ఉండ్రాళ్లు పిండివంటా కాదు, వూద ధాన్యమూ కాదు.
undrallu pindivanta kadu, vuda dhanyamu kadu.
Gaṇṭeśa's rice-balls are not cakes, Ūda is not grain. Ūda is the Panicum Flavidum.
This proverb is used to describe something or someone that is mediocre or falls between categories, lacking the distinct quality of either. It refers to items that are considered inferior or 'neither here nor there' in terms of status or utility.
Related Phrases
ఎరువు సతము కాదు, వాక్కు తోడు కాదు.
eruvu satamu kadu, vakku todu kadu.
Lent property is not lasting, speech is not help. You cannot always depend upon getting a livelihood by your plani- bility.
This proverb emphasizes self-reliance and the transient nature of external aid. Just as manure only provides a temporary boost to the soil's fertility and eventually depletes, words or promises from others are not a reliable substitute for one's own actions or tangible support. It suggests that one should build their own strengths rather than depending on borrowed resources or empty talk.
కుక్క గోవు కాదు, కుందేలు పులి కాదు.
kukka govu kadu, kundelu puli kadu.
A dog is not a cow, and a rabbit is not a tiger.
This expression is used to emphasize that things or people have their own inherent nature and limitations. One cannot change their fundamental character or identity to become something superior or entirely different just by imitation or wishful thinking.
ఉల్లి మల్లి కాదు, ఉంచుకున్నది పెళ్ళాం కాదు
ulli malli kadu, unchukunnadi pellam kadu
An onion is not a jasmine flower, and a mistress is not a wife.
This proverb is used to highlight that certain things have inherent limitations and can never replace the original or the ideal. Just as an onion's pungent smell can never match the fragrance of a jasmine, a temporary or illegitimate relationship cannot provide the status, stability, or respect of a legal marriage.
ముండ కాదు, ముత్తయిదువ కాదు
munda kadu, muttayiduva kadu
Neither a widow, nor a married woman. Said by a man kept in suspense, neither granted nor refused a request, and not knowing whether he was to be as fortunate as a married woman or as unfortunate as a widow.
This expression is used to describe someone or something that is in an ambiguous or uncertain state, belonging to neither of two distinct categories. It often refers to a person who lacks a clear identity or a situation that remains unresolved and 'in-between.'
ఏనుగులు తినేవాడికి పీనుగులు పిండివంటలట
enugulu tinevadiki pinugulu pindivantalata
To the man that eats elephants, corpses are as pastry.
This proverb is used to describe someone who has committed massive crimes or blunders and views smaller offenses as insignificant. It can also refer to people with extreme habits or capabilities for whom minor challenges are trivial.
A thoroughly bad man won't stick at trifles.
ఏనుగులు తినేవాడికి పీనుగలు పిండివంటలత్తా?
enugulu tinevadiki pinugalu pindivantalatta?
For one who eats elephants, are corpses considered delicacies?
This proverb is used to describe a person who handles massive tasks or challenges and finds small, trivial problems insignificant. It suggests that someone accustomed to grand or difficult things will not be bothered or satisfied by minor, petty matters. It is often used to mock someone trying to threaten or tempt a powerful person with something very small.
ఊదర ఒక ధాన్యమా? ఉండ్రాళ్ళు ఒక పిండివంటా?
udara oka dhanyama? undrallu oka pindivanta?
Is 'Oodara' a grain? Are 'Undrallu' a delicacy?
This expression is used to mock someone who tries to pass off trivial, low-quality, or insignificant things as something grand or professional. It is used when someone makes a poor comparison or presents something mediocre as if it were an achievement.
ఒక కన్ను కన్నూ కాదు, ఒక కొడుకు కొడుకూ కాడు
oka kannu kannu kadu, oka koduku koduku kadu
One eye is no eye, one son is no son.
This proverb suggests that relying on a single resource or individual is risky. Just as losing one's only eye leads to total blindness, depending on an only child (or a single point of failure) leaves one vulnerable. It is used to emphasize the importance of backups, security, or having multiple supports in life.
పినతండ్రి పెండ్లాము పినతల్లి కాదు, మేనమామ పెండ్లాము మేనత్త కాదు.
pinatandri pendlamu pinatalli kadu, menamama pendlamu menatta kadu.
Your paternal uncle's wife is not your maternal aunt; your maternal uncle's wife is not your paternal aunt.
This proverb highlights the nuances of relationships and blood ties. It suggests that while people may hold certain titles or positions through marriage, they do not necessarily inherit the same biological significance or emotional depth as the original relative. It is often used to caution against expecting the same level of care or loyalty from relatives by marriage as one would from blood relatives.
ఉండ్రాళ్ళు పిండివంటాకాదు, ఊదర ధాన్యమూ కాదు.
undrallu pindivantakadu, udara dhanyamu kadu.
Undrallu is not a pastry, and Barnyard millet is not a grain.
This proverb is used to describe something that is of inferior quality or doesn't quite fit into a specific category, often implying that certain things are considered secondary or not as valuable as the main alternatives. In a broader sense, it refers to things that are neither here nor there.