to someone who neglects their fundamental duties or those closest to them, yet tries to gain a good reputation by performing grand gestures for others or distant relatives. It highlights the irony of showing off generosity to the world while failing to meet basic responsibilities at home.
కన్న తల్లిని కాళ్లు పట్టి ఈడ్చి, పినతల్లికి పెట్టరా పిండప్రదానము అన్నట్టు.
kanna tallini kallu patti idchi, pinatalliki pettara pindapradanamu annattu.
Like pulling away your own mother by the legs and saying "Offer the rice-ball for the maternal aunt."
This proverb is used to describe a person who neglects their primary duties or the people who truly care for them, while performing grand, hypocritical acts of service for others or for outward appearances. It highlights the irony of being cruel to those who deserve love while pretending to be virtuous elsewhere.
పొత్తుమాట పొసగని మాట.
pottumata posagani mata.
Joint words are words that do not fit.
This proverb highlights the difficulty of collective decision-making or joint ventures. It suggests that when multiple people are involved in a partnership or discussion, reaching a consensus is often impossible because conflicting opinions and interests prevent a single, coherent resolution from fitting everyone involved.
ఉన్న ఊరు కన్నతల్లి వంటిది.
unna uru kannatalli vantidi.
The village where one lives is like one's own mother.
This proverb emphasizes the deep emotional connection and debt of gratitude one owes to their birthplace or hometown. Just as a mother nurtures and protects her child, the place where one grows up provides sustenance, identity, and a sense of belonging. It is used to encourage patriotism, loyalty to one's roots, or to remind someone never to forget their origins.
కన్నతల్లిని కాళ్ళు పట్టి ఈడ్చి, పినతల్లికి పిండప్రదానం చేసినట్టు
kannatallini kallu patti idchi, pinatalliki pindapradanam chesinattu
Dragging one's own mother by the legs while offering ritual food (Pindam) to the stepmother.
This proverb describes a person who neglects or mistreats those who are truly close to them and have a primary claim to their care, while performing grand, hypocritical acts of devotion or charity toward others for the sake of appearances. It highlights gross ingratitude and misplaced priorities.
మాటలేగాని చొరనీదు మాచకమ్మ
matalegani choranidu machakamma
Machakamma only speaks but does not let anyone enter.
This expression is used to describe a person who talks excessively or makes grand promises but never follows through with action or allows others to actually get involved. It refers to someone who uses words as a facade to avoid real commitment or hospitality.
కన్నతల్లికి కడుపు కాలితే, పిన్నతల్లికి పిర్ర కాలిందిట
kannatalliki kadupu kalite, pinnatalliki pirra kalindita
When the biological mother's stomach was burning (with hunger), the stepmother's butt was burning.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone who is truly suffering or in need is ignored, while someone else makes a frivolous or exaggerated complaint to gain attention or compete. It highlights the contrast between genuine distress and fake or disproportionate grievances.