తానై మాగని కాయ, తంతే మాగునా?
tanai magani kaya, tante maguna?
Will a fruit that doesn't ripen on its own, ripen if you kick it?
This proverb is used to explain that some things cannot be rushed or forced. Just as a fruit must mature naturally to be sweet, certain results, skills, or changes in behavior require time and internal readiness rather than external pressure or force.
Related Phrases
మేక ఆకులు మేయగానే ఉపవాసమగునా?
meka akulu meyagane upavasamaguna?
Will a goat be fasting just because it eats leaves?
This proverb is used to criticize hypocrisy or superficiality in religious or disciplined practices. It suggests that merely performing an action that looks like a sacrifice (like eating leaves/simple food) doesn't count as true fasting or devotion if it is simply one's natural habit or lacks the underlying intent. It is often applied to people who pretend to be pious or frugal by doing things that actually cost them nothing.
వగలాడీ నీకు మగలెందరే అంటే తొలి మగనితో తొంబైమంది అందిట.
vagaladi niku magalendare ante toli maganito tombaimandi andita.
When a flirtatious woman was asked how many husbands she had, she replied 'Ninety including the first one'.
This proverb is used to mock someone who tries to sound modest or innocent while admitting to a large number of faults or misdeeds. It highlights shamelessness and the futility of trying to count or justify excessive bad behavior.
నీ మొగుడికి రాగిపోగులే అంటే, నీ మొగుడికి అవీ లేవు అందట
ni mogudiki ragipogule ante, ni mogudiki avi levu andata
When someone said 'Your husband only has copper earrings', the other replied 'At least yours has those; mine doesn't even have that much'
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone complains about a small deficiency or low quality, only to be met by someone in an even worse state. It highlights relative poverty or misfortune, suggesting that one should be grateful for what they have because others might lack even the basics.
తానే మాగని కాయ తన్నితే మాగునా?
tane magani kaya tannite maguna?
Will a fruit which ripens not of itself ripen if you kick it? Advice is thrown away upon the headstrong.
This proverb is used to explain that certain things cannot be forced and require their own natural time to happen. Just as a raw fruit cannot be forced to ripen instantly through physical force or aggression, results in life often require patience and the right conditions rather than coercion.
వేలు చూపితే మురిగేది గుమ్మడి కాయ, తంతే పెరిగేది పుచ్చకాయ
velu chupite murigedi gummadi kaya, tante perigedi puchchakaya
The pumpkin decays when a finger is pointed at it, and the watermelon grows when kicked.
This expression refers to 'Dohada Cheshtalu' (botanical beliefs/folklore), where different plants respond to different human stimuli. Metaphorically, it describes how individuals react differently to treatment: some are so sensitive that even a slight gesture (criticism) harms them, while others require harsh treatment or pressure to thrive and progress.
మాటలలో పడి మగనిని మరిచినట్లు
matalalo padi maganini marichinatlu
Like getting so lost in conversation that one forgets their husband.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone gets so distracted by trivial talk or secondary activities that they completely neglect their primary responsibility or the main purpose of their task.
కులటబిడ్డ కొడుకగునా, మెరుపు దీపమగునా?
kulatabidda kodukaguna, merupu dipamaguna?
Will a harlot's child become a loyal son? Will a flash of lightning become a steady lamp?
This proverb uses metaphors to suggest that certain inherent traits or temporary phenomena cannot be relied upon for long-term stability or legitimacy. Just as a sudden flash of lightning cannot serve as a permanent source of light for a house, things born out of instability or lack of virtue are perceived as unreliable.
ఇంటి మగనికి ఈచకట్లు, బయటి మగనికి తాటికట్లు
inti maganiki ichakatlu, bayati maganiki tatikatlu
Wild date-palm fiber bindings for the husband at home, and sturdy palmyra fiber bindings for the outsider.
This proverb describes a situation of hypocrisy or misplaced priorities where one treats their own family or relatives poorly while being overly generous, respectful, or formal with strangers. It is often used to criticize someone who neglects their household needs while putting on a grand show for the outside world.
అరణంకంటే మరణమే మగవానికి శరణం
aranankante maraname magavaniki sharanam
Death is a better refuge for a man than living on a dowry.
This proverb emphasizes the social stigma and loss of self-respect associated with a man living off his wife's wealth or dowry (Aranam). It suggests that for a man with dignity, death is preferable to the humiliation of being dependent on his in-laws' property or a dowry-based lifestyle.
చూపులకు మగడే కానీ, సుఖానికి మగడు కాదు
chupulaku magade kani, sukhaniki magadu kadu
A husband for appearances only, not for providing happiness.
This proverb is used to describe a situation or person that looks competent or sufficient on the outside but fails to fulfill their primary responsibilities or provide the expected benefits. In a literal sense, it refers to a spouse who maintains the social status of marriage but fails to provide emotional, physical, or financial support. Metaphorically, it is used for any object or person that is decorative but useless in practice.