తాటిచెట్టు ఎక్కలేవు, తాటిగొల కొయ్యలేవు, తాతా నీకెందుకోయ్ పెండ్లాము?
tatichettu ekkalevu, tatigola koyyalevu, tata nikendukoy pendlamu?
You cannot climb the palm tree, you cannot harvest the palm fruit bunch; oh old man, why do you need a wife?
This is a sarcastic proverb used to mock someone who desires the benefits of a situation or relationship without having the basic capability or physical strength to fulfill the associated responsibilities. It highlights the mismatch between one's desires and their actual abilities.
Related Phrases
జెముడుకు కాయలూ లేవు, నిలువ నీడా లేదు.
jemuduku kayalu levu, niluva nida ledu.
The cactus has no fruit and provides no shade to stand under.
This expression is used to describe a person who is completely useless or of no benefit to others. Just as the cactus plant neither offers food (fruit) nor relief from the sun (shade), some people possess neither resources to share nor a helpful nature.
కుక్క తీసిన కొయ్య, నక్క తీసిన కొయ్య
kukka tisina koyya, nakka tisina koyya
A stick taken by a dog, a stick taken by a jackal. No one agreeing with his neighbour. All at sixes and sevens.
This proverb is used to describe a situation or task that has been completely ruined or made useless by being handled by too many incompetent or unreliable people. It implies that when something is passed between many hands without proper care, it loses its original value or purpose.
ఇల్లంతా కొడితే తట్టెడు పెంకులు లేవు
illanta kodite tattedu penkulu levu
When the whole house was knocked down, the tiles did not fill a basket.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a lot of effort is put into something, or a great deal of noise/fuss is made about a person or thing, but the actual value, result, or substance is negligible. It highlights a disproportion between appearance and reality.
Appearances are deceitful.
చిన్ననాడూ లేవు, పెద్దనాడూ లేవు, చంద్రశేఖరుడినాడు చెవుల పోగులా.
chinnanadu levu, peddanadu levu, chandrashekharudinadu chevula pogula.
I had them not in childhood, nor in age, am I now to have earrings in Chandraśekhara's time ? Said by a father to whom earrings were offered when, in his old age, a son had been born to him.
This proverb describes a situation where someone suddenly acquires or flaunts something new late in life that they never had before, often appearing out of place or pretentious. It is used to mock people who experience sudden prosperity or change their habits inconsistently with their past life, or to describe an unexpected event happening at an unusual time.
నొసట కళ్ళు లేవు, నోట్లో పళ్ళు లేవు
nosata kallu levu, notlo pallu levu
No eyes on the forehead, no teeth in the mouth.
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely old or in a state of physical decline. It can also sarcastically refer to someone who is acting helpless or lacks basic common sense and capability.
పెండ్లాము బెల్లము, తల్లి దయ్యము.
pendlamu bellamu, talli dayyamu.
Wife is jaggery, mother is a ghost.
This proverb is used to describe a person who prioritizes his wife and finds her sweet (like jaggery) while neglecting his mother or viewing her as a burden/troublemaker (like a ghost). It is typically used as a criticism of someone who forgets their filial duties after marriage.
ఈత చెట్టు నీడ కాదు, తాటి చెట్టు తల్లి కాదు
ita chettu nida kadu, tati chettu talli kadu
A date palm tree's shade is not real shade, a palmyra tree is not a mother.
This proverb highlights that not everything that appears beneficial is actually helpful. The shade of a date palm is too sparse to provide relief, and while a palmyra tree is tall and useful, it lacks the nurturing quality of a mother. It is used to describe things or people that are inadequate despite their outward appearance or status.
ఈతచెట్టు ఇల్లు కాదు, తాటిచెట్టు తల్లి కాదు.
itachettu illu kadu, tatichettu talli kadu.
A silver date palm is not a home, and a palmyra palm is not a mother.
This proverb is used to warn against seeking comfort or reliability in things that are inherently hazardous or provide no real protection. Just as a palm tree provides very little shade or shelter (making it a poor 'home') and is often associated with intoxicants (toddy), one should not expect nourishment or maternal care from unreliable sources.
తగులుకున్న మొగుడు, తాటిచెట్టు నీడ నిలుకడ లేనివి
tagulukunna mogudu, tatichettu nida nilukada lenivi
An illicit husband and the shade of a palm tree are both unstable.
This proverb highlights things that lack permanence or reliability. Just as the shade of a tall, thin palm tree shifts rapidly and offers no real shelter, an illicit or informal relationship lacks legal or social security. It is used to describe situations or people that cannot be depended upon in the long run.
తాటిచెట్టు నీడ నీడకాదు, తగులుకున్నవాడు మొగుడు కాదు
tatichettu nida nidakadu, tagulukunnavadu mogudu kadu
The shadow of a palm tree is not a real shade, and a paramour is not a husband.
This proverb highlights that some things are unreliable or lack substance despite appearances. Just as the tall palm tree provides very little actual shade for someone seeking cover, a person in a casual or illicit relationship cannot provide the security, commitment, or social standing of a spouse. It is used to describe temporary or deceptive situations that fail to offer true protection or long-term stability.