తల్లికి బొల్లి ఉంటే, పిల్లకు చుక్కయినా ఉండదా?

talliki bolli unte, pillaku chukkayina undada?

Translation

If the mother has leukoderma, won't the child have at least a spot?

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe how children often inherit the traits, habits, or characteristics of their parents (similar to 'the apple doesn't fall far from the tree'). It suggests that a person's behavior or nature is naturally influenced by their lineage or upbringing.

Related Phrases

If you have a mouth, you have a village.

This proverb emphasizes that if one has effective communication skills or the ability to speak up, they can survive and thrive anywhere. It highlights that being vocal and persuasive helps a person find support, resources, and a place in society.

Like peeling a fruit and placing it in the hand

This expression is used to describe a situation where something is explained so clearly and simply that it requires no effort to understand. It is similar to the English phrase 'making it crystal clear' or 'handing it on a silver platter.'

If there is onion, even Malli is a master chef

This proverb highlights how having the right resources or ingredients can make anyone look skilled or successful. It suggests that certain key elements (like onions in Indian cooking) are so fundamental that they can make even an amateur's work seem professional. It is used to mock someone's sudden 'talent' when it's actually the favorable circumstances or tools doing the heavy lifting.

If there is a village, won't there be a labor colony?

This proverb is used to express that wherever there is a society or a larger structure, there will naturally be a working class or diverse sections associated with it. In a broader context, it implies that certain consequences or accompanying elements are inevitable given a specific situation.

A tree with leaves provides shade; a mother with a child has milk.

This proverb highlights natural law and the concept of preparedness or provision. Just as it is the inherent nature of a leafy tree to offer shade, a mother is naturally equipped to provide for her child's needs. It is used to describe situations where someone or something is naturally endowed with the resources required to fulfill their purpose or role.

If you cheat the mother, the child will suffer a loss/hole.

This proverb is typically used in the context of cattle or livestock, implying that if one cheats the mother (e.g., by not feeding it well or milking it excessively), the offspring will inevitably suffer. Metaphorically, it means that if you neglect the source or the root of something, the result or the future generation will be flawed or deprived.

A mother's shadow/influence cannot be escaped by the child.

This proverb is the Telugu equivalent of 'Like mother, like daughter' or 'The apple doesn't fall far from the tree'. It implies that a child (specifically a daughter) will naturally inherit the traits, character, and habits of her mother.

Is there a cat that doesn't drink milk?

This rhetorical question is used to describe a situation where someone is naturally or inevitably tempted by something they love. It is often applied when someone pretends to be disinterested in something they actually desire, or to imply that it is impossible for a person to resist a specific, habitual temptation.

The calf is as white as its mother.

This proverb is used to describe how children inherit the traits, character, or habits of their parents. It is the Telugu equivalent of 'Like mother, like son' or 'The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.' It implies that a child's behavior can be predicted or explained by looking at their upbringing or lineage.

When trying to make a sage, it turned into a cat

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone attempts to do something great or noble, but due to lack of skill or bad luck, the end result is mediocre or a failure. It is similar to the English expression 'The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.' Note: The user provided 'Malli' (Jasmine) or 'Munni', but the standard proverb is 'Muni' (Sage/Ascetic).