తాత తిన్న బొచ్చు తరతరాలు ఉంటుందా?

tata tinna bochchu tarataralu untunda?

Translation

Will the fiber/hair eaten by the grandfather last for generations?

Meaning

This expression is used to criticize someone who lives off their ancestors' past glory or wealth without contributing anything new. It implies that inherited resources or reputation will not last forever and that one must work to sustain themselves rather than relying solely on the past.

Related Phrases

If you take medicine for a cold, it lasts for a week; if you don't take it, it lasts for seven days.

This is a humorous observation or a 'sameta' used to point out that certain things, like a common cold, follow their natural course and cannot be rushed. Since a week and seven days are exactly the same, it implies that the medicine doesn't actually shorten the duration of the illness. It is used to describe situations where intervention doesn't yield a faster result than doing nothing.

The single-tusked one (Ganesha) gives you this much hair.

This is a humorous and sarcastic expression used to describe a situation where someone expects a grand reward or divine intervention but receives something trivial, worthless, or disappointing. It is often used to mock someone's meager offerings or the insignificant results of a supposedly great effort.

Will you jump into a lake just because your grandfather built it?

This proverb is used to warn against blind following or making dangerous decisions based solely on tradition or heritage. It implies that even if an ancestor or elder did something, one must still evaluate the current risks and exercise common sense before acting. It is often used to discourage foolish risks taken in the name of family pride.

When luck is not on your side, if you go out to beg, even the begging bowl you have will be swept away.

This proverb highlights a period of extreme misfortune where any attempt to improve one's situation or seek help results in losing the little one already possesses. It is used to describe a streak of bad luck where every action leads to further loss or backfires unexpectedly.

Grandfather's bowl [lasting for] generations.

This proverb refers to things that are used for an excessively long time, often passed down through generations. It is used to describe items or systems that are very old, durable, or sometimes outdated, yet still in use.

Flashy on the outside, hollow on the inside.

This proverb is used to describe something or someone that looks very attractive, expensive, or impressive outwardly, but is actually empty, poor quality, or lacks substance internally. It is often used to criticize pretentiousness or superficiality.

A thin crop fills the granaries

This is an agricultural proverb implying that crops planted with proper spacing (thinly) yield better results than those planted too densely. It is used to convey that quality and proper management are more important than sheer quantity or overcrowding for a successful outcome.

Like saying a clay pan from the grandfather's time should last for generations.

This proverb describes a situation where someone expects something old, fragile, or cheap to last forever or serve multiple generations. It is used to mock people who are overly stingy or unrealistic about the lifespan of materials and tools, expecting them to endure far beyond their natural capacity.

A bowl from the grandfather's time lasts for generations

This expression refers to things of high quality or value inherited from ancestors that remain durable and useful for a long time. It can also be used sarcastically to describe someone who clings to outdated, old-fashioned possessions or traditions while boasting about their lineage.

The word 'Give' is not in this house. The word 'Bring' has been coming for generations.

This proverb is used to describe an extremely stingy or selfish person or family. It highlights a nature where they are always ready to take or receive from others ('Bring'), but never willing to offer or give anything back ('Give').