తొత్తుకు నగలెన్ని ఇడినా దొరసాని అవుతుందా?
tottuku nagalenni idina dorasani avutunda?
No matter how many jewels you put on a maid, will she become a lady?
This proverb suggests that external appearance, wealth, or fine clothing cannot change a person's inherent nature, character, or lack of class. It is used to describe situations where someone tries to act superior by using material things, but their true behavior or background eventually reveals itself.
Related Phrases
దొరసానికి వల్లే దొరకకపోతే తొత్తుకు తొగరు చీరా?
dorasaniki valle dorakakapote tottuku togaru chira?
When the mistress herself cannot afford a plain cloth, does the maid expect a silk sari?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a subordinate or someone in a lower position demands luxuries or basic needs when their superior or the provider is struggling to secure even the bare minimum. It highlights unrealistic expectations or lack of common sense regarding one's current circumstances.
గుడ్డి గుర్రానికి పండ్లు తోమితే గుగ్గిళ్ళు అవుతాయా?
guddi gurraniki pandlu tomite guggillu avutaya?
If you brush the teeth of a blind horse, will they turn into boiled grains?
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone performs a useless or irrelevant action expecting a beneficial outcome. It highlights the futility of putting effort into something that does not change the fundamental nature of the problem or result in the desired reward.
దున్నపోతులాగా కష్టపడి, దొరలాగా తినాలి.
dunnapotulaga kashtapadi, doralaga tinali.
One must work like a buffalo, and eat like a gentleman.
This proverb emphasizes the value of hard work and its rewards. It suggests that one should toil rigorously and tirelessly (like a buffalo in the fields) during their working years or phase so that they can eventually enjoy a life of luxury, comfort, and dignity (like a lord or nobleman).
అనగా అనగా రాగం, తినగా తినగా వేము
anaga anaga ragam, tinaga tinaga vemu
By singing repeatedly, the melody improves; by eating repeatedly, even Neem tastes sweet.
This proverb emphasizes that practice makes perfect and that persistence can make even difficult or unpleasant tasks easier over time. Note: The user provided 'rogam' (disease), but the traditional proverb is 'vemu' (neem), implying that constant habituation changes one's perspective or skill.
నగుబాట్ల పెళ్ళికి నాడే నాగవల్లి
nagubatla pelliki nade nagavalli
The 'Nagavalli' ceremony on the same day as the mockery-filled wedding.
This proverb is used to describe situations where things are done in an extreme rush or in a disorganized, improper manner. Usually, the Nagavalli ceremony happens days after the wedding, but doing it on the same day implies a lack of proper planning, a sense of embarrassment, or trying to finish a task haphazardly just to get it over with.
ఇత్తడి పుత్తడి కాదు, తొత్తు దొరసాని కాదు
ittadi puttadi kadu, tottu dorasani kadu
Brass is not gold, and a maid is not a lady.
This proverb is used to emphasize that external appearances or imitations cannot replace the value or dignity of the original. Just as brass may shine like gold but lacks its intrinsic worth, someone pretending to be of high character or status without having the actual virtues will eventually be revealed. It is often used to remind people to stay in touch with reality and not be fooled by superficial substitutes.
నక్క కూత నాగ లోకానికి ముట్టునా?
nakka kuta naga lokaniki muttuna?
Will a fox's howl reach the world of the Nagas?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where the words or criticisms of an insignificant, low, or mean-minded person cannot affect or reach someone of high stature, dignity, or power. Just as a fox's howl on earth cannot reach the celestial world of Nagas (Serpent gods), the rants of a petty person do not bother a great person.
నగుబాట్ల పెండ్లికి నాడే నాగవల్లి
nagubatla pendliki nade nagavalli
For a wedding that is an embarrassment, the 'Nagavalli' ceremony happens on the same day.
This proverb is used to describe a situation that is poorly planned, failing, or being rushed to completion to avoid further humiliation. 'Nagavalli' is usually a ritual performed on the fourth or fifth day of a traditional Telugu wedding; performing it on the first day signifies a desperate attempt to wrap up a failing or shameful event quickly.
రంగసానే దొరసాని దొరసానే రంగసాని
rangasane dorasani dorasane rangasani
The dancer is the queen, and the queen is the dancer.
This expression is used to describe a situation where roles or statuses are reversed or become indistinguishable. It signifies that someone in a high position is behaving like a commoner (or vice versa), or more commonly, it refers to an environment where there is no discipline or order, and everyone acts according to their whims regardless of their actual status.
తొత్తును ఇంటబెట్టి దొరసానిని చెరగొందురా?
tottunu intabetti dorasanini cheragondura?
Will one keep a servant girl in the house and abduct the mistress?
This proverb is used to criticize someone who leaves a small or easy task unfinished while attempting a much larger, more difficult, or unethical one. It highlights the absurdity of ignoring a simple solution or accessible resource while committing a major folly or risk elsewhere.