తల్లి సారం పిల్ల, దాక సారం సక్కు
talli saram pilla, daka saram sakku
The child is like the mother, and the porridge is like the vessel.
This proverb is used to say that a child's character and traits are usually a reflection of their parents, especially the mother. Just as the quality or remnants of food (sakku) depend on the pot (daka) it was cooked in, a child's upbringing and nature are shaped by their origin.
Related Phrases
సంతలో సంసారం, సానిదానికి పాతివ్రత్యం
santalo samsaram, sanidaniki pativratyam
Living family life in a marketplace; a prostitute claiming chastity.
This proverb is used to describe highly contradictory or impossible situations. It highlights the hypocrisy of someone claiming to possess a virtue or a lifestyle that is completely inconsistent with their environment or profession. Just as one cannot maintain a private, peaceful family life in the middle of a noisy, public market, it is considered ironic for a sex worker to claim the traditional virtues of a 'pativrata' (a chaste, devoted wife).
పిల్లల కోసం గడ్డి తింటారు
pillala kosam gaddi tintaru
They make themselves fools for a child. Lit. They eat grass. Foolish vows are made and silly ceremonies performed to propitiate the gods and obtain children.
This expression is used to describe the extent to which parents are willing to endure extreme hardships, humiliation, or do anything—even something undignified—to ensure the well-being and future of their children.
ముఖానికి ముక్కుసర, దండకు కొలికిసర.
mukhaniki mukkusara, dandaku kolikisara.
A nose-ring for the face, a clasp for the necklace.
This proverb refers to the final finishing touches that provide completeness or a perfect fit to something. Just as a nose-ring enhances the face and a clasp completes a necklace, it describes the essential finishing element that makes a person or a situation look complete and proper.
నలసారము, సంసారము.
nalasaramu, samsaramu.
Good conduct and family life.
This expression highlights that a person's good character (Nalasaramu) and their family/domestic life (Samsaramu) are the two pillars of a respectable existence. It is used to emphasize that one's reputation depends equally on individual integrity and how they manage their household.
తల్లిని బట్టి పిల్ల, విత్తును బట్టి పంట.
tallini batti pilla, vittunu batti panta.
Like mother, like child; like seed, like crop.
This proverb emphasizes the influence of origins and upbringing. Just as the quality of a harvest depends on the quality of the seed sown, a child's character and traits are often a reflection of their parents or their environment. It is used to describe how inherent qualities or early influences determine the final outcome.
బొక్కలో పిల్ల, డొక్కలో పిల్ల
bokkalo pilla, dokkalo pilla
Child in the hole, child in the belly.
This expression is used to describe a woman who is already taking care of a young child while being pregnant with another. It highlights the challenging situation of a mother handling consecutive pregnancies or very young children with a very small age gap.
నాగసముద్రం పిల్ల, నగారుమీద పుల్ల
nagasamudram pilla, nagarumida pulla
A girl from Nagasamudram is like a stick on a drum.
This is a traditional Telugu saying used to describe someone who is very thin or lean. It compares a person's physique to a thin drumstick (pullu) used to play a large drum (nagaru), suggesting they are strikingly slender.
తల్లిమీది కోపం పిల్లమీద పోతుంది.
tallimidi kopam pillamida potundi.
Anger toward the mother is taken out on the child.
This proverb describes a situation where a person redirects their frustration or anger from its original source toward someone else who is vulnerable or associated with that source. It is used to point out unfair treatment where an innocent party suffers for someone else's mistake or due to a displaced grudge.
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.
సంసారం లేనివారికి సరసాలెక్కువ.
samsaram lenivariki sarasalekkuva.
Those who don't have a family (responsibilities) have more flirtations.
This expression is used to point out that people who lack serious responsibilities or professional commitments often waste their time on frivolous activities, jokes, or playfulness. It implies that a busy person with a household to manage wouldn't have the luxury of such idle talk.