దుందుడుకుతనమే, దూతే తాతే తాలంతత్తే తూతక తాతకతోనా దొందుదొందే
dundudukutaname, dute tate talantatte tutaka tatakatona dondudonde
" The tamarinds have flowered," [said one]. " When the time of blossoming and bearing fruit comes, will flowers and fruit be wanting?" [said another] " You are both alike," [said the third]. Three sisters suffered from an impediment in their speech—each thought she spoke better than either of the other two. The first instead of " Chintalu pûchinavè," said " Tintalu tûtinavè" the second pronounced " Pûchè kâchè kâlam vastè, pûgaka kâyaka pônâ?" as " Tûtè tâtè talam tattè, tûtaka tâtaka tônâ?" and the third, taunting both her sisters, said of their speech " Dondu dondè" for " Rendu rendè" (literally, "the two are two").
This expression is used to describe two people or things that are equally bad, useless, or mischievous. It implies that there is no difference between them as they are both 'two of a kind' or 'birds of a feather.' It is commonly used when comparing two people who are colluding in a wrong act or are equally incompetent.
Related Phrases
చిల్లి కాదు, తూటు అన్నాట్ట
chilli kadu, tutu annatta
He said it's not a small hole, it's a large hole.
This expression is used to describe someone who tries to sound clever or correct others by using a different word that means exactly the same thing. It highlights a distinction without a difference, mocking someone who argues over trivial terminology or semantics when the end result is identical.
చిల్లి పేరే తూటు
chilli pere tutu
The name of a hole is a hole. Said of persons contradicting each other, though really driving at the same end.
This expression is used to describe two things that are essentially the same, even if they are called by different names. It highlights redundancy or a distinction without a difference, similar to the English idiom 'six of one, half a dozen of the other'.
చిత్తలో తొలకరైతే తట్ట తగలెయ్యాలి
chittalo tolakaraite tatta tagaleyyali
If it rains during the Chitta star period, you might as well burn your basket.
This is a traditional agricultural proverb. 'Chitta' is an auspicious lunar mansion (nakshatra) for rains. The saying suggests that if it rains during this specific period, the resulting harvest will be so poor or the drought so severe that a farmer won't even need a basket ('tatta') to carry the produce, implying total crop failure or a change in seasonal patterns.
ఉండి ఉండి ఉప్పరవానిని కట్టుకొంటే, తట్ట తట్టకు తలపోతలే.
undi undi upparavanini kattukonte, tatta tattaku talapotale.
After waiting and waiting, if one marries a digger (laborer), there will be head-washings (ceremonial or literal) for every basket carried.
This proverb describes a situation where someone waits a long time to make a choice, only to end up with a difficult or laborious situation. It specifically refers to the disappointment when a long-awaited decision results in unexpected hardships or constant, repetitive struggles.
తుక్కు తుక్కుగా కోస్తే తట్టకెత్తేస్తా అన్నది.
tukku tukkuga koste tattakettesta annadi.
If you cut it into tiny bits, it said it would be lifted into the basket.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone makes a task easier for themselves by being clever or where a difficult task becomes manageable when broken down. It is often used in the context of 'tit for tat' or a cheeky response to a threat, implying that even if one is destroyed or broken down, there is a way to handle the result easily.
దొందూ దొందే.
dondu donde.
Both are the same.
Used to describe two people or things that are equally bad, useless, or share the same negative traits. It is equivalent to the English expression 'six of one and half a dozen of the other' or 'two of a kind'.
బాదేపల్లి సేట్లు, లెక్కలు చూస్తే తూట్లు
badepalli setlu, lekkalu chuste tutlu
The merchants of Badepalli; if you check their accounts, they are full of holes.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone maintains a very high status or prestigious outward appearance, but their actual financial situation or internal affairs are in a state of ruin or chaos. It highlights the disparity between grand reputation and empty reality.
కమలాసనుని కలహంసకు తూటికాడలే తిండి.
kamalasanuni kalahamsaku tutikadale tindi.
For the swan of the lotus-seated (Brahma), only lotus stalks are the food.
This expression is used to signify that regardless of status or how divine or grand a position someone holds, they still have specific, natural requirements or humble necessities. It also suggests that great people have refined tastes or that everything has its own designated place and sustenance in the universe.
చింతచచ్చినా పులుపు చావదు
chintachachchina pulupu chavadu
Even if the tamarind tree dies, its sourness does not die.
This proverb is used to describe a person who, despite losing their status, wealth, or strength, still retains their arrogance or inherent character traits. It suggests that core nature remains unchanged by circumstances.
తలచినప్పుడే తాతకు పెళ్ళి
talachinappude tataku pelli
Grandfather's wedding the moment you think of it
This expression is used to describe someone who expects immediate results or wants to complete a task instantly without considering the necessary time, preparation, or logical sequence. It mocks the impatience of wanting complex things to happen as soon as they are mentioned.